SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT EUROPE DELIVERS AT GAMESCOM 2011

• PlayStation®3 at an attractive new price of €249 (RRP), AUD $349.95 (RRP) and NZD $479.95(RRP)
• Details on PlayStation®Vita software line-up revealed
• New model of PSP™ unveiled, priced at €99.99 , AUD $139.95 (RRP) and NZD $179.95 (RRP)
• Exciting line-up of PlayStation®3 software titles including new titles for PlayStation®Move

Cologne, 16^th August 2011 – Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd. (SCEE) today announced at its press conference at the gamescom trade fair in Cologne, Germany, more details of the eagerly anticipated PlayStation®Vita (PS Vita), the next generation portable entertainment system along with news that the PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system is now available across Europe for just €249 RRP, Australia AUD$349.95 (RRP), New Zealand NZD$479.95 (RRP) making amazing and unique gaming experiences more accessible than ever.

“At Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, we’ve set an ambitious goal for ourselves to take the wild musings of the imagination, and make them real’ said Andrew House, President and CEO of SCEE. “PlayStation is leading the industry in levels of connectivity, immersion, and individualisation of the consumer experience. There are some experiences that aren’t just exclusive to PS3, they are only possible on PS3.”     

PlayStation®Vita

“Of the many innovations PlayStation has brought to market in the last few years and months, one of the most exciting to me is PlayStation Vita’ said Andrew House. “At our core, PlayStation is about games and PlayStation Vita is a breakthrough portable entertainment system that will thrill gamers.”     

Two analog sticks give a Dual-Shock-like control of games approximating the at-home gaming experience whilst a stunning 5-inch multi-touch organic light emitting diode (OLED) as the front display provides visuals and clarity unparalleled in mobile gaming systems. Front multi-touch screen and rear multi-touch pad, combined with six-axis motion sensing technology allows users to interact directly with games in three dimension-like motion, through “touch, grab, trace, push and pull” finger motions. Front and rear cameras allows for augmented reality experiences never before seen, blurring the lines between reality and interactive entertainment.

More was revealed regarding the social connectivity features of PlayStation Vita, which if accessed via the 3G/Wi-Fi model, allows users to be constantly connected to their PlayStation life, as well as those of friends and fellow users.  Dedicated applications to enjoy various social network services, including Facebook, Twitter, foursquare and Skype were unveiled.

Making the most of this connectivity is a host of exciting features:

“near” will provide location-based services as part of the basic features utilising PlayStation®Network. “near”, developed specifically for PS Vita, will be pre-installed in the system to let users find out what their friends in the vicinity are playing now or what they were playing recently. Users can meet their friends and new players virtually, regardless of what games they are playing, simply by sharing their game information across different dimensions of time and distance.

“Party” will also comes pre-installed, is an innovative application for a portable entertainment system which enables users to enjoy voice chat or text chat not only during online gaming, but also when users are playing different games or using different applications such as internet browser..

Turning to PS Vita software, SCEE revealed a range of titles reaffirming that this is absolutely a system which will ‘thrill’ users. Resistance Burning Skies is an entirely new Resistance experience developed specifically for PS Vita featuring an all-new timeline, levels, and environments, taking full advantage of the dual analogue sticks. LittleBigPlanet is the title to take Play, Create and Share to the next level.  It utilising the full range of PS Vita’s unique feature set, including Augmented Reality to bring the real world into your creations.  Reality Fighters uses the front and rear cameras of PS Vita to deliver a richer and deeper AR experience than ever before. This customisable fighting experience makes the world your arena. A kitchen counter, a car park, a playground, they’re all part of your world and the camera technology of PS Vita can transform them into your fighting arena. Gamers can also take pictures of themselves to create their own personal fighter, complete with a unique fighting and visual style. Also unveiled was the innovative and quirky title Escape Plan. Bringing together a unique artistic style, with a fun sense of humour and challenging puzzles, Escape Plan was the final PS Vita title shown during the press conference.

Finally Assassin’s Creed from Ubisoft and FIFA from Electronic Arts for PS Vita were announced for the first time, featuring amongst a range of titles that demonstrated the strong third-party developers and publishers support for PS Vita including Bioshock from 2K, Call of Duty from Activision and Virtua Tennis from Sega

PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable)

Since the first PSP model (PSP-1000) launch in 2004, cumulative sales of the PSP series has reached over 71 million units worldwide and remains the perfect entry-level handheld entertainment system.

At gamescom, SCEE announced a new model of the PSP system (PSP-E1000) (body color: charcoal black) that will retail in Europe/PAL territories from this November for just €99.99 (RRP), AUD $139.95 (RRP), NZD $179.95 (RRP).  Although this will not offer access to Wi-Fi connectivity and have a slightly different aesthetic, this new PSP will allow access to the entire PSP catalogue of games.  Also highlighted was the fantastic library of PSP Essentials titles that will accompany this, retailing at €9.99 (RRP),AUD $14.99 (RRP) each.

“As you can see, our commitment to mobility and to the handheld market is strong’ said Jim Ryan, Co-COO of SCEE “PSP and PlayStation Vita give consumers a PlayStation experience any time, anywhere.”     

