Tokyo, 17^th September 2010: Sony Computer Entertainment today announced a unique partnership between Gran Turismo® and Red Bull Racing to create a virtual car which will push the boundaries of motorsports. The Gran Turismo development team at Polyphony Digital posed the simple question, ‘If you built the fastest racing car on land, one that throws aside all rules and regulations, what would that car look like, how would it perform and how would it feel to drive?” With the assistance of Red Bull Racing’s technology, Polyphony Digital were able to produce the answer in the form of the “X1 Prototype” which will be playable in Gran Turismo 5.

Red Bull’s aerodynamics expert, Adrian Newey, performed the role of technical advisor on the X1 Prototype project. Newey is renowned in the motorsports world for designing championship winning cars. Throughout the X1 design process by Polyphony, Newey contributed his vast experience, as well as a pure, child-like technical curiosity. As a result, the completed X1 Prototype became an extreme car, having a unique form and mechanism unlike any other racing car in history.

Performing the shakedown test and settings for this Gran Turismo 5 car was the world famous driver Sebastian Vettel. On his first virtual lap, Vettel achieved an unbelievable time on the Suzuka circuit, beating the course record by over 20 seconds.

Kazunori Yamauchi, President of Polyphony Digital Inc., commented, “Every race in the world today conforms to some sort of regulation, and every racing car is built to fit within those various regulations. However the X1 is something new, created from a ‘what-if’ dream we have long held at Polyphony. We want to inspire racing fans and the industry alike by exploring the realm of possibilities for the future of motorsports.”

Adrian Newey, Chief Technical Officer of Red Bull Racing added, “We all have a dream about pushing the boundaries, where the performance of the car and the experience of the driver take precedence over the rules.  Only with the technology of PlayStation®3 and the virtual environment of Gran Turismo 5 could that dream become a reality that millions can explore. This is the inspiration that brought Red Bull Racing and Polyphony together. And as a result the X1 Prototype is dynamite to drive.”

Earn your chance to drive the X1 Prototype when Gran Turismo 5 launches in stores across Australia on 4th November 2010.

To find out more visit: http://www.gran-turismo.com / http://www.redbull.com

Check out the official Red Dead Redemption: Liars and Cheats Trailer below!

Sydney, Australia (17^th September 2010) – Square Enix Ltd., the publisher of SQUARE ENIX® interactive entertainment products in Europe and other PAL territories, today announces the release of the FRONT MISSION EVOLVED®, “Digital Dossier” a free download accessed through the product website from 5:00pm (GMT) today, available at: www.frontmissionevolved.com

The “Digital Dossier” is an air application that comprises a host of unique and exclusive material taken from the FRONT MISSION® series. The kit includes concept art, music soundtrack, In-game sound effects, digital art book, wallpapers, screensavers and much, much more. The “Digital Dossier” is available worldwide in five languages and is a unique look into the world of FRONT MISSION EVOLVED and offers a rare insight into the history of the series.

FRONT MISSION EVOLVED is developed in collaboration by Double Helix Games and Square Enix, for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and in stereoscopic 3D for Windows® PC. The game is released on 8 October 2010.

Pre-order FRONT MISSION EVOLVED today to receive two exclusive, classic Front Mission® Wanzers. The pre-order items are only available through selected retailers.

• Calm: A Wanzer that has long been a part of the FRONT MISSION series. Although its appearance is far from intimidating, this war machine is unmatched in melee combat as well as long-range firefights when equipped with the appropriate weapons.
• Rexon: As in previous FRONT MISSION titles, Rexon is a skilled sniper-type Wanzer. Once equipped with a rifle, it becomes a threat to anything that crosses its line of fire.

The first of its kind in the series, FRONT MISSION EVOLVED is an action-packed Third-Person Shooter and the next instalment in the classic FRONT MISSION franchise.  Players will take full control of the Wanzer, a massive humanoid, fully customizable war machine, in single player campaign and online multi-player.

Featuring Hollywood style production values and a totally immersive storyline, players are thrust deep into a swirl of destruction, conspiracy and crumbling alliances, and battle through intense combat situations as man strives to create the ultimate humanoid fighting machine in a war against terror. 

Larry Sparks, Vice President Brands PAL Region of Square Enix Ltd. comments, “We’re excited to be releasing this intense new chapter in this classic franchise and invite existing fans and gamers new to the series to enjoy all the action that FRONT MISSION EVOLVED has to offer.” 

For more information about FRONT MISSION EVOLVED, please visit the official website at www.frontmissionevolved.com

About FRONT MISSION EVOLVED

At this year’s San Diego Comic Con, Square Enix and Konami Digital Entertainment announced a special collaboration between FRONT MISSION EVOLVED and Konami’s Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, while hosting an autograph session with Metal Gear Solid series creator Hideo Kojima.

