HUDSON’s popular sports series makes its first foray into 3D

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH will unveil ten 3D-enabled sports for Nintendo 3DS™ this June, as it releases HUDSON SOFT’s Sports Island 3D for the new format.

Sports Island 3D marks the debut of HUDSON SOFT’s fun series for Nintendo 3DS, and allows up to four players to participate in events designed to show off the 3D capabilities of the new format. The ten sports on offer are Soccer, Tennis, Basketball, Ice Hockey, Snowball Fighting, Sumo Wrestling, Bowling, Snowmobile Racing, Sport Blowgun and Trampoline. Each demands different skills from the user and has been designed to make stunning use of the additional depth of field the format offers.

Event can be played by between one-four entrants in either single or multi-player modes. Sports Island 3D adds to the competitive spirit with the addition of special power-ups that can give each player an advantage during each event. These ‘Super Play’ actions give the player a chance to hit their opponent with a seemingly unstoppable move and take the form of over-sized racquets or a heavier ball in Tennis, ‘Cannon Dunk’ and huge jump moves in Basketball and an unstoppable ‘Rainbow’ shot in Soccer. Each event has one specific Super Play moves, and they can be brought in at strategic times to gain a hard-earned victory.

Sports Island 3D also allows players to customise their teams and as the game progresses, so new venues are unlocked. The four-player modes are also facilitated either via wireless play or download, with a number of competitive modes offering the chance to compete against each other or work together in teams.

Puzzle game compilation leads HUDSON’s Nintendo 3DS™ line

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has announced that HUDSON SOFT’s first title for Nintendo 3DS will be Sudoku: The Puzzle Game Collection, a compilation of popular puzzle styles due for release in May.

Sudoku: The Puzzle Game Collection is a test of mental acuity for the Nintendo 3DS, offering a choice of four puzzle game styles, including the numerical test that is Sudoku. Based on puzzles devised by world-famous puzzle maker Nikoli, the quartet is completed with versions of Hashi (Bridges), Shikaku (Boxes) and Akari (Museum) – some of Japan’s most taxing puzzle styles.

Each puzzle has been created to benefit from simple control interfaces designed to ease the player into the complexities that the four sub-games offer. To this end, Sudoku: The Puzzle Game Collection will make use of Nintendo’s clever ‘Play Coins’ system. Players earn points as they carry their Nintendo 3DS with them and these can be exchanged within the HUDSON game for hints to particularly challenging puzzles.

The 3D capabilities of the format are used in each game via beautiful imagery, with Shikaku showing off formed boxes with specially-created visuals, while Hashi’s linking bridges are also brought to vivid life. Sudoku: The Puzzle Game Collection contains a total of 600 tests, ranging from basic introductory stages through to hard challenges that will test the most intelligent of players.

Sudoku: The Puzzle Game Collection will be available for Nintendo 3DS in May.

Choose your allegiance with a multiple race campaign, new units for multiplayer and much more

MELBOURNE, Victoria. March 1, 2011 – THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced that its upcoming real-time strategy game, Warhammer® 40,000®: Dawn of War® II – Retribution™, has shipped.

Taking place years after the events in Dawn of War II: Chaos RisingTM, this title allows players to choose their perspective with the first multiple-race single player campaign in the Dawn of War II series. The game features campaigns for the Orks, Eldar, Tyranids, Imperial Guard, Chaos and Space Marines, but no matter which race is chosen players will be taken on an epic journey through each story arc, revealing the answers to many questions left open in previous Dawn of War titles.

As well as the single player campaign, RetributionTM adds the all-new Imperial Guard faction to multiplayer as well as new maps, new units for all existing races, new super-heavy units and an all new Last Stand hero and map. Retribution is also a Steamworks title and comes bundled with STEAM achievements, matchmaking and chat functionality. Players will also be able to purchase the pre-order race-specific armour packs from STEAM for a suggested price of AU$1.49 each or all six for AU$7.49.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II – Retribution is now available at stores across the country as well as select digital retailers for Windows PC.

