Fruit Ninja has become one of the world’s most recognizable names in App Store gaming. To celebrate Thanksgiving AND crossing the three million player milestone, Halfbrick is having a sale on Fruit Ninja HD for iPad – now 40% off worldwide!

Chosen as a featured game on the recent iPad TV commercial, Fruit Ninja HD currently includes all the modes found since the original release, along with the brand new Arcade Mode which offers powerups, combo blitzes and multipliers to achieve epic high scores! Exclusively found in Fruit Ninja HD for iPad is the split-screen local multiplayer mode with both Zen Duel and Classic Attack.

Now is the best time to Fruit Ninja HD at a reduced price, with new Game Center content including online multiplayer coming in a free update very soon. For US$2.99, new players will receive all of the goodies released so far, along with all of the future free updates to be released – in glorious HD!

There’s no better time to get a slice of the action on iPad – and we’re not waiting around! Fruit Ninja HD is on sale right now, and will be available at 40% off for the entire Thanksgiving weekend.

Blog: http://www.halfbrick.com/2010/11/fruit-ninja-hd-40-off/

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V0ovII6bgo

Media Pack: www.halfbrick.com/assets/FruitNinjaHD_MediaPack.rar

About Halfbrick

Halfbrick is a professional game development studio based in Brisbane, Australia. Founded in 2001, it has developed popular titles for the Game Boy Advance, PSP, PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS, with expansion into XBLA, PS3 and iPhone development. For further information, please visit www.halfbrick.com and follow on Twitter, Youtube and Facebook!

MINDSCAPE ANNOUNCES NEW TRACKS AND DLC FOR U-SING 2 AUSTRALIAN EDITION!

More Aussie and international artists added to U-SING 2’s amazing track list and download store

SYDNEY, 24 November, 2010: Mindscape has announced new tracks to feature in its upcoming Wii karaoke title, U-SING 2 Australian Edition. In an exclusive for Wii, additional tracks will also be available for purchase via the Nintendo U- Store using Wii points.

The Australian edition will feature 40 tracks in game with 16 tracks from Australian artists. New Aussie artists to be announced include Missy Higgins, Nick Cave and Kylie Minogue, Powderfinger, the Divinyls, the Living End, the Potbelleez and the Presets.

“Mindscape’s partnership with Universal Music has enabled us to provide the best in Australian and international artists, with regular additions to our track library also available via the U- Store. The U-Store download feature will enable players to expand their music library in exchange for Wii points, by downloading additional songs from Universal’s extensive back catalogue,” said Tony Hughes, CEO for Mindscape Asia Pacific.

See below the complete in-game track list for U-SING 2 Australian Edition.

From their ARIA award winning album, Birds of Tokyo’s Plans will also be available for download on launch day via the U- Store.

U-SING 2- Australian Edition will be released on December 3^rd for Nintendo Wii.

You can fan U-SING Australia on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/U-Sing-Australia/153141008057119 or the international U-SING Facebook fan page at

http://www.facebook.com/pages/U-Sing-Australia/153141008057119#!/usingthegame

Parrot AR.Drone: The invasion begins…

The first quadricopter for video games piloted by Wi-Fi will be available in Australia from 30 November 2010 for $349

High res images available upon request.

Sydney – 24 November 2010: Parrot, a leader in wireless peripheral for mobile phones, today announces the launch of the Parrot AR.Drone in Australia, a quadricopter which uses augmented reality and is piloted using an iPod touch®, iPhone® or an iPad™.

With incredibly intuitive handling, the Parrot AR.Drone achieves spectacular flights and enables video games play in augmented reality.

Become the pilot of a one-of-a-kind quadricopter, where the real and virtual worlds come together to offer an unparalleled gaming experience.

The front-camera broadcasts and streams what the drone is ‘seeing’ onto the iPod touch or iPhone screen; and the image processing allows the integration of real-time special effects to produce an augmented reality.

Pattern Ergonomic piloting

With its shaped cockpit driven by 4 propellers with brushless motors, the Parrot AR.Drone offers great manoeuvrability and stability during piloting.

The Parrot AR.Drone generates its own Wi-Fi network (there is no need for an Internet connection or router) and you simply need to connect an iPod touch or iPhone. Once the “AR.FreeFlight” application has been downloaded for free from the App StoreTM, the iPod touch/iPhone turns into a true piloting station.

Touch the take-off button on the screen of the iPod touch/iPhone and the Parrot AR.Drone starts its engine, takes-off, stabilises a few feet from the ground and waits for the pilot’s instructions.

