(Feb 21, 2011) IObit, one of the biggest software vendors for system utilities and security software, today announced a giveaway of Game Booster Premium 2, an extraordinarily powerful program that greatly improves computer performance for gamers to enjoy better gaming experience.

The Game Booster 2 Premium (original priced $19.95) giveaway will last for an entire week from Feb. 21 to Feb 27. Users who want to get the free license code just need to follow the steps of the Giveaway page. In one word, simply “share the news (Game Booster Giveaway) on their Facebook wall”. IObit wants to take this giveaway as a “celebration of the release of Game Booster 2” and to “show their gratitude towards their users’ long-term support and their help (feedbacks) to make Game Booster better”.

“This is a big event for gamers” Said Kevin Zhou, Marketing Director of IObit, “now you can have all the advanced features in Game Booster Premium 2 to bring your gaming experience to a different level. Enjoy your game with higher FPS and less lags!”

Game Booster 2 is designed as a “one-click-switch” to turn any PC into a “game machine” that provides a better and smoother gaming experience. It works by temporarily shutting down unnecessary background processes and services to concentrate the computer’s resources on the gaming application being played. Afterwards, users can easily switch the PC back to normal operation, restarting all the shut-down processes and services. According to a recent user survey, 80% of gaming enthusiasts say their gaming experience is “remarkably improved” by Game Booster 2.

For more information of this giveaway, please visit
http://db.iobit.com/gamebooster/share.php

About IObit
Founded in 2004, IObit is focusing on providing end-users with the most innovative and comprehensive system utilities and security software for best PC performance and security. Thanks to his flag-ship product Advanced SystemCare, IObit is now a well established and popular software company with millions of active users worldwide.

New, Free Tool Helps Consumers Steer Clear of Unsafe Sites, Hijacked Search Terms, ID Theft and Scams

AUSTRALIA, Sydney – February 17, 2011 – To protect and inform the billions of people online, Norton today introduced the Norton Cybercrime Index, which tracks and warns computer users about daily cybercrime risks around the world, providing information that is timely and actionable. With recent threats like the Here You Have (H-Y-H) virus, which tried to shut down electronic communications worldwide, and the high-profile attacks by Zeus botnets, computer users need a tool that makes understanding today’s online threats simple and easy. The Norton Cybercrime Index alerts consumers to today’s online trouble-spots and potential hazards, including the day’s most dangerous websites, the most hijacked search terms by cybercriminals, as well as top scams, identity theft and spam. The free tool includes expert news about the day’s most dangerous threat and advice on how to avoid it to stay safe online.

At its most basic, the Norton Cybercrime Index answers the question, “What’s your online risk today?,” showing you the day’s risk rating and putting it in the context of highs and lows, much like a stock index would. However, with the Norton Cybercrime Index, when the number goes up, consumers are more at risk. The tool gives people one easy-to-understand visual for today’s level of online risk. The Norton Cybercrime Index can be viewed online, via a mobile-optimised site, or downloaded onto a PC*. Norton 360 version 5.0, which is available today, also provides quick access to the Norton Cybercrime Index.

“Most of us go online daily to work, play, and socialise, and yet it’s one of the most dangerous activities we engage in, because there are so many threats lurking online,” said Adam Palmer, Norton Lead Cyber Security Advisor. “Norton fights cybercrime in a number of ways, including through education. Our goal is to have people add the Norton Cybercrime Index to their daily routine to get a clear understanding of the dangers that are threatening them online, and to take preventative action to avoid falling victim.”

How it works

Whether people have ten seconds or two minutes, the Norton Cybercrime Index can give them the information they need to make smart decisions online and stay out of trouble. For example, computer users can take a quick look at the Norton Cybercrime Index in the morning to see if today’s threat level number is up or down from yesterday; this tells them at a glance if the Internet is more dangerous than it was 24 hours ago. People who have 30 seconds can check out the day’s most hijacked search terms, and which websites are the most dangerous, so they can stay away from those terms and sites. Consumers can then opt to take a deeper dive into the data to see exactly how cybercriminals are trying to take advantage of people online today.

The Norton Cybercrime Index consists of one number indicating today’s threat level. The number is based on an algorithm that calculates data from three sources. The primary source is the Symantec Global Intelligence Network, one of the industry’s most comprehensive sources of intelligence about online threats. The Symantec Global Intelligence Network monitors more than 130 million servers worldwide to keep track of new threats and attacks. In addition, consumer risk management firm ID Analytics, and DataLossDB, a research project from the Open Security Foundation, provide data about identity fraud and data loss, respectively.