Announced by none other than Kojima himself, the collaboration between the two leading Japanese publishers will make Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker decals available for Front Mission Evolved Wanzers. Front Mission Evolved players can customize their Wanzers with these unique decals to show their support for one of the Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker organizations.

Story:

In the future, the world is a changed place. Technology has advanced. Countries have merged into massive geopolitical blocks. But one thing, sadly, remains the same – humanity’s appetite for war. When a terrorist attack destroys one of the U.C.S.’s prized orbital elevators, the military is mobilised to eliminate the threat.

Dylan Ramsey, a young engineer, finds himself quickly caught in a swirl of destruction, conspiracies and crumbling alliances. Experience his story in this high-octane third-person shooter.

Choose from dozens of weapons and parts, including weapons that can be equipped on both hands and shoulders, to customise your Wanzer and blast your way to victory.

When you think you’re ready for a new challenge, join the ranks of online pilots for intense multiplayer battles!

Features:

• Third-Person Shooter Action:
  • Fast-paced action awaits as players battle enemies in the concrete mazes of cities, the frozen wastes of the Antarctic and a host of unique locations.

• Customization Options:
  • Players can choose from dozens of weapons and parts, including weapons that can be equipped on both hands and shoulders, to build a war machine that suits their play style.

• Online Multiplayer:
  • Players can go it alone or in teams, testing their skills in battle against other players with their own, highly customised Wanzers.

• 3D Feature
  • Experience the full force of battle in stereoscopic 3D for Windows PC through NVIDIA® 3D Vision™ technology.

See FORMULA ONE™ stars race into the night in the new F1 2010™ gameplay video released by Codemasters®, now showing at www.formula1-game.com. F1 2010 will be released on September 23^rd across Australia & New Zealand for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC Games For Windows®.

Showcasing the stunning lighting effects featured in F1 2010, the new gameplay video features the full 24 car grid taking on the spectacular Singapore night race.  For the first time in a FORMULA ONE videogame, players will experience night racing in high-definition as they go wheel-to-wheel on the city streets, set against a backdrop of fireworks and skyscrapers. F1 2010, powered by the award-winning EGO engine, authentically recreates the effect of the circuit’s hundreds of thousands of individual light sources as stars including Lewis Hamilon, Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel take on one of the most dramatic events on the FORMULA ONE calendar.

The video also showcases the world’s finest racing drivers slicing and dicing at Yas Marina. The 2010 FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX is shown as the race takes place at dusk, highlighting the unique atmosphere at the circuit set to host the final round of the thrilling 2010 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™.

Today, an all-new Anberlin track pack goes live for the Guitar Hero® App for iPhone and iPod touch from Activision Publishing, Inc.  Mobile gamers will get a sneak peak of “The Feel Good Drag,” which is featured on the upcoming Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock.  The track pack also features “To The Wolves” and “We Owe This To Ourselves” from Anberlin’s recently released album, Dark Is The Way, Light Is A Place.

Published by Activision and created by Guitar Hero veteran developer, Vicarious Visions, Inc., and built exclusively from the ground up for the iPhone and iPod touch, the Guitar Hero app takes full advantage of the platforms’ functionality and features all-new, innovative gameplay that will keep players rocking out as they strum, tap, slide and whammy to the hottest tracks from bands they know and love.  The game also features a robust avatar customization mode that lets players personalize their game; built-in social integration so gamers can share their scores with their friends on Facebook, check leaderboards and get updates through in-game news feeds; intuitive new mechanics that challenge fans to tap, strum and whammy their way to the top of the Rock Ranks; and the ability to download new tracks from an in-game music store; wannabe rock stars will be shredding on guitar or ripping it up on bass whenever, wherever they want.

Guitar Hero for iPhone and iPod touch is available from the App Store at http://itunes.apple.com/app/id374801345 and features Queen, Rise Against, The Rolling Stones, Vampire Weekend, Weezer and The White Stripes.  Song packs are only available through the Guitar Hero app.  For more information about Guitar Hero for iPhone and iPod touch, please visit GuitarHero.com.

BitDefender releases ZBot removal tool

Standalone utility now available as a free download on MalwareCity.com

SYDNEY & AUCKLAND – September 17, 2010 – BitDefender^®, an award-winning provider of innovative anti-malware security solutions, today posted a removal tool for the infamous ZBot Trojan, which focuses on stealing online banking details while monitoring system information to obtain additional authentication credentials.

