Free multiplayer map pack also available this week

Sydney, Australia – March 3, 2011 – 2K Games announced today the next installments of downloadable content for the award-winning Sid Meier’s Civilization® V will be available this week. Developed by Firaxis Games and available starting from March 3rd for Windows PC, the Civilization and Scenario Pack: Polynesia and Multiplayer Map Pack expand the addictive “just one more turn” experience by introducing new lands and experiences, as well as a brand new Civ to one of the most acclaimed games of 2010.

Civilization and Scenario Pack: Polynesia (RRP: $5.99 AUD)

The Civilization and Scenario Pack: Polynesia brings you both the Polynesian Civilization and a new Scenario, Paradise Found. Rule the world as Kamehameha, unifier of Hawai’i, with your powerful navy and imposing Moai statues!

Scenario Description:

In Paradise Found, players take on the role of one of the four great Polynesian kingdoms as they strive to become the dominant culture in Polynesia. All-new technology and social policy trees unlock powerful advantages to players, including the fearsome Maori Warrior and the enigmatic Moai. Special changes to the game rules allow players to build expansive kingdoms quickly without impeding their cultural growth, but the seas of the Pacific are huge and land is at a premium among the atolls and islands. Take the best islands for yourself, and prove your mana as a ruler as you build Polynesia to stand the test of time!

Polynesia Ruler – Kamehameha

Kamehameha was the first ruler to unite all of the Big Islands of Hawai’i under his rule in 1791, and reformed many of the island’s laws to protect its people. Because of his strong rule and wise policies, Hawai’i remained an independent kingdom long after Kamehameha’s death in 1819.

Multiplayer Map Pack (Free)

Three new multiplayer maps for Sid Meier’s Civilization V will be available as a free Multiplayer Map Pack download upon connecting to Steam. The first map, Skirmish, is a small map created especially for intense one-on-one duels of Civ. In the second map, Ring, you’ll face enemies on your flanks and have a chance to sail across the middle of the world to fight your opponents. The last map, Ancient Lake, is a hand-tailored map set around an inland sea, the heart of which hides a secret! These maps are carefully balanced for competitive online play and will give players new worlds to conquer.

Sid Meier’s Civilization V is available for Windows PC and Mac and is rated PG by the Australian Classification Board. For more information please visit www.civilization5.com.

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

On March 30th Icon are releasing the British comedy hit, WILD TARGET to DVD and Blu-ray.

From the creators of Yes! Prime Minister and The Whole Nine Yards comes a delightful comedy crime caper. Starring Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada), Bill Nighy (Love Actually) and Rupert Grint (the Harry Potter series), WILD TARGET is a smart slapstick comedy.

3 March 2011, Australia & New Zealand –– Electronic Arts Inc. (Nasdaq: ERTS) has announced that EA SPORTS™ Fight Night Champion is available today in Australia, and tomorrow in New Zealand. Fight Night Champion is an intense new gaming experience that builds on the rich legacy of the Fight Night series, which is one of the most critically acclaimed sports franchises of the past five years.

Fight Night Champion features new gameplay innovation that delivers the most realistic boxing simulation ever created. The title is packed with exciting new modes and features, including: the all-new cinematic, narrative-driven Champion Mode; more than 50 licensed boxers including Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Anthony Mundine, Billy “The Kid’ Dib and Manny Pacquiao; Full Spectrum Punch Control; Online Gyms and much more.

“The EA SPORTS Fight Night franchise has consistently pushed the boundaries of innovation in sports videogames, from ushering in the new console generation in 2006 with Fight Night Round 3, to Fight Night Round 4, which introduced real world physics to the franchise two years ago”, said Dale Jackson, General Manager, Fighting, EA SPORTS. “Fight Night Champion advances the critically-acclaimed series with genre-defining new gameplay innovation, a deep feature set and an all new type of experience for the EA SPORTS gamer.”

Champion Mode brings cinematic storytelling to the Fight Night franchise and is the first such story mode in EA SPORTS history. Written by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Will Rokos, Champion Mode allows players to step into the shoes of up-and-coming middleweight prospect, Andre Bishop, as he discovers that the road to becoming a champion in professional boxing is one that is filled with corruption and personal struggle.

Fight Night Champion also introduces a host of gameplay improvements. The refined punching system, dubbed “Full Spectrum Punch Control”, brings the most accessible and responsive controls ever to a Fight Night title. A new anaerobic stamina system tracks individual muscle groups separately, punishing a player’s overdependence on a single punch and encourages combination punching and diligent stamina management. In addition to this, improved visuals, multiple control schemes, realistic damage, boxer-specific animations and multiple stun states round out the key gameplay improvements in Fight Night Champion.

Fight Night Champion is available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system and the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. The game has been rated MA 15+ by the OFLC and R16 in New Zealand, as it contains violence and offensive language. The Fight Night Champion demo is currently available on Xbox LIVE™ and the PlayStation®Network.

