April 27, 2012 – The ultimate fairytale that has represented, for centuries, the definitive expression of timeless love, transformation, the fulfilment of a dream come true and, above all, the happily ever after, comes alive in 2012 as The Walt Disney Studios and famed red-sole designer Christian Louboutin, come together to celebrate the magic and inspiration behind of one of the greatest fairytales of all time, Disney’s “Cinderella.”

Louboutin, whose designs are the epitome of style, power, femininity and elegance, was invited by Disney to bring “Cinderella” to life with a fashion forward twist.  As part of this collaboration, Louboutin will design a “Cinderella” slipper putting his own magic touch on the world’s most famous pair of shoes.  This announcement precedes Louboutin’s 20^th Anniversary retrospective exhibition at the London Design Museum and the and the global release of Disney’s animated classic masterpiece “Cinderella” Diamond Edition on Blu-rayÔ coming to market this October.

“Isn’t it everyone’s dream, to once in your life part of a fairy tale? Walt Disney Studios gave me a wonderful opportunity to live this magical moment. I have been so lucky to have crossed paths with Cinderella, an icon who is so emblematic to the shoe world as well as the dream world.”

–        Christian Louboutin

The designer’s mesmerizing creations are full of whimsy and glamour and his limitless imagination has helped him turn his dreams to reality and help women all over the world over feel like princesses.

“I think we have made the fairy tale fashionable again. We can translate the ancient fairy tale into its modern equivalent without losing the lovely patina and the saviour of its once-upon-a-time quality.”

–        Walt Disney

Specific details on the collaboration will be formally shared in early July.

About Cinderella:

Everyone orders Cinderella around: her cruel stepmother, her awful stepsisters — even the big clock in the church tower tells her when to start another day of drudgery. But they can’t stop her from dreaming, and Cinderella has faith that someday her wishes will come true. When an invitation to the royal ball arrives, Cinderella is sure her time has come — until her stepsisters, with the encouragement of Lady Tremaine, tear her gown to shreds. Just when Cinderella believes all is lost, her Fairy Godmother appears, and with a wave of her wand and “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo,” transforms an ordinary pumpkin into a magnificent coach and Cinderella’s rags into a gorgeous gown, then sends her off to the Royal Ball. But Cinderella’s enchanted evening must end when the spell is broken at midnight. It will take the help of her daring animal mice friends and a perfect fit into a glass slipper to create the ultimate fairy tale ending.

About Christian Louboutin:

French designer, Christian Louboutin’s red soles have stamped an inimitable mark on the world of fashion and shoe making over the past twenty years.  The innovation and imagination behind Louboutin’s mesmerizing shoes and his utter devotion to women have established him as one of the world’s most visionary and important shoemakers.  Born in Paris and raised by his mother and three sisters, the designer credits this feminine environment as the inspiration for much of his work.  Louboutin’s unmistakable red soles, his inventive designs and exceptional craftsmanship have gained him a loyal following from some of the world’s most stylish women.  Today, the Louboutin brand can be found in 54 countries worldwide with 55 jewel box boutiques proudly displaying his red sole creations for women and men as well as a collection of handbags and small leather goods.

About The Walt Disney Studios:

For more than 85 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company was built. Today, the Studio brings quality movies, music and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. Feature films are released under the following banners: Disney, including Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios; Disneynature; Marvel Studios; and Touchstone Pictures, the banner under which live-action films from DreamWorks Studios are distributed. The Disney Music Group encompasses the Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records labels, as well as Disney Music Publishing. The Disney Theatrical Group produces and licenses live events, including Disney on Broadway, Disney On Ice and Disney Live!.

Hamburg, April 26, 2012 – gamigo and Drago Entertainment will be sending the first players to survival training in the decimated world of Grimlands, starting today. This first step of beta testing will focus on technical details such as server stability, optimization of the network code and testing new features.

This first beta version of the shooter MMO Grimlands includes a dozen new dungeons full of post-apocalyptic adventure for groups of players. Weather effects cast dark shadows on the landscapes with dynamic clouds, rain showers and other weather events! The PhysX Engine allows the environment to react to external influences in a physically accurate manner. New vehicles consume gasoline and can be equipped with weapons and armoring.

