2K Sports Announces Major League Baseball® 2K11 Now Available

Sydney, Australia – March 18, 2011 – 2K Sports announced today that Major League Baseball® 2K11 is now available on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. 

Major League Baseball 2K11 features a revamped fielding system; Total Control Pitching, that enables pitchers to paint the corners with pinpoint ac­curacy; Dynamic Player Ratings, that mirror real-life player performances; improved My Player and MLB Today modes; and brand new player models, which provide authenticity like never before.

Major League Baseball 2K11 is rated G by the Australian Classification Board and is now available in Australia and New Zealand on the Xbox 360.

2K Sports is a division of 2K, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).

About Take-Two Interactive Software

Headquartered in New York City, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is a global developer, marketer and publisher of interactive entertainment software games for the PC, PlayStation®3 and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment systems, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Wii^TM, Nintendo DS^TM, iPhone®, iPod® touch and iPad™. The Company publishes and develops products through its wholly owned labels Rockstar Games and 2K, which publishes its titles under 2K Games, 2K Sports and 2K Play. The Company’s common stock is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol TTWO. For more corporate and product information please visit our website at www.take2games.com.

Microsoft, Windows, the Windows Start button, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies, and ‘Games for Windows’ and the Windows Start button logo are used under license from Microsoft.

All trademarks and copyrights contained herein are the property of their respective holders.

Gorehounds, fright fetishists and genre geeks take note: the annual A Night of Horror film festival starts in Sydney at the end of this month and runs till April 8. The fest features a good selection of both Australian and International films, shorts, Q&As and a free screenwriting forum – the full program is reprinted below.

For me (having not seen any of the films yet), some the highlights are the opening night film The Tunnel, set in Sydney’s underground throughways, the spoofish-looking, The Last Lovecraft: Relic of Cthulhu, which has the distinction of featuring Martin Starr from Party Down (if you haven’t seen that show, do), the Lance Henriksen-starring Wilderness, and the closing night film, Absentia, which looks like a low-budget treat.

Full Program:

Saturday, March 26 – Mu-Mesons Archives, Annandale
8:00pm – Pre-festival Double Feature: Skew / Ludlow

Thursday, March 31 – Dendy Newtown
7:00pm – Opening Night: The Tunnel
9:00pm – Wound

Friday, April 1 – Dendy Newtown
7:00pm – Dead Hooker in a Trunk
9:00pm – The Reef

Saturday, April 2 – Dendy Newtown
4:00pm – Shorts Program #1: Monster Mash-Up
7:00pm – Descendents
9:00pm – Hybrid 3D
11:00pm – Blood Junkie

Sunday, April 3 – Dendy Newtown
4:00pm – Shorts Program #2: LOVECRAFTIAN LUNACY
7:00pm – The Last Lovecraft: Relic of Cthulhu
9:00pm – The Afflicted

Monday, April 4 – Dendy Newtown
7:00pm – Shorts Program #3: NIGHT OF THE EVIL DEAD

Tuesday, April 5 – Dendy Newtown
7:00pm – Shorts Program #4: CRAZY MOFOS

Wednesday, April 6 – Dendy Newtown
7:00pm – Wilderness

Wednesday, April 6 – Metro Screen, Paddington
6:30pm – Shorts Program #5: AUSTRALIAN HORROR SHOWCASE 1
9:00pm – Shorts Program #6: AUSTRALIAN HORROR SHOWCASE 2

Thursday, April 7 – Dendy Newtown
7:00pm – Midnight Son
9:00pm – #12

Thursday, April 7 – Surry Hills Library
9:00pm – Horror Screenwriting Forum Free Event

Friday, April 8 – Dendy Newtown
7:00pm – Closing Night: Absentia

For further details check out the fest’s website, http://www.anightofhorror.com

Tickets are available now from Dendy Newtown on (02) 9550 5699, or at  www.dendy.com.au.

London (17th March, 2011) — Wargaming.net is glad to announce today that its highly-anticipated free-to-play action MMO game World of Tanks is set to launch on 12th April, 2011 in Europe and North America.

With this announcement, the company reports World of Tanks to be gradually entering the release phase after nine successive months of closed and open beta testing that let the game recruit an impressive number of players building up a strong and responsive community that helped the development team enhance and polish the game by providing valuable feedback and reporting issues.

