Companies Announce Expanded Collaboration

SYDNEY, Australia – July 3, 2012 – Symantec Corp. (NASDAQ: SYMC) and Red Hat, Inc., (NYSE: RHT), today announced an extended collaboration to deliver solutions that help customers deploy agile private and hybrid clouds and create highly resilient datacenters. The expanded relationship spans engineering, marketing, support, and sales groups in both companies. Based on proven real-world deployments, the new solutions will harness the power of Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Symantec storage and availability solutions to deliver higher availability and increased agility while helping organisations deploy business-critical applications with confidence.

Many organisations are quickly adopting Linux as their platform of choice as they look for new ways to stay competitive in today’s market and face increasing costs with flat IT budgets. While the flexible nature of Red Hat Enterprise Linux has led to the solution becoming the strategic platform of choice for enterprise private cloud deployments, the need to ensure resiliency from a service level perspective becomes increasingly more important. Red Hat Enterprise Linux is deployed by more than 80 percent of the Fortune 500 while Symantec, as the industry leader in protecting business-critical applications, brings a robust suite of storage and availability management solutions to provide highly available multi-tier applications and business continuity across multiple storage platforms, operating systems and virtualisation platforms. Symantec’s storage and availability management solutions are used by 99 percent of the Fortune 500.

Read more detailed blog post: Cloud and Data Center Resiliency Is No Prisoner’s Dilemma

Together, Symantec and Red Hat offer customers a unique opportunity to help manage mission-critical solutions applicable to cloud and datacenter deployments through delivery of a more flexible and open environment in terms of hardware, software and operating systems. The joint solutions will provide automated off-premise disaster recovery; improved storage management for multi-operating system, multi-storage datacenters; and cost-effective failover for Oracle databases.

Automated Off-Premise Disaster Recovery
Cluster Server running on Red Hat Enterprise Linux provides off-premise disaster recovery for organisations operating over long distances, automating global failover of multi-tiered applications to any disaster recovery (DR) site. In addition, Cluster Server manages the data replication layer and provides a single-click DR experience, enabling customers to simplify their DR workflow. The solution provides non-disruptive failover testing to ensure that recovery is configured to work properly when it is needed – whether the downtime is from power loss, natural disasters or other causes.

Improved Storage Management for Multi-OS, Multi-Storage Data Centers
As organisations purchase and implement storage solutions from multiple vendors, each point solution introduces operational complexity into the storage environment and often results in the lack of critical data availability across heterogeneous environments. Storage Foundation Dynamic Multi-Pathing running on Red Hat Enterprise Linux provides a uniform cross-platform solution that eases management across any OS and all storage platforms. With this solution, organisations have their choice of cost-effective storage and have the ability to negotiate better prices on storage hardware. In addition, hardware can be exchanged without disruption and without the installation of new point tools through a single unified data management platform.

Cost-Effective Failover for Oracle Databases
Many organisations rely on Oracle databases to increase productivity and enable users to make faster and more informed decisions. However, due to the high business dependence on these databases, downtime results in lost revenue, damaged brand reputation and severe penalties for not meeting service levels. Storage Foundation Cluster File System and Cluster Server running on Red Hat Enterprise Linux provide very fast Oracle database failover, enabling organisations to deploy less costly single-instance Oracle databases while achieving sub-minute failover times. In addition, Cluster Server can orchestrate multi-tiered application failover to simplify the management of complex real-world application environments and achieve true business service resiliency.

Technology from Symantec’s market-leading Cluster File System, Cluster Server and Storage Foundation, along with Red Hat Enterprise Linux, will form the basis for the joint architecture. Symantec and Red Hat will also team to provide additional engineering, marketing and support. More information on the new solutions will be made available at a later date.

Supporting Quotes:
“Red Hat Enterprise Linux is the fastest-growing platform for our storage management and high availability software as an increasing number of customers deploy Linux to increase agility and stay competitive,” said Francis deSouza, group president, Enterprise Products and Services, Symantec. “We’re strengthening our partnership with Red Hat to ensure companies are confident that their information is protected as they modernise their data centers and build resilient private clouds.”

