Critically-Acclaimed Quantum Break Now Available on Xbox One and Windows 10

Microsoft Studios and Remedy Entertainment’s action-packed thriller – Quantum Break – is available today on Xbox One via Xbox Store and coming 11 p.m. AEST on 5^th April to Windows 10 via Windows Store.

To celebrate the release of the game, 11 Microsoft store locations in the U.S. and Canada hosted launch events with fans. In addition, beginning today at 8 a.m. PDT (1 a.m. AEST), Remedy Entertainment will be hosting a Quantum Break livestream on Twitch featuring key members of the team, including Creative Director Sam Lake, from their studio in Espoo, Finland.

But the festivities don’t end here. During a special, post-launch event at the Microsoft Store, Sydney at Westfield in Pitt Street, Australian fans will have the chance to meet the star of the game, Shawn Ashmore, who will take part in an interactive, fan-fueled Q&A, followed by meeting and greeting fans. The event will be livestreamed via the Xbox Australia Twitch channel from 7pm AEST this Thursday 7^th April. Stay tuned to the Xbox Australia social channels, including: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more information.

Critics have proclaimed Quantum Break a blockbuster success for Microsoft Studios and Remedy Entertainment – here’s what some of the most prominent reviewers have been saying about the game:

• “It is a masterpiece.” – Windows Central
• “Some of the best storytelling and gameplay Remedy has ever produced.” – Game Informer
• “A fun, enthralling action adventure” – Daily Star
• “An absolute pleasure to play.” – Destructoid
• “The break-out sci-fi hit of the year.” – Evening Standard

Quantum Break is a unique experience; one part hard-hitting video game, one part thrilling live action show, featuring a stellar cast, including Shawn Ashmore (“X-Men”) as the hero Jack Joyce, Aidan Gillen (“Game of Thrones”) as his nemesis Paul Serene and Dominic Monaghan (“Lord of the Rings”) as Jack’s genius brother, William. Quantum Break is full of the vivid storytelling, rich characters and dramatic twists Remedy Entertainment is renowned for. Your choices in-game will affect the outcome of this fast-paced fusion between game and show giving the player a completely unique entertainment experience.

Every copy of Quantum Break for Xbox One comes with a full-game download for Alan Wake for Xbox 360, plus its two add-on packs, The Signal and The Writer, playable on Xbox One via Backward Compatibility.

GAMING SENSATION AND HIT TV SHOW YO-KAI WATCH ANNOUNCE NEW PUZZLE APP

Japanese mega-sensation Yo-kai Watch is set to cause yet another commotion with the Australian release of their new app Yo-kai Watch Wibble Wobble on March 24, FREE through Google play and the App store.

The exciting app puzzle game, available through iOS (iPhone/iPad) and Android, has already been a smash hit in Japan since launching in October last year. In just four months it has reached more than 6.5 million users.

In Yo-kai Watch Wibble Wobble, Yo-kai spirits have been transformed into adorable little creatures called Yo-kai Wib Wob. There are many exciting features on the app including Swipe & Connect where you connect the Wib Wob to form a larger Wib Wob filling up your Fever Gauge, plus Pop & Damage and Defeat & Befriend where you make allies and battle against enemies. Adding to the fun are other features such as Bonus Balls, Soultimate Moves and Level-Up.

It’s a light-hearted, family-friendly game aimed at kids, their parents and other adults. It’s also great fun so once you start playing, you won’t want to stop!

The new app release comes hot on the heels of the first app Yo-kai Watch Land, and the wildly popular Nintendo YO-KAI WATCH 3DS game which launched in Australia in December last year creating much excitement amongst kids 5 – 12.

The Yo-kai Watch 3DS game was initially developed by top Japanese entertainment company Level-5 in 2013. They created a compelling, funny story around the main character Nate, a boy who befriends a collection of mischievous Yo-kai (spirit creatures) with the aid of a special watch. Since then, following the release of the TV show, the popularity of Yo-kai Watch has been nothing short of phenomenal.

In early February 2016 Hasbro launched their range of toys that capture iconic characters from the animation and game series including Yo-kai Watch, the Yo-kai Watch Medal Mystery Bags and the Yo-kai Medallium Collection Folder.

Village Roadshow is releasing its first DVD this month, along with download to own/download to rent (DTO/DTR) via iTunes, Bigpond, Sony Playstation, Xbox and Google Play.

Lots more to come in 2016 including showbags, carnival plush, costumes, playballs, hopper balls and beach sets, outdoor furniture, body boards, tents, swim vests and sleeping bags, novelty toys, keychains, inflatables, scooters, skateboards, books, colouring and activity pads, sticker books, bikes and apparel!

Yo-kai Watch airs on 9Go! at 7.00am weekdays.

THE HTC ONE X9 TAKES STUNNING, METAL CRAFTED DESIGN AND BIG SCREEN MOBILE ENTERTAINMENT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

With a stunning 5.5” Full HD display, sleek and stylish metal crafted design and superior imaging day and night, the HTC One X9 sets a powerful new standard for mid-range smartphones
HTC today announced the Australian launch of the HTC One X9, the latest addition to the globally acclaimed HTC One franchise.  Available from Vodafone initially and JB Hi-Fi soon after, the HTC One X9 delivers a sleek, stylish and premium experience at an incredibly affordable price.  Packed with functionality normally ascribed to higher end smartphones, the HTC One X9 is the perfect blend of style, innovation and design, matching the needs of even the most sophisticated urban lifestyle.