The crafting system, which plays a key role in the player-controlled economy, has been given a complete overhaul. A variety of professions, such as weaponsmith, armorer or engineer, allows players to choose specializations. New and better building plans are unlocked by increasing one’s skill level.

All new features in Grimlands at a glance:

• PhysX physical engine  implemented
• 12 new dungeons
• Complex weather system (dynamic  clouds, rain and other weather patterns)
• Crafting system overhauled, new professions for specialization
• New vehicles with the PhysX physical engine
• Vehicles can cause damage
• Vehicles can be equipped with weapons and armoring
• Vehicles consume gasoline
• New graphics effects

We’re excited to announce the release of War of the Immortals: Lost Omen . This is the first expansion to the game, packing a plethora of content, including the new Harbinger class. Lost Omen kicks PvP up a notch by adding combat mounts and engulfing players in all out war with up to 90 vs. 90 person battles! There will be new zones to explore, skills to unlock and a pet system to raise a sidekick ready for beast mode combat.

Full details of War of the Immortals: Lost Omen can be found in the press release below or on the official micro site.

The 1911 semi-automatic pistol has been one of the deadliest and longest serving weapons in Max Payne’s arsenal. Making a welcome return in Max Payne 3, this hard-hitting, reliable handgun – a staple since Max’s NYPD days – features machine-gun like firing rates plus the ability to dual-wield.

Extremely light-weight, yet packing enough force to punch holes in any enemy brazen enough to cross Max’s path – grabbing a couple of these as you dash and Shootdodge™ through crossfire will make you a dangerous target.

Explore the video above to see the raw power, impressive range and precise accuracy of the 1911 in action, along with detailed 360-degree renders that show off all of its individually modeled components and a selection of all-new screenshots.

Bethesda Softworks is pleased to announce that Tango Gameworks and director Shinji Mikami are working on a ‘survival horror’ game under the codename ‘Zwei’.

 A collage of different environments from the game that communicate the tone and the direction that the production is taking.

“A true ‘survival horror’ game is one in which the player confronts and overcomes fear,” says Shinji Mikami, president and creative director for Tango Gameworks. “I’ve found my focus and once again I’m striving for pure survival horror. I am being very hands-on in the development of this game to ensure that the quality is there. Rest assured.”

Razer returns as the sponsor of the TSL

Sydney, Australia, 26 April 2012  – Razer, one of the world’s pioneering supporters of e-Sports, in co-operation with TeamLiquid, elite StarCraft II pro-gaming team, is proud to announce its support of the much anticipated fourth season of the TeamLiquid StarLeague.

Since the game’s release, Razer has been a staunch supporter of StarCraft II.  The World Cyber Games, Intel Extreme Masters and IGN Pro League are just some of the bigger e-Sports competitions to receive Razer’s support, but the importance of supporting smaller, community-driven events is equally important; especially those pioneered by Razer’s own teams, such as FXOpen’s Invitational series. As prominent members of the StarCraft II community, Razer is happy to assist teams in their efforts to support and grow their own community.

“Four years ago, Razer believed in us to run our first TSL tournament.” Says Ken Chen, Chief Operations Officer, TeamLiquid. “Without them, the TeamLiquid StarLeague would not be where it is today. We’re very excited and thankful to work with them again, and we appreciate their consistent support of the TeamLiquid community and the Liquid team throughout the years.”

The TeamLiquid Starleague brings together the best of both event styles: a community-driven event that puts the needs of players and fans first, while still being able to incentivise participants with a sizable prize pool, and satisfy viewers with the production value that they’ve come to expect from world-class events. It invokes a great sense of pride to see something so well put together from one of Team Razer’s own.

“At Razer, we understand the importance of supporting not just the teams, but also the event organisers, who provide players the opportunity to compete in front of a global audience,” said Robert “RazerGuy” Krakoff, President, Razer USA. “The TeamLiquid Star League offers Razer the opportunity to support the players, teams, fans and event organisers with one agreement. It’s utterly unique.”

The TSL Season 3 was one of the first major community-driven events in StarCraft II history, and was by all accounts a colossal success. With Razer’s support, we have full confidence that TeamLiquid will raise the bar for the fourth season.

