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Famed Developers Confirm Exclusive Four-Game Deal with SEGA

LONDON & SAN FRANCISCO (May 15, 2008) – SEGA Europe Ltd. and SEGA® of America, Inc. today announced a worldwide partnership with PlatinumGames Inc., the development studio recently formed by the team behind some of the most successful franchises in the video game industry. Under the agreement, PlatinumGames will develop three ground-breaking new SEGA titles - MADWORLD™, Infinite Line™ and Bayonetta™ – covering a variety of game genres with innovative design concepts that explore the depths of today’s best-selling platforms. A soon-to-be-announced fourth title, being directed by legendary gaming icon Shinji Mikami, is also part of the agreement.

“The creative forces at PlatinumGames bring a new level of imagination into the SEGA family at a pivotal time in the video game industry when the demand for quality, originality and fun has never been greater,” said Tatsuya Minami, President and CEO, PlatinumGames. “These new titles will contribute meaningfully to SEGA’s brand, while adding a new level of depth to the strategic portfolio of games in our library.”

“We are thrilled to have forged this new relationship with such a talented team of individuals and we are understandably excited about the titles that they are producing for us,” commented Mike Hayes President and COO of SEGA Europe Ltd. “SEGA continually strives to release games for all consumers that are of the highest quality, working with Platinum Games further enhances that strategy.”

MADWORLD, the first title set for release in Q1 2009, is an inventive third-person action game exclusively for Wii™. Produced by Atsushi Inaba, MADWORLD has a unique black and white style, depicting an incredibly sharp backdrop that straddles graphic novels and 3D worlds. As players battle opponents, they must master the use of various weapons and items found within their environment, such as chainsaws and street signs, while entertaining sports commentary adds to the third-person gameplay. With its irreverent humour and over-the-top violence, MADWORLD will deliver a unique core gaming experience currently missing on the Wii system.

Infinite Line (working title), a role playing game exclusively for the Nintendo DS™ portable handheld system, takes place in outer space and gives players the ability to control, build, outfit and customise more than 150 spaceships. Infinite Line stretches the DS hardware to the limit, offering over 200 characters and the ability to control multiple spaceships at any one time. Releasing in 2009 and currently being produced by Atsushi Inaba and directed by Hifumi Kouno (from developer Nude Maker), Infinite Line is one of the most complex RPG titles developed for the DS to date.

Bayonetta is a stylish and cinematic action game, directed by creator Hideki Kamiya and set for release in 2009 on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. A witch with powers beyond the comprehension of mere mortals, Bayonetta faces-off against countless angelic enemies, many reaching epic proportions, in a game of 100% pure, unadulterated all-out action. Outlandish finishing moves are performed with balletic grace as Bayonetta flows from one fight to another. With magnificent over-the-top action taking place in stages that are a veritable theme park of exciting attractions, Bayonetta pushes the limits of the action genre, bringing to life its fast-paced, dynamic climax combat.

Eugene, OR, May 15, 2008 - Torque 360, GarageGames’ game engine for the Xbox 360, has been selected by Hothead Games for Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-slick Precipice of Darkness. Penny Arcade Adventures is a 3D cell-shaded RPG-Adventure game set in a deranged comic-book-meets-pulp-horror universe. Armed with unconventional weaponry, players join forces with the Startling Developments Detective Agency to make war on bizarre enemies and solve the mysteries hidden deep in the sinister heart of New Arcadia.

Hothead Games chose Torque to develop Penny Arcade Adventures - a game that will appear on PC, Mac, and Xbox 360 - in part for it’s cross-platform support. “Using Torque in development of Penny Arcade Adventures really helped us get up to speed quickly and has helped us bring the game to more gamers,” said Vlad Ceraldi of Hothead Games. “Our first title, On the Rain-slick Precipice of Darkness Episode 1 will be fully cross platform (Windows, Mac and Linux), and of course the game launches on Xbox LIVE Arcade in just a few days. Rather than building platform code from from the ground up, using Torque gave us far more time to hone the actual game.”

Penny Arcade Adventures is just the most recent in a long line of successful titles made with Torque on Xbox LIVE Arcade. GarageGames’ own Marble Blast Ultra is one of the platform’s all-time top ten and more than a dozen other titles using Torque have been published on Xbox LIVE Arcade to date.

