Mortal Kombat Klassic DLC Pack Now Available

This collection consists of seven pre-order klassic character skins for Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Reptile, Ermac, Mileena, Jade and Kitana and klassic fatalities for Reptile, Scorpion and Sub-Zero.

PRESS RELEASE

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and NetherRealm Studios announce today that the first DLC pack for the legendary fighting game Mortal Kombat is officially available. Featuring all of the of the pre-order content in one set, this collection consists of seven pre-order klassic character skins for Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Reptile, Ermac, Mileena, Jade and Kitana and klassic fatalities for Reptile, Scorpion and Sub-Zero. It is now available for purchase on Microsoft Xbox Live Arcade for 400 Microsoft Points or $4.99 on PlayStation Network.

If you are attending E3, please be sure to stop by the Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment booth (South Hall 2401) to check out the upcoming new DLC content – all-new warrior Skarlet – where she will be playable for the first time.

Mortal Kombat is the most brutal installment of the legendary fighting game to date and is currently available on the PlayStation(r)3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360(r) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft in 2011. The game, along with the upcoming DLC, have all been developed by NetherRealm Studios, led by Mortal Kombat creator and creative director Ed Boon.

VIDEO GAME PLAY INCREASES AS BREADTH OF GAME CONTENT GROWS

Report Finds More Women, Adults Play Games

PRESS RELEASE

June 7, 2011 – Washington, DC – 72 percent of American households play video games and 82 percent of gamers are adults according to new research released today by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). In a report released at E3, the world’s leading video game event, the data presented a consumer base that is increasingly diverse and receiving interactive game content on myriad platforms.

The report, 2011 Essential Facts About the Computer and Video Game Industry, also found 42 percent of gamers are women and that women age 18 or older represent more than one third of the game-playing population. In addition, purchases of digital full games, digital add-on content, mobile apps, subscriptions and social network gaming accounted for 24 percent of game sales in 2010, generating $5.9 billion in revenue.

“Our industry’s innovative titles are reaching new consumers in broader, deeper and more-engaging ways,” said Michael D. Gallagher, president and CEO of the ESA. “Technological advancements and terrific entertainment experiences in our industry make it possible for people of all ages to enjoy games at home or on the go, and the creativity of our developers and publishers leads to an ever-expanding variety of video games to choose from in both digital and physical formats.”

The survey also found that parents remain highly involved in their children’s game play and see several benefits of entertainment software. Forty-five percent of parents report playing computer and video games with their children at least weekly and nine out of ten parents pay attention to the content of the games their children play. In addition, 68 percent of parents believe that game play provides mental stimulation or education, 57 percent believe games encourage their family to spend time together, and 54 percent believe that game play helps their children connect with their friends.

Other findings of the survey include:
• The average game player is 37 years old, while the average game purchaser is 41 years old;
• Sixty-five percent of gamers play games with other gamers in person;
• More than half (55 percent) of gamers play games on their phones or handheld devices;
• Eighty-six percent of parents are aware of the Entertainment Software Rating Board rating system, and 98 percent of these parents are confident in the accuracy of the ratings;
• Parents are present when games are purchased or rented 91 percent of the time; and
• Consumers spent $25.1 billion on game content, hardware and accessories in 2010.

The research for the 2011 Essential Facts About the Computer and Video Game Industry was conducted by Ipsos MediaCT and is the most in-depth and targeted survey of its kind, gathering data from almost 1,200 nationally representative households that have been identified as owning either or both a video game console or a personal computer used to run entertainment software.

The Entertainment Software Association is the U.S. association dedicated to serving the business and public affairs needs of companies publishing interactive games for video game consoles, handheld devices, personal computers, and the Internet. The ESA offers services to interactive entertainment software publishers including a global anti-piracy program, hosting the E3 Expo, conducting business and consumer research, representing the video game industry in federal and state government relations, First Amendment and intellectual property protection efforts. For more information, please visit www.theESA.com.

Storm8 Takes Mobile Gaming by Storm

Tops 200 Million Downloads and Achieves First Million Dollar Day

PRESS RELEASE

Redwood City, CA – June 7, 2011 Storm8, developer of the world’s most downloaded social games on iPhone and Android, today announced it has reached 200 million downloads and, during a promotional event, achieved its first Million Dollar Day. Storm8’s success is unparalleled in mobile gaming. The company has launched 18 immensely popular social games and is continually working on expanding its portfolio. Storm8 currently offers nine role-playing games under the Storm8 brand and nine virtual world simulation games under the brand of TeamLava, a highly innovative studio owned by Storm8. Today’s announcement marks an important new milestone in Storm8’s phenomenal success story.

