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CCP Unveils DUST 514

CCP (http://www.ccpgames.com), the developer and publisher of EVE Online,
today announced DUST 514, a console-based hybrid MMO/FPS set within the EVE
universe. The announcement was made during a keynote address by CCP CEO
Hilmar Veigar Petursson at the Game Developers Conference in Cologne,
Germany. DUST 514, featuring first-person shooter and RTS-style gameplay,
will interact directly with EVE Online, CCP’s critically acclaimed flagship
MMO.

For more information, please see the press release below and also follow
the link to the accompanying photos / multimedia gallery:
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6031092&lang=en.

 
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ID SOFTWARE’S WOLFENSTEIN™ NOW AVAILABLE

Sydney, Australia – August 19, 2009 – Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) and id Software announced today that the highly-anticipated Wolfenstein™ is now available nationwide for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and PC. Developed by Raven Software, Wolfenstein is rated “MA15+” (Strong Violence) by the Classification Board.

Combining intense action and stunning graphics, Wolfenstein picks up immediately after the events of the award-winning Return to Castle Wolfenstein. In the newest chapter to the famed franchise, the Nazis’ have returned to their dark experiments and unearthed a dimension that contains amazing powers, simply known as – The Veil. With the help of the resistance faction of the town Isenstadt, players return to enlist as super OSA agent BJ Blazkowicz to uncover the Third Reich’s evil aspirations and stop them before it’s too late.

“It’s been great to work with Raven Software on an ambitious title like Wolfenstein,” said Kevin Cloud, executive producer at id Software. “The latest chapter delivers an epic gameplay experience by seamlessly blending intense combat throughout a compelling sci-fi narrative that brings the occult underworld to life as only Wolfenstein can deliver.”

As players embark on an all-new mission deep in the heart of the Third Reich, they will have access to an arsenal of upgradable conventional and sci-fi weapons, while battling a multitude of escalating enemies, from Nazi combat troops and super soldiers to paranormal forces and experimental creatures.

Following in the footsteps of its predecessors, the Wolfenstein multi-player experience features the Axis and Resistance squaring off against each other in Team Deathmatch, Stopwatch or Objective based games. With three classes from which to choose, players can fight on the frontline as a soldier, heal their compatriots as a medic, or help gather objectives as an engineer all while using the Veil powers in special ways. Additionally, the persistent gold found within the multiplayer maps allows players to purchase upgrades for weapons and Veil powers on the fly, ensuring a deep and continuous variety of action along with tremendous replay value.

Wolfenstein is now available nationwide on Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and PC. For more information go to www.wolfenstein.com.

About id Software

id Software, part of the ZeniMax Media Inc. family of companies, has provided technical, design and artistic leadership as a world-renowned game developer and technology innovator since its founding in 1991. id Software’s iconic brands such as Wolfenstein, DOOM, QUAKE and Enemy Territory have become staples of popular culture for generations of gamers. More information on id Software can be found at www.idsoftware.com. id, Wolfenstein, DOOM, QUAKE, Enemy Territory and related logos are registered trademarks or trademarks owned by ZeniMax Media Inc.

About Raven Software

Founded in 1990 and based in Madison, Wisconsin, Raven Software boasts a state-of-the-art motion capture facility, 3D-scanning department, Foley sound recording studio, and a Hollywood-quality cinematics department. Refusing to be defined by creating games for a single genre, the studio focuses on a range of projects that push the conceptual and technological boundaries of the digital entertainment world. Known for hit titles, including Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, the Soldier of Fortune series and Jedi Knight II, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, the next instalment of the Wolfenstein franchise and an original IP called Singularity.

Activision Publishing Broadcast Media Centre

Members of the media can visit Activision Publishing’s Broadcast Media Centre to download broadcast quality video and web-ready video. Members of the media using Pathfire can take advantage of a Pathfire enabled video download.

Broadcast Media Centre: http://usngondemand.com/index.php

About Activision Publishing, Inc.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products.

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands and Australia. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.activision.com.

