Take The Law Into Your Own Hands As Streets Of Rage Returns On Nintendo's Virtual Console

- CLASSIC SEGA AND TURBOGRAFX TITLES AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD-

2ND March 2007 – Nintendo’s Virtual Console is running wild this week with the release of the classic and action-packed Streets of Rage™. This hugely popular game, released in 1991 for the SEGA MEGA DRIVE, was the first in the Streets of Rage trilogy and set a new standard for street fighting and gangster themed games. Set in an unnamed city where authority has been overturned and violence runs freely on the streets, up to two players must fill the shoes of a team of ex-cops who have taken the law into their own hands. Available for just 800 Wii Points, Streets of Rage will bring out the fighting spirit in any player.

Also available for download from today is the epic Sword of Vermilion™. This definitive role-playing game, designed by the same developers as Sega’s arcade games, will take players on an enthralling revenge quest to save the world of Vermilion. Also up for grabs is Bio-Hazard Battle™, a 2D side-scrolling shoot ‘em up game with stylistic graphics. One or two players can work together to save their planet from deadly enemies. Both of these titles, originally for SEGA MEGA DRIVE, are available for 800 Wii Points.

And, if that is not enough, Wii owners will also get the chance to enjoy Chew Man Fu™ for Turbografx. Players must undo the curse that villain Chew Man Fu has set to rob the world of fried rice, egg roles and other favourite snacks! This game can be played with one or two players, who must restore order to the world by completing 550 rounds of the game and save all the food from the greedy arch-enemy. Chew Man Fu is available to download for 600 Wii Points.

These great games join the list of 54 classic titles already available for the Virtual Console in Europe.

MCV Industry Excellence Awards 2007: Finalists Announced

Shortlist for the games industry's most celebrated awards event is revealed

Friday 2nd March/... MCV, the leading print and online games trade publication, has today unveiled the shortlist for its prestigious Industry Excellence Awards.

The fifth MCV Industry Excellence Awards will be held on April 19th 2007, at The Brewery, London. Over 600 top industry executives will attend the celebrated event from all sectors of the games entertainment industry.

Event partners include Microsoft Xbox360, Nintendo, NVidia, IGA, System 3, Sennheiser, Gem and Kiss FM.

The awards honour excellence across 15 categories, covering all areas of the business. This year’s shortlist confirms the strength and depth of talent within the games industry – as well as throwing up some interesting old rivalries.

The “New Games Brand” category pits brain versus brawn as Nintendo’s Brain Training goes head-to-head against Microsoft’s Gears of War (Just Cause, Guitar Hero and Dead Rising are also finalists), whilst perennial opponents FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer will duke it out alongside Gears of War, Wii Sports and Brain Training for the “Game Campaign” award.

But it’s not just the games themselves vying for recognition. Shopto.net receives its first ever MCV Industry Excellence Awards nomination in the “Online Retailer” category, whilst individual stores are now able to pick up their own award in the “Star Store” category.

The winners of the MCV Industry Excellence Awards are decided by a panel of over 60 industry experts. However, the evening will conclude with highly prized “Grand Prix” Award, awarded by the magazine team itself.

Over 40 different companies have been named as finalists. Nintendo leads the way with eight nominations in total, capping an amazing year for the company. Microsoft pick up five nominations as do Ubisoft and Electronic Arts.

“The last 12 months have seen the industry’s major players raise their respective games, so to be nominated for the 2007 MCV Industry Excellence Awards is a real honour,” says Stuart Dinsey, managing director of Intent Media, publisher of MCV. “As the only awards event to recognise both products and individuals, these are the most sought-after trophies in the games industry. Everyone nominated this year should feel especially proud, and we can’t wait to unveil the winners next month.”

The fate of the finalists will be revealed at the MCV Industry Excellence Awards at the Brewery, Chiswell Street, London EC1 with the event kicking off at 6pm on Thursday April 19th 2007.

Additionally, the event will also host a pre-event party at 5pm in association with Sennheiser and Gem Distribution.

The event is sponsored by Microsoft Xbox360, Nintendo, NVidia, IGA, System 3, Sennheiser, Gem and Kiss FM.

