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Today Ubisoft announces that the “Glamour Pack” downloadable content (DLC) for Shaun White Snowboarding for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PS3 computer entertainment system is available now. The price for the DLC is 400 Microsoft points or $4.99 for the PS3.

The Glamour Pack provides riders with an exciting variety of new gear and equipment to conquer the mountain with featuring the following:
• 7 Pants
• 7 Coats
• 4 Tuques
• 4 Gloves
• 4 Boots
• 4 Goggles
• 14 Snowboards
• 2 Bindings
• 3 Backpacks

For more information on Shaun White Snowboarding, please visit www.shaunwhitegame.com.

$7.5 million investment from Oak Investment Partners cements MLG’s dominance in competitive video gaming

Major League Gaming, the professional video game league, today announced it has received a $7.5 million follow-on investment from Oak Investment Partners. MLG’s explosive growth in online and live audience, as well as its continued success in attracting major sponsors, has made it the premier competitive video gaming property in the world.

“MLG has become a cultural phenomenon, and the management team has made competitive gaming really matter for pros, fans, and marketers,” said Ed Glassmeyer, managing partner, Oak Investment Partners. “We have great confidence that the company will continue this path to success and that the challenging economic environment will provide new opportunities for investment and growth.”

“We set out to build the first digital sport the world had ever seen. From the beginning, Oak has been there to provide the capital and expertise to enable us to create a global, cross-platform business to support that vision,” said Matthew Bromberg, president and CEO of Major League Gaming.

2008 was a breakout year for Major League Gaming as its sports media business saw triple- and-quadruple digit growth:

1337% year-over-year growth in its online broadcast audience, with 503,000 unique men under 30 watching the Dallas Playoffs in early October
4.4 million online matches played in 2008, up 625% over 2007
7.0 million unique users each month according to Google Analytics, up 109% over 2007
An average of 15,000 attendees at each of the live competitions in 2008, up 500% over 2007.

About Major League Gaming
Founded in 2002, Major League Gaming (MLG) is the dominant media property exclusively targeting the approximately 40 million consumers in North America who have a passion for playing video games as a competitive social activity. The company exclusively represents the best professional gamers and gives millions of aspiring gamers around the world an opportunity to compete, improve their skills, and socialize through our thriving online competitive community and live Pro Circuit competitions. MLG sponsorship partners include Dr Pepper, GameStop, HP, Old Spice, Ballpark, Panasonic, Stride, Ubisoft, Bungie and Xbox 360. For more information: www.mlgpro.com.

3D isn’t just for the movie theaters anymore; very soon viewers will be able to enjoy a true 3D experience right in their own home. Next3D has developed a ground-breaking technology that allows consumers to receive theatrical 3D films, 3D IMAX films, movie trailers, real-time stereo camera webcasts and other 3D content directly to their XBOX 360 or PC. “We believe that gaming is likely to drive stereoscopic technology into the home,” says David Cole, CEO of Next 3D, “and we’ll be there to complete the media experience.”

In an effort to prepare for the expected demand, Hollywood is now releasing big-budget 3D movies at the rate of one per month and professional sporting events are being broadcast in 3D. Low-cost 3D cameras and even 3D web-cams are becoming available. This week at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, many top television manufacturers around the world including Sony, LG, and Panasonic will be announcing 3D ready TV’s, and both Samsung and Mitsubishi have already shipped an estimated 2 million 3D ready plasmas and DLP-based TV’s.

Next3D content is encoded with a tool that allows it to be viewed in full stereoscopic 3D 1080P high-definition. Like YouTube, Next3D will offer user-created content channels for stereo enthusiasts to post and share 3D video and still images. Premium, pay-to-view content channels will also be available by mid-year. Initial Next3D content providers include rights holders to 3D IMAX films, theatrical 3D films, and movie trailers. The Next3D Movie Player will be free to consumers on every platform. “Remember how iTunes revolutionized getting the music you want?” adds D.J. Roller, Co-founder of Next3D, “That’s how easy we’re making 3D.”

The Next3D Player will be available for XBOX 360s and PCs this spring. For more information visit www.Next3D.com

Driven by record sales at retail along with an 84 percent jump in online consumer spending; global install base lead over PlayStation 3 expands to more than 8 million units

Despite a tough economy, the gaming industry held strong in 2008 and Microsoft Corp.’s Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system recorded the biggest year in Xbox history, with more consoles, games and online entertainment experiences sold than any previous year. It was a year in which life-to-date unit sales of Xbox 360 systems climbed to 28 million consoles worldwide — expanding the product’s lead over Sony PlayStation 3 to more than 8 million units. The Xbox LIVE community also grew to more than 17 million active members, as online consumer spending increased 84 percent from last year. Since the launch of the Xbox 360 three years ago, more than $1 billion has been spent on Xbox LIVE. This amazing growth was fueled by the launch of the New Xbox Experience; the broadest selection of hit games, TV shows, and movies available; and mass-market price points, starting at $199.