World of Tanks is one of the most recognizable vehicle-based MMO games where players fight action-packed battles driving historically accurate WWII-era armored machines. The game’s stunning graphics, destructible environments, a wide variety of military hardware with a vast choice of upgrade options along with captivating and well-balanced gameplay make it a must-try for almost every gamer.

“Our team has been working really hard to create a unique blend of action, strategy, simulation and RPG elements in World of Tanks, and now the moment all fans across the globe have been waiting for is right around the corner”, said Victor Kislyi, CEO of Wargaming.net. “We are delighted to be finally announcing the release date for this ground-breaking title and invite all veteran players and those new to the game to enjoy tense and uncompromising armored warfare on World of Tanks battlegrounds”.

Join the open beta at:

· http://game.worldoftanks.com/registration/ (North America)

· http://game.worldoftanks.eu/registration/ (Europe)

About World of Tanks

World of Tanks is the first and only team-based massively multiplayer online action game dedicated to armored warfare. Throw yourself into the epic tank battles of World War II with other steel cowboys all over the world. Your arsenal includes more than 150 armored vehicles from America, Germany, and the Soviet Union, carefully detailed with historical accuracy.

A flexible system of authentic vehicle upgrade and development allows you to try any of the vehicles and weapons in the game. Whether you prefer to exhaust your foes with fast and maneuverable light tanks, make deep breaches in enemy lines with all-purpose medium tanks, use the force of giant tanks to eliminate opposing armored forces, or become a heavy sniper with long-range howitzers, each unit type has its own advantages and can be extremely effective when operated by a true tank ace.

But being a great tank commander alone isn’t enough to win! In World of Tanks, it’s all about teamwork. Victory is achieved by combining your combat skills with those of the other members of your team, each playing their own role on the battlefield. Just add your favorite strategy to build your own iron empire and manifest the indisputable authority of the tank! Feel the TANK POWER!

Key Features:

· Action-packed 15-vs-15 PvP Tank battles

· Mixture of Action, Strategy, Simulation and MMORPG genres

· 150 Vehicles, thousands of upgrades

· Unprecedented global Clan Wars

·

About Wargaming.net

Wargaming.net is an award-winning strategy game specialist, incorporated in the UK. Its 140-strong development team is located in Minsk, Belarus. Since 1998, the company has shipped 13 titles, including acclaimed Massive Assault series, Order of War RTS published by Square Enix, and three add-ons for Blitzkrieg II. 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 web site: www.wargaming.net

Over 700,000 chats inspire new friendships worldwide

March 17, 2011 – Foster City, Calif. – Perfect World Entertainment Inc., a wholly owned US subsidiary of Perfect World Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ: PWRD), today marks the second anniversary of Ether Saga Online ,the 3D fantasy MMORPG inspired by the literary classic novel, “Journey to the West”. With over 700,000 world chats recorded from unique characters, Ether Saga Online fans have contributed to the game’s success in more ways than just exploring in-game content as they continue to create a social platform for both new and old players to build lasting friendships.

Among many exciting features, the community makes Ether Saga Online a unique experience. Players are interacting with other players around the world to explore game features and find ways to create over 26 million customized weapon, gear, pet, and potion items.

“Even after two years, we continue to see a friendly and active community of followers in Ether Saga Online enjoying their shared experience and asking for new content,” said Aaron Potter, Product Manager for Ether Saga Online . “In response to player feedback, we are currently working on an expansion that will introduce a new race, new classes, new areas, and more pets to capture.”

Since the arrival of Ether Saga Online onto the free-to-play market in North America in 2009, it has captured thousands of players with its unique features such as pet melding, which allows players to upgrade their pets and create stronger breeds. With hundreds of pets available to obtain, players can create different looking pets, and even transform into the monster that they defeat.

Celebrating the two year milestone of Ether Saga Online, players will be eligible to receive a variety of items, including an exclusive anniversary gift pack, a permanent fashion set, and a free mount. For more information on Ether Saga Online’s second anniversary festivities and claim your reward, please visit http://eso.perfectworld.com/2011_anniversary.