 
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Fujitsu Supports Windows® 7 Upgrade Program

Sydney, Australia – 19 August, 2009 – Fujitsu today announced that the Windows® 7 upgrade software is available for selected Fujitsu notebooks that are preinstalled with qualifying Windows Vista® software (versions stated below) in Asia Pacific (excluding Japan and Korea). Limited quantities are available and registration can be done online at http://hk.fujitsu.com/windows7_upgrade.

The upgrade options are listed as follows:

Qualifying Product Upgrade Software
• Windows Vista® Home Premium ? Windows® 7 Home Premium
• Windows Vista® Business ? Windows® 7 Professional
• Windows Vista® Ultimate ? Windows® 7 Ultimate

To be eligible for the upgrade option program, the notebook purchase must be made between the periods of 29 June 2009 to 31 January 2010 with qualifying Windows Vista® software already preinstalled. For eligible PCs (LifeBook A1120, A6220, A6230, P1630, P8020, S6520, S6420, S6421, T2020, T1010, T5010, U2020, U2010 and Fujitsu L1010) without an accompanied Windows® 7 upgrade coupon, the Proof of Purchase (POP) will have to be provided to complete the online registration.

Upgrade fee is AUD $28.99 to cover materials, shipping and handling charges within Australia and only credit card payments (Visa/MasterCard) are accepted. The upgrade software and the redemption coupon are non-transferable. Besides the upgrade fee, the customer may be required to pay local custom/duty charges and taxes at local Post Office.

The upgrade software is limited to the same language and version as the stated path above. Other terms and conditions apply and more information can be found at http://hk.fujitsu.com/windows7_upgrade.

 
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DICE delivers BEST OF BREED MULTIPLAYER ACTION ON MARCH 11, 2010 with Battlefield: Bad Company 2

Sydney, Australia – August 19, 2009 – Get ready to storm the battlefield! DICE, an Electronic Arts Inc. studio (NASDAQ: ERTS), today announced that Battlefield: Bad Company™ 2 will be available March 11, 2010 in Australia. Battlefield: Bad Company 2 will deliver a level of destruction, vehicular warfare, squad play and open world environments never before experienced in a modern warfare action game. By pushing destruction to new heights and delivering a host of land, sea and air vehicles, players will soon witness the best-in-class online warfare experience.

“The variety of weapons, choice of vehicles and scale of destruction in the Battlefield: Bad Company 2 sandbox environment generates countless unscripted and unforgettable moments,” said Karl Magnus Troedsson, Executive Producer Battlefield Franchise, DICE. “When Battlefield: Bad Company 2 ships in March, it will deliver the best online multiplayer experience ever.”

Whether online or in the single player campaign, players use every weapon and vehicle to survive and conquer. Players choose from 15 authentically modelled vehicles, each providing a tactical advantage and offering a variety of gameplay options. The new UH-60 transport helicopter can ship an entire four-player squad directly into battle, while allowing two additional team members to wreak havoc with its two mounted rail guns on board.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 players will have a selection of 46 weapons that they can customize into over 200 different, high-powered firearms. There are over 15,000 kit variations possible in the game, giving each squad member the ability to choose the weapon upgrades and combat enhancements that best fits their playing style. Between the weapons, kit combinations and deadly vehicles, players will be equipped with a wide range of gadgets, accessories and character specializations to give them the edge in the heat of battle.

The DICE signature Frostbite™ engine delivers Destruction 2.0, adding a new layer of strategy to the all-out warfare. New to Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is the micro-destruction mechanic that allows players to be more strategic on the battlefield by chipping cover away bit by bit or taking down an entire building and watching it collapse with enemies inside.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 will be available on the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and the PC. For more information on DICE, please visit www.dice.se or www.ea.com. For more information on the Battlefield franchise please visit: www.battlefield.com

 
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Visceral Games ANNOUNCES FEBRUARY RELEASE DATE FOR DANTE’S INFERNO

Sydney, Australia– August 19th, 2009 – Visceral Games™, award-winning creators of Dead Space™ and a studio of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), announced earlier today at EA’s GamesCom press conference in Cologne, Germany the release date for the highly anticipated action adventure game Dante’s Inferno™. The blockbuster adaptation of part one of Dante Alighieri’s epic poem “The Divine Comedy” will be available in Australia beginning on February 11, 2010 for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, the PLAYSTATION®3 computer and entertainment system and the Sony PlayStation® Portable (PSP®).