All this raw information is fed into an algorithm, endorsed by the Institute for Cyber Security at The University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA), which assigns values to the number of online threats each day. This results in each day’s Norton Cybercrime Index number, updated every morning. An analyst provides ongoing commentary on each day’s threats, including warnings and recommendations about how to proceed with caution.

“Many people are leaving themselves wide open to identity fraud by sharing private information online, such as their birth date or home town. We see the results of this risky behavior with our unique real-time visibility into identity activity,” said Tom Oscherwitz, chief privacy officer of ID Analytics. “By contributing to the Norton Cybercrime Index, ID Analytics is helping to provide consumers with daily insight into their risk level for cybercrime and how they can better protect themselves and their identities online.”

Designed to inform and help people navigate around online threats, the Norton Cybercrime Index, coupled with a comprehensive security solution like Norton 360 version 5.0, which launched today, helps consumers stay one step ahead of cybercrime.

Today Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Snowblind Studios share a new behind the scenes video for the upcoming Action RPG The Lord of the Rings: War in the North featuring insight on the story and design process for the title. We invite you to learn about the team’s inspiration and the methods employed by the passionate team at Snowblind, as the newest chapter in J.R.R. Tolkien’s legacy comes to life.

Fans are well-versed in the war to the South, but as told by Gandalf himself, Middle-earth would have fallen without the bravery of a few heroes in the North. The Lord of the Rings: War in the North development team, including game designers, engineers, art directors and more, have committed to visualizing the unknown tale of the war in the North for fans who have only dreamed of it. Lesser-known areas and environments in literature have been fully realized in-game in stunning form, such as the ominous citadel known as Carn Dûm. Prepare to take a very long road into darkness, uncovering the quest to save Middle-earth on a brand new battle-front.

For more information please visit www.WarInTheNorth.com, and don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/lotrwitn and follow us on Twitter @WarInTheNorth.

Bethesda Softworks are pleased to announce that they’ve released a new trailer for RAGE, the highly anticipated shooter from id Software. Download details are below. The trailer features an original track, Burning Jacob’s Ladder, by singer Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees, Queens of the Stone Age, Gutter Twins).

RAGE features intense first-person shooter action, breakneck vehicle combat, an expansive world to explore and jaw-dropping graphics powered by id’s revolutionary id Tech™ 5 technology. Set in the not-too-distant future after an asteroid impacts Earth, you emerge into a vast wasteland to discover humanity working to rebuild itself against such forces as bandit gangs, mutants, and more. From the pioneers of first-person shooter gameplay, RAGE promises an experience like no other.

RAGE is slated for release on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC in North America on September 13th, Australia and New Zealand on September 15th and across Europe on September 16th. For more information on RAGE visit www.RAGE.com.

Critically acclaimed musician and voice actor reprises his role as the ultimate evil

Sydney, Australia – February 18, 2011 – 2K Games announced today that acclaimed singer, songwriter and voice actor, Mike Patton, will reprise his role as The Darkness in The Darkness™ II, the sequel to the beloved 2007 video game release. The avant-garde rock artist, known as the front man of Faith No More, Mr. Bungle and Peeping Tom, lends his unique voice acting talents as The Darkness – a supernatural force of chaos and destruction. Additionally, 2K Games will be showcasing The Darkness II, for the first time to press during the Game Developers Conference 2011 in San Francisco from March 2 – 4.

“The story behind The Darkness II wouldn’t be complete or authentic without the character of The Darkness,” said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. “Mike Patton brings a completely unique perspective to the role which is essential in creating the world of The Darkness.”

Players control Jackie Estacado, who inherited the demonic powers of The Darkness on his 21st birthday from his father who carried the curse before him. By staying in the shadows and avoiding the light, Jackie can summon the tremendous powers of The Darkness to eviscerate his enemies with deadly Demon Arms and supernatural abilities, all while enduring the taunts and goading of the evil that consumes him.

“It feels really good to be the bad guy, and The Darkness is as bad as it gets,” said Mike Patton. “I’ve read through the script and Jackie is going to be a brutally tortured soul. I’m looking forward to making his life a living hell.”

The Darkness II breaks out of the sea of conventional first-person shooters with its fervid Quad-Wielding gameplay, which will allow players to slash, grab, and throw objects and enemies with their Demon Arms while simultaneously firing two weapons. The game is layered with the use of dark versus light, steeped in deep and twisted storytelling, and engulfed in stylistic violence that is visualized through a hand-painted graphic noir technique that stays true to its comic book origins.

