UBISOFT^® ANNOUNCES SUITE OF GAMES FOR NINTENDO SWITCH™ 

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Ubisoft^® has announced that Just Dance^® 2017, Rayman^® Legends Definitive Edition and Steep™ will be part of the Nintendo Switch™ lineup.

Ubisoft has been at the forefront of the constantly evolving video game industry, leading development of exciting games for each new platform launch. For years, Ubisoft and Nintendo have been partnering to deliver original, creative and memorable entertainment gaming experiences.

Nintendo Switch combines the best of two worlds: mobile handheld and traditional at-home console gaming. This new console brings Ubisoft and its teams new opportunities to express their creativity, develop fresh ways to play and push the industry boundaries once again.

“Ubisoft is bringing Just Dance 2017, Rayman Legends Definitive Edition and Steep to the Nintendo Switch. We’re proud to be working closely with Nintendo on this new console, making sure players can enjoy great games on a device that shares the same philosophy as these games: great accessibility and the ability to bring people together”, said Xavier Poix, Managing Director, Ubisoft’s French Studios. “These three games are just the beginning; we will share more about other exciting projects for Nintendo Switch at a later date.”

Click below to preview “How Deep Is Your Love”

Just Dance 2017 – Dancing with anyone – anywhere, anytime

Just Dance 2017 will be the first Ubisoft game released for Nintendo Switch at launch. The chart-topping dance track, “How Deep Is Your Love” by Calvin Harris & Disciples, will be available as an exclusive track for Nintendo Switch owners via Just Dance Unlimited.* This hit song joins 40 tracks already available in the game, including “Sorry” by Justin Bieber, “Lean On” by Major Lazer Ft. MØ & DJ Snake, brand-new hits like “Don’t Wanna Know” by Maroon 5, party favorites like “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” by Beyoncé and classics like “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen. Nintendo Switch players will also have three months of free access to Just Dance Unlimited, the dance-on-demand subscription streaming service, which offers more than 200 additional songs and access to exclusive tracks, with new hit songs added all the time.

More accessible than ever, Just Dance 2017 can now be played anywhere, with up to six players at the same time using a Joy-Con™ controller or by using the Just Dance Controller app (which turns your smartphone into a controller).

Click below to watch Michel Ancel discuss Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition on Nintendo Switch

Rayman Legends Definitive Edition – Exploring Rayman’s legendary worlds

Players’ all-time favorite, Rayman, is back in the game thanks to Rayman Legends Definitive Edition, the ultimate version of the critically acclaimed Rayman Legends created by Michel Ancel. This edition includes all the game’s traditional features, such as Kung Foot, plus some brand-new surprises. Nintendo’s history has included the Rayman brand since the franchise’s beginning, with titles such as Rayman^® Advance for Game Boy Advance, Rayman^® 2 The Great Escape for Nintendo 64 and Rayman Raving Rabbids^® for the launch of Wii™.

Rayman, Globox and the Teensies are off wandering through an enchanted forest when they discover a mysterious tent filled with a series of captivating paintings. As they look more closely, they notice each painting seems to tell the story of a different mythical world. While focusing on a painting that shows a medieval land, they are suddenly sucked into the painting, entering the world, and the adventure begins. The gang must run, jump and fight their way through each world to save the day and discover the secrets of every legendary painting.

Steep – Experiencing action sports in the beautiful open world of the Alps

In Steep, players drop in to the Alps and ski, snowboard, wingsuit and paraglide through the game’s massive open world playground, filled with exhilarating activities and breathtaking views. Developed by Ubisoft Annecy, Steep is designed for a culture that’s all about sharing experiences with the world. Steep features seamless multiplayer, populating the world with players as they naturally explore the Alps. Players and friends across the globe can take on challenges together or compete with each other to snag the top spot on the leaderboard. The open world of Steep will be further enriched by the majestic slopes of Alaska in a free update available this year. 

