KONAMI’s Blockbuster Soccer Franchise Hits Social Media Milestone with Over 5,000,000 Pro Evolution Soccer fans on Facebook

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. has announced that its Pro Evolution Soccer Facebook page is now followed by over five million people. In honor of this milestone, Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the world’s most recognized players and PES cover athlete, has recorded a special message for the Facebook fans!

The Real Madrid midfielder, and the new face of the Pro Evolution Soccer series, has recorded a dedicated message to this massive amount of fans. Five entrants in the competition will be chosen at random and will each receive a signed shirt.

The success of KONAMI’s Pro Evolution Soccer Facebook page comes following a concerted push by the publisher’s newly-established Social & Online Media Department. This division was established in April 2011 when just 1.6 million people were fans. Using a wealth of exclusive material to attract new fans and by increasing efforts to lead direct and credible conversations with them, the division has overseen an increase of over 600 percent in the number of monthly active users, and presided over a 1,300 percent increase in monthly page views.

The Pro Evolution Soccer Facebook page can be found at www.facebook.com/PES.

Zombies, and mutants, and monsters, oh my!  Hot on the heels of a viral marketing campaign centered around NoHopeLeft.com, those mad scientists over at Capcom have unleashed the first hints of an all new horror with the announcement of Resident Evil 6 for the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360!  Set ten years after the terrifying events in Raccoon City, this new foray into the world of survival horror features the return of franchise stars Leon Kennedy and Chris Redfield as they battle a surge of worldwide bio-terrorist attacks.  From the streets of China to the White House, itself, no one will be safe when the outbreak begins on November 20th.

Click to view the trailer!

Award-winning developer BioWare, a label of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA), announced today that the demo for 2012′s first blockbuster game, Mass Effect™ 3 will be available beginning February 14, 2012. The extensive demo will allow players to experience the all-out galactic war against an ancient alien race known as the Reapers from multiple fronts, including the mind-blowing opening attack on Earth that kicks off the single-player campaign. Players will go deeper into the campaign and also get a taste of the franchise’s new co-operative multiplayer mode as they preview the epic story, adrenaline-pumping action and deep customization options that lie ahead when Mass Effect 3 launches on March 6, 2012. The Mass Effect 3 demo will be available for the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC. Mass Effect 3 will also be one of the first pre-launch demos to support full voice recognition functionality on Kinect™ for Xbox 360.

“We are excited to be able to give gamers an expansive demo that will put them right on the front lines of this all-out galactic war,” said Casey Hudson, Executive Producer of the Mass Effect series. “The entire scale of the game is bigger than anything we’ve ever done. With its intense action, deep customization and raw emotional power, Mass Effect 3 will deliver a spectacular action RPG experience to fans of the series and newcomers alike.”

In Mass Effect 3, players will be thrust into an all-out galactic war to take Earth back and save the entire galaxy, assuming the role of Commander Shepard, a war-torn veteran who’s willing to do whatever it takes to eliminate this nearly unstoppable foe. With a team of elite, battle-hardened soldiers at your side, each player decides how they will take Earth back, from the weapons and abilities they utilize to the relationships they forge or break. Mass Effect 3 also features a new co-operative gameplay mode that allows fans to experience the war from a different perspective. Players who want to try this new mode will be able to do so on February 17, or by qualifying for early access to the co-op portion of the demo which begins February 14. Gamers qualify for early access if they have activated their Battlefield 3™ online pass* or though other opportunities that will be announced in the near future www.masseffect.com.

Recently named by over 100 outlets around the world as one of the most anticipated games of 2012, including winning the fan-voted Most Anticipated Game of 2012 award at the Spike TV VGAs, Mass Effect 3 is available for pre-order now at participating retailers. Fans who pre-order** have the opportunity to arm themselves with cutting-edge in-game weapons and armor to prepare for the all-out galactic war. Mass Effect 3 arrives on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC in North America on March 6, 2012 and in Europe on March 9, 2012. For more information on Mass Effect 3, please visit http://masseffect.com, follow the game on Twitter at http://twitter.com/masseffect or “like” the game on Facebook at http://facebook.com/masseffect.

* Conditions and restrictions apply. Early access requirement and availability may differ by platform and/or region. See www.masseffect.com for more details.