Storm8’s unbridled growth continues apace. The company’s network has reached more than 58 million mobile devices and rapidly continues to expand. During a recent promotional event, Storm8 boasted ten games within the Top 25 Grossing Apps on the App Store, including the number one spot with its blockbuster title iMobsters, and seven games in the Top 10 Grossing Apps on the Android Market.

“The entire team is very excited about achieving 200 million downloads and our first million dollar day. Our players love our games – we are serving more than four million daily active users,” remarked Perry Tam, CEO and Co-Founder of Storm8. “Mobile is the next frontier of social games. People want to play games with friends anywhere and anytime.

“Storm8 is committed to bringing the best social gaming experience to the billions of mobile users across the world.”

Storm8, founded in March 2009, continues to expand its team and is quickly approaching fifty employees. The company’s stellar management team includes talented individuals from Facebook, Chillingo, and Electronic Arts. The entire Storm8 team is focused on inventing the next generation of social games on mobile devices.

NAMCO BANDAI BRINGING TWO FRANCHISES TO NINTENDO 3DS

ACE COMBAT 3D, and PAC-MAN PARTY 3D to Release in (You Guessed It) Stereoscopic 3D

PRESS RELEASE

SANTA CLARA, Calif., (June 7, 2011) -Leading video game publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. today announced that ACE COMBAT(r)3D and PAC-MAN PARTY ™ 3D are in development for Nintendo 3DS(tm). These titles illustrate the company’s commitment to bringing its most popular gaming franchises to all new and emerging platforms. Leveraging the power of the Nintendo 3DS system, each of the games takes full advantage of the system’s unique features, bringing a new dimension to these classic series.

“The Nintendo 3DS presents us with a great opportunity to craft captivating game worlds for players to enjoy in full 3D, bringing them closer to the action than ever before,” says Carlson Choi, vice president of marketing, NAMCO BANDAI Games America. “From the arcade to portable devices, we’ve strived to give loyal fans the best gameplay experience and look to expand this proud legacy by bringing some of NAMCO BANDAI’s most cherished IPs to the Nintendo 3DS.”

ACE COMBAT 3D soars to the Nintendo 3DS platform with an intense 3D experience that delivers supersonic flying, exciting dogfights and high-altitude acrobatics. With touch screen targeting and added control mechanics, players take full command of every intense skirmish to enable split-second counter-maneuvers, dynamic dogfight action and satisfying enemy takedowns. Fans of the series can look forward to a wide variety of real-world aircrafts to pilot, and a diverse range of missions to take on.

PAC-MAN PARTY 3D brings together family and friends with a fun experience that includes dozens of mini-games for gamers to play with or against each other. Perfect for the whole family, PAC-MAN PARTY 3D features a variety of control styles that utilize the system’s buttons, touchscreen, microphone, and accelerometer. With support for download play, friends can join in on the fun using just one cartridge shared across Nintendo 3DS systems.

ACE COMBAT 3D and PAC-MAN PARTY 3D will be available for Nintendo 3DS later this year.

GO VACATION(tm) COMING TO Wii THIS FALL

NAMCO BANDAI Takes Wii Players to Four Unique Destinations and Dozens of Vacation Activities

PRESS RELEASE

SANTA CLARA, Calif., (June 7, 2011) – Leading video game publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. today announced Go Vacation(tm) for the Wii(tm) system will be available Fall 2011. Set on the resort of Kawawii Island, Go Vacation brings an open-ended world of exploration and adventure that includes engaging activities for the entire family to enjoy. With a fun variety of activities to play, Go Vacation is the perfect gaming getaway.

From snowcapped mountains to the bright lights of a bustling cityscape, Go Vacation gives gamers the option to take part in heated street races, relaxing scuba diving excursions and pulse-pounding skydiving sessions and more-all accessed by actually visiting each location in-game instead of simply choosing them from a menu. With support for a whole suite of Wii hardware accessories, including the Wii Balance Board(tm), the Wii Zapper(tm) and Wii MotionPlus(tm), every activity offers a fun and natural control scheme that allows gamers to easily jump in and play.

“Go Vacation offers the perfect break for parents, kids, friends and family to escape the hustle and bustle of work and school to just relax, have fun, and for the first time in this genre, actually roam around these exotic locales in search for the perfect activity,” said Carlson Choi, Vice President of Marketing, NAMCO BANDAI Games America. “Each game and activity across these massive resorts builds upon NAMCO BANDAI’s strength in making fun and engaging gameplay experiences that everyone can enjoy-a craft we’ve been cultivating for decades since PAC-MAN(r) and Galaga(r).”