About Retribution

It is ten years since the events of Chaos Rising and Sub-Sector Aurelia has been in a constant state of warfare with the Imperium struggling to retain control. The apparent betrayal of the chapter by Gabriel Angelos and his Space Marines has shaken the Blood Ravens and now the Imperial forces are beset on all sides by hostile aliens. Retribution allows the player to select the race of their choosing in a battle to determine the very survival or destruction of the entire sector. In addition to the multi race single player campaign, Dawn of War II – Retribution also features new multiplayer units, maps and an entire new playable faction.

About Games Workshop

Games Workshop is the world’s largest tabletop wargames company. Based in Nottingham, UK, it designs, manufactures and distributes its range of Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 games, miniature soldiers, novels and resin models through more than 389 of its own Hobby centers, mail order, Internet and independent retail channels in more than 50 countries worldwide. Further details on the company can be obtained at www.games-workshop.com. Games Workshop, Warhammer, Warhammer 40,000, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II – Chaos Rising, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II – Retribution the foregoing marks’ respective logos, and all associated marks, logos, places, names, creatures, races and race insignia/devices/logos/symbols, vehicles, locations, weapons, units and unit insignia, characters, products, illustrations and images are either ®, TM and/or © Games Workshop Ltd 2000-2011. Used under license. All Rights Reserved.

About THQ

THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers and wireless devices. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells product through its global network of offices located throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. More information about THQ and its products may be found at www.thq.com. THQ and its logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.

Wii Art Consoles

I attended the opening of the Wii Art Consoles exhibition at Kaleidoscope Gallery in Paddington, NSW. On show were three white and five black boxes with indigenous artists’ work on the side. The gallery is also selling paintings by the artists. The project has come together through Waterhole Art, the DACOU Aboriginal Gallery and Shalom Gamarada scholarship program, which helps out indigenous students.

Artists features include Emily Pwerle, Galya Pwerle, Barbara Weir and Gloria Patyarre. For art lovers, the size and scope of the wall paintings would obviously be more catching; but the price tags are also into the thousands! For gamers with an eye for art, the more fitting option is to bid online for one of the consoles via eBay! If successful, you not only score the decorative console (which is in a Perspex cube and non-functional) but another, working console. I think it is a great idea, especially for those people who are half-considering buying a Wii but have putting it off! Nintendo should be applauded for such a proactive social conscience.

Bids close on 7 March, so hurry!

Felix Staica

Epic Single Player Mission, WMD, Comes to Xbox LIVE, PlayStation®Network

Sydney, Australia – March 3, 2011 – The thrilling mission from Call of Duty®: Black Ops, WMD, is now available worldwide for download as a single player demo on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and on PlayStation®Network.

Revered as one of the most gripping levels in the blockbuster title that shattered entertainment records, WMD is a heart-pounding experience that takes players deep behind enemy lines as an elite Black Ops operative engaged in covert warfare, classified operations and explosive conflict. Players defy death every step of the way as they infiltrate Soviet airspace in the SR-71, the most advanced, high-altitude, long range strategic aircraft imaginable. Deep behind enemy lines, players will engage in intense combat in the harshest of conditions, and scale a formidable, hidden enemy base perched atop a snow-filled mountain range.

Created by Treyarch and published by Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI), Call of Duty: Black Ops is rated “MA15+” by the Classification Board for Strong violence and coarse language. Fans can also look for the Call of Duty®: Black Ops First Strike map pack available now on Xbox LIVE® and scheduled for release on PlayStation Network on March 3. For additional Call of Duty® updates, visit www.callofduty.com/blackops and also via Twitter @Treyarch.

L.A. Noire Original Artwork: Official Cover Art

As part of our official L.A. Noire original artwork series, this week we’re pleased to offer the recently revealed Official Cover Art as a widescreen billboard style digital desktop. 

Featuring Detective Cole Phelps against the backdrop of a crime-plagued 1947 Los Angeles, this artwork is now available as downloadable desktops, and in avatar and buddy icon sizes from the Downloads section of the L.A. Noire site and the Rockstar site.