“The Divine Comedy is one of the most influential pieces of literature in the world and we have a great responsibility in re-imagining Dante Alighieri’s vivid descriptions of hell, and the themes of righteousness and redemption he explores,” said Jonathan Knight, executive producer of Dante’s Inferno. “Our team is dedicated to delivering a stunning and highly polished interpretation of this classic to a new medium for a new generation everywhere this February.”

In Dante’s Inferno, players will assume the role of Dante as he travels on an epic descent through Dante Alighieri’s nine circles of Hell – limbo, lust, gluttony, greed, anger, heresy, violence, fraud and treachery. Dante’s journey is driven by his desire to reclaim the soul of his beloved Beatrice after she is dragged through the gates of hell by Lucifer. This new story is the wrapper to a smooth, fast-paced action adventure game that delivers a deep, fully customizable combat system with holy and unholy choices, innovative level design, imaginative puzzles, and best-in-class boss battles, all running at 60 frames per second.

EA’s adaptation of Dante’s Inferno is also being made into a six-issue comic book series in a partnership with DC Comics / Wildstorm, the first of which will be released on December 9, 2009. An animated feature which is being co-produced by EA and Starz Media will be available the same day as the video game.

Dante’s Inferno has not yet been rated by the OFLC. For more information on Dante’s Inferno, please follow the Dante’s Inferno team at Visceral Games on Twitter at www.twitter.com/danteteam and visit the game’s official web site at www.dantesinferno.com where the team explores a new circle of hell, with new content and updates on the ninth day of every month.

 
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ACTIVISION TO SHOWCASE-HIGHLY ANTICIPATED GAMES LINE-UP

Sydney, Australia – 19th August, 2009 – Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) today announced that the company will bring some of the largest videogame franchises to the new gamescom trade fair for interactive games and entertainment, which is being held in Cologne between 19th – 23rd August. Attendees will get the chance to experience a host of titles including Band Hero™, Blur™, DJ Hero™, Guitar Hero® 5, Modern Warfare® 2, Singularity™ and Tony Hawk®: RIDE™ and the LucasArts’ titles[1] Lego® Indiana Jones™ 2: The Adventure Continues and Star Wars® The Clone Wars™: Republic Heroes™ amongst others.

Thibaud de Saint-Quentin, senior vice president and managing director of European publishing for Activision commented, “The very first gamescom games convention offers fresh and exciting opportunities to showcase Activision’s diverse videogames line-up. We are confident that our portfolio of upcoming titles will continue to impress our global audience and reinforce Activision’s position as a key market leader.”

Activision will be showcasing a variety of titles on the show floor, which can be found in Hall 6/B-11. The opening times for this area are as follows:

Wednesday: 09.00-18.00

Thursday – Saturday: 10.00-20.00

Sunday: 09.00-18.00

The Following Activision titles will be shown at gamescom on the show floor:

Band Hero™ – This November, family and friends will come together to ascend the virtual stage and rock their way to superstardom with Band Hero™. Brought to you by the makers of Guitar Hero®, one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time, Band Hero features the hottest chart-topping hits from everyone’s favourite acts including Taylor Swift, No Doubt, Lily Allen, The All-American Rejects and Jackson 5. Headlined by some of the biggest names in music as in-game artists and playable characters, Band Hero is the ultimate party game where players of all ages will be able to experience the signature, easy-to-learn but difficult-to-master Guitar Hero® gameplay. Elevated social gameplay in Band Hero allows fans to create the band they always dreamed of using any combination of guitar or drum controllers and vocals, providing rockers and performers of all ages the chance to experience and interact with their favourite music. (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, Wii™, and PlayStation®2)

