Matchstick Puzzle by DS

Mercury Games announces today a new game for the Nintendo DS as part of the Zen series, entitled “Matchstick Puzzle by DS”. The game is a classic puzzle game which requires lateral thinking and includes lots of brain teasing conundrums.

The aim of the game is to answer the questions by moving or rotating matchsticks; for example the player may be presented with two match sticks and then asked to make 14 boxes by adding six other match sticks.

Matchstick Puzzle by DS has more than 150 puzzles of four difficulty settings to complete. The game also has hints to help the player decipher the more abstract clues. In addition, the game has a time attack mode in which the player must complete 10 random puzzles in the fastest time possible but without any hints to help them.

Thanks to the straightforward, uncomplicated nature of the game and the simplicity of the Nintendo DS, the game can be played by people of all ages regardless of whether they have played computer games before.



Matchstick Puzzle by DS is part of the Zen series of games which have been developed with the busy, contemporary urbanite in mind. Matchstick Puzzle by DS, in line with the rest of the Zen series, does not contain any violent or competitive elements. Zen games are co–published by Mercury Games and Ertain.

Tomo Ohno, Chief Operating Officer of Ertain BV said: “Matchstick Puzzle by DS” is a fun, taxing and yet relaxing game. The game will appeal to all people, who like puzzles and a challenge.”

The game will be released at the end of October and will be priced at £19.99/ €24.99.

Halo ActionClix Launch Countdown

Continuing our countdown to the September 19th release of the Halo ActionClix collectible miniature game from WizKids, this week we’ll be focusing on figures from one of the most terrifying organisms in the Halo universe: The Flood!
Carrier Form

The Flood’s Carrier Form serves as the primary method of spreading the Flood parasite to other species. In Halo ActionClix, the uncanny speed of the Carrier will be their most notable trait, allowing them to move and attack at will.

Infection Form
Infection Forms are released like spores by carriers and are the actual agent by which other organisms are infected by the Flood. The Halo ActionClix version of the Infection Form will share many traits of the Carrier form, including its speed.

Combat Form
The Combat Form is the result of actual Flood infection in an individual. Their gruesome appearance reflects the mutation process that results once the parasite completely takes over an organism.
Halo ActionClix will include Flood-infected versions of both Covenant Elites as well as Human Marines. They will retain some of their original abilities, such as using guns in the Marine’s case. They will also acquire new abilities, including a bonus to close combat, reflecting their whip-like tentacles!

PC Games FREE at FreeGamePick.com

FreeGamePick (www.freegamepick.com) announced the opening of their Free Gaming Portal. You can choose from various downloadable games for PC and online games. All of their games are full version games and totally free. You will not find any try-before-buy or shareware games there. Yes, this means you don't pay a cent to play or download a game!

FreeGamePick concentrates on providing their visitors the best Action, Shooters, Racing and Arcade gaming content, however popular Puzzle, Card and Business games are also available.

One great thing about the portal is that it's very easy to pick a game and start playing. You don't have to register, fill any forms or submit your e-mail anywhere and you will not experience any annoying pop-ups as well. Their gaming site is very simply structured and easy to use.

On another note, FreeGamePick promotes other gaming sites and game related information via its sponsored links. This means that by frequently visiting the website you can always find even more fun and new gaming for yourself no matter where you are - at home or at work.

The website is also multi-language friendly. You can now choose to have it displayed in English, Spanish or Russian. More local languages are coming soon.

Come visit FreeGamePick.com and check out their latest PC titles, such as Forbidden Galaxy, Machine World, Intense Racing, Ultimate Tank, Sky Battle and more.


Website address: http://www.freegamepick.com

Xbox 360 Lineup of Japanese Developers and Blockbuster New Games

Japan's best developers are betting big on Xbox 360 in 2007 and beyond, as Microsoft announces best-ever holiday entertainment lineup.

Flanked by a who’s who of Japanese gaming luminaries and video game development legends, Takashi Sensui, general manager of the Home and Entertainment Division at Microsoft Co. Ltd., took the stage at the Yebisu Garden Hall during Xbox 360 Briefing 2007 to announce support from some of Japan’s most renowned game developers and unveil an unparalleled lineup of holiday blockbuster hits and exclusives for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system.