SHREK® THE THIRD

FACT SHEET (Gameplay information is based on console, PC and PSP versions)

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:

In Shrek the Third, players adventure as Shrek and his friends to save Far Far Away in a hilariously twisted fairy tale from the movie and beyond. Fans play as their favorite heroes from the film: Shrek, Donkey, Puss-in-Boots, Fiona, Fiona’s rebellious cousin Arthur and her fellow fairy tale heroine Sleeping Beauty. The game takes players on an epic journey through the worlds of Far Far Away after Prince Charming storms the city with an army of villains in order to seize the throne. Players are challenged to rescue pals, face off against Charming’s henchmen, gather collectibles, test their gaming skills in numerous boss fights and engage in various single-player and multiplayer mini-games.

KEY FEATURES:

Shrek the Third immerses players in the Shrek universe and lets them go beyond the film.

• Gamers interact with characters from the film as well as new characters exclusive to the game in order to take advantage of their unique moves, special abilities and combat skills.
• Players travel through the epic Shrek universe in 20 peril-filled movie-based and game exclusive levels such as Academy Grounds, Evil Queen’s Castle (game exclusive), Pirate Ship and more.

Shrek the Third is the only game to let players experience the signature humor and outrageous adventures of the reluctant hero and his friends.

• Epic boss battles draw fans further into the Shrek universe as they defend the kingdom of Far, Far Away against Prince Charming and his bumbling band of down and out fairytale friends.
• As gameplay progresses, players learn to use each character’s unique moves for the challenge at hand.

Shrek the Third’s gameplay combines several, popular gameplay elements.

• Players learn to utilize each character’s special abilities and combat skills including Shrek’s “Ogre Power”, Fiona’s “Flying Kick”, Puss N’ Boots “Cute Puss”, Sleeping Beauty’s sleeping “Swoon” attack, and Artie’s “Power of Excalibur” that must be used successfully to get back to Far, Far Away.
• Unique levels with numerous puzzles and platform challenges including three Princess levels (players play as Fiona and Sleeping Beauty) challenge gamers to work their way out of difficult situations.
• Gamers can engage in six multiplayer mini-games including Castle Attack, Shrekleboard, Frog Herder, Shooting Gallery, Catacombs Leap and Ships Ahoy.

Publisher: Activision, Inc.

Developer: Amaze Entertainment (PlayStation 2, Wii, PSP)
7 Studios (Xbox360 and PC)
Vicarious Visions (GBA and Nintendo DS)

Release Date: May 2007

Platform: PlayStationÒ2 computer entertainment system/Xbox 360Ò video game system from Microsoft/Nintendo WiiÔ/Nintendo DSÔ/Game BoyÒ Advance PlayStation® Portable system/PC

Suggested Retail Price: $49.99 (Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii)
$39.99 (PS2, PSP)
$29.99 (GBA, NDS)
$19.99 (PC)

Hi-Rez Studios Announces Spy-Fi Action MMORPG Using Unreal® Engine 3

Global Agenda^TM - Espionage and Covert Operations Online

ATLANTA, Georgia – March 1, 2007 – Hi-Rez Studios™, an independent developer of online entertainment, announced today that their debut title will be a mission-based action MMORPG using Unreal® Engine 3, set in a near future world of espionage and tactical covert operations. Global Agenda™ has been in development for over two years by a team of industry veterans. It features fast-paced ranged and close combat, RPG-style character progression, solo or cooperative team missions, and competitive play on a massive scale between player-created agencies.

A departure from the traditional online settings of high fantasy, outer space, or military, Global Agenda is set on 22nd century Earth. An invisible war is fought not with armies, but with elite teams of highly trained and well-equipped special agents, where technology is a race, knowledge is power, and everyone has an agenda.

“We want to provide players an engaging, next-generation tactical combat experience, but within the context of a single, evolving, massively multiplayer online world where actions have consequences”, says Todd Harris, COO of Hi-Rez Studios. “Player-created agencies, with the right strategy and skill, can have a very real impact on each other and the world itself.”