The player simply puts their left thumb on the screen and a control button will position under it. The accelerometer of the iPod touch/iPhone detects movements, so the Parrot AR.Drone moves forward, backwards or sideways depending on the inclinations and movements of the iPod touch/iPhone.

Another command button on the right of the iPod touch/iPhone screen controls the AR.Drone to ascend, descend or rotate.

In Ace mode, a single button enables the player full control to pilot the AR.Drone.

Touch the landing button and the quadricopter will land and stop its engines.

A unique, high-tech quadricopter

The Parrot AR.Drone is made of carbon fibre and high resistance PA66 plastic.

The heart of the AR.Drone contains MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanicals Systems), 3 axes accelerometer, 2 gyrometers [1 axe & 2 axes], one ultrasound sensor and two cameras:
· The first camera, located underneath the body, is connected to an Inertial Measurement Unit which enables the AR.Drone to measure its horizontal speed and perform incredible stationary flights. The system of image comparison allows for compensation of turbulence due to the wind during outside flights.
These technologies are usually used for professional or military applications and have been adapted to the gaming universe for the first time.

· The second camera, at the front of the quadricopter, broadcasts and streams what the drone is ‘seeing’ onto the iPod touch/iPhone screen, as if the player was in the pilot’s position.

This camera plays a major role in video gaming due to its use of form recognition, which allows for augmented reality.

For example, the front camera will recognise another AR.Drone in a simulated battle between two quadricopters, or recognise real-life tags which will turn into obstacles, monsters or robots on the screen of the iPod touch/iPhone.

Since the development version was introduced at CES 2010, the AR.Drone’s video streaming has been enhanced and the front of the hull has been strengthened to better protect the camera.

Players can choose which camera they prefer to view or display the two cameras simultaneously on the screen of the iPod touch/iPhone.

New game rules

With the AR.Drone, Parrot brings the worlds of video gaming and radio-controlled models together for the first time.

In fact, this unique quadricopter is able to recreate a large number of video games in the real world and offers multi-player possibilities thanks to augmented reality.

Games will be available to download from the App StoreSM very soon, delivering unprecedented gaming experiences for pilots.

A new look for inside and outside flights

The Parrot AR.Drone is designed for flying both inside and outside.

For flying outside, a shaped hull reduces the area impacted by the wind and offers extreme manoeuvrability.

3 hulls are available:
– orange and yellow
– orange and green
– orange and blue

These vivid colours help the pilot follow the AR.Drone’s movements easily.
These colours are also easily ‘seen’ by the AR.Drone’s front-camera, which enables it to identify a competitor during two-player battles.

For indoor flight, a specific hull – with a white, grey and black cockpit – surrounds and protects the propellers if the AR.Drone hits an obstacle. Stickers, with colours similar to the shaped hull, can be fixed on each arch to enable drone battles inside.

Finally, electroluminescent diodes (green at the front, red on the back), are positioned on the landing gear and enable the pilot to easily manoeuvre his/her AR.Drone. These diodes also activate and react to the action during the game.

A pilots community

Available at www.ardrone.com, the AR.Drone-Pilot Academy is a website dedicated to Parrot AR.Drone users and fans.

This website hosts approximately twenty videos and detailed information on the AR.Drone.

· Training Zone
This area of the website contains everything to help the pilot, from their first encounter with the AR.Drone, to advanced piloting tips.

How to prepare your AR.Drone (installation of the battery, configuration Wi-Fi / iPod touch – iPhone…), pilot (control of the accelerometer…), perform sophisticated figures (circles, « 8 », half-turn, slalom, obstacles race…), practice aerial battles (offensive and defensive manœuvres, indoor and outdoor battles…)

· Community Zone
Pilots will be able to post their videos online, share and discuss their experiences on forums and follow AR.Drone news (via Facebook, Twitter…)

An open development platform

Since its introduction at CES 2010, the Software Development Kit is available for developers to create games for the AR.Drone. Source code porting on other platforms is also feasible from the SDK.

Imagination and ingenuity are the only limits for developing games for the AR.Drone.

To download the SDK or get more information, visit https://projects.ardrone.org

Parrot AR.Drone: a technological first

The development of the AR.Drone took more than four years of research and development, and the creation of about 20 patents.

