On May 11^th   6pm CET / 12pm EST we are opening the doors to the first of many upcoming   Beta Weekends.

The first Beta Weekend   – titled Kingsmouth Calling – will see players join the ranks of the   Templars. After meeting with your secret society liaison in London you will   be sent to Kingsmouth, a small town on Solomon Island. Strange events have   occurred in this remote place off the coast of New England and you must   investigate its myths and mysteries alone or together with the thousands of   others who will be playing this Beta Weekend! Note that your character   progress from one Beta Weekend will carry over to the next.

If you pre-order now you will be invited to attend this and all future Beta Weekends between now and launch! The progress you make in these Beta Weekends will be saved from one weekend to the next, allowing you to explore more content and face new challenges all the way up to launch.

In addition to access to the Beta Weekends there are also several additional rewards for pre-ordering such as powerful in-game items, a powerful pet, early access and securing your name for launch.

Read more about the offers and how to pre-order by clicking here

We hope you will join us and look forward to seeing you in The Secret World!

SYDNEY (May 11, 2012) – IO Interactive A/S, a Square Enix studio, today announces HITMAN®: SNIPER CHALLENGE™, an exclusive standalone pre-order sniper experience, available to play from the moment* customers pre-order their copy of HITMAN®: ABSOLUTION™. The HITMAN: SNIPER CHALLENGE pre-order promotion will be available starting May 16.

HITMAN: SNIPER CHALLENGE is not a part of the main game, but has been created as a bespoke standalone experience to reward fans who pre-order HITMAN: ABSOLUTION.

From a balcony overlooking a roof-top party, you are tasked with taking out Richard Strong, Jr., CEO of Stallion Armaments, along with his entire staff of bodyguards. Skilled players will capitalize on score multipliers, discover secret extras, unlock equipment upgrades, and marvel at the many creative ways one can discretely dispose of a body while they work to fulfil their contract in the most efficient way possible.

The high-powered Kazo TRG sniper rifle and a host of other upgrades can be unlocked and carried over into HITMAN: ABSOLUTION. Also an online leader board will allow players to compare their sniping abilities with players around the world, supported by various challenges to determine who has the best sniping skills. Keep an eye on www.Hitmansniper.com for more details.

“Agent 47 is the best in the business so it seemed appropriate to create the best pre-order reward possible for our fans,” said Jon Brooke, Brand Director of the Hitman Franchise. “HITMAN: SNIPER CHALLENGE is a way of thanking customers and giving them a taste of Agent 47’s skills from the moment they pre-order the game.” 

Along with all Australian & New Zealand pre-orders, customers will also receive the ‘ANZ Limited Edition’ version of Hitman Absolution at launch. This includes advanced access to a range of in-game Agency Weapons, at a standard RRP;   The Agency Jagd P22G pistol will suit silent assassins, whilst the Agency HX UMP SMG and the Agency SPS 12 semi-automatic shotgun will give Agent 47 the power to fight his foes head on.

HITMAN: ABSOLUTION is scheduled for global release on November 20^th 2012 for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC. Developed by IO Interactive A/S, a Square Enix studio, HITMAN: ABSOLUTION is not yet rated.

* Customers will be able to pre-order HITMAN: ABSOLUTION from May 16 and will be able to play HITMAN: SNIPER CHALLENGE from May 16 through access to Xbox LIVE® or PlayStation Network. The PC version will be made available through Steam from August 2. Terms of the pre-order programmes will be set by individual retailers in each country where HITMAN: ABSOLUTION is available for pre-order. Please refer to retailers for full terms and details.

Related Links

HITMAN: SNIPER CHALLENGE Official Homepage: www.hitmansniper.com

HITMAN: ABSOLUTION Official Homepage: http://www.Hitman.com

HITMAN: ABSOLUTION Official Facebook® page: http://www.facebook.com/Hitman

Join the HITMAN community: http://www.barcode-society.com

Arkane Studios’ Supernatural Assassin Action Game Available Worldwide This Spring 

Sydney, Australia – May 11th, 2012 – Bethesda Softworks®, a ZeniMax® Media company, today announced that Dishonored™, the supernatural assassin action game under development at Arkane® Studios, will be available in  North America on October 9, in Australia and New Zealand on October 11 and throughout Europe on October 12, 2012.  Developed under the direction of co-creative directors Raphael Colantonio and Harvey Smith, Dishonored is slated for release on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, and Games for Windows.