PlayStation®Move

PlayStation Move has built incredible momentum since launching in September 2010 and more than 200 games currently available worldwide.

At gamescom, SCEE announced exciting new PlayStation Move software titles.  Move Fitness is a unique fitness title that not only allows exercise, but also growth and personal training. Also, from the team who created the mullti-million selling SingStar, comes DanceStar Party which brings the SingStar accuracy and focus on technique to a dancing game. DanceStar Party will deliver the fun factor, allowing users to move and groove to their own personal style.

PlayStation®3

Almost reaching five years since the launch,PS3 continues to be a game changer and momentum for the platform continues to grow worldwide.

Amongst exciting line-up of PS3 software titles, the focus was on three key titles launching later in 2011. Starting with Resistance 3, one of the most highly-anticipated PS3 software titles to date, SCEE revealed a unique game trailer, inspired by celebrated graphic artist Olly Moss.  SCEE also unveiled Infamous Festival of Blood, a new twist on the Infamous world, offering a nightmarish twist to this visually-stunning game.  To finish with, SCEE demonstrated the most eagerly anticipated game of the year, Uncharted 3.

Moving onto the stereoscopic 3D capabilities of PS3 – an area in which Sony group companies continues to lead the way in developing ever-more awe-inspiring and transformative gaming experiences – the PlayStation branded 3D Display was confirmed for Europe/PAL territories available this autumn, priced at €499 (RRP), AUD $699.95 (RRP),NZD $849.95 (RRP), including two sets of 3D glasses.

This 24-inch display, first announced at E3 2011, will provide consumers with accessible stereoscopic 3D entertainment for titles such as Uncharted 3. Perfectly suited to dorm rooms, family rooms, or bedrooms, the Display incorporates unique technology called “SimulView” that allows two people playing a game to see individual, full-screen, stereoscopic 3D images – it’s like having two displays in one.

With the incredible line-up of games and entertainment experiences, with PSP-E1000, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation Move Starter Pack and PlayStation 3 users can now be assured of an accessible solution to meet their gaming needs, whatever their budget.

ASHER KEDDIE RETURNS IN the SECOND SEASON OF OFFSPRING – COMING soon TO DVD.

Madman proudly presents the DVD release of the second series of the Network Ten hit, OFFSPRING – starring Silver Logie winner Asher Keddie – available from 14 September, 2011 ($59.95srp).

Six months after escaping her unhinged family and tumultuous love life, 30-something obstetrician, Nina Proudman (Keddie), is finally enjoying a calm and relaxing existence after taking up a new job in Baltimore.

Cue emergency…  and like that, Nina is forced to return home, and all the problems that drove her away in the first place come flooding back into her life. Once again, Nina will have to navigate the Proudman family chaos and the complex and confusing rules of love, dating and casual sex.

From the same creative talent that brought us THE SECRET LIFE OF US, RUSH, TANGLE and LOVE MY WAY, OFFSPRING is stylish and fresh, and has become a ratings smash for Ten, averaging close to a million viewers per episode in its second season run and garnering a phenomenal cultural following, with many comparing the show’s witty appeal to ALLY MCBEAL.

As well as Asher Keddie, OFFSPRING boasts a stellar line up of Australian talent, including Kat Stewart (UNDERBELLY), Don Hany (EASY WEST 101) Deborah Mailman (THE SECRET LIFE OF US), John Waters (ALL SAINTS) and comedian Eddie Perfect.

OFFSPRING is a Southern Star John Edwards production for Network Ten Australia in association with Film Victoria.

OFFSPRING: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON is available on DVD from 14 September, 2011.

To celebrate the release of the second season of OFFSPRING on DVD, Madman has partnered with Schwarzkopf Professional to offer prize packs including Offspring DVDs and Schwarzkopf Professional BC Bonacure Repair Rescue Shampoo and Conditioner kits – so even in a crisis of Proudman proportions, at least your hair can still keep its cool!

MEDIA ALERT: 17 August 2011

World’s Leading Football Franchise Optimised for Xperia™ PLAY 

August 17, 2011, Sydney – Sony Ericsson has announced a limited time exclusive agreement* with EA Mobile™, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. to deliver the much anticipated EA SPORTS™ FIFA 12 on Android. Optimised for the world’s first PlayStation certified smartphone Xperia™ PLAY, the No. 1 sports franchise on the planet^ will be available for the device worldwide in Q4. 

With improved gameplay depth, authentic commentaries, updated teams from the world’s top leagues and all new replay systems, FIFA 12 on Xperia™ PLAY is the ultimate football experience for Android. The dedicated graphical processing unit, optimised memory bandwidth and 60fps rendering of Xperia™ PLAY enhance the football gameplay experience. Audio is also improved with enhanced commentary and crowd chants. 

*Limited exclusivity expires February 21, 2012.

^ Based on units sold world-wide as of July 25, 2011 (via NPD, Chart-track, GFK & Famitsu Marketing Data Service)

To brighten up this grey afternoon please check out the new trailer from the Battlefield 3 team – Caspian Border – which has just been released out of Gamescom.