About Perfect World Entertainment Inc.
Perfect World Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Perfect World Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ: PWRD), primarily publishes online games and provides online services in North America. Aiming to provide the best game services to North American players with a highest level of commitment in localization, quality assurance, and user-friendly publishing infrastructure, Perfect World Entertainment has achieved great success and published a number of MMORPGs, including “Forsaken World,” “Legend of Martial Arts,” “Heroes of Three Kingdoms,” “Battle of the Immortals,” “Ether Saga Online,” “Jade Dynasty,” and “Perfect World International,” a free-to-play MMORPG which is currently played by millions of people worldwide; and a single-player action-RPG “Torchlight.”

We have your first glimpse of in-game footage from Batman: Arkham City, which is slated to arrive at stores in Australia beginning Wednesday, October 19 for the Xbox 360, PC and PS3. Set inside the heavily fortified walls of a sprawling district in the heart of Gotham City, this highly anticipated sequel to 2009’s Batman: Arkham Asylum, introduces a brand-new story that draws together an all-star cast of classic characters and murderous villains from the Batman universe, as well as a vast range of enhanced gameplay features to deliver the ultimate experience as the Dark Knight. 

Follow our squad of U.S. Marines as they move to the rooftops to eliminate an enemy sniper in an abandoned hotel. This in-game footage from Battlefield 3 shows off the ANT animation technology in all its glory, with a climactic ending that speaks volumes of how the new Frostbite 2 engine handles destruction. Stay tuned for Episode III on March 30.

Check out the Trailer here – http://www.ea.com/au/battlefield3/videos/faultline-ep2

Scene-setting prologue to DISSIDIA 012[duodecim] FINAL FANTASY headed to PlayStation®Network

Sydney, Australia (17th March 2011) – Square Enix Ltd., the publisher of SQUARE ENIX® interactive entertainment products in PAL territories, today announces DISSIDIA® duodecim prologus™ FINAL FANTASY® – the scene-setting prologue to DISSIDIA 012[duodecim]™ FINAL FANTASY – will be available for download exclusively from the PlayStation®Network.

DISSIDIA duodecim prologus FINAL FANTASY is an all-new tale focusing on Lightning, the protagonist from FINAL FANTASY XIII. Players will experience a rich and complex storyline that can only be brought to life through the FINAL FANTASY universe. The game, a PSN exclusive, is a prelude that will enhance the player’s experience of the grand battle within the PSP release, DISSIDIA 012[duodecim] FINAL FANTASY, available from 26th March 2011.

In addition to Story Mode, players can engage in quick battles with a choice of two different difficulty modes in the Arcade Mode. DISSIDIA duodecim prologus FINAL FANTASY also offers a wide variety of features including the ability to carry over in-game items to DISSIDIA 012[duodecim] FINAL FANTASY. The more achievements that players gain during the game, the more items they can acquire.

As another bonus, by carrying over data from DISSIDIA duodecim prologus FINAL FANTASY to DISSIDIA 012[duodecim] FINAL FANTASY, players can unlock the hugely popular Aerith Gainsborough of FINAL FANTASY VII as an assist character. With unique content and a depth of features, DISSIDIA duodecim prologus FINAL FANTASY is a must for any fan of the series.

For further information, please visit www.dissidia012game.com  

Features

· Unique Scenario: Lightning, the protagonist of the popular FINAL FANTASY XIII, will be introduced to the DISSIDIA series for the first time. Players can journey through a unique scenario featuring Lightning that will recount the events leading to DISSIDIA 012[duodecim].

· Carry-over items from DISSIDIA duodecim prologus FINAL FANTASY to DISSIDIA 012[duodecim] FINAL FANTASY: Players can continue their journey and have the advantage of carrying over in-game items acquired in DISSIDIA duodecim prologus FINAL FANTASY for use in DISSIDIA 012[duodecim] FINAL FANTASY.

· Unlock a new character: By purchasing DISSIDIA duodecim prologus, players will also receive the immensely popular Aerith from FINAL FANTASY VII for use as an assist character in DISSIDIA 012[duodecim] FINAL FANTASY.

About Square Enix Ltd.

Square Enix Ltd., a part of the Square Enix Europe business unit, develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX, EIDOS® and TAITO® branded entertainment content in Europe and other PAL territories as part of the Square Enix Group. Square Enix Ltd. also has a global network of leading development studios such as IO Interactive™, Crystal Dynamics® and Eidos Montréal. The Square Enix Group boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY, which has sold over 97 million units worldwide, DRAGON QUEST® which has sold over 54 million units worldwide and TOMB RAIDER® which has sold over 35 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix Ltd. is a London-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.