About the TeamLiquid StarLeague

The TeamLiquid StarLeague is an international StarCraft tournament that started with StarCraft: Brood War and now features StarCraft II. The TSL is typically very community oriented, with news articles, player interaction, and fan support on TeamLiquid.net, the world’s largest StarCraft II international community and news website. The tournament also features an open online qualifier system which provides a great opportunity for up-and-coming players to prove themselves against the world’s best competition. In 2011, ThorZaIN defeated NaNiwa 4-3 in an memorable finals to win the TSL3.

For more information, please visit http://www.teamliquid.net/tsl

About Razer
Razer has been a pioneering supporter of e-Sports since its conception. It is in our blood and we are driven to further the culture of professional gaming in all that we do. We work hand in hand with our pros to forge weaponry for the players who stake their livelihood on podium placements. Our gear is designed to perform flawlessly in high-stress tournament conditions where winning is everything and mistakes cost championships. Those who compete with our equipment will attest – We live by our words: For Gamers. By Gamers.

For more information, please visit www.razerzone.com

Individuality and Full Control the key as PES 2013 moves the goalposts

SYDNEY, 26 April, 2012: Konami Digital Entertainment will offer football fans an unprecedented level of control, when its PES 2013 title returns to the field this spring.

As befits a game endorsed by Cristiano Ronaldo – a player who embodies the skill and grace of top level football – PES 2013 sees the series returning to its roots, with the emphasis on the individual skills of the world’s best players, and giving the player the total freedom to play any style of ball, which includes for the first time full control over shots.. This follows further consultation with both football and PES fans alike, and the result is the most faithful recreation of modern day football to date, with players modelled to match the running motions, abilities and playing styles, and the flicks and turns of their real-life counterparts.

Three key elements form the basis of PES 2013’s innovations, with all new additions falling within the fields of PES FullControl, Player ID, and ProActive AI.

PES FullControl (PES FC): Never before has a football game offered such a level of control over the way it is played:

• Total Freedom of Control:      Pro Evolution Soccer introduced the concept of freedom of movement; the      new ‘PES FC’ in PES 2013 goes further with total freedom over ball      control.
• Dynamic First Touch: PES      2013 introduces subtle ways to receive the ball, from traps, gently      lifting it past an attacker to run on to or a variety of other moves.      First touch is everything and players can trap the ball using the R2      button, killing the speed of a well-hit pass and bringing it instantly      under control, or using the momentum of the pass to turn a defender.
• Full Manual Shooting and      Full Manual Passing: PES 2013 offers fully manual passing and for the      first time ever manual shooting, allowing users to determine the height      and power of each. Long low passes can be sent skimming across the pitch,      while shooting the user has total control over where the shot is placed.      Skill and precision are needed to master these, but passes can be made      into open areas, allowing lone strikers to thrive, while offering an      unrivalled variety in ways to score.
• Dribbling: The speed with      which a player moves with the ball has been slowed in line with real      matches, but using R2 allows players to add various styles to their close      control. Players can vary the speed of their dribbling, and cushion the      ball as they move freely within a 360-degree circle. The new system allows      players to knock a ball past a player and collect it, nutmeg them, or hold      up play by shielding the ball as team mates find space and make runs.
• Full Manual One-Two: Active      one-two passes can be made, with the second player being moved in any      direction), facilitating various tactical movements.
• Response Defending:      Countering the attacking options the new dribbling system offers, is a      beautifully-balanced defence system. Players can use R2 and X to slow an      attack, with a double-tap of the X button prompting a perfectly-timed      challenge. Full 360-degree control means that players can check runs and      steal the ball from a parallel position, while the individuality element      will see world renowned defenders using aerial dominance of physicality to      win the ball.
• Goalkeepers: Even the game’s      ‘keepers benefit from more control, while their distribution is more      precise thanks to the addition of a power gauge when they throw the ball,      creating opportunities for new, quicker counter attacks.

Player ID: Player ID focuses on the individual elements and movements that each player boasts:

• Player Individuality: The      very best players in PES 2013 will be instantly recognisable via      incredible likeness and signature attributes skills and tricks that bring      them to life. The way they run, turn, trap and move the ball, shape to      shoot and even celebrate will be noticeably different during play..
• Individuality to      Goalkeepers: The individuality of movement has also been extended to      between the posts. Goal keeping has been totally invigorated via new      animations and play styles. New varieties of saves and reactions have been      added to ensure the game’s ‘keepers are in line with the efforts of real      shot stoppers. This level of realism also extends to the game’s top-rated      goal keepers, with their moves to close attacks down, fling themselves to      tip a shot past the post, and in-goal acrobatics benefiting from all new      animations and AI.

