Sydney, AUSTRALIA. March 24^th 2010 – Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) is bringing the ultimate dragon-training experience to kids with the release of How To Train Your Dragon^™, the video game, based on the highly anticipated 3-D animated feature film from DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (Nasdaq: DWA).  Players are the ultimate dragon hero, launched into an epic quest to train the world’s fiercest creatures.  As gamers explore dynamic environments on and around the Island of Berk, they’ll customise their very own dragons with over 100,000 possible combinations.  Along the way, gamers will collect valuable upgrades for speed, strength and fire, giving them powerful tools to battle for Viking victory.

”The How To Train Your Dragon video game allows kids to live the fantasy of creating their very own dragons and engaging in epic battles against other fire breathing foes,” said Rob Kostich, head of marketing for licensed properties, Activision Publishing, Inc.  “Whether they are playing on their own or against family and friends, kids will have a blast in this high energy epic adventure.”

The game is available now for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Wii™, PLAYSTATION®3, and Nintendo DS.  Rated “PG” for Mild Violence by the Australian Classification Board.

For more information on the How To Train Your Dragon video game, please visit www.HowToTrainYourDragonGame.com.

Introducing new LED monitors from ViewSonic – VX1932wm-LED
ViewSonic strengthens position in LED market with latest additions to product line up

Sydney, Australia, March 24, 2010 – ViewSonic, global technology provider and renowned worldwide leader of visual display products today announced the latest addition to its LED monitor range – 19” VX1932wm-LED. The new environmentally friendly LED monitor supports sustainability by consuming less energy without compromising state-of-the-art viewing quality.

Providing DCR at 10,000,000:1 for true-to-life picture depth and clarity, the 19” VX1932wm-LED offers an overall superior front screen performance. The WLED backlight technology automatically detects image signal and intelligently controls backlight brightness – as a result the VX1932wm-LED widescreen display makes the black bolder in a dark scene and the white purer in a bright environment. Also, gray levels automatically adjust to enhance the display’s gray level performance range. Sheer picture perfect quality eliminates image distortion by maintaining correct image proportions for both widescreen and native 4:3 content. What’s more, the VX1932wm-LED uses 50% less power without forgoing quality, producing greater detail and definition to images and in keeping with green technology, it boasts an eco-friendly and mercury-free WLED backlight.

William Tse, Country Manager at ViewSonic Australia, said, “ViewSonic’s mission has always been to bring in the latest technologies into Australia and New Zealand with the shortest possible time-to-market. We aim to lead the way by driving environmental awareness with our ‘GO GREEN GO LED’ mission and drawing attention to our eco-sensitive workplace. ViewSonic is determined to contribute to the conservation of our planet through green technology”.

The ViewSonic VX1932wm-LED is available now in Australia and New Zealand. RRPs: VX1932wm-LED AU$249 inc GST, NZ$299.

About ViewSonic
ViewSonic® Corporation is a leading global provider of visual display products. ViewSonic develops, markets and supports a broad range of innovative products, including Portable Media Players, Nettops, Netbooks, All-in-One PCs, as well as digital signage displays including LCD monitors, LCD TVs, projectors, digital signage displays, digital photo frames and other display solutions. For more information, visit www.viewsonic.com.au.

Sydney, Australia, 24 March 2010 – Mindscape Asia Pacific Pty Ltd, has today announced that it has been appointed the official Australian retail distributor for the highly acclaimed RPG title Torchlight. 

The single-player game will hit retail shelves in April 2010 and will include new features unavailable in the online version. The exclusive to retail features will include the ferret as a bonus pet and an optional full DVD editor allowing players to create their own content. Other key features include randomisation, simple interface and retirement system.

Torchlight is the widely anticipated role-playing game from the designers and leads of Diablo®, Diablo® II, Fateä and Mythos.  The game emphasises a simple and intuitive interface, fast and furious action, and a colourful and compelling game world for fans of RPG.

In Torchlight, players need to save the town of Torchlight, battling through rock and fire, lost cities and across ancient tombs on a perilous journey to cleanse the mines.  As one of three Character Classes, players will explore randomly generated dungeon levels, battle a huge variety of monsters and pursue endless variations of fame and fortune.

