Take Control of the Half Life Buggy and Unleash the Antlion

Tuesday 27^th September 2011 – SEGA^® Europe Ltd. and SEGA^® of America, Inc. are delighted to announce Gordon Freemans Buggy from the seminal title Half-Life 2 will be available in Renegade Ops™ via STEAM™ on 14^th October for AUD$ 20.00.

Renegade Ops puts players in a mobile commando unit sent behind enemy lines to defeat Inferno, a madman intent on global domination. Players have the choice to fight alone in single player mode, team up offline with two-player split screen or join the dynamic 4-player online co-op experience.

Those who purchase the game on Steam will be able to take control of the Half-Life 2 Buggy as Gordon unleashes the Antlions to aid the Renegade Ops as they fight their enemies.

“Working with Steam and the Half-Life team makes this game extra special.” said John Clark Director of PC Digital “Gordon Freeman is a deeply-established character in the gaming world and we are proud to have him included in Renegade Ops.”

Today Steam, Avalanche and SEGA also reveal a new thrilling trailer debuting Gordon Freemans buggy in Renegade Ops http://store.steampowered.com/video/99300/81154

For more information visit http://store.steampowered.com/app/99300/

Austin, TX – Sept. 26, 2011 –Certain Affinity is excited to announce the upcoming Vengeance Pack for “Crimson Alliance,” coming to Xbox LIVE Arcade on October 12, 2011. Following up on the intense combat action of Crimson Alliance, the Vengeance Map Pack allows up to four players to continue cooperatively hacking and slashing their way through the perilous lands of Byzan.

“From the start we wanted to keep the adventure going by giving players new places to explore with their friends. When we finished the game back in May we had a few months to wait before the Summer of Arcade was over. So we devoted ourselves to building the kind of maps that we wanted to play: fiendishly difficult ones that are perfect for co-op,” said Max Hoberman, President of Certain Affinity.

The Expansion pack contains new campaign levels pitting players in a race against time to hunt down and destroy two dangerous new threats. Also included is a new Challenge Map called “Fistful of Coins,” which allows users to test their skill against an increasingly deadly onslaught of enemies, with mountains of gold at stake. New loot, new enemies, and new challenges await in the first downloadable content expansion pack for Crimson Alliance!

Prepare to take Vengeance on October 12, 2011 for 240 Microsoft Points. The pack will be available from the main game menu, and will require a 40MB download.

For more information visit www.crimsonalliance.com .

About Certain Affinity
Founded in 2006, Certain Affinity is an independent game development studio based in Austin, Texas. The studio was formed by Max Hoberman, and is staffed by an unusually experienced group of developers. Certain Affinity is focused on delivering AAA experiences in the action and RPG spaces, and is best known for their work on top-tier FPS franchises, including “Call of Duty”, “Left4Dead”, and “Halo Anniversary”, releasing this fall. Learn more about Certain Affinity at www.certainaffinity.com or www.facebook.com/CertainAffinity

Visit http://www.embracethedarkness.com/us/index.html to find out more!

From Touchstone Pictures comes William Shakespeare’s final masterpiece The Tempest, arriving on Disney DVD on November 2. Helmed by Julie Taymor, the award-winning director of the theatrical production of ‘The Lion King’, Taymor filters Shakespeare’s timeless comedy of revenge, romance and reconciliation through her unique visual prism with an all-star cast, led by Oscar® winner Helen Mirren and also starring Russell Brand, Reeve Carney, Tom Conti, Chris Cooper, Alan Cumming, Djimon Hounsou, Felicity Jones, Alfred Molina, David Strathairn and Ben Whishaw.