Xbox 360 is experiencing record-setting sales around the globe, particularly in Japan and Europe, nearly doubling market share in these key territories. In Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) specifically, Xbox 360 has now sold more than 8 million units, extending its lead over the PS3 by more than 1 million units.

“For Xbox, 2008 will be remembered around the world as a pivotal growth year at retail and online — even in the face of tough economic conditions,” said Don Mattrick, senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “Worldwide, a record number of players flocked to our broadest games and entertainment lineup ever, while the New Xbox Experience thrilled millions of fans by making our console even more engaging. And yet, we’ve only provided a glimpse into the new world of interactive entertainment that we’re imagining. The best of Xbox 360 is yet to come.”

One of the biggest trends in 2008 was consumers taking advantage of the convenience and value with digital distribution of games and entertainment content. One of the most popular offerings this holiday was Netflix on Xbox 360, which as a Netflix member provides users with access to unlimited viewing of more than 12,000 movies and TV shows in DVD quality as well as many in high definition. In addition, Xbox LIVE is home to the largest library of downloadable games, game add-ons, movies and TV shows.

Between Christmas and New Year’s Day, Xbox LIVE experienced its busiest week ever, with a record of more than 1.5 million concurrent members online. During that week, some of the most popular movies, TV shows, arcade games and game add-ons included these:

Movies
– “The Dark Knight”
– “Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay” (unrated)
– “Hellboy II: The Golden Army”
– “Iron Man”
– “Tropic Thunder”

TV Shows
– “South Park”
– “Family Guy”
– “The Office”
– “House”
– “Heroes”

Arcade Games
– A Kingdom for Keflings
– Castle Crashers
– Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix
– Puzzle Arcade
– Worms

Game Add-Ons
– “Rock Band(R)”
– “Guitar Hero(R)”
– “Halo 3″
– “Gears of War(R) 2″
– “Call of Duty(R) 4″

Sony Computer Entertainment America today announced that MTV Networks will bring its hit entertainment, kids’ and comedy programming to PlayStation Network’s video service for PS3 and PSP systems in the United States. The partnership encompasses MTV brands attracting a diverse collection of audiences, including MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, COMEDY CENTRAL, Spike, Logo, CMT, The N, TV Land and Atom.

The initial lineup of TV shows available for download to own beginning in February will include a growing library of current popular shows including MTV’s The City, COMEDY CENTRAL’s Emmy and Peabody-Award winning South Park, Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants and VH1’s Rock of Love Bus with Bret Michaels. New shows premiering in the spring will be added as they become available.

The PlayStation Network video delivery service provides consumers with an exceptional entertainment experience as it adds movies, TV and exclusive content for rental or purchase to its already comprehensive lineup of games, demos, trailers and variety of other features. The video delivery service is home to nearly 1,200 movies and more than 3,000 TV episodes, many available in standard-definition (SD) and high-definition (HD), making PS3 system the ultimate entertainment platform and PSP system a leader in portable entertainment.

“We’re thrilled to add content from MTV Networks to our line up, it’s a perfect fit for the PlayStation(R) demographic, one of the most coveted audiences in entertainment today,” said Peter Dille, Senior Vice President of Marketing and PlayStation Network, SCEA. “Combined with the superior technology of the PS3 and PSP, the PlayStation Network’s video delivery service truly provides consumers the best and most comprehensive content on demand from an incredible line up of entertainment brands to enjoy at home or on-the-go.”

“From Nickelodeon to TV Land and everywhere in between, MTV Networks’ brands feature some of the most popular shows and some of the hottest stars for almost every conceivable demo,” said Greg Clayman, Executive Vice President, Digital Distribution and Business Development, MTV Networks. “By making our diverse content lineup available through the PlayStation Network, we’re giving PlayStation users instant access to hundreds of hours of our very best programming in the comfort of their own living rooms.”

Usage rules of the video delivery service allow content for purchase to be shared on multiple activated devices including PS3 and PSP systems per PlayStation Network account, depending on the type of content purchased by the user. One of the main value propositions of the PlayStation Network’s video delivery service is the ability to transfer standard-definition (SD) content from the PS3 system to the PSP system. For one price, consumers can transfer and view certain types of content on multiple devices. The connectivity between the PS3 system and the PSP system provides a seamless solution for those looking for a variety of entertainment experiences.