Based on the supernatural horror comic book series created by Top Cow Productions, Inc., The Darkness II will be coming to the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Windows PC in fall 2011. The Darkness II is not yet rated by the Australian Classification Board. For more information on The Darkness II, please visit www.embracethedarkness.com.

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

Sydney – 18 February 2011 – Sony Corporation (“Sony”) announces that “Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity™,” will be available today in the U.S., Australia and New Zealand – https://music.qriocity.com

“Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity™” is a new, cloud-based, digital music service which gives music lovers access at any time to a constantly growing catalogue of millions of songs from major labels including Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group and EMI Music as well as leading independent labels and major publishers worldwide. The “Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity” catalogue will initially offer about six million songs and will continue to expand over time.

The service debuted in the U.K. and Ireland in December 2010 and became available in France, Germany, Italy and Spain in January 2011, representing one of the fastest global roll-outs ever seen for a digital music service.

Users can play music any time through “Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity” on a wide variety of Internet-connected Sony devices including Sony’s 2010 and 2011 models of network-enabled BRAVIA® TV, Blu-ray Disc™ player, Blu-ray Disc Home Theatre system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system as well as VAIO and other personal computers.   All existing PlayStation 3 computer entertainment systems in these countries will have access to the service.  It will also become available on a wide range of Sony’s portable devices, as well as on Sony and third-party Android-based mobile devices and other portable devices.

“As we expand ‘Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity’ around the globe, it signifies a paradigm shift which redefines the existing music listening experience by revolutionising music access, discovery, integration and personalisation,” said Kazuo Hirai, President of Networked Products & Services Group, Sony Corporation. “Through Sony’s high quality network-enabled devices, we are focused on delivering dynamic services ‘powered by Qriocity’ to offer global customers with compelling digital entertainment propositions.”

“By combining real choice and convenience, a fully integrated entertainment experience and global reach, Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity provides a compelling new way for fans to connect with Universal Music’s market leading roster of artists and their music,” stated Rob Wells, President of Global Digital Business at Universal Music Group.

“We are very supportive of a cloud?based music service such as Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity – it’s about consumer convenience and access to all the music you want from all the devices you have,” said Thomas Hesse, President of Global Digital Business, U.S. Sales and Corporate Strategy at Sony Music Entertainment.  “It starts with the living room, which has really been underserved in terms of digital music. There has not been much innovation in the living room, yet that’s where more than 70 percent of consumers say they listen to music.  Sony has a unique position in the living room, with its PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, for example, connected to the Internet, televisions, and surround sound systems in millions of living rooms around the globe.”

“When we look at U.S. consumers, we see a large segment that we characterise as ‘lean back’ who are frequent listeners to terrestrial radio and listen to more than 20 hours of music a week. This is a very committed and engaged segment that loves music. They will be reached in the digital living room before they would be reached through the current digital music offerings,” said Michael Nash, Executive Vice President of Digital Strategy and Business Development at Warner Music Group. “Sony has listened to the consumer and has devised a service that is very well targeted to this marketplace opportunity.”

“The expansion of Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity into the US and Australasia provides a great opportunity to grow the digital music market further in both regions,” said Mark Piibe, Executive Vice President – Global Business Development at EMI Music. “Sony Network Entertainment, together with their partners Omnifone and Gracenote, possess tremendous reach and a compelling new platform for consumers to discover and enjoy the music they love. This is a welcome addition to the digital music market, and we are happy to support it.”

“Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity” Features

With Basic (US$3.99, AU$4.99, NZ$5.99) and Premium (US$9.99, AU$12.99, NZ$13.99) monthly subscription plans, “Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity” offers breadth of content and easy music discovery features cited as most important by music enthusiasts.

The Basic plan works as an infinite ad-free radio station and subscribers can listen to dozens of personalised channels – categorised by genre, era as well as mood through SensMe™*1 – without the requirement to download or manage their music files. Additionally, the Premium subscription plan offers a one-time 30 day Premium free trial enabling users to listen in full to every song on demand, create personal playlists of favourites, and gain access to premium Top 100 channels which are regularly updated with the latest hits.

By studying users’ listening habits, incorporating their ‘like/dislike’ song ratings, analysing their existing music collections and more, “Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity” adapts to users’ music preferences and constantly tailors music channels to offer the most compatible and enjoyable list of songs. Therefore, the more you listen, the more uniquely personalised your music channels become. 

