Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced the latest iteration of the highly acclaimed soccer game, Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) 2013, will be available for download at a reduced priced through XBOX® Games on Demand and STEAM™ digital download service.

For this year’s game, the development team went back to the origins of the game that pioneered the genre, by working directly with fans of the franchise to deliver a game that gives total freedom of control back to the players. This full control, coupled with enhanced artificial intelligence and life-like player animations makes PES 2013 the most realistic soccer game on the market.

PES 2013 marks major advancements for the popular soccer game including new game mechanics such as PES FullControl, where players are given total control over every pass, shot and even first touches to the ball. Similarly, Pro-Active AI ensures that players move as they should both on and off the ball, creating a true authentic soccer experience. The Player ID system then enhances the feeling of individuality, with players that not only look and move like their real life counterparts, but also play just like them.

Pro Evolution Soccer is rated “E” for Everybody by the ESRB and is now available for download on STEAM and on XBOX Games on Demand. PES 2014 is also available at retail stores nationwide.

Ready, set, floor it! EA and Criterion Games announced today that Need for Speed™ Most Wanted U, the Nintendo Wii U™ enhanced version of the critically acclaimed Need for Speed Most Wanted, is now available at North American retail stores. Whether gamers are playing with friends or family in the living room or competing against others in the connected open world through Autolog 2, Need for Speed Most Wanted U makes the race to become Most Wanted more fun, more social and more interactive than ever before.

Rob O’Farrell, Executive Producer, said, “At Criterion Games, we really took the time to learn and understand the Wii U. When creating Need for Speed Most Wanted U, we wanted to maximize the console’s power to deliver an immediately fun and accessible racing experience. We are very proud of the end result.”

Designed specifically for the Wii U, Need for Speed Most Wanted U delivers gameplay mechanics built for the unique features of the Wii U™ GamePad controller. The local co-op mode, called Co-Driver, allows one player to drive using the Wii Remote™ controller or Wii U Pro Controller while another player uses the Wii U GamePad to provide control and navigation assistance on an interactive real-time map. Using just their fingertips, the partner can distract pursuing cops, switch from night to day or activate enhanced performance for any car and even control the amount of traffic on the road. For another competitive edge, players can switch into their favorite cars, track milestones, uncover the city’s hidden gems and more, all on the fly with the Wii U touch screen, ensuring nothing ever slows them down.

Need for Speed Most Wanted U brings the blockbuster action of the open world racer to players’ fingertips. The entire game is playable off-screen using the Wii U GamePad, so gamers never have to put the game down.

Need for Speed Most Wanted U includes the Ultimate Speed Pack expansion, so players can take to the streets with five of the most absurdly fast cars ever made: McLaren’s F1 LM, Lamborghini’s minimalist artwork, the Aventador J, the track-focused Pagani Zonda R, Bugatti’s reigning world speed champion, the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse and Hennessey’s savage 275 mile-an-hour ragtop beast, the Venom GT Spyder.

Finally with Need for Speed Most Wanted U, gamers are competing against the people they want to defeat most — their friends. With EA’s innovative online technology Autolog 2, the game automatically tracks and compares best race times, high scores and more. These stats are broadcast throughout the open world, fueling friendly competition and rivalries. Need for Speed Most Wanted‘s online multiplayer also ups the ante for social competition. Gamers pick a car, meet up with their friends and are immersed in a non-stop playlist of action-packed events. Whether it’s competing for the best starting position, the ultimate jump, or finishing first place, if there’s something to do, there’s someone to beat. Any Speed Points earned on Wii U will add to your existing total if you are playing the game on any of the other available platforms through CloudCompete.

Need for Speed Most Wanted U is available now in North America for $59.99 and will be in stores March 21 in Europe for €69.99.

For more information on Need for Speed Most Wanted, visit http://www.needforspeed.com/wii-u.

Wargaming announced today that a global* licensing deal was signed with J!NX, the unique video game-inspired clothing brand for gamers and geeks. The famous multi-awarded game World of Tanks will appear in the apparel and accessories products from the well-known clothing company.  World of Tanks has a large global community and fan base with more than 55 million registered users.

The World of Tanks licensed product range will include apparel, accessories and other “must haves” and will be available in late March 2013. These branded items will be available broadly through mass-market retailers and department stores, online stores and specialty retailers.

“Since the first moment we played World of Tanks, the J!NX crew has been eagerly pursuing the opportunity to work with Wargaming,” said Sean “J!NX” Gailey, co-founder and chief creative overlord of J!NX.  “The extensive history, strategy and amazing art style surrounding World of Tanks makes for the ultimate creative playground for clothing.  As players ourselves, we look forward to creating unique clothing that truly resonates with the passionate and loyal community.”