For more information, log onto www.easports.com/fightnight. Media can find game assets at http://info.ea.com. To join the EA SPORTS Fight Night community, log onto http://www.facebook.com/update_security_info.php?wizard=1#!/easportsfightnight

Action-Adventure Videogame Features All New Tall Tales Inspired by Paramount Pictures/Nickelodeon Film ‘Rango’

3 March 2011, Australia & New Zealand – Paramount Digital Entertainment and Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) have proudly announced that Rango The Videogame is available today in Australia, and tomorrow in New Zealand for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Wii™ and Nintendo DS™.

Rango The Videogame is an action-adventure game inspired by the forthcoming Paramount Pictures/Nickelodeon Movies animated feature film, Rango, which is in theaters this March. Set in the gritty, Wild West town of Dirt and filled with wily and whimsical characters, Rango The Videogame invites players to continue on Rango’s wild journey with all new tall tales, brimming with intense action and outlandish scenarios inspired by the movie.

“Rango’s fondness for telling tall tales allowed us to push the limits in creating new adventures for players of all ages to enjoy,” said Thomas Lesinski, President of Paramount Digital Entertainment. “We worked closely with the Rango filmmaking team on a unique game storyline and integrating stunning visuals from the film to create a game that delivers a great variety of game play, that has already impressed the critics.”

Rango The Videogame lets players explore a wide variety of environments featured within and beyond the film, and challenges them to achieve near-impossible feats as they work to uncover a plot that threatens the entire population of Dirt. Along the way, players will encounter Zombie rodents, Alien spaceships and even an 8-bit shootout inside an arcade machine.

This family-friendly title captures the spirit and humor of the movie, with an extended storyline that goes beyond the vivid world of Dirt. Some of the features include:

Rango’s All New Tall Tales – Play as the quick-thinking chameleon Rango, the best Sheriff the town of Dirt has ever known, and explore a variety of new missions and environments that expand beyond those seen in the film.

Ride Roadrunners and Desert Bats – Speed through the desert atop these unconventional chariots as players engage in extraordinary acrobatic gunplay and more.

Interact with the Dirtonians – From a group of mariachi birds that provide color commentary to a gang of wild rabbits, the townsfolk of Dirt will provide no shortage of fun and entertainment.

Wild West Action and Adventure – Face hordes of hostile zombie rodents as you show the town who’s boss in good, old-fashioned shootouts where fists are flyin’ and spurs are shinin.’

Developed by Behaviour Interactive, Rango The Videogame has been rated “G” for the Nintendo DS by the OFLC in Australia and also in New Zealand. The game is rated “PG” on Wii, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 console systems. For more information, please visit http://www.ea.com/au/game/rango  or http://www.ea.com/nz/game/rango-nz

Battlefield 3 is taken to a whole new level of awesomeness with the new Fault Line Series.

Today, you are able to look down the barrel at the bad part of town, with US Sgt. Black and his team of U.S. Marines.

This is the first chance we have to see the gameplay in action.
    
Step into the battle with your team of Marines and feel the adrenaline rush through you.  

You can view the trailer here: http://www.ea.com/battlefield3/videos/faultline-ep1

Tegra 2 dual core 1GHz tablet now available in Australia

Sydney, Australia, March 3, 2011 – ViewSonic, global technology provider and renowned worldwide leader of visual display products today revealed the highly mobile ViewPad 10s designed for an intelligent entertainment lifestyle.

The latest addition to the ViewSonic tablet portfolio, the ViewPad 10s is a smart tablet that packs a punch. Powered by a NVIDIA Tegra 2 mobile processor, the ViewPad 10s also supports high-resolution 1080p video and HDMI digital multimedia files, Flash 10.1 and internet TV/broadcast streaming. Supporting high resolution audiovisual entertainment, the ViewPad 10s is a complete companion to lead an exciting mobile multimedia lifestyle.

Inside the ViewPad 10s is the one of the industry’s most powerful processors, the NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual core 1GHz processor, enabling a faster and smoother web surfing experience, shorter response time, unparalleled gaming exhilaration and longer battery life. Weighing in at 730 grams, the slender ViewPad 10s is only 14.35mm wide making it an ultra slim and sleek device equipped with HDMI, USB, MicroSD Card and SIM card ports, microphone, 3D speakers and 3.5mm audio output function.

Featuring the latest Android 2.2 operating system, users can access the Internet via Wi-Fi to enjoy over 200,000 applications through Android Market, in addition to Google Maps, Voice Search, Gmail, Youtube and other personal programs, social communications and mobile office software. The ViewPad 10s also includes a 1.3mega-pixel front camera for video conferencing, plus the 10-inch LED backlight and multi-touch screen delivers a smooth control and response experience. Users can enjoy high-resolution 1080p video streaming and flash animation anytime anywhere, as well as access to a wide suite of audiovisual media files, internet TV and broadcast programs.

