BioWare and LucasArts announced today that the latest free game update for the award-winning MMO, Star Wars^TM: The Old Republic^TM, Game Update 1.3 – Allies, is available now. Allies delivers many of the game features the community has been asking for, including Group Finder, Ranked PvP Warzones, Adaptive Gear, new enhancements to the Legacy system and more.

“We are living up to our commitment in setting a new bar for what players should expect from a premium MMO service,” said Matthew Bromberg, General Manager of BioWare Austin. “In just six months, we have already released three major game updates that have added new content and game features that have addressed the feedback from our fans. And we are just getting started. By the end of this year, we are adding more Warzones, more Flashpoints, more Operations, more updates to the Legacy System, new companions, new storylines and more. We are very excited about the future.”

Game Update 1.3 – Allies includes the following new features:

·         Group Finder – will make it much easier for players to join up with others in the game. This feature allows you to connect with other players who want to tackle the same Flashpoint or Operation that you do while also ensuring the group is filled out with combat disciplines that complement each other. Together you’ll be better prepared to take on the more advanced challenges in the game.

·         Ranked Warzones – make PvP more challenging and more rewarding. You can now create a group, compete in ranked warzones, and then track your personal performance and measure your skills against other players.

·         Legacy Character Perks –perks give you the opportunity to customize the leveling experience for your Legacy characters. You can focus on the parts of the game you like best, whether that’s space combat, PvP,or Group Missions and Flashpoints, you can choose which activities earn the most experience. The perks give you other bonus opportunities as well, like piloting a vehicle at level 10, earning bonus affection with companions, and even being able to reallocate your skill points in the field.

·         Adaptive Gear – allows you to wear your favorite social gear into combat while still enjoying the bonuses you receive from your best combat gear. We’ll almost certainly be seeing more eccentric-looking groups tackling high-level operations, but that’s part of the fun.

Star Wars: The Old Republic went live last December to critical acclaim around the world. Prior to today’s release of Allies, BioWare has already released two major free game updates. Game Update 1.1: Rise of the Rakghouls went live just one month after the launch of The Old Republicand introduced a new Flashpoint and the conclusion of the Karagga’s Palace Operation. Game Update 1.2: Legacy was one of the largest free content updates in the history of subscription MMOs, with a new Flashpoint, Operation, Warzone, new game features like the Legacy System and the game’s first live event, the “Rakghoul Outbreak.” Recently, BioWare has made character transfers available, seeing a huge engagement from the community as server populations become more balanced, improving the overall gameplay experience.

For more information about Game Update 1.3, please visit www.StarWarstheOldRepublic.com,  follow the game on Twitter^® at http://twitter.com/swtor or “Like” Star Wars: The Old Republic on Facebook^® at http://facebook.com/starwarstheoldrepublic. Press assets for Star Wars: The Old Republic are available at www.ea-anz-press.com

INDIANA JONES: THE COMPLETE ADVENTURES ARRIVES ON BLU-RAY™ FOR THE FIRST TIME, COMPLETELY REMASTERED AND INCLUDING A METICULOUSLY RESTORED VERSION OF RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK 

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (June 26, 2012) – In June of 1981 director Steven Spielberg and executive producer George Lucas introduced  the world to Indiana Jones when the unforgettable Raiders of the Lost Ark debuted in theaters. Exploding to instant acclaim, the film has now been carefully restored, alongside remastered versions of the archaeologist’s other thrilling adventures—Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.  Prepare for excitement, adventure and snakes—why did it have to be snakes?—all with pristine picture and sound when INDIANA JONES: The Complete Adventures debuts on Blu-ray September 12, 2012 from Lucasfilm Ltd. and Paramount Home Media Distribution.

Supervised by director Steven Spielberg and renowned sound designer Ben Burtt, Raiders of the Lost Ark has been meticulously restored with careful attention to preserving the original look, sound and feel of the iconic film.  The original negative was first scanned at 4K and then examined frame-by-frame so that any damage could be repaired.

