DESTINY BETA CONCLUDES AS BIGGEST BETA

IN THIS CONSOLE GENERATION;

Largest Console Beta for a New Video Game IP

Over 4.6 Million Fans Played Beta

Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI) and Bungie, today confirmed millions of people have played their upcoming and award-winning game Destiny during their beta test to gather vital information in preparation for launch.  The Destiny Beta included a sampling of major activities featured in the full game. The beta began first on PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 on July 17 and came to a close Sunday evening, with 4,638,937 unique players participating.

“This is the biggest beta of this console generation by a wide margin and the largest console beta ever for a new video game IP to date,” said Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing. “Hosting a beta at this scale is an incredible feat, so we’re thrilled to see the phenomenal response. But the beta is just a taste of what’s to come. We’re counting down the days to our launch day, September 9th.”

“We were totally blown away by the number of people who played the beta,” said Pete Parsons, COO of Bungie. “We surpassed even our own goals and the feedback was invaluable. We cannot thank the community enough, the response was humbling and in the weeks ahead we’ll be working hard to ensure that Destiny lives up to the expectations at launch.”

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Destiny

Formats:  PS3, PS4, X360 Out:  9/9/2014 Publisher:  Activision Developer:  Bungie

Call Of Duty Advanced Warfare Campaign Story Trailer 

Call Of Duty Advanced Warfare Screens

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

Formats:  PC, PS4, XO, PS3, X360 Out:  2014 (PC PS4 XO)   TBA (PS3 X360) Publisher:  Activision

POWER CHANGES EVERYTHING: CALL OF DUTY®: ADVANCED WARFARE COLLECTOR’S EDITIONS UP THE ANTE FOR PLAYERS

Three Editions, including an Unprecedented Digital Offering, Packed with Epic Content Designed to Provide Ultimate Call of Duty Experience

Atlas Pro Edition Includes Season Pass for Unparalleled Value

Tune-in 11^th Aug for the worldwide reveal of

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare multiplayer

Prepare for a new era of combat.  Today, Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI), revealed details on three collector’s edition versions of the highly-anticipated Call of Duty®: Advanced Warfare. The Atlas Pro Edition, Atlas Limited Edition and Atlas Digital Pro Edition are infused with specialised content sure to immerse players in the high-tech, advanced future Sledgehammer Games is bringing to Call of Duty this November.

The Atlas Pro Edition and Atlas Limited Edition are now available for pre-order while supplies last. The Digital Pro Edition will be available for pre-order at a later date.  Full details follow.

Inspired by the Atlas Corporation, the leading Private Military Corporation (PMC) in 2054 and lead by the influential Jonathan Irons, the Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Atlas Limited Edition features an extensive array of both digital and physical content, including a bonus multiplayer mapAtlas Gorge, a collectible SteelBook™, the Welcome to Atlas: Advanced Soldier Manual, and the Atlas Digital Content Pack, a collection of digital content that includes an Atlas-themed exoskeleton, Atlas-themed weaponry, and more. (SRP £69.99)

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Atlas Pro Edition is the ultimate package, including everything available in the Atlas Limited Edition version (bonus multiplayer map Atlas Gorge, the collectible SteelBook™, the Welcome to Atlas: Advanced Soldier Manual, and the Atlas Digital Content Pack), as well as the Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Season Pass featuring four action-packed DLC Map Packs*, each delivering a collection of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare multiplayer content and more (SRP £99.99)

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Atlas Digital Pro Edition is perfect for fans that prefer to access all of their content digitally.  The Atlas Digital Pro Edition includes all of the same bold digital content as the Atlas Pro Edition, including the Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Season Pass, bonus multiplayer map Atlas Gorge, and the Atlas Digital Content Pack.  Also included with this version is the Atlas Digital Edition Personalisation Pack, with more details to be revealed soon. (SRP £89.99)

All three versions include the following:
Atlas Gorge Bonus Multiplayer Map – Atlas Gorge re-envisions the fan-favourite Call of Duty® 4: Modern Warfare® map, Pipeline, re-imagined for the new Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare exoskeleton abilities. The Atlas Corporation has commandeered the world’s largest power source, the Three Gorges Dam in central China, creating a gripping setting for a multiplayer battle. Combatants will navigate the shadows and control a map-based turret scorestreak that overlooks the dam and helps to keep enemies at bay, all while leveraging new abilities and tactics enabled by exoskeleton technology, such as vertical combat, new sightlines, and strategic vantage points.

Atlas Digital Content Pack – Atlas Corporation-themed, in-game content including:

Two (2) Weapons – The Bal-27 AE Assault Rifle and the Atlas 45 AE Pistol: Trick out your loadout with these two sleek weapons fitted with an Atlas Corporation theme to match your other custom content.