“Working closely together, Red Hat and Symantec offer joint customers tremendous value with an open source, secure pathway to modernise their legacy IT architectures,” said Paul Cormier, president, Products and Technology at Red Hat. “We’re pleased to expand our long-term collaboration with Symantec to bring our leading Red Hat Enterprise Linux operating platform and Symantec’s compelling technologies together to enable our joint customers with further choice and flexibility for their IT infrastructures.”

“As we’ve written previously, IDC believes Linux will be one of two primary operating systems that will power public cloud infrastructure,” said Al Gillen, vice president, system software, IDC. “Symantec and Red Hat teaming to improve data availability and disaster recovery in data centers has the added benefit of bridging these datacenters to Linux-based cloud infrastructure, enabling today’s enterprise customers to leverage cloud computing where it makes best sense.”

“We have Symantec’s Storage Foundation High Availability running on Red Hat Linux, and are excited to test the joint architecture from the companies addressing our needs for Oracle database failover and off-premise disaster recovery to fully protect our business-critical information,” said, Ismael Moreno, IT Manager SESCAM. “We believe that this will not only better protect our information and applications, but protect us from vendor lock-in, giving us the ability to replace storage hardware without disruption.”

About Storage from Symantec
Symantec helps organisations secure and manage their information-driven world with storage management, archiving, eDiscovery, backup & recovery solutions.

Sydney Australia, 03 July 2012 – WD® is teaming with Warner Bros. Pictures to offer consumers an opportunity to win prizes, including a trip to Los Angeles and special tour of Warner Bros. Studios, to celebrate the release of “The Dark Knight Rises” on July 19. The promotion will run between July 1 and September 30 in Australia. With over $180,000 in prizes up for grabs, the promotion is designed to raise awareness of the WD brand and the company’s new My Net™ family of accelerated wireless networking solutions.

From Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures, “The Dark Knight Rises” is the epic conclusion to filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, which includes the 2005 release “Batman Begins,” and the record-breaking 2009 blockbuster “The Dark Knight.”

Customers who purchase an eligible WD product between July 1 and September 30, 2012, will have an opportunity to win a Deluxe VIP Warner Bros. Studios tour in Los Angeles.  In addition, every purchaser will receive one of thousands of instant-win prizes including in-season double passes to see “The Dark Knight Rises,” and a variety of other official Batman-branded merchandise including t-shirts, caps and tablet neoprene cases.

“WD’s collaboration with Warner Bros. Pictures is a unique opportunity for our fans in Australia,” said Craig Davis, Director Sales & Marketing, Retail Division, Western Digital Asia Pacific & Japan region.  “By partnering with one of the largest film franchises in the world, WD is underscoring our focus and leadership in the digital entertainment and storage space.”

Eligible WD products included in the promotion are the My Book®, My Passport®, My Book Live™, My Book Live Duo, WD Livewire™, WD TV® Live™, WD TV Live Hub™ and the recently announced My Net™ family of home networking products.

As per the terms and conditions of the promotion, to be eligible for the major prize, the winner must be an Australian resident aged 18 years. Also, all entrants must retain their original purchase receipt as proof of purchase.

The major prize will be drawn on October 2, 2012, at 1 pm and the winner will be notified by email within 2 days of the draw.  The name of the major prize draw will also be published in The Australian on October 16, 2012.  For further details about the promotion, please visit www.westerndigital.com.au/batman

SCE to Build a Cloud Service Bringing Gaikai’s Cloud Based-Streaming Technologies into its Network Business

 Tokyo, July 2, 2012 – Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) today announced that it entered into a definitive agreement on June 30, 2012 (Japan Time) to acquire Gaikai Inc., the world’s leading interactive cloud-based gaming company, for approximately USD 380 million.  Through the acquisition, SCE will establish a new cloud service, ensuring that it continues to provide users with truly innovative and immersive interactive entertainment experiences.

“By combining Gaikai’s resources including its technological strength and engineering talent with SCE’s extensive game platform knowledge and experience, SCE will provide users with unparalleled cloud entertainment experiences,” said Andrew House, President and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. “SCE will deliver a world-class cloud-streaming service that allows users to instantly enjoy a broad array of content ranging from immersive core games with rich graphics to casual content anytime, anywhere on a variety of internet-connected devices.”

