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Hit Social Game “Gardens of Time” Now Availablefor the iPhone and iPod touch

Facebook’s Top Recommended Game of 2011 Recruits iPhone Owners for Its Elite Group of Time-Traveling Detectives

SYDNEY, Australia – February 23, 2011 – Playdom today announced that the award-winning Gardens of Time hidden object game, named Top Recommended Game of 2011 by Facebook, is now available for the iPhone and iPod touch. Known for its vibrant hidden object scenes from famous places around the world, Gardens of Time first debuted on the App Store in December of 2011 on the iPad.

In the game, players join the Time Society, an elite group of time-traveling detectives who explore vibrant hidden object scenes to solve the mysteries of time. By finding hidden objects scattered around the world in places such as the Egyptian Pyramids, The Great Wall of China, and more, players collect ancient artifacts, personalize a historical garden, and unravel the mysteries of time. Gardens of Time also features all of the social elements of the Facebook version in which players can challenge other players, send gifts and hints, and visit friends’ personal gardens to help with quests.

“Our fans have fallen in love with Gardens of Time on the iPad, spending almost an hour per session with the game,” said John Spinale, senior vice president of social games, Disney Interactive Media Group. “We’re confident that Time Society members in search of an on-the-go diversion will find Gardens of Time to be the perfect iPhone companion.”
Gardens of Time key features include:
• Find hidden objects in a massive number of high definition hidden object scenes, with additional scenes to be added regularly;
• Decorate your Garden with hundreds of amazing structures from different points in history;
• Challenge other players through major mobile and social gaming networks, including Game Center;
• Travel through time as the newest member of the Time Society;
• Visit beautiful locations to find unique objects;
• Visit your friends Gardens and vote for the best;
• Compete with players around the world to have the most beautiful Garden.

The Gardens of Time App is available for free from the App Store on the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch or at http://www.itunes.com/app/gardensoftime

 
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GANGSTAS IN SPACE MISSION PACK NOW AVAILABLE FOR SAINTS ROW®: THE THIRDTM

There are good movies. There are great movies. And then there’s this. From self-acclaimed director Andy Zhen comes Gangstas in Space, the science-fiction epic starring actual gangstas: the Third Street Saints. Based on real fictional events, Gangstas in Space has a script, actors and special effects, and may or may not leave you on the edge of your seat.

Critics rave:

“Not suitable for children. Or adults.” – Official Steelport Magazine

“I would rather do my taxes than watch this.” – Stilwater Entertainment

“That was a movie, I guess.” – SaintsXpress.com

This is filmmaking at its finest.

In the second downloadable mission pack for Saints Row: The Third, Hollywood comes to Steelport. Hotshot director Andy Zhen has cast you as the star of his blockbuster opus, Gangstas in Space, a noble gangsta that must defend the planet against scantily-clad aliens equipped with laser beams, spaceships, and spaceships with laser beams. Along the way, you’ll mentor up-and-coming actress Jenny Jaros who plays alien Princess Kwilanna, and help her navigate the perilous waters of Hollywood stardom. Because their aint no career guidance like a gangsta’s career guidance.

Gangstas In Space also includes the alien spacecraft, the Aegian, new alien gang customization options, and new homies Kwilanna and Space Brutina. Strap it on… in space!

Gangstas in Space is available to download today for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Steam, and the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. Gangstas in Space is free for purchasers of the Saints Row season pass, and is available for the suggested price of 560 Microsoft Points on Xbox Live, and $6.99 on PlayStation Network and Steam.

THQ, Saints Row, Saints Row: The Third and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.  All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

 
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HASBRO AND EA MOBILE IGNITE REAL ESTATE BOOM WITH MONOPOLY HOTELS

MONOPOLY Fans Break Ground and Build Hotel Empires on iPhone and iPad Sending App to Top of International Charts 

Sydney, Australia, 23 February 2012 – Hasbro and EA Mobile today announced that MONOPOLY Hotels has climbed to the top floor of the App Store charts around the world. Inspired by the world’s best-selling game brand, the free-to-download app is currently ranked No. 1 on iPad in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong. For iPhone, Monopoly Hotels is again at the top of the charts in Australia as well as in the U.S, and No. 3 in the U.K.