Atlas Exoskeleton: Strike fear into competition with your PMC-issued, white, red & black custom Atlas exoskeleton, and ensure opponents remember who took them out.

Atlas Helmet: A state-of-the-art custom Atlas helmet.

Atlas Player Card: Leave your mark on any killcam with an Atlas player card, featuring both a custom Atlas calling card and custom Atlas emblem.

Five (5) Bonus Supply Drops: Supply Drops are part of the revolutionary changes in Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare that Sledgehammer Games is bringing to Call of Duty multiplayer.  You’ll be well-prepared for battle as soon as you boot up with five bonus supply drops, which unlock a variety of game-changing, in-game content from player customisation gear to weapons.  More information on Supply Drops and the full suite of multiplayer options will be revealed on Aug. 11.

Single Player Exoskeleton Upgrade Token: Over the course of Campaign mode, players unlock exoskeleton perks and abilities that help tackle various obstacles and challenges. This token provides an extra upgrade for your exoskeleton, so you’re already at an advantage when jumping into the Campaign.

Additionally, the Atlas Pro Edition and Atlas Limited Edition both include the following:

Welcome to Atlas: Advanced Soldier Manual: The Atlas Corporation’s Advanced Soldier Manual ensures that all recruits are equipped with the necessary intel to become a tier-one Advanced Soldier with Atlas. The manual features original concept artwork from  Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare developer, Sledgehammer Games, as well as historical and tactical information that will bolster every soldier’s potential for success in the field and prepare them to carry out Atlas’ global mission.

Collectible SteelBook™: Limited edition steel case featuring premium in-game artwork.

Official Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Soundtrack: Digital copy of the in-game score, featuring main title & themes by legendary composer, Harry Gregson-Williams as well as original music by Audiomachine.

Penned by the team of storytellers at Sledgehammer Games and boasting true next generation visuals, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare jolts players forward in a groundbreaking experience that’s ripped-from-the-headlines-of-tomorrow, envisioning a future where both technology and tactics have evolved to create a new era of combat for the franchise. 

Fans looking for more information can tune-in 11^th August for the worldwide reveal of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare multiplayer.  Catch the latest info from Sledgehammer Games on the advanced era that exoskeleton gameplay delivers along with a full debriefing on new maps, modes, weapons and more.  For program information, check out www.callofduty.com,www.facebook.com/callofduty, www.youtube.com/callofduty or follow @CallofDuty on Twitter and Instagram.  Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare is not yet rated.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

Formats:  PC, PS4, XO, PS3, X360 Out:  2014 (PC PS4 XO) TBA (PS3 X360) Publisher:  Activision

Square Enix goes massive at gamescom 2014

European premiere for Lara Croft and more than 180 hands-on stations at Europe’s biggest interactive entertainment expo

Square Enix today revealed an exciting line-up of gaming highlights for gamescom 2014, Europe’s biggest interactive entertainment expo. From August 13 to 17, visitors to gamescom 2014 will be able check out a wide variety of titles, including the first European consumer hands-on of LARA CROFT® AND THE TEMPLE OF OSIRIS™, as well as the acclaimed MMO FINAL FANTASY® XIV: A REALM REBORN®, HD-remastered compilation KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.5 ReMIX, rhythm action title THEATRHYTHM FINAL FANTASY CURTAIN CALL™, team-based multiplayer action game NOSGOTH™, mobile RPGsDRAGON QUEST ^TM IV: Chapters of the Chosen, DRAGON QUEST VIII: Journey of the Cursed King and more.

For the first time ever, the Square Enix line-up stretches over multiple booths in hall 9, with a record total of more than 180 hands-on stations available to gamers. The main booth (hall 9/B21) features a huge FINAL FANTASY XIV: A REALM REBORN area, where up to 48 players can go hands-on and battle the game’s gigantic bosses Leviathan, Ramuh and Gilgamesh, as they compete. 

The booth will also host a special head-to-head battle on Saturday afternoon between FINAL FANTASY XIV: A REALM REBORN producer and director Yoshida-san and Hazama-san, producer of THEATRHYTHM FINAL FANTASY CURTAIN CALL, competing inTHEATRHYTHM FINAL FANTASY CURTAIN CALL’s new Versus Mode. Both Single and Versus Mode is playable on the booth.

In addition to hands-on stations for THEATRHYTHM FINAL FANTASY CURTAIN CALL, KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.5 ReMIX, DRAGON QUEST IV andDRAGON QUEST VIII, the booth will host the first European consumer hands-on for LARA CROFT AND THE TEMPLE OF OSIRIS, enabling gamers to try out the new 4-player co-op of Lara’s action-packed Egyptian adventure for the very first time.