Two of Japan’s most celebrated game developers, Tomonobu Itagaki from Team NINJA/Tecmo Ltd. and Hironobu Sakaguchi from Mistwalker, joined Sensui onstage to announce their support for the Xbox 360 platform. Itagaki highlighted the announcement that Team NINJA will develop “NINJA GAIDEN® 2,” the true sequel to the best-selling and critically acclaimed Xbox® original, exclusively for Xbox 360. Sakaguchi revealed pricing1 and availability for Mistwalker’s upcoming role-playing game (RPG) “Lost Odyssey™,” available from 6th December 2007 in Japan and around the world in early 2008. In addition, representatives from SQUARE ENIX took the stage to discuss two new games for Xbox 360: “INFINITE UNDISCOVERY™” and “THE LAST REMNANT™.”

Japanese Developers Embrace Xbox 360

“NINJA GAIDEN® 2” is the long-awaited sequel to the platinum-selling Xbox original, where players once again assume the role of Ryu Hayabusa as they guide the ninja hero on a quest to avenge his clan and prevent the destruction of the human race. Team NINJA’s announcement that “NINJA GAIDEN® 2” will be exclusive to Xbox 360 and available worldwide in 2008 provided gamers everywhere with plenty of reason for excitement, and served as yet another example of the blockbuster games being created by Japanese developers exclusively for the platform.

Xbox 360 owners in Japan will be the first to experience the magical world of “Lost Odyssey,” created by Mistwalker/feelplus Inc., and featuring a beautifully told story by Hironobu Sakaguchi, creator of the “Final Fantasy” video game franchise. Available 6th December 2007 in Japan, January 2008 in Asia, and February 2008 in North America and Europe, “Lost Odyssey” headlines a lineup of games by Japanese developers for Xbox 360 owners around the world this holiday, including these:

· “Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation” (NAMCO BANDAI Games). “Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation” takes players up to the sky and into the heat of realistic air combat with next-generation audio and visual effects and online multiplayer action.2 Available this holiday, only on Xbox 360.

· “Beautiful Katamari” (NAMCO BANDAI Games). Marking the debut of Namco’s beloved ball-rolling puzzle game on a next-generation platform, “Beautiful Katamari,” the fourth installment of the “Katamari” series, features levels of quirkiness, cosmic animations and musical stylings never seen before. Available in October.

· “Lost Odyssey” (Microsoft Game Studios/Mistwalker/feelplus Inc.). Famed game producer Hironobu Sakaguchi leads a staff of gaming masters to bring a truly next-generation role-playing experience to Xbox 360 in “Lost Odyssey.” Players will be led through a dramatic story of massive scale that features breathtaking visuals and an epic adventure made possible only by the power of Xbox 360. Available 6th December 2007, in Japan, and worldwide in 2008, only on Xbox 360.

Plus:

· “Battlefield: Bad Company” (Electronic Arts)

· “Battlestations: Midway” (Eidos)

· “Bladestorm: The Hundred Years’ War” (KOEI Co. Ltd.)

· “CASTLE SHIKIGAMI III” (ArcSystemWorks Co. Ltd.)

· “Dynasty Warriors 6” (KOEI Co. Ltd.)

· “Dynasty Warriors: Gundam” (NAMCO BANDAI Games)

· “Final Fantasy XI Play Online All in One Pack 2007” (SQUARE ENIX)

· “Final Fantasy XI Wings of the Goddess” (SQUARE ENIX)

· “Just Cause” (Electronic Arts)

· “Mobile Ops: The One Year War” (NAMCO BANDAI Games)

· “Operation Darkness” (SUCCESS Corp.)

· “Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2008” (Konami)

· “ZOIDS ALTERNATIVE” (TOMY Co. Ltd.)