More information on Square Enix Ltd. can be found at http://www.square-enix.com/eu/en/.

DISSIDIA, [DUODECIM], DUODECIM PROLOGUS, EIDOS, DRAGON QUEST, FINAL FANTASY, SPACE INVADERS, SQUARE ENIX, the SQUARE ENIX logo, TAITO, IO Interactive, Crystal Dynamics and TOMB RAIDER are registered trademarks or trademarks of the Square Enix Group. “PlayStation” and the “PS” Family logo are registered trademarks and “PSP” is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Square Enix Limited is a company registered in England & Wales under the number 1804186 whose registered office is Wimbledon Bridge House, 1 Hartfield Road, Wimbledon, London, SW19 3RU

EA and Crytek have teamed up with legendary composer Hans Zimmer, who created part of the dramatic score for the critically acclaimed first-person shooter Crysis 2. Recognized worldwide for his work on blockbuster films like “Inception” and “The Dark Knight”, Zimmer and his team featuring Lorne Balfe worked with the existing composers Borislav Slavov and Tilman Sillescu to create the intense and dramatic score for Crysis 2 which sets the tone for the game’s backdrop of a devastated New York City in 2023. 

Gamers can hear the soundtrack when Crysis 2 hits stores on March 24 in Australia and March 25 in New Zealand or by downloading the Crysis 2 Multiplayer Demo, which debuts today on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. The soundtrack will also be available for download on iTunes, Amazon and other music retailers on March 22^nd.  Fans can preview the intro of the soundtrack at http://soundcloud.com/nettwerkmusicgroup/hans-zimmer-crysis-2-intro

“I was drawn to Crysis 2 because of Crytek’s passion for the project and the world they created,” said Hans Zimmer. “And I am very happy with the outcome of our collaboration.”

Gamers who pre-order Crysis 2 today will receive an automatic upgrade at no additional cost to the Crysis 2 Limited Edition*, available while supplies last. The Limited Edition gives gamers a leg up on day one — all classes are immediately unlocked as well as three additional in-game multiplayer unlocks are available from the get-go, including:

• SCAR Hologram Decoy – This special attachment to the SCAR will project a hologram image of the player, allowing them to confuse their opponents with the decoy.
• SCAR Weapon Skin – This digital camouflage skin will allow players to add a personalized touch to one of the more popular assault rifles in the game.
• Platinum Dog Tag – This special one-of-a-kind dog tag is one of over 250 that will be collectible in Crysis 2 multiplayer, helping to separate you from the rest of the field.

Crysis 2 arrives on the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation 3 and PC on March 24 in Australia and March 25 in New Zealand.  For more information, visit the official game website at http://www.ea.com/au/crysis-2 , http://www.ea.com/nz/crysis-2-nz, the official Crysis community web site at http://mycrysis.com, follow the development team on Twitter at http://twitter.com/crysis or on Facebook at http://facebook.com/crysis.

SEGA and Three Rings Get Geared Up for Online Adventures with Spiral Knights

Multiplayer Action Adventure Lets Players Band Together to

Explore an Ever-Changing Clockwork Dungeon World

Thursday 17^th March 2011 – SEGA® Europe Ltd. and SEGA® of America, Inc. today announce it will be publishing Spiral Knights™, a multiplayer online action adventure game created by noted online game developer Three Rings. Launching later this autumn, this free-to-play title offers classic, console-style adventure, in a persistent online world.

Spiral Knights is set in an ever-changing world brought to life with a vibrant, retro-inspired visual style. Players can go it alone or join forces with up to four friends to unravel the hidden secrets of the clockworks world. With the opportunity to create guilds, craft new gear, and customise the looks and abilities of their characters, the intuitive pick-up-and-play controls provide an enjoyable, yet immersive style of gameplay.

For more information, including a chance to sign up for a sneak preview of Spiral Knights, visit the official site at www.spiralknights.com

A new trailer has just been released from EA Sports for Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12, this time outlining the key features available on Wii, such as:

* Balance board integration
* 5 Mini Golf Courses
* 2 Player Online Disc Golf
* And more!