Unlock Explosive Weaponry and Upgrades Playable in Upcoming Red Faction: Armageddon

MELBOURNE, Australia, April 8, 2011 – THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) announced today that Red Faction®: BattlegroundsTM is now available for purchase on PlayStation®Network for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system for the suggested price of $12.95, and on Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for the suggested price of 800 Microsoft Points.

Red Faction: Battlegrounds is a fast-paced multiplayer-focused vehicular combat game in which fast-attack vehicles, heavy tanks and combat walkers wreak havoc above ground and beneath the surface of Mars. Staying true to the Red Faction universe, players can demolish anything that stands in their way, from military compounds to enemy vehicles, using advanced Martian artillery and explosives.

“For hardcore Red Faction fans to casual racers that just want to blow stuff up, Red Faction: Battlegrounds provides a completely new way to experience the Red Faction universe,” said Danny Bilson, Executive Vice President, Core Games, THQ. “This explosive arcade game is a throwback to top-down, four-player racers of the past, yet with story tie-ins and unlockable weaponry that you will experience in our must futuristic game, Red Faction: Armageddon. Great on their own, playing either will make the other that much more enjoyable – exactly what we want from our transmedia projects.”

THQ also unveiled exclusive unlockable bonus content playable in Red Faction®: ArmageddonTM. Players that reach Rank 20 in Battlegrounds will be rewarded in Red Faction: Armageddon with the Enforcer, an EDF rapid fire smart rifle that uses heat-seeking ammunition to take down enemy targets. Each bullet is embedded with a microchip that helps each fired round to curve and home in on its target.

In addition, players that reach Rank 10 in Battlegrounds will receive 2,000 Salvage Points that can be used to instantly purchase upgrades to Darius Mason’s Nano Forge and weapons arsenal.

Developed by THQ Digital Studios UK and executive produced by Volition, Inc.®, Red Faction: Battlegrounds pits four players either locally or online in a variety of game modes, including Survival, Annihilate and Flag Frenzy. Players rank up and are rewarded with unique bonus content that will be playable in the upcoming Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 system and Windows PC game, Red Faction: Armageddon, scheduled for release on 2nd June.

For more information, please visit www.redfaction.com. To pre-order Red Faction: Armageddon, please visit http://www.redfaction.com/au/buy

Square Enix announced today that the launch date for Dungeon Siege® III in Australia & New Zealand in now 16th June (17th June Europe), 2011.

Developed by Obsidian Entertainment, Inc., and shipping for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Windows PC, Dungeon Siege III blends a robust RPG system, an endless variety of loot and a compelling storyline with intuitive action gameplay.

The official website can be found at www.dungeonsiege.com

New Speakerphones Streamline Audio across PC-Based Soft-phones, Mobile Phones, and even Home Landlines in a Single, Smart Hands-free Solution

SYDNEY, Australia – April 8, 2011 – Plantronics®(NYSE:PLT), today announced the Calisto® 800 Series, the first speakerphones in its unified communications product portfolio to combine multi-device hands-free connectivity with intuitive visual call management. Optimised for use with Microsoft® Office Communicator and LyncTM these products are designed for workers who depend on multiple communication devices to collaborate effectively.

The Calisto 800 Series includes the Calisto 825 which manages calls between a PC and a mobile phone and features a unique wireless microphone that provides unparalleled speakerphone audio quality and freedom of movement. The device setup is effortless and fast – in less than five minutes users are up and running and able to switch between mobile and PC calls, dial, and mute across devices at the touch of a button. The Calisto 825 allows users to move around freely while on a conference call using the wireless lapel microphone or connect a Bluetooth® or corded headset to the speakerphone when privacy is desired. Additionally, the unit features unmatched audio quality and premium sound through echo and advanced noise cancellation technology.

“Thorough research around the communication habits of today’s dispersed workforce went into the development of the Calisto 800 series,” said Graeme Gherbaz, Managing Director, Plantronics Australia. “Today’s workers are a lot more mobile than they used to be – whether work is conducted from the office or a private home, users want devices that simplify their communication, and the Calisto 800 series caters to that need.”

Simply Smarter Communications

The Calisto 800 series of unified communications products provides premium sound and unparalleled audio quality due to full duplex wideband audio and advanced noise cancellation. In addition to the Calisto 825, the portfolio includes the Calisto 820 and the Calisto 830. The Calisto 825 is a standard two-way speakerphone for the PC and mobile phone and includes the PA50TM wireless lapel microphone and charging base. The PA50 can be purchased for either the Calisto 820 or 830 as an accessory. The Calisto 820 is a two-way speakerphone for the PC and mobile phone, while the Calisto 830 is a three-way speakerphone for PC, mobile phone and landlines. The Calisto 830 includes a USB cable, analog/landline port, RJ11 cable and AC adapter.

The Calisto 800 series is optimised for Microsoft Office Communicator and Lync, and offers a range of hands-free options including wireless connectivity with Bluetooth headsets or corded connectivity with 3.5mm headsets/headphones when privacy is desired.