This incredible lineup joins many other amazing games from developers around the globe that will be available this holiday in Japan and around the world, including the following:

· “Assassin’s Creed” (Ubisoft Entertainment). “Assassin’s Creed” is the next-generation game developed by Ubisoft that merges technology, game design, theme and emotions into a world where players will assume the role of the main character, Altair, and will have the power to throw their immediate environment into chaos and experience the art of a master assassin. Available this November.

· “Halo 3” (Microsoft Game Studios/Bungie Studios). In “Halo® 3,” the third installment of the landmark “Halo” trilogy and hugely anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed “Halo 2,” people everywhere can take on the role of Master Chief™ and experience Master Chief’s greatest battle as he launches an epic mission to stop the Covenant, destroy the impending Flood threat and ultimately save mankind. In this third chapter of the “Halo” trilogy, Master Chief returns to face his greatest challenge as he readies himself for the final battle and seals his place in history. A hero must rise. Believe. Available worldwide, with availability in Europe on 26th September 2007 only on Xbox 360.

· “Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom” (Microsoft/Blueside Inc.). Six heroes from the “Kingdom Under Fire” universe fight their way through the Dark Dimension against hordes of demented monsters in a twisted action RPG exclusive to Xbox 360. Coming this winter, “KUF:COD” features seamless four-player co-op2 via Xbox LIVE®, randomly generated maps and nearly infinite weapons combos with unique abilities, enhancements and magical powers for players to learn and master.

· “Project Gotham Racing 4” (Microsoft Game Studios/Bizarre Creations Ltd.). “Project Gotham Racing® 4” will redefine the acclaimed “PGR®” franchise by delivering a unique, exciting racing experience complete with dynamic weather and iconic cars and motorcycles. Available this October, only on Xbox 360.

· “Viva Piñata: Party Animals” (Microsoft Game Studios/Krome Studios Pty. Ltd.). An exciting new party game based on the critically acclaimed Xbox 360 exclusive and hit animated TV series, “Viva Piñata™: Party Animals” brings back the familiar piñata characters and invites players to compete in more than 40 mini-games against friends at home or over Xbox LIVE.2 Available this |Christmas, only on Xbox 360.

“Gamers around the world can look forward to the greatest holiday lineup in video game history,” said Don Mattrick, senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business in the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft Corp. “We continue to evolve our strong relationships with Japan’s best and most innovative developers, and we’re looking forward to delivering exclusive high-definition titles for consumers worldwide, this year and beyond.”

Xbox LIVE Arcade Continues High-Definition Downloadable Games Innovation in Japan

Japanese developers have long embraced and championed Xbox LIVE Arcade, with hits including “Pac-Man Championship Edition” (NAMCO BANDAI Games), “Bomberman Live” (Hudson Entertainment), “Frogger” (Konami) and “Fatal Fury Special” (SNK PLAYMORE Corp.). Several new titles from these and other Japanese developers will be added to the diverse portfolio of digitally distributed, high-definition original and classic games currently available on Xbox LIVE Arcade, including the following:

· “Every Extend Extra Extreme” (Q Entertainment). The latest creation from Q Entertainment, “Every Extend Extra Extreme,” or E4, is a unique action-packed shooter where the goal is to perfectly time your self-destruction to create chain reactions that explode surrounding enemies. With outrageous visuals and the ability to play your own favorite music, E4 puts a new twist on puzzle shooter games.

· “EXIT” (Taito). An addictive, frenzied puzzle game, “EXIT” has players using their decision-making skills and wits to escape numerous obstacles, while rescuing people from more than 100 different emergencies. Players must save as many lives as possible while finding the fastest way out when “EXIT” arrives on Xbox LIVE Arcade by the end of the year.

· “Ikaruga” (Treasure Co. Ltd.). “Ikaruga” is a quick-paced shooter with strong strategy elements featuring a slow-motion training mode and co-op play for two.2 Available soon for download from Xbox LIVE Arcade, “Ikaruga” is the perfect combination of beautiful, manga-style storytelling and refined, ultra-challenging arcade heroics.