“Teaming up with J!NX allows our players to enjoy and express their passion for World of Tanks, even when they’re away from their PC,” said Frederic Menou, General Manager at Wargaming Europe.  “It is a complete fit to our strategy to further extend the experience of World of Tanks, and J!NX is the perfect partner choice as they have the pulse of the market. Their creativity and brand are recognized by gamers around the world – a great match for our game which is played in more than 205 countries.”

Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) today announced that SimCity™ recorded more than 1.1 million units sold through in the first two weeks, making this the biggest SimCity launch of all time. Roughly 54 percent of those sales have been of digital versions of the game, downloaded directly to players’ PCs via Origin™ or other digital download services.

“SimCity had a great weekend with sales strong across both North America and Europe, adding to overwhelming demand at launch that has us tracking well beyond expectations for the game,” said Peter Moore, Chief Operating Officer for EA. “SimCity is one of the storied brands in gaming, and Maxis delivered a game re-envisioned and engineered for the online age.”

Gamers have logged on to SimCity via Origin in record numbers, with 44 percent of SimCity sales delivered via EA’s direct-to-consumer digital download service. SimCity gamers have also helped set new records for peak concurrent users on Origin, now at 1.3 million and rising.

In just two weeks:

• SimCity players have logged more than 15 million hours of online gameplay.
• More than 5.7 million original cities have been created since launch.
• More than 780 million buildings have been built.
• SimCity mayors to date have built enough road and railroad tracks to circle the globe more than 40,000 times.

The Maxis™ studio also continues to enhance both the core SimCity game and the online service infrastructure; in the last two weeks, they have increased server capacity by more than 400%, optimized server response times by 40 times, and deployed fixes to address players’ direct feedback on game performance.

Everything is intelligently simulated in this new SimCity, from all of the Sims in a city, to every kilowatt of power pulsing through a region thanks to the powerful GlassBox Engine. It is the most expansive city management game yet where multi-city gameplay across regions delivers a larger playing field. No longer are players relegated to playing one single city, now they can manage and play up to 16 cities at once. Each city can have different specializations; they can share services and trade resources; they can help or even hinder each other; every decision a player makes in each city has impact in the broader region. It’s up to the player to decide where and how they play.

For the first time in the series multiplayer is added to the gameplay giving players a new dimension to the game, as decisions impact both the city and the region, creating new ways to play by collaborating or competing to earn achievements. Underpinning SimCity is a live service that simulates real-time updates and pushes them to players in the form of new challenges and achievements. Players will track their progression alongside their friends and the world for the most polluted city, the richest city and more. Whether players play by themselves, with their friends or with the rest of the world, SimCity will challenge players to create the city of their dreams and answer the question — what kind of mayor will you be?

SimCity is available now worldwide on PC via Origin and retail stores. SimCity is rated E10+ by the ESRB. For more information regarding SimCity, please visit www.SimCity.com. SimCity for Mac will be available in spring 2013.

Doodle Jump, the perennially acclaimed chart-topping mobile gaming sensation from Lima Sky, turns 4 years old today.

 March 15, 2009 seems like prehistoric times for mobile gaming, and only the very best have remained best sellers. Far more than a simple anniversary, this event is a fan-made milestone. It marks more than 5 billion games of Doodle Jump played. In that time, Doodle has made enough leaps to bounce an astronaut back and forth between the Earth and the Sun 6 times. He’s blasted nearly 60 billion nose balls (more than 900 million boxes of tissues). Like Kevin Durant staying above the rim, Doodle Jump continually stayed at the top of the mobile game charts, with the last officially released Apple’s All-Time chart placing it as the #3 Top Paid App of All Time. None of this would have been possible without the support of an energized, enthusiastic, and just plain wonderful audience of Doodle Jumpers.

To celebrate the occasion, Lima Sky has made Doodle Jump for iPad FREE for a day and released a FREE version of Doodle Jump for Android today which was developed from ground-up by Lima Sky and optimized for Android. It comes with a number of performance and graphical improvements, with more to come in future updates!

But it’s certainly not all the future holds – Doodle Jump fans can expect even bigger things. The year started off with the launch of an amazing Doodle Jump Arcade version for arcade machines with ICE/Raw Thrills, and in upcoming months the long awaited Xbox 360 Kinect version will finally launch. Outside the digital realm a whole slew of official toys, apparel, stationery, accessories, and more is coming real soon. This is the year of Doodle Jump!

Google Play Link (Free): http://bit.ly/DoodleJumpPlay

Amazon Link (Free): http://bit.ly/DoodleJumpAmazon

App Store Link (iPad Free Today): http://bit.ly/DoodleJumpiPad

App Store Link (iPhone/iPod Touch $0.99) – http://bit.ly/DoodleJump

Capcom and Valve are pleased to announce the Resident Evil® 6 x Left 4 Dead 2 project. This crossover project between two of the interactive entertainment industry’s most respected publishers will see characters from Left 4 Dead™ 2 featured exclusively in the forthcoming PC version of Resident Evil® 6, while enemies from Resident Evil 6 will invade the PC version of Left 4 Dead 2. All content will be made available completely free for fans of either game to access and play.

