THE SIMS LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST IN EA’S THE SIMS 3 GENERATIONS EXPANSION PACK
Newest Expansion Pack to Critically-acclaimed The Sims 3 Brings New Activities, Celebrations, Drama and Ways to Be Creative Through Each of Life’s Stages from Child to an Adult
Sydney, Australia April 6, 2011 – Take a deep dive into the wonders and joys of each age with a whole spectrum of rich life experiences. The EA Play Label of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) today announced that The Sims 3 ™ Generations Expansion pack* is in development and will hit store shelves worldwide this spring. Players will be able to take the reins and act out life’s most humorous and memorable moments from childhood to teenage years to adulthood in this new expansion pack to The Sims 3, the best-selling PC game of 2009**.
Hi Andrew,BitDefender releases results from Australian malware report for Q1 2011
Computer users warned of unauthorised software cracks and key generators that contain Trojans
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – April 6, 2011 – BitDefender® has today released the results from its Australian malware report for Q1, 2011. Malware related to software piracy has been the biggest cause of infections so far this year, with a new Trojan taking the top spot in the total number of infections detected by BitDefender in Australia from January to March, 2011. BitDefender recommends computer users to exercise caution when downloading and installing software from unknown sources, especially those that require the use of often illegal product registration key generators.
Trojan.Crack.I, a rogue application that generates unauthorised product registration keys to defeat the licensing protection of software products, accounted for 8.4 percent of total infections. If your PC is infected by Trojan.Crack.I, it may also collect details of other applications that run on your PC – including user name, product version and registration keys.
Trojan.AutorunINF.Gen, a piece of malware that has been high on BitDefender’s watch list for some time, was the second most prevalent threat during Q1 2011 with 5.2 percent of total infections. It targets the auto-run functionality of removable devices such as USB drives on Windows® PCs and opens it to malicious attacks. The Trojan’s presence in this quarter’s report suggests that many PC users are still not wary of the potential risks of inserting and using USB devices at places such as internet cafes, or to regularly check their USB devices for viruses or malware to ensure it hasn’t been compromised.
Third place in this quarterly malware report belonged to Exploit.CplLnk.Gen – an infection that specifically targets .lnk files (shortcut files) by making use of a vulnerability in Windows® to execute arbitrary code. This exploit has seen a significant boost in the past few weeks and is expected to spread even further. It is also one of the four zero-day exploits that have been intensively used by the Stuxnet worm to compromise local security.
Win32.Worm.Downadup.Gen ranked fourth, with a modest 3.8 percent of total infections this quarter. The worm’s agenda is well-known: it prevents users from accessing Windows® Update as well as security vendors’ web pages, whilst downloading fake antivirus programs onto the compromised machine.
Ranking fifth is Java.Trojan.Downloader.OpenConnection.AI (3.5 percent) – a Trojan that slows down your PC and internet connection speed. It then silently replaces existing desktop shortcuts with new ones, after which it redirects your browser’s homepage and all searches towards pages containing illicit advertising. Last but not least, this malware also writes and sends email messages (containing spam and malware) automatically on your behalf.
Rockstar Game Tips by Request: Five Finger Fillet, Sharpshooter Rank 10, Bounty Hunting, Horseshoes and Knifin’ Cougars (Red Dead Redemption)
John Marston tries his hand at Five Finger Fillet, one of many tasks needed to achieve 100% completion in Red Dead Redemption.
Following one of our previous Rockstar Game Tips posts that covered five frequently asked Red Dead Redemption questions, we’ve gotten a bunch more that are all about making your way to the elite status of attaining 100% completion. We’re happy to help and share with you all some tips straight from our inside experts. Remember that you can track your completion progress dynamically on the Rockstar Games Social Club when linking your console account.
“Well, there is a challenge I haven’t been able to do yet, because I don’t know how I can do this. I’m talking about the ´sharpshooter rank 10´ challenge. I’m very desperate!” – emmi18176860For Sharpshooter Rank 10, you’re tasked with disarming any six enemies without reloading or changing weapons. One of the more popular methods for this has been to go into a saloon at night, like the one in Armadillo or Thieves’ Landing. Get behind cover, equip the Mauser Pistol (bought at the gunsmith on the east side of Blackwater) and aim at someone to get the whole room to draw their weapons. Enter Dead Eye, mark your shots on several guns and fire away.