In Taymor’s The Tempest, the director brings an original dynamic to the Bard’s 400 year old story by changing the gender of the traditionally male sorcerer Prospero into the sorceress – Prospera – portrayed by Helen Mirren. The spectacular fantasy comes to life as Prospera’s journey spirals through vengeance to forgiveness as she reigns over a magical island, cares for her young daughter, Miranda, and unleashes her powers against shipwrecked enemies in this masterly mix of romance, tragicomedy and the supernatural.
After a harrowing shipwreck, the members of a royal court are washed ashore on various parts of a mysterious island. Their fateful arrival on this particular island is no coincidence.

The exiled Prospera (Mirren) has used her magical powers to guide the ship here to settle a score with the very men who banished her from her homeland. Abetted by her sometimes unwilling aides, Ariel (Whishaw) and Caliban (Hounsou), Prospera puts her former tormentors through some dangerous and often hilarious adventures. However, when the king’s son, Ferdinand (Carney), meets her daughter, Miranda (Jones), it is love at first sight—a kind of magic that even Prospera is powerless to control.

Shakespeare fans, theatre enthusiasts and literary buffs alike won’t want to miss the chance to own The Tempest on Disney DVD, exclusively packaged with bonus features including commentary by Julie Taymor, a Russell Brand rehearsal riff, a Mistress Mine music video as well as annotated Shakespeare experts commentary.

The Tempest will be available for purchase at retail as a 1-Disc DVD for $39.95 RRP.

PRODUCTION OVERVIEW
Genre: Drama-Comedy

Cast: Helen Mirren as Prospera
Russell Brand as Trinculo
Alan Cumming as Sebastian
Chris Cooper as Antonio
Ben Whishaw as Ariel
Felicity Jones as Miranda
Jude Akuwudike as Boatswain
Reeve Carney as Prince Ferdinand
David Strathairn as King Alonso
Tom Conti as Gonzalo
Djimon Hounsou as Caliban

Director: Julie Taymor

Producers: Julie Taymor, Robert Chartoff, Lynn Hendee, Julia Taylor-Stanley, Jason K. Lau

Executive Producers: John C. Ching, Deborah Lau, Ron Bozman, Tino Puri, Rohit Kattar, Stewart Till, Anthony Buckner, Greg Strasburg

Screenplay by: Julie Taymor

Classification: M – Infrequent coarse language

Release date: November 2, 2011

RRP: $39.95 – 1-disc Disney DVD

BONUS FEATURES: The Tempest documentary Commentary by director Julie Taymor Russell Brand rehearsal riff Mistress Mine music video Annotated Shakespeare experts commentary

Rock Hippo Productions Announces MicroVolts and Brawl Busters Updates

Markham, Canada September 27, 2011 –  Starting Thursday, September 29th, fans of both MicroVolts and the upcoming title, Brawl Busters, from Rock Hippo Productions Ltd, can rejoice and get ready for some serious action!

Brawl Busters, the action packed multiplayer ‘brawler’,  will enter its Closed Beta Phase 2 introducing network upgrades, new weapons and costumes, and a new wacky district to battle in. If players are already enlisted in the beta, they can invite friends without the need for a beta key by visiting http://www.brawlbusters.com/inviteFriend.

Players can become one of the Original Busters by visiting the game’s website at http://www.BrawlBusters.com.  Check the game’s website daily for updates on upcoming events and the most recent game news!

The Invasion Update for MicroVolts, the fast and furious MMO-TPS (Massively Multiplayer Online Third Person Shooter), will introduce a whole new type of gameplay to players with its newest single player mode, Invasion.  In addition, to celebrate Oktoberfest in Germany brand new festive items will be added to the game as well as a huge new map revealed to players.

Join in the fun and  enlist in the battle by visiting the game’s website at http://www.MicroVolts.com/. The website is updated on a regular basis, giving players an insight into the game and information on forthcoming in-game and forum events. Tournaments and other surprise events will be unveiled so make sure to keep a daily check on the site.

27 September 2011

Following on from the phenomenal success of the original ‘Multi Seat – Wireless racing seat’, Bluemouth are introducing an improved Wireless Racing Seat in time for Christmas 2011 & at 2010 prices!