MMO fans and PvP experts are called to arms at the dedicated FINAL FANTASY XIV: A REALM REBORN booth (hall 9/A51). Gamers will be able to compete in the brand-new frontline PvP mode that pits three teams of 8 against each other or try to stand their ground in extreme battle challenges with live commentary by well-known ESL casters Mori and A1m. The winners have the chance to take away valuable gaming hardware.

Naoki Yoshida, Director & Producer of FINAL FANTASY XIV: A REALM REBORN, and Ichiro Hazama, Producer of THEATRHYTHM FINAL FANTASY CURTAIN CALL, will engage in their final versus gameplay battle at gamescom 2014 on the Square Enix booth. This epic standoff will take place at 3pm CEST on Saturday 16th August.

The video above gives a recap of each player’s total fight record, and the proceedings of the previous matchup which took place at E3 this year.

Will Hazama san finally win a match? What will the loser’s forfeit be this year?

The NOSGOTH booth (Hall 9/B51) lets gamers go hands-on with the visceral team-based multiplayer action game, as they face off against other convention visitors in a brutal battle between humans and vampires. Everyone that visits the booth and plays will be granted access to the closed beta.

“It’s great for Square Enix to support gamescom once again, the show is growing year on year in terms of numbers and importance, and is the biggest gaming event in Europe,” said Mike Sherlock, COO of Square Enix Europe. “Our games showcase the impressive talent from Square Enix’s Eastern and Western studios and our line-up has something for everyone – MMO players, console gamers, families, mobile users and PC competitive gamers.”

Fans can visit Square Enix Products in hall 10 at booth D10 to check out a plethora of official merchandise for Square Enix’ biggest franchises. And also in hall 10, the official Cosplay village welcomes costumed gamers and offers the chance to take a photograph in front of one of two FINAL FANTASY XIV: A REALM REBORN backgrounds.

Press and trade partners are invited to meet Square Enix in the show’s business centre in hall 5.2 at booth B21.

The full Gamescom 2014 line-up:

HD Consoles and PC

FINAL FANTASY® XIV: A REALM REBORN®
Platform: PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Windows PC
Developer: Square Enix
Available: Now
FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn is the critically-acclaimed, online role-playing game (MMORPG) set within the troubled realm of Eorzea that is threatened by god-like Primals and the invading armies of Garlemald. Players with the PlayStation®4 system, PlayStation®3 system and Windows PC systems are invited to come together to define their own adventure.

NOSGOTH™
Platform: Steam/Windows PC
Developer: Psyonix
Available: In Closed Beta
Developed by Psyonix, Nosgoth is a fast paced competitive team-based multiplayer game pitting a variety of brutal humans and vampires in a fight for survival. The two races have very different play styles: Humans have an arsenal of devastating raged weaponry and lethal devices while Vampires specialize in visceral close-up melee attacks augmented by their inhuman abilities. Nosgoth is set in the dark fantasy world of the Legacy of Kain series and is currently in Closed Beta.

LARA CROFT® AND THE TEMPLE OF OSIRIS™
Platform: Xbox One, PlayStation 4 system, Windows PC
Developer: Crystal Dynamics
Available: Coming Soon
Developed by Crystal Dynamics,  Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris is the sequel to the critically-acclaimed  Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light. In her new adventure, Lara Croft travels to Egypt and must join forces with rival treasure hunter Carter Bell and imprisoned gods Horus and Isis, to defeat the evil god Set. Featuring a four-player co-op story, players must work together to explore the temple, defeat hordes of enemies from the Egyptian underworld, solve devious puzzles, and avoid deadly traps. All the while, players will compete for treasure, powerful artifacts, and ultimate bragging rights.

KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.5 ReMIX
Platform: PlayStation®3 system
Developer: Square Enix
Available: December 5, 2014
KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.5 ReMIX is a fully remastered HD compilation of KINGDOM HEARTS II FINAL MIX and KINGDOM HEARTS Birth by Sleep FINAL MIX. Previously exclusive to Japan, both games will be available for the first time in Europe and PAL territories for the PlayStation®3 system. Theatrical cut-scenes from KINGDOM HEARTS Re:coded will also be included in the compilation.

The game is a follow-up to last year’s KINGDOM HEARTS HD 1.5 ReMIX and will also lead into the highly anticipated KINGDOM HEARTS III.

Handheld and Mobile

THEATRHYTHM FINAL FANTASY CURTAIN CALL™
Platform: Nintendo 3DS™ system
Developer: Square Enix
Available: September 19, 2014
Combining hallmark FINAL FANTASY music with role playing game (RPG) elements, the newTHEATRHYTHM FINAL FANTASY CURTAIN CALL is bursting with new content, including the new “Versus Battle” mode where players can now compete head-to-head with friends and other players. The game also includes 221 songs and over 60 playable characters from the entire FINAL FANTASY series. Players can relive nostalgic moments as they tap their way through key FINAL FANTASY events, field themes and battle arrangements.