“All I need to do is complete a five finger fillet game to attain 100% but its almost impossible … what do i do???” – received via Twitter
Head for Torquemada, located high above ground level in Mexico. A nearby hill will lead you to the top. You’ll have to defeat four players, each of them requiring you to go through longer Five Finger Fillet sequences than the previous person. While practice is the obvious key here, one of the best methods for controller handling may not be. If you’re right-handed, try holding the controller with your left hand and using the index finger on your right hand to press the button combinations. Do this in reverse if you’re left-handed.
You’ll likely lose some money early on when trying to complete this to get one of the Reyes’ Rebels Outfit scraps, so bet low.
“How do you make wanted posters appear? i got only 13/20. Do they appear in specific towns and times of day? #RDR” – received via Twitter
Once you’ve advanced pretty far into the game, unlocking the last region West Elizabeth, you may notice on the Social Club 100% tracking page that you still have some bounty hunting to do. This may confuse you when you see that there’s no sign of wanted posters on your map, represented by a skull icon. In order to get one to show up, visit Armadillo, Blackwater, Chuparosa, El Presidio, Escalera, MacFarlane’s Ranch, Manzanita Post and/or Rathskeller Fork during the daytime. It may take a few seconds after entering the town to get one to appear.
Remember that your progress in bounty stats counting toward 100% completion is based on bounty locations, not bounty targets. So even if you’re seeing question marks on posters or get a bounty name you know you’ve already done, that bounty can still be one you’re missing if it’s a location you haven’t done yet.
“I suck at playing horseshoes #reddeadredemption” – received via Twitter
It takes a big man to admit his weaknesses – but this is one you can easily self-improve on. As with Five Finger Fillet, playing Horseshoes is all about practice and getting a feel for how the game is supposed to be won. Head to MacFarlane’s Ranch, the place you need to conquer this mini-game in order to get a scrap of the Bollard Twins Outfit as you work toward 100%. Here are some tips:
- When swinging your arm, get a good, smooth rhythm before releasing. You don’t want to throw too short or too far.
- The in-game camera may re-aim your horizontal direction between throws. Be sure to correct it if it looks to be a bit off.
- Don’t skip a turn. Chances are that the other player will do worse if you watch him throw, rather than if you skipped it altogether.
Horseshoes has been fine-tuned to be a challenging mini-game that’s going to require concentration and plenty of practice. And remember that luck is certainly involved in every toss…
“Killing cougars with a knife is HARD!!! The process seems to be roll, slash, die, repeat. Any tips, @RockstarGames? #RedDeadRedemption” – received via Twitter
The Master Hunter Rank 5 challenge is best done in the hills north of MacFarlane’s Ranch or in the open plains surrounding Fort Mercer. Before you head there, go to the local doctor in a nearby town such as Armadillo and buy plenty of Medicine. You can carry five unless you have the Treasure Hunter Satchel, only obtained after finding every treasure, which allows you to carry 10.
Ride around on your horse until you find a cougar, usually visible or audible when riding around. Try putting down some Bait if you don’t see one. When you find one, shoot it once anywhere but the head to injure it. Get off your horse and equip your hunting knife. Roll out of the way and try to turn around in time to stab. Use Medicine if it mauls you. After you get one, you can choose to go after another one if you still have a good amount of Medicine, or if not it’s a good idea to save your game and then return to the area.
Most definitely keep the tips requests coming – we’ll be happy to oblige in future installments here at the Newswire.
THQ UNVEILS RED FACTION: ARMAGEDDON PRE-ORDER OFFERS
MELBOURNE, Vic., 4th April, 2011 – Before Red Faction®: ArmageddonTM explodes onto the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Windows PC on 2nd June, those anxious to revisit Mars can pre-order a number of exclusive incentive items from participating retailers to immediately enhance their Armageddon experience, THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) and its internal studio, Volition, Inc.® announced today.
EB Games Exclusive Collector’s Edition
At EB Games, those who pre-order Red Faction®: ArmageddonTM will receive an exclusive Collector’s Edition:
Red Faction: BattlegroundsTM
A free downloadable copy of Red Faction®: BattlegroundsTM arcade game on either Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, or PlayStation®Network for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, a $15 value.
Recon Pack
Players will also receive the Recon Pack that includes the clandestine Recon uniform, constructed specifically for Red Faction snipers and spies. Unleash two new weapons on your foes, including the Arc Welder, which immobilizes and electrocutes clusters of enemies, and the XNG-5000, which launches devastating Nanite-filled projectiles that seek out targets and dissolve them.