· “OMEGA FIVE” (Hudson Entertainment). “OMEGA FIVE” is a next-generation, high-definition shooter with awe-inspiring graphics. Players fly through dangerous 3-D environments in this side-scroller and try to avoid the enemies that come at them from all sides, even from behind.

· “Rez” (Q Entertainment). “Rez,” the legendary action-shooter created by Tetsuya Mizuguchi, is coming to Xbox LIVE Arcade. A fast-moving, wire-frame adventure backed by industrial beats, the story of “Rez” takes players deep into the world’s computer network, where they must hack the system, altering the visual output and even taking over the music, creating their own rhythms and eye candy as they dig deeper into the dreamlike cyberworld.

· “Triggerheart Exelica” (Warashi). A shoot’em-up game where players battle against hordes of enemy ships, “Triggerheart Exelica” dynamically adjusts the difficulty to match a player’s skill level. “Triggerheart Exelica” launches on Xbox LIVE Arcade this year.

Other exciting Xbox LIVE Arcade games available in the coming months include these:

· “Braid” (Number None Inc.). Arriving in early 2008 on Xbox LIVE Arcade, “Braid” is a platformer/puzzle game. The player journeys across seven worlds to rescue a princess; in each world, time behaves in its own peculiar way. The player must cleverly manipulate the flow of time to solve puzzles. “Braid” aims to provide a mind-expanding, filler-free experience.

· “Castlecrashers” (The Behemoth). Arriving in early 2008 on Xbox LIVE Arcade, “Castlecrashers” is the second title currently in development by award-winning independent developer the Behemoth. The four-player RPG adventure will let players hack, slash and smash their way to victory. “Castlecrashers” delivers unique high-resolution illustrated visuals, including memorably hand-drawn characters that are cute and menacing at the same time. Gamers can play with up to three friends locally or over Xbox LIVE2 and discover mind-boggling magic and mystery in the amazing world of “Castlecrashers.”

· “Schizoid” (Torpex Games LLC). “Schizoid,” from independent studio Torpex Games, is the first Xbox LIVE Arcade game to be created with XNA™ Game Studio. Debuting on Xbox LIVE Arcade later this year, “Schizoid” is an action-packed game focused on co-op gameplay2 in which players smash barrages of glowing enemies while cooperating closely to protect each other.

Microsoft Brings Tokyo Game Show Home With Xbox LIVE

Once again, Microsoft will bring the Tokyo Game Show experience into living rooms worldwide as it offers its “TGS Bring It Home” programming, delivering hours of coverage from the press briefing, all the best highlights from the show floor, interviews with developers, gameplay videos, exclusive cinematic trailers and a variety of Xbox 360 content for gamers to download over Xbox LIVE Marketplace, beginning 13th September 2007.

Final Fantasy Tactics: The War Of The Lions Released In October

Square Enix Ltd., the publisher of Square Enix® interactive entertainment products in Europe and other PAL territories, today announces that the highly anticipated FINAL FANTASY TACTICS®: THE WAR OF THE LIONS™ will be released 5th October 2007 across all PAL territories on the PlayStation® Portable system.

From the creative minds behind FINAL FANTASY® XII comes an epic adventure set in the hugely successful FINAL FANTASY universe. Experience strategic, turn-based combat across 3D battlefields as a band of heroes endeavour to reshape the course of history. FINAL FANTASY TACTICS: THE WAR OF THE LIONS allows players to recruit legendary characters to their party of heroes, including Balthier from FINAL FANTASY XII. With 22 different jobs, over 400 different abilities, wireless melee and co-op missions, no two battles should ever be the same.

John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix Ltd. comments, “FINAL FANTASY TACTICS: THE WAR OF THE LIONS is a masterpiece for a handheld system. Despite being portable, this is still the same epic FINAL FANTASY experience that the series is famous for with stunning graphics, classic storytelling and a beautiful score. Fans of the FINAL FANTASY series are in for a treat this October."

About FINAL FANTASY TACTICS: THE WAR OF THE LIONS

Story

Sustained by Lord and Light, the twin-headed lion reigns over the kingdom of Ivalice.

