With fans eagerly awaiting news on Guild Wars 2, NCsoft and ArenaNet announced its Guardian profession today.  The Guardian calls upon powerful virtues to smite enemies and protect allies. The Guardian is the definitive support fighter, both offensively and defensively.  With a mastery of combat weaponry at his disposal and virtues such as Justice, Courage and Resolve to employ, the Guardian is both a worthy adversary and instrumental ally. The Guardian can also bring his own special skills to aid in the support of his allies and the defeat of his enemies.

A few things to note about the Guardian profession:

• Skill type – Spirit Weapons: As only one of the Guardian’s four special skills, Spirit Weapons allow the Guardian to summon spirit weapons that fight by his side to inflict damage on enemies for a limited time.
• Weaponry: Adept with both melee and magical weapons, the Guardian can choose from a series of armaments such as the Mace, Shield or the two-handed Greatsword.
• Virtues: With the ability to tap into virtues such as Justice, Courage and Resolve, the Guardian can extend the effects of these virtues to support the attack or raise the health of his allies.

For more information on the Guardian including the complete list of Skills, Weapons and Virtues, please visit www.guildwars2.com.

Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s Hop will get its own Doodle Jump Easter Egg

UNIVERSAL CITY, CA, January, 27, 2011 – Apple’s recently announced number one all time top paid U.S. iPhone application, Doodle Jump, will soon receive a visit from E.B., the star of Universal and Illumination Entertainment’s upcoming live action/CG-animated comedy Hop. Set for release in February, the free software update will allow Doodle Jump users to unlock a secret Easter level within the game and play as the film’s leading character.

Hop is the second film from Universal and blockbuster filmmaker Chris Meledandri’s (Despicable Me) Illumination Entertainment. Blending state-of-the-art animation with live action, Hop tells the comic tale of Fred (James Marsden), an out-of-work slacker who accidentally injures the Easter Bunny (Russell Brand) and must take him in as he recovers. Hop is helmed by Tim Hill, director of the blockbuster film Alvin and the Chipmunks and produced by Chris Meledandri’s Illumination Entertainment. The film will be released April 1, 2011.

In Doodle Jump, players guide a lovable character, Doodle The Doodler, on his journey up a sheet of graph paper. Using some of the most subtle and accurate tilt controls in existence, players help Doodle spring up to towering heights as they compete for high scores. Spoofed by Jimmy Fallon on Late Night, used as a fashion statement by a Lady Gaga dancer, mentioned on The Big Bang Theory, and obsessively played by celebrities from Rainn Wilson to the Jonas Brothers, Doodle Jumphas permeated pop-culture since its release in March 2009.

“A movie as creative as Hop calls for an equally creative launch into consumers’ consciousness,” said Director of Mobile for Universal Partnerships & Licensing Calvin Lim. “Lima Sky has captured people’s imagination with their apps, and partnering Lima’s Doodle The Doodler with E.B. is a character match made in heaven.”

“We are honored to be affiliated with this amazing film and accomplished studio. Knowing that a project like this has never been done before adds an extra level of pride to the new ground we’ll break together,” said Igor Pusenjak, president and founder of Lima Sky. “To have Doodle Jump involved with the launch of a major motion picture demonstrates how influential apps have become in just a few short years.”

Lima Sky, the independent iPhone game developer that ushered in app crossovers after its collaboration with Pocket God (number three on Apple’s All-Time Top Paid iPhone App list), is both proud and excited to open its doors to the Hollywood studio’s feature film.

About LimaSky

Lima Sky, the creators of Doodle Jump, Apple’s #1 All-Time Top Paid U.S. iPhone App, is an iOS development studio and publisher dedicated to creating entertaining, innovative and educational games and apps, with a special focus on the youth market. Founded in July 2008 by Igor Pusenjak, a graduate and faculty at the MFA interactive design program at Parsons School of Design in New York, and Marko Pusenjak, a veteran mobile applications developer, Lima Sky has established itself as the leading independent publisher for the iOS platform.

About Universal Partnerships & Licensing

UP&L oversees Universal’s consumer product licensing, film and home entertainment promotions, and all corporate alliances for Universal’s theatrical, home entertainment, theme parks and stage productions. This dedicated division is also responsible for monetizing the Studio’s vast library of films and characters through licensing, branding and marketing opportunities. UP&L is part of NBC Universal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric,with 20% owned by Vivendi.