Dishonored is set in Dunwall, an industrial whaling city where steampunk- inspired technology and otherworldly forces coexist in the shadows. You are Corvo, the once-trusted bodyguard of the beloved Empress who has been murdered. Framed for the crime, you become an infamous assassin, known by the disturbing mask that has become your calling card. In a time of uncertainty, when the city is besieged by plague and ruled by a corrupt government armed with frightening technologies, dark forces bestow supernatural abilities upon you – but at what cost? The truth behind your betrayal is as murky as the waters surrounding the city, and the life you once had is gone forever.

Creatively eliminate your enemies with Dishonored’s flexible combat system as you combine supernatural abilities with weapons and gadgets at your disposal. Pursue your targets under the cover of darkness or boldly attack them head on with weapons drawn. The outcome of each mission plays out based on the choices you make.

“We are pleased that Dishonored has captured people’s attention,” said Vlatko Andonov, president of Bethesda Softworks. “We are looking forward to sharing lots more information about the game leading up to its launch in October, and having a hands-on build of Dishonored in our booth at E3!”

For more information on Dishonored visit www.Dishonored.com.

Developed by local Melbourne studio, IronMonkey, The Sims FreePlay will be getting a slew of new content today including an update allowing users to play with up to 20 Sims in one neighbourhood. In addition, players can now buy a birthday cake for their Sims babies to watch them grow up to be toddlers with their very own needs. Dress the little tykes in cute Dinosaur, Bee and Panda costumes or build the Children’s Store on the town map to unlock goodies like building blocks, race car beds or train sets.

Sims that are still waiting to take the plunge can get ready for the big day with the new wedding dress and suits for the groom.

Pets are not forgotten either as players can now build the pet store to unlock new accessories including Frisbees, chew toys and bones. Stay tuned for new dogs in The Sims FreePlay including a Dalmatian, Husky and even a Robot Dog.

Don’t forget to check out the super-cute trailer for iOS and Android!

The Sims FreePlay is now available for free on the iTunes App Store and on Google Play. For more information on The Sims franchise, please visit http://thesims.com.

adidas’ digital training platform, miCoach, makes its first foray onto home consoles in time for the ‘Summer of Sport’ 

SYDNEY, Australia – May 11, 2012  –  International publisher of video games, 505 Games, is delighted to announce that it is entering into a worldwide agreement with global sports powerhouse, adidas, to publish the long-awaited adidas miCoach console game. The title will be available in the winter of 2012 for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and Sony’s PlayStation®3. adidas miCoach will be distributed in Australia and New Zealand by All Interactive Entertainment (AIE).

miCoach is a personal training system from adidas for athletes of all ages, gender and level. Users can develop bespoke training plans according to their chosen sporting activity, track their workout progress, get coaching feedback, and see improvements. 

adidas miCoach, the video game, brings a more technical, sports-training approach than other ‘fitness’ games on the home console systems. Boasting full motion-controlled support and full optical body tracking with the Kinect™ for Xbox 360 sensor and PlayStation®Move, players can train alongside their sports heroes with over 400 exercises dedicated to optimising fitness levels for particular sports activities.

Unparalleled connectivity further enables the millions of people worldwide who interact with the miCoach system through mobile apps and micoach.com to extend their training programme into their living rooms and add their achievements in the game to their exercise regime.

miCoach features 18 of adidas’ globally recognised athletes across 6 different sports including Kaka, Dwight Howard, Manuel Neuer, Jessica Ennis, Jose Mourinho, Ana Ivanovic, Will Genia and Eric Berry all of whom provide Masterclasses for their sport.

Simon Drabble, Director of miCoach business unit for adidas said “we are very excited to be bringing the miCoach console game to market. Training alongside your own heroes is a fun and engaging way to get better for your sport or simply help you reach your fitness goals”

“Working with adidas on bringing this game to market provides a very exciting and immediate opportunity,” said Tim Woodley, Head of Global Brand at 505 Games. “Bringing something truly new to the sports training and fitness segment on consoles, integrating it into the wider miCoach pantheon and capitalising on a packed summer of sport in 2012 is just the start of a great relationship.”

The miCoach game has been in development for one and half years with UK developer Chromativity (formerly Lightning Fish Games) under exclusive license from adidas.

adidas miCoach will be released in Australia and New Zealand in winter 2012.

Please visit news.adidas.com to stay up to date with the latest adidas news. For more information on miCoach visit www.micoach.com

Game Marks First Time that Marvel Universe Will Be Available on Kinect™ for Xbox360^® and Nintendo Wii™ U™ Motion Platforms 

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — May 11, 2012 — Ubisoft^® announced a deal with Marvel Entertainment, LLC to develop a video game based on the popular Avengers characters and other heroes and villains from the Marvel Universe.