MONOPOLY Hotels allows players to build incredible hotels under the mentorship of the beloved MR. MONOPOLY.  The simulation app challenges aspiring moguls to acquire properties then build and manage five-star hotel resorts.  Upgrades including over-the-top amenities, uniquely themed rooms and fun attractions like aquariums and cupcake shops are just a few of the keys to drawing in guests, particularly VIPs such as MR. POTATO HEAD.

EA Mobile launched MONOPOLY Hotels in Australia on February 16th on the iPhone and iPad.  It is a free-to-download app with a wide range of upgrade micro-transactions including new properties, characters, holiday packs and activities.

To download the game, please visit http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/monopoly-hotels/id490286269?mt=8

 
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BenQ enters the world of 3D with the release of their first Home Cinema 3D Full HD Projector

Australia, February 2010:   The first projector in the world to be accredited with the TUV Rheinland 3D Full HD Certification, BenQ’s W7000 will be available in Australia from late February, with an RRP of $3799.00.

The W7000 offers Rec. 709 colour gamut, 2000 ANSI lumen high brightness, 50,000:1 high contrast ratio, BrilliantColour™ and VIDI™ for the ultimate in cinema-class 3D home entertainment.  Powered by DLP Link™, W7000 delivers ultra-smooth 1080p Full HD 3D images to both eyes, that is, it’s ‘crosstalk free’.

This new projector from the World’s leading DLP projector brand, BenQ, allows you to enjoy brilliantly rendered 3D movies, live sports and video games directly without additional setup thanks to HDMI 1.4a connectivity.

General manager for BenQAustralia, Chee F. Chung, described the release of their first 3D home cinema projector as an ‘exciting new chapter’ for BenQAustralia.

“What makes the W7000 so special is that it delivers what we call a real 3D home cinema experience,” she said.  “The W7000 requires no additional emitters or transmission devices and provides fully immersive 3D enjoyment,” she promised.

The W7000 shares the same Full HD optimised optical system as other top-of-the-line home cinema projectors from BenQ, offering the best clarity and sharpness in every Full HD image.  The projection lens is comprised of only glass made lens elements to perform with far more image details and better brightness performance.  It is also built to match native Rec. 709 colour gamut for colour precision that reflects the human eye.  Rec. 709 is one of the highest HD video standards seen in professional grade home projectors today.

Featuring BenQ’s unique colour management system, including the independent 3D colour control and preset mode and user mode adjustment, the W7000 gives viewers the freedom to fine-tune hues, contrast, brightness, colour temperature, gamma and white balance levels to match their individual 2D and 3D viewing preferences.

Equipped with a wide lens shift range for easy home installation, the W7000 will retail for RRP: $3799.00 from late February.  For stockists, or further information visit www.BenQ.com.au or call (02) 8988 6500.

 
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505 GAMES BRINGS THE DANCE-FITNESS PARTY HOME ON FEBRUARY 24TH WITH

The best-selling franchise surpasses 6 million sold worldwide; Kinect for Xbox 360 sequel to launch with exclusive content and future downloadable dance style packs 

 Sydney Australia, 23 February 2012 – 505 Games, a global publisher of video games, along with Zumba Fitness LLC and All Interactive Entertainment, today announced that Zumba® Fitness Rush, the most technologically advanced, feature-rich addition to the Zumba® Fitness video game franchise, will launch exclusively on Kinect™ for Xbox 360® on 24th February in Australia and New Zealand, distributed under license from Majesco Entertainment.

Additionally, 505 Games and Majesco Entertainment announced that the Zumba® Fitness video game franchise, including Zumba® Fitness on Kinect for Xbox 360, Wii and PlayStation® Move, and Zumba® Fitness 2 for Wii, has surpassed 6 million units sold worldwide in less than 15 months.

Microsoft, 505 Games and Majesco have teamed up to bring an exclusive Zumba® Kinect experience to fitness fans around the world. Zumba® Fitness Rush features the most content of any Zumba® Fitness game to date, including a significant amount of exclusive content on Kinect for Xbox 360. The worldwide marketing program includes television, print advertising, media events, exposure through the Xbox® LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, a social media push, messaging throughout the extensive Zumba® Instructor Network and collaborative retail promotions.

505 Games are also announcing details of two downloadable dance style packs for Zumba® Fitness Rush slated to release later this year. A three-song Bollywood style pack available in May addresses consumer demand for more of the trendy dance style and expands upon the Indian choreography in the game, and a Hip-Hop style pack out in September offers three additional songs that will include hit tracks from today’s popular artists. Each Game Add-on pack will be available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for 400 Microsoft Points.

“We’re incredibly excited to be releasing Zumba® Fitness Rush on Kinect”, said Ralph-Pitt Stanley, General Manager UK & Export, 505 Games. “With exclusive additional content and extensive plans to support the title with post-launch downloadable content, fans of the dance-fitness phenomenon will be very well serviced. With additional support from Microsoft, Zumba® Fitness Rush is positioned to be another success story for the Zumba® Fitness brand. 

Zumba® Fitness Rush is the latest release in the Zumba® Fitness video game franchise that has sold more than 6 million copies worldwide.  This exhilarating dance-fitness party is packed with exclusive Kinect content including: 10 additional routines, five new venues and three more instructors – plus voice control, online connectivity and full body motion tracking. Get a total-body workout with 42 sizzling new songs and routines, 10 of which are exclusive to Kinect for Xbox 360, including contagious Zumba® originals and tracks from hot artists like Pitbull and Nicole Scherzinger. Move to 24 international dance styles as you party yourself into shape – that’s twice the number of styles included in the original Zumba® Fitness game and more than any other dance game. Six celebrity Zumba instructors guide you through each routine in a variety of new venues that range from Las Vegas to Rio, while the new Progress Tracker calculates calories burnedMultiplayer support rounds out the experience and an accessible tutorial ensures that players can learn the basic steps at their own pace. Zumba® Fitness Rush lets you lose yourself in an exhilarating dance-fitness party that makes you forget you’re even exercising.

Developed by Zoe Mode, Zumba® Fitness Rush on Kinect for Xbox 360 will be available to purchase from 24th February 2012. In addition, Zumba Fitness 2 for Nintendo Wii™ is currently available in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Nordic territories. The best-selling title will be launching in all other European and Export territories alongside Zumba Fitness Rush, on 24th February 2012. To watch the newly released teaser trailer and find out more, please visit www.zumbafitnessgame.com.

 
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World of Warplanes Enters Global Alpha Test

Massive Alpha Testing Stage for Upcoming AAA Flight Combat MMO Begins Today

23rd February 2012 — Wargaming.net, the award-winning game publisher and developer, takes to the skies as its highly anticipated flight combat MMO World of Warplanes enters the next stage in the game’s development. World of Warplanes Global Alpha blasts off today in Europe, North America, and Russia, and will be recruiting a new army of test pilots to assist the development team in improving and polishing the game.

Along with the start of World of Warplanes Global Alpha, Wargaming.net is launching new websites for players in each region, intended to help the growing game community stay up to date on all World of Warplanes news and updates.

The websites will be available at:

The Global Alpha phase will initially offer players more than 20 plane models and two battle arenas. The amount of content will be growing steadily, as the developers add new warplanes and maps to the roster.

“With the Global Alpha, we are entering a very challenging, important, and exciting phase for World of Warplanes, which will require support of a massive number of testers,” said World of Warplanes producer Anton Sitnikau. “Our most important task now is to gather feedback from our test pilots and prepare a well-balanced, stable version with a large amount of vehicles and battle arenas, which we’ll be able to enter the beta with.”

About World of Warplanes

World of Warplanes is the flight combat MMO action game set in the Golden Age of military aviation. The game continues the armored warfare theme marked in the highly-acclaimed World of Tanks and will throw players into a never-ending tussle for air dominance.

Based purely on aircraft setting, World of Warplanes will allow players to build full-scale careers of virtual pilots offering machines of several key eras, staring from 1930s, up to Korean War jet fighters that led the way to modern air forces.

World of Warplanes will feature a wide range of warbirds, each of them unique in their effectiveness and behavior. Virtual pilots will choose from three main warplane classes – single-engine light fighters capable of engaging enemies in close dogfights, heavy fighters with their deadly straight attacks, and ground-attack planes, the fearsome threat for ground targets.

Every plane will feature multiple variations of weapons and ammo types, engines, and other crucial modules, and their various combinations will allow to pick the optimal configuration for the most effective behavior in combat.

