PROTOTYPE^® 2 LAUNCHED IN UK WITH THE WORLD’S FIRST OVER-18 LIVE AD

Shocked Audience witness Ad shown post-watershed due to explicit content
Covent Garden, which often plays host to family-friendly entertainment, revealed a darker side last night as audiences were witness to the world’s first ever over-18 live outdoor advertisement to celebrate the launch of new video game, PROTOTYPE 2.  So explicit was the ad, that it was shown post-watershed to avoid a younger audience.

The live ad – inspired by PROTOTYPE 2 – featured actors playing the parts of the game’s new protagonist Sgt. James Heller and his nemesis Alex Mercer, as well as Blackwatch military and the disease-ridden Infected. Action from the game, including a gruesome and bloody confrontation between Heller and Mercer, was considered unsuitable viewing for those below the age of 18 for fear of causing upset or distress.

A first of its kind, fans were also offered the opportunity to choose the finale to the ad through a voting mechanic that closed just hours before the action went live.  The dramatic close saw Mercer triumph over Sgt. Heller in an intense showdown.

PROTOTYPE 2 will be available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system on 24th April 2012, and for Windows® PC on 24th July 2012. The PlayStation®3 version of the game will also be released on PlayStation®NETWORK on 25th April across Europe.

About PROTOTYPE 2

The sequel to Radical Entertainment's best-selling open-world action game of 2009, PROTOTYPE 2 takes the unsurpassed carnage of the original PROTOTYPE and continues the experience of becoming the ultimate shape-shifting weapon.  As the game's all-new infected protagonist, Sgt. James Heller, players will cut a bloody swathe through the post-viral wastelands of New York Zero with unparalleled locomotion, building up a vast genetic arsenal of deadly, biological weapons and abilities as they hunt, kill and consume their way toward the ultimate goal — to kill...Alex...Mercer.

To find out more about PROTOTYPE 2, follow us on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/radical_ent and check outwww.prototypegame.com for the latest trailers, screenshots, special promotions and more! For the truly dedicated, go towww.facebook.com/prototype and join thePROTOTYPE Army – a community of over 450,000 (and growing) fans that receive constant updates from the team at Radical, including early sneak peeks at new information and assets, and  head on over to www.prototypegame.com/store to get your hands on the newest PROTOTYPE 2apparel and merchandise.  

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment Announces Batman: Arkham City Game of the Year Edition

Expanded Version of Award-Winning Videogame to Include Brand New Story Mission, All Previously Released Downloadable Content

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment today announced Batman: Arkham City™ Game of the Year Edition. The expanded version of the award-winning blockbuster videogame developed by Rocksteady Studios is scheduled for release in the UK on 7^th September, for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.

Batman: Arkham City is one of the highest reviewed titles of 2011 and with the release of the Batman: Arkham City Game of the Year Edition, fans can extend the multi-award winning experience as the Dark Knight with Harley Quinn’s Revenge, the final chapter in Batman: Arkham City that adds more than two hours of fresh gameplay to the critically-acclaimed interactive title.  Also included on disc will be all five previously released downloadable content (DLC) packs. 

Fans who already own an original boxed edition of Batman: Arkham City can experience the new gameplay by downloading the Harley Quinn’s Revenge Pack, which will be available in all international markets beginning May 30 in the PlayStation®Network and in the Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for Xbox 360.

The Harley Quinn’s Revenge mission sends players back into Arkham City to face their final challenge as they interchange between playing as both Batman and Robin.  Gamers must utilise each of the characters' unique combat and investigative skills to uncover Harley's vengeful plan and shut the gates on the urban mega-prison forever.  In addition to experiencing a new storyline, fans can explore new environments and face-off against Harley’s all new gang of thugs.
 
The DLC included on disc includes the Catwoman Pack, Nightwing Bundle Pack, Robin Bundle Pack, Challenge Map Pack and Arkham City Skins Pack.  All told, Batman: Arkham City Game of the Year Edition packages new gameplay content, seven maps, three playable characters, and 12 skins beyond the original retail release:

·         Maps:  Wayne Manor, Main Hall, Freight Train, Black Mask, The Joker’s Carnival, Iceberg Long, and Batcave

·         Playable Characters:  Catwoman, Robin and Nightwing

·         Skins:  1970s Batsuit, Year One Batman, The Dark Knight Returns, Earth One Batman, Batman Beyond Batman, Animated Batman, Sinestro Corps Batman, Long Hallowe’en Catwoman, Animated Catwoman, Animated Robin, Red Robin and Animated Nightwing

Batman: Arkham City builds upon the intense, atmospheric foundation of Batman: Arkham Asylum, sending players flying through the expansive Arkham City – five times larger than the game world in Batman: Arkham Asylum – the new maximum security “home” for all of Gotham City’s thugs, gangsters and insane criminal masterminds.  Featuring an incredible Rogues Gallery of Gotham City’s most dangerous criminals including Catwoman, The Joker, The Riddler, Two-Face, Harley Quinn, The Penguin, Mr. Freeze and many others, the game allows players to genuinely experience what it feels like to be The Dark Knight delivering justice on the streets of Gotham City.