Band Hero™ for Nintendo DS™ Lite – Music fans can now take their whole band and play their favourite music on the road anytime, anywhere with Band Hero™ for the Nintendo DS™ Lite. Band Hero takes the fun of social gaming beyond the living room and allows families and friends to play together as a band with the DS Lites’ built in microphone, the brand new innovative Drum Grip that gives players the ability to lay down beats on their DS Lite and the signature Guitar Hero® Guitar Grip™ guitar gameplay. This cooperative, family-friendly addition to the Guitar Hero series boasts the biggest set list for a Nintendo DS music game to date and is comprised of some of the hottest tracks from music’s most popular artists including: Blink-182, Avril Lavigne, The Killers, KT Tunstall and Fall Out Boy. (Nintendo DS™ Lite)

Blur™ – Blur drops players into heart-pumping, powered-up racing action, featuring up to 20 cars on track trading paint as they target the finish line and collect intense Power-ups, including the ability to blast other cars out of the way with huge bursts of energy, boost their speed, and more. With a host of over 50 fully licensed, photo-realistic cars to drive, gamers will use offensive and defensive Power-ups as they challenge one another for the lead while careening through real-world tracks ranging from L.A. and San Francisco to the streets of Hackney, UK and the treacherous roads of Barcelona, Spain. (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, and PC)

DJ Hero™ – Expanding upon the revolutionary easy to pick up/challenging to master gameplay mechanics developed and refined in Guitar Hero, DJ Hero delivers an all-new interactive music experience that allows players to rule the party and not only experience, but to hear music in an all-new way. With over 100 individual songs, highlighted in over 90 unique never-before-released mixes that blend genres of music, including hip-hop, R&B, pop, rock and electronica, DJ Hero delivers the most diverse and international collection of music ever assembled in a music game by incorporating anthems from legendary artists. Created exclusively for DJ Hero, the turntable controller immerses fans into the authenticity of DJ culture and a sea of music as they utilize and master various DJ techniques including scratching, blending, cross fading and sampling, while leaving room for creative expression with a variety of effects and player chosen samples and scratches, transforming a face in the crowd into the life of the party. (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, Wii, and PlayStation®2)

Guitar Hero® 5 – This Spring, living room legends will rock any way they want in Guitar Hero 5. The entire set list is at players’ finger tips from the start, featuring genre-defining hits from some of the biggest rock artists and bands of all time, including The White Stripes, Kings of Leon, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan and Vampire Weekend. Players take complete control as Guitar Hero 5 allows gamers to personalize and customize how they experience music by being able to play with any in-game instrument combination — multiple vocalists, guitarists, bassists and drummers, in any game mode. With the game’s all-new Party Play Mode, getting the band back together has never been easier. Players can now jump in or drop out of gameplay seamlessly, without interrupting their jam session. (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, Wii, and PlayStation 2)

Modern Warfare® 2 – On November 10, 2009, Infinity Ward will release Modern Warfare 2, the most-anticipated game of the year and the sequel to the best-selling first-person action game of all time, Call of Duty® 4: Modern Warfare®. Modern Warfare 2 continues the gripping and heart-racing action as players face off against a new threat dedicated to bringing the world to the brink of collapse. (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 and PC)

Singularity™ – In Singularity, time is both your greatest enemy and your deadliest weapon. As players attempt to unravel a deadly Cold War conspiracy that has fractured the fabric of time itself, they must fight their way through an ever-shifting environment occupied by Russian mercenaries and time-ravaged creatures. Singularity will be released in 2010 and has not yet been rated. (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, PC)

Tony Hawk®: RIDE™ – Featuring an innovative skateboard-shaped controller, Tony Hawk: RIDE redefines the sports genre by offering a dynamic hands-free gaming experience. Using full motion sensing technology, players physically control the action by performing various movements and gestures on the board that directly translate into amazing tricks in the game in a variety of settings and half pipes. The new wireless skateboard controller provides an accessible and social gaming experience that allows players to feel what it’s really like to skate. Without complex button combinations or analogue sticks, gamers can literally step on the board to play the game. (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, and Wii)

Activision will also be showing its line-up of LucasArts’ titles at the Activision Business Centre behind closed doors. These titles include:

LEGO® Indiana Jones™ 2: The Adventure Continues – Developed by the same team at Traveller’s Tales that created the award-winning LEGO® Indiana Jones™: The Original Adventures and the LEGO® Star Wars™ series, LEGO Indiana Jones 2 presents a tongue-in-cheek take on pop culture’s most iconic archaeologist, a complete retelling of the original three adventures, and for the first time ever, gameplay from Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. In addition, players will be able to create and play levels of their own for a true one–of- a-kind Lego experience! (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION®3, PSP, PC, Wii and Nintendo DS)

Star Wars® The Clone Wars™: Republic Heroes™ allows players to fight as both Jedi Knights and clone troopers through more than 30 unique missions, all created incorporating the same ground-breaking, stunning visual style from the TV series. Featuring a brand-new storyline, players will get the chance to take part in the key events that lead directly into the highly anticipated second season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Jedi characters can slice and dice their way through countless enemies, commandeer droids and show off their combat prowess on foot and in a variety of vehicles. Clone Troopers fire things up with a heavy weapons armament that includes rocket launchers, thermal detonators and even jet packs in levels built specifically to take run-and-gun gameplay to exciting new levels. (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, PSP; Wii, Nintendo DS, and PC)

Star Wars® Battlefront®: Elite Squadron™ – For the first time ever in the Star Wars Battlefront series, players will be able to fight on the ground, in the sky and in space in one epic battle. Players can start the fight on foot, commandeer a vehicle to battle on the ground or dogfight in space, and land their craft and fight on capital starships. The battles waged on each front are all directly affected by the player’s actions, creating a combat experience where every shot fired and every enemy defeated can affect the outcome of a battle on another front. (PSP and Nintendo DS)

Star War®s: The Force Unleashed™: Ultimate Sith Edition – Due to be released in retail stores this holiday season, Star Wars The Force Unleashed: Ultimate Sith Edition combines the original Star Wars: The Force Unleashed videogame and three new levels to create the definitive ultimate-evil storyline of the events that occurred between the two classic Star Wars movie trilogies. The additional content includes two levels set on Coruscant and Tatooine previously only available via direct download, and an all-new exclusive level.. (Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3)

About Tony Hawk, Inc.

Tony Hawk, Inc. is a world leader in its field with the unprecedented ability to bring alternative sports and their unique lifestyle to the masses while maintaining an indispensable edge of authenticity with the market’s hard-core, trendsetting audience. Founded by Tony Hawk in 1998 and based in Vista, CA, the company is organized into five segments: Merchandising, Events, Endorsements, Film and Digital Media. These lifestyle sports include skateboarding, BMX, Motocross, surfing and snowboarding. Consumer goods bearing the Tony Hawk brand have dominated several markets, including interactive games, skateboard hard goods, lifestyle apparel, toys, publications and more.

About LucasArts

LucasArts, a Lucasfilm Ltd. company, 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.

About TT Games

TT Games aims to become a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment for young gamers and their families. Based in the UK, the Group incorporates the TT Games Publishing organisation with world-renowned developer Traveller’s Tales, and subsidiary studio TT Fusion. The first title to come from the TT Games partnership was the award winning LEGO Star Wars: The Videogame, which won over audiences both young and old alike, achieving critical acclaim rarely matched for a title aimed at children. For more information, visit www.ttgames.com.

About Activision Publishing, Inc.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products.

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, Russia, Japan, South Korea, China and the region of Taiwan. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.activision.com.

 
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GDAA expands the categories and scope of the GDAA Indie Game Awards for 2009

MELBOURNE – Wednesday 19 August, 2009 – The Game Developers’ Association of Australia (GDAA) today announced the expansion of the GDAA Indie Games Awards, the awards program designed specifically for emerging game developers and students in Australia.

“The Indie Awards were a huge success at last year’s GCAP, with an unprecedented number of entries received, all of an impressively high standard. So, this year we’ve decided to expand the competition by introducing two new categories – Best Gameplay and Best Graphics,” advised Tom Crago, President of the Game Developers’ Association of Australia.

