STAND TOGETHER AS OPERATION FLASHPOINT^®: RED RIVER^™ INVADES STORES 

Launch video now showing at www.facebook.com/flashpointredriver

Thursday 21^st April 2011 10AM UK– Prepare for battle as Operation Flashpoint®: Red River™ invades retail today in EMEA regions for Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system from Microsoft®, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Games for Windows® LIVE. To mark the launch of this all-new chapter in the multi-million selling tactical shooter series, Codemasters® has today released a new gameplay video, now showing at www.facebook.com/flashpointredriver.

Operation Flashpoint: Red River sets the standard for authentic and intense tactical combat in the game’s new theatre of war, Tajikistan. Players become part of a US Marine Fireteam dispatched to quell an insurgency that threatens American interests, but the flashpoint rapidly escalates as the Chinese People’s Liberation Army enters the fray. Gamers must think tactically and work together to succeed on a deadly battlefield where one bullet can kill.

The launch video focuses on the specialities of each of the members that make up the USMC Fireteam – Rifleman, Scout, Auto Rifleman and Grenadier – and shows how their unique skills combine to become a fearsome fighting force. The video reveals some of the wide range of tactical challenges players will face, from escorting convoys through hostile territory to sweeping through towns and taking on night operations. Assisted by air-support, the video shows Marines engaging in both long range and close-quarters combat as they take on insurgents fighting guerrilla warfare and the full might of the Chinese PLA.

Operation Flashpoint: Red River launches today on Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Games For Windows® LIVE. Sign up to ‘get some’ USMC style with the latest briefings direct from the Operation Flashpoint studio at www.facebook.com/flashpointredriver  and www.twitter.com/flashpointgame.

The gold medal winning team is brought together again for the London 2012 Olympic Games

April 21st 2011 – SEGA® Corporation and Nintendo Co., Ltd. today announced that the record breaking partnership of Mario™ and Sonic™ will once again join forces on the Wii™ home video game system and, for the first time ever, on the Nintendo 3DS™ . Over 19 million people worldwide have bought video games from the Mario and Sonic series, and now the much loved duo are heading to London to participate in the officially licensed Olympic-themed video game, Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games™.

A host of exciting new headline events, including football and equestrian will debut on the Wii version appearing alongside classic Olympic disciplines, such as athletics, aquatics and table tennis. These new sports are sure to ignite even more fierce competition between friends and family in both single and multiplayer modes! The all new roster of Dream events that are set in popular Mario and Sonic worlds make for a truly unique sporting experience that can only be found in Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games™.

Arriving on Nintendo’s new handheld system for the first time ever Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games™ contains over 50 original Olympic themed events playable in both single and multiplayer modes. Bringing a whole new dimension to the Mario & Sonic universe, the glasses-free 3D visuals and the unique control systems mean there are plenty of new and exciting ways to compete for a coveted gold medal!

As with its predecessors, Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games™ for the Wii and Nintendo 3DS is being developed by SEGA Japan and is published by SEGA® across Europe and North America, and by Nintendo in the Japanese market. Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games™ is licensed through a worldwide partnership with International Sports Multimedia (ISM), the exclusive interactive entertainment software licensee of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

“Mario and Sonic have had a phenomenally successful partnership and we are extremely proud to be able to recreate this once again with Nintendo and ISM for the London 2012 Olympic Games” commented Naoya Tsurumi, Chairman for SEGA of America and SEGA Europe. “It is truly exciting to be in the position to develop interactive entertainment software titles based on the Olympic Games, and for Sonic and Mario to once again be a part of this historic event.”

“The London 2012 Olympic Games will be a sporting showcase that will embrace the world and we are delighted to have Mario and Sonic competing once again, this time in the largest number of Olympic sports ever” says Raymond Goldsmith, Chairman & CEO of ISM.

“These games bring together two of the most beloved characters in the history of the video game industry in Mario and Sonic,” said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. “As veterans of both video games and Olympic games, they’ll arrive in London as a formidable team to provide fun, competitive sporting activities that friends and family members can enjoy together.”