Batman: Arkham City Game of the Year Edition is based on DC Comics’ core Batman license and rated “BBFC 15”.  Fans can visit www.batmanarkhamcity.com for more information about the game.

 

DEEP SILVER WINS TWO PRESTIGIOUS MARKETING AWARDS FOR DEAD ISLAND

Dead Island trailer awarded “Outstanding Promotional Trailer” at the Game Marketing Awards 2012 | Deep Silver achieves “Best Use of Social Media” at MCV Awards 2012

Deep Silver has received two important awards this week for its marketing campaign for Dead Island, the award-winning zombie action game.

At the seventh annual GAME MARKETING AWARDS publisher Deep Silver and Axis Animations, the production company behind the trailer, won the gold award in the category for “Outstanding Promotional Trailer” and outshined other promotional videos for well-known brands. The prize is awarded at the Game Marketing Summit & Awards by PromaxBDA, the International Association of Entertainment Marketing Professionals.

At the MCV AWARDS 2012 Deep Silver was awarded first place in the “PR & Marketing” category for “Best Use of Social Media” for Dead Island.

"We’re really proud to receive the gold award in the promotional trailer category at the Games Marketing Awards because it was awarded by a jury of experts consisting of judges from well respected companies in the industry." says Klemens Kundratitz, CEO of Koch Media. “It’s also great to get the appreciation for the work that we invested into our social media campaign for Dead Island. If Social Media is done right, it is a great opportunity to really interact with your fans and it will of course give you a tremendous boost for your campaign.”

Dead Island has gathered a considerable following across all media all over the world since its announcement with a spectacular announcement trailer in February 2011, a trailer that surprised the masses everywhere and became an internet phenomenon.


About Dead Island
Dead Island™, the gruesome zombie action game with RPG elements by renowned developer Techland, combines first-person action with a heavy focus on melee combat, character development and customization of a vast array of weapons. All of these gameplay features are presented in a dark story inspired by classic zombie movies with a gritty and engrossing campaign that can be played with up to four players in co-op mode.

Set in an open world tropical island, hordes of different festering zombies await players around every corner while they embark on a variety of thrilling missions through the holiday resort. With firearms and ammunition being scarce the player must rely on discovering and utilizing items as weapons for self-defense and fighting off zombie hordes in intense melee combat. A diverse range of items can be collected and will later serve to transform the player’s ordinary makeshift weapons into serious instruments of destruction.

Official website: www.deadisland.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/deadislandgame
Twitter: http://twitter.com/deadislandgame

NINTENDO KEEPS FANS SMILING

Nintendo announces an array of new games and content for Nintendo 3DS and Wii which will be available in the upcoming months 

Nintendo fans will have no shortage of reasons to smile this year as double Mario and Pokémon fun, as well as a new system update are all set to arrive onNintendo 3DS within the upcoming months, whilst Wii owners are in store for some chilling frights and quirky rhythm-based challenges.

Nintendo can confirm that it plans to launchNew Super Mario Bros. 2, a new, yet traditional side-scrolling Mario adventure game featuring Mario, Luigi and lots of other favourite characters from the Mario universe. The game was created specifically as a pick-up-and-play experience that can be instantly enjoyed by players of all skill levels on the Nintendo 3DS system. The game is set to launch across Europe this August.

Nintendo fans across Europe are in for a double Mario treat, as they can also look ahead to the 25^th May launch of Mario Tennis Open for Nintendo 3DS. Mario Tennis Open invites players to step onto the court with Mario and his friends for fast-paced tennis action and a mix of remarkable new tennis challenges. Players can play as their own customised Mii characters and choose from approximately 200 special items, including rackets and tennis gear that not only enhance their character’s appearance but also modify their abilities. Players can also suit up their Mii characters with outfits that both resemble and offer the skills of popular Nintendo characters.

Mario Tennis Open will also feature an array of multiplayer options which include local play with friends and family in the same room or Download Play, which will allow up to 4 players to enjoy a game of tennis together using just one Game Card. There is also a very special online multiplayer mode which will allow you to play with friends and family and those in your local region online. If you fancy yourself as a tennis pro then make sure you tackle the regional leaderboard to see if you have what it takes to become a European champion.