“The GDAA Indie Game Awards are the premiere awards for emerging game developers and students in Australia and we look forward to an event greater response to the program this year. The winners will be announced at our Awards show held at GCAP in November,” he added.

In order to be eligible for the GDAA Indie Games Awards, entries must be unreleased and unattached to a publisher as at October 30, 2009 and games must be entirely the work of the entrant or be work to which the entrant has all necessary rights. The development team involved in making the game must not have received significant funding or payment for the production of the game. Only games developed in Australia and New Zealand are eligible for the program.

The finalists and winners of each of the Indie Games Awards categories will be determined by an expert panel which will be convened at Game Connect Asia Pacific 2009 (GCAP 2009).

“Each of the games that are shortlisted as finalists in their respective category will be on display during GCAP 09, giving finalists the unique opportunity to put their skills front on show to the industry,” Mr Crago commented.

“We’re urging any budding game developer eager to make their mark in the games industry to make sure they enter the GDAA Indie Games Awards,” he concluded.

Award guidelines are available at the GCAP website: www.gameconnectap.com

 
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Demo out now with Championship Manager Challenge 2010

Championship Manager 2010 is proud to announce that a free demo version of the game is now available containing all the latest features including a bespoke 3D match engine with over 500 individual player animations, a Set-piece creator giving users the chance to create their own unique free kicks and corners, Scouting Networks allowing users to set-up local networks in countries around the world and grow local player knowledge and Practice matches helping users select their perfect team or trial new players.

Take the challenge!

 
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Forza Motorsport 3 Manufacturer Showcase Vol. 1

SYDNEY AUSTRALIA – 19th August, 2009 – Whether speed conjures up images of limited production American muscle or advanced European supercar designs, you’ll find a car to meet your tastes in “Forza Motorsport 3.”

In honour of GamesCom in Germany, we start this week’s reveal with the 2008 Audi A4 Touring Car and 2009 BMW M3 GT2 #92 Rahal Leterman Racing models. Weighing in at just over 1 tonne and featuring 476 horsepower, the Audi A4 Touring covers a lot of ground in very little time. The BMW M3 GT2 #92 Rahal Leterman Racing will challenge most players, sporting 491-horses, tons of mechanical grip and 50/50 weight distribution.

In addition to the German powerhouses, Forza 3 will showcase one of the most powerful, expensive and rarest of all Lamborghinis, the Reventon. The 2008 Lamborghini Reventon is a full-tilt thrill ride that will leave even the gutsiest of drivers with a fevered brow and white knuckles. The supercar’s V12 unleashes 641 horsepower. It costs over a million dollars and only 20 were ever produced.

The all-American 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 may cost less than many of its European counterparts but will still given them a run for their money at the track. With generous amounts of supercharged V8 power, carbon ceramic brakes and a barely detuned race suspension, the 638-horsepower ZR1 can hit speeds of more than 300 km/h.

We round out Volume 1 of our Manufacturer Showcase series with a couple of highly regarded, high performance speedsters – the 1995 Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec and 1993 Ford SVT Cobra R. Built with the racer in mind, the 1993 Cobra R was stripped down of everything but the bare essentials. Larger brakes, stiffer coil springs, Koni shocks, larger anti roll bars and a strut tower brace were added to increase performance. Only 107 1993 Cobra R models were ever produced making it one of the rarest, fastest, and most collectible Fox Body Mustangs of all time. Finally, the 1997 Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec rides lower than standard GT-Rs with race-tuned shocks and springs. Skyline GT-Rs have one of the biggest upsides on Forza 3 from a modification standpoint so consider effort in the tuning garage time well spent.

“Forza Motorsport 3” is rated G will be available in October 2009.

For a deeper dive on the cars in this week’s reveal, please visit http://forza.xbox.com.