Furthermore, users can also synchronise their existing music files and playlists from other media players including iTunes® into “Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity,” and enjoy their existing music at any time across all compatible devices*2.

Powering the back-end of “Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity” are Omnifone™ and Gracenote®.  Omnifone provided its award-winning platform services to develop and deliver the service across a range of device platforms as well as licensed the service with rights holders around the world to provide a global catalogue of more than six million tracks, while Gracenote’s music identification and discovery technologies and Global Media Database create a rich experience for subscribers, letting them enjoy their existing digital music collection and discover new artists and albums within the service.

Sony also debuted “Video On Demand powered by Qriocity™,” the first service ‘powered by Qriocity,’ in April 2010 in the U.S. Currently, “Video On Demand powered by Qriocity” is also available in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain and the U.K. Through the same log-in ID & wallet*3, users can access both “Video On Demand powered by Qriocity” and “Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity” across their compatible devices*4.

*1 SensMe™ is Sony’s proprietary 12 Tone Analysis technology to evaluate music tracks

*2 Applies to DRM-free music files and to music which has been licensed for playback on “Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity”

*3 PlayStation®Network users can use their existing PSN log-in ID & wallet to access “Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity”

*4 Applicable in markets where both services are currently available i.e. France, Germany, Italy, Spain, U.S. and the U.K

“Qriocity™” is a trademark of Sony Corporation

“PlayStation®” is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

‘”iTunes®” is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.

18 February 2011, Australia & New Zealand – For anyone that has ever fantasised about racing in a Lamborghini or Porsche, or racing around the open world of Seacrest County in up to eight player events, their prayers have been answered with three all-new content packs – Armed and Dangerous, Lamborghini Untamed and Porsche Unleashed – releasing in consecutive weeks.

Starting from 23 February, these content packs will increase the intensity of the ever-popular police chases, superior racing and addictive social competition that Need for Speed™ Hot Pursuit delivers.

Need for Speed Hot Pursuit: Armed and Dangerous

The first pack, Need for Speed Hot Pursuit: Armed and Dangerous, contains two all-new game modes that expand and extend the spectacular online experience. “Most Wanted” is an open world battle where the cops are out to bust a specific racer while the racers battle to protect them, making full use of the open world, weaponry and demanding team tactics. In “Arms Race”, it’s every man for himself as racers use their full arsenal of weaponry on each other in ruthless races to the finish. In addition, this pack also contains three new trophies and achievements. Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Armed and Dangerous will be available beginning 23 February for AUD$11.45 / NZD$15.50 (560 Microsoft Points) on the PlayStation®Network or Xbox LIVE™ Marketplace.

Need for Speed Hot Pursuit: Lamborghini Untamed

Lamborghini Untamed adds three of the world’s most famous Lamborghini’s to the game, but with a Need for Speed Hot Pursuit twist; the legendary Lamborghini Diablo SV, Lamborghini Countach LP5000 QV and Lamborghini Sesto Elemento will all be playable as both a cop and a racer. In addition to this, the Lamborghini Untamed content pack will include 10 new events and four new trophies and achievements. Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Lamborghini Untamed will be available beginning 2 March for AUD$11.45 / NZD$15.50 (560 Microsoft Points) on the PlayStation Network or Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

Need for Speed Hot Pursuit: Porsche Unleashed

The third pack, Porsche Unleashed, continues to add to the already stellar lineup of Porsche cars in the game. Any car enthusiast will be delighted to see the Porsche 911 Turbo (1982 Edition) make its way into the game, along with the Porsche 959 and 911 Speedster. The Porsche 911 Turbo is a high performance tier one car, designed to enable players to go back and reignite their earliest rivalries and beat their friends’ times. Also included in this pack are 10 new events and four new trophies and achievements. Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Porsche Unleashed will be available beginning 9 March for AUD$11.45 / NZD$15.50 (560 Microsoft Points) on the PlayStation Network or Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

About Need for Speed Hot Pursuit

Need for Speed Hot Pursuit is transforming online racing by capturing the adrenaline and intensity of high speed cop pursuits and changing the way that people connect and compete with their friends. Need for Speed Hot Pursuit introduces a revolutionary social network called Need for Speed Autolog, which seamlessly connects players with their friends by automatically tracking and comparing each person’s performances. Autolog also serves up challenges based on what your friends have been doing, creating a simple, yet brilliantly dynamic social-gaming experience.

