The Razer Austin Technical Research Center marks the fourth technical and design center for the brand worldwide.

Austin, Texas – March 25th, 2011 – Razer, the world’s leading high-end precision gaming brand, today announced the opening of the Razer Austin Technical Research Center, which will bring together some of the most talented technical researchers and designers in the world to Texas. Razer’s obsessive design philosophy and dedication to gaming aficionados come to Austin, Texas, a hub of video gaming and technology development, with a division of the company that will focus on creating new technologies to change the future of gaming and consumer electronics.

“It really made sense to develop a technical research center in the heart of what people are calling the Silicon Hills,” said Min-Liang Tan, CEO and Creative Director, Razer. “We are moving full speed ahead to change the gaming space via a collaborative effort to focus even more on our intricate and high-quality designs, such as our recently announced Razer Switchblade. We intend to bring on only the best and most ambitious team members to help make the new research center a place where dreams and new technologies come true.”

The new technical research center will continue to build on the brand’s gaming philosophy and determination to offer gamers around the world a large variety of cutting-edge gaming peripherals, products and new technologies. Adding to an even larger CTO structure with technology and design labs and offices already in Singapore and San Francisco, Razer plans to create relationships with gaming developers and independent software providers to help define the future direction of hardware technology.

Rick Carini, Lead Technologist at Razer, will spearhead the effort at the new Austin research center, which will include a technology lab where engineers and developers will create new concept vehicles as well as technology demos to help stimulate the market for ground-breaking technologies and ideas. Razer intends to have the lab serve as an incubator of discovery, allowing thoughts, ideas, and brilliance to come together. The center will also serve as a platform for exploring the broader Human Interface design field and developing cutting edge input designs that provide greater gaming immersion and performance.

“If you were blown away by the Razer Switchblade and its dynamic interface, well then you haven’t seen anything yet,” adds Min. “The new research center will provide what we believe to be the future of several innovative technologies around the world. Our purpose is to be real game changers out there.”

About the Razer Group:

Razer™ is more than just the world’s leading brand in high-end precision gaming products, perpetually defining the gaming and technology space. Founded in 1998 in Carlsbad, California, Razer is driven by the ceaseless pursuit for absolute precision and high usability in a distinctive, aesthetic design that will give gamers the edge they demand. With labs and offices in seven cities around the world, Razer dedicates user interface research and development to bring cutting-edge technology to each and every product. We live by our motto: For Gamers. By Gamers.™

For more information, please visit www.razerzone.com.

Mac users can now enjoy one of the most critically-acclaimed titles from the Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell franchise 

Sydney, Australia – March 25th 2011 – Today, Ubisoft^® announced Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction™ exclusively for the Mac computer operating system. The fifth episode of the critically acclaimed and multimillion-selling Splinter Cell^® franchise will be made available for download on multiple digital platforms from TODAY.

Uniting revolutionary gameplay enhancements with a high octane storyline, Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction arms you to the teeth with all the high tech weaponry and lethal skills of an elite operative and invites you to enter a dangerous world where justice means making your own rules.

TRAILER

Sydney, Australia (25^th March 2011) – Square Enix Ltd., the publisher of SQUARE ENIX® interactive entertainment products in PAL territories, announces DISSIDIA® 012[duodecim]™ FINAL FANTASY® is available from TODAY exclusively for the PSP™ (PlayStation® Portable) system.

Watch Trailer

Imperial Game Studio Announces Release of Golf Battle 3D Application for iPhones and iPads for all Game, Sports and Action Enthusiasts

Malmo, Sweden, March 24, 2011 – There is nothing that can beat the feeling of a perfect hit with the golf driver, which is why Imperial Game Studio is proud to announce the launch of Golf Battle 3D www.golfbattle3d.com, an interactive application available today on iOS, Apple’s mobile operating system. Available for US$3.00, this game is all about the two best features of golf: Hitting furiously long drives and kicking your friends’ butts! That is why they have produced this network based, action golf game with the driver as the only weapon.

In addition to iOS, Golf Battle 3D is currently available on Google’s Android market and Samsung Bada. It will soon be available on the other two mobile platforms as well – Symbian (Nokia) and Windows 7. Thanks to the Airplay software and the fact that the game is network based, users can play against their friends no matter what platform they are on. With their sister company, Martin Flensburg (CEO), Pär Green (Producer), and Alex Sahlin (Producer) were among the first developers ever to connect multiple platforms in mobile applications. Now, Imperial Game Studio has kicked it up a notch by connecting players on the top five different operating systems – Android, iOS (Apple), Symbian (Nokia), Windows 7 and Samsung Bada. Not many developers can say that they have been able to successfully accomplish such a wide reach.

As of January 2011, Apple’s App Store contains more than 400,000 iOS applications, which have collectively been downloaded more than 10 billion times. In the last quarter of 2010, it had a 16% share of the smartphone operating system market in terms of units sold, third behind Google’s Android and Symbian. As of May 2010 it accounted for 59% of mobile web consumption (not including the iPad) in North America. According to CEO Martin Flensburg, “After the game goes live for Symbian and Windows7, this means that our game will be available for about 75% of all people in the world owning a smartphone. For you as a player this means that you can play against your friends almost independent of the type of smartphone you may have. It also means that there will always be several players online – ready to take on your challenges in battle mode.”

Golf Battle 3D provides a number of unique features. The game takes place at four different arenas with different access levels depending on the player’s ranking. There is a wide variety of predefined characters, and there’s an opportunity to earn coins that can be used to pimp a character or buy a new one. Once the golfer gets the feel for the basics of the game, he/she quickly learns that there is much to be gained by the special golf balls. For example, players can take advantage of making a double score or a longer drive when golf balls randomly appear. For insider tips and a game play tutorial video, go to the Golf Battle 3D website, under the media tab.