Razer Continues to Expand its Board of Advisors with Gaming Veterans

Sydney, Australia – Jan. 28th, 2011 – Razer, the world’s leading high-end precision gaming brand, is pleased to welcome Ed Fries to its Board of Advisors. Ed brings to the table 28 years of gaming industry expertise, helping Razer stay on top of its game in delivering the best to gamers worldwide.

Ed Fries created his first video games for the Atari 800 in the early 1980s. He joined Microsoft in 1986, and spent the next ten years as one of the founding developers of both Excel and Word. He subsequently left the Office team to pursue his passion for interactive entertainment and created Microsoft Game Studios.

Over the next eight years, he grew the team from 50 to over 1,200 people, published more than 100 games including more than a dozen platinum titles, co-founded the Xbox project, and made Microsoft one of the leaders in the interactive entertainment business. In 2004, Ed retired as Microsoft Vice President to pursue other video game business interests, as board member, advisor, and consultant to a broad range of publishers, independent game developers and media companies.

“Ed Fries is a video game industry legend who brings significant experience, knowledge and insight to Razer’s Board of Advisors,” said Min-Liang Tan, CEO and Creative Director of Razer. “With his unrivalled passion and innovation, he will certainly have a positive impact on Razer’s future direction.”

“Razer is a company developing some of the most advanced gaming technologies in the industry right now. I look forward to working with the team and providing guidance to continue their successful line of gaming products and developing new growth opportunities.” said Ed Fries, Former Vice President Microsoft Game Studios, CEO Figure Prints, and Co-founder Airtight Games.

About the Razer Group:

Razer™ is more than just the world’s leading brand in high-end precision gaming products, perpetually defining the gaming technology space. Founded in 1998 in Carlsbad, California, Razer is driven by the ceaseless pursuit for absolute precision and heuristics 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. Razer is made up of gamers who live by the motto: For Gamers. By Gamers.

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

Razer Launches Special All-Black Version of the DeathAdder  

Sydney Australia – Jan. 28^th, 2011 – In 2006, the world of gaming was taken by storm when the Razer DeathAdder was unleashed.  Those who wielded it crushed their opponents with ease, and it became synonymous with gaming excellence.  Now, five years on, the DeathAdder is used by more professional gamers than any other gaming mouse, a testament to its prowess in securing them legendary status in the history of competitive gaming.  Razer released the Black Edition as a commemoration of this glorious collaboration between every single gamer and their never-failing, trusty DeathAdder.

“The DeathAdder legacy is something we’re immensely proud of here at Razer,” said Min-Liang Tan, CEO and Creative Director, Razer.  “We set out five years ago to create the most ergonomically perfect mouse; conducting extensive research which spanned thousands of simulations and models.  We even obsessed down to a micro-angle of the profile’s curvature.  The result is a mouse that becomes an extension of the gamer’s hand, the ultimate device for gaming precision.  We’re releasing the DeathAdder Black Edition to celebrate every gamer’s victory and every satisfaction thanks to its exceptionally precise design.”

The Black Edition simplifies the DeathAdder’s form factor design with new non-slip rubber sides for the most comfortable grip and best handling over extended gaming periods.  Its complete-black finish is an aesthetic sight to behold, and a gamer’s show of loyalty to a legacy of ownage.

About the Razer DeathAdder Black Edition

The Razer DeathAdder Black Edition pays tribute to a legacy built on precision and ergonomics, promising gamers the utmost comfort when delivering winning blows during competition.  A familiar and highly ergonomic profile, 3500dpi 3.5G infrared sensor, 1000hz Ultrapolling with 1ms response time, 5 Hypereponse buttons, and On-the-Fly sensitivity adjustment all wrapped in a sleek pitch-black finish makes this the essential mouse for any discerning gamer.