Key Planned Features

• Create, extensively customize, and develop an agent character that is unique within the world. Protect your secret identity through covert activity while increasing your skills and influence.
• Join a player-created agency, compete in a technology race for advanced weaponry, and advance your own agenda.
• Engage in solo, co-op, and team objective-based missions against non-player and other player-created agencies.
• Experience a dynamic world of espionage and intrigue, where in-game events and locations are influenced by the actions of players and agencies.

About Hi-Rez Studios
Hi-Rez Studios, Inc. was established in 2005 to create exceptional online interactive entertainment and is located just outside of Atlanta, Georgia. For more information, visit www.hirezstudios.com.

Unreal is a registered trademark of Epic Games, Inc.

SpirOps AI now handles crowds

SpirOps adds major feature enhancements to SpirOps AI; the industry leading solution for behavior Artificial Intelligence now handles crowds.

Paris, France, March 1st, 2007 - SpirOps today announced the release of two new components for SpirOps AI: “SpirOps Graph Generator" and "SpirOps Crowd". These two new components enlarge the range of SpirOps AI, allowing the industry leading solution for behavior Artificial Intelligence to handle crowds, from a few people to several thousands of them.

“With these two new components, video game developers can now easily populate any 3D environment with a crowd of several thousand characters with a unique and realistic behavior for each of them” said Jerome Hoibian, CTO for SpirOps.

SpirOps Graph Generator analyzes in a few seconds any 3D environment and places collision information and paths, so that an AI driven character can find his way. The 3D environment can be several kilometers wide, and can have several levels. With SpirOps Graph Generator, each AI driven character knows exactly, from any position, where he can go, and how to go there.

“Thanks to SpirOps Graph Generator, an artist can visualize, in a few seconds and without any need for a programmer’s assistance, an overwhelming crowd in its 3D environment” explains Axel Buendia, CEO for SpirOps, “this can even be done before the first line of game code has been written”.

SpirOps Crowd offers « brains » libraries managing basic behaviors of a neutral character within a crowd. These brains contain all major mathematic calculations needed to handle a crowd, from a few people to several thousands of them. Each character of this crowd can move avoiding obstacles and other moving characters. The « brains » libraries of SpirOps Crowd can be used as a main ingredient to create any kind of sophisticated behavior of a character in a crowd.

“Handling massive crowds has become a critical challenge for video game developers” said Axel Buendia, CEO for SpirOps, “the new generation of games features always larger environments that need a dense life activity to immerse the player. With “SpirOps Graph Generator" and "SpirOps Crowd", this new challenge is now only a formality”.

About SpirOps
SpirOps is a middleware development team focused on artificial intelligence issues. Their ultimate goal is to allow video games and simulations development teams to enter what we call "the Living Game era". To design more realistic behaviors with a never reached complexity, the SpirOps team had to develop a new artificial intelligence design paradigm called "Drive Oriented". This paradigm allows to design artificial intelligence with graphical tools, and to keep a linear complexity along the brain creation process. To learn more, please visit www.spirops.com

Vicious Engine® Joins The WiiTM Third Party Tools Program

Vicious Cycle Announces One of the First Middleware Solutions For Wii

CHAPEL HILL, NC - March 1, 2007 - Vicious Cycle Software Inc. today announced that the Vicious Engine^®, the company's powerful middleware solution for cross-platform development, has joined Nintendo's Wii^TM Third Party Tools Program.

The Vicious Engine is a middleware solution for creating games across multiple platforms. The tool's ease of use and wide array of features separate the Vicious Engine from the competition as an approachable technology that does not require a large staff of full-time programmers to maintain.

"Wii is a remarkable platform with boundless potential," said Eric Peterson, president of Vicious Cycle. "As a Wii middleware solution, the Vicious Engine will provide developers with a practical approach to exploring the unique and creative possibilities of Wii. Our technology allows developers to focus on what makes Wii special-fun gameplay and innovative peripheral integration."