The sound design was similarly preserved using Burtt’s original master mix, which had been archived and unused since 1981.  New stereo surrounds were created using the original music tracks and original effects recorded in stereo but used previously only in mono.  In addition, the sub bass was redone entirely up to modern specifications and care was taken to improve dialogue and correct small technical flaws to create the most complete and highest quality version of the sound possible while retaining the director’s vision.  The result is an impeccable digital restoration that celebrates the film and its place in cinematic history.

The installments in the franchise have won a combined seven Academy Awards®. Relive every heart-pounding thrill like never before as all four films arrive together, for the first time presented in 1080p high definition with English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio accompanied by a collection of documentaries, interviews, featurettes and new bonus features.

Far Cry^® 3, Just Dance^® 4, and Rocksmith™ Release Dates Updated 

Sydney, AUSTRALIA — June 26, 2012 —After a successful showing at E3 that saw the company take home more than 100 awards, Ubisoft^® has provided updated release dates for some of its biggest upcoming  titles.

Far Cry 3: Far Cry^® 3 will be released on November 29 in Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia and on December 4 in the U.S. Far Cry^® 3 will be available for the Xbox 360^® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft^®, the Sony^®PlayStation^®3 computer entertainment system and Windows^® PC.

Just Dance 4: Just Dance^® 4 will be released on October 2 in Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia and October 9 in the U.S. Just Dance^® 4 will be released on the Wii™ system from Nintendo, Microsoft Kinect™ for Xbox 360^® and Sony PlayStation^® Move for PlayStation^® 3 computer entertainment system. The game also will be released on the Wii U^TM system from Nintendo during its launch window.

Rocksmith: Rocksmith^TM, now with new content that allows players to plug in and play with a bass guitar, will be released on September 27 in Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia for the Xbox 360^® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft^® and the PlayStation^® 3 computer entertainment system. The Windows^® PC version will be released in this region on October 18.

Along with the revised release dates, Ubisoft^® also is reaffirming its previously communicated financial guidance for 2012-13.

Seagate Makes Equity Investment in DensBits

Cupertino, CA and Haifa, Israel, June 25, 2012 – Seagate Technology plc (NASDAQ: STX) the worldwide leader in hard disk drives and storage solutions, and DensBits Technologies Ltd (“DensBits”) the inventor of the world’s first Memory Modem^TM have announced today a strategic agreement for the development of low-cost, high-performance Solid State Drives (“SSD”) for the consumer and enterprise markets. In conjunction with the agreement, Seagate has made an undisclosed equity investment in DensBits.

Seagate and DensBits are joining forces, to develop future products that are intended to provide customers with significant cost savings, extremely high reliability, and unparalleled performance. Under the agreement, DensBits’Memory Modem^TMcontroller technology will be integrated with Seagate’s various storage technologies to power a wide range of consumer and enterprise applications including 3 bits/cell (“TLC”) 1Xnm Flash-based consumer-grade SSD, and 2 bits/cell (“MLC”) 1Xnm Flash-based enterprise-grade SSD.

“For the last 30 years, Seagate has delivered technology and product innovation to become the global leader in storage solutions, from high-end enterprise drives to solid-state hybrid drives,” said Rocky Pimentel, Seagate chief sales and marketing officer. “Seagate is excited to be working with the talented DensBits team and believes we have a significant opportunity with our new strategic relationship to extend our leadership into the SSD market.”

“We are very excited at the opportunity of collaborating with Seagate,” said Ilan Hen, DensBits’ Chairman and CEO. “This is yet another testament to our technology leadership, and we strongly believe that the coupling between DensBits’ unique Memory Modem^TMcontroller technology and Seagate’s exceptional storage capabilities across the board could truly disrupt the industry.”

The elite antivirus just got better – and is enhanced with Safepay for online shoppers, Anti-Theft, Parental Control, and more 

SYDNEY & AUCKLAND – May 26, 2012 – Bitdefender, which led the antivirus industry in quality and innovation with its 2012 products, has launched its 2013 generation, improving on the world’s best internet security system and adding a whole arsenal of features to keep users safe.

