SYDNEY – April 21, 2010 – Today Ubisoft announced an environmental initiative to eliminate paper game manuals, replacing them with an in-game digital manual for all titles on PlayStation^®3 (PS3™) system and Xbox 360^® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. The program, the first initiative of its kind in the video game industry, launches worldwide with Shaun White Skateboarding.

Ubisoft’s digital game manuals will provide multiple benefits for the player and the environment. Including the game manual directly in the game will offer the player easier and more intuitive access to game information, as well as allow Ubisoft to provide gamers with a more robust manual. Ubisoft internal data shows that producing one ton of paper used in Ubisoft’s game manuals consumes an average of two tons of wood from 13 trees, with a net energy of 28 million BTU’s (equivalent to average heating and energy for one home/year), greenhouse gases equivalent of over 6,000 lbs of CO2, and wastewater of almost 15,000 gallons.

“It’s pretty cool that Ubisoft is making a conscious effort to go green with its new video game packaging,” commented Olympic Gold Medalist Shaun White. “I’m excited for my new skateboarding game to come out and stoked that it will be the very first Ubisoft game to be part of their green packaging initiatives.”

“Ubisoft is often recognised for making great games, but it’s a special privilege to be the industry leader at saving trees,” said Laurent Detoc, president of Ubisoft North America. “Eco-friendly initiatives are important to the global community and introducing in-game digital manuals on Xbox 360 and PS3 is just the latest example of Ubisoft’s ongoing commitment to being a more environmentally conscious company.”

About Ubisoft:

Ubisoft is a leading producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment products worldwide and has grown considerably through a strong and diversified line-up of products and partnerships. Ubisoft has offices in 28 countries and sales in 55 countries around the globe. It is committed to delivering high-quality, cutting-edge video game titles to consumers. Ubisoft generated sales of €1.058 billion for the 2008-09 fiscal year. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com

AboutTechnimark

The ecoTech is a product of Technimark’s Sustainable Products Group, which is focused on developing specialized proprietary goods that are cost effective, sustainable, and improve the environment. Technimark is a fully-integrated recycling and injection molding company, which has been providing solutions in the injection molding industry for leading customers around the globe since 1983.  Please visit: www.technimark.com  for additional information.

The World’s First Motherboard to Support Dual Channel DDR3 2000MHz on AMD Platforms 

Sydney, Australia, 21 April 2010 – The brand new Crosshair IV Formula from ASUS Republic of Gamers ups the ante for everyone with an interest in gaming. Under the eye-catching design, the Crosshair IV Formula boasts ROG Connect for instant tweaking and monitoring of gaming rigs, user-friendly overclocking interface Turbo Key II and exclusive ASUS technologies Core Unlocker and GameFirst. All these guarantee tremendous success with top-line gaming PCs, as the new board offers exhilarating foundations to build upon.

All Aboard the Gaming Express

The Crosshair IV Formula deploys the latest chipset architecture from AMD, opening up the most current performance CPUs on the market. ROG Connect, a built-in overclocking engine maximises benchmark scores by tuning and monitoring from a remote PC via USB, like a notebook. This way users can overclock while benchmarking, so all resources remain available to better performance. ROG Connect also serves as an in-depth monitoring tool, allowing users to obtain readings to see the effects mods such as overvolting have on their system.

Unlock CPU Potential

ASUS and Republic of Gamers are proud to announce Core Unlocker, an exclusive technology praised by worldwide media, to inject great value and performance into gaming setups. Many CPUs come with multiple cores deactivated during fabrication and Core Unlocker brings those back to life. Users simply have to press one button on the board and the AMD CPU placed in the socket goes through a physical scan in search of dormant cores. Dual core CPUs can become triple or quad in minutes, with obvious computing horsepower benefits.

Turbocharged Performance

Turbo Key II runs extensive overclocking automatically, detecting hardware tolerances and testing them to ensure stability. The excellent thermal design of the new Crosshair IV Formula means there’s quite a lot of envelope pushing to be done safely, guaranteeing impressive gains. Once more, all users need to do is press the O.C button on the board and let the technology take it from there.

Game with the Flow

Multiplayer has become the norm, and gamers demand smooth connections to deliver uninterrupted action. The reality, however, is that many still don’t enjoy optimised broadband, which is why ASUS has conjured GameFirst. This smart solution works with the board’s networking pipeline to prioritise bandwidth, eliminate lag and lower latency.

Gaming applications get top access to resources on the hardware level—so online play becomes faster, more fluid and infinitely less frustrating. At the same time, other applications can work in the background without draining speed from mission critical needs.