The Vicious Engine's capabilities allow developers to create games with ease and speed while still delivering top-notch quality. Point-and-click scripting, Wii Remote^TM and Nunchuk integration, intuitive AI (Artificial Intelligence) development, straightforward platform conversion and the ability to powerfully render complex, dynamic scenery efficiently are just a few of the many features of the Vicious Engine.

About Vicious Engine
The Vicious Engine provides a comprehensive, easy-access suite of development tools that are accessible to all members of a software development team-from artists, to designers, to engineers. The Vicious Engine helps developers and publishers to meet the demands of shorter development cycles and tighter budgets by allowing the teams to concentrate on game content rather than core technology.

About Vicious Cycle Software
Vicious Cycle Software, Inc., based in Chapel Hill, NC, is a premier developer of interactive entertainment software for PlayStation^®2 and PLAYSTATION^®3 computer entertainment systems, PSP^® (PlayStation^® Portable), Xbox^® and Xbox 360^TM video game and entertainment systems from Microsoft, Wii^TM from Nintendo, Nintendo GameCube^TM, Nintendo DS^TM, and the PC. The company, founded in 2000, blazed onto the gaming scene with its debut title Robotech: Battlecry and continues to create titles for all age groups based on both licensed and original IP. Vicious Cycle Software, Inc. is also the developer of the Vicious Engine, a comprehensive and fully portable middleware solution for current generation consoles, handhelds, and the PC. For more information, visit the company's web sites at www.viciouscycleinc.com, www.monkeybargames.com, and www.viciousengine.com.

HandyGamesTM and 10TACLE STUDIOS AG announce mobile version of „Panzer Tactics DS"

Shortly prior to the release of 10TACLE STUDIOS’ round-based strategy-title Panzer Tactics DS in April 2007, the mobile version will be released worldwide. Developer HandyGames™ thereby has focussed on a highly detailed conversion of the popular handheld-version.

„We appreciate the close cooperation with 10TACLE STUDIOS very much and we all are sure that both versions, the mobile as well as the NDS version, will set the benchmark very high in the sector of strategic games.“, says Markus Kassulke, CEO of HandyGames™.

„With the brand Panzer Tactics, we want to revive the popular genre of round-based strategy games with fresh elements and establish it on new platforms. These include the NDS as well as the mobile phone! With HandyGames, we have found an expert production partner who helps us greatly with the realization of this strategy.“, says Chris Schmitz, Executive Producer, 10TACLE STUDIOS AG.

About HandyGames™:

HandyGames™ is one of the leading independent developers of games for mobile phones. The company has offices in Giebelstadt, Germany and in Bucharest, Romania and has its very own international distribution network. The company was founded in 2000 by Markus Kassulke, Christopher Kassulke and Udo Bausewein, has more than 35 employees and plans to expand further.

The huge and diverse variety of products, which all excel by high quality, consists of downloadable and pre-installed games, as well as applications and games for the mobile Internet. HandyGames™ has developed top sellers such as Porn Manager, Townsmen or Flitzer.

The company’s longtime success is reflected in close co-operations with producers of mobile phones and network operators, as well as in the many international prizes it has won.

More information at: www.handy-games.com

About 10TACLE STUDIOS AG:

Listed in the General Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, 10TACLE STUDIOS AG (security code number: TACL10) is one of Europe’s leading independent developers and producers of high-end computer and video games. 10TACLE STUDIOS AG (www.10tacle.com) produces top-quality products that meet international development standards, and its product portfolio covers all relevant growth segments in the games market. In the first six months of 2006, the company reported a turnover increase to 12.71 million Euros (first six months of 2005: 1.8 million Euros). 10TACLE STUDIOS AG’s adjusted EBITDA improved to 2.9 million Euros in the first six months of 2006 (first six months of 2005: 510,000 Euros). EBIT reached 2.3 million Euros, compared to 43,000 Euros in the year-ago period. Currently, more than 180 employees work for the Company at its headquarters in Darmstadt and the development sites in Darmstadt, Hanover, London, Charleroi, Bratislava and Singapore.