Pricing and Availability

The Calisto 825 is now shipping for Estimated Street Price of $339.00. The Calisto 820 is available for an ESP of $235.00. The Calisto 830 is available for an ESP of $259.00. UC standard versions of the Calisto 825, 820 and 830 that will support a variety of leading soft-phones including those from Avaya®, Cisco®, IBM® and Skype® and will be available in Spring of 2011.

Please visit www.plantronics.com.au to learn more.

FANS CAN WATCH ACTION-PACKED EPISODES ON ONE OF YOUTUBE’S LARGEST ENTERTAINMENT NETWORKS

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, April 8, 2011 – Warner Bros. Digital Distribution and Machinima.com today announced they have signed an agreement to premiere and distribute the highly anticipated “Mortal Kombat: Legacy” live action digital series produced by Warner Premiere. Directed by Kevin Tancharoen (“Fame”), and starring Jeri Ryan (“Star Trek: Voyager”) as “Sonya Blade,” Michael Jai White (“The Dark Knight”) as “Major Jackson ‘Jax’ Briggs” and Darren Shahlavi (“300”) as “Kano,” this series will take gamers deep into the history of the warriors they know and love.

The first action-packed episode of “Mortal Kombat: Legacy” will debut April 13 exclusively on Machinima, the dominant entertainment network for video gamers on YouTube (www.youtube.com/machinima). Fans from around the world will be able to watch and engage with the entire “Mortal Kombat: Legacy” series through Machinima’s YouTube channel.

“With over 500 million monthly video views and 50 million monthly viewers, Machinima has the world’s most highly-engaged gaming audience, which makes this agreement with Warner Bros. such a great fit,” said Allen DeBevoise, Chairman and CEO of Machinima, Inc. “Mortal Kombat is an epic franchise with a rich story and characters, we’re truly excited to bring ‘Mortal Kombat: Legacy’ to our community. With our global scale and reach, we can now drive greater engagement and viewership than anyone for entertainment properties that fit our young, male-centric demo. Kevin’s new incarnation of the Mortal Kombat franchise is precisely the type of world-class, high-octane action content that our audience will love.”

Kevin Tancharoen who directed and produced the popular, unofficial “Mortal Kombat: Rebirth” fan short, is bringing the same immersive directing style to this live-action digital series. Kevin Tancharoen who directed and produced the popular, unofficial “Mortal Kombat: Rebirth” fan short, is bringing the same immersive directing style to this live-action digital series. “Machinima is the perfect entertainment destination to premiere the series,” said Kevin Tancharoen, Director, Producer and co-writer of “Mortal Kombat: Legacy.” “They have a massive audience of gamers from around the world. We worked very closely with NetherRealm Studios and Ed Boon, and we’re now putting the finishing touches on the episodes. I’m confident we’ve stayed true to the Mortal Kombat lore and am hoping the fans will be blown away by what they see.”

Also on April 13, in a lead up to the series premiere, Machinima will host Kevin Tancharoen and cast from the series in a special live event. Details will be announced on Machinima.com soon.

Written by Kevin Tancharoen , Aaron Helbing and Todd Helbing, “Mortal Kombat: Legacy” is an anthology of nine live action shorts, and brings to life the motivation behind each character’s participation in the Mortal Kombat tournament. Each episode will provide never-before-revealed insights into characters featured in the upcoming videogame as well as the game’s universe.

The latest iteration of the award-winning videogame, “Mortal Kombat,” marks a triumphant return to the series’ mature presentation and a reinvention of its classic 2D fighting mechanic. Driven by an all new graphics engine, the fan favourite Fatality is back and presented in more gory detail than ever before. In addition, “Mortal Kombat” introduces a number of new game-play features including tag team and a deep story mode. “Mortal Kombat” is being developed by NetherRealm Studios, led by “Mortal Kombat” creator and creative director Ed Boon.

The nominations are in for the 2011 TV Week Logie Awards, revealing a haul of nods across eight categories for Madman TV’s OFFSPRING, including the Gold Logie, plus nominations for SBS DVD releases WILFRED, WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? and LUKE NGUYEN’S VIETNAM.

UFC Videogame Portfolio Set to Expand with Development of Unparalleled Interactive Fitness Experience Using Mixed Martial Arts Exercises

THQ Inc. and Zuffa, LLC today announced the latest edition to the expanding UFC® videogame portfolio with UFC Personal Trainer: The Ultimate Fitness System. Designed by the National Academy of Sports Medicine®, America (NASM®) with support from leading mixed martial arts (MMA) training experts Mark DellaGrotte, Greg Jackson and Javier Mendez, who have worked with renowned UFC fighters such as current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones, current UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez and former UFC Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir, the fitness routines and full programs included in UFC Personal Trainer will deliver a challenging and motivating UFC fitness experience that includes the best and most effective exercises utilized by today’s renowned UFC fighters. UFC Personal Trainer is currently in development on Kinect™ for Xbox 360®, with content exclusive to Kinect for Xbox 360, voice command navigation and a full-body tracking system, to bring forth an innovative and intense workout complete with immediate feedback on form and technique. In addition, UFC Personal Trainer is in development for PlayStation®Move for PS3™ and Nintendo’s Wii™ system, with a scheduled release date of June 2011 for all three platforms.