For more information about the content available on PlayStation Network visit: http://www.us.playstation.com

Ubisoft today announced the release of the “Faction Elite Pack” DLC for Tom Clancy’s EndWar available for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. The “Faction Elite Pack” for the PS3 system will be available later today. The DLC is available for 300 Microsoft points or $3.75.

The “Faction Elite Pack” DLC will include three new battalions (one per faction) and six new upgrades (two per faction). These new elite battalions include the legendary JSF 15th Special Operations, the Spetsnaz Alpha Brigade, and the Enforcer Corps Battlegroup. The “Faction Elite Pack” will also grant immediate access to six exclusive unit upgrades including Ceramic Armor for the Spetnaz Guard Brigade and Caseless Ammunition for The European Federation’s Gunships to name a couple.

For more news and information on Tom Clancy’s EndWar, please visit the game’s official website at www.endwargame.com.

Fresh today, a teaser for Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X.

The setting is 2012. As the era of the nation-state draws quickly to a close, the rules of warfare evolve even more rapidly. More and more nations become increasingly dependent on Private Military Firms (PMFs) – elite mercenaries with a lax view of the law. The Reykjavik Accords further legitimize their existence by authorizing their right to serve in every aspect of military operations. There goes the neighborhood…

Tom Clancy’s HAWX lets you become an elite pilot of the future; it is an awe-inspiring game primed to revolutionize the way you think about combat in the sky. Cutting-edge technology, devastating firepower, and intense dogfights bestow this new title a deserving place in the prestigious Tom Clancy franchise.

Juggle Boys, Business and Best Friends While Climbing the Social Ladder This Spring

Be the most popular girl in town in Drama Queens, a new Nintendo DS game announced today by Majesco Entertainment Company. Whether it’s bagging a big promotion or stealing another girl’s boyfriend, players can choose how they claw their way to the top in this ultra dramatic virtual 3D board game.

In Drama Queens, players assume the role of one of four girls, each with her own personality and special attributes. As their chosen character, players spin the game wheel to advance her through the 3D board game environment that offers options at every branching path. Should she further her career by working towards the big promotion, build her relationships by going shopping with girlfriends or focus on finding that one true love? As each girl moves around the board, she also earns points that can be applied towards securing “Best Friends Forever” (BFFs), boyfriends, and new outfits from the Fashion Boutique. But just like in real life, things are rarely that smooth. Landing on a Drama Space can lead to all kinds of sticky situations, like getting fired or losing a boyfriend to a competing girl. Players can also create their own drama with secret cards that let them steal boyfriends or promotions and add BFF points. Four boards range from the shopping mall to the runway and dance club, while multiplayer mode lets up to four friends play a fierce cat fight to see who is the most popular queen diva.

Developed by Sensory Sweep, Drama Queens for Nintendo DS is expected to launch this spring. For additional information about Majesco’s exciting line of products, please visit www.majescoentertainment.com.

Feral Interactive has announced it will release the Mac version of Rome: Total War™ Gold Edition in March. SEGA’s top-rated strategy game will be released by Feral as the second in the series of Feral Legends titles.

Encompassing three centuries of warfare from the late Roman Republic and early Roman Empire, Rome: Total War is regarded as one of the best strategy games ever with a seamless integration of strategic and tactical modes and featuring a 3d graphics engine that is capable of rendering over 10,000 soldiers on a single battlefield. 

Players take charge of one of three Roman families with the goal of increasing their family’s power in Rome through diplomacy, economic skill, and of course, war! Players can fight epic historical or fictitious battles while negotiating a century-spanning campaign across Europe and Africa. 

Making the appearance of Rome: Total War on the Mac even more compelling is the inclusion of the official expansion pack, Barbarian Invasion. Set some 300 years later, players must decide whether they will save Rome from its enemies or, at the head of a Barbarian faction, fight to destroy it. 

“The Total War series is one of the most-requested additions to Mac gaming” said Feral Interactive’s David Stephen. “It’s a game that is superbly suited to the platform and one that will be available to all Intel Mac owners including those with Macbooks”

The game will retail in for $29.95, It is currently available to pre-order from Feral’s online store (http://www.feralinteractive.com/?section=buy&language=english).

*UPDATED* Minimum system requirements call for a 1.8GHz Intel Mac only, 512MB RAM, 128MB graphics card, DVD drive, 3.5 GB of hard disk space and Mac OS X v10.4 or later. The game DOES support Intel GMA processors. (Intel Mac Minis and MacBooks).