** Conditions and restrictions apply. See http://masseffect.bioware.com/me3/game/preorderbonus/ for more details.

Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA)  announced the beginning of an extensive and exclusive creative collaboration between Katy Perry, one of today’s biggest superstars, and The Sims™, one of the most popular gaming series of all-time***. In collaboration with Perry, the world-renowned The Sims Studio plans to develop multiple games within The Sims franchise featuring special Katy Perry themed in-game content and virtual goods. The relationship kicks off with a special Collector’s Edition for The Sims™ 3 Showtime, launching in March 2012. Katy Perry will also be featured in all-new advertising and marketing campaigns for the brand.

“Today marks the start of the most integrated and exciting collaboration with any artist in the history of The Sims,” said Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive of Music for EA. “Katy Perry has been a fan of The Sims for several years, and her Simlish recording of her hit ‘Hot and Cold’ featured in The Sims™ 2 series quickly became the most popular Simlish music video to date. We couldn’t be more excited to work with Katy and bring her distinctive talents, style and personality to the franchise’s global fan base. No performer could better represent the humor and fun of The Sims brand.”

“I love how you’re able to play out different stories through your Sims characters – giving them different careers and watching them succeed,” said Perry. “It’s cool to see the Sims’ stage performances in The Sims 3 Showtime decked out just like my California Dreams Tour — even my cotton candy video screens are in there! I always like to think of myself as a cartoon, and now I’m a Sim!”

Katy Perry became the first artist in history to spend 52 consecutive weeks in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. Perry’s Teenage Dream produced five #1 hits, an accomplishment equal only to Michael Jackson’s Bad album and making her the only female artist in history to achieve this feat.

Katy Perry will work closely with The Sims Studio to create accessories, clothing, hairstyles, furniture and props in The Sims games that truly celebrate the imagination that she brings to her performances, music videos and life. Katy Perry will also be featured throughout The Sims television advertising campaigns, online communications and retail marketing around the world.

Available for pre-order** today, players can make their rise to fame in The Sims™ 3 Showtime Katy Perry Collector’s Edition. This Collector’s Edition includes The Sims 3 Showtime Expansion pack, plus downloadable content including an Ultimate Stage bonus venue, iconic Katy Perry themed items, and an exclusive poster. This iconic content includes fashions, a guitar, a hairstyle and various Katy Perry themed stage props.

In The Sims 3 Showtime, the latest expansion pack to the critically-acclaimed The Sims 3, players can venture into a new world and play out a rags-to-riches story with their Sims as they become superstar singers, acrobats and magicians, or even moonlight as a DJ. Players can watch their Sims rise to fame — or go down in flames — as they perform on stage in front of cheering crowds in all new venues. On the way to the top, players will have more tools to tell their Sims’ stories the way they want to including the ability to customize stages, create Sims with all-new clothing options, traits, skills and lifetime wishes and interact with objects like the new pool table, karaoke machine and mechanical bull. New connected features allow players the opportunity to share their big moments and connect with friends and fans of The Sims like never before. Using the all-new optional SimPort feature, players can send their Sim on tour to perform in their friend’s world. Along the way, players can earn achievements for accomplishing special challenges that will be rewarded with new badges and that can be viewed and shared on the new in-game player profile and wall.

In addition to the Katy Perry themed Collector’s Edition, a Limited Edition version of The Sims 3 Showtime is also available for pre-order** while supplies last. When pre-ordered, these products feature the Ultimate Stage bonus venue. Players can place this fully customizable venue in their world and will be able to use it as an additional stage for their Sims to perform on, complete with in-game props, backgrounds, lights and special effects.

For more information, please visit http://thesims.com/katyperry or http://thesims.com/showtime, like the game on Facebook and follow us on Twitter®. For more information on The Sims 3, please visit http://www.thesims3.com/.

inXile Entertainment today announced that the highly anticipated Choplifter HD is now available for download via PlayStation® Network, Xbox Live® Arcade and PC for $14.99/1200 Microsoft points.  Choplifter HD is developed by inXile Entertainment, who is publishing the PlayStation® Network and PC versions, and co-publishing the Xbox Live® Arcade version with Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.