Developed by Criterion Games, Need for Speed Hot Pursuit is available now on the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, PC and the Wii™*. Need for Speed Hot Pursuit is also now live on the AppStore for iPhone®, iPod touch® and iPad mobile digital devices.

L.A. Noire Original Artwork: Fallen Starlet

Presenting a new release from the L.A. Noire Original Artwork Collection – one you may have seen amongst the backgrounds featured on the recently launched official L.A. Noire website.  

The Fallen Starlet is now available as a hi-res desktop background, in all popular wallpaper sizes (including mobile formats) as well as avatars and buddy icons from the Downloads section of L.A. Noire site and the Rockstar site.

LA Noire is coming to the Xbox 360® and PlayStation®3 on May 20, 2011 in Australia and New Zealand.

Evans to Portray the Heroic Captain America in Original Action Adventure Video Game

Friday 18^th February 2011 – SEGA^® Europe Ltd. and SEGA^® of America, Inc. today announced they have signed film star Chris Evans to voice the title role in the upcoming action adventure Captain America: Super Soldier. The actor’s likeness will also be used in the game, which is based on the seminal and iconic franchise from Marvel Entertainment.   Chris Evans has acted in over 31 stage, television, game and film roles, before portraying the title role in the 2011 movie Captain America: The First Avenger and in SEGA’s upcoming game, Captain America: Super Soldier. 

“Signing Chris to star in Captain America: Super Soldier will help deliver a true cinematic quality and emotional drive for the game” said Gary Knight, Senior Vice President of Marketing at SEGA of Europe and SEGA of America. “Chris will help bring Captain America to life as he battles through the enormous Hydra castle full of legendary villains in a completely original story.”

In Captain America: Super Soldier, players become Captain America as he faces the Red Skull and his Hydra army in an epic third-person action adventure set in the darkest days of World War II. Wielding Captain America’s legendary shield, gamers will engage in free-flowing combat and acrobatic platforming to infiltrate a mysterious castle overtaken by Hydra forces, where they’ll battle a host of nefarious enemies serving the Red Skull, including the infamous Iron Cross, Baron Strucker and Madame Hydra. Players must defeat the evil scientist Arnim Zola and his wartime experiments, combining powerful melee combos and shield attacks to devastating effect.

Captain America: Super Soldier is scheduled for release in 2011 on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Wii™ and Nintendo DS™.

For further information on this title please visit www.captainamericagame.com

18 February 2011, Australia & New Zealand – What do you get when you combine one of the richest RPGs with the creator of one of the most watched web series of all time? Dragon Age™: Redemption. This all-new six-part web series is based in the Dragon Age universe and created by Felicia Day, the force behind the blockbuster web series “The Guild.” Scheduled to premiere this summer, Dragon Age: Redemption is set in the same time period as BioWare’s Dragon Age II.

“I’m a huge Dragon Age fan, and I have been looking for a follow up project to ‘The Guild’ for quite some time,” said Day. “I was thrilled when the opportunity to work with BioWare materialised. Dragon Age: Redemption allows me to tell a fantasy story in a new way, using a universe I really love. It has been a dream working together.”

In Dragon Age: Redemption, Day stars as Tallis, an Elven assassin hired by the Qunari to capture a rogue mage intent on wreaking havoc throughout the world. In her quest to find this dangerous mage, Tallis is joined by other companions who are not always aligned in their beliefs and goals, but who band together to defeat their foe, in an attempt to restore peace and balance to this dark fantasy universe.

Day’s original web series, “The Guild,” which follows the story of a group of players in a fictitious MMORPG, was an instant internet phenomenon, attracting more than 100 million viewers in three years. Day is also known as the main love interest, Penny, in Joss Whedon’s Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, and for her recurring role as Vi on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. For more information about Felicia, including updates on Dragon Age: Redemption, please follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/feliciaday.

Dragon Age II has been named by CNN, Yahoo! Games, GameSpot and Wired.com among others as one of the most anticipated games of 2011. Gamers can get a small taste of what BioWare’s action RPG has to offer when the Dragon Age II demo launches February 22 on the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, the PlayStation®3 computer and entertainment system and PC.

Dragon Age II will be available in stores on 10 March in Australia and 11 March in New Zealand, and is available on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 console, PC and Mac®. The Mac version will be available on the PC disc of the game or by digital download at http://gametreemac.com. For more information on Dragon Age II and Dragon Age: Redemption, please visit http://dragonage.bioware.com/, http://dragonage.BioWare.com/da2/feliciaday or follow the game at twitter.com/dragonage.