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games™ will be available on the Wii™ home video game system and the Nintendo 3DS™. A launch date will be announced later in the year.

For more information about the game, please visit www.sega.com or www.olympicvideogames.com.

Capcom Announces Mega Man Legends 3: Prototype Version – Will Help Kick Off Nintendo eShop

After years of waiting, the new installment of Mega Man Legends draws closer with Mega Man Legends 3: Prototype Version. Available as a download, Mega Man Legends 3: Prototype Version will be a launch title when Nintendo eShop opens for business.

Mega Man Legends 3 is the first Capcom game to be co-developed by the fans. Prototype Version gives players the first taste of Mega Man’s upcoming open-world action/adventure game, and lets them see a game still early in the development process. It also introduces a new character to the franchise, the reckless leader of a sky biker gang, Barrett.

Be the first to try out his new close combat gameplay style, and see first-hand some of the fan contributions to the game come to life. Also, once you have finished the core missions, receive access to areas of the game not yet finished, as well as a debug menu that gives you special moves and abilities.

Once you experience the game, let your voice be heard by heading to www.capcom-unity.com/devroom and join the community of Servbots who are helping design the game. Get insight into what it takes to build a game, learn about the development process, and interact with the members of the Development Team themselves. But most importantly, be creative. No matter how large or small your idea is, you have the chance to see it come to life and get your name in the credits of the game!

SYDNEY, 21st April 2011 – Sony Computer Entertainment Australia (SCE Aust.) today welcomes the return of the multi-million selling, critically acclaimed SOCOM® franchise as SOCOM: Special Forces infiltrates PlayStation®3 (PS3™). Your mission is to take charge of an elite commando unit on a covert operation in the depths of Southeast Asia. You have just six days to capture the leader of a militant terrorist organisation known only as Naga, which is attempting to destabilise the global economy. The latest high tech weaponry, intelligence and air support is all at your disposal. Your mission begins now.

Objectives:
Engage and neutralise Naga in the hostile environment of Southeast Asia. NATO forces sent to pacify the situation are decimated and all that is left is you and your squad of highly decorated elite operatives. Teamwork is crucial to your success. A tough opponent, the Naga is highly trained and exhibiting advanced military behaviour – be aware of enemy flanking, bounding and covering fire. You will need to lead from the front issuing strategic orders to outmanoeuvre your enemy with ambushes and air support. Silenced weapons and a stealth meter will also help you gather intel and sabotage enemy targets without being detected.

Equipment:
Fully compatible with the PlayStation®Move motion controller and PlayStation®Move Sharp Shooter you’ll feel fully immersed in the battle. Developed by Zipper Interactive and Guerrilla Games the PlayStation®Move Sharp Shooter is an intuitive weapon system thanks to the precise accuracy of the PlayStation Move Controller. For the first time in SOCOM history you can also experience all the action in stunning stereoscopic 3D – shoot, throw grenades and unleash deadly close quarters attacks with unrivalled realism.

Online Resources:

Take your mission online. Compete for medals and new weapons with up to 32 players across a range of terrains in the online multiplayer experience. You and an elite squad of up to five friends can embark on your own customised missions with the SOCOM: Special Forces co-operative multiplayer mode. Alter enemy numbers and difficulty levels, then link your custom missions together to create your own co-op campaign.

SOCOM: Special Forces infiltrates PS3 today. Are you ready to take command?

Be the hero in your own your own SOCOM: Special Forces trailer!

Ever wanted to see your face in your own personalised videogame trailer? Now’s your chance, so grab your webcam soldier, it’s time for you to move into the action. What are you waiting for? Visit ‘SOCOM Warface’ at www.facebook.com/PlayStationAU

Are you looking to buy or invest in a house? Or have you already found your dream home and would like some apps to help you manage your finances? Let BlackBerry apps help take the stress out of achieving the great Australian dream.

Get real with real estate by checking out the apps below. To check out even more apps on BlackBerry App World click here.