“We really focused on returning to our old school gaming roots with Choplifter HD,” said Brian Fargo, CEO of InXile Entertainment.  ”We made sure to have plenty of variety in missions, choppers and enemies, while lacing in those special moments that we love here at InXile. Choplifter HD is the kind of game that WE want to play!  We are very proud of the experience we created and I can’t wait for gamers to get their hands on it!”

The Apocolypse may be a little closer than you think…

After months of Blizzard teasing that they are “seriously considering” a console version of Diablo III, the first official word arrived earlier.  Bashiok, one of Blizzard Entertainment’s community managers, confirmed via twitter that Josh Mosquiera, veteran of Warhammer 40k: Dawn of War, has been tagged as the lead designer of the project. Will the perennial PC franchise manage a successful jump to the console market? Only time (and possibly the armies of the underworld) will know for sure.

Click above for the Diablo III intro cinematic!

ZeniMax® Media Inc. today announced that a settlement had been reached in the lawsuit filed by its subsidiary, Bethesda Softworks®, against Interplay Entertainment Corporation in 2009, Bethesda Softworks LLC v Interplay Entertainment Corp., seeking cancellation of the license granted to Interplay to develop a massively multiplayer online game (MMO) based on the Fallout brand. Bethesda maintained in its complaint that Interplay had failed to meet the conditions for the license and the license was therefore of no continuing validity.

Under the terms of the settlement, the license granted to Interplay to develop the Fallout MMO is null and void, and all rights granted to Interplay to develop a Fallout MMO revert back to Bethesda, effective immediately. Interplay has no ongoing right to use the Fallout brand or any Fallout intellectual property for any game development. ZeniMax will pay Interplay $2 million as consideration in the settlement, each party will bear its own costs of the litigation, and Bethesda will continue to own all Fallout intellectual property rights. Interplay will be permitted to continue to sell the original Fallout ®Tactics, Fallout® and Fallout® 2 PC games through December 2013, after which time all rights to market those games revert to and become the sole property of Bethesda. Under the original agreement pursuant to which Bethesda had acquired the Fallout property, Interplay was granted certain merchandising rights to sell those original Fallout games, but those merchandising rights will now expire on December 31, 2013.  

The lawsuit against Interplay arose after Bethesda Softworks acquired all Fallout intellectual property rights from Interplay in April 2007, and conditionally licensed back to Interplay certain trademark rights to make a Fallout MMO, provided Interplay secured $30 million in financing for the MMO and commenced full scale development of the game by April 2009. Bethesda alleged in its complaint that Interplay failed to meet either condition of the license back agreement but refused to relinquish its license and insisted it would develop a Fallout MMO.  Bethesda filed suit to declare the license void.

In a separate but related matter, Bethesda commenced a second action against a purported developer of the Fallout MMO, Masthead Studios, Bethesda Softworks LLC v Masthead Studios Ltd. In the course of the original lawsuit against Interplay, Interplay had claimed that it had engaged Masthead Studios to develop the Fallout MMO under its license, and contended that Masthead was engaged in full scale development of that game. Bethesda filed its separate lawsuit against Masthead to assert copyright infringement and other violations of Bethesda’s intellectual property rights. Under the MMO license granted to Interplay, Interplay was not permitted to sublicense any rights granted without the prior approval of Bethesda, approval which had never been requested or granted.  In responding to Bethesda’s lawsuit, Masthead denied that it had been using any of Bethesda’s intellectual property in developing an MMO. Masthead and Bethesda settled that second lawsuit on December 29, 2011.  In the settlement, Masthead acknowledges it has no legal right to use any Fallout intellectual property, and agrees it will not use any such intellectual property of Bethesda in the future.  No payments were made by either party as part of this settlement. The two settlements resolve all pending litigation over the Fallout intellectual property owned by Bethesda.

Robert Altman, Chairman and CEO of ZeniMax, expressed satisfaction on behalf of the Company with the resolution of the two lawsuits saying, “While we strongly believe in the merits of our suits, we are pleased to avoid the distraction and expense of litigation while completely resolving all claims to the Fallout IP. Fallout is an important property of ZeniMax and we are now able to develop future Fallout titles for our fans without third party involvement or the overhang of others’ legal claims.”