Besides a stealthier, more powerful antivirus than ever, Bitdefender 2013 comes with new state-of-the-art protection for shoppers with Bitdefender Safepay™ and an ironclad umbrella of protection for kids with the revolutionary Parental Control. It includes an even sleeker version of the hit Bitdefender Autopilot™ that runs your antivirus at maximum effectiveness, and Anti-Theft, which conceals some powerful surprises for would-be device thieves.

The evolution of the world’s best antivirus, compatible with Windows 8, is further topped off with enhanced Bitdefender Safebox™ online storage and sharing, a new security widget to keep you more up to date than ever on the status of your online safety, the new USB Immuniser to wipe out threat of infections from flash disks, the extreme convenience of an enhanced MyBitdefender dashboard accessible from any device at any time, and much more.

“Since it became obvious that the Bitdefender 2012 generation shot to the top of the industry in terms of protection, ease of use and performance, everybody has been wondering how we could possibly improve on it for the next generation,” said Bitdefender 2013 Product Marketing Director Ciprian Istrate. “Well, 2013 is here. And, yes, it’s better than ever. The new features such as Safepay and Anti-Theft round out improvements to the world’s top-ranked antivirus and we’re confident it is the best protection you can possibly get.”

The antivirus technology in Bitdefender 2013 beats the stiffest competition in the world – the elite performance of Bitdefender 2012. Bitdefender 2012 won the coveted Best Protection 2011 Award for home users by AV-TEST after coming out as No. 1 in five straight industry-wide tests throughout the year. Bitdefender 2012 also won the Editor’s Choice award by leading technology portal Cnet, the year’s Top Rated award by independent tester AV Comparatives, a security Product of the Year award by CRN, and more.

“Bitdefender shot ahead of the pack in the antivirus industry and the 2013 generation is only going to cement that lead further,” said Product Manager Catalina Albisteanu. “The antivirus itself is better than the best, but 2013 is also fighting physical thieves with Anti-Theft, hackers and other undesirables with Safepay and the whole menagerie of online threats such as bullies, bad influences, predators and spies with Parental Control.”

Bitdefender Safepay™ brings online banking and shopping to a whole new level of security with a secured browser crafted specifically to keep online transactions private and secure. Safepay activates automatically when you access your bank accounts, uses hotspot technology to create an unbreachable connection on public wireless connections, and includes a virtual keyboard so no hacker can read your keystrokes.

Anti-Theft keeps you in control of your device even if it’s been lost or stolen, allowing you to lock, wipe, or even locate from any Internet-connected device. Bitdefender Safebox™ allows you to easily store and share files online while protecting it with elite encryption so sophisticated that nobody but you could ever possibly read it. And the Parental Control feature now allows you to remotely monitor your kids’ online activities – even on Facebook, restrict web access to certain hours, and more.

Read more about the world’s best antivirus and the other features of Bitdefender 2013 at http://www.bitdefender.com.au/

Capcom today announced that the Resident Evil 6 Collector’s Edition and Steel Book will be available in Australia and New Zealand for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.

The Resident Evil Collector’s Edition will include the standard retail game housed in a Zombie Steel Book.  In addition to this, fans will also be treated to:

• Exclusive RE6 hardback artbook showing concept art from the game
• Avatar DLC code for 360 owners OR an exclusive Dynamic Theme for PS3 owners
• Ivy University, Tall Oaks hooded sweatshirt (one size)
• The RE6 forces emblems – High quality enamelled zinc alloy emblems of the three main protagonists (Leon, Chris & Jake) squad insignias, mounted and set in a limited numbered frame authenticated with signatures from Senior producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi , Producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi and RE6 Director Eiichiro Sasaki
• All of the above amazing goodies are bundled together in the ‘Needle Bomb’ collectors box (as seen in the RE6 announce trailer) with lenticular images

There will be an extremely limited number of these available for pre-order in Australia through EB Games and JB Hi-Fi.  If you’re a huge Resident Evil fan, be sure to get in quick!

June 25, 2012 – IO Interactive A/S, a Square Enix studio, released the new edition of the “HOPE NEWS TIMES” covering the latest strange occurrence in town.

A string of inexplicable deaths has happened all over Hope. Today, the HOPE NEWS TIMES reports Sheriff Skurky and Hope police have a lead on what now appears to be related deaths. The latest incident was the messiest yet, claiming the lives of 14 innocent citizens.