Developed by Ubisoft Quebec, Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth’s interactive environments are inspired by iconic Marvel comic artwork and the Secret Invasion storyline. This game will be released this spring for the Microsoft Kinect™ for Xbox 360^®, and Nintendo’s Wii™ U™ system.

“We are excited to team up with Marvel Entertainment to bring some of the most iconic comic book characters from the Marvel line-up to life in motion-gaming,” said Geoffroy Sardin, Ubisoft EMEA Marketing and Sales Director at Ubisoft.  “Fans of the Marvel universe and superhero games are going to love the extensive combinations of characters, motion-controlled moves and competitive game-play.”

“For the last few years, Marvel has positioned itself to deliver the absolute best in entertainment, be it in film, animation, comics or games,”  said Andreea Enache-Thune, senior vice president of games and digital distribution at Marvel.  “Partnering with Ubisoft is a big part of that ongoing movement. We are confident that Ubisoft’s talent matches Marvel’s own commitment to making the Avengers: Battle for Earth the best in the motion-controlled gaming category.”

Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth features 20 different characters, including Avengers such as Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America and Thor, as well as other fan-favorite Super Heroes and Super Villains from the Marvel Universe.

For more information on Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth, please visit: www.AvengersBattleForEarth.com

For the last two months, anime fans across the country have rallied together to cast their vote in Madman’s ‘Top 20 Anime’ titles of all time poll. Along the way, there have been laughs, tears and triumphs – but in the end, there can be only one to claim the top spot. As voted by the fan community, NEON GENESIS EVANGELION is the number one anime of all time.

For many modern day Australian fans, their passion for anime can be traced back to the moment NEON GENESIS EVANGELION first arrived on SBS in the ‘90s. It was their first step into a bold new world – one of epic science-fiction, deep philosophy, complex human relationships and, of course, awe-inspiring giant robot action. And to this day, it is still considered to be the series that broke the mould.

Now, it starts all over again with the EVANGELION series of reboot films, which not only bring the legacy to a new generation of viewers, but also take the story – which long-time fans know and love – into mind-blowing new territory.

Here’s what Tim Anderson, Madman founder and Managing Director had to say about NEON GENESIS EVANGELION: “This is the Madman-defining anime series. And still the only series I’ve ever watched more than once. Awesome.”

Of course, there are 19 other definitive, essential titles in this list, and a very special set of Anime Snacktime Top 20 Countdown Podcasts are now available to listen to at www.madman.com.au/snacktime. The Top 20 list is also still available to browse at www.madman.com.au/top20.

All titles in the Top 20 are now on-sale at www.madman.com.au/top20 and will be available in selected retailers from May 21^st.

Sydney NSW  –  Indie Gems Film Festival ( July 26th – July 29^th 2012)

The 3^rd annual Indie Gems festival is back in town, bringing with it a brand new batch of fresh international and Australia films that will be screened at Riverside Theatres Parramatta. Featuring an eclectic line up of diverse Australian and international flicks, the festival will also offer networking events and workshops for independent filmmakers. Indie Gems seeks to highlight and showcase emerging filmmakers from around the world, with a spotlight on Western Sydney.

Indie Gems is proud to be presenting an assortment of independent films to entertain and inspire its diverse audience. The festival is calling for entries across all festival categories including: Feature Films, Shorts, Documentaries, TV Pilots, Digital Creations, Music Videos and Animation.  Professional and amateur filmmakers working in all aesthetic disciplines and genres, including narrative, documentary, animation and experimental films, are welcome!

Film entry forms are available for download at www.titanview.com All film submissions must be received no later than 5:00 pm, May 25.

Indie Gems aims to develop the careers of emerging independent filmmakers; those attending Indie Gems will have the opportunity to receive one-on-one mentorship from leading industry professionals who are experts in new methods of film distribution and marketing.  Indie Gems will also host an awards night where a Mentor of the Year Award will be presented.   This inaugural award recognises local film professionals who have served as trusted advisors to up-and-coming filmmakers in both professional and personal spheres. On Sunday 29^th July a special ceremony will be held for this year’s nominees and finalists, where the 2012 INDIE GEMS Mentor of the Year will be announced.

Indie Gems is sponsored by Titan View, an innovative film distribution company that releases award-winning, critically acclaimed feature films with cultural significance to Australia.    For more information visit www.titanview.com