iconic aussie films’ sweep the 2009 afi AWARDS

SAMSON & DELILAH wins 7 AFI awards

BALIBO wins 4 AFI awards

MELBOURNE, Monday, 14 December 2009 – The Madman ICONIC AUSSIE FILMS range of releases have garnered a major sweep of awards at the 2009 Samsung Mobile AFI Industry and Ceremony Awards. 

The talk of the Australian Film Industry in 2009, SAMSON & DELILAH took out Best Film, Best Direction (Warwick Thornton), Best Original Screenplay and a shared AFI Young Actor Award for Rowan McNamara and Marissa Gibson at Saturday evening’s ceremony, as well as Industry Awards for Best Cinematography (Warwick Thornton), Best Sound and the AFI Member’s Choice Award. 

Making major headlines at home and abroad, and recently controversially banned in Indonesia, Robert Connelly’s BALIBO also picked up a number of major awards, including Best Lead Actor (Anthony LaPaglia), Best Adapted Screenplay (David Williamson, Robert Connolly), Best Supporting Actor (Oscar Isaac), and an AFI Industry Award for Best Editing (Nick Meyers ASE). 

GLASS: A PORTRAIT OF PHILIP IN TWELVE PARTS – Scott Hicks’ study of internationally acclaimed composer, Philip Glass, also picked up a 2009 ceremony award for Best Feature Length Documentary.

ABOUT MADMAN ENTERTAINMENT

MADMAN is Australia’s leading independent home entertainment and theatrical distribution and rights management company. Madman proudly showcases the best in collectable and special interest genres including Australian film, world cinema, TV kids’ content and Japanese animation, (anime). Other rights management activities include online distribution, licensing for television as well as VOD, hotel and airline.

Put simply, Madman is mad for entertainment.

Madman is owned by Funtastic Limited, one of Australia’s largest wholesalers of consumer products into retail outlets and an Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) listed company.

LucasArts Announces Star Wars^®: The Force Unleashed^™ II 

Sydney, Australia. – December 14, 2009 – The Star Wars^® Saga continues in 2010 with Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II, a sequel to the blockbuster videogame developed by LucasArts. 

Released in 2008, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed remains the fastest-selling Star Wars game ever, with sales of nearly seven million units worldwide. The action game garnered numerous accolades including the WGA Award for outstanding achievement in writing for videogames.

 With Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II, the epic story continues as players once again assume the role of the devastatingly powerful Starkiller – Darth Vader’s secret apprentice set during the largely unexplored era between Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope. 

“Executive Producer Haden Blackman and his team have been able to build on the core foundation of the award-winning original and create a powerful combination of engrossing story-telling and intense action. The Force Unleashed II gives fans an opportunity to wreak havoc on an even greater scale in the Star Wars universe,” said LucasArts’ President Darrell Rodriguez.  

More information about the game can be found at the official website, www.unleashed2010.com, which will continue to release details throughout the year. 

About LucasArts

LucasArts, a division of Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd., is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software worldwide for video game console systems, computers and the Internet. Based in San Francisco, Calif., as well as on the Internet at www.lucasarts.com, LucasArts was created in 1982 by George Lucas to provide an interactive element to his vision of a state-of-the-art, multifaceted entertainment company.

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment Will Publish the Rocksteady Studios Sequel Worldwide
Sydney, Australia – December 14, 2009 –

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today announced that it will be the worldwide publisher of the sequel to Batman: Arkham Asylum™, one of the year’s most highly reviewed and top selling video games. The sequel to Batman: Arkham Asylum is currently in development with Rocksteady Studios and is based on DC Comics’ core Batman property. Fans can visit www.arkhamhasmoved.com to sign up to receive updates regarding the game.

“We are thrilled to build a global game franchise from Batman: Arkham Asylum, which is receiving an incredible response from gamers and Batman fans around the world,” said Martin Tremblay, President, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “Rocksteady has taken Batman to a new level in the video game space and we are committed to delivering a sequel the fans will love.”

“Getting the opportunity to create Batman: Arkham Asylum and seeing its success hasbeen a dream come true for the team,” said Sefton Hill, Game Director, Rocksteady Studios. “We are honored to create the next chapter in this compelling story and promise to deliver another game worthy of the DARK KNIGH.”

About DC Comics DC Comics, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is the largest English?language publisher of comics in the world and home to such iconic characters as SUPERMAN, BATMAN, WONDER WOMAN and the SANDMAN. These DC SUPER HEROES and others have starred in comic books, movies, television series (both animated and live?action) and cyberspace, thrilling audiences of all ages for generations. DC Comics’ Web site is located at www.dccomics.com

About Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, is a premier worldwide publisher, developer, licensor and distributor of entertainment content for the interactive space across all current and future platforms, including console, handheld and PC?based gaming for both internal and third party game titles.

BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM Software © 2009 Eidos Interactive Ltd. Developed by Rocksteady Studios Ltd. Co published by Eidos, Inc. and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Inc. Rocksteady and the Rocksteady logo are trademarks of Rocksteady Studios Ltd. Eidos and the Eidos logo are trademarks of Eidos Interactive Ltd. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

BATMAN and all characters, their distinctive likenesses, and related elements are trademarks of DC Comics © 2009. All Rights Reserved. WBIE LOGO, WB SHIELD: ™ & © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

UFC UNDISPUTED 2010 was revealed this weekend on the Spike VGA awards. That’s right – the World’s Best MMA game is going to get even better. The first ever trailer including gameplay footage featuring some of the awesome new content in 2010 is now available (more than a few reveals in the trailer, so watch closely).

Free Version of Well-Reviewed Puzzle Game on the App Store Now!

Gothenburg, Sweden & Tampere, Finland – December 11th, 2009 – Legendo Entertainment and Innogiant today announced that a lite version of its original falling block puzzler Spooky Spirits: Puzzle Drop!! is available on the AppStore now.

The full game has already garnered favorable feedback from within the iPhone community:

• App-reciation Reviews awarded the game a solid 5/5 and said “…a fresh new challenge built on a unique concept that makes it stand out from the rest.”
   
• Ve3tro.com recently reviewed the game awarding it 9.5/10 while saying “…if someone owns an iPhone and doesn’t pick up Spooky Spirits—well they’re doing themselves a disservice.”
   
• TouchMyApps awarded the game their Grab It rating and said “This is what happens if you cross Ghostbusters and Tetris.”

Watch the trailer on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/legendoentertainment#p/u/0/PXFnZ5tKnOI

Spooky Spirits: Puzzle Drop!! offers a unique twist on the classic falling block and “match-2” gameplay format. In the game, players build and expand stacks of Spookies in any direction and in any amount.

Features:

• In the Panic Mode, players must clear each level by catching an appropriate amount of Spookies before the screen overfills.
   
• Puzzle Mode is a relaxed mode with no stress – players must outsmart the Spookies’ clever puzzles and beat them in their own game using only a limited number of blocks.
   
• Eternity Mode is a Tetris-inspired exhaust mode that just keeps going for as long as players can keep it at or reach the max-score of 9,999,999 points (that’s A LOT of Spookies to catch!).
   
• Swipe the screen to control the game, left and right selects blocks, up swaps them and down drops them!

Search “spooky spirits” on the AppStore to download and try the Lite version now! The full game is on sale for $1.99 (£1.19 or €1.59).

About Legendo Entertainment
Legendo Entertainment is an independent publisher and developer of computer and video games based on myths, legends, classic novels and historical events. Though its headquarters are located in Sweden, Legendo uses a distributed development model employing top talent from across the world. Legendo currently publishes and develops for the PC, Nintendo’s Wii system and Apple’s iPhone / iPod Touch.

About Innogiant
Innogiant is a newly founded games outfit located in Tampere, Finland. The studio specializes in developing downloadable games for handheld devices with its first title being Spooky Spirits: Puzzle Drop!! for Apple’s iPhone / iPod Touch.

MELBOURNE – Thursday 10 December, 2009 – TekTime has been around on radio airwaves since 2004, providing radio listeners with information in the world of gaming and technology. The premise of the show was to inform and bring all the movers and shakers of the gaming and technology industry to ‘talk tek’.

With a game console in one hand and PC in the other, TekTime has blasted off into the digital age and onto your TV screen. 

Hybrid Television Services (ANZ) Pty Limited, the exclusive licensee of TiVo® in Australia and New Zealand, has just launched its proprietary broadband entertainment portal, CASPAÔ On-Demand.

Through CASPA, all TiVo customers will have access to new release and library movies, hit TV programs, and music videos, concerts and music artist interviews. CASPA will also provide a TV extras section which will include the TekTime gaming channel. 

The TekTime gaming channel will showcase gaming tournaments and the latest and greatest technology. The first episode is a spectacular Guitar Hero World Tournament competition which involves some of the best players around rocking it out on stage in a world’s first multi camera angle extravaganza.

The TekTime show will be aired through TiVo on the CASPA On-Demand service and will also be re-broadcasted on the TekTime website.

The show will bring you the latest news, reviews, interviews, technology and events in the amazing world of gaming and technology.

Stop by and take a look at www.TekTime.com.au  and check out the first episode (web version) at http://www.tektime.com.au/Episodes/

SBS DVDS RATED in the top 50 OF THE decade

Australian film magazine, Empire, has listed SBS DVD series’ EAST WEST 101 and SKINS in the ‘The Top 50 TV on DVD of the 21^st Century’ feature in their January 2010 issue.

The magazine praised the series EAST WEST 101, writing that it “disproved the theory that Australia can’t produce drama to compete with our American counterparts”. Also on the list are other critically acclaimed crime-based series’ THE WIRE, SOPRANOS, CSI and THE SHIELD.