HOPE NEWS TIMES is a weekly publication reporting the latest news from Hope, South Dakota, and reveals a brand new chapter in HITMAN: ABSOLUTION.

For additional Hope level assets, or to catch the latest edition of the HOPE NEWS TIMES, please visit:

www.facebook.com/Hitman

www.barcode-society.com

SYDNEY — June 25^th 2012 — Ubisoft^® has announced that the Xbox Triple Pack featuring highly acclaimed Xbox Live Arcade games Outland, Beyond Good & Evil HD and From Dust will be available in Australia from 20 September 2012 for $49.95.

Outland

In the middle of Balance and Chaos, now stands one man whose efforts may bridge the ancient divide, or doom the world to destruction. The award-winning studio Housemarque teamed up with Ubisoft to create an ambitious platformer inspired by epic adventures such as the Prince of Persia® series. Each player’s adventure will take them between light and darkness and force them to adapt to an ever-changing world.

Beyond Good & Evil HD

In this award winning action adventure, play as Jade, a young investigative reporter, and expose a terrible government conspiracy. It is up to you and your loyal pig friend Pey’j to save your planet and its inhabitants.

From Dust

Discover a unique Modern God game where nature is the star: From Dust, created by Eric Chahi. Behold the beauty of a primitive world pulsing with life and face the might of nature. Beware the danger of a world that is constantly changing under your command. Control the destiny of a tribe struggling to survive and help it recover its ancestors’ lost powers. Immerse yourself in a world as exotically beautiful as it is dangerous. A universe where Nature reclaims what is Hers; and you are your people’s only chance of survival.

Award-Winning First-Person Environmental Puzzle Game Also Coming to PlayStation®Network and Xbox LIVE Arcade in ANZ soon

June 25^th, 2012 – Square Enix Ltd., the publisher of SQUARE ENIX® interactive entertainment products in Europe and other PAL territories, today announced that Quantum Conundrum™, the newest game from PORTAL™ co-creator Kim Swift and developer Airtight Games, is now available on PC for USD$14.99.  Players can also purchase a Season Pass through Steam® for USD$19.99, and get a downloadable Quantum Conundrum soundtrack and two future downloadable puzzle packs. Quantum Conundrum will be available shortly in ANZ on the PlayStation®Network for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and on Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

One of the most decorated titles at E3 2012 in Los Angeles, Quantum Conundrum earned recognition as one the show’s top games, including 13 media nominations and awards for Best New Franchise, Most Innovative, Best Puzzle Game, Best of Show, Best Platformer, Best Original Game and Most Valuable game from outlets like IGN, Game Informer, PC Gamer, GameSpy, Destructoid and more.

“Quantum Conundrum is one of the most innovative, thought-provoking games of 2012 from one of the great designers of our industry, Kim Swift,” said Mike Fischer, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix, Inc.  “We’re proud to launch the next evolution of puzzle games and we’re anxious to see how gamers react.”

ABOUT QUANTUM CONUNDRUM

In Quantum Conundrum, players take on the role of a young boy dropped off on his uncle’s doorstep for the weekend; his uncle just so happens to be the brilliant, eccentric inventor, Professor Fitz Quadwrangle. Upon entering the Professor’s vast manor home, retrofitted with crazy technology to test his latest hypotheses, players quickly realize their uncle has gone missing. Fortunately, players immediately find Professor Quadwrangle’s latest invention, the Inter-Dimensional Shift (IDS) Device, which, at the press of a button, can shift the world around them to a different dimension. In order to find their uncle, players use the IDS to dynamically alter between five dimensions and progress through bizarre and challenging rooms in the labyrinthine Quadwrangle Manor. Becoming adept at using the various dimensions – sometimes in combination – will be critical to solving puzzles and moving on to the next room.

Related Links

Quantum Conundrum Official Homepage:          www.quantumconundrum.com

Quantum Conundrum Official Facebook® page: www.facebook.com/quantumconundrumgame

Follow Professor Quadwrangle on Twitter®:       @ProfQuadwrangle