Price: A$79.95

Availability:

Razerzone.com – Now

Worldwide – February 2011

Product Features:

• Ergonomic right-handed design
• 3500dpi Razer Precision 3.5G infrared sensor
• 1000Hz Ultrapolling / 1ms response
• 5 independently programmable Hyperesponse buttons
• On-the-Fly Sensitivity adjustments
• 60 – 120 inches per second and 15g of acceleration
• Zero-acoustic Razer gaming grade Ultraslick mouse feet
• Gold-plated USB connector
• 7-ft lightweight, braided fiber cable
• Side Grip with Non-Slip Rubber Coating
• Approx. size in mm: 128(L) x 70(w) x 42.5(h)

For more information about the Razer DeathAdder Black Edition, please visit www.razerzone.com/deathadder-be

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.

Meticulously designed by an indie team with every gamer in mind.

Orange County, CA — January 27, 2011 — Liv Games announces their highly anticipated hybrid fantasy game, Legendary Wars for iPhone and iPod touch. After more than a year in the making, the project is a true labor of love for the independent development team. Legendary Wars offers an immaculate blend of traditional RTS, RPG and castle defense game-play set in a beautifully crafted, lighthearted fantasy world. The game offers hours of progression, while each battle is playable in just a few minutes. With individually controlled units, unique special abilities, exciting boss encounters, and hordes of varied enemies, the strategic game-play grows as quickly as the cast of fantastic characters.

As players journey through the five mystical, though tumultuous, zones of Legendaria, they set out to unravel the secrets that surround the mysterious Sunstones. Along with detailed landscapes that span snow covered mountains and deadly desert oases, Legendary Wars presents a rich, varied set of arcade mini-games and three unlockable game modes. The story is quickly immersive, and the vibrant art style provides even the most casual gamers with a compelling world to explore.

Throughout over 50 stages, the game introduces an assortment of playable characters, from noble Elven Archers to brash Magical Unicorns. Each unit has upgradable stats, legendary armor to obtain, and unique combat abilities. Players pit these champions against hordes of Netherworld creatures and assorted bosses that range from massive frost-breathing dragons, to rabies-infected werewolves.

Players mine resources and recruit units to send into the fray along 3 lanes of battle. Units can be independently directed to change lanes, advance, retreat, stand guard, or use combat abilities to overwhelm the enemy. Gems collected in battle can then be used to fortify defenses, bolster resource production, and upgrade units.

“Legendary Wars was born after hearing one epic music track in our friend’s garage. That was over a year ago, and since then we’ve been committed to building a big, highly polished adventure that incorporates a hybrid of our favorite game-play styles on iOS,” says Orian Livnat, Creator of Legendary Wars. “This game was only possible because such talented people were able to take a risk and invest so much time and effort in designing a game that we love. We think of it as the upside of the recession, as more than half the team was between jobs at some point this year. Talent and dedication is all you need.”

Legendary Wars for iPhone and iPod touch is available for $2.99 on the iTunes App Store or at:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/legendary-wars/id413423472?mt=8

Brink and Hunted Release Dates Announced

Sydney, Australia – January 28, 2011 – Bethesda Softworks®, a ZeniMax® Media company, today announced the release dates of four multiplatform AAA titles shipping in 2011. Brink™, Hunted: The Demon’s Forge™, RAGE™, and The Elder Scrolls® V: Skyrim™ are all slated for release on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, and Games for Windows.

Brink, an immersive first-person shooter under development at Splash Damage, will be available in North America on May 17th and in Europe, Australia and New Zealand on May 20th. Brink was named as the ‘Game of Show’ at Eurogamer Expo 2010, while G4TV.com declared “Brink takes shooters to a whole new level”. Blending single-player, co-op, and multiplayer action into one seamless experience, Brink features dynamic battlefields, extensive customisation options and an innovative control system.

Hunted, a fantasy action game, will be available in retail stores across North America on June 1st and on store shelves in Europe, Australia and New Zealand on June 3rd. Hunted is a fresh take on the classic dungeon crawl experience that delivers the intensity and action of a modern-day shooter. Hunted, under development at inXile Entertainment, has been called “A Dungeon Crawl for the Gears Age” by Kotaku.com and has been described by Eurogamer as “violent, deceptively thoughtful and witty.”