“SCE has built an incredible brand with PlayStation and has earned the respect of countless millions of gamers worldwide,” said David Perry, CEO of Gaikai Inc., “We’re honored to be able to help SCE rapidly harness the power of the interactive cloud and to continue to grow their ecosystem, to empower developers with new capabilities, to dramatically improve the reach of exciting content and to bring breathtaking new experiences to users worldwide.”

Established in 2008 and headquartered in Aliso Viejo, California, Gaikai has developed the highest quality, fastest interactive cloud-streaming platform in the world that enables the streaming of quality games to a wide variety of devices via the internet.  With this acquisition, SCE will establish a cloud service and expand its network business by taking full advantage of Gaikai’s revolutionary technology and infrastructure including data centers servicing dozens of countries and key partners around the world.

The transaction is subject to certain regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

SCE will continue to aggressively expand a new world of entertainment through the introduction of innovative technologies and the delivery of amazing experiences.

Sydney, Australia – July 3, 2012 – Nuketown, the most popular multiplayer map in Call of Duty®: Black Ops, is being reimagined for the hotly anticipated release of Treyarch’s Call of Duty®: Black Ops II, published by Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI). The Nuketown 2025 multiplayer map will be available with launch units of Call of Duty: Black Ops II.  Anyone who pre-orders the game at participating retailers worldwide will get their copy of Call of Duty: Black Ops II at launch, which will include the Nuketown 2025 downloadable bonus map.

“Multiplayer fans of Call of Duty: Black Ops LOVE Nuketown,” said Mark Lamia, Studio Head of Treyarch. “Flat out, Nuketown was a blast to play before, and we’re excited about the reimagined Nuketown 2025 in Call of Duty: Black Ops II.  We can’t wait to play with everyone come this November.”

On November 13^th, Activision and Treyarch will deploy the sequel to the universally acclaimed Call of Duty: Black Ops, which set the record for the biggest entertainment launch in history following its release in 2010. Call of Duty: Black Ops II catapults players forward into an epic near-future warzone rooted in today’s headlines. The title represents an unprecedented leap for the franchise, delivering a groundbreaking single-player campaign with branching storylines, advanced weaponry, new graphics technology, a deep multiplayer experience featuring a greater emphasis on eSports and match customization, and the most expansive Zombies action yet, now running on the multiplayer engine.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II has not yet been rated. For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com/blackops2. You can also follow Call of Duty: Black Ops II on Facebook at www.facebook.com/codblackops and Twitter via #BlackOps2.  For more information on Nuketown 2025, please visit http://www.callofduty.com/blackops2/nuketown2025/FAQ.

The Max Payne 3 Local Justice Pack, available tomorrow on PlayStation Network and Xbox LIVE, features three all-new maps based on levels from Max’s epic single-player story and tailored specifically for intense Max Payne 3 Multiplayer action. Today, we’ve got a special preview of each map’s layout to get you and your Crew’s strategic juices flowing – including a full overhead view and highlights with screens of key points of interest for all three locations – click the images below to pop out high-res version JPEGs to take your tour of the new Max Payne 3 killing fields.

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Assassin’s Creed III Digital Deluxe Edition for Windows PC Download Also Available

SAN FRANCISCO — July 2, 2012 — Declare your independence with the Assassin’s Creed® III Limited Edition for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, available October 30 in North America and Latin America. For Windows PC gamers, an Assassin’s Creed III Digital Deluxe Edition will be available for download.

Assassin’s Creed III Limited Edition will retail for $119.99 and contains essential items for gamers to ignite the American Revolution, including:

• Assassin’s Creed III video game.
• Stunning 9.44″ Assassin statue featuring Connor poised to strike with tomahawk and hidden blade.
• Embroidered 28″x48″ Assassin’s Creed-inspired colonial flag.
• 3″x3.25″ sturdy metal belt buckle to proudly proclaim your allegiance to the Assassins.

Assassin’s Creed III Limited Edition is available for pre-order today exclusively for North America and Latin America customers at GameStop, Amazon.com, Best Buy, Target and Wal-Mart.

The Assassin’s Creed III Digital Deluxe Edition for Windows PC is available for pre-order from UBIShop™ and other digital retailers for $64.99 and includes:

• Assassin’s Creed III video game.