*“How Deep Is Your Love” by Calvin Harris & Disciples is available through Just Dance Unlimited and can be accessed either via the free trial or by subscribing. The track will be available for all platforms later this year. 

About Ubisoft

Ubisoft is a leading creator, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and services, with a rich portfolio of world-renowned brands, including Assassin’s Creed, Just Dance, Tom Clancy’s video game series, Rayman, Far Cry and Watch Dogs. The teams throughout Ubisoft’s worldwide network of studios and business offices are committed to delivering original and memorable gaming experiences across all popular platforms, including consoles, mobile phones, tablets and PCs. For the 2015–16 fiscal year Ubisoft generated sales of €1,394 million. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com.

© 2016 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Just Dance, Ubisoft and the Ubisoft logo are trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the U.S. and/or other countries.

© 2008-2016 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Rayman, the character of Rayman,  Ubisoft and the Ubisoft logo are trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the U.S. and/or other countries.

Nintendo trademarks and copyrights are properties of Nintendo.

NINTENDO SWITCH LAUNCHES ON 3^rd MARCH

Nintendo reveals upcoming games, new hardware features

13^th January, 2017 – Nintendo announced today that the new Nintendo Switch console will launch worldwide on Friday 3^rd March for a suggested retail price of AU$469.95.

The package will include the main console, Joy-Con (L) and Joy-Con (R) controllers, a Joy-Con grip (to which two Joy-Con are attached and used as one controller), a set of Joy-Con wrist straps, a Nintendo Switch dock (which holds the main console and connects it to a TV), a HDMI cable and an AC adapter. Two stylish versions of the console will be released: a version with a set of grey Joy-Con, and a version with one neon blue and one neon red Joy-Con.

“Nintendo Switch is a brand-new kind of home gaming system that offers a wide variety of play modes,” said Nintendo President Tatsumi Kimishima. “We will introduce the world to new experiences made possible by the unique characteristics of the Nintendo Switch hardware and the Joy-Con.”

Nintendo Switch is a breakthrough home video game console. It not only connects to a TV at home, but it also instantly transforms into an on-the-go handheld using its 6.2-inch screen. For the first time, players can enjoy a full home-console experience anytime, anywhere. The screen includes capacitive multi-touch capabilities for compatible games. Battery life can last for more than six hours, but will vary depending on the software and usage conditions. For example, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild can be played for roughly three hours on a single charge. While away from home, Nintendo Switch can be charged by plugging the AC adapter into the console’s USB Type-C connector.

The versatile Joy-Con offer multiple surprising new ways for players to have fun. Two Joy-Con can be used independently, one in each hand, or together as one game controller when attached to the Joy-Con grip. They can also attach to the main console for use in handheld mode, or be shared with friends to enjoy two-player action in supported games. Each Joy-Con has a full set of buttons and can act as a standalone controller, and each includes an accelerometer and gyroscope motion sensor, making independent left and right motion control possible.

Nintendo Switch also contains a number of built-in features that make it more interactive. The left Joy-Con has a Capture Button that players can press to take instant screenshots of gameplay to share with friends on social media. The right Joy-Con includes an NFC touchpoint for interaction with amiibo figures, as well as an IR Motion Camera that can detect the distance, shape and motion of nearby objects in specially designed games. For example, it can tell how far away a player’s hand is, and even if the hand is forming a rock, paper or scissors shape. Both Joy-Con include advanced HD rumble, which can provide compatible games with subtle vibrations that are much more realistic than before. The effect is so detailed that a player could, for example, feel the vibration of individual ice cubes colliding inside a glass when shaking a Joy-Con. With HD rumble you can experience a level of realism not possible through sights and sounds alone.

Nintendo Switch makes it easy for players to stay connected. Up to 8 consoles can be connected for local wireless play. The player can place the console upright anywhere by using the built-in stand, then easily share Joy-Con for multiplayer fun away from the TV. The console will support online Wi-Fi multiplayer gaming. Nintendo also unveiled a new online subscription service that will begin with a free trial at launch. The service includes a smart-device application available in winter 2017 that will let users invite friends to play online, set play appointments, and chat with one another as the play compatible games. The fully featured paid service will be available in spring.

Nintendo Switch will be supported by world-class third-party publishers including Activision Publishing Inc., Electronic Arts, Take-Two Interactive, Ubisoft, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and major Japanese publishers. Some publishers, such as Bethesda Softworks, are joining Nintendo for the first time. Players can look forward to major franchises on Nintendo Switch such as EA Sports FIFA, The Elder Scrolls, NBA 2K, Minecraft and more. Nintendo Switch software will not be region locked.

The unique capabilities of the console and Joy-Con have combined with innovations from past systems to create Nintendo’s most flexible, feature-packed video game console ever. This is demonstrated by the wide variety of unique games that were announced for launch day, the winter, and into the 2017 holiday season, from both Nintendo and its third-party partners. From the engrossing open-air experience of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild to the party fun of 1-2-Switch, Nintendo Switch offers something for everyone.

Select First-Party Games

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild: Prepare for the biggest The Legend of Zelda adventure yet, with an open-air style that breaks new boundaries while honouring the origins of the acclaimed series. Explore a world of unprecedented size and discover more than 100 puzzle-filled shrines, plus a wide variety of weapons, outfits, and gear. Players won’t want to stop playing, and they won’t have to, since Nintendo Switch allows them to continue the adventure anywhere, anytime.

The game is compatible with the series of The Legend of Zelda 30th Anniversary-themed amiibo, the Wolf Link amiibo, and the new The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild amiibo. In addition to the previously announced Link (Rider), Link (Archer), and Guardian amiibo, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild range of amiibo will also include new Zelda and Bokoblin amiibo. The amiibo in this series are larger and more detailed, particularly the Guardian amiibo with its extra articulation.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild will provide players with a landmark Nintendo Switch experience on the console’s launch day on 3^rd March, and will be available as a standard solus game and two bundles: The Limited Edition Bundle, which contains the game with an A3 poster, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Sound Selection CD, a rolled map, collectible coin, and a Master Sword of Resurrection figure, and the Limited Collectable Bundle, which contains The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Sound Selection CD, a rolled map, collectible coin, and a Master Sword of Resurrection figure. The Limited Collectable Bundle will be available via the Official Nintendo AU/NZ eBay Store.

1-2-Switch: This is the first Nintendo video game in which players compete in fun activities while staring into each other’s eyes instead of at the TV screen From Wild West gunslinging to copying each other’s dance moves, the games in 1-2-Switch make creative use of a broad variety of Nintendo Switch features to liven up parties with anyone, anywhere, at any time. 1-2-Switch will be available alongside the Nintendo Switch console on its launch day on 3^rd March.

ARMS: Featuring a unique multiplayer fighting sport that lets you trade blows using extendable arms, this game includes elements of both boxing and shooting games, plus an all-new cast of characters. After customising a character with a variety of arms, the player holds one Joy-Con in each hand and throws left and right punches at the opponent. Characters can jump and dash, and players can bend their punches by twisting their hands as they swing. As players learn the game and improve their skills, they will discover a deeper level of advanced tactics. Players can compete against the computer, against a friend on a split screen using a second set of Joy-Con (sold separately), against worldwide rivals online, or with two Nintendo Switch consoles over a local wireless connection. ARMS will be available this autumn.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: With Nintendo Switch, fans can enjoy the definitive version of Mario Kart 8 anywhere, anytime, even with up to 8 friends in local wireless multiplayer. All your favourite tracks and characters return from the Wii U version, plus all DLC tracks and characters, and new characters join the roster, too: Inkling Boy and Inkling Girl from Splatoon, King Boo, Dry Bones, and Bowser Jr.! Plus, Battle Mode has been revamped and includes Balloon Battle and Bob-omb Blast, with all-new courses such as Urchin Underpass and Battle Stadium, and returning ones like (GCN) Luigi’s Mansion and (SNES) Battle Course 1. Players can now carry two items at a time, including new items returning from previous Mario Kart games such as Boo, the item-stealing ghost, and the Feather, which gives you a high jump in battle mode. Players can even choose to use a new Smart Steering feature which makes driving and staying on the track easy for novice players and kids, even at 200cc. Play in TV mode in up to 1080p. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe launches on 28^th April.

Splatoon 2: Traditional 4-on-4 turf battles return in this full sequel to the original breakout hit game, along with new stages, new fashions and new weapons such as the two-handed Splat Dualies. Players can compete on the TV or on the go. Whether they use the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (sold separately) or Joy-Con, players can aim their ink using gyro controls. Splatoon 2 supports both local and online multiplayer matches. The game will also support voice chat using the new Nintendo Switch smart device app (a free, limited version of the app will be available this winter), and will add new stages, fashions and weapons after launch, as the original game did. Splatoon 2 is scheduled to launch this winter.

Super Mario Odyssey: This is the first sandbox game that allows Mario to fully explore his world since Super Mario 64 on Nintendo 64 and Super Mario Sunshine on Nintendo GameCube. Mario jumps out of the Mushroom Kingdom and embarks on a journey through mysterious new places and new experiences, such as sailing between worlds aboard an airship and the ability to throw Mario’s cap. Super Mario Odyssey is scheduled to launch during the 2017 holiday season.

Snipperclips – Cut it out, together!: In this creative new kind of action-puzzle game, players communicate, cooperate, and use their imagination to solve basic and advanced puzzles by cutting paper characters into new shapes. Play by yourself or with a friend in the main game, then bring in a bigger group to solve up to four-player dynamic puzzles or compete in other activities. Snipperclips – Cut it out, together! will release in March in Nintendo eShop.

For more information about Nintendo Switch, visit http://www.nintendo.com.au/

AWARD-WINNING SKYLANDERS IMAGINATORS LANDS ON  HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED NINTENDO SWITCH 

Skylanders Brings New Characters and Adventure Pack to Excite Players 

Fans Playing Skylanders Imaginators Game and Skylanders Creator App  Have Created More Than 25 Million Characters¹ 

Sydney, Australia – Jan. 13, 2017 – Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI), is delivering the innovation of Skylanders® Imaginators to the next wave of gamers when the highly-anticipated Nintendo Switch™ launches March 2017.  This March also marks the debut of some of Skylanders Imaginators’ most anticipated characters, as well as a brand-new expansion pack. Now Portal Masters all over the world can engage in new content, toys and experiences with the award-winning Skylanders Imaginators this autumn!

No Portal of Power®? No problem with Nintendo Switch. Skylanders Imaginators for Nintendo Switch provides gamers unique ways to play, including the introduction of a vast digital library that allows players to easily load and store 300+ toys from the Skylanders® franchise* directly to the new home gaming system.  The arrival of the digital library empowers players to take their Skylanders Imaginators adventure on-the-go whenever and however they want.

“Since Skylanders Imaginators and Skylanders^TM Creator launched, fans have made more than 25 million Imaginators using the expansive creation tools in the game and app. We couldn’t be more excited to extend that experience to Nintendo Switch players,” said Paul Reiche, co-founder and studio head, Toys for Bob. “We’ve seen some amazing Skylanders created, and as kids’ collections continue to grow, we’re proud to offer more depth and variety to fans in ways never before possible with this new system.”

“Skylanders Imaginators has ignited the imaginations of fans everywhere, and we’re looking forward to continuing to support their gameplay experiences with Nintendo Switch, along with new toys and content coming this year,” said Josh Taub, senior vice president of Skylanders Product Management, Activision. “There are now more than 300 million Skylanders toys in the hands of fans², which equates to nearly two toys sold every second since Skylanders® Spyro’s Adventure launched.  And with the new season of the animated series Skylanders^TM Academy slated for Netflix this spring, we are thrilled that fans can enjoy playing, watching and creating Skylanders no matter where they are.”