Torchlight has received a number of awards including Best Debut Game’ Award at the 2010 Game Developers Choice Awards, Game Industry News ‘RPG Game of the Year’ and the Game Developer’s Conference Choice Award for Best Debut.

Torchlight will be available through all major retailers and computer software outlets from in April 2010 and will be retailing for $29.95 inc. GST.  For further information please visit www.mindscape.com.au.

ABOUT MINDSCAPE (www.mindscape.com.au)

Mindscape develops, publishes and distributes games, productivity and reference software on the PC, Mac, DS, Wii, PSP, PS3, Xbox and online platforms.   The company’s rich  portfolio of award-winning products include Broderbund, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Endemol, Hoyle Games, IMSI, Konami, Legacy Interactive, Myhorseclub, Nancy Drew, Nuance, The Learning Company, Punch, Playfirst, PopCap, Thomas & Friends and Roxio.  Mindscape is a publicly listed company on the Paris Stock Market – Alternext since December 2007.

Special Edition DVD & DVD/Blu-ray Value Pack available from 19 May 2010 – including a Sneak Peek at Toy Story 3

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (WDSHE) proudly opens the Vault to release Special Editions of Disney Pixar classics Toy Story and Toy Story 2, including their first ever release on Blu-ray, on 19 May 2010. To herald the much-anticipated release of Toy Story 3, Disney presents these award-winning family favourites for fans to own, adding to Toy Story collections just in time for the next exciting installment.

The Special Edition discs are packed with all-new bonus features to thrill fans, new and old alike. In addition to an insight into the creative headquarters of Pixar, fans will also be among the first to get an exclusive sneak-peek at Toy Story 3’s storyline and new characters. Disney Pixar’s original Toy Story broke the mould of animated feature films and occupies well-deserved iconic status as a result. Toy Story first introduced a captive audience into the fantasy world of the lives toys lead when they’re left alone.

Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), is an old-fashioned cowboy doll and owner Andy’s favorite. But when Andy is given Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Tim Allen) for his birthday, the flashy new space hero captures his imagination and takes Andy’s room and the other toys by storm. Buzz and Woody’s rivalry soon winds up with a toy’s worst nightmare – being captured by Sid, the toy-torturing boy next door. Woody and Buzz must work together to escape, realising along the way that they’ve got a friend …in each other.

In Toy Story 2, while Andy is away at Summer Camp, Woody is toy-napped by Al, a greedy collector who needs Andy’s favorite toy to complete his ‘Roundup Gang Collection’. Together with Jessie (voiced by Joan Cusack), Bullseye and Stinky Pete the Prospector (voiced by Kelsey Grammar), Woody is on his way to a museum where he’ll spend the rest of his life behind glass. It’s up to Buzz, Mr. Potato Head, Hamm, Rex, and Slinky Dog to rescue their friend and remind him what being a toy is all about.

$24.95 – Toy Story Special Edition
(1 Disc DVD)
$39.95 – Toy Story Special Edition Blu-ray Value Pack
(1 Disc Blu-ray; 1 Disc DVD

James Cameron and Jon Landau Unveil Blu-ray and DVD

And Initiative To Plant One Million Trees Globally  

Sydney, Australia (March 23, 2010) – Today, AVATAR director  James Cameron and producer Jon Landau presented scenes from the film’s upcoming Blu-ray release, outlined the ongoing fan engagement program, and announced the global partnership between Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and Earth Day Network, the international non-profit organization that coordinates Earth Day programs annually. 

The ultimate high definition experience for home viewing audiences, AVATAR will be available on Blu-ray and DVD on April 29, 2010.  Internationally, the roll out begins April 21 ending May 6.  An ultimate edition release with immersive bonus materials is slated for November.  Connecting these two releases in April and November is “The Avatar Program,” an interactive consumer experience that offers an online hub for exclusive content, discounts and more.

“I am pleased to have the opportunity to share the environmental messages from AVATAR through the efforts during the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day and with Earth Day Network,” said James Cameron. “Earth Day Network’s commitment and actions to promote a healthy, sustainable planet go hand-in-hand with the themes of AVATAR.”