“Torque keeps improving with every trial. The Hothead team took Torque in a unique rendering direction and we learned a lot from that. To Hothead’s huge credit, the results are awesome,” said Brett Seyler, VP Business Development at GarageGames. “Looking at the game now, it’s a blast to play and definitely faithful to the Penny Arcade Comic’s style and humor.”

GarageGames provides Torque 360 licensing for developers with no term limits on development and a zero-royalty, flat-fee structure. Heavily discounted license pricing is available for games targeting the Xbox LIVE Arcade downloadable service, versus those aiming for disc-based retail delivery. GarageGames claims Torque is the most widely used engine middleware for XBLA development.

this isn’t a joke…..

lucky Brits

London Games Festival is Back!

15th May 2008: Following its huge success last year, the London Games Festival is back for its third year promising more events and mind-blowing entertainment then ever. The cultural celebration of everything gaming takes place across the capital from October 25.

The festival promises something for everyone: from casual gamers and parents seeking advice on safe gaming for their children to hard-core fans wanting glimpses of the hottest titles in development or those hoping to make a career for themselves in the UK’s games industry.

Last year’s festival drew 100,000+ attendees to the city-wide celebration. More than 50 events were staged including Video Games Live, which saw the Royal Philharmonia Orchestra bring London’s Festival Hall alive with the sound of Mario (plus Halo, Space Ace, Metal Gear Solid and Bioshock!). Trafalgar Square was packed for publisher Electronic Arts’ marathon celebrity-packed two-day Be The One event. Even the Science Museum got in on the act last year with a special experiment focusing on eye movements during gameplay.

Keith Ramsdale, Chairman of LGF comments:
“Last year’s London Games Festival was a huge success and we were thrilled with the feedback from many of those who attended and the publishers who took part. The Trafalgar Square event looked fantastic and it was great to see so many families come down and enjoy it. We’ve got plenty in store for 2008 and a whole host of major partners lined up with full support from the industry. We’re really looking forward to bringing the gaming industry to life in the capital again.”

Check out www.londongamesfestival.com for the latest news and information on all of the events taking place this year.

London (15th May 2008) – Square Enix Ltd., the publisher of Square Enix® interactive entertainment products in Europe and other PAL territories, today announces that CRISIS CORE® -FINAL FANTASY® VII- will be released across all PAL territories on 20th June 2008, exclusively on the PSP® (PlayStation® Portable) system.

CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- is the highly anticipated prequel to the biggest selling FINAL FANTASY of all time, taking players on an exhilarating adventure filled with grandeur, excitement, characters that captured the hearts of a generation and many new secrets to discover hidden within the world of FINAL FANTASY VII.

With awe-inspiring visuals, full 16:9 widescreen presentation, an engaging battle system, and additional gameplay challenges not included in the original Japanese version, fans and newcomers alike can experience the world of FINAL FANTASY VII from an all-new perspective. As an added incentive to pre-order, a special edition version of the game, with hardback artwork book and slipcase is available exclusively with selected online retailers while stocks last.

John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix Ltd. comments, “CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- is one of the most anticipated FINAL FANTASY releases of all times. Pushing the boundaries of the PSP hardware, it offers a truly fantastic gameplay experience to not only existing fans, but new ones as well.”

For more information about CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- and for details of how to pre-order please visit the official website at crisiscoregame.co.uk
About CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII-

Story
Set seven years prior to the events of the first FINAL FANTASY VII, the Shinra Company is rapidly increasing its influence through its monopoly on mako energy and military might. With the burgeoning city of Midgar as its base and symbol of prosperity, Shinra is on the verge of establishing absolute dominance over the world.

SOLDIER is a group of skilled combat operatives within Shinra. The elite within the group — those strong enough to be deemed SOLDIER 1st Class — are respected and idolized by the citizenry.

