Superb Graphics, System-specific Features, and Enhanced Gameplay
Bring Topnotch Console-style Action Experiences to Handheld Gaming

BURLINGAME, Calif. – DECEMBER 7, 2012 – Team NINJA today revealed that the new generation of DEAD OR ALIVE® combat, DEAD OR ALIVE 5 PLUS(working title), is coming to PlayStation®Vita handheld system alongside NINJA GAIDEN® SIGMA 2 PLUS, the highly anticipated sequel to the hit PS Vita launch title. DEAD OR ALIVE 5 PLUS brings the signature fighting style of the popular DOA series to PS Vita with all-new system-specific features complementing the stunning graphics and new martial arts techniques of the recent console release. Faster, bloodier, and more beautiful than ever, NINJA GAIDEN SIGMA 2 PLUS takes the legendary action game to the next level on a versatile new battleground. Developed by Team NINJA, both games will be published by TECMO KOEI America and are scheduled to ship in the first quarter of 2013.

“DEAD OR ALIVE 5 PLUS and NINJA GAIDEN SIGMA 2 PLUS both bring the art of combat alive with graphics that rival any console game alongside tight controls designed to fully harness the power of the PS Vita,” said Yosuke Hayashi, Team NINJA leader. “Whether unleashing martial arts moves or striking down enemies as a deadly ninja, players will discover that handheld gaming has never looked—or played—better.”

Building on the popular DOA series’ signature fighting style, DEAD OR ALIVE 5 PLUS brings the spectacular graphics and new martial arts techniques of the recent console release to the PS Vita with all-new system-specific features. Players will take on the roles of the cast of DEAD OR ALIVE fighters in an intense, action-packed brawler set in visually striking locations from around the world, with each stage featuring backdrops that change and interact with players. With a sensual yet realistic style, characters are rendered in incredibly lifelike detail. New touch controls bring a completely new experience to fighting games. Simple taps, swipes, and pinches on your opponent trigger a variety of devastating moves. Using the Vita’s motion sensor, you can even play vertically for a first-person, full-screen view of your opponent. Both new and expert players will also find even more ways to up their game with new training-focused modes and a new display of advanced frame data that reveals twice the amount of information for each move compared to previous versions. Tournament players will spend hours analyzing the best moves for their fights.

NINJA GAIDEN SIGMA 2 PLUS brings the most intense, action-packed ninja adventure to PS Vita with stunning graphics, new modes, and plenty of blood. In the game, Ryu Hayabusa, the iconic super ninja of the Ninja Gaiden franchise, returns to the Sigma series to prevent the resurrection of the evil Archfiend by hunting down the Demon Statue stolen by the wicked Black Spider Ninja Clan. Players will battle from Tokyo to New York as Ryu encounters vicious enemies and acquires an extensive assortment of ninja weaponry along the way. The action lights up the Vita’s impressive OLED screen with graphical quality exceeding the original Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus. An intuitive control system uses the front and rear touch screens and motion controls of the PS Vita, and new players will appreciate the inclusion of Hero Mode, which automatically boosts their attacks when their health is low. New modes include “Ninja Race,” where players compete with enemies at breakneck speed to reach the end goal, and “Tag Mission,” in which players can switch between two ninjas in real-time while defending the AI-controlled partner.

Team NINJA will release more information on both titles in the coming weeks/months.

The “Halo 4 Infinity Challenge” launches Dec. 17, giving players a chance to win a UNSC-themed 2013 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor truck and a cameo in a future “Halo” game. 

VIRGIN GAMING “HALO 4 INFINITY CHALLENGE”

Virgin Gaming, Xbox 360 and 343 Industries are joining forces to launch the “Halo 4 Infinity Challenge” on Xbox LIVE starting Dec. 17, bringing gamers the biggest and most accessible free-to-enter “Halo” tournament in the world.

Starting today, players can register for the “Halo 4 Infinity Challenge” by visiting www.halo4infinitychallenge.com (localised registration sites available on Dec. 12). Launching on Dec. 17, the free-to-enter tournament will track your personal score in War Games and the number of Spartan Ops¹ chapters you complete on global leaderboards, giving players of different preferences and skill levels all a shot at the more than 2,800 prizes. For the War Games leaderboard winner, the grand prize will be a UNSC-themed, V8-powered 2013 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor truck designed by 343 Industries, and for the Spartan Ops winner, the grand prize will be an appearance in a future “Halo” game.

During the qualifier phase (Dec. 17 – Jan. 10), players will need to climb the ranks of the global leaderboards by competing in either the Spartan Ops or War Games leaderboard. After the qualifier phase, players will be tiered into three groups (based on their results on the qualifier phase leaderboards) and will enter the finals phase (Jan. 12 – Jan. 19).  In addition, players can also participate in Weekly Challenges found on Halo Waypoint at http://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/intel/challenges for a chance to win great prizes.

During the finals, the leaderboards will reset and prizes will be awarded to the top performers in each tier. While terrific prizes are available within all three tiers, the grand prizes will be offered exclusively for those that have battled their way to the top tier.

For tournament and registration information, please visit: www.halo4infinitychallenge.com or http://www.halowaypoint.com/ 

“HALO 4” CRIMSON MAP PACK

Comprised of three brand new multiplayer maps (Wreckage, Harvest and Shatter), the “Halo 4” Crimson Map Pack² will launch on Dec. 10 on Xbox LIVE for 800 MS points (or at no additional charge for those that purchased the “Halo 4” Map Pass or “Halo 4” Limited Edition).

Timed just before the launch of the “Halo 4 Infinity Challenge,” the new map pack gives players more reason than ever to stay online and prepare for the upcoming competition by exploring these stunning new battlegrounds. 

SPARTAN OPS SEASON CONTINUES IN JANUARY

Clearing the way for the “Halo 4 Infinity Challenge” and the “Halo 4” Crimson Map Pack, Spartan Ops will go on a mid-season break starting Dec. 10. During the week of Dec. 10, 343 Industries will re-enter five chapters from the first half of the season into Matchmaking as a “Best of Spartan Ops” compilation. From Dec. 17 – Jan. 14, episodes 1-5 will be re-entered into Matchmaking (one episode per week) to support the “Halo 4 Infinity Challenge,” and allow anyone who missed or wants to replay a previous chapter to easily find teammates online. (Check out http://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/intel/spartanops for more information.)

The second half of Spartan Ops Season One will resume later in January with brand new episodes, chapters, locations and maps.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City 10th Anniversary Edition is now available for select iOS devices. The successor to the groundbreaking Grand Theft Auto III, Vice City turned the open world series from a critically acclaimed bestseller into a cultural phenomenon.

This 10th Anniversary Edition is an enhanced version of the award-winning original game, optimized for mobile and tablet devices with several new mobile-specific features including an intuitive, fully scalable and customizable user interface, new camera controls, upgraded textures, greater resolutions and increased draw distance.

Vice City 10th Anniversary Edition is available for $5.49 AUD/ $6.49NZD from the App Store and is compatible with the following iOS devices: iPad, iPad mini, iPhone 4, 4S & 5, iPod touch 4th & 5th Generation.

Due to unforeseen technical issues, the Android release of Vice City will be slightly delayed. Our goal is to get this out for Android by the end of next week. Our apologies for the delay to all our fans on Android devices and please stay tuned for updates.