EAST WEST 101 Season Two was released on DVD in October 2009 and stars Don Hany as Muslim detective Zane Malik and Susie Porter as Inspector Patricia Wright. The series follows Malik as he and the major crime squad investigate a series of crimes attributed to the work of Islamic extremists.

Also featured in Empire’s ‘The Top 50 TV on DVD’ is SBS DVD series SKINS, on which the magazine commented “Rarely has teenage hedonism been captured with such clarity”. SKINS Series 3 was released on DVD in September, 2009.

Lips-sync…. Just like Britney!

Get your Lips moving with a new application for your Facebook photos with Lips

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – December 7^th – Make your Facebook photos sing with the new Lips Jukebox. Heading into the Christmas season, Xbox is bringing you a bit of fun for the office. Available now for free at http://www.xbox.com/en-AU/lipsjukebox/default.htm, this easy-to-use online tool puts a pair of singing lips on your Facebook photos transforming them into a mini music video starring you and your best friends and family. Choose from classic tracks such as “Barbie Girl” by Aqua or “Love Fool” by The Cardigans. 

“Lips” December Game Add-ons bring the holiday cheer

For those not-so-silent nights, invite your loved ones over and give them the gift of song with “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone” by The Temptations, “Right Round” by Flo Rida, “Think” by Aretha Franklin, “Blister In The Sun” by Violent Femmes and more. 

Then while you’re stringing up your garlands, don’t forget to add a variety of great holiday tunes including “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby, “Santa Baby” by Kylie Minogue and “Hanukkah Blessings” by Barenaked Ladies to your “Lips” collection that are sure to light up your nights with fun!  For the full list of December Game Add-ons and festive songs, please visit http://www.xbox.com/en-AU/games/l/lips/. 

“Lips” songs for everyone

Avatar and Xbox LIVE features add personal touches the singing experience with Avatar integration and Avatar Awards that allow singers to perform as their virtual selves in the game.  With “Lips: Party Classics,” players can earn fashionable Avatar Accessories through in-game accomplishments to customise their wardrobe and flaunt their unique style to friends on Xbox LIVE. More information on “Lips” is available at http://www.xbox.com/en-AU/games/l/lips/.

Firemint takes control at the 2009 GDAA
Industry Awards  

MELBOURNE – Tuesday 8 December, 2009 – The winners of the annual GDAA Industry awards were announced last night at the GDAA Industry Awards dinner, held at Melbourne’s Crown Towers as part of Game Connect Asia Pacific 2009.

“Congratulations to Firemint on their success at the 2009 GDAA Industry Awards. Flight Control has been a phenomenal success and has really been responsible for the creation of an entire new genre on iPhone. We’re very proud that this title was developed in Australia,” said Tom Crago, President of the Game Developers’ Association of Australia. 

“Congratulations, too, to all our other winners, including Puzzle Quest: Galactrix and Heroes
over Europe. Now we look forward to 2010 and the next wave of games to be released by Australian developers,” he added. 

And the winners are…

Best Game

Flight Control
Firemint
Best Console Title

Heroes over Europe
Transmission Games
Best PC Title

Puzzle Quest: Galactrix
Infinite Interactive

Best Handheld Title

Puzzle Quest: Galactrix
Infinite Interactive

Best Mobile Title

Flight Control
Firemint
Best Game Play

Flight Control
Firemint

Best Graphics

Heroes over Europe
Transmission Games

Best Audio

Heroes over Europe
Transmission Games

Best Downloadable Title

Shatter
Sidhe

Independent Games – Best Unsigned Game

Hazard: The Journey of Life
Alexander Bruce

Independent Games – Best Game Play

Last Life
Powerboard Productions

Independent Games – Best Graphics

Pillager
AIE Melbourne

EA BRINGS THE TERROR TO SPACE IN Dead Space 2  

Sequel to Award-Winning Horror Game Delivers Intense, Personal Saga that Sends

Chills through Deep Space 

Sydney, Australia – December 8, 2009 – Visceral Games, an Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) studio announced today that the award-winning Dead Space™ franchise will continue to frighten gamers with its stunning sequel, Dead Space 2. Isaac Clarke returns for another heart-pounding adventure, taking the fight to the Necromorphs in this thrilling action-horror experience. New tools to gruesomely slice and dismember the Necromorphs complement Isaac’s signature Plasma Cutter, empowering him as he meets new characters, explores epic Zero-G environments, and fights against a relentless necromorph onslaught.  Survival isn’t the only thing on Isaac’s mind in Dead Space 2 – this time, he calls the shots. 

For more details please visit – www.deadspacegame.com.

For further information please contact:

Cameron Jenkins

Ph: 02 8569 1215

E: cjenkins@ea.com

Cameron Jenkins

PR Specialist | Electronic Arts Australia

Suite 53, Jones Bay Wharf | 26-32 Pirrama Rd | Pyrmont | NSW 2009
ph: +61 2 8569 1215|fax: + 61 2 9552 3790 

For assets visit: http://ea.gamespress.com/

Web: www.electronicarts.com.au