For the first time, a consumer product encompasses:
· A quadricopter made in carbon fibre and high resistance PA66 plastic, with 4 brushless engines embedded
· An inertial unit with MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) combining video processing with an automatic piloting software to ensure very intuitive piloting of a radio controlled object
· Wi-Fi and video streaming for a modern gaming interface with an iPod touch/iPhone
· Image processing software for augmented reality

Parrot has been developing wireless technologies for 15 years and engineering remains the cornerstone of its work, with its R&D department consisting of 150 engineers.

Parrot concentrates on investing in R&D to a high level, focusing importantly on the software and the signal processing. Parrot develops complete products; so software development, electronics, design and manufacturing costs are all daily responsibilities of the research department.

Parrot AR.Drone Invasion Plan

The Parrot AR.Drone is launching with Telstra and Fonezone in Australia, and will be available for purchase in selected Telstra and Fonezone stores across the country from 30 November 2010 for $349 RRP.

PATCH 4.0.3a: THE SHATTERING OF AZEROTH NOW LIVE

In the frigid wastes of Northrend, the final battle against the merciless Lich King ended in victory for Azeroth’s defenders. Upon returning home, veterans of the unforgiving conflict against the Scourge were showered with praise for their valiant sacrifices, while the honorable dead were mourned. Yet as hope flared anew in the wake of the Lich King’s fall, Azeroth’s native elemental spirits grew confused and erratic, setting off a series of deadly natural disasters. Horde and Alliance leaders scrambled for clues about the troubling state of the world, but nothing could have prepared them for what was to come.

Without warning, the corrupted Dragon Aspect, Deathwing, erupted from the stone heart of Deepholm, the domain of earth within the Elemental Plane. Jagged fissures were torn across the earth, and monstrous waves pummeled coastal regions. From Thousand Needles to the Blasted Lands, the surface of Azeroth was reforged through violent upheavals. Now, the Horde and the Alliance must defend their homes against Deathwing and his minions, burdened by the unsettling fact that the world as they know it has changed…forever.

For further information and the full patch notes, head to the World of Warcraft Community Site and if you missed the Cataclysm Cinematic, you can watch it at on the World of Warcraft YouTube Page.

Belkin enables Bluetooth connectivity for in-car audio

Sydney, AUSTRALIA – 24 November 2010 – Belkin today announced the launch of AirCast Auto, a powerful new device which connects mobile devices to your car stereo using their in-built Bluetooth functionality. With AirCast Auto you can enjoy hands-free calls as well as streaming your favourite music from most stereo Bluetooth devices to your car stereo—wirelessly! The device is built to make life easier for drivers, allowing for easy switching between calls and music at just one push of a button.

“This device is the first in the market to allow quick and easy ‘plug ‘n’ play’ Bluetooth installation utilising your car’s stereo to deliver top quality audio”, said John Paterson, Product Marketing Manager, Belkin ANZ. “Hands-free functionality with echo-cancelling and universal connectivity make this the top music and hands-free solution currently available”.

The Belkin AirCast Auto connects simply to your car stereo via a standard 3.5mm aux-in plug and pairs wirelessly with almost any Bluetooth stereo device including iPhone, iPad and BlackBerry. It enables drivers to listen, share, and control their music, as well as making and receiving hands-free phone calls. An in built USB charging also port allows for on the move charging so you can reach your destination with your phone powered up.

Available in stores Australia wide, www.belkin.com/au

Bluetooth Music Receiver (F4U037tt) – $129.95

Compatible with most A2DP stereo Bluetooth enabled devices, including iPhone, iPod, iPad, Blackberry, and most other smartphone devices
Embedded microphone with echo-cancelling technology
Easily switch between phone calls and music with one push of a button
Power adapter with USB port to charge your phone
Aux-in plug connects to your car to make calls and play music over car speakers
The Bluetooth name and the Bluetooth trademarks are owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and are used by Belkin International, Inc., under license. iPod and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Images of the Belkin AirCast Auto Bluetooth Hands Free can be found here

About Belkin International, Inc.

Belkin offers a diverse product mix that provides people with seamless electronics integration in their homes, cars, and on the go. Founded in California in 1983, Belkin is a privately held company and the recognized leader in connectivity solutions, in addition to accessories for MP3 devices, computers, and more. We provide extensive solutions for networking, home theatre-with our PureAV® line of cables, power, and digital wireless accessories-and many more categories. You can view and purchase them at www.belkin.com, as well as through a network of major distributors, resellers, and superstores.

Belkin’s phenomenal growth has led to our expanding global presence. In addition to corporate headquarters in Los Angeles, we now have offices throughout Europe-in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Germany, among others-and in the Asia Pacific region, including Australia, Shanghai, and our regional headquarters in Hong Kong.