Grounded in Ability

Storage comes in the form of six SATA 6GB/s and three SATA 3GB/s, ample room for growth and saving all the newest and biggest game titles. Also, the Crosshair IV Formula includes two USB 3.0 ports and HD audio from integrated SupremeFX X-Fi, fully EAX 4.0 compliant and ready to make those intense engagements roar with clear surround sound.

Specifications

Specifications are subject to change without prior notice. Please visit www.asus.com for more details.

–       ends –

About ASUS

ASUS is a leading company in the new digital era, with a broad product portfolio that includes notebooks, netbooks, motherboards, graphics cards, displays, desktop PCs, servers, wireless solutions, mobile phones and networking devices. Driven by innovation and committed to quality, ASUS designs and manufactures products that perfectly meet the needs of today’s home and office users. ASUS won 3,268 awards in 2009, and is widely credited with revolutionizing the PC industry with the Eee PC™. With a global staff of more than 10,000 and a world-class R&D design team, the company’s revenue for 2009 was US$7.5 billion. ASUS ranks among BusinessWeek’s InfoTech 100, and has been on the listing for 12 consecutive years.

ASUS Motherboards: No.1 in the World

ASUS is the No.1 motherboard brand in the world, commanding the biggest market share globally. Today, one in every three computers houses an ASUS Motherboard. ASUS is the pioneer of numerous innovations that have gone on to become industry standards. Recent examples include the Hybrid Phase power design, Hybrid Processor and Hybrid Switch overclocking design, and Protect 3.0 for safe operation. With its decades of expertise and dedication to pushing the envelope of motherboard design, ASUS is poised to continue leading the industry in motherboard performance, safety and reliability.

QVS International, Focus Home Interactive and Frogwares are pleased to present a new batch of images from Sherlock Holmes DS and the Mystery of Osborne House, the famous detective’s first original investigation on Nintendo DS™. Discover some of the numerous puzzles and brain-teasers which will put your brain to the test throughout this great adventure.

Especially designed for Nintendo’s handheld system, you play as the famous detective Sherlock Holmes in this brand new big adventure and you will have to shed some light on curious events. When Queen Victoria’s genealogical records are stolen, the Royal Family decides to put you in charge of the case and asks you to solve this strange mystery.

As always, followed by your wise and faithful friend, Doctor Watson, you will have to use your logic and observation senses through dozens of riddles, puzzles and brain teasers of all sorts. You will travel through dozens of beautifully hand-drawn places, looking for clues and new mysteries. You will also meet many charismatic characters who will help you solve this strange case and finally discover the truth!

Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of Osborne House is due for release in June

Visit the official website

Players Reap Benefits of Electric Vehicles Inside World’s Best-selling PC Franchise*

20 April 2010, Australia – Electronic Arts Inc. and Renault have announced a multi-year agreement that will enable players of The Sims 3 PC/Mac in Australia to integrate Renault’s forthcoming range of electric vehicles into one of the world’s most successful entertainment franchises!

This Autumn, Renault’s Twizy Z.E Concept car – will be made available to download free of charge** for The Sims 3 players within an ‘Electric Vehicle Pack’ (EVP), which will comprise a number of sustainable environmental items including solar panels and a windmill. The use of the EVP inside The Sims 3 will have positive repercussions for a player’s in-game family by reducing their weekly virtual household bills.

“This partnership delivers benefits for Renault and the consumer that are unique in today’s media landscape,” said Elizabeth Harz, Senior Vice President of Global Media Sales for EA. “Millions of The Sims 3 players will be able to download Renault concept vehicles and have a deep experience with the brand, while receiving genuine added gameplay value.”

“The Sims 3 players have demonstrated consistent enthusiasm for bringing cool ‘real world’ brands into their virtual world,” said Steve Seabolt, VP of Global Brand Development for The Sims. “We’re excited to work with Renault on their electric vehicles and have them available for download for The Sims 3.”

“Electric vehicles are going to appeal to younger, more socially conscious customers and especially early adopters,” said Stephen Norman, SVP, Global Marketing for the Renault Group. “This is the heartland of The Sims 3 community and it thus provides a great innovative way to build the Renault Brand just ahead of the Renault range of affordable electric vehicles themselves.”

This partnership was negotiated by OMD Fuse International on behalf of Renault.

* According to NPD data, Chart-track UK, Gfk France, Gfk Spain, Gfk-MCC Germany and EA internal estimate
**Download expires April 2012. Update to the latest version of The Sims 3 launcher required for download.  Download requires EA Online Account and online game registration with serial code enclosed with The Sims 3.  EA Online Terms & Conditions can be found at www.ea.com. Minimum age requirements to register for an EA Online Account vary by country. See The Sims 3 product for details.  Offer may not be substituted, transferred, exchanged, sold or redeemed for cash or other goods or services.  Void in US, Canada and where prohibited, taxed or restricted by law.