DRAGON QUEST ^TM VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
Platform: iOS/Android
Developer: Square Enix
Available: Now
DRAGON QUEST VIII: Journey of the Cursed King offers players a huge, epic adventure in a deep and beautiful world.  Eight years since its PlayStation®2 PAL release and for the first time in the game’s history, fans can experience this epic adventure in a brand new touch-screen environment, featuring beautiful graphics and a redeveloped, refined control scheme optimised for both single-handed and two-handed play on touch devices. Players can use the Auto button to quickly and easily navigate around the expansive game field and smoothly fight through battles with a single button.

DRAGON QUEST ^TM IV: Chapters of the Chosen
Platform: iOS/Android
Developer: Square Enix
Available: TBC
Get ready to journey through the lands, seas and skies of the vibrant DRAGON QUEST world with DRAGON QUEST IV: Chapters of the Chosen, an exciting new mobile version of the NES title DRAGON QUEST IV originally released in 1990 in Japan and recently updated for the Nintendo DS in 2008. The game includes five chapters to discover and a host of colourful characters to keep you company and battle by your side. Players can journey through the epic environments using all-new touch-screen controls.

AIRMECH^® ARENA LANDS ON XBOX LIVE

Today, Ubisoft^® and Carbon Games announced thatAirMech^® Arena, the fast-paced real-time strategy game that is free to play* for all Xbox Live accounts on the Xbox 360 games and entertainment system from Microsoft, is now available.

In AirMech Arena, players command giant transforming mechs that fight to capture and protect bases while building colossal armies to take on waves of enemies. As players conquer fortresses, they unlock powerful units, pilots, items and AirMechs and can customize their armies to fit their personal gameplay preferences.

“AirMech Arena combines real-time strategy with fast-paced action in an exciting new way,”said James Green, game director at Carbon Games. “Strategy fans will appreciate that AirMech Arena was designed for consoles from the very start, and how natural the controls feel in their hands.”

Players can choose between nine giant transforming AirMechs, each with their own unique abilities and upgrades in the battle to capture and protect bases. Sixty different support units are available to select from, and eight can be used during each match to help defeat opponents. Featuring single-player, head-to-head, multiplayer cooperative and multiplayer competitive gameplay for teams of two to three players, teamwork and strategy are vital as players must work together to defend their fortresses against an onslaught of relentless enemies.

For more information on AirMech Arena, please visit airmecharena.com and follow@AirMechArena on Twitter.

For the latest news on Ubisoft collectible merchandise, please visit and like the pagewww.facebook.com/ubicollectibles.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

AirMech Arena

Format:  X360 Out:  30/7/2014 (online) Publisher:  Ubisoft Developer:  Carbon Games

HABITAT ANNOUNCED FOR PLAYSTATION®4 SYSTEM

The Ultimate Strategic Space Survival Game Added to PlayStation 4 Line-Up in 2015

Indie publisher Versus Evil, in partnership with Seattle based indie developer 4gency, today announced that Habitat: A Thousand Generations in Orbit will be coming to PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system in 2015 in addition to PC, Mac, Linux and Xbox One. In Earth’s orbit, where crisis is guaranteed, Habitat is the only strategic space survival game that uses orbital debris to build the future homes of humanity and where hope for survival relies on the creativity and resourcefulness of the player. An Early Access build for PC, Mac and Linux is now available through Steam, Amazon, Humble Store, GameFly, Gamer's Gate, GreenMan Gaming and Nuuvem priced at $14.99, £10.99 and €14.99. 

“Since development began on Habitat, it has always been our wish to bring our space survival simulation to as many platforms as technologically possible”, said Charles Cox, founder of 4gency.“We are incredibly excited to announce that Habitat will be launching on PlayStation®4 in 2015 and can’t wait to see how the creative PlayStation community reacts to Habitat’s gameplay mechanics.”

In Habitat gamers have to build and manage the future homes of humanity from orbital debris they find in space junkyards surrounding Earth’s orbit.  Leading their team of engineers, they will have to build and fly space stations in a zero gravity setting, mastering physics driven flight simulation to explore space. In order to thrive and grow they have to manage their population and their population’s environment.  In the event of a threat they will have to turn their space stations into deadly weapons using pieces of debris picked up such as rockets, lasers and particle accelerators to fight and ultimately survive against attacks from the enemy.  This is a space survival game where crisis is guaranteed and the only chance for survival is to be creative and decisive in the face of disaster. 

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Habitat: A Thousand Generations in Orbit

Formats:  Mac, PC, PS4, XO Out:  2015 Publisher:  4gency

Visit the website: www.jointhe509th.com   
Follow us on Twitter: @4gency