Owners of Resident Evil 6 PC will be able to select one of four survivors from Left 4 Dead 2’s iconic cast – Coach, Nick, Ellis and Rochelle – when playing PC exclusive mode, The Mercenaries No Mercy. Each character will have a special customized weapon load-out created just for use in Resident Evil 6.  In addition to the four survivors, two of the infamous Special Infected zombies from the Left 4 Dead franchise – the Witch and Mini Tank – will also make a cameo appearance in this mode, relentlessly attacking players regardless of whether a character from Left 4 Dead 2 or Resident Evil 6 is chosen. This new and exclusive content will automatically be downloaded in the background to all owners of the PC version of Resident Evil 6 from April 5.

Making the leap to the PC version of Left 4 Dead 2 will be some of Resident Evil 6’s most fearsome enemies – Lepotitsa, Napad and Ogroman. All three characters were brought to life in Left 4 Dead 2 by Valve’s renowned developers using its Steam Workshop tools. Owners of the PC version of Left 4 Dead 2 will be able to face a new deadly challenge when Resident Evil 6 characters infect Valve’s classic zombie title this spring.

Commenting on the crossover project, Chet Faliszek from Valve stated: “We’re huge Resident Evil fans, so when the opportunity arose to work directly with Capcom to combine L4D2 and RE6, we jumped at it.”

Resident Evil 6 Producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi added: “The Resident Evil 6 team really enjoyed working on this crossover, and we’re confident that our fans will have a great time with it too! We hope you enjoy this unique content.”

In addition, the previously announced DLC Virtual Reality (VR) Missions will be available on March 12, 2013 exclusively for the Playstation®3 Entertainment System in the US and Canada. The DLC will be free at launch for a limited time only, ending April 3, 2013. Adding 30 all-new missions to the game, featuring the classic VR look inspired by the original METAL GEAR SOLID: VR Missions, the pack is pure, uncut gameplay that introduces a host of unique new challenges that will push Raiden’s skills to its limits.

Developed by Kojima Productions and PlatinumGames, METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE takes the renowned METAL GEAR franchise into exciting new territory by delivering an action experience unlike anything seen before. The title brings two of the world’s most respected development teams together with a common goal of providing players with a fresh synergetic experience that combines the best elements of pure action together with epic storytelling, all within the expansive METAL GEAR universe.

METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE is rated “M” for Mature by the ESRB and is available now at nationwide retailers or for download on the PlayStation®Network for $59.99.

When the stakes are high, risk it all by going double or nothing! Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) today announced that a downloadable demo for Army of TWO™ The Devil’s Cartel, the next installment of the franchise celebrated for its dynamic two player co-operative gameplay and over-the-top blockbuster action, will be available on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace and PlayStation®Network starting on March 12.

In the demo, players will step into the boots of private military contractors Alpha and Bravo as they embark on a mission to rescue a kidnapped politician while diffusing an additional hostage situation. From the bottom floor of a dangerous drug lab, to the rooftops of a sky rise, Alpha and Bravo must infiltrate the Cartel’s stronghold and overcome hordes of cartel members, all the while working together to survive. With the lives of others on the line, the dynamic duo will need to split up as one player runs into battle face-to-face with their opposition, while the other takes to the sky in a helicopter to man a mini gun and provide cover. Complete with epic explosions, massive destruction and the brand new Overkill feature, gamers will be able to experience the adrenaline and palm sweating action before the game launches on March 26.

Army of TWO The Devil’s Cartel Overkill Edition is still available to pre-order at participating retailers. Gamers who reserve their copy of the game will receive exclusive masks, outfits, a highly destructive co-op contract mission and deadly weapons, including the TAH-9. If customers pre-order their copy from GameStop, they will receive the Army of TWO The Devil’s Cartel Hit-Maker’s Kit, which will give gamers the chance to play as characters portrayed by music megastars Big Boi and B.o.B, along with an additional contract mission and custom designed gear.

In Army of TWO The Devil’s Cartel, players find themselves on the war-torn streets of Mexico as Alpha and Bravo, two operatives working for Tactical Worldwide Operations (T.W.O.), fighting for justice against a dangerous drug cartel. Featuring both online and split-screen co-op, Army of TWO The Devil’s Cartel gives players the chance to distinguish themselves from their friends by providing a deeper and more advanced upgrade and customization system. From the mask that protects them in battle to the very weapons that keep them alive, players can customize their own Alpha and Bravo to create the deadliest mercenary team as they see fit.