Find out more about World of Warplanes

About Wargaming.net®

Wargaming.net® is an award-winning online game developer and publisher and one of the leaders in the free-to-play MMO market. Since 1998, the company has published more than 15 titles, including the highly acclaimed Massive Assault and Order of War series. Currently Wargaming.net are focused on establishing the MMO war trilogy that will include their flagship armored World of Tanks, the flight combat World of Warplanes (one of the most anticipated MMOs for 2012), and the naval World of Battleships scheduled for release in 2013.

Official web site: www.wargaming.net

 
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BIART REVEAL ESPIONAGE FUELED BACKGROUND STORY BEHIND UNDERWATER SCI-FI SHOOTER DEEP BLACK: RELOADED

Set for release on PC digital platforms on March 1st 2012,  Deep Black: Reloaded is set in a desolate near future of global terrorism and espionage as players become involved in a desperate fight for world supremacy and the capture of a sophisticated biological weapon.

The year is 2047. Global mega corporations known as keiretsu have supplanted governments around the world. The most powerful of these is Ishiguro-Himmel Systems (IHS), headquartered in Berlin. Those nations that remain have been driven to the brink of war by a struggle for dwindling natural resources. In order to survive, these countries have banded together into two multinational supra organizations that pool their wealth and military might in a quest for survival: The United Federation of Gondwana, which comprises South America, Africa, southern Asia, and Australia; and the Global Strategic Alliance (GSA), which includes North America, Europe, and northern Asia.

For years, Gondwana and the GSA have been the dominant powers, thwarting the growth of companies like IHS. However, with the recent discovery of a fallen meteorite, all that is about to change…

Syrus Pierce used to be the best. As an operative of the mercenary group CHARON (Chief Amphibious Reconnaissance Operational Network), he undertook highly dangerous missions into enemy territory on behalf of anyone who could afford his services. But despite numerous attempts at infiltration, he was never able to dismantle the Al-Azrad terrorist network. During his final operation, several of his squad mates were ambushed and wiped out by Al-Azrad operatives in Yemen.

Now, years after his retirement, Pierce is contacted by his commanding officer, General Jack Sterling, who informs him that members of a GSA research team have been taken hostage off the western coast of South America. He says that the hostage-takers are members of the Al-Azrad terrorist network. The situation is complicated by the fact that the research team was operating near enemy territory (since South America is part of Gondwana); Pierce is the only one who can get into the area undetected, and he has experience dealing with Al-Azrad. Sterling also promises that Colonel Susan Velasco, his only surviving squad mate, will be in charge of the operation. Considering this fact, and given his personal vendetta against the terrorists, agrees. However, after infiltrating the underwater facility, Pierce discovers that he and Velasco have been lied to by their superior officer, General Jack Sterling. In reality, there is no terrorist threat. It’s much worse than that.

Deep Black: Reloaded will be available for $29.99, €29.99, £22.99, AU$29.99 and can be pre-ordered direct from the Biart store at:- http://www.biart7.com/node/11  http://www.desura.com/games/deepblack

To download the Deep Black Reloaded demo visit:  wwww.deepblackreloaded.com/db_demo.zip

For more information about Deep Black: Reloaded and the latest news:
– Visit our website: www.biart7.com
– Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DeepBlackGame

 
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Bitdefender integrates with VMware vShield 5 Endpoint

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – 24 Feb, 2012BitDefender®, an award-winning provider of innovative security solutions, announced today the integration of VMware vShield 5 Endpoint and Security for Virtualised Environments. The combined technologies give customers de-duplication capabilities of antimalware functions, using a series of proprietary cache mechanisms, which greatly improves consolidation ratios in VMware environments.

Until now, organisations have been forced to take traditional security approaches to protecting virtual environments, which created high operating costs and significant performance bottlenecks. The new approach to security saves resources and maximises consolidation ratios in virtualised datacenters without sacrificing security

“We congratulate Bitdefender for meeting all VMware requirements for complete integration with VMware vShield 5 Endpoint™ security technologies,” said Parag Patel, Vice President, Global Strategic Alliances, VMware. “The combined virtualisation and security expertise of VMware and Bitdefender will deliver on-going value to our customers by offloading key antimalware functions to a security virtual machine for improved performance.”