Following the purchase of the property, Bethesda Game Studios, the 2011 ‘Studio of the Year’ and the development team behind the 2011 ‘Game of the Year’, The Elder Scrolls® V: Skyrim™, developed Fallout® 3. ZeniMax Media’s publishing subsidiary, Bethesda Softworks, published Fallout® 3, a highly acclaimed sequel which won ‘Game of the Year’ honors in 2008, for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, and Games for Windows. Bethesda also published the popular title, Fallout: New Vegas®, in 2010 for the same platforms. Fallout: New Vegas® Ultimate Edition, which will include the original game and the award-winning downloadable content in one special package, is planned for release by Bethesda in early 2012.

2012’s product lineup follows another banner year in 2011 for the company; based on NPD data Turtle Beach is the number one gaming headsets/headphones company and the number one overall for third party console video gaming accessories based on dollar volume.  Numerous awards and accolades were collected for its many new products in 2011 and the company is poised to deliver more “firsts” in 2012.

In addition to the products listed below, Turtle Beach and Spike TV will be hosting an exclusive new product reveal only available on the Spike TV “CES ALL ACCESS LIVE” show airing on Tuesday, January 10. Tune into “CES ALL ACCESS LIVE” during the 11:00 AM hour (PDT) to see the world exclusive reveal of the latest unannounced Turtle Beach product. Visit http://dialedin.com/mtvnetworks41/CES/Sizzle for more information about “CES ALL ACCESS LIVE”, or check with your local cable provider to catch this year’s biggest announcement in the gaming headset category.

New Console and PC Lineup

·         Ear Force X42 Wireless Dolby® Surround Sound Xbox 360® Headset

·         Ear Force X32 Wireless Stereo Xbox 360® Headset

o   Replacements for the very popular Ear Force X31 and Ear Force X41 models, these headsets include new 2.4/5GHz dual-band Wi-Fi technology that actively navigates the wireless landscape in your home or office and finds the open bandwidth to eliminate interference with 2.4GHz wireless devices and LANs. With massive 50mm drivers, the X32/X42 headsets will not only outperform their predecessors, they represent the ultimate blend of value and wireless performance for Xbox gamers.

o   Ear Force X32 MSRP: USD $99.95; Ear Force X42 MSRP: USD $159.95

o   Availability TBA

·         Ear Force DSS 2 Surround Sound Processor for Stereo Headsets

o   The latest iteration of Turtle Beach’s award winning Dolby® Surround Sound Processor (DSS), this updated model revolutionizes the surround sound experience with six variable speaker configurations, offering custom tuned angles to optimize the surround sound effect for any listener.

o   DSS2 is sold alone, or bundled as part of several new Turtle Beach surround sound wired headset models, also debuting at CES.

o   The Ear Force DSS2 is available now on the Turtle Beach website for USD $79.95

·         Ear Force Z11 Wired Stereo PC Gaming Headset

o   The latest addition to the Ear Force PC headset lineup, the Z11 brings an affordable, high-quality stereo experience to PC gamers, with acoustically angled 50mm drivers for rich audio and crystal clear communication.

o   MSRP: USD $39.95

o   Availability TBA

M-Series Mobile Lifestyle Headsets

Building on the success of their console and PC gaming product lines, Turtle Beach is introducing three new headsets designed specifically for gamers on the go. The M5 and M3 headsets, along with the M1 Earbuds, are engineered to deliver the same legendary audio quality found in all Turtle Beach gaming headsets, while providing compatibility with a broad range of smart phones, tablets and mobile gaming devices.

·         Ear Force M5: Mobile Gaming Headset

o   The M5 mobile gaming headset features high-fidelity 40mm audio drivers and full-sized, noise-isolating ear cups with breathable mesh cushions for enhanced comfort. The M5 delivers premium audio quality for gaming or listening to music. Features an in-line mic with call control in a sleek, compact design for hands-free calling and crystal clear communication.

o   MSRP: USD $49.95

o   Availability TBA

·         Ear Force M3: Mobile Gaming Headset

o   Designed for optimum portability, the M3 features a compact, fold-flat design for easy storage, while its comfortable noise-isolating ear cups and 40mm drivers deliver extreme comfort and high-fidelity audio. The M3 also includes an in-line mic for hands-free calling and online communication.

o   MSRP: USD $39.95

o   Availability TBA

·         Ear Force M1: Mobile Gaming Earbuds with In-line Mic

o   These noise-isolating earbuds are specially-designed for enhanced stability and comfort with an around-the-ear fit.  They feature high-performance 10mm drivers with neodymium magnets that deliver a dynamic audio range with deep bass response and superior sound quality. The M1 also includes a sleek in-line mic and durable tangle-free braided cable.

o   MSRP: USD $59.95

o   Availability TBA

For more information on these an all Turtle Beach products, please visit www.turtlebeach.com.