Finding it difficult to keep track of your mortgage and home loan payments? Use this Monthly Payment Calculator to monitor your upcoming bills and figure out the amount of interest owed next. Available for AU$6.65.

If you’re interested in investing in real estate, crunch numbers with this Real Estate Calculator which will help you figure out monthly cashflows, returns and future equity. Available for AU$3.35.

Are you a property buyer and want to save money? Sharpen your investment skills with Investment Property Calculator and have a personal pocket adviser give you expert financial advice. Available for free.

Download these apps from BlackBerry App World today!

Images are available here: http://picasaweb.google.com/spectrum261/BlackBerryApps# (low res screen grabs)

Download BlackBerry App World directly to your BlackBerry smartphone by visiting www.blackberry.com/appworld.
For more information about BlackBerry App World: http://au.blackberry.com/services/appworld/

Note: All of these apps are available in Australia. Click on the app link to check whether the app is available on your device.

EA Releases First Trailer for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 the Videogame

The EA Play Label and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today announced the campaign kick-off for the final installment of the Harry Potter saga, Harry Potter and the Deathly HallowsTM – Part 2 the videogame. Based on the upcoming Warner Bros. Pictures film, and featuring the most epic battles to date, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 the videogamepromises an unforgettableinteractive finale.

London, UK and San Francisco, Ca. (21th April, 2011) — Wargaming.net, the award-winning videogame developer and publisher behind world-famous franchises (Massive Assault series, Order of War, and World of Tanks) along with Lesta, one of the leading Russian videogame development and video production studios with Elements of War, Pacific Storm, and Aggression: Reign over Europe under their belt, announce today their exclusive strategic partnership and signing of a long-term co-development agreement.

This new alliance offers an excellent opportunity for both companies to cooperate in mutually beneficial ways. Wargaming.net will expand their portfolio shoring up their position on the MMO market and will enlarge their distribution channel as a worldwide game publisher. While Lesta will benefit from using 12-year game development experience gained by Wargaming.net and will become a stronger player in collaboration with one of the industry’s best development companies.

“The decision to partner with Lesta is explained by the studio’s rich experience in developing war titles, established reputation, and impressive portfolio”, said Victor Kislyi, CEO of Wargaming.net. “The start of our cooperation will be an important milestone in the development of our company, and we feel very optimistic about the future prospects after seeing how dedicated and competent Lesta’s team is.”

CEO of Lesta, Malik Khatajaev, said: “We are excited to be on the spearhead of the quickly evolving market of free-to-play online games working with Wargaming.net and will invest all the expertise and skills our company has into our future titles.”

The overall portfolio of Wargaming.net will now feature more than 20 titles highly acclaimed by media and players.

About Wargaming.net®

Wargaming.net® is an award-winning strategy game specialist, incorporated in the UK. Its 250-strong development team is located in Minsk, Belarus. Since 1998, the company has shipped 13 titles, including acclaimed Massive Assault series, three add-ons for Blitzkrieg II, Order of War RTS published by Square Enix and World of Tanks MMO game. Wargaming.net’s® Operation Bagration RTS was awarded the Best Strategy Game of 2008 at Russian Game Developers Conference (KRI). At KRI 2009 and 2010 Wargaming.net® was named The Best Developer Company from ex-USSR. At KRI 2010 World of Tanks® won “Best MMO” prize.

Official website: www.wargaming.net

About Lesta

Lesta Studio is one of the leading companies in Russian game development and video production, with the most sophisticated and cutting edge technologies implemented in the company’s projects. Founded in 1991 in St. Petersburg, Lesta is widely recognized as one of the chief strategic war games developers in the CIS. Such projects as The Entente WWI Battlefields, Pacific Storm, Aggression: Reign over Europe, and recently released MMORTS Elements of War were warmly welcomed by players and critics. Elements of War was awarded the Press Prize at Russian Game Developers Conference (KRI) in 2010. The newest project Monolith got the award as the Best Game without Publisher and the prize from Intel Corporation.

Official website: www.lesta.ru