“UFC Personal Trainer delivers an authentic UFC fitness experience that is both fun and challenging while providing an intense workout,” said Danny Bilson, Executive Vice President, Core Games, THQ. “With the help of NASM and its Optimum Performance Training™ model, as well as the expertise of renowned MMA trainers Mark DellaGrotte, Greg Jackson and Javier Mendez, we are developing an original, high impact product that will help people around the world set and achieve their personal fitness goals.”

“We are excited to join forces with THQ on the development of UFC Personal Trainer,” said UFC President Dana White. “We want to give fans the opportunity to train like their favourite UFC athletes, and this product will enable people around the world to learn and utilize exercises to get real results.”

COMING TO PSN & XBLA ON APRIL 13

DISCOVER THE MAGIC OF CLASH OF HEROES WITH THESE NEW GAMEPLAY VIDEOS

CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO VIEW VIDEO ABOUT THE GAME’S BATTLE SYSTEM

CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO VIEW VIDEO ABOUT SOME OF THE GAME’S MORE ADVANCED TECHNIQUES

The Story So Far…

For a time, Mars was free. Following the liberation of the planet from the EDF by Alec Mason, the Martian colonists for the first time controlled their own destiny on the Red Planet. Though not without adversity, the colonies prospered. For the first time on Mars, there was peace…

50 years later, a new enemy not only threatens the colonists’ freedom, but their very existence. Adam Hale, long an enemy of the Mason family, has destroyed the Terraformer, the only thing keeping the surface of the planet habitable, forcing the citizens of Mars underground.

Now, citizens from each faction of Mars will join together to fight this new threat. Kara, a Marauder smuggler, Winters, a hard-nosed Red Faction sergeant, and Darius, the grandson of Alec, come together to free Mars once more in Red Faction: Armageddon, set to release on 2^nd June in Australia and New Zealand.

CHARACTER PROFILES

DARIUS

For better or worse, the Masons are the “first family of Mars”—Washington, Jefferson, and Adams all rolled into one, along with the fighting spirit of the Minutemen. Darius is the scion of this legacy, though he never asked for the responsibility or wanted it. He just wanted to be left alone to live his own life, not the one Mars had seemingly demanded of him. He might have succeeded in avoiding the “Mason destiny” if not for Adam Hale and his apocalyptic cult. While doing his tour of duty for the colony, Darius was unable to stop Hale from destroying the Terraformer. The Martian atmosphere quickly deteriorated to the point where only the caverns and deep places of Mars were habitable. While the Colonists didn’t necessarily blame Darius for the disaster, his guilt ate at him, and he was never as comfortable with them as he once was. Darius’s guilt prompted him to spend longer amounts of time alone, seeking out missions that would take him away from settlement life. He learned how to survive by eking out a living from Salvage, how to blend into a crowd, and how to fight. The one thing he couldn’t do was forget or forgive what had been done to him.

KARA

Born a Marauder, Kara is a hard-nosed smuggler who knows both the streets and the world of science.  Kara ran away from the regimented hierarchy of the Marauders at an early age. Smuggling goods around Mars and from Earth just seemed a natural course of action, both as an act of defiance and as an easy way to make cash. It was while operating in the underground of Mars that she met Darius. Aside from their place of birth, Kara and Darius couldn’t be more different. Darius was a hard worker who took people at face value; Kara was a sly, sarcastic rebel who trusted few. Darius wanted to live his life and avoid authority; Kara was always looking to pick a fight. They do have one thing in common: they wanted to stay hidden, and through that, a natural friendship was born.

FRANK WINTERS

A sergeant in the Red Faction military, Winters got where he is by being the toughest son of a bitch on the planet.  Winters prefers to be in the field with his men, not sitting back in a bunker.  He has earned an almost mystical quality among his soldiers… stories of Winters charging headfirst into battle and emerging unscathed are common. Winters is physically imposing and carries himself with a “no-nonsense” attitude.  Winters is all business, and if you jeopardize his mission in any fashion there will be hell to pay.

ADAM HALE

Adam Hale’s father was an EDF captain killed by Alec Mason during the Revolution of 2125. Hale was raised by EDF survivors abandoned on Mars.  In 2150, Hale’s White Faction launched a new war against the Colonists. Red Faction forces led by Alec Mason and his son Jake defeated Hale. Hale vanished after the Battle of Bakhuysen Trench. Years later, he returned as the messiah to a band of violent Marauder separatists.  Hale’s Cultists claim he joins the mystical Martian past to a glorious future. Others see a madman who would destroy the planet to rule it.

For more information, visit www.RedFaction.com.