A stunning Star Wars universe. Thousands of hours of gameplay. Gripping stories. Engrossing dialogue performed by hundreds of talented voice actors. BioWare, a label of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA), today is proud to turn on the servers for one of the most anticipated games of all time, Star Wars: The Old Republic, winner of over 100 awards from critics around the world. Last night, fans lined up around the block on the eve of launch at retail outlets in New York, Paris, London, Austin and other cities across the world, celebrating the debut of the game with gatherings complete with costumed characters and memorabilia giveaways. This morning, EA, BioWare and LucasArts continue the launch celebration by hosting the opening ceremony and ringing the bell at the NASDAQ stock exchange. The ceremony can be viewed at http://nasdaq.com. As the servers go live and fans flood into the game, BioWare customer support teams are managing the network infrastructure to ensure every player has a smooth, easy and fun experience getting into the game.

“Today represents an amazing milestone for BioWare, EA and Star Wars fans everywhere and we are confident it has been worth the wait,” said Dr. Ray Muzyka, Co-Founder, BioWare and General Manager, EA’s BioWare Label. “The support and resources going into Star Wars: The Old Republic are not ending today. The innovations we’re bringing to the category are just the start of a journey and ongoing investment in our players that will grow, evolve and transform based on player feedback over the weeks, months and years ahead.”

Dr. Greg Zeschuk, Co-Founder, BioWare and General Manager of the BioWare Label’s MMO Business Unit, added: “The addition of story and personal choice to the MMO genre is going to fundamentally change the way people perceive MMOs moving forward, especially when it is experienced at its fullest potential with high-quality writing and voice acting. We are extremely happy with where The Old Republic stands at launch and we can’t wait to grow the game with our community to make it even better in the future.”

Star Wars: The Old Republic is a story-driven, massively multiplayer online (MMO) game from BioWare and LucasArts, breaking new ground in online gaming by delivering high quality, fully voiced storylines with personal choice and consequences. Set thousands of years before the classic Star Wars movies, players will be immersed as they team up with friends online to fight in heroic battles reminiscent of the films, exploring a galaxy of vibrant planets and experiencing visceral Star Wars combat. Players will be asked to join forces with either the Galactic Republic or Sith Empire and choose one of eight iconic Star Wars characters, including the Jedi Knight, Jedi Consular, Smuggler, Trooper, Sith Warrior, Sith Inquisitor, Bounty Hunter and Imperial Agent. Set against a sweeping musical score, Star Wars: The Old Republic will be the most emotionally engaging online gaming experience ever.

Included with the purchase of every copy of Star Wars: The Old Republic is 30 days of access to the game, after which players can continue to play through subscribing* at either $14.99 per month, $41.97 for 3 months ($13.99 per month), or $77.94 for six months ($12.99 per month). For more information on Star Wars: The Old Republic, please visit www.StarWarsTheOldRepublic.com, follow the game on Twitter® at http://twitter.com/swtor or “Like” Star Wars: The Old Republic on Facebook® at http://facebook.com/starwarstheoldrepublic.

* Subscription pricing in the United Kingdom will be £8.99 per month, £25.17 for three months (£8.39 per month) or £46.14 for six months (£7.69 per month). Subscription pricing in Europe will be €12.99 per month, €35.97 for three months (€11.99 per month) or €65.94 for six months (€10.99 per month).

ATLUS and ACE Team today revealed that the Steam-exclusive PC version of Rock of Ages™, their balls-to-the-walls game of tower offense featuring fast-paced strategy, high art, and gigantic boulders of doom, would ring in the holidays and the new year with a Christmas content update.  The holiday-themed content includes an all-new Snowman’s Head boulder skin (for both online and local use), permanently unlocks all defensive units for all maps, and introduces a number of limited time interface changes to make the game all the merrier!