An action-adventure journey of self-discovery, AVATAR dramatically demonstrates how human invasion almost destroys the balance of life on the planet of Pandora.  The audience passionately roots for Pandora’s survival, everyone learns that all living beings are connected and that those who seek to exploit nature rather than respect it will only destroy themselves.  Taking that message of conservation and ecological harmony, the studio and Earth Day Network, together with various organizations worldwide, will pledge to plant one million trees across the globe by the end of 2010.

April Means AVATAR

Determined to achieve the very best home entertainment presentation, the April AVATAR Blu-ray and DVD release features the film and corresponding menu, utilizing the disc’s entire storage space in order to provide the highest quality optimal picture and sound.  “We wanted the best presentation of any film in the history of the Blu-ray and DVD formats,” said AVATAR producer Jon Landau. “Our launch into the home in April will allow fans to return to Pandora again and again.”

The AVATAR Program

Through a unique code found inside the AVATAR Blu-ray/DVD, consumers can register at www.avatarmovie.com into “The AVATAR Program” and gain exclusive access to first-look bonus materials, special content, money saving offers and much more.  Additionally, only those fans will be able to adopt one of the one million trees being planted on behalf of Earth Day and receive a virtual hometree.

 Other AVATAR digital initiatives include:

• “Pandorama” – Via a computer’s webcam users can immerse themselves into the world of Pandora, inserting themselves into different locations from the movie and interacting with the elements in each; users can snap postcards and share amongst friends only at www.pandorama.avatarmovie.com
• “Immersive Trailer” – The first-ever interactive trailer allows fans to click on any part of the video to explore detail frame-by-frame and in-context “hot spots” that will offer meticulous information on characters, locations and more
• “Interactive Desktop Wallpaper” – Instant access to all things AVATAR including newsfeeds, videos, social network updates and exclusive content that is updated automatically right on your desktop 
• “Avatar Yourself” – Unique software where users can transform an image of themselves into a Na’vi image.

Blue Goes Green

Earth Day Network will spearhead the initiative and collaborate with its international partners to plant one million trees, indigenous to each region in 15 different countries, by the end of 2010.  The organization is committed to caring for and nurturing the trees to maturity, as well as considering natural disasters such as fires and landslides during the planting process.

“AVATAR sends a universal message about the danger of exploiting our natural resources and brings to the forefront of the global consciousness the need to protect our planet and humanity, said Kathleen Rogers, President, Earth Day Network.  “We hope this commitment from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment to plant one million trees, will inspire others to stand up against climate change for Earth Day.”

AVATAR Impact

Since its global theatrical release last December, AVATAR has continued to make motion picture history. Written by James Cameron and produced with his long-time collaborator Jon Landau, AVATAR stars Sam Worthington, Zoë Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang,
Michelle Rodriguez, Giovanni Ribisi, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Wes Studi and Laz Alonso.

Oscarâ and Golden Globe® winning epic is the highest grossing film of all time, taking in over $2.6 billion (US) in worldwide box office with $1.9 billion (US) derived from international markets. Director James Cameron takes audiences to a spectacular world beyond imagination, where a reluctant hero embarks on a journey of redemption and discovery as he leads a heroic battle to save a civilization.  AVATAR delivers a fully immersive cinematic experience of a new kind, where the revolutionary technology invented to make the film disappears into the emotion of the characters and the epic nature of the story.

About Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

A recognized global industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC (TCFHE) is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming on DVD, Blu-ray Disc (BD) and Digital Copy as well as acquisitions and original productions.  The company also releases all products around the globe for MGM Home Entertainment.  Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets — from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce – throughout the world.  Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC is a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company.

About Earth Day Network

Earth Day Network was founded on the premise that all people, regardless of race, gender, income, or geography, have a moral right to a healthy, sustainable environment. Their mission is to broaden and diversify the environmental movement worldwide, and to mobilize it as the most effective vehicle for promoting a healthy, sustainable environment. We pursue our mission through a combination of education, public policy, and consumer activism campaigns.

Brand new trailer now available for download

SYDNEY, 23 March, 2010:Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has today released the second installment of official gameplay footage from “METAL GEAR SOLID PEACE WALKER”, featuring exclusive 2-Man Cell Co-op gameplay footage.

The trailer introduces previously unseen “Co-Ops” sneaking footage. Co-Ops will allow players to team up via the game’s multi-player feature helping extend key gameplay advances. Players will be able to administer medical help to colleagues, share munitions, provide cover for each other using the Co-Op feature.

The new trailer is now available for download here. You can also view the trailer via the Konami YouTube channel.

Drive your System Beyond the Limit 

Sydney, Australia, 23 March 2010 – ASUS Republic of Gamers reveals the latest addition to their roster of performers, the world-record shattering Rampage III Extreme. Delivering Intel’s X58/ICH10R chipset with support for the Intel® processors in the LGA1366 package up to six cores and a plethora of features demanded by intense users, this board is the only choice for PC speed demons.

Welcome to the Overclockers’ Delight

Remote tweaking becomes effortless thanks to built-in ROG Connect and RC Bluetooth, giving users the freedom to unchain true hardware potential. That’s only part of the picture, since this board comes with a host of accoutrements, including the outlandish Extreme OC Kit overclocking tool, which takes the concept way beyond the norm. USB BIOS Flashback allows for easy instant flashing of the BIOS, all the better to drive the most spectacular results through up to four full graphics cards. R3E contains the latest iteration of Extreme Engine Digi+ voltage modulation technology for purer, more stable power.

It’s Got the Power

Extreme Engine Digi+ provides solid power management on Rampage III Extreme. It melds all the advantages of analog and digital VRM design to cut on switching latency and improve overall fidelity in the board. Pulse width modulation (PWM) likewise gains in finesse for added board tolerance, paving the way for exploratory overclocking. Heat dissipation is improved 30% over traditional MOSFET, while conductivity has gone up by 40%, both thanks to use of FET+ in construction. ASUS has responded to feedback from competitive overclockers by included a newly-designed signal choke that handles up to 40 amperes.

Target Benchmark

The OC Kit has a LN2 mode and a Q reset that addresses cold boot problems and enables fast operation even under very low temps during extreme overclocking. Dual 8-pin power connectors and two 4-pin Molex plugs furnish CPU and GPU with ample room, freeing power while preventing mishaps. Thoughtful touches encourage inventive testing, including a convenient PCIe X16 lane signal disabling allowing users to test each graphics card individually for optimised results.

Specifications

For more information, please log on to http://rog.asus.com

–       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.

Square Enix London Studios, a part of Square Enix Europe, today announced that the critically acclaimed Batman: Arkham Asylum won 2 awards at last week’s British Academy Video Game Awards (BAFTA), including Best Game and Gameplay. Held annually in London, the BAFTA Awards recognise the best in innovation and talent within the videogame industry.

¨It’s fantastic for Batman: Arkham Asylum to win such prestigious awards, ¨ said Lee Singleton, General Manager of Square Enix London Studios. ¨To receive recognition from the British Academy is a huge honor and reflects the passion and dedication of everyone involved in the game.¨

In Batman: Arkham Asylum, BATMAN finds himself trapped inside the confines of Gotham’s psychiatric hospital for the criminally insane, ARKHAM ASYLUM. The Joker has set a trap for the DARK KNIGHT and has conspired with the deranged inmates to eliminate Batman once and for all. Adding to the authenticity of the game are veteran animated Batman voice talents Mark Hamill and Kevin Conroy, who reprise their roles as The Joker and Batman respectively.

Batman: Arkham Asylum features an original story by Paul Dini, Batman writer and five-time Emmy Award winner whose credits include Lost and Batman: The Animated Series. Gamers will move in the shadows, instil fear amongst their enemies and confront The Joker and Gotham City’s most notorious villains, including HARLEY QUINN, BANE, KILLER CROC, POISON IVY and SCARECROW, who have taken over the asylum.

Batman: Arkham Asylum is available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Games For Windows® LIVE.

Sydney, Australia, 23rd March, 2010 – QVS, a leading software and accessories distributor that has operated in Australia, announced today that Nero, creators of liquid media technology, have chosen QVS as their official partner for the Australian/New Zealand markets. The agreement positions QVS as the exclusive distributor to the retail channel in the region.

With QVS as a driving force in the Australian market with strong distribution channel and a wide spectrum of software and Nero’s position as an innovative provider of technology that helps consumers enjoy their content at home and on-the-go, the partnership is set to be a successful one which further cements both companies positions in the marketplace.