Today, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and NetherRealm Studios bring fans a chilling new video featuring Sub Zero and his deadly cold moves that will leave the Mortal Kombat warriors he faces frozen in their tracks in his search to avenge his brother’s death.

Mortal Kombat is the most brutal instalment of the landmark fighting game to date for release on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft in 2011. The game is being developed by the newly re-named NetherRealm Studios, led by Mortal Kombat creator and creative director Ed Boon.

It’s all about the fireteam as Marines prepare to ‘get some’ in the Operation Flashpoint: Red River teaser trailer now showing at www.facebook.com/flashpointredriver.

SYDNEY, Australia – Monday 22nd November – Codemasters® today revealed the teaser trailer for Operation Flashpoint®: Red River™, the all-new chapter in the tactical shooter series coming Q2 2011. Now showing at www.facebook.com/flashpointredriver, the live action video features Johnny Cash’s classic ‘The Man Comes Around’ and sets the tone for the game. The Facebook page will also deliver briefings straight from the Studio along with news on the forthcoming gameplay reveal video, due next week.

Today’s teaser trailer reveals the creative direction for Operation Flashpoint: Red River. Taking viewers to the new setting of Tajikistan, two CH 53E Super Stallion helicopters carrying US Marines swoop along the Vakhsh River, showing the beautiful and epic landscapes which will become bloody battlegrounds in a deadly flashpoint. As one Marine films the unfolding action on his digital video camera, hostiles attack the helicopters, forcing evasive action and return fire from the rear gunners.

Inside the transports, the full fireteam – Grenadier, Scout, Rifleman and Automatic Rifleman – prepare for combat. Wearing battle-worn kit with field modifications, the Marines go through their own personal routine – checking weapons are locked and loaded, praying with Rosary beads or listening to music on their MP3 player. Every Marine gets ready for war their own way. The video concludes as the fireteam are inserted into the combat zone. For the Marines, this flashpoint is about to turn hot.

“Our goal is to take gamers as close to the experience of being a US Marine as possible, in both single-player and co-op,” said Sion Lenton, Creative Director, Operation Flashpoint: Red River. “From the tactics Marines use to the weapons they deploy and even the way that they interact with each other, this objective is core to everything that goes in the game. It’s this laser focus that ensures Red River will stand apart from tired corridor shooters and immerse players in a rewarding, tactical theatre of war.”

Set to deliver an authentic and intensely personal infantry experience, Operation Flashpoint: Red River’s narrative unfolds over three acts, following an expeditionary US Marine force facing off against insurgent forces and the Chinese PLA. The fireteam is the principle unit of the Marine Corps, and in Red River players can choose to fight in the role of four distinct and complimentary classes. The Grenadier, Scout, Rifleman and Automatic Rifleman each offer different strengths and weaknesses and combine to create a fearsome fighting unit.

The ultimate expression of Operation Flashpoint: Red River’s tactical gameplay is in the game’s seamless drop-in drop-out co-op play. Up to four players can perform different fireteam roles in campaign mode and across four separate Fireteam Engagements, which present a challenging range of exhilarating combat scenarios.

Whether playing solo or co-operatively, gamers can build up XP across all modes to unlock weapons, skills and modifications for each class. With the unique perspectives of four specialists to experience, replayability is extended across the substantial campaign mode and standalone Fireteam Engagements.

Taking the tactical infantry shooter to a deadly new battlefield where one bullet can kill, Operation Flashpoint: Red River will set a new standard for authentic and intense tactical combat when its published by Codemasters in 2011 for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Games For Windows® LIVE.

Sign up to ‘get some’ USMC style with the latest briefings direct from the Operation Flashpoint studio at www.facebook.com/flashpointredriver and www.twitter.com/flashpointgame and look out for the gameplay reveal video, due early next week.

Who’s who of Sydney scene rock to Jamiroquai

SYDNEY, 22 November 2010 – Sydney’s hottest party of the year, Take 40 Stars of Summer presented by SingStar®, launched summer in glamorous style yesterday, with 250 celebrities and guests partying the afternoon away at a harbour-side mansion to performances by Jamiroquai, DJ Havana Brown and Dane Rumble

The headline performance by Jamiroquai was set on a specially created perspex stage over the pool and blew everyone away, including Natalie Imbruglia, Sneaky Sound System’s Damon Downey, Erica Heynatz and Tom Williams.

In Australia promoting Jamiroquai’s latest album ‘Rock Dust Light Star, singer Jay Kay said “I gotta say, when we come down here…we dig it. The crowds are always great.”

