AUCKLAND, Tuesday, 20 April 2010 – Sony Computer Entertainment New Zealand (SCENZ) announced today that a TV Ondemand service is now available on the PlayStation®3 console via partnership with TVNZ. PlayStation®3 (PS3™) owners in New Zealand can now watch TVNZ Ondemand programmes when they want and how they want from the comfort of their lounge on a big screen TV.

The TVNZ Ondemand icon will now appear on the PS3™ Xross Media Bar (XMB) to enable PS3™ owners to access the online, streamed catch up TV services.

SCENZ’s Director of Sales and Marketing, David Hine says “The PlayStation®3 is already a leader in home entertainment.  The addition of catch up TV services with TVNZ Ondemand further enhances this position.  It is one more reason why the PS3™ is far more than a gaming console. We are very proud to be associated with TVNZ as they are clearly a leader in their field and are continually looking to develop their offering.”

“With the new TVNZ Ondemand service we now offer Kiwis even more choice, which really underpins the PS3™ as the best value home entertainment solution; Featuring games, Blu-ray movies, surfing the net, music, photos the PlayStation®Network and now TV, there is something for the whole family.  The game is just the start!”

TVNZ Ondemand

With over 105,000 PS3™ consoles in homes across the country PlayStation® offers TVNZ greater exposure to viewers for its Ondemand TV services. PS3™ brings the convenience of ‘catch up TV’, traditionally enjoyed through a PC, to the comfort and convenience of the living room TV, for a more immersive entertainment experience.

TVNZ Ondemand is the first catch up TV service to be optimised for viewing on the living room TV through PS3™. A free internet broadcasting service that offers a range of TVNZ programmes to be streamed in high resolution, it features premium local and international shows like Go Girls, Shortland Street, MasterChef, The Apprentice, Lost, The Pacific, Big Bang Theory and Grey’s Anatomy. TVNZ Ondemand currently has around 150 series available on demand and last month delivered more than 1.5 million episodes to 316,000 visitors.

Rick Ellis, CEO, TVNZ says, “This is a huge leap forward for us in our ambition to see TVNZ content ‘Inspiring New Zealanders on every screen’, which has been our vision for the company for the last four years.”

Wishful thinking

The Next Month page of the latest issue of UK magazine says a ‘gaming classic’ is set to return.

“It’s a very substantial franchise and it’s going to be a very big surprise. A good one, though – we’re really looking forward to it.”

A ‘very big surprise’? . But what could it be, do you reckon?
What about a Duke Nukem or KOTOR or if my prayers are answered an Oddworld game

Please please and Oddworld game

Explosive finale to the landmark “Gears of War” trilogy available exclusively on Xbox 360 in April 2011

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, 14 APRIL 2010 – The spectacular conclusion to one of the game industry’s most memorable and celebrated sagas, “Gears of War 3”, is poised to take the world by storm next autumn.  At this time next year, fans around the world will experience the epic story finale to the “Gears of War” trilogy when the third instalment in one of the biggest franchises in Xbox history arrives in New Zealand stores on April 7,2011.

“When we released ‘Gears of War’ more than three years ago, we set out to tell the world an unforgettable story of bravery and sacrifice in the face of insurmountable odds. A year from now, players will get the chance to experience the final chapter in the story of Marcus Fenix and his companions in Delta Squad,” said Cliff Bleszinski, design director at Epic Games. “This is definitely the biggest and most dramatic chapter yet in the ‘Gears of War’ saga, and we can’t wait to deliver it.”

Developed by acclaimed studio Epic Games and available only on Xbox 360, “Gears of War 3” plunges players into a harrowing tale of hope, survival and brotherhood that will conclude the current story arc for “Gears of War”. With the last human city destroyed and the remaining survivors stranded, time is running out for Marcus and his comrades as they fight to save the human race from the jaws of extinction.

“Gears of War” is a blockbuster entertainment franchise that has inspired a full line of toys and collectibles, apparel, an upcoming film, graphic novels and a book series by New York Times best-selling author Karen Traviss. The award-winning video games have sold more than 12 million units worldwide, and due to their riveting multiplayer action, are some of the most popular games ever played on Xbox LIVE.

To accompany today’s announcement, Microsoft and Epic Games unveiled Ashes to Ashes, the first trailer for “Gears of War 3”. Created in Unreal Engine 3 by the same team behind the iconic “Gears of War” video spots (Mad World, Rendezvous, and Last Day), the video captures a desperate three-way battle between Delta Squad, the Locust Horde, and the fearsome new Lambent.

Additionally, fans who want to share their excitement on Xbox LIVE will be able to choose from new Avatar items now available on Avatar Marketplace starting April 20*, including the new COG armour introduced in “Gears of War 3”.