Building on the franchise’s signature gameplay and collectible toy experience, Skylanders Imaginators pushes the boundaries of innovation and imagination with the upcoming release of the Cursed Tiki Temple level pack. The Cursed Tiki Temple level pack takes kids on an all-new adventure as they unlock more than 100 new offerings for their Skylanders Imaginators – a first in franchise history! The pack comes with Sensei character Wild Storm who will unleash a new level to players; a life Creation Crystal; and an Imaginite Mystery Chest all for the suggested retail price of $39.99 AUD on March 12 at participating retailers nationwide.

Skylanders Imaginators gives kids an unprecedented level of choice — including appearance, powers, abilities, names, catchphrases, musical themes and much more — to create the most unique Skylanders characters they can imagine.  This spring, fans can also be on the lookout for the arrival of new heroes in the world of Skylanders Imaginators, including Skylanders Sensei Grave Clobber. Once a great pharaoh who ruled the Golden Desert long ago, Grave Clobber was buried by his seven jealous brothers in an underwater tomb while he was sleeping.  He eventually rose from his watery grave, clobbered each of his brothers and became the perfect choice to be a Sensei trainer for the Brawler Class. This mummy may surprise you with his range of powers, packing a serious punch as well as telekinetic powers!

Skylanders Imaginators for Nintendo Switch will be available for the suggested retail price of $89.99 AUD and is rated G. The Cursed Tiki Temple level pack and new Skylanders Senseis will support all major gaming platforms including Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Wii U^™ system; Xbox 360^™ and Xbox One^™ video game and entertainment systems from Microsoft; and PlayStation^® 3 and PlayStation^® 4 computer entertainment systems. Skylanders Creator is a free app that players can download from iOS and Android app stores for select mobile devices. For more Skylanders information, visit: www.skylanders.com.

Skylanders™ Academy, the new animated comedy-adventure show inspired by the Skylanders franchise, debuted on Netflix on October 28, 2016.  Jam-packed with humor and heart, Skylanders Academy offers epic action for kids of all ages. The Netflix original series season one debuted in 190 countries, with a second season planned for late 2017.

About the Skylanders^® Franchise

The award-winning, $3.5 billion Skylanders® franchise has sold through more than 300 million toys² since pioneering the toys-to-life category in 2011 with the debut of Skylanders® Spyro’s Adventure. The game originated a play pattern that seamlessly bridged physical and virtual worlds across multiple platforms. In 2012, Skylanders® Giants further evolved the category and added LightCore^® characters to the collection of interaction figures. Skylanders® SWAP Force^™, which launched in 2013, introduced an all new play pattern – swapability. In 2014, Skylanders^® Trap Team reversed the magic of bringing toys to life by allowing players to pull characters out of the digital world into the physical world and became the number 1 kids’ console game globally². Skylanders® SuperChargers launched in 2015 and expanded upon the franchise’s signature gameplay to introduce vehicles-to-life for the first time.  On Oct. 16, 2016, Skylanders Imaginators captured kids’ imaginations like never before with the ability to create your own Skylander.

About Activision Publishing

Headquartered in Santa Monica, Calif., Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading global producer and publisher of interactive entertainment. Activision maintains operations throughout the world and is a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), an S&P 500 company.  More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.activision.com or by following @Activision.

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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements: Information in this press release that involves Activision Publishing’s expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future, including statements with respect to Skylanders Academy or about the expected features, functionality, products and release dates of Skylanders Imaginators and the Cursed Tiki Temple level pack are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause Activision Publishing’s actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements set forth in this release include unanticipated product delays and other factors identified in the risk factors sections of Activision Blizzard’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to Activision Publishing and Activision Blizzard as of the date of this release, and neither Activision Publishing nor Activision Blizzard assumes any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of Activision Publishing or Activision Blizzard and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.