“ZBot is one of the most prolific breeds of malware and new variants appear every day. As a part of its ongoing efforts to inform, educate and help users worldwide in their fight against online threats, BitDefender has created a ZBot Removal Tool to detect and eliminate most of the ZBot variants spotted in the wild,” said Catalin Cosoi, head of the BitDefender Online Threats Lab.

The latest variants of ZBot are able to gather the history of websites visited, information completed in online forms and login pages, as well as capturing screenshots of their desktops. ZBot is distributed mainly via spam campaigns and web pages that unwittingly host its malicious payload, usually under the guise of a popular, legitimate application.

The ZBot Removal Tool can be downloaded from the Removal Tools section of www.malwarecity.com, a BitDefender initiative for the software security community and a free resource for those interested in online security.

In order to stay safe, BitDefender recommends that consumers install and update a complete antimalware software solution. Users who wish to run a quick virus check can do so for free using the BitDefender’s online scanner.

— ENDS—

About BitDefender®
BitDefender is the creator of one of the industry’s fastest and most effective lines of internationally certified security software. Since its inception in 2001, BitDefender has continued to raise the bar and set new standards in proactive threat prevention, emerging as the industry’s anti-malware innovator. Every day, BitDefender protects tens of millions of home and corporate users across the globe — giving them the peace of mind of knowing that their digital experiences will be secure. BitDefender solutions are distributed by a global network of value-added distribution and reseller partners in more than 100 countries worldwide. More information about BitDefender and its products are available at the company’s security solutions press room. More information is available at www.bitdefender.com

Sydney, AUSTRALIA – September 17^th, 2010 – Ubisoft® announced today that Racket Sports, the multisport game for the PlayStation^®3 system with PlayStation^®Move that includes tennis, ping-pong, badminton, squash and beach tennis is available on retail shelves now. The game offers unprecedented realism and pinpoint game play mechanics, bringing every serve, swing and backhand to life while replicating the sporting experience in the comfort of the living room.

Players have the option to perform with eleven different athletes through 30 rich graphical environments with animated backgrounds, dynamic sound mixes and day and night environments. Racket Sports and the PlayStation^®Move motion controller combine highly precise and intuitive motion control with the full PlayStation 3 system HD to create the most accurate, responsive and ultra-sensory gaming experience. 

Key Features:

• Swing through 5 different Racket Sports: Tennis, table tennis, badminton, squash, and beach tennis
• 30 immersive iconic locations inspired by real-world landmarks: Copacabana, Mount Fuji, Central Park and many others.
• Multiplayer mode allows up to four players to play together cooperatively or to compete against each other.
• The PlayStation®Move feels like a true racket in the player’s hand: motion control has never been so natural.
  • 11 compelling character athletes with a distinct personality and flair: Player can customize the athletes with over 30 outfits, 30 hairstyles, and 15 rackets to unlock.

The Racket Sports demo is already available on the Playstation Network.

For more information, please visit: www.racketsportsgame.com

– Move your Body to Exercise your Brain in the Exciting New Title from the Makers of the Brain Exercise with Dr. Kawashima Series –

SYDNEY, Australia – 17 September 2010 – Leading video games publisher NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe S.A.S. today announced Dr. Kawashima’s Body and Brain Exercises for Kinect™, controller-free game and entertainment for Xbox 360™.  Players of all ages must think fast and act even faster as they respond to maths, logic, reflex, memory and physical questions using the full-motion capabilities of the Kinect sensor.  Dr. Kawashima’s Body and Brain Exercises challenges players to exercise both mind and body in the most cerebral and energetic party game ever from the originators of the video game brain training craze.

Dr. Kawashima’s Body and Brain Exercises is being developed under the supervision of renowned Japanese neuroscientist, Dr. Ryuta Kawashima.  In addition to his neurological work in Japan, Dr. Kawashima has also supervised the development of several best-selling games.  Dr. Kawashima’s previous video games proved to millions of gamers around the world how fun it can be to train your brain in just minutes a day with simple brain puzzles.  His newest research shows that, in addition to simple daily mind exercises, brain activity is also jump-started by physical movement, thus resulting in Dr. Kawashima’s Body and Brain Exercises.  The unique full-body motion Kinect sensor allows for players’ bodies and minds to work in unison as they get up off the couch to work out problems in their heads and complete the answer with specific physical action.

Dr. Kawashima’s Body and Brain Exercises includes over 20 different activities in single player and multiplayer modes.  Up to four friends can compete in fun and engaging activities as they strive for the youngest brain age.  A daily progress tracker makes sure that players are up-to-date with their current brain age as they continue to stimulate both mind and body.

Dr. Kawashima’s Body and Brain Exercises will be available in Q1 2011 exclusively on Kinect for Xbox 360.  For more information, please visit www.namcobandaigames.eu