Commando Pack
This pack includes the armored Commando uniform and adds two new weapons to their arsenal. Players will spray an unforgiving stream of destruction with the Plasma Thrower, or
slice and dice the infestation with dual Laser Pistols.
A3 Poster
Lastly, players will receive a large A3-size Red Faction: Armageddon poster – perfect for the lone survivalist looking to display their allegiance to the colony of Mars.
JB Hi-Fi and Game pre-order offers
At JB Hi-Fi and Game, players who pre-order Red Faction: Armageddon will receive the limited edition Red Faction® 24-page illustrated comic book that follows Darius Mason as he chases down a gang of murderous bandits in a tale that takes place just before the events of Red Faction: Armageddon.
Red Faction: Armageddon is scheduled to be available on 2nd June in Australia and New Zealand for a suggested retail price of AU$109.95 on Xbox 360® and PlayStation®3, and AU$99.95 on PC. To preorder now, please visit www.redfaction.com/au/buy
Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of Pharaohs Review – Melbourne Australia 2011
The highly acclaimed international exhibition Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of Pharaohs will open its doors to the public on the 8th of April 2011 at the Melbourne Museum. With more than 130 artefacts, including 50 from the tomb of Tutankhamun, this will be the first time that the treasures of the boy pharaoh have visited Australia thanks to Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, National Geographic Society, Arts & Exhibitor International, IMG, Victorian Government and the Melbourne Museum.
CLICK HERE TO READ OUR FULL REVIEW
Adam’s Venture 2: Solomon’s Secret is Shipped
Videogames publisher Iceberg Interactive and game developer Vertigo Games today are proud to announce that Adam’s Venture 2: Solomon’s Secret (PC) has been shipped to major retailers where the game will be available at the end of the week.
Adam Venture is an action explorer hero: Adventurous but using his wits rather than resorting to violence. Brought to life from a third person perspective with the Unreal 3tm engine, adventure gamers are in for a real visual treat in combination with family values storytelling. In this second installment of the episodic series, Adam Venture and his crew end up in 1920’s Jerusalem after having escaped alive from the Caverns of Eden. On their continuous search for the Lost Garden of Eden, they become entangled in a thickening plot featuring a ruthless dig for the ancient King Solomon’s treasure – but is that really all there is to it? What is the real goal of the infamous clairvaux corporation?
Adam’s Venture 2: Solomon’s Secret launches on 8 April 2011. Pre-orders are available in the Iceberg Webshop (http://www.iceberg-shop.com/adams-venture-2-solomons-secret.html) with free shipping up until the release.
For more information about Adam’s Venture 2: Solomon’s Secret please visit our gamepage (http://iceberg-interactive.com/games-mainmenu-27/156-adams-venture-solomons-secret.html).
About Vertigo Games
Vertigo Games is an independent game development company located in the Netherlands. Founded by passionate and highly specialized people, Vertigo Games has quickly established itself as a respectable and original game developer. We feel it’s important to create high-quality products; our games should be fun to play, but also uphold family values. Therefore we stand for responsible entertainment.
ingle Player Added to Shattered Horizon™ with Free “Last Stand” Update
Zero Gravity FPS is 50 Percent Off on Steam All Week
HELSINKI, FINLAND – April 4, 2011 – Futuremark® Games Studio today released a trailer showing the new features added to Shattered Horizon™, the zero gravity first-person shooter for PC, with the game’s latest content expansion. With the Last Stand update all game modes can now be played in single player with and against bots. The update also adds the new Last Stand game mode which pits a team of four against waves of increasingly difficult bot enemies. The Last Stand game mode can be played offline with bots or in online co-op with friends. Like all Shattered Horizon content updates released to date, the Last Stand pack is free for all players. Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPS54YZ5MyE
Shattered Horizon Last Stand pack
– Play all game types in single player mode with bots.
– Choose the number of bots and set the difficulty level.
– Play the new Last Stand game mode which pits a team of four against waves of increasingly difficult bot enemies.
– Last Stand mode can be played with bot team mates in single player, or with friends in online co-op.
– Server hosts can optionally add and configure bots for multiplayer games.
– Bots will leave a multiplayer game to make room for real players, and rejoin to make up team numbers.