A year has passed since the loss of the Fifty Years’ War. The prince, though but two years of age, has ascended the throne, his father having been claimed by sudden malady. Too young to rule, the prince requires a regent, who would be king in all but name. The queen's brother, Duke Larg, had seemed the obvious choice for the regency. However, fearing the influence such an appointment would give the queen, the Council refused to back him. Instead, they appointed the king's younger cousin, Duke Goltanna, as regent.

Duke Goltanna and Duke Larg were both generals who had distinguished themselves during the Fifty Years' War. Duke Goltanna counts as ally the greater part of the aristocracy loyal to the Crown. However, the fallen nobility and free knights left in the aftermath of the Fifty Years' War have aligned themselves with Duke Larg. With Duke Goltanna under the banner of the Black Lion, and Duke Larg under that of the White, the stage is set for what history would one day record as the War of the Lions.

Features

• FINAL FANTASY turns tactical. Experience strategic, turn-based combat on 3D battlefields brought to life with breathtaking art and stunning visual effects
• Customize your characters – with 22 jobs and over 400 abilities to choose from, the tactical options open to you in combat are nearly endless
• Uncover secret truths hidden within a gripping tale of intrigue, betrayal, heresy, love and heroism
• Recruit legendary SQUARE ENIX characters to your party, including Balthier from FINAL FANTASY® XII
• Watch key scenes unfold through gorgeous, cutting-edge animation
• Immerse yourself in a captivating audio score from Hitoshi Sakimoto the composer of FINAL FANTASY® XII
• Fight against your friends in wireless melee, or team up with them for co-op missions

BBC in talks to provide Xbox 360 content

Microsoft is in talks with the BBC to bring the broadcaster's library of content, including high definition TV programmes, to Xbox Live.

Video content is already available via Live in North America, where Microsoft has signed agreements with partners such as Disney, MTV and CBS.

As reported by the Sunday Times, the company is now speaking to the BBC and other European content providers about similar deals.

The news was confirmed by Ross Honey, senior director for media at Microsoft’s content and partner strategy group. He said Microsoft is keen to offer BBC programmes via Live including high definition shows such as Planet Earth.

"We are working diligently on multiple fronts to make it happen," he said, adding, "The BBC is a great content provider."

At last month's Leipzig GCDC, Sony announced plans to launch a TV tuner with PVR functionality for PlayStation 3. The company has also signed a deal with Sky to offer content via PlayStation Network on a pay-per-view basis.

Games Industry

Nintendo's New Wii Zapper Targets Fun

First Wii Game-Play Accessory Comes Packaged with Zelda Software

Nintendo announced today that the Wii Zapper™ interface for the hit Wii™ home video game system will come packed with Link's Crossbow Training™. The software is based on the hugely popular Legend of Zelda® series and provides a perfect demonstration of the way the Wii Zapper could be used in other games. The Wii Zapper casing houses both the motion-sensitive Wii Remote™ and Nunchuk™ controllers in a single unit for precision targeting. It goes on sale Nov. 19 at an MSRP of just $19.99.

"The Wii Zapper combines our remarkable controllers into one housing with a classic style reminiscent of arcade-style games," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "Both veteran and first-time players will find it brings a whole new dimension to games where targeting is key and provides even more exciting game-play experiences."

Link's Crossbow Training drops players into a world in the style of The Legend of Zelda®: Twilight Princess. Players assume the identity of hero Link, who progresses through a series of tests to perfect his crossbow marksmanship. Start with stationary bull's-eyes and graduate to moving targets before defending Link against all kinds of enemies.

Third-party publishers have lined up to support the Wii Zapper. EA's Medal of Honor Heroes™ 2 lets players take World War II into their hands with the Wii Zapper. The game features an all-new Wii-exclusive Arcade Mode that offers accessibility to gamers of all skill levels, a full single-player campaign and support for up to 32 players in multiplayer. Capcom's Resident Evil®: The Umbrella Chronicles reveals the back story behind the fall of the Umbrella Corporation by exploring locations from Resident Evil 0, 1, 2 and 3, as well as new never-before-seen locations like Umbrella's stronghold. One or two players use the Wii Zapper to take aim against a horde of zombies in first-person perspective. SEGA's Ghost Squad™ lets players replicate the arcade light-gun experience at home with the Wii Zapper.