Developed by Team Bondi in conjunction with Rockstar Games, L.A. Noire arrives on shelves May 20th in Australia and New Zealand

MELBOURNE, Australia. – March 3, 2011 – THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced a special pre-order offer for WWE® All Stars™. Customers who pre-order the videogame from EB Games Australia will receive a WWE Rumblers™ action figure two-pack, the latest release from Mattel’s WWE action figure line currently scheduled for release in Australia later this year.

The revolutionary new addition to THQ’s distinguished WWE videogame portfolio and debut release from THQ San Diego, WWE All Stars will bridge generations of WWE enthusiasts and casual followers alike with a fun, fresh and fast-paced experience inside the virtual ring. Poised to deliver one of the greatest rosters ever assembled in a WWE videogame, renowned WWE Legends will align with today’s most prominent WWE Superstars. In addition, each WWE Legend and WWE Superstar will boast a distinctive and highly stylized appearance, adding to the overall atmosphere and intrepid attitude exuding from the on-screen action.

Complementing the reinterpretation of WWE Legends and WWE Superstars featured in i, the new range of Rumblers action figures includes two miniature figures with small-scale WWE Superstar styling, four points of articulation, a mighty grip to hold accessories and the ability to rumble with opponents for extreme brawling action. Mattel’s WWE Rumblers will be available exclusively to customers who pre-order WWE All Stars from EB Games Australia. Limited stock is available.

About WWE All Stars

WWE All Stars will encompass a fluid, intuitive and original gameplay style, creating a highly competitive environment and an engaging spectacle. Packed with high-flying, hard-hitting and over-the-top action, players will explore a variety of responsive quick grapples, strong grapples, standing and running attacks, as well as combination sequences. Every WWE Legend and WWE Superstar on the power-packed roster will be equipped with individual abilities, signature moves and renowned finishers to create the ultimate in-ring experience.

WWE All Stars is currently in development for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and Wii™, with a scheduled release date of March 31, 2011 in Australia.

For more information, please visit www.wweallstars.com

About World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.

Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: WWE), can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.

About THQ Inc.

THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers and wireless devices. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells product through its global network of offices located throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. More information about THQ and its products may be found at www.thq.com. THQ and the THQ logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.

About Mattel

Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAT – News) (www.mattel.com) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products. The Mattel family is comprised of such best-selling brands as Barbie®, the most popular fashion doll ever introduced, Hot Wheels®, Matchbox®, American Girl®, Radica® and Tyco R/C®, as well as Fisher-Price® brands, including Little People®, Power Wheels® and a wide array of entertainment inspired toy lines. In 2011, Mattel was named as one of FORTUNE Magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” for the fourth year in a row. Mattel also is ranked among Corporate Responsibility Magazine’s “100 Best Corporate Citizens” and the “World’s Most Ethical Companies.” With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel employs approximately 31,000 people in 43 countries and territories and sells products in more than 150 nations. At Mattel, we are “Creating the Future of Play.” Follow Mattel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/mattel

Successful Closed Beta Speeds Up Production Time for Western Release

March 2, 2010 – Foster City, Calif., and Amsterdam, Netherlands – Perfect World Entertainment Inc. and Perfect World Europe B.V., wholly owned subsidiaries of Perfect World Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ: PWRD), today announced that after the successful launch of beta testing for Forsaken World, the official live date has been moved up to March 9, two weeks ahead of schedule, for both North America and Europe.

“Forsaken World has been our most highly anticipated game, which is evident in the fact that this has been our largest and longest closed beta to date,” said Clifton Chu, Product Manager for Forsaken World. “We would like to thank all of our beta testers in making Forsaken World the most polished and best game possible, which is one of the reasons why we are able to launch two weeks ahead of schedule.”

Set to go live on March 9, Forsaken World will launch with a total of six servers including three PvE servers and complete support for French and German versions.

For more information on Forsaken World, visit the official website at http://FW.PerfectWorld.com/

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 “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.”

About Perfect World Europe B.V.
Perfect World Europe B.V. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Perfect World Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ: PWRD), a leading online game developer and operator based in China. In early 2010, Perfect World Europe B.V. was established in Amsterdam. Perfect World Europe B.V. focuses primarily on the publication and promotion of Perfect World’s localized MMORPGs in Europe.

CONTACT: