Archive for January, 2010
From/De: EA
BioWare’s Mass Effect 2 Hailed as 1st Blockbuster of 2010
Game Earns Rave Reviews, Sells 2 Million Units in Week One
EDMONTON, Alberta, Jan 29, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) — 40 perfect scores. 2 million units. One pop culture phenomenon. BioWare(TM), a division of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), announced today that Mass Effect(TM) 2 has sold-in over two million units worldwide in its first week of release*. Lauded for its intense shooter gameplay and deep, hand-crafted story, Mass Effect 2 has earned an average review score of 96** — making it the second highest rated game of all time on the Xbox 360(R) platform***. Mass Effect 2 has earned 40 perfect scores, amassed over 30 editor’s choice awards and has donned the covers of 45 magazines worldwide. On launch day, the term “Mass Effect” was in the top 10 trending topics on Twitter and most searched on Google News. MSNBC.com said, “Mass Effect will go down as one of the most influential video game series of all-time.”
Dr. Ray Muzyka, co-founder, BioWare and Group General Manager of the RPG/MMO Group of EA said, “Mass Effect 2 is poised to be one of the biggest games of 2010. We could not be more proud of the game’s universal acclaim and early commercial success.”
Mass Effect 2 launched this week hot on the heels of BioWare’s Dragon Age: Origins, the studio’s dark fantasy RPG which shipped in fall 2009. Dragon Age: Origins has earned an average review score of 91****, making it the highest rated original intellectual property from EA in the last year. Mass Effect 2 follows in BioWare’s tradition of delivering excellence on every front: gameplay, story, character development and visuals. Mass Effect 2 is an epic shooter/RPG set in a vast universe filled with dangerous alien life and mysterious, uncharted planets. In Mass Effect 2, players step into the role of the heroic Commander Shepard, leading a crew of some of the most dangerous operatives from across the galaxy on a mission so challenging that it’s potentially suicidal. Featuring intense action, a rich storyline, space exploration and engaging character interaction, Mass Effect 2 delivers an unparalleled gaming experience.
Mass Effect 2 is available for the Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system and the PC and is rated ‘M’ for Mature by the ESRB and ’18+’ by PEGI. For more information, follow the development team on Twitter at http://twitter.com/masseffect2 or visit http://masseffect.bioware.com/.
* According to internal EA data.
** On Xbox 360 platform according to Metacritic.com.
*** Mass Effect 2 is tied for second place according to Metacritic.com.
**** On PC according to Metacritic.com.
About BioWare
BioWare develops high quality console, PC and online role-playing games, focused on rich stories, unforgettable characters and vast worlds to discover. Since 1995, BioWare has created some of the world’s most critically acclaimed titles, including Baldur’s Gate(TM), Neverwinter Nights(TM), Star Wars(R): Knights of the Old Republic(TM), Jade Empire(TM) and Mass Effect(TM). BioWare operates in Edmonton (Alberta, Canada), Montreal (Quebec) and Austin (Texas). BioWare’s announced projects include the dark heroic fantasy game Dragon Age: Origins, as well as Mass Effect 2(TM), the epic sequel to Mass Effect, and the story-driven massively multiplayer online game, Star Wars(R): The Old Republic(TM). In 2008, BioWare was acquired by Electronic Arts, a leading global interactive entertainment publisher. For more information on BioWare, visit www.bioware.com; to join the millions of fans already registered on our community, go to social.bioware.com.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is a leading global interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless devices and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA(TM), EA SPORTS(TM), EA Mobile(TM) and POGO(TM). In fiscal 2009, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $4.2 billion and had 31 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA’s homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA’s products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.
BioWare, Mass Effect, Dragon Age and Jade Empire are trademarks or registered trademarks owned by EA International (Studio and Publishing) Ltd. in the U.S. and/or other countries. EA, EA SPORTS, EA Mobile and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Xbox and Xbox 360 are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
29
Jan
10
EA Sports FIFA Online [PC]
From/De: EA Sports UK
EA SPORTS UNVEILS FREE DOWNLOADABLE FOOTBALL GAME FOR PC
Football Fans Will Shape EA SPORTS FIFA Online Content During Development Process
GUILDFORD, UK., – 29th January 2010 – Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today development of a free-to-play*, downloadable game called EA SPORTS™ FIFA Online that will make its most popular and highest rated^ videogame franchise available to football fans with a broadband internet connection and an average spec laptop computer or desk-top personal computer. The free-to-play EA SPORTS FIFA videogame will call on football fans and gamers to help shape features during closed beta testing prior to its English language European open beta release in June 2010.
“Listening to and engaging football fans has been one of the driving forces behind the success of our FIFA franchise and now we are inviting European football fans–in mass numbers and earlier than we ever have before–to help us develop a new football game,” said Executive Producer Kaz Makita. “Fans will determine the features that matter most, and at the end of this process, our goal is to deliver a game for fans looking for a quick football fix at home or at work.”
“There are a large number of football fans who do not want a console gaming experience due to time and other priorities in their personal lives but they still want to be able to play a top-quality football videogame,” explained Makita. “FIFA Online will be designed specifically for them.”
Beginning February 3, football fans across Europe are invited to register to participate in the closed beta development and testing of FIFA Online by visiting http://fifa-online.easports.com. More than 20,000 fans will be involved in the first phase of closed beta testing and then, during open beta in June, hundreds of thousands of fans will test the game, providing feedback directly to the game’s developers through exclusive discussion forums.
EA SPORTS FIFA Online will be released around the world in stages. The English language version will be available to all football fans in June, 2010. Over the next 12 to 24 months FIFA Online will launch in other languages across Europe and then in North America. Non-English speaking football fans will also be able to participate in the development process of these games.
EA SPORTS FIFA Online will offer an authentic football experience with 30 licensed leagues, 500 clubs and more than 15,000 players. During the first closed beta stage beginning February 3, the game will feature a 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa tournament mode and a control system that uses the mouse only. At the second stage of closed beta, the game will feature a League Mode that enables fans to manage and compete as their favorite football club, and the ability to play online matches. FIFA Online will enable football fans and gamers to build their favorite club into their dream team by developing or acquiring players, upgrading skills, and getting unique apparel by earning in-game currency to acquire items or through micro-transactions. Additional content will be designed for the game based on feedback by fans.
Register to play at http://fifa-online.easports.com.
EA SPORTS FIFA Online is developed by EA Canada and EA Singapore. The game is rated PEGI +3.
Screenshots can be downloaded at www.easports.co.uk/press.
EA SPORTS™ is one of the leading sports entertainment brands in the world, with top-selling videogame franchises, award-winning interactive technology, global videogame competitions and breakthrough digital experiences. EA SPORTS delivers personal access to the emotion of sports through industry-leading sports simulation videogames, including Madden NFL football, FIFA Soccer, NHL® hockey, NBA LIVE basketball, NCAA® Football and NCAA Basketball, Fight Night boxing and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® golf, while EA SPORTS Active for the Wii is the most critically acclaimed product available for interactive fitness.
For more information about EA SPORTS, including news, video, blogs, forums, fantasy leagues and game communities, please visit www.easports.com to connect, share and compete.
- See website for details
^ according to Metacritic.com
###
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is a leading global interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless devices and the Internet.
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is a leading global interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless devices and the Internet.
Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EATM, EA SPORTSTM, EA Mobile TM and POGOTM. In fiscal 2009, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $4.2 billion and had 31 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA’s homepage and online game site is www.easports.co.uk. More information about EA’s products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at www.easports.co.uk/press.
EA, EA SPORTS, EA Mobile, POGO and EA SPORTS Active are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. Official FIFA licensed product “© The FIFA name and OLP Logo are copyright or trademark protected by FIFA. All rights reserved.” Manufactured under license by Electronic Arts Inc. Player names and likenesses used under license from FIFA, International Federation of Professional Footballers “(FIFPro)” and national teams.
© The Official Emblem and Official Mascot of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ and the FIFA World Cup Trophy are copyrights and trademarks of FIFA. All rights reserved.
John Madden, NFL, NHL, NBA, NCAA, Tiger Woods and PGA TOUR are trademarks of their respective owners and used with permission.
From/De:
Full Sail University to Provide Host Location for the 2010 Global Game Jam
WINTER PARK, FL, January 26, 2009 – Full Sail University (www.fullsail.edu), an award-winning entertainment media institution, is honored to be the only host location in the state of Florida for the 2010 Global Game Jam (www.globalgamejam.org), being held on January 29-31, 2010.
The Global Game Jam (GGJ) was established in 2009 as an International Game Developers Association (IGDA) event that brings together talented individuals and teams from around the globe. Participants are given a central theme, for which they have 48 hours to create a video game. The goal of the event is not to compete, but to rapidly prototype video game designs, while providing new ideas to advance the gaming industry.
“With its state-of-the-art facilities and commitment to educational excellence, Full Sail University will be participating as a host location that offers an innovative environment for participants in the state of Florida,” said Susan Gold, Course Director in the Game Design Master of Science Degree Program for Full Sail University and Founder of the Global Game Jam. “Orchestrating a global picture that provides a vehicle for students, professional developers, and creative individuals to collaborate using the universal language of videogames is the rewarding result of the Global Game Jam.”
Currently, the GGJ has 133 locations in 38 countries around the world including, but not limited to: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Scotland, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, United Kingdom, and the United States.
About Full Sail University:
Since 1979, Full Sail University, located outside of Orlando, FL, has been an innovative educational leader for those pursuing careers in the entertainment industry. With over 34,000 alumni, graduate credits include work on OSCARÒ, EmmyÒ and GRAMMY®-winning projects, best-selling video games, and #1 grossing U.S. concert tours. Full Sail’s 191-acre campus and online education platform proudly welcomes over 8,400 students from 50 states and 57 countries.
Full Sail currently offers a total of 29 degree programs including: Associate of Science Degrees in Graphic Design and Recording Engineering; Bachelor of Science Degrees offered in: Computer Animation, Digital Arts & Design, Entertainment Business, Film, Game Art, Game Design, Game Development, Graphic Design, Internet Marketing, Music Business, Music Production, Recording Arts, Show Production, and Web Design & Development; Master of Science Degrees in Education Media Design & Technology, Game Design, Entertainment Business, and Internet Marketing; and Master of Fine Arts Degrees in Creative Writing and Media Design.
Full Sail was most recently named “Best Company” in the 2009 Orlando Business Journal’s Reader’s Choice Awards, as well as the 2008 “School/College of the Year” by the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges. The university has also been previously named: The Harvard of Game Schools by Tips & Tricks Magazine; one of the top three New Media Schools by Shift Magazine (alongside the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and New York University); one of the Top Five Game Degree Programs in the world by Electronic Gaming Monthly; one of the Best Music Programs in the country by Rolling Stone Magazine; one of the Best Music Business Departments in the Schools That Rock: The Rolling Stone College Guide; and one of the Best Film Programs in the country by UNleashed Magazine.
For more information about Full Sail, please visit www.fullsail.edu.
From/De: Sony Computer Entertainment America
Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA), together with 7-Eleven, Inc. and Mountain Dew, is pleased to announce an exclusive promotion around one of PlayStation’s most anticipated releases: God of War® III. Starting February 1, 2010, participating 7-Eleven locations will feature Kratos Fury, a custom-themed God of War-flavored Slurpee drink and a series of four exclusive Slurpee cups with never-before-seen God of War artwork. The program is exclusive to 7-Eleven stores and is the first of its kind for the popular God of War franchise.
Starting on February 1 through March 31, God of War fans can collect all four exclusive Kratos-themed cups at their local, participating 7-Eleven while quenching their thirst with Kratos Fury, a blackberry and lime-flavored Slurpee beverage created by Mountain Dew and 7-Eleven specifically for the Kratos Slurpee program. With each Slurpee purchase fans can collect codes that can be redeemed at www.Slurpee.com for God of War and Slurpee-themed content in advance of the general public release such as:
* A behind-the-scenes video, developed by Sony Computer Entertainment’s Santa Monica Studios exclusively for 7-Eleven, that takes you through the mythos and development of creating the Chimera character – the three-headed beast seen in the God of War III demo.
* Exclusive armor for Kratos called Morpheus, which unlocks once you’ve played through God of War III
* A dynamic theme for the PlayStation®3 system that features Kratos’ animated face. A static theme will also be available.
* Kratos-themed wallpapers for PCs
* God of War- or 7-Eleven-themed PlayStation®Home t-shirt’s or Slurpee-themed hoodie’s available for both males and females
Fans will also have the opportunity to pre-order a copy of God of War III and receive a free God of War III poster at participating 7-Eleven stores. For continued information on the program as well as a sneak peek at cup artwork and downloadable content, please check out the PlayStation Blog http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/01/kratos-fury-invading-local-7-eleven-stores/. Additional information will be available on www.slurpee.com on February 1, 2010.
28
Jan
10
Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City [PS3/PC] – The Lost and Damned & The Ballad of Gay Tony
From/De: Rockstar Games
Rockstar Games Announces Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City on PlayStation(R)3 and Games for Windows(R) – LIVE
The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony available together on a single disc and individually for digital download
New York, NY – January 29, 2010 – Rockstar Games, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), is pleased to announce the much anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Games for Windows® – LIVE on March 30, 2010. For the first time, PS3 and Games for Windows – LIVE players will have the opportunity to experience the last two thrilling chapters of the Grand Theft Auto IV saga.
The two action packed episodes will also be available for download on the PlayStation®Network and Games for Windows – LIVE on March 30, 2010. Each episode takes place in the same detailed and immersive world that made Grand Theft Auto IV one of the most critically acclaimed games of all time. Games for Windows – LIVE players can enjoy 32-player multiplayer matches and an advanced video editor, and all fans will experience new songs on the updated soundtrack as featured across Liberty City’s 13 diverse radio stations, alongside in-game television and Liberty City’s own internet.
“It’s been a long time coming, but we are proud to finally deliver Episodes From Liberty City for the PC and PlayStation 3,” said Sam Houser. “We appreciate the patience of our PlayStation 3 and PC fans worldwide, and we look forward to putting the games in your hands this March.”
The Lost and Damned is a dark trip through Liberty City’s seedy underbelly as outlaw biker, Johnny Klebitz, fights to keep his gang together as a rift in the gang’s leadership threatens to tear the brotherhood apart.In The Ballad of Gay Tony, players explore Liberty City’s high-end nightlife as Luis Lopez, struggling to balance the temptations of money and vice against loyalties to family and friends.Both episodes feature a slew of new vehicles and weapons, and each episode adds new activities including cage fighting, gang wars and BASE jumping.
Episodes from Liberty City – Available March 30, 2010 globally
(The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony together on one disc)
Does not require a copy of Grand Theft Auto IV
PlayStation 3
Games for Windows – LIVE
The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony – Available March 30, 2010 globally
(Individual episodes for digital download)
Requires a copy of Grand Theft Auto IV
PlayStation Network
Games for Windows – LIVE
Episodes from Liberty City is rated M for Mature by the ESRB and is currently available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and each episode is also available from the Xbox LIVE® Marketplace.
For more information visit www.rockstargames.com/episodesfromlibertycity.
About Take-Two Interactive Software
Headquartered in New York City, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is a global developer, marketer, distributor and publisher of interactive entertainment software games for the PC, PlayStation®3 and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment systems, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Wii™, Nintendo DS™, iPhone™ and iPod® touch. The Company publishes and develops products through its wholly owned labels Rockstar Games and 2K, which publishes its titles under 2K Games, 2K Sports and 2K Play. Take-Two also distributes software, hardware and accessories in North America through its Jack of All Games subsidiary. The Company’s common stock is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol TTWO. For more corporate and product information please visit our website at www.take2games.com.
Headquartered in New York City, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is a global developer, marketer, distributor and publisher of interactive entertainment software games for the PC, PlayStation®3 and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment systems, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Wii™, Nintendo DS™, iPhone™ and iPod® touch. The Company publishes and develops products through its wholly owned labels Rockstar Games and 2K, which publishes its titles under 2K Games, 2K Sports and 2K Play. Take-Two also distributes software, hardware and accessories in North America through its Jack of All Games subsidiary. The Company’s common stock is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol TTWO. For more corporate and product information please visit our website at www.take2games.com.
Microsoft, Windows, the Windows Vista Start button, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies and ‘Games for Windows’ and the Windows Vista Start button logo are used under license from Microsoft.
“PlayStation” and the “PS” Family logo are registered trademarks and “PS3” is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. The PlayStation Network Logo is a service mark of Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc.
All trademarks and copyrights contained herein are the property of their respective holders.
28
Jan
10
Grand Theft Auto: Episodes From Liberty City [PS3] – The Lost and Damned & The Ballad of Gay Tony
From/De: Sony Computer Entertainment America
Grand Theft Auto: Episodes From Liberty City Coming to PlayStation(R)3 This Spring
Experience the Exhilarating Final Chapters in the Grand Theft Auto IV Saga
FOSTER CITY, Calif., Jan. 29 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (SCEA) announced today that Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City will release for PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system on March 30, 2010. Created by RockStar Games, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (Nasdaq: TTWO), PS3 fans will have the opportunity for the first time to experience the last two exciting chapters of the Grand Theft Auto IV saga together on one standalone Blu-ray™ disc, or as individual episodes available for download on PlayStation®Network.
In the first episode, The Lost and Damned, players will become immersed in the dark underworld of Liberty City and its motorcycle gangs led by Johnny Klebitz and The Lost motorcycle club. Players will follow the shady exploits of Luis Lopez in the second episode, The Ballad of Gay Tony, as he becomes involved in Liberty City’s fast-paced, corrupt nightclub scene. Both episodes feature new vehicles, weapons, and music.
“Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City has been one of the most requested gameplay experiences by PlayStation fans, and we’re thrilled to finally bring the closing chapters of the GTA IV story from one of the biggest franchises in gaming to PS3,” said Rob Dyer, senior vice president of publisher relations, SCEA.
Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City for PS3 will become available in stores on March 30, 2010 in North America at a recommended retail price (RRP) of $39.99. The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony also will be available on the same day in North America to purchase separately on PlayStation®Store via PlayStation Network for $19.99.
The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has rated Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City “M” for Mature. For more information about the ESRB visit www.esrb.org.
About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one® game consoles, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system, and the ground-breaking PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system.
Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets, and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the PSP system and the PS3 system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Visit us on the Web at http://www.us.playstation.com
“PlayStation”, “PSP” and “PS one” are registered trademarks and “PS3″ is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Blu-ray is a trademark. Other trademarks are properties of their respective owners.
From/De: Namco Bandai Games America
Namco Bandai Games Hosts Tekken 6 Global Championship Final
Sunday, March 7, 2010 (Local Japan Time)
| WHAT: | NAMCO BANDAI Games will host a premier championship gaming tournament for TEKKEN® 6, the latest installment of the top-selling fighting video game franchise which has shipped more than 2.5 million units worldwide since its Oct. 27, 2009 launch for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. After months of no-holds-barred worldwide tournaments, the best of the best have emerged and the world’s top TEKKEN 6 players – including four from the North American championship – will go head-to-head, competing for thousands of dollars worth in prizes, and ultimate bragging rights at the TEKKEN 6 Global Championship Finals in Tokyo, Japan. |
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| WHO: |
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| WHEN: | Sunday, March 7, 2010 (local Japan time) |
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| WHERE: | Tokyo International Forum Hall B7, 5-1 Marunouchi 3-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005, Japan |
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