Those players who have been enjoying the recently launched Kid Icarus: Uprisinggame and who have been avidly collecting the AR Idol Cards will be pleased to learn that Nintendo of Europe has entered into an exclusive partnership with Panini. You will soon be able to purchase additional packs of Kid Icarus: Uprising AR Idol Cards, as well as an album to keep your collection in.  Keep an eye out for them as they will hit stores soon*.

On 25th April, the next System Update is planned for Nintendo 3DS and will provide you with brand new functions to explore. By downloading** this update, you can create folders on the system’s HOME Menu to organise your content. This new feature is designed to make it easier than ever for you to access your favourite downloaded games, videos and demos. Other elements of the update include the ability to receive “update data” distributions, such as theMario Kart 7 “update data” scheduled across Europe in mid-May that resolves shortcut exploits in the game. Once this “update data” is released Mario Kart 7 players will need to ensure that they download it from Nintendo eShop in order to play online.

There will also be two new Pokémondownload offerings coming later this year for Nintendo 3DS via Nintendo eShop. The first is a new motion-controlled shooting game which will bring Pokémon into the real world, right in front of your eyes, using the AR (Augmented Reality) features of the Nintendo 3DS system. You will need to move your Nintendo 3DS system and aim at the Pokémon moving around you in order to capture them. You may even have the chance to catch extremely rare Pokémon in this way. Once you have captured some Pokémon you will be able to transfer them to the new Pokémon Black Version 2 andPokémon White Version 2 games which will launch across Europe for Nintendo DS, but which can also be played on Nintendo 3DS, later this autumn.

When deciding your strategies for the newPokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 games, the second Pokémon download offering - a brand new Pokédex - is sure to be a big help. The original Pokédex 3D, which became available last year as a free download from Nintendo eShop, contained detailed data on over 150 Pokémon from the first Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version games. But with this new version of the Pokédex, you will be able to check out every single Pokémon in the history of the Pokémon series. There will be many other new features too, so make sure you keep an eye out for further announcements. 

If you are a Wii player, would you dare to revisit one of the scariest games of all time? If so, you are in luck as Nintendo and TECMO KOEI GAMES are set to re-launch one of the scariest horror titles from the legendary Project Zero series exclusively for Wii. With all-new motion gameplay features and innovative, new two-player modes, horror fans looking for interesting ways to get their scares need look no further thanProject Zero 2: Wii Edition, which will launch on 29^th June across Europe.

For those players who can handle a double dose of frights, Spirit Camera: The Cursed Memoir will also be available on exactly the same day exclusively for Nintendo 3DS. This terrifying Nintendo 3DS game, which comes packaged with a very special AR Book which you will need to use as you play the game, will allow you to fight spirits, solve puzzles and explore the world around you in a new and unique way. Using the built-in 3D camera and AR (Augmented Reality) features of the Nintendo 3DS system will allow you to watch the story come to life before your very eyes with exciting effect. The lines between your reality and the in-game reality will become blurred like never before.

Project Zero 2: Wii Edition & Spirit Camera: The Cursed Memoir even share a special link. Once you have completed Spirit Camera: The Cursed Memoir you’ll unlock some special new modes. You will then be able to enjoy a special surprise on the cover of the game manual for Project Zero 2: Wii Edition using your Nintendo 3DS “Spirit Camera”.

For the first time on a home console system, the quirky rhythm-based action of Rhythm Paradise returns, so get ready to gather your friends and family around the TV to experience a colourful world of quirky rhythm-based games. Beat The Beat: Rhythm Paradise will launch for Wii across Europe on 6^th July, featuring 50 brand new rhythm games and the eccentric characters and funny situations that Rhythm Paradise fans have come to know and love. There is also a special addition to the European version of this game, as players will be able to play with a soundtrack from the Japanese version of the game, ensuring hours of toe-tapping fun for all the family.
With plenty of new games and content coming to Nintendo 3DS & Wii in the coming months, your 2012 line-up from Nintendo is shaping up to offer a host of new, interesting and most importantly fun experiences for all to enjoy.

RISEN 2™: DARK WATERS SETS SAIL FOR A NEW RELEASE DATE ON CONSOLES

Deep Silver today announced new release dates for Risen 2: Dark Waters on consoles. The pirate RPG will now board store shelves on 3rd August in Europe. Console versions of the game will be released on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PlayStation®3.

The console versions of Risen 2: Dark Waters will offer extra content on both platforms, including the episode “The Air Temple” which features several hours of additional gameplay. In this sub-plot, the hero embarks on a quest to discover the lost temple, source of air magic. When he hears rumors that his old acquaintance Eldric has been seen in Antigua, the hero knows that he needs to pick up his trail in order to find Storm Island, where the Air Temple is located.

Risen 2: Dark Waters for Windows PC is unaffected and on its charted course, having already gone into production and is ready to lift anchor on 27th April 2012. The game will be released via digital distribution for PC and as a retail version for both PC and consoles. Additionally, an exclusive Risen 2 Collector’s Edition will be available in certain territories.