– ends –

Should you have any questions or comments please contact:

Alice Coulthard, Pulse Communications: (02) 8281 3818 / alice@pulsecom.com.au

Daniel Wong, Pulse Communications: (02) 8281 3826/ daniel@pulsecom.com.au

About Xbox 360

The powerful Xbox 360 video game and entertainment experience delivers amazing games, the next generation of the premier Xbox LIVE online social network, and unique digital entertainment experiences that revolve around gamers. Xbox 360 now boasts a catalogue of over 500 high-definition games. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realise their full potential. Xbox 360, the Xbox 360 logo, Xbox LIVE are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

 
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Symantec Identifies “Dirtiest Websites of Winter 2009”

Sydney, Australia – August 20, 2009 – For many of us, being online is simply a part of everyday life; whether shopping, banking, or connecting with family and friends. But with the seemingly endless reach of the Internet, how can you tell which sites are safe to visit and which may try to deceive you, steal your personal information or crash your computer? Symantec (Nasdaq: SYMC) has identified the “Dirtiest Websites of Winter 2009,” the 100 sites with the most threats detected by site ratings service Norton Safe Web as of August 2009. These sites represent the “worst of the worst” based on the number of threats detected by Norton Safe Web.

It comes as no surprise that 48 percent of the Dirtiest Websites are, well, dirty; sites that feature adult content. However, the remainder of the list runs the gamut of subject matter, including sites dedicated to deer hunting, catering, figure skating, legal services, and buying electronics. Malware is the most common threat represented on the Dirtiest list, followed by security risks and browser exploits. Simply visiting one of these sites, without downloading or clicking on anything in particular, could put you at risk of exposing your computer to infection, and worse, put your identity, personal and financial information into the hands of cybercriminals.

“This list underscores what our research shows; there has been exponential growth in the number of online threats that are constantly evolving as cybercriminals look for new ways to target your money, identity or assets. In 2008, most new infections occurred while people were surfing the Web[1],” said Rowan Trollope, senior vice president, Consumer Business Unit, Symantec. “Norton Safe Web provides visual ratings that let consumers know about potential risks before visiting a site. Armed with this information, consumers are empowered to make informed decisions about which sites to visit.”

What makes these sites so dirty? For starters, the average number of threats per malicious site rated by Norton Safe Web is 23. Compare that with the average number of threats on the Dirtiest Websites list; a staggering 18,000 per site. In fact, 40 of the 100 Dirtiest Websites have more than 20,000 threats per site. Being dirty is nothing new for 75 percent of sites on the list, which have distributed malware for more than six months.

To find the dirt, Norton Safe Web crawls the Web and performs analysis of millions of websites, and benefits from a network of more than 20 million Norton Community Watch members that automatically submit suspicious URLs for analysis in real-time. Norton Safe Web analyses websites using signature-based file scanning, intrusion detection engines, behavioural detection and install/uninstall analysis to identify security risks including phishing sites, malicious downloads, browser exploits and links to unsafe external sites. In other words, dirty stuff you don’t want on your computer.

See more of the top 100 Dirtiest Websites and learn how you can clean up the Web by joining the Norton Safe Web community here.

About Norton Safe Web

Norton Safe Web is a site rating service that makes it easy to differentiate safe Websites from potentially malicious ones, before visiting a site. Norton Safe Web provides visual site ratings within search results as well as when a user navigates directly to a particular site. In addition to analysing suspicious sites submitted by more than 20 million Norton Community Watch members, Norton Safe Web also actively crawls the Internet and performs thorough analysis on millions of sites. Norton Safe Web also delivers ecommerce safety ratings to help consumers shop safely online. Additionally, users are encouraged to become active participants in the community by creating an account and submitting user reviews based on their experience with any site on the Web.

About Norton From Symantec

Symantec’s Norton products protect consumers from traditional threats with antivirus, antispam, anti-spyware and phishing protection, as well as bots, drive-by downloads and identity theft; while also being light on system resources. The company also provides services such as online backup and PC tuneup, and is a trusted source for family online safety.

About Symantec

Symantec is a global leader in providing security, storage and systems management solutions to help consumers and organisations secure and manage their information-driven world. Our software and services protect against more risks at more points, more completely and efficiently, enabling confidence wherever information is used or stored. More information is available at www.symantec.com.au.