Launching on March 26, Army of TWO The Devil’s Cartel will be available on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system. This product is rated M for Mature by the ESRB. For more information on Army of TWO The Devil’s Cartel, please visit www.armyoftwo.com, and for the latest news visit www.facebook.com/armyoftwo or follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/armyoftwo

After a 10-year hiatus and more than 23 years of inspiring and entertaining gamers, the king of city builders is back! Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) today announced that SimCity™ is now available on PC at retail stores across North America and for digital download via Origin™. Winner of 26 PC best of show awards in 2012 and lauded in over 50 Most Anticipated of 2013 lists, the beloved city-building simulator is back with the series creators at Maxis™ and it’s delivering the most immersive and personal SimCity experience ever, where players can create and destroy the cities of their imaginations.

“For more than 23 years, SimCity has been inspiring future mayors and urban planners,” said Lucy Bradshaw, Senior Vice President and General Manager of EA’s Maxis Label. “The new SimCity is powered by the most advanced simulation engine ever. It is more responsive and expansive than ever before. It is a SimCity where decisions you make at the local level will send rippling waves across an entire region of cities. Building on the core ethos of what made the original SimCity so powerful, this new SimCity is the game we have always dreamed of making.”

Everything is intelligently simulated in this new SimCity, from all of the Sims in a city, to every kilowatt of power pulsing through a region thanks to the powerful GlassBox Engine. It is the most expansive city management game yet where multi-city gameplay across regions delivers a larger playing field. No longer are players relegated to playing one single city, now they can manage and play up to 16 cities at once. Each city can have different specializations; they can share services and trade resources; they can help or even hinder each other; every decision a player makes in each city has impact in the broader region. It’s up to the player to decide where and how they play.

For the first time in the series multiplayer is added to the gameplay giving players a new dimension to the game, as decisions impact both the city and the region, creating new ways to play by collaborating or competing to earn achievements. Underpinning SimCity is a live service that simulates real-time updates and pushes them to players in the form of new challenges and achievements. Players will track their progression alongside their friends and the world for the most polluted city, the richest city and more. Whether players play by themselves, with their friends or with the rest of the world, SimCity will challenge players to create the city of their dreams answer the question — what kind of mayor will you be?

SimCity has been rated E10+ by the ESRB. For more information regarding SimCity, please visit www.SimCity.com. SimCity for Mac will be available in spring 2013. Players who purchase the SimCity Limited Edition* on Origin.com will get the Heroes and Villains set plus the Origin-exclusive item, Plumbob Park for their game

NIS America is thrilled to announce that the third season of the extraordinarily heartwarming title, Natsume’s Book of Friends Season 3, is now shipping throughout North America. This highly acclaimed title will come packaged in a sturdy collectible slipcase featuring a traditional Japanese origami-paper finish. Inside, you’ll find 2 Blu-ray discs and 2 DVDs for your viewing pleasure, as well as a hardcover art book packed with information and detailed illustrations. Season 3 of Natsume’s Book of Friends features 13 powerful, touching episodes exploring the friendships between Natsume and his friends, both human and yokai. The title is now available at the following select online retailers: Right Stuf, The Anime Corner Store, Anime Pavilion, and NISA Online Store.

About the show:
Takashi Natsume has always been shunned by those around him because of his mysterious ability to see yokai. Eventually, he came into possession of his grandmother Reiko’s “Book of Friends,” and together with his bodyguard Nyanko-sensei he set out to return the names of the yokai contained within it. Since then, he’s found a home with the Fujiwaras and for the first time found people he can call his friends. He’s also begun to accept the existence of yokai and his unique power, forming bonds with many of them. But little does he know he’s about to be dragged unwittingly into further trouble…

About the extras:
-A hardcover art book, “Natsume’s Book of Friends,” (full color, 32 pages) serves as a supplement for a deeper understanding of the series, and features detailed character info, an episode guide, rough sketches, and Japanese DVD package illustrations.
- Clean opening/ending, Japanese commercials.

Cast:
Hiroshi Kamiya as Takashi Natsume (Durarara!!, Blue Exorcist, WAGNARIA!!)
Kazuhiko Inoue as Nyanko-sensei (NARUTO, Darker Than Black)
SanaeKobayashi as Reiko Natsume (Durarara!!, Macross F)
Akira Ishida as Shuichi Natori(NARUTO, Fate/Zero, PandoraHearts)
Junichi Suwabeas Seiji Matoba (Bleach, High School of the Dead)

Produced by:
Director: Takahiro Omori (Durarara!!, Baccano!, Hell Girl)
Studio: Brain’s Base (Durarara!!, Baccano!, Ghastly Prince Enma Burning Up)