Remember that Wii features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other Wii features, visit Wii.com.

The worldwide innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii™, Nintendo DS™, Game Boy® Advance and Nintendo GameCube™ systems. Since 1983, Nintendo has sold nearly 2.4 billion video games and more than 420 million hardware units globally, and has created industry icons like Mario™, Donkey Kong®, Metroid®, Zelda™ and Pokémon®. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, visit the company's Web site at www.nintendo.com.

Colin McRae: DiRT set to roar into stores this week PLAYSTATION 3

PLAYSTATION 3 adrenaline junkies will get the drive of their life this week as Codemasters announces that Colin McRae: DiRT, the game that takes traditional rally racing and turns it into a cavalcade of off-road competitions, is now shipping and will be available from retail stores this Friday, 14th September*, for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system.

Featuring a massive range of off-road race experiences on gravel, mud and dirt, gamers will get their fix of throwing 46 vehicles, including FWD, 4WD, Classic and RWD cars, through the most challenging and treacherous stages, tracks and circuits all over the world.

In addition to superlative rally stages, Colin McRae: DiRT delivers an exhilarating series of multiple car events as detailed in the all new video, featuring exclusive PLAYSTATION 3 system footage, now available from www.codemasters.co.uk/dirt in ‘Downloads’.

Introduced by Matt Horsman, Chief Games Designer on Colin McRae: DiRT, the video spotlights multiple car events including Rally Raid, where players race in super powered SUVs and Dakar-style trucks across gruelling desert terrain, and Rally Cross where the course switches between dirt and road surfaces.

There’s footage from the two-car chase duels of the Crossover circuits and from Championship Off–Road Racing (C.O.R.R.) events, where powerful off-road buggies combined with thrilling dirt tracks featuring tabletop jumps and drop-offs make for an intoxicating mix.

In addition to the video, the Colin McRae: DiRT website is also the place for the community to share their love of everything messy in the all-new ‘Dirty Pictures’ section; visit www.codemasters.co.uk/dirt and hit the ‘Upload Your Dirty Pictures’ button. The section is a gallery and showcases all manner of real-life filthy fun, from the muddiest cars to the grubbiest people.

For a real taste of Colin McRae: DiRT, take the PLAYSTATION 3 system edition for test drive with the three-event playable demo, featuring Crossover, C.O.R.R., and a point-to-point rally stage, now available to download from PlayStation Store.

Get ready for total mud splattering, gravel churning, off-road racing with Colin McRae: DiRT coming this Friday, 14th September, for the PLAYSTATION 3 system. For the new video and more, visit the home of Colin McRae: DiRT online at www.codemasters.com/dirt

Hot Pitch Wins Over Videogame Dragons

A start-up videogames firm has won a Dragon's Den-style contest to find the hottest young talent in North East England's videogame development sector.

The 'Game Academy' competition, run by games industry business network Codeworks GameHorizon, saw local companies and graduates practise pitching their ideas and concepts in a live situation and gain valuable feedback from an expert panel.

Lo-Jen, set up by Teesside University graduates Caleb Lowe and Tom Jenns along with University of East Anglia graduate Jesse Roberts, took first place, beating off stiff competition from five other start-up companies and graduates.

The industry panel consisted of Pete O'Donnell, chief games designer for leading UK publisher Codemasters; Tom O'Connor from Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE); Darren Jobling, director of business development at Gateshead-based driving game specialist Eutechnyx; and Tony Parkes, executive producer at Midway's Newcastle studio.

Lo-Jen's pitch, a remix of the classic turn-based strategy genre aimed at the handheld console market, was seized on by the judges as a strong and commercially viable proposition, winning them the first prize of a training and mentoring package worth more than £2,000.

Jesse Roberts (22), managing director, said: "Winning Game Academy is an important step for Lo-Jen. The chance to get in front of industry professionals, to take on board their criticism is extremely useful, and to win is a satisfying validation of our ideas.

