UBISOFT TO LAUNCH MAJOR BRANDS, TWO NEW IPs FOR NINTENDO WII U

Assassin’s Creed®, Rabbids® and Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon® Online, as well as two new brands including a revolutionary first person shooter for the hardcore audience being developed exclusively for Nintendo Wii U™ .

PRESS RELEASE

LOS ANGELES – June 7, 2011 – Today, at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), Ubisoft® announced some of the titles that it has in development for Nintendo’s Wii U™: Assassin’s Creed®, Rabbids® and Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon® Online, as well as two new brands including a revolutionary first person shooter for the hardcore audience being developed exclusively for Nintendo Wii U™ and a multi-sports game for the whole family.

“Nintendo is an industry reference for game design and accessibility. We are very honored to be a strong part of this new chapter of the videogame industry,” said Yves Guillemot, chief executive officer at Ubisoft. “This new console is an amazing new source of inspiration for our developers.
With the combination of technologies brought together by this console, our creative teams will be able to take the Ubisoft vision of developing rich, immersive and innovative gaming experiences for all audiences even further.”

Beginning at noon PST today and throughout the conference, playable versions of Ubisoft’s Ghost Recon Online can be seen by visitors on the Nintendo booth at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Top Gun: Hard Lock Will Take You Right into the Danger Zone

Air combat game set in film’s iconic universe will take your breath away with a new storyline, new class of aviators and amped up action

PRESS RELEASE

Los Angeles, CA – June 7, 2011 – International videogames publisher 505 Games today announced the reimagining of a classic with Top Gun: Hard Lock.
Based on Paramount Pictures’ classic film, Top Gun: Hard Lock is set in the present day with a brand new story line and new wave of elite naval aviators fresh out of the Top Gun academy. In Top Gun: Hard Lock gamers fly right back into the danger zone for a jet propelled flight combat adventure with all the flair of a modern day action blockbuster. The game is being developed by Headstrong, a division of Kuju, and is set for release in Spring 2012 for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, and PC.

In development under license from Paramount Digital Entertainment, Top Gun: Hard Lock is aerial dog-fighting at jet speeds and tailgating MiGs at Mach 2, while offering a unique “Hard lock” mode where players perform air combat maneuvers that deliver an explosively satisfying visual payoff that brings them right into the action. Featuring the legendary F-14 Tomcat fighter jet and a number of additional licensed planes and weapons, and more than enough enemy MIGs to turn into smoldering rubble, the game is carefully mixed with just enough nostalgic references to remain true to its action movie roots.

“Top Gun: Hard Lock pays tribute to the brand’s heritage but will deliver the fierce action and intense aerial combat that today’s gamers expect.”
commented Ian Howe, Managing Director at 505 Games.

Top Gun: Hard Lock will be published in Spring 2012 by 505 Games.

POWER RANGERS SAMURAI COMING TO Wii AND NINTENDO DS SYSTEMS

The title will bring a new generation of Rangers to life to battle the evil forces of the netherworld.

PRESS RELEASE

SANTA CLARA, Calif., (June 7, 2011) – Leading video game publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. has combined its Zords to announce Power Rangers(tm) Samurai coming to Wii(tm) and Nintendo DS(tm) systems for Holiday 2011. The title will bring a new generation of Rangers to life, as players utilize teamwork and the ancient Samurai Symbols of Power to battle the evil forces of the netherworld.

Based on Saban Brands’ incredibly popular Power Rangers Samurai TV show on Nickelodeon, players of all ages will finally be able to join the Rangers as they physically immerse themselves into the morphing action of the iconic team of heroes.

“There are few other long-standing cultural icons as influential as the Power Rangers with their spirit of heroism, teamwork, and physical fitness,” said Vice President of Marketing at NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., Carlson Choi. “For the millions of fans that have grown up with the Rangers over the last two decades, or for parents looking for high quality entertainment with a positive message for their children, we’re incredibly excited to bring this franchise to a new generation of players in a way that truly allows everyone to experience what it means to be a Ranger.”

Power Rangers Samurai will let fans wield the Samuraizer to master the elements of Fire, Water, Sky, Forest, and Earth as they morph into Red, Blue, Pink, Green, or Yellow Rangers. Martial arts training and fitness combined with team based battles teach the importance of team work, friendship, and responsibility to battle hordes of Nighlok monsters.

Players can also unlock secret passageways, access hidden levels, and get hints on how to defeat the armies of evil while collecting enough Zords to gain the Samurai Megazord needed to take down the MegaMonster once and for all.

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.