INVICTUS – Featuring Academy Award nominated performances from Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. 

Available to rent and own on BLU-RAY for $49.95RRP and on DVD for $39.95RRP from 2 June 2010.

Also available ON DEMAND and TO DOWNLOAD 

One Team. One Country.  The universal language of sport has never spoken so thrillingly as in Clint Eastwood’s Invictus.  See how the story unfolds when Invictus arrives on Blu-ray and DVD this 2 June, 2010 from Warner Home Video. From acclaimed director, Clint Eastwood, Invictus tells the inspiring true story of a leader trying to rally his divided nation. Newly elected President Mandela believes he can bring his people, who are racially and economically split, together through the universal language of sport. To accomplish this inspiring feat, he joins forces with the captain of South Africa’s underdog rugby team, Francois Pienaar, as they make an unlikely run to the 1995 World Cup Championship match. 

Invictus is the proud recipient of two Academy Award nominations this year for Best Actor (Morgan Freeman) and Best Supporting Actor (Matt Damon).  Both Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman were also honoured with Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Nominations for their performances.  Clint Eastwood was honoured with directing nominations from the Golden Globes and National Board of Review.

Invictus will be available to rent and own on Blu-ray for $49.95RRP and on DVD for $39.95RRP .  

On 16 June 2010, Invictus will also be available ON DEMAND through Digital Cable, Satellite TV, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 game consoles and it can be downloaded for rental or purchase on iTunes. 

Also available on 2 June are two new Clint Eastwood box sets: 

CLINT EASTWOOD ACTION COLLECTION

$34.95RRP

Firefox, Heartbreak Ridge,

Kelly’s Heroes, and Where Eagles Dare. 

CLINT EASTWOOD DIRECTOR’S COLLECTION:

$44.95

Flags of our Fathers, Letters from Iwo Jima,

Mystic River and Unforgiven. 

Both box sets include The Eastwood Factor, an intimate short film from Richard Schickel offering a rare personal look at Eastwood. 

A selection of Clint Eastwood titles will also be promoted for a limited time on Blu-ray and DVD, each with a fresh new look. A complete list is available at the end of this release. Four of these titles will also debut on BLU-RAY for $19.95RRP: 

Where Eagles Dare, Absolute Power, Kelly’s Heroes and The Rookie. 

SYNOPSIS

From director Clint Eastwood, “Invictus” tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) joined forces with the captain of South Africa’s rugby team, Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon), to help unite their country.

Newly elected President Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa’s underdog rugby team as they make an unlikely run to the 1995 World Cup Championship match. 

DVD

Special Features:

• Matt Damon Plays Rugby (trt 6:48) – Turning a Hollywood star into a rugby player.
• Invictus music trailer (trt 2:32)  

Approx Runtime:

128 mins 

Rating:

PG 

BLU-RAY

Special Features:

• Matt Damon Plays Rugby (trt 6:48) – Turning a Hollywood star into a rugby player.

• Invictus music trailer (trt 2:32)
• Vision, Courage and Honour: Clint Eastwood and the Power of a True Story (trt 100 min) – Via Picture in Picture (PIP), Clint Eastwood explains in-depth what attracted him to this important story and how he brought it to life on film.
• Mandela Meets Morgan (trt 20:00 min) – Get to know Nelson Mandela as Morgan Freeman meets with him to prepare for the film.  

Approx Runtime:

133 mins 

Rating:

PG

DUBLIN, IRELAND – April 19th, 2010 – Icon Games Entertainment, a leading iPhone, PSP, Nintendo Wii, and WiiWare game publisher and developer, today announces details on their upcoming game, Arcade Darts for PSP® Minis. Are you ready for the challenge and think you can come out on top with your high score? Arcade Darts will be available soon right at your fingertips from the PlayStation® Store for your PSP. This is the chance to put your dart skills to use with Arcade Darts!

With authentic darts playing feel, prepare for fun as you control your throws precisely and easily with. Challenge over 20 different computer opponents with a range of playing skills or play against a friend.

Arcade Darts features include:

Varied play modes; including Practice, Versus, Arcade, Career and Custom Tournament play
6 different game variations; including 701, 501, 301, Cricket, Around the Clock and Around the Clock Reverse
2-player multiplayer; play with friends and family in versus play modes
Unlock player rewards; with lots of dart board designs, flights and dart sets to discover
5 vibrant high detail match venues to explore
Special career mode; start at the bottom and progress from rookie to pro with the ultimate goal of becoming the World’s best player. Earn special rewards, trophies and secrets

For screenshots of Arcade Darts, please visit the Icon Games website or on Icon Games Flickr Photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/icongames/

For more details, please visit www.icongames.com or follow us on Twitter.