At under $200 – the new Wireless Racing Seat 2 delivers high value-for money and endless hours of driving fun – at an affordable price.

The 3rd Earth Wireless Racing Seat 2 is an all-in-1 wheel, pedal set and seat for use with PlayStation3, PlayStation2 & PC racing games.

The upgraded model comes with two pre-programmed modes to easily switch between the two popular publisher button-mapping configurations for driving games (GT mode: configured for Gran Turismo and NFS mode: catering for the Need for Speed button-mapping standard).

The skeleton of the seat and back support has been further strengthened, more padding has been added to the seat and wings to increase comfort and support during long driving sessions and the all-new colour scheme is an eye-catching combination of black and orange on durable fabric.

The steering wheel is adjustable for height and angle, has rubber effect hand grips for maximum comfort, realistic gear shift paddles and fully programmable buttons.

The set-up is also fully wireless – meaning no cabling back to the videogame console or PC.
The foot pedals include an analogue accelerator, brake pedal, integrated foot rest as well as a telescoped steering-wheel support column that can be adjusted to suit most drivers.

The integrated seat is light-weight, easy-to-assemble, and folds away for easy storage.
“The new 3rd Earth Wireless Racing Seat 2 gives fans of driving games – like F1 2011 from Codemasters – an opportunity to enhance their driving experience” said Bluemouth Interactive Director David Provan.

“When families have a chance to play driving games in a seated, driving position it immerses them into the world of motor racing” he added. He concluded “Let’s have no confusion. This year, the Wireless Racing Seat 2 has Christmas gifts solved for PlayStation families on a budget – that love driving videogames!”

Available: November 2011 at leading videogame accessories retailers including Big W, EB Games and Kmart for $199.95RRP.

Recommended for ages 7-years and up.

KUNG FU PANDA 2,  DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.’s spectacular follow up to the Academy Award®-nominated original, earned more than $650 million at the global box office, delighting viewers of all ages with its engaging story that is both “hilarious and full of heart”. Combining non-stop action, beautiful storytelling and stunning animation, the “winning sequel” (USA Today) makes its highly-anticipated Triple Play and DVD debut on November 24, featuring the year’s heavyweight hero and loads of entertainment you didn’t see in cinemas.  Boasting an all-star cast of voice talent including Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Gary Oldman, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, Michelle Yeoh, Danny McBride and Jean-Claude Van Damme, KUNG FU PANDA 2 delivers an action-packed, uproarious and inspiring experience that the whole family can enjoy.

Over-stuffed with Po-sized bonus features, the Awesome DVD and Triple Play provide hours of hilarity and entertainment including an exclusive episode of Nickelodeon’s brand new series “Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness”, interviews with the returning cast and new faces who have joined the journey, a visit to the Atlanta zoo with Jack Black to meet Po’s real-life namesake, a training session with Master Shifu on mastering the classic shell game, a fun tutorial that teaches 50 Kung Fu Panda-inspired words in Chinese, deleted scenes and filmmakers’ commentary.  In addition, the Triple Play pack includes a digital copy of the film to enjoy on the go, hilarious pop-up trivia, an interactive journey to China incorporating footage of real locations used as inspiration for the film and a visit to the Animators’ Corner featuring interviews with creators, animators, cast and crew, storyboards, commentary and more. 

In DreamWorks Animation’s KUNG FU PANDA 2, Po is now living his dream as the Dragon Warrior, protecting the Valley of Peace alongside his friends and fellow kung fu masters, the Furious Five.  But Po’s new life of awesomeness is threatened by the emergence of a formidable villain who plans to use a secret, unstoppable weapon to conquer China and destroy kung fu.  Po must look to his past and uncover the secrets of his mysterious origins; only then will he be able to unlock the strength he needs to succeed. 