“Shattered Horizon’s multiplayer can be tough for new players. Not only do they have to learn the skills required for zero gravity combat, but they have to do so while going up against the game’s experienced community,” said Jaakko Haapasalo, Director of Futuremark Games Studio. “Now there’s an alternative. The Last Stand pack adds single player to all game modes making it the perfect way for new players to learn the game, practice to improve or just play for fun.”
Steam Sale, 50 Percent Off
To celebrate the release of the Last Stand pack Shattered Horizon will be on sale for just $9.99 from April 4 to April 11 on Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/18110/
For more information:
– Futuremark Games Studio on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FuturemarkGamesStudio
– Futuremark Games Studio on Twitter: http://twitter.com/futuremarkgames
– Futuremark on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/futuremarktv
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Keywords and suggested tags
Shattered Horizon, Futuremark Games Studio, Last Stand, first-person shooter, FPS, zero gravity, multiplayer, PC, video game, DLC, expansion pack, DirectX10, Windows 7
About Shattered Horizon
Shattered Horizon is the innovative first game from Futuremark Games Studio that immerses you in the cold reality of zero gravity combat in space.
– First-person shooter set in near-Earth space 40 years from now.
– Experience intense zero gravity combat and complete freedom of movement.
– Join your friends in action-packed 32 player battles or play against bots in single player mode.
Shattered Horizon requires DirectX 10, a DirectX 10 compatible video card, and Windows Vista or Windows 7. There is no support for Windows XP or DirectX 9. Shattered Horizon is available online from Steam and in a box from retailers in the UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France and Russia.
About Futuremark® Games Studio
Futuremark® Games Studio, wholly owned by Futuremark® Corporation, was formed in January 2008 to create original games with new and entertaining gameplay. Shattered Horizon™ is the studio’s first game, self published and released in November 2009. Shattered Horizon is rated Teen by the ESRB and 16 by PEGI. Futuremark is based in Helsinki, Finland and maintains a sales office in Saratoga, California. For more information, please visit http://www.futuremark.com/
© 2011 Futuremark® Corporation. Futuremark® Games Studio and Shattered Horizon™ trademarks and logos, character names and distinctive likenesses, are the exclusive property of Futuremark Corporation. The names of other companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
SYDNEY SET TO WELCOME FIFA TO TOWN!
SYDNEY SET TO WELCOME FIFA TO TOWN!
… but it’s not about Fancy Footwork!
April 2011, SYDNEY – Hundreds of football fans and gamers are now preparing for their chance to represent Australia in the FIFA Interactive World Cup 2011 – the world’s biggest computer game tournament.
Australia is one of only 10 countries to host the tournament, with more than 800,000 players who will compete all around the world, vying for a place in the international Grand Final event to be held in Europe in May. The winner ultimately will be crowned the new FIFA Interactive World Champion at the FIFA Players Gala on stage in front of luminaries such as David Beckham, Tim Cahill, Wayne Rooney, Ricardo Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo, Fernando Torres, Lionel Messi and many more.
Organised by FIFA and presenting partners EA SPORTS™ and PlayStation® – it combines online and offline football tournaments played with EA SPORTS™ FIFA 11 on PlayStation®3 (PS3™).
The Sydney “Live Qualifier Events” will take place this April at selected venues across Sydney’s football heartland.
The Event will evolve over four days – with Heats taking place at Castle Hill RSL (Thursday April 7), Club Marconi (Friday April 8), Dee Why RSL Club (Saturday April 9) and Rooty Hill RSL (Sunday April 10). These Heats will be a series of Knockout Rounds with the top 8 players from each proceeding through to the Final. Playoff at the grand final, commencing with 32 players, will end with only 1 winner who will go through to the Global Grand Final and play for US$20,000 in addition to the title!
The Australian Live Qualifier Event Final will be held at Rooty Hill RSL from 5pm on Sunday April 10; which in addition to the nail-biting tournament itself will see a bevy of celebrity guests including Event MC, Tom Williams, entertainment by one of Australia’s hottest DJ’s, DJ Samrai, live appearances by Sydney FC players Scott Jamieson, Mark Bridge and many more.
There are very limited numbers of registrations still available to those wanting to participate in the FIFA Interactive World Cup 2011 Sydney Live Qualifier Event (7-10 April). Turn up early on the day for your chance at a walk-up position at any one of the Heats’ venues! More information, including Venue Details can also be found on Facebook : FIWC Australia, April 2011
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/FIWC-Australia-April-2011/185333001502047