Zack is a young SOLDIER 2nd Class who aspires to become a 1st. He spends his days carrying out assignments under the guidance of his 1st Class mentor, Angeal. During an operation in Wutai, a large number of SOLDIER member, led by 1st Class operative Genesis, go missing. The severity of the situation prompts Shinra executives to deploy even more SOLDIER operatives in hopes of bringing an end to the war with Wutai—and conducting an investigation into the mass desertion. The ones assigned to the mission are Zack, Angeal, and the 1st Class hero who is known the world over as Sephiroth…

What truths lie behind Genesis’s disappearance? What secrets bind the three SOLDIER 1st Class operatives? For Zack, a cruel and fateful struggle awaits…

Features

• Complete the FINAL FANTASY VII experience and reunite with the most recognised RPG characters created by world-renowned character designer Tetsuya Nomura
• Witness stunning graphics and CG cutscenes coupled with top-notch voice acting in a 16:9 widescreen presentation, made possible by the PSP system hardware
• Innovative D.M.W (Digital Mind Wave) system enhances the action-packed real-time battle system, allowing players to unleash special attacks or call upon iconic FINAL FANTASY summons
• Take on challenges with the all-new “Hard Mode” which was not in the original Japanese release
• Acquire unique accessories, items and abilities made available through 300 side missions to further enrich the gameplay experience

Latest issue of free PlayStation 3 magazine from GamerZines.com features 10 page GTA IV Special with tip and tricks and definitive review.

GamerZines.com, the portal for free digital magazines for gamers, today announces the publication of P3Zine Issue 15. The issue includes ten pages dedicated to the all-conquering GTA IV game.

As well as the definitive review of the game, the digital magazine has walkthroughs for the games trickiest missions: Easy As Can Be, The Snow Storm, Three Leaf Clover, Paper Trail and Pegorino’s Pride. In addition, there’s the top ten tips and tricks for getting the most out of GTA IV.

“Gamers have always wanted to get the most out of GTA games,” says Dan Hutchinson, Editorial Director for GamerZines.com. “This issue of P3Zine should help everyone get more from GTA IV and help out those stuck with some of the harder missions.”

P3Zine is also inviting readers to send in their own tips for the game so they can continue to help gamers find all the hidden gems in GTA IV.

In addition to GTA IV, issue 15 of P3Zine includes exclusive interviews for Alone in the Dark and Race Driver: GRID, as well as previews for Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots and Saints Row 2.

All GamerZines.com magazines are professionally written and produced by a team of games journalists and publishers with decades of experience in the magazine industry. The portal offers free monthly magazines for various games platforms in interactive PDF format. All the magazines are enhanced with rich media and extensive video of the games in action.

Readers do not need to register to download the magazines, which are all completely free. All that is required to view the magazines is Adobe Reader version 6 or above on Windows or Mac, and a broadband internet connection.

Gamers can download this issue of P3Zine for free now from http://www.gamerzines.com/

SANTA MONICA, Calif., May 14, 2008: Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) announced today the upcoming release of Cabela’s Legendary Adventures for PlayStation^®2 computer entertainment system, PSP^® (PlayStation^®Portable) system, and Wii^TM. The latest title in the best-selling Cabela’s franchise will allow players to relive the greatest hunting stories ever told. The game will hit shelves in Fall 2008.

“In Cabela’s Legendary Adventures the missions are based on encounters with some of the most famous animals ever hunted in the wild,” said Dave Oxford, Activision Publishing. “Focusing on these amazing once-in-a-lifetime stories has really allowed us to capture the essence of what hunting is all about - a quest for a legendary experience.”

Players will hunt in different eras in search of trophies such as white-tailed deer, Yukon moose, Alaskan brown bear and Roosevelt elk in over ten of North America’s top hunting locations, including Kodiak Island, the Yukon and the Rocky Mountains. Each location in Cabela’s Legendary Adventures is a visually stunning open outdoor environment that encourages exploration and tactical variation. Shooting mechanics have been developed to reflect modern as well as historical hunting technology, so players relive the hunts complete with detail from specific time periods.

Under Cabela’s guidance, the firearms, tactics and gear in Cabela’s Legendary Adventures are as true to real life as a game will allow. The title will also include a large variety of additional hunts featuring over 30 species of other big game, small game, waterfowl, upland birds and turkey.

Cabela’s Legendary Adventures is scheduled for release in Fall 2008. For more information visit www.activision.com.