"We hope the prestige of winning this award will give our games and our company a major boost as we seek to break into the market."

Caleb Lowe (21), operations director, added: "We're surprised and thrilled to win the competition against some big local names.

"The feedback on the day from the likes of SCEE and Codemasters was fantastic, but to win the additional mentoring package means we'll have expert support to help turn our ideas into reality."

Nina Cliff, business development manager of Codeworks GameHorizon, awarded the prize to Lo-Jen. She said: "Game Academy helps these talented businesses ensure their products are up-to-scratch by giving them invaluable experience of a live pitch situation and feedback from industry experts.

"What's more, the format has already proven successful. Last year's winner, Teesside University graduate Jeremiah Alexander, used his prize to set up an educational games company, Babel Digital."

Guitar Hero II Xbox 360 Song Packs has 650,000 Downloads

More Than Two Million Single Songs Accessed Through Xbox LIVE Marketplace® since April Highly Anticipated Sequel Guitar Hero III to Feature Master Tracks, Original Songs and Downloadable Content

Downloadable Xbox 360 video game song packs for Activision, Inc.'s (Nasdaq:ATVI) Guitar HeroTM II hit multi-platinum status with more than 650,000 downloads through Xbox LIVE Marketplace® in less than five months, as defined by the music industry's RIAA. Each downloadable pack contains three individual songs. Individual songs combined have topped the two million mark, making the Guitar Hero II packs some of the most downloaded content on Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

"Activision was the first third-party publisher to offer downloadable content via Xbox LIVE to consumers and as a result, we have tremendous insight into the types of content that consumers want," states Dusty Welch, head of publishing, RedOctane. "The Guitar Hero II downloadable video game song packs are some of the most popular content on Xbox LIVE and are quickly becoming a very lucrative revenue stream and powerful promotional vehicle for musicians and record labels today."

Tim Riley, worldwide executive of music for Activision, added, "Activision has long been a pioneer in recognizing the importance of music in games and has forged unprecedented partnerships with all of the major record labels, music publishers and bands in order to offer Guitar Hero fans unrivaled access to music catalogues."

"We have been working very closely with Activision to make our catalog available for download for the Xbox 360 version of Guitar Hero II. The results we have seen from download sales to date have been very impressive. This partnership is providing EMI Music Publishing and its songwriters with a valuable new source of revenue, and at the same time giving us the opportunity to exploit portions of our catalog that might otherwise not get such high-profile exposure," remarked Rod Kotler, Director of Music Services, EMI Music Publishing.

On August 14, 2007, Activision released a new My Chemical Romance video game song pack which included original recordings of the hit songs Teenagers, Famous Last Words, and This is How I Disappear from the band's latest album "The Black Parade." In its first week of release, over 50,000 downloads of the three-song pack were purchased through Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

Commenting on the success of the My Chemical Romance video game song pack, Brian Schechter, the band's manager, said, "Activision has always had the artists and music culture in mind for their games. Now, the band's fans will be able to enjoy their music in a new way that they truly enjoy. As long as Activision and Guitar Hero keep providing quality products to the world, I would love to have all Riot Squad artist's in business with them."

Additionally, Activision's highly anticipated sequel, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock will feature master tracks from some of rock's most legendary bands like the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Pearl Jam, Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Metallica, as well as original songs by such guitarist icons as Slash and Tom Morello. The sequel also will offer a vast array of downloadable content including songs from some of the most popular European bands.

"Having Warner Music Group's master recordings in Guitar Hero III is a fantastic opportunity for everyone. Both our current and catalog artists are being exposed to new audiences through this great game. By selling additional tracks, we don't have to wait for another volume of the game to be released to offer new artists and music to gamers around the world," said Mark Pinkus, SVP Synch Licensing & Strategic Marketing at Rhino Entertainment.

To date, Guitar Hero games have sold more than 5.5 million units, according to The NPD Group, Charttrack and Gfk. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock is scheduled to launch in October on all major console platforms and is rated T for Teen by the ESRB.