In addition, Golf Battle 3D has three major difficulties, which makes it stand out from other golf game applications:

Unlike most golf games there are no bars to show when to start and when to finish the swing. Golf Battle 3D makes it more difficult, but this also makes it more fun at the same time. Golfers also have to learn the behavior of the characters and learn when to press the touchpad in order to get a perfect hit.
After hitting the ball, golfers can tilt their phone and use their game’s gyroscope in order to steer the ball. No matter if it is a “monster shot” or not, the wind will be a big challenge. Of course the wind varies from course to course and gets more difficult to handle.

When a golfer feels somewhat confident that he/she has mastered notes #1 and #2 above, then the player is ready to enter the battle mode. In battle mode, players will definitely experience the challenge in this stage – the stress.

Golf Battle 3D is currently being submitted for review and coming soon for Symbian (Nokia) and Windows 7. Check back at the game’s website frequently for updates.

For Golf Battle 3D assets, please go to www.golfbattle3d.com.

London, UK — March 24, 2011 — To kick off the 15th anniversary of Resident Evil™, Capcom®, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games today announced that the highly acclaimed Resident Evil™4 and Resident Evil Code: Veronica™ X will be released as downloadable titles for the Xbox 360®video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.

Scheduled for release this Autumn, both titles have been enhanced with upgraded visuals as they make their debut on high-definition consoles.

World’s most popular Android security app goes tablet.

MELBOURNE and AMSTERDAM, 24 March 2011 – AVG Technologies has announced its new Android security solution for Android tablets. Building on the success of AVG Mobile Solutions’ popular Smartphone application, already downloaded by over nine million people, ANTIVIRUSFree for Android is now designed for the needs and possibilities of the new wave of tablet devices.

According to recent industry reports, 2011 will be the year when tablet devices go mainstream as millions of people will be browsing, loading personal data and using multiple apps on their tablets.

With ANTIVIRUSFree for Android tablets (AVG Mobilation for Android), Android tablet users now have peace of mind knowing that their valuable data and device is protected, using cloud-based security technology that is simple to use, always up-to-date, and light on the device and battery life.

AVG Mobilation for Android tablet can scan apps, settings, data and media files in real time for viruses and other malware. And if the tablet gets lost or stolen, it can be remotely traced and wiped to protect privacy. The backup feature also protects contacts, call logs, bookmarks, messages and installed applications to an SD card. The ‘app locker’ can password protect any app on the tablet to prevent children using certain applications or data.

“Mobile devices are vital to most people’s lives and have practically developed into full computers in your pocket,” said J.R. Smith, CEO, AVG Technologies. “IDC predicted that nearly 50 million tablets will be sold this year, meaning more users will carry more of their digital life world with them, everywhere. As a result, securing these devices and protecting data becomes ever more crucial.”

“A mobile device is more personal than your computer at home, as it goes next to your wallet and your house keys and contains relevant data, your contacts, your family photos and memories,” said Omri Sigelman, VP Marketing and Products, AVG Mobile Solutions. “AVG Mobilation for Android tablet protects you from the threats that target precious data in mobile devices. It can even help you to locate your device on Google Maps and remotely wipe it if it should get lost or stolen.”

AVG (AU/NZ) has a comprehensive range of security tips on its web site at http://www.avg.com.au/resources/security-tips/.

The Brand New Standalone Series from The Sims Studio Lets Players Build a Kingdom, Go on Quests and Rule a Realm

24 March 2011, Australia & New Zealand – Claim your Kingdom! Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) has announced that The Sims Medieval will hit shelves across Australia today and in New Zealand tomorrow. The brand new standalone series for the PC/Mac gives players the tools to create heroes, take them on quests, build up their kingdom and tell epic stories full of drama, romance and comedy.

“Our community has wanted to be able to place their Sims in a different time period for years and now they can with The Sims Medieval,” said Scott Evans, General Manager of The Sims Studio. “The Sims Medieval is a new standalone game that keeps the core values of The Sims at its heart, but gives fans new gameplay elements to explore and allows them to tell epic medieval tales.”

Set in the Middle Ages, players will find themselves faced with new ways to play with life like never before. As they build up their kingdom, players create Hero Sims in a range of professions including knight, bard, wizard, priest, blacksmith and spy. Playing each Hero Sim is different, as players control the Sims’ profession, whilst taking on the varied adventures of the quests. Other new gameplay elements include diplomacy with neighbouring territories, and of course medieval punishments.

The gameplay is framed by quests that each present a new situation and a fresh opportunity to pick a Hero Sim to take charge. For example, in the quest ‘The Witch is Back’, players could choose to have their monarch marry the witch who is visiting the kingdom. If they want to kill the witch, they would choose the wizard, spy or knight to defeat her. And if they just want to debilitate her, they would choose a priest, physician, or wizard to complete the challenge. With dozens of quests and multiple approaches for completing them, players will find new ways to tell their favorite medieval legends.

Everything in The Sims Medieval is crafted to create an authentic medieval world, from the quest-based gameplay, to the medieval objects such as swords and stocks and thrones, right down to the warm look of the characters and the painterly approach to the world itself. Players can choose to customise every new Hero Sim that comes to the kingdom, including selecting their traits and also their fatal flaw. Players bond with their characters; not only by sending them on epic quests, but also by making sure they carry out their daily responsibilities such as healing the sick, trading for exotic goods, or forging armor.

The Sims Medieval is rated M. To download artwork, please contact Jodie Van Hibb (jvanhibb@ea.com) – EA PR Manager ANZ. For more information about The Sims Medieval please visit the official website at http://www.ea.com/au/thesimsmedieval and at http://www.ea.com/nz/thesimsmedieval.