Kung Fu Panda 2 is available to buy on Triple Play & DVD on November 24 from Paramount Home Entertainment 

DVD TECHNICAL DETAILS

TRIPLE PLAY TECHNICAL DETAILS

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON FOR THE EB GAMES EXPO 

Australia’s first major gaming Expo descends on the Gold Coast, 15-16 October

In just under three weeks, EB GAMES EXPO, the biggest video games event Australia has ever seen will be held at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Taking place on Saturday 15^th & Sunday 16^th October, leading retailer EB Games will bring together some of the biggest names in the business, including console giants PlayStation, XBOX360 and Nintendo.  One of the most exciting components of the Expo, the Interactive Exhibition, will feature displays from the world’s leading gaming brands and provide fans with the opportunity to experience the most anticipated titles of the year including Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3, Battlefield 3, Assassins Creed Revelations, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Batman Arkham City, and many more. 

As part of the EB EXPO, attendees will be able to watch EB LIVE in the mammoth 2000 seat arena, and experience live presentations from Playstation, Namco Bandai Partners, Bethesda, Ubisoft, THQ and EA.  The EB ARENA SPECTACULAR will provide heart-stopping action as Showtime FMX perform live freestyle motocross.

The massive double story EB GAMES STORE will be a real drawcard – the place where you can pre-order the hottest upcoming titles to pick up at any store in Australia, check out the latest gaming accessories and online gaming cards plus get your hands on some awesome show specials!

The SATURDAY TWILIGHT SESSIONS will feature live DJ’s on the Exhibition main stage from 8:00pm to 10:00 pm, including Van She Tech and The Surecut Kids, plus FANMADE POCKET MUSIC live from the FANMADE area.  FANMADE POCKET MUSIC, the modern chiptunemovement, is about musicians embracing and celebrating the sounds from old video game hardware in a new context and this event, presented by Pocket Music, is set to bring some of Australia’s finest video game enthused musicians for a one off unforgettable show.  

The climax of the AUSTRALIAN WORLD CYBER GAMES tournament will also take place between 10pm and 11pm during the Saturday Twilight Session. Australia’s greatest gaming athletes will compete for the National Championship Crown and the right to represent their country at the World Final in Seoul.  World Cyber Games is the largest e-sports tournament and festival in the world, attracting over 1.5 million participants from more than 70 countries.

The BRISBANE REGIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA (BRYO) will present music from the some of our favourite video games over the past 15 years, including Final Fantasy, Halo,Kingdom Hearts, Zelda, Tetris and more. Made up of players aged up to 26, BRYO prides itself on leaving the established orchestral music of Bach and Beethoven behind and moving forward with relevant music for the audiences of today.

If you have an interest in gaming, or just want to enjoy an action-packed weekend of entertainment, head along to EB GAMES EXPO!  General Admission tickets are just $29.95 per session from any EB Games store or online at www.ebexpo.com.au. Tickets are available for three sessions including the Saturday Daylight Session from 10am to 4pm, the Saturday Twilight Session from 4pm to 10pm and Sunday Session from 10am to 4pm. Right across the two days there’ll be giveaways, prizes plus much more – EB GAMES EXPO – you have never experienced gaming like this!

Juliana Margulies (ER) stars as Alicia Florrick who is forced to return to her legal career when her husband (played by Sex And The City’s Chris Noth), a prominent New York politician is convicted of corruption. The Good Wife Season 2 comes to DVD on October 6^th.

At the beginning of Season 2 Alicia is forced to choose whether to pursue her career with her boss, and long-time friend, Will or whether to stand by her husband and father to her children while he tries to re-establish his political career.

Last year Archie Panjabi picked up an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Kalinda Sharma. This year, the second season of The Good Wife has been nominated for 10 more Emmy Awards including another nod for Archie Panjabi, Outstanding Guest Actor for Michael J Fox, Outstanding Lead Actress for Juliana Margulies and Outstanding Drama series.

The Good Wife Season 2 comes to DVD on October 6^th.