Arcade Darts for PSP® Minis has been rated E for Everyone by ESRB and 3 by PEGI.

PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment of America Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.

About Icon Games Entertainment

We are an independent game development & digital publishing studio committed to creating games with a focus on compelling gameplay & fun! To date we have developed and released over 20 games for a variety of platforms – including Wii, PS2, PSP and PC. The team has over ten years of successful development experience, working with various publishing partners – including Playlogic, Zoo Games, IN2Games, Ghostlight, Lego Media, THQ, TDK, Majesco, PlayIt, Midway, Midas Interactive, Mforma, Datel and Acclaim. For more info on Icon and our forthcoming releases check out www.icongames.com

First all-female karaoke title provides a sneak peak of its all lady line-up

SYDNEY- 20 April, 2010:  Mindscape, a leading global publisher and distributor of entertainment software and Universal Music today announced the first ten tracks for upcoming karaoke game, U-Sing Girls Night.

U-Sing Girls Night, is the sequel to U-Sing U’ve Got Talent, which was the best selling karaoke game on Wii for Christmas 2009. U-Sing Girls Night is the first karaoke title to exclusively feature 28 of the world’s biggest female artists. The new title will feature official songs and videos from Universal Music’s extensive catalogue, with a sneak peak of 10 of the 30 tracks listed below.                                                                              

U-Sing Girls Night will feature tracks from the world’s current leading female artists. The title will also feature some golden oldies, ensuring all age groups will enjoy a fun girls night in!

Malware masquerades as Google Chrome Extensions – Spammers tap into increasing popularity of Google browser to spread malware  

SYDNEY & AUCKLAND – 20 April, 2010 – Spammers are targeting Google Chrome users this week, infecting their systems with malware through a fake browser extension. Google Chrome users receive an unsolicited e-mail, which announces that a new extension of their favorite browser has been developed to enable easier organisation of documents received in their e-mails.

A suspicious link prompts recipients to download the new extension.  Once clicked, the link redirects to a lookalike of the Google Chrome Extensions page, which, instead of the promised extension, a fake application that infects systems with malware is downloaded.

Although the application has the same description as that of an authentic Google Chrome Extension, the first sign that inquisitive users will notice is that instead of the expected ‘.crx’ file extension, the fake features a dangerous ‘.exe’ tail.

Identified by BitDefender as Trojan.Agent.20577, the application modifies the Windows HOSTS file in an attempt to block access to Google and Yahoo web pages. Every time users want to access them by typing in “google.[xxx]” or “[xx].search.yahoo.com” in their web browsers, they will be redirected to another IP:  89.149.xxx.xxx . This allows the malware creators to intercept the victims’ requests to reach the respective sites. In this way, users are redirected to the cybercriminals’ own malware-laden versions of those sites.

As more and more people use Google Chrome and its enhanced functionalities to browse the net and to organise information, cybercriminals have set their minds on exploiting this environment to spread malware and steal users’ information.

Google Chrome users who believe they may have been infected by the malware, can use BitDefender’s free online scanner to check: http://www.bitdefender.com/scanner/online/free.html

GAME SUMMARY:

Football’s coming home – right into your living room

Right on time for the World Cup 2010, “Fantastic Football Fan Party” brings the sweeping and emotional world cup atmosphere directly to you. These 10 hilarious football party games, based around the most popular sport in the world, offer enthusiastic party gamers pure multiplayer fun! Explore the action as a top scorer with spectacular volleys and acrobatic overhead kicks or act as a fan drummer to cheer up the crowd: Fantastic Football Fan Party encapsulate the action of the most desired simulation and party games and will assure many entertaining evenings with the Wii – especially in the build up to kick off!

Besides the extensive character editor tool for designing the individual outfit for your player, there are loads of unlockable cool items to pimp up your character. Moreover, with three different multiplayer modes the player will have exciting battles for various highscore trophies. The easy, family oriented gameplay and the several degrees of difficulty offer fun for the whole family. 

FEATURES:

– Explore 10 pure fun and easy to handle party games based around the most popular sport in the world and its fans
– Intuitive controls especially designed for the Wii
– Extensive character editor tool: Create your own players and jerseys
– Unlock cool items to decorate your Character
– Compete for many desired highscore trophies
– 3 different multiplayer modes for up to 4 players
– Including several degrees of difficulty