“Given the complexity and growth of virtualised environments, traditional endpoint security approaches are highly inefficient, lacking in scalability and quickly proving to be ineffective,” said Bogdan Dumitru, CTO, Bitdefender. “Working with industry leaders in virtualisation, our security solutions leverage technologies like VMware vShield to optimise performance and ensure that enterprises protect their valuable data, while reducing financial and operational burdens associated with other security approaches.”

With Security for Virtualized Environments by Bitdefender, VMware customers have significant advantages such as centralised scanning and management capabilities in a single-instance or agentless security model. In addition, the combined VMware and Bitdefender technologies extend protection offered to guest VMs, by adding memory and process scanning using the lightweight in-guest Bitdefender Silent Agent with patent-pending caching technologies, saving crucial resources of any physical hosts. Unlike other solutions, Security for Virtualised Environments by Bitdefender also simultaneously protects virtualised Windows, Linux and Solaris systems – both servers and desktops.

VMware, VMware vShield and VMware vShield Endpoint are registered trademarks and/or trademarks of VMware, Inc. in the United States and/or other jurisdictions. The use of the word “partner” or “partnership” does not imply a legal partnership relationship between VMware and any other company. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other product and company names mentioned herein are for identification purposes only and are the property of, and may be trademarks of, their respective owners.

 

* * *

About Bitdefender®
Bitdefender is the creator of one of the industry’s fastest and most effective lines of internationally certified internet security software. Since 2001, Bitdefender has been an industry pioneer, introducing and developing award-winning protection technologies. Every day, Bitdefender secures the digital experience of tens of millions of home and corporate users across the globe. Bitdefender solutions are distributed by a global network of value-added distribution and reseller partners in countries across the world.

Recently, the company has won a range of key independent recommendations in the US, UK and across Europe, including ConsumerSearch, Which?, Stiftung Warentest and Taenk. Bitdefender antivirus technology has also finished top in leading industry tests from both AV Test and AV-Comparatives. More information about Bitdefender and its products is available from the company’s security solutions press room. Additionally, Bitdefender publishes Malware City providing the latest updates on security threats and helping users stay informed in the everyday battle against malware.

 
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Content Season for Call of Duty(r) Elite continues with the release of brand new map Overwatch

The third Content Drop in the Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® 3’s Content Season for Call of Duty® Elite, Overwatch, is now available for Premium Members on the Xbox LIVE online entertainment network.

Call of Duty Elite Drop 3: Overwatch drops you into a construction site atop a New York City skyscraper. The battle takes place along two levels in a near symmetrical layout, with the central bridge and side routes open to attack from multiple angles. Watch your every step, as a lack of safety barriers surrounding the perimeter leaves nothing between you and a 70 story fall to the ground below.

Overwatch is the third Content Drop in Modern Warfare 3’s Content Season, which will include more than 20 pieces of brand new content over the 9 month season. The full calendar of content is outlined here – http://www.callofduty.com/contentcalendar.

The Modern Warfare 3 Content Season is co-developed by Infinity Ward, Sledgehammer Games and Raven Software. Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® 3 is rated “MA15+” (Strong Violence) by the Australian Classification Board. For more information on the Call of Duty: MW3 content drops, season of content, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Call of Duty Elite visit www.callofduty.com/mw3 and www.callofduty.com/elite.

 
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Jon Jones Workout Pack Available for UFC Personal Trainer

Melbourne, VIC. ? February 22, 2012 ? THQ Inc. today announced availability of a new downloadable workout pack for UFC® Personal Trainer: The Ultimate Fitness System, the company’s notable interactive fitness product released in June 2011. The content offering, available exclusively via Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system from Microsoft, will feature current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones as part of five new workout routines and 15 new Hit the Mitts drills. The downloadable workout pack is available now worldwide for a suggested purchase cost of 800 Microsoft Points.

UFC Personal Trainer: The Ultimate Fitness System is available now at retailers worldwide on Kinect™ for Xbox 360, PlayStation®Move for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and the Wii™ system from Nintendo. For more information on UFC Personal Trainer: The Ultimate Fitness System, please visit www.ufcpersonaltrainer.com, facebook.com/ufcpersonaltrainer and twitter.com/UFCPT.