Supporting the ViewPad 10s is an optional elegant stand that is also embedded with audio output, HDMI and USB ports. The ViewPad 10s can be recharged directly on the stand, making it a gateway to a one-stop entertainment centre. Simply connect the ViewPad 10s via HDMI to any 1080p television, display screen, projector or audio kit and turn it into a mobile audiovisual entertainment centre. Enjoy superior picture quality with its high resolution screen – watch movie and video clips, play games, or share full HD content saved on a wide array of storage devices. Furthermore, the ViewPad 10s is the perfect micro PC for work with easy access to email and the web.

Designed to provide a complete and convenient mobile entertainment experience, the ViewPad 10s is the ideal device for professionals and players. The ViewSonic ViewPad 10s is now available in Australia, RRP AU$599 inc GST.

About ViewSonic

ViewSonic® Corporation is a leading global provider of technology products. ViewSonic develops, markets and supports a broad range of innovative products, including media and PC tablets, LCD monitors, PCs, projectors, digital signage displays, digital photo frames and other technology solutions. For more information, visit www.viewsonic.com.au.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – March 3rd 2011 – Renown developer and publisher TRION Worlds in conjunction with leading distributor of video games and accessories QVSoftware, are pleased to announce that RIFT™ – the new groundbreaking MMORPG destined to change the gaming landscape forever – is available now for PC at all good retailers.

RIFT™ is the complete and full-featured MMO experience you’ve been waiting for! Adventure in the world of Telara as either a noble Guardian or techno-magical Defiant and enter a dynamic fantasy where 8 primal forces battle for control and the landscape is ever-changing. Build your own class using the Ascended Soul system and embark on challenging quests to take your RPG experience to new heights of achievement and excitement!

In anticipation of the long-awaited launch, gamers across the world looking for the next big thing in MMORPG’s have been clamouring for RIFT™ and all the revolutionary factors it brings – to the tune of more than ONE MILLION TRION account sign-ups before the game had even launched.

For more info or to sign up for your very own TRION account, visit http://www.riftgame.com/

• Full-Featured: Guilds, dungeons, raids, auctions, crafting, a vibrant economy, Player vs. Player combat, and more!
• Deeper Gameplay: New features like Guild Quests and Artifact Collections enhance your gaming experience by giving you earned achievements that matter.
• Highly Accessible HD Graphics: Play a game that has stunning visuals on virtually any computer, even if your PC isn’t state-of-the-art.
• World as Your Adversary: Extra-planar creatures surge into the world from rifts, turning bastions of safety into frenzied battlefields. Defeat these monsters and earn unique rewards, or use them to your advantage by forcing enemies to engage them. Your choices impact others!
• 8 Primal Forces: Creatures from the Air, Earth, Fire, Water, Life, and Death planes battle for control of the world of Telara! Two warring factions—the Guardians and the Defiant—face off against each other and fight creatures from the planes as they seek to save the world.
• PvP Combat: Battle others in exhilarating Player vs. Player combat! Earn PvP ranks, titles, loot, and unique souls to further enhance your character. Head to four cross-server Warfronts and fight others in world PvP.
• Build Your Class: No other game lets you build your class the way Rift does. Specialize in a single class or pick and choose abilities from many to create a character uniquely suited to your play-style—and have fun while you experiment!
• Choose Your Role: Each character can have up to four different roles, so you can choose different classes for every situation! You might have one for PvP and another for raids; or perhaps you want a high-damage or high-defense build. The choice is yours to mix and match as you see fit!

AGOURA HILLS, Calif. – March 3, 2011 – THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) and Volition, Inc. ® today announced the upcoming release of Saints Row®: The ThirdTM, the highly-anticipated next installment in the multi-million unit selling Saints Row franchise.

Developed by Volition, Inc., Saints Row: The Third is scheduled for release on Xbox 360, PlayStation3, and Windows PC this holiday season.

“Saints Row: The Third puts you on top of the world, right at the beginning of the game, with all the perks that go along with being the head of an elite criminal organization,” said Danny Bilson, THQ Executive Vice President, Core Games. “There’s no delivering pizza, no shuttling family members about in a long series of taxi missions. Instead, you take all the power of the Third Street Saints and you take the world by storm.”

The first details of Saints Row: The Third will be revealed in the exclusive cover story in Game Informer Australia’s April issue, available March 16 2011.

About Saints Row: The Third

Years after taking Stilwater for their own, the Third Street Saints have evolved from street gang to household brand name, with Saints sneakers, Saints energy drinks and Johnny Gat bobble head dolls all available at a store near you. The Saints are kings of Stilwater, but their celebrity status has not gone unnoticed. The Syndicate, a legendary criminal fraternity with pawns in play all over the globe, has turned its eye on the Saints and demands tribute. Refusing to kneel to the Syndicate, you take the fight to a new city, playing out the most outlandish gameplay scenarios ever seen.

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, Saints Row, Saints Row: The Third, Volition, Inc. and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.