More information at: www.10tacle.com

"Alien Hominid HD" Crash Lands on Xbox Live Arcade

27th February 2007

The cult favourite offers high definition alien action that makes it better than ever before. “Alien Hominid HD” from The Behemoth is a side-scrolling extraterrestrial experience like no other, and will be available for download on Xbox Live Arcade® for Xbox 360™ beginning Wednesday 28th February at 08.00 GMT / 09.00 CET.

As a feisty yet adorable alien, gamers must fend off FBI agents to ensure their spaceship stays safe. With unique, hand-drawn characters and weapons, this award-winning title is the epitome of quirky humour and intergalactic fun. Sixteen levels, seven mini-games, and jump-in anytime multiplayer capability adds to the cosmic mayhem.

Game Features

· Sixteen levels and seven mini-games, including “All You Can Eat” and “PDA,” now with online multiplayer support
· Main and Mini-games high scores are tracked on the Xbox Live Leaderboard
· Multiplayer modes enable two players locally in the main game and up to four players offline or on Xbox Live in Mini-games.

· Earn up to 12 Achievements and 200 Gamerscore points

Where Can I Get It?

You can download “Alien Hominid HD” beginning 28th February at 08.00 GMT / 09.00 CET on Xbox Live Arcade and will be available worldwide for 800 Microsoft Points.

Elisa to pilot Nokia's next generation mobile gaming platform

Finnish customers to test new N-Gage experience

Espoo, Finland – February 27, 2007 – Nokia, the world leader in mobile communications, and Elisa announced today that they will carry out a pilot of Nokia’s new N-Gage mobile gaming service. The pilot will start in February 2007 and run until mid 2007.

“The core of the Nokia games strategy is to make it easy for people to find, buy and play great quality mobile games and we’re excited to expand our relationship with Elisa to help make this possible,” said Jaakko Kaidesoja, Director, Games, Multimedia, Nokia. “This pilot will help us further refine the N-Gage experience for our commercial launch later this year.”

“Our goal is to give our customers a new and unique experience they cannot get anywhere else,” said Mikko Mattinen, Head of Department, Consumer Customers Products, Content services, Elisa Corporation.

“People who enjoy mobile games are often the same customers who enjoy experimenting with new mobile services and content. Elisa can provide a wide range of content and services to meet their needs.”

Elisa will combine its existing mobile gaming platform with the Nokia N-Gage gaming platform and carry out intensive testing and evaluation in a live network environment. Nokia and Elisa will work together to bring a superior mobile gaming experience for Elisa customers. Nokia device owners can look forward to improved game quality, outstanding performance and an intuitive way to get games.

With the scheduled launch in mid 2007, Nokia’s next generation mobile gaming platform makes it easy for people to find, buy, play and share rich and immersive games on a range of Nokia devices. Elisa intends to support the launch with a full service offering through its own portals in addition to the N-Gage application installed on Nokia devices.

About Elisa Corporation
Elisa Corporation is a leading Finnish telecommunications company offering a comprehensive range of telecommunications services, including voice and data services, connections to the internet, customised communications and ICT solutions and network operator services. Elisa is a forerunner of new mobile and content services.

Elisa Corporation is listed on the Helsinki Exchanges, and its revenue in 2006 amounted to 1.52 billion euros. Elisa has over 1.3 million fixed network subscriptions, of which over 496,000 are broadband subscriptions. As a broadband provider, Elisa is the market leader in Finland. The company's mobile network holds approximately 2,2 million subscriptions. The company has approximately 3,600 employees.

Elisa offers internet and telecommunications services by Elisa, Saunalahti and Kolumbus trademarks. Elisa provides international services in association with its partners, Vodafone and Telenor.

www.elisa.com

About N-Gage
Nokia is an innovator in mobile, interactive entertainment and is re-defining the mobile gaming experience. Starting in 2007, Nokia will allow consumers to easily find, buy, play and manage great quality mobile games on upcoming Nokia Nseries multimedia computers and other Nokia S60 devices. Consumers will be able to connect to the N-Gage Arena, Nokia’s mobile, global gaming community. Nokia is working with the world’s leading publishers, including Electronic Arts and Gameloft, to deliver a broad portfolio of exciting, high quality games. http://futurewatch.n-gage.com and
www.n-gage.com

About Nokia
Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations. www.nokia.com

Play Ten Interactive Unveils Trailer for "White Gold: War in Paradise"

MOSCOW, RUSSIA (February 27, 2007) – Play Ten Interactive today released the first promotional video trailer for its upcoming RPG/FPS game “White Gold: War in Paradise” for the Xbox 360 and PC. With an exciting mix of first-person shooter and role-playing elements, “White Gold” provides nonstop action in a rich game play environment. Developed by Deep Shadows, “White Gold” is scheduled for a Q4 2007 worldwide release.