About Risen 2: Dark Waters
In Risen 2: Dark Waters, the Inquisition dispatches the hero to seek a remedy against the monstrous sea creatures that are interfering with the shipping lines, thus cutting off the islands' supplies. The pirates seem to know how to deal with these critters... but they are hardly cooperative. 

New gameplay elements add to the diversity of Risen 2; for example, players can also use firearms now and, being pirates, adventurers can also employ special new skills called Dirty Tricks, allowing them to confuse or attack enemies in combat.

Official Website: http://www.risen2.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/risengame
Community: http://forum.deepsilver.com

ON LOGO>--

Worms™: Ultimate Mayhem DLC Explodes On To PlayStation^®Network

Single-player Pack released

Today, wizards of worming Team 17 announced the arrival of a new DLC pack for Worms™: Ultimate Mayhem on PlayStation® 3. The Worms™: Ultimate Mayhem “Single-player Pack” will be available to download for PlayStation® 3 from PlayStation®Network on Wednesday 25^th April.

The Worms™: Ultimate Mayhem “Single-player Pack” features brand new additions to the existing single-player challenge modes, with 8 new single-player challenges, including Sniper, Jet Pack, Super Sheep and Shotgun challenges. The “Single-player Pack” also includes 1 new multi-player map and 6 new Trophies.

·         1 new Sniper Challenge

·         1 new Jet Pack Challenge

·         1 new Super Sheep Challenge

·         1 new Shotgun Challenge

·         1 new Accuracy Challenge

·         1 new Navigation Challenge

·         1 new Crate Collect Challenge

·         1 new Deathmatch Challenge

·         1 new multi-player map – “All Systems Oh No”

·         6 new Trophies

The Worms™: Ultimate Mayhem “Single-player Pack” is available for PlayStation® 3 from PlayStation®Network on the 25^th April for £3.19/€3.99.

For more information on Worms™ please visit www.team17.com or www.facebook.com/WormsTeam17

GEAR UP FOR AN EPIC SEIGE ON THE SEA AND A WAR ON THE SHORE IN ACTIVISION’S BATTLESHIP® -AVAILABLE IN THE UK TODAY

It’s time to engage in an epic battle at sea and war on the shore as Hasbro (Nasdaq: HAS) and Activision Publishing Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) announced thatBATTLESHIP^® the video game is available in the UK today. The game takes a hybrid approach combining military strategy and fast-paced first-person shooter gaming as players take control of a powerful naval fleet and experience the cinematic action of war at sea.   BATTLESHIP is now available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Wii™ system from Nintendo and the Nintendo DS™ and Nintendo 3DS™ hand-held systems.

“Working with the legendary BATTLESHIP property, and the new epic action-adventure from Universal Pictures, we felt it was important to capture some of the cinematic drama while allowing players to experience the action from a unique perspective,” said David Oxford, Activision Publishing. “We want both movie-goers and gamers of all ages to dive into an all new, fun BATTLESHIP experience.”

Combining military strategy and fast-paced first-person shooter gameplay, players take control of a powerful naval fleet in this re-envisioned version of BATTLESHIP.  Trapped in a “dome” of alien-terror on the Hawaiian Islands, where support communications have been put to a halt, players commandeer real-world naval vessels, including Destroyers, Carriers, and even the famous U.S.S. Missouri as action-packed sea battles against alien invaders ensue across land, sea, and air.

“With numerous gaming platforms available today, it is important to showcase BATTLESHIP on many different levels,” saidMark Blecher, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Digital Media and Marketing at Hasbro.  “The newBATTLESHIP is the perfect medley that both strategic and action-junkie gamers will fall in love with.”

In BATTLESHIP for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 systems, first person run-and-gun gameplay meets tactical battle command.  Playing as Cole Mathis, a first class Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician, players will deploy air strikes and radar sweeps to monitor and dominate the marine battlefield.  With killer-combat instincts, players must lock-and-load an arsenal of weapons like machine guns and missile launchers to send the invaders packing.

In the Nintendo Wii, 3DS, and DS versions, players are in control of a wide variety of naval units, including Cruisers, Submarines, and Patrol Boats in exciting turn-based combat with a team of specialised commanders.  With different play modes to choose from, including Story and quick-battle Skirmish, players will unlock new maps, units, and leaders to turn the tide of battle.

BATTLESHIP is available in the UK for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 systems for a suggested retail price of £39.99 and is rated 12 by the BBFC.  The game is also available for the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo 3DS for £29.99 and the Nintendo DS for £24.99. All Nintendo versions are rated PEGI 7+.   For more information, please visitwww.battleshipthevideogame.com.