RAGE, the highly anticipated first-person shooter from legendary developer id Software, will hit retail shelves across North America on September 13th and throughout Europe, Australia and New Zealand on September 16th. The game won numerous awards at E3 2010, including ‘Best Overall Game of Show’ from IGN and three ‘Best of E3’ Game Critics Awards including ‘Best Console Game’. 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.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is the most recently announced title from world-renowned developer Bethesda Game Studios. The studio is widely known for developing the 2008 Game of the Year, Fallout® 3 and the 2006 Game of the Year, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion®. Skyrim, the latest chapter in The Elder Scrolls saga, re-imagines and revolutionises the open-world fantasy epic and will launch worldwide on November 11th (11.11.11).

“We are thrilled to offer our fans such a strong roster of games,” said Vlatko Andonov, president of Bethesda Softworks. “We are excited to present such a diverse line-up of high quality titles. 2011 will be a great year for gamers.”

For more information visit Hunted at www.HuntedTheGame.com, Brink at www.BrinkTheGame.com, RAGE at www.RAGE.com, and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim at www.TheElderScrolls.com.

London (27^th January, 2011) – Wargaming.net today announced the highly-anticipated start of the open beta phase for its upcoming free-to-play action-MMO game World of Tanks.    

After months of closed beta testing the company is ready to invite all players to sign up for the beta at:

http://game.worldoftanks.com/registration/ – for the North American server

http://game.worldoftanks.eu/registration/ – for the European server.

Fans of MMO, action and strategy games, history enthusiasts and all those seeking for adrenaline pumping and fast-paced gameplay, can now download the client and engage into massive tank clashes with a wide variety of legendary WWII-era military hardware available in the game. In cooperation with their friends, players will be able to join the fight for global tank domination in fierce and uncompromising Clan Wars.

“Everyone at Wargaming.net is very excited about launching the open beta as it’s an important milestone in the development of World of Tanks”, said Victor Kislyi, CEO of Wargaming.net. “We want to thank all those players who participated in the closed beta test and helped us make the game open to a bigger audience by reporting bugs and providing valuable feedback. Now it’s time for us to further enhance and polish the game before its final release”.  

For more information on World of Tanks, visit http://www.worldoftanks.com/. 

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

Haarlem, The Netherlands – 26 January 2011 – Iceberg Interactive and indie development studio Wax Lyrical Games today announce that Baron Wittard: Nemesis of Ragnarok (PC) is now Gold and has entered the manufacturing process. The suspense adventure game will hit retail stores across Europe and various other territories, as well as digital download portals, on 18 February 2011.

Press who feel bold enough to start a solitary exploration of a desolate, monumental pleasure dome bursting with mystery and secrets, can now request a digital review code from Iceberg Interactive using the contact details provided below. Full retail product review copies of Baron Wittard: Nemesis of Ragnarok will become available in mid-February and can also already be requested.

The eccentric architect Baron Wittard has built something really special: a city inside a building. This monumental pleasure dome, called ‘The Utopia’, features 1000 apartments, a shopping mall, and hundreds of offices and leisure facilities. All under one roof. Its grand opening was supposed to have been two years ago. That event never happened. A chain of mysterious events has now left the Utopia abandoned and silent. People have gone missing. Electromagnetic disturbances are increasing.

These happenings all point to Wittard’s desolate Utopia. Armed with only a camera and a torch, you must journey there alone to explore its winding corridors, its secret passageways, and its gloomy halls. Local townspeople say Wittard kept a terrible secret. They speak fearfully of someone or something malevolent lurking at his city. They say it is waiting and growing in power. They say time is running out…

What the press is saying

• “Baron Wittard is a remarkably scary and beautiful exploration game.” – Gamercast.net
• “Baron Wittard: Nemesis of Ragnarok holds a decent pace with enough suspense to keep even the most level headed of people on the edge of their seats.” – Square-go.com
• “The haunting musical scores and eerie silences all combine to immerse you … shaping up to be a great game…” – Gaminglives.com
• “…shaping up to be a highly enjoyable and unsettling adventure.” – Game-debate.com
• “…plenty of solitary exploration, lots of puzzles, and a bit of Scandinavian mythology to boot.” – AdventureGamers.com

The Highest Rated Game on Xbox 360 and PC in 2010 Comes to PS3, Including Six Hours of Bonus Missions and New Exclusive Mass Effect Genesis Interactive Comic

Sydney, AUSTRALIA – January 27, 2011 – The time has arrived for PlayStation®3 owners to take on the role of Commander Shepard and to join his fight to save humanity! BioWare™, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), announced today that Mass Effect™ 2 is now available on the PlayStation 3 in Australian and New Zealand stores and on the PlayStation® Network*. The PlayStation 3 version of Mass Effect 2, which received a perfect 10 out of 10 score from PlayStation: The Official Magazine, will include six hours of bonus content, including ” Kasumi – Stolen Memories”, “Overlord” and the award-winning “Lair of the Shadow Broker”.