Players can expect to quench their thirst for guerrilla warfare in “White Gold,” which features hand-to-hand combat, small arms tactical battles, and vehicle-based travel. The scenic backdrop of the Caribbean basin deceptively hides an archipelago aflame with revolt. Beyond white sand beaches and crystalline waters, players will come up against opposing forces that occupy windswept villages and rocky travel routes.

This first clip of in-game footage reveals a sweeping view of the island’s topography, up close encounters with numerous characters as well as a demonstration of forceful weaponry including an automatic rifle and a grenade launcher. The main hero will be seen driving a tank to cover an infantry assault, haggling with a street trader for a bundle of bananas, attacking enemy airfield from a high-tech chopper and exploring the jungles on foot in search of a mystical Indian artifact. On display are some of the game’s most unusual situations including riding sharks and taking over a mafia gunboat with a knife in stealth mode. The wide open RPG/FPS world and total freedom of play has to be seen to be believed.

About Play Ten Interactive

Play Ten Interactive (PTI) is an independent publisher and developer of interactive entertainment software for PC and consoles. The company was founded in 2005 by a group of professionals and is headquartered in Moscow, Russia. PTI worldwide partners include such publishers as 10Tacle, PlayLogic, CDV, Nobilis, Groove Games; developers such as Spellbound, 3000 AD, Burut, Deep Shadows and World Forge; as well as Riverdeep, Cornelsen, Rondomedia and The Learning Company for kid's games.

Successfully releasing over 20 titles in a year, PTI is all set for a further expansion in its gaming branch. For more information, please visit http://www.playten.com.

About GamesBizwire

GamesBizWire (GBW) was created to help independent developers publicize news about their products and services to key media outlets and thought leaders within the industry. GBW’s news distribution service presents the media with the latest news and announcements from its members. In addition, GBW provides members with exclusive access to methods for successfully communicating their message to the media, templates for strategic press release writing, the latest updates on industry trade shows, and much more. To learn more about GBW’s cost-effective solutions for promoting your company, please visit http://www.gamesbizwire.com

Sega Partnered With Game Developer Universomo

SEGA® of America has made an agreement with independent European mobile game developer Universomo Ltd. for mobile game development based on SEGA´s world-famous licenses. Right at the moment Universomo has two titles in development for the publisher. The games are to be published and released in the Spring 2007. In addition of the game design and development Universomo takes care of the porting of both games as well.

"Besides opening of our US branch, the deal with SEGA is definitely one of the main Universomo highlights of 2007! There are not many companies with such a long and bold history in the gaming business like SEGA" said Atte Kotiranta, Managing Director of Universomo USA.

Glenn Wissner, Senior Producer for Sega of America comments on Universomo, "Working with Universomo has been a pure pleasure. These guys are very professional and skilled mobile developers. Universomo really understands SEGA product and have been excellent in keeping to original designs while also adding their own spin and taking our well known brands to a new level of quality. They meet their objectives and often exceed our expectation in the areas of game design, playability and art direction. I look forward to working with Universomo on future games and would highly recommend them as a mobile game developer."

About SEGA® of America, Inc.
SEGA® of America, Inc. is the American Publishing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA® Corporation, a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

About Universomo, Ltd.
Universomo is one of the leading independent mobile game developers in Europe. In the year 2006 Universomo produced 17 mobile games including LEGO Star Wars 2, Rollercoaster Rush, Destroy All Humans! 2 and Gorillaz Entertainment System. Universomo opened studio in Los Angeles California in Autumn 2006 and has headquarters in Finland.