• George Washington’s notebook revealing his true story during the American Revolution.
• Three single-player missions taking players from the high seas to Cozumel Island in search of Captain Kidd’s fabled lost treasure.
• The Captain of the Aquila’s uniform and traditional Colonial Assassin outfit, boarding axe and Scottish flintlock – rumored to have fired “the shot heard round the world” – for use in the single-player campaign.
• Sharpshooter and Redcoat characters for use in multiplayer.
• A collection of the best audio tracks from previous Assassin’s Creed games.

Set against the backdrop of the American Revolution in the late 18th century, Assassin’s Creed III introduces a new hero, Ratonhnhaké:ton, of Native American and English heritage. Adopting the name Connor, he becomes the new voice for justice in the ancient war between the Assassins and Templars. Gamers will become an Assassin in the war for liberty against ruthless tyranny, in the most stylized and fluid combat experiences in the franchise to date.

Assassin’s Creed III spans the Revolutionary War, taking gamers from the vibrant, untamed frontier and bustling colonial towns to the intense, chaotic battlefield where George Washington’s Continental Army clashed with the imposing British Army and tumultuous high seas. Assassin’s Creed III features unprecedented scope and scale beyond any Assassin’s Creed game.

For more information on Assassin’s Creed III, please visit: assassinscreed.com

Spectacular Sequel to Multi-million Selling,
92% Metacritic-rated Gaming Classic Announced.

SAN FRANCISCO & LONDON – July 2, 2012 – SEGA® of America, Inc. and SEGA® Europe, Ltd. today announced that The Creative Assembly, creator of the multi award-winning Total War™ series of PC strategy games, is currently developing Total War: Rome II™ for PC. 

Encompassing one of the best-known periods in world history, Total War: Rome II™ will combine the most expansive turn-based campaign and the largest, most cinematic real-time battles yet seen in any game. 

Total War: Rome II™ will sink players into the dangerous political machinations of Rome’s senate, while asking them to struggle with family dilemmas and question the loyalty of ‘friends’ and allies. Leading the greatest army ever seen into battle will be just one challenge you will face at the head of the world’s first superpower.

Will you help forge an empire? Restore the Republic? Or grasp the reins of power for yourself, and assume the hated title of tyrant? Who will you conquer? Who will you betray? Who will you sacrifice?

How far will you go for Rome?

“Our games have always encompassed a grand vision”, said Mike Simpson, Creative Director. “But we’re now pushing that vision at both ends of the spectrum. From the immense reach of the sandbox campaign right down to the human-level drama of a single warrior on the battlefield, we’re aiming for an unprecedented level of detail and scale”.

“In our 25^th year of games development, it feels fitting to return to our most critically acclaimed era”, continued Rob Bartholomew, Brand Director. “There’s been a multi-generational leap in technology since the original game and we are ready to set another benchmark in gaming.” 

Total War: Rome II™ is due for release in 2013. For more information visit www.totalwar.com/

ZACK ZERO WINS BEST CONSOLE GAME AWARD AT GAMELAB

The game, released last January on PSN, wins Best Console Game Award and Best Debut Game Award.

Zack Zero, nominated in 6 categories, wins 2 awards at the gala of the 5th National Videogame Industry Awards, held in Barcelona during the Gamelab 2012 Fair.

The members of the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences selected the finalists and winners, except the Public Award, voted on Gamelab’s Facebook page, Press Award, Honorary Award, won by Kazunori Yamauchi, creator of Gran Turismo®, and the Legend Award, won by Hironobu Sakaguchi, creator of Final Fantasy.

The Awards of the Spanish Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences, traditionally presented during the Gamelab fair, are the greatest recognition to the dedication and results of Spanish companies and professionals in the sector over the last year and they offer the general public and media a reliable way of measuring the success of our industry.

For more information on the awards, visit the Gamelab website: 5th Edition of the Spanish Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences Awards

Captain Cat is a one-click Puzzle Adventure game for iPad, starring a cartoon cat who just can’t get enough fish! Avoid obstacles and enemies to guide the anchor to the fish, aiming for a 3-star finish – achieved by using as few knots as possible in your rope, finishing fast and collecting ‘treasure’ along the way.

Finalist in the Indie Showcase Award at the Develop Conference

Features

–  70 levels!
– Appealing cartoon characters!
– Exotic fish with unique mechanics!
– Spectacular undersea graphics and design!
– Extra challenge through time, knot and coin targets!