Sydney – August 17, 2011 – Kicking off the countdown to the game’s release on September 1st, 2011, Ubisoft announced today that a multi-player demo of Driver® San Francisco for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system will be made available to consumers on August 17th.

The multi-player demo will feature 2 of our breathtaking competitive modes:
– Tag: Touch the tagged vehicle to get tag, and keep it as long as you can to score
– Trail Blazer: Follow the yellow vehicle and battle to stay in the trails to score

Driver San Francisco will ship in Australia on September 1st, 2011 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii™. For more information go to http://www.driver-game.com.

SYDNEY, Australia – AUGUST 17, 2011 – Only true heroes will triumph! BioWare™, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), today announced Warhammer® Online: Wrath of Heroes ™, a new Player-Versus-Player (PvP) Play4Free game based on Warhammer® Online: Age of Reckoning™. Warhammer Online: Wrath of Heroes will advance online action games by delivering instant, fast-paced, and competitive PvP arena gameplay – for free! In this thrilling game, players form three teams and will dive into epic 18-player battles using a variety of characters and iconic Warhammer Online heroes, settings, and weapons. The course of conflict can quickly turn against you as players switch from one hero to another mid-battle, and alliances between the teams are forged – and broken.

Players can sign up to learn more and for a chance to gain early access to the Warhammer Online: Wrath of Heroes closed beta at www.wrathofheroes.com.

“We’re thrilled to expand our audience and deliver BioWare’s first Play4Free title with Wrath of Heroes,” said Dr. Ray Muzyka, Co-founder, BioWare and General Manager, BioWare Label. “PvP combat is without a doubt one of the most compelling experiences online. We’ve distilled down the essentials of that conflict – and delivered it with force .”

“We’re excited to continue to work with BioWare to bring a fresh take on the Warhammer Online experience to existing fans and new players everywhere,” said Andy Jones, Head of Legal and Licensing at Games Workshop PLC. “We believe this fantastic extension to Warhammer Online demonstrates the studios commitment to bringing the unique and defining PvP elements from Warhammer Online to a whole new audience with a level of quality and authenticity that will continue to delight our established fans.”

Warhammer Online: Wrath of Heroes offers players a variety of heroes to choose from, each one tailored to different PVP playstyles. Players can swap through their arsenal of heroes on the fly, creating a unique,dynamic gameplay experience. Wrath of Heroes is set up to enable both jump-in/jump-out gameplay sessions during lunch breaks or players can settle in for a marathon session, level up and prove their dominance against their friends!

Players can sign up for a chance to participate in the closed beta by visiting: www.wrathofheroes.com. Warhammer Online: Wrath of Heroes will be available to download for free on PC in Australia and New Zealand later this year 2011. For more information on Warhammer Online: Wrath of Heroes, please visit www.wrathofheroes.com and follow the game on Twitter at http://twitter.com/wrathofheroes or “Like” the game on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wrath-of-Heroes/180076122045811.

SYDNEY, Australia – AUGUST 17, 2011 – Get ready to discover the secrets of Amalur as today Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) and 38 Studios, LLC have announced that the action RPG, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning™, will launch in Australia on February 9, 2012 and in New Zealand on February 10, 2012. Reckoning is an epic single-player game — and the first chapter of a vast new fantasy universe — that sends players on a fast-paced journey to unlock the mysteries of Amalur while redefining their hero’s destiny and the fate of the world. With more than 10 award nominations at its Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) debut in June 2011, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning has captured the imagination of gamers worldwide, with GameSpot.com saying; “there’s a lot to be excited about when it comes to Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, especially when there’s an impressive amount of talent behind the project.”

“Reckoning is just the beginning of the deep, expansive lore and massive world that is Amalur,” said Curt Schilling, Chairman and Founder of 38 Studios. “We’re working with iconic visionaries who have trailblazed the direction of their respective fields. Todd McFarlane lends his expertise to inspire the game’s bold art style and combat design, R.A. Salvatore created the deep, immersive history and culture of the world, and industry-icon Ken Rolston forges the expansive systems that RPG fans know and love. Reckoning has developed into something amazing and beyond my wildest dreams — I cannot wait to share it with gamers across the world next February.”

Set in an entirely new universe crafted by New York Times best-selling author R. A. Salvatore, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is brought to life visually through the trademark visceral style of renowned artist and Spawn creator Todd McFarlane. With a sprawling explorable world and deep RPG gameplay at its core, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning adds a new level of intense action combat to the genre and a one-of-a-kind advancement system as players unfold and evolve their destiny through constant character customization. Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is being created under the leadership of Ken Rolston, lead designer of the critically acclaimed open-world RPGs Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind and Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.

Developed by 38 Studios subsidiary Big Huge Games in Baltimore, Maryland and 38 Studios in Providence, Rhode Island, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning will be available on February 9, 2012 in Australia and on February 10, 2012 in New Zealand on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC. For more information on Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, please visit www.reckoning.com become a fan on Facebook http://facebook.com/ReckoningTheGame and follow Reckoning on Twitter http://Twitter.com/ReckoningGame.