Each of the resort locations in Kawawii Island offer their own distinctive landscape and thematic adventures. From inline skating, hang gliding, surfing, skydiving, horseback riding, tennis, fishing, snowboarding, street racing, dancing and more, there is no shortage of activities for players to take part in.

XFIRE AND GAMERSFIRST ANNOUNCE MULTI-GAME BUNDLE PARTNERSHIP

Bundled Games To Offer Increased Level Of Social Interactivity

PRESS RELEASE

LOS ANGELES, June 7, 2011 – Xfire (http://www.xfire.com), the world’s leading social tools resource and provider for PC gamers, today announced its partnership with GamersFirst (http://www.gamersfirst.com), the world leader in Free2Play® massively multiplayer online games, to bring its services to three of their premier games: *APB Reloaded, WarRock, and Sword 2*. Xfire provides GamersFirst with its private-labeled in-game social toolset, such as: in-game text and voice chat, user generated content for screen captures, video capture and live video streaming, game-hour tracking, one-click game joining, and much more. Xfire is also managing socially driven campaigns to promote GamersFirst titles to Xfire users, including Xfire Play2Win events. The programs are expected to drive significant volumes of high quality traffic for GamersFirst.

“We all know the market is shifting its focus to socially connected games; the days of playing video games by yourself are long gone; now it’s all about being interconnected via the web and other devices,” said Xfire President, Mark Donovan. “GamersFirst and many other free-to-play publishers are recognizing the need to add enhanced social features to their games, but they are tough and expensive to build. Customized Xfire bundles and promotional programs are the most cost-effective solution to drive acquisition and engagement for game publishers.”

With Xfire, users can text and voice-chat with their friends and even browse the Internet directly inside GamersFirst-bundled games, along with more than
2,300 other titles, so players do not have to leave their game. Gamers can capture and share screen shots and videos; in fact, Xfire users recorded more than 20 million screen shots in 2010 and Xfire has the world’s largest cache of gaming content. Xfire users can broadcast live game play on the Internet, and they currently stream 75 million minutes of live game play each month. Xfire users can also track their game-play through their personal gamer profile.

“Our partnership with Xfire parallels closely with GamersFirst’s ongoing mission to place the player’s community first while adding value for our gamers and improving our player acquisition and engagement. Today’s gamer wants to share, interact, cooperate and compete with other players, and our partnership with Xfire extends us further into the gamers’ community,” said Rahul Sandil, SVP of Marketing and Public Relations for GamersFirst. “Active player communities have been a key factor to our decade-long experience in sustainable free to play MMOs and we are certain that Xfire will further enhance our position in the global market.”

*GamersFirst Game Highlights*
• *APB Reloaded*: Currently in its open beta testing stage,* APB Reloaded* is a massively multiplayer online third-person shooter game based in the modern-day fictional city of San Paro. In a state of near anarchy, players choose between two factions, Enforcers and Criminals, in order to control the city. Criminals and Enforcers battle in this open-world environment to control territories, commit or stop petty crimes, and gain notoriety within their own organizations. Be it on foot or from the driver seat, *APB Reloaded* melds player-on-player combat within the immersive world of a city on the edge of total chaos. With a robust set of customization tools, gamers can choose the exact look of their in-game avatar, character crests, clothing and even the cars they drive.

• *WarRock**: War Rock* is GamersFirst’s premier tactical massively
multiplayer online first-person shooter. Set in the fictional land of the Republic of Derbaran, War Rock allows players to join the fight for freedom as a NIU Rebel or enlist in the Derbaran Military to crush subversion. Gamers can choose one of five branches of service with unique abilities and team roles. As an Engineer, Medic, Assault Trooper, Sniper or Heavy Trooper, gamers can traverse the battlefield as they progress from objective to objective, gaining rank and unlocking new weapons, vehicles and equipment while experiencing live one-on-one or squad-based combat.

• *Sword 2**:* *Sword 2* is an action-packed tactical fantasy MMORPG
inspired by Europe’s exploration of the Americas. Gamers can delve into a visually stunning world of fantastic Baroque architecture and conspiracy and have the possibility of becoming a key representative of one of the political factions that constantly vie for power. Players explore and adventure in a world of political intrigue, conflict and danger either solo or by joining forces with other Pioneering Families to battle enemies and eventually control the world of Granada Espada.