ProActive AI: ProActive AI unites the control and realism, with players that will respond and find space as befits those at the top of their game:

• Balance of Play: The development      team has worked closely with the PES fan base to eradicate any illogical      elements to the way players move and run in PES 2013, with the ‘ProActive      AI’ system enhancing the speed and balance resulting in a more realistic      game experience.
• Tactical Precision: The      balance of play has also been enhanced in the play between defences and      the front line, with greater organisation as the teams track back or pelt      forward, setting a harder to beat defensive line, teams adjusting faster      to ball gain or loss, allowing for quicker counters.
• Enhanced Goalkeepers:      Improvements to the goal keepers was voted the key advancement football      fans wanted to see in PES 2013, and the team has worked hard with real      keepers to ensure the AI decision process has been vastly improved.      Keepers now respond with better reactions, clear their lines more      effectively and push the ball safely out of play rather than into      dangerous areas.

PES 2013 will also boast better connectivity and atmosphere. The popular myPES application will extend the connectivity and communication between Facebook-using PES fans, while the game’s audio effects are being tied closer to the on-field action to provide the kind of buzz seen at top-tier matches, with crowds growing in excitement as their team starts to exert pressure.

“This is an exciting time to be part of the PES community, and PES 2013 marks a new level of playability with the return to our key ethos of utter control and freedom,” commented Jon Murphy, European PES Team Leader. “. Football is all about making magic happen with skill and precision, and PES 2013 truly encapsulates this. Fresh faces within the development team and some very exciting ideas will breathe new life into the PES series, and we look forward to showing what we can do in the coming months.”

Release Date: Spring 2012

Formats: PlayStation®3, Xbox 360®, Windows PC, PlayStation®2, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable), Nintendo 3DS™, Wii™

Studio: PES Productions

Help Agent Squeak continue his dangerous mission of cheese retrieval with a new world featuring 11 innovative levels each filled with delicious adventure. With a new boss and a jungle cat enemy, players will have to have their wits about them to uncover every crumb squirreled away in deviously hidden areas and secret stages. With new challenges, the collapsible terrain, fireballs and lava will be the least of this savvy spy’s worries.

To outsmart the calculating felines and tackle elaborate traps, this International Mouse of Mystery makes a new friend: Digger the Dog. In the Digger shop, fans can unlock five new player- deployable power- ups to assist with their undercover operations including:

– X-ray Specs– reveals hidden areas and cat’s sightlines

– Banana Peels– trips cats up and knock them out

– Flour Bombs– player-deployable hiding spots

– Roller Skates– mission-persistent speed boost

– Invinci-ball– Helps Agent Squeak knock cats out of the play area

Can the world’s smallest hero prevail in this increasingly outlandish quest for cheese? His fate’s in your hands!

26 April 2012 (Sydney, AUSTRALIA): Marvel’s The Avengers has smashed the Australian box office on its opening day of release with a record breaking AUD$6 million (USD$6.2million). The stunning opening makes The Avengers the biggest Marvel Studios opening day ever – 233% ahead of Iron Man 2 (AUD$1.8 million) and represents the number one Disney Studios opening day, ahead of The Chronicles of Narnia Lion, Witch and Wardrobe (AUD$3.5 million).

The one day figure easily surpasses the combined individual opening days box office of each Marvel superhero film Australian opening (Iron Man  2 – $1.813 million, Thor – $1.3 million, Captain America – $0.86 million and The Incredible Hulk – $0.37 million for a total of $4.357 million).

The opening puts the film at the number two position of all time openings behind Harry Potter Deathly Part 2 (AUD$7 million).

“The most anticipated blockbuster for the year Marvel’s The Avengers has really lit up the box office with this stunning opening – Disney and Marvel’s biggest yet in Australia. The Avengers is testament to fabulous storytelling combined with a blockbuster cast and world-renowned director – this superhero epic is a must-see for all Australian fans and film lovers!,” said John Cracknell, senior vice president & managing director The Walt Disney Company, Australia.