PlayStation 3 launched new SingStar games at the party – SingStar® Dance and Singstar® Guitar – with plenty of guests grabbing their chance to dance like a diva and shred like a guitar god!

Among the long list of celebrities kicking back and enjoying the party were Kirk Pengilly, Justin Hemmes, Erin McNaught, Gracie Otto, Pip Edwards and Charlotte Dawson.

Take 40 transformed a private Point Piper location into the PlayStation Mansion for the A-list party that was hosted by James Mathieson. VIP guests enjoyed exotic cocktails, lawn croquet, sychronised swimming routines, DJ set by Alex Dimitriades and of course SingStar fun.

MCM Media, the company behind Take 40 Australia, will broadcast the event on free-to-air TV and subscription TV so the rest of Australia can soak up the glamour! Catch this extraordinary performance by international superstars Jamiroquai on GO! on December 12; Channel [V] on December 12; and Channel Nine on December 16.

www.jamiroquai.com

New Album – Rock Dust Light Star – Out Now

PlayStation 3 exclusive, SingStar The Wiggles, set to bring families together this holiday season

SYDNEY, 22 November 2010 – Sony Computer Entertainment Australia (SCE Aust.) today confirmed that SingStar® The Wiggles game for PlayStation®3 (PS3™) will launch in stores across Australia and New Zealand on this Thursday, 25th November. This follows on from the PlayStation®2 (PS2™) title launch earlier this year.

In time for the 2010 festive season, SingStar The Wiggles has been designed with a child friendly game interface that will provide an interactive and fun experience in homes across the region. The title has 26 of the most popular tracks from The Wiggles, such as `Hot Potato’ and `Wake up Jeff!’ and features Anthony Field, Jeff Fatt, Sam Moran, Murray Cook, together with children’s favourites Dorothy the Dinosaur and Captain Feathersword.

“SingStar The Wiggles offers fans an interactive and rewarding experience as children get ready to entertain and have fun with their family this festive season,” said Patrick Lagana, Marketing Manager, Sony Computer Entertainment Australia.

Anthony Field, Blue Wiggle, said, “We’re excited that children of all ages can sing along to our songs from over the years. I’ve had a go at the game and my children love being able to hold a microphone and sing along to the songs they know so well.”

Both The Wiggles and SingStar are success stories in their own right. The Wiggles over their 19 year career have sold over 23 million DVDs and 7 million CDs worldwide gaining fame from their music, television shows and DVD releases. They are broadcast in nearly 150 countries, have received 17 Gold, 12 Platinum, 3 Double Platinum and 10 Multi-Platinum awards for their videos and music, have won 9 ARIA

awards for Best Children’s Album and 4 APRA Song Awards for Best Children’s Song. The group was further recognised as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors in 2008 and were awarded in 2010 the Order of Australia for their services to children’s entertainment and the arts.

Since its launch in 2004, SingStar has become one of the world’s popular game titles. The game lets you sing to your favourite artists along with their actual videos; and rates you on pitch, tone and rhythm. In Australia and New Zealand alone the SingStar games have been a massive success; with over 3 million disc titles sold on PS2 and PS3 to date, more than 1 million microphones in homes across the region and more than half a million tracks downloaded through the online service SingStore™.

Arriving just in time for the holiday season, SingStar The Wiggles will bring families together, as parents and children sing along to their favourite songs which include:

1. Hot Potato

2. Can You (Point Your Fingers And Do The Twist?)

3. Fruit Salad

4. Rock-A-Bye Your Bear

5. Toot Toot, Chugga Chugga, Big Red Car

6. Wake Up Jeff!

7. Captain Feathersword Fell Asleep On His Pirate Ship (Quack Quack)

8. The Monkey Dance

9. Get Ready To Wiggle

10. Move Your Arms Like Henry

11. Lights, Camera, Action, Wiggles!

12. Play Your Guitar With Murray

13. To Have A Tea Party

14. Getting Strong!

15. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

16. I’m Dorothy the Dinosaur

17. Dr Knickerbocker

18. The Shimmie Shake!

19. Wags The Dog Is Chasing His Tail

20. Hot Poppin’ Popcorn

PLUS, the following tracks are exclusive to the PlayStation 3 version:

21. Wiggle Bay

22. Dorothy (Would You Like To Dance?)

23. Ooh It’s Captain Feathersword

24. Go Santa Go

25. Here Come The Chicken

26. Over In The Meadow