“We’re very happy to be working with a global market leader in Nero and are absolutely certain that the partnership will be a mutually successful one which we envisage will run well into the distant future“, says Paul Elliot – Managing Director, QVS International.

“The Australian market is very important to Nero” Richard Carriere – President, Nero Inc. “Therefore, we choose to engage with a strong distribution partner, who covers a wide spectrum of software and has years of experience in this field. With QVS, we found such a partner and we’re certain that both companies will benefit from the cooperation moving forward.”

The home of Japanese games has appointed AIE as their Australian publisher.

Gold Coast: 23rd March 2010. All Interactive Entertainment (AIE) together with Rising Star Games (RSG) are pleased to announce that they will be partnering with the immediate releases the company has scheduled for 2010.

Rising Star Games are excited about the partnership and believe their games will be well represented in the Australian market. (“I have been overwhelmed by the energy and passion shown by the team at AIE for our brand and products. AIE have demonstrated an understanding of our unique positioning in the market and an enthusiasm to collaborate with RSG to ensure we deliver great gaming content to the Australian market.” quote from Martin Defries Managing Director & C.O.O.)

Some of the titles being released include the Fragile Dreams, Way of the Samurai 3, Avalon Code, Luminous Arc 2, Half Minute Hero, Samurai Showdown Sen, Animal Kororo and the highly anticipated sequel for the Wii console; No More Heroes 2 – Desperate Struggle.

No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle continues the tale of punk anti-hero Travis Touchdown, the Japanese anime Otaku, and pro wrestling-obsessed assassin. Travis finds himself at the bottom of the UAA (United Assassins Association) rankings and must wage war to become the No. 1 assassin once again. The follow-up to the popular No More Heroes will offer fans infectious, fun game play that allows you to wield not just one, but two swords and face multiple bosses simultaneously in bigger-than-ever boss battles.

This exciting edition to the adult collection of Wii games which is currently lacking allows you too use the Wii controllers to slice and dice your opponents with the flick of a wrist.

So far it has received strong review scores from; NGamer: 94%, Edge: 9/10, Official Nintendo Magazine: 88%. “Desperate Struggle is a brilliantly twisted love letter to the videogame medium” GamesSpy.

Rising Star Games are also responsible for such games as…..the ‘Harvest Moon’ series, the acclaimed ‘Muramasa’ Nintendo Wii title alongside the much lauded ‘Little Kings Story’ With a portfolio of more than 50 releases since its inception in 2004, Rising Star Games has consistently delivered great Japanese games to Australia from developers and publishers such as Marvelous Entertainment, Atlus, Spike, Hudson, Irem, Tecmo, etc.,

Launch date of No More Heroes is May 22nd

Features:

• Extensive dual class system with 30 class combinations
• Individual furnishing of player and guild houses
• Epic quest lines telling an in-depth story
• Gripping duels, player vs. player arenas, battlefields and three-server-battles
• Regular free updates with new game content
• Easy travel with portal stones and ride-on creatures
• Challenging combat in dangerous and expansive dungeons with up to 36 players simultaneously
• Unique elite skills for each dual class combination
• Dynamic crafting and upgrading of items

ABOUT RISING STAR GAMES:
RSG has achieved a landmark catalogue of more than 50 titles across the key gaming platforms from Nintendo & Sony. The next 12 months will add Microsoft’s Xbox to its growing roster. Based in the United Kingdom it has become the home of Japanese games and in 2008/2009 expanded its partner portfolio to include titles from two further Japanese companies: Atlus & Gamebridge (I’m unsure about this). RSG sells directly to partner distribution companies in more than 50 overseas markets and in 2009 brought fresh attitude to a consolidating market.

ABOUT ALL INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT:
Based on the Gold Coast of Australia, All Interactive Entertainment (AIE) is a wholly owned subsidiary of All Interactive Distribution (AID) and holds the exclusive distribution rights for N3V Publishing in Australia and New Zealand. More information on AIE can be found at www.aie.allinteractive.com.au

All Interactive Distribution was established in 1994 and over the last 15 years has grown into one of the largest distributors of interactive entertainment product in Australia. AID also acts as a sub-distributor for all of the video games and DVD publishers in Australia and distributes, on behalf of Nintendo, into the New Zealand market. More information on AID can be found at www.allinteractive.com.au