“The PlayStation 3 version of Mass Effect 2 offers gamers a great entry point to the Mass Effect experience,” said Casey Hudson, Executive Producer of the Mass Effect franchise. “We’re extremely excited and proud to now bring PlayStation 3 owners the opportunity to explore the rich and tumultuous universe of Mass Effect and shape the story and events within it by the individual choices they make.

The Mass Effect trilogy is an epic science fiction adventure set in a vast universe filled with dangerous alien life and mysterious, uncharted planets. In Mass Effect 2, players will step into the role of the heroic Commander Shepard, commanding their crew of some of the most dangerous operatives from across the galaxy on a mission so challenging that it’s potentially suicidal. Featuring intense shooter action, a rich futuristic storyline, space exploration and emotionally engaging character interaction, the game delivers an unparalleled cinematic experience. Mass Effect 2 has received more than 120 awards, including 2010 Game of the Year honors from IGN.com, MSNBC.com, GameTrailers.com, Eurogamer.net, Game Reactor and G4TV who praised it as “one of the best synergies of writing, role-playing, and combat.”

Mass Effect Genesis, an interactive comic from Dark Horse Comics and BioWare, will also be available exclusively on the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, giving players a high-level overview of the events of the original Mass Effect. The interactive comic offers players the chance to make critical choices that will affect their storyline in Mass Effect 2 and beyond. Mass Effect Genesis is included in the Cerberus Pack, a downloadable content pack included for first time purchasers of Mass Effect 2 on PlayStation 3. Players who do not have original access to the Cerberus Pack can purchase it for $23.95 on the PlayStation Network.

Mass Effect 2 on the PlayStation 3 is rated MA15+, and is now available in Australia and New Zealand. For more information, please visit http://masseffect.bioware.com/  and follow the development team at twitter.com/masseffect2 or at http://www.facebook.com/masseffect .

*Requires PlayStation Network account and internet connection

A new year, a fresh new start, and a time to make sure you keep more in touch with those you love.

Did you know that Windows 7 and Kinect for Xbox 360 work together to keep you connected with your friends and family – no matter where you are?  

And did you know that Microsoft is now presenting a bonus  4GB Kinect for Xbox 360 bundle by redemption with any DLNA supported PC over $1999*, which includes Windows 7 PCs  for a limited time only

Enabling the best of both worlds, this offer connects the power and multi-tasking capabilities of a computer with the extraordinary controller-free gaming experience of Kinect – making it indispensable for students on the move.

Simply purchase selected DLNA supported PC over $1999, which includes Windows 7 PCs from a participating retailer*, and you can receive a bonus Kinect for Xbox 360 4GB console, a Kinect sensor and Kinect Adventures game by redemption valued at RRP$499 Including GST.

Window to anywhere

Windows 7 PCs and Kinect for Xbox 360 have excellent compatibility features that work together to enable video chat from PC to Xbox 360 and Kinect**. Using Windows Live Messenger 2011*** and Video Kinect*** you can stay connected wherever you are.

Need to see more of your friends and family?

Get even better connected with your Windows Live and Xbox Live contacts. Kinect will detect movement and recognise how many people are in the frame – you can get the entire gang in the picture without anyone missing the action!

So, whether you’re out and about with a Windows 7 PC, or at home in the lounge room with Kinect for Xbox 360, Windows 7 and Kinect can bring together entertainment and video chat to keep you in the picture – and ensure you don’t leave friends and family behind.

More about the Offer?

Details for the redemption are available on www.windows7bonus.com.au. This offer is valid for purchases made between the period of 13^th January 2011 and the 28^th February 2011, with the final date for all redemptions to be claimed by 31^st March 2011*.