For the latest developments on “Gears of War 3” and a video stream of the Ashes to Ashes trailer, visit www.gearsofwar.xbox.com or share updates with your friends on Twitter with #gears3.

“The iPad is the fourth step in the gaming evolution,” said Gonzague de Vallois, senior vice-president of publishing at Gameloft.

“The first being the microcomputer, the second being the game console and the third being smartphones. Each of these platforms revolutionized gaming in its own way.”

Neil Young, founder and CEO of the largest iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad game developer, ngmoco says “I think people are going to be blown away by iPad when they actually have the opportunity to interact with it. When you play games on the large format, multi-touch fields using two hands it’s much more ‘Minority Report’ than even the iPhone is.”

With its large screen, game makers can offer multiplayer options on a single iPad.

Some publishers offer lower-priced iPod Touch/iPhone ports as well as slightly more expensive iPad versions that take advantage of the new functionality.

“By taking an existing iPhone game and modifying it for iPad we believe that it will not only bring a new experience to an existing title, but basically create a new game,” said de Vallois.

For example, Gameloft’s iPad shooter “N.O.V.A Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance” allows players to use two fingers to curve a grenade toss and offers multi-targeting capabilities with a hand-drawn grid that eliminates all enemies on the screen with a rocket. The game originated on iPhone and iPod Touch.

“I think Apple learned their lesson about the importance of gaming from the iPhone and the iPod Touch,” said Young. “It was really that first holiday season for the iPod Touch where Apple recognized and realized gaming was such a huge part of the business and the iPod Touch had found its home as a game machine

AUCKLAND – April 1, 2010 – Coming exclusively to Xbox 360, Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction, hits stores on April 15 and to celebrate Xbox is releasing a limited edition console. The bundle, available at EB Games, features an Xbox 360 Elite, two black wireless controllers, a 250GB hard drive, headset, a copy of Splinter Cell Conviction and a bonus copy of the game, Splinter Cell Double Agent.

Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction is the highly anticipated sequel in the multimillion-selling Splinter Cell series and one of the most critically acclaimed Xbox franchises of all time.

An investigation into his daughter’s death unwittingly leads former agent Sam Fisher to discover he’s been betrayed by his former agency, the Third Echelon. Now a renegade, Fisher finds himself in a race against time to thwart a deadly terrorist plot that threatens millions.

Uniting revolutionary gameplay enhancements with a high-octane, no-holds-barred storyline, Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction arms you to the teeth with all the high-tech weaponry and lethal skills of an elite operative and invites you to enter a dangerous world where justice means making your own rules. The game also features:

• New level of action: A full arsenal of cutting-edge innovations enable you to outflank foes with the Last Known Position™ system, tag and eliminate enemies using the Mark and Execute™ feature, and much more.
• Blockbuster experience: A unique storytelling style keeps you on the edge of your seat as you navigate the explosive world of a renegade agent where trust is impossible and justice requires you to go above the law.
• A new level of immersion: A revolutionary new graphic direction delivers an utterly seamless gameplay experience that’ll keep you totally engrossed in the story of Sam Fisher.
• Explosive Xbox LIVE play: Brand-new addictive multiplayer modes amp up the dramatic intensity like never before.

“Rugby League for Nintendo Wii is one of the most popular products in the NRL licensing range,” said Paul Kind, NRL Director of Marketing & Commercial. “The Rugby League titles allow fans and gamers alike to experience the speed, skill and excitement of Rugby League first-hand.  The added features and options in Rugby League 3 have been well researched and tested, and gamers will enjoy the new level of interactivity and presentation in the title.”

The features and content of “Rugby League 3” include:

-          Visceral Wii Remote and Nunchuk motion controls bring the physicality of Rugby League into your living room (Gamecube controllers also supported)

-          80+ licensed teams from competitions such as the NRL, Super League, Toyota Cup, UK Championship, UK Championship 1, State of Origin, City v Country and internationals

-          38 stadia from Australia, New Zealand, UK and France

-          Enjoy the game with groups of friends via support for up to 8 players

-          Team level gameplay features including defensive line controls, attacking and defensive strategy selection, team confidence, and AI support play

-          Build a champion team in the Multi-year Franchise Mode including advanced player management, Dally M Player of the Year and Man of Steel, club records and optional manual rep selection

-          Create and customise players, teams, and competitions and tune the gameplay to your preferred play style using the extensive customisation tools

-          Broadcast style presentation with enhanced replay angles, cut-scenes, match highlights, and in-game commentary from Channel Nine’s Andrew Voss

“We have all worked incredibly hard on this game building on past successes to bring greater depth, content and quality to the experience” said David Robles, Business Development Manager for HES. “We are very proud of what we have achieved with Rugby League 3 on Wii, it’s a great step forward for the franchise”.