The HTC One X9 also delivers a truly immersive mobile entertainment experience combining dual frontal stereo speakers with Dolby Surround™ with a huge 5.5” Full HD display, for an amazing viewing experience.  This mid-range priced device also features Optical Image Stabilisation on the main camera combined with a 5MP front camera with 88 degree wide angle lens that lets to capture the full story.

“Every aspect of the X9 is premium, except the price.  It is sleek, beautiful, powerful and delivers a true flagship experience at around half the price of some of our competitors.” said Ben Hodgson, HTC Australia and New Zealand country manager.  “The handset has been carefully crafted to achieve the perfect balance between an elegant and rich design that will satisfy the style needs of our consumers, providing top of the range performance at a mid-range price point.  The technology encompasses some of the best features of our range, completing the premium smartphone experience for our users.”

Ben McIntosh, Director of Sales at Vodafone said: “We are excited to partner with HTC to bring the new HTC One X9 to our customers, combining it with our superfast 4G mobile network which now reaches almost 23 million Australians.  We know our customers love to roam, whether in Australia or overseas so they want a phone that has all the features that help them make the most of their travels, while looking good at the same time. The HTC One X9 certainly delivers on both fronts.”

Shoot like a pro
The camera on the HTC One X9 is one of the best in its class, enabling superior imaging both day and night.  Through the precision engineering of its two cameras, as well as a selection of image-enhancing features, the device allows you to capture breathtaking shots from any angle. The 13MP main camera, with OIS (Optical Image Stabilisation), features an anti-shake lens that reduces blur from hand movements while you shoot.  The front facing 5MP camera includes integrated Auto Selfie, Voice Selfie and Live Make Up capability, delivering high-quality selfies with ease.

To add that professional touch to your pictures, RAW format’s one button enhancement feature automatically brightens colours and sharpens edges with one push.  Additional imaging tools such as Pro Mode and an advance manual control add the finishing touches to what is already one of the best cameras in its class.

And if you see yourself as more director than photographer, take inspiration from the 4K video resolution and Hyperlapse mode, which will allow you to create dramatic time-lapse effects and make those special moments last longer.

Cinematic Surround Sound
The HTC One X9 takes listening to the next level by delivering cinematic surround sound through HTC BoomSound with Dolby Surround™, delivering clearer vocals, better base and fine detail for music, movies and games – the ultimate audio experience!  The integrated and dedicated amplifiers deliver a dynamic range of sound, while HTC’s proprietary membrane excursion direct control optimizes volume and bass to make your music thump.

Stand out Software: Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Delivering the best user experience, the HTC One X9 comes with the latest Android 6.0 Marshmallow features supporting its premium hardware proposition.  Google Now on Tap intuitively provides information about whatever is on your screen, simply by holding the home button, while Google Backup for Apps automatically backs up app data to all capable Android-powered devices. The device contains 32GB on-board memory with 3GB RAM, as well as expandable storage up to 2TB. The octa-core 2.0GHz latest generation CPU allows users to juggle between apps seamlessly

Pricing & Availability
Vodafone customers can purchase the HTC One X9 from 13 April, 2016 for $5 per month on a Vodafone $40 plan over 24 months, either online at vodafone.com.au or in store.
The HTC One X9 will also be available from JB Hi-Fi stores in May, 2016.
The Australian market RRP for the HTC One X9 is $699

– Ends –
About HTC
HTC Corporation aims to bring brilliance to life. As a global innovator in smart mobile devices and technology, HTC has produced award-winning products and industry firsts since its inception in 1997, including the critically acclaimed HTC One and HTC Desire^TMlines of smartphones. The pursuit of brilliance is at the heart of everything we do, inspiring best-in-class design and game-changing mobile and virtual reality experiences for consumers around the world. HTC is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE: 2498). www.htc.com

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HTC, HTC One, HTC Dot View and the HTC logo are the trademarks of HTC Corporation. All other names of companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

OPTIC GAMING WINS FINALS OF NORTH AMERICAN STAGE 1 OF THE CALL OF DUTY WORLD LEAGUE (CWL), PRESENTED BY PLAYSTATION®4

Australian/New Zealand and European Regional Winners Mindfreak and Millenium Also Earn Stage 1 Pro Division Titles

SYDNEY, Australia. – April 5, 2016 –The Call of Duty® World League, Presented by PlayStation®4 Finals of Stage 1 Pro Division concluded this weekend with the best Pro Division teams in North America earning their share of the $3 million+ prize pool for 2016. In addition to the cash payout, OpTic Gaming moved closer to securing a qualifying spot at the 2016 Call of Duty® Championship, Presented by PlayStation®4 this Spring. Eager fans in attendance at ESL Studios in Burbank, California, online via livestream, and tuning-in directly through an in-game (Black Ops III PS4) Live Event Viewer, witnessed the thrilling conclusion to months of rigorous competition of Stage 1, as the first step toward the year’s grand competition and piece of the overall $3 million dollars in the year-long prize pool of the CWL.

“The First Stage of the CWL has featured some great gameplay, close matches, and some of the best competition that Call of Duty® has ever seen,” said Rob Kostich Executive Vice President and General Manager, Call of Duty. “Call of Duty eSports has a strong foundation dating back to Call of Duty XP back in 2011, but the CWL has already taken it to new heights and we can’t wait to continue that growth during the Second Stage and the Call of Duty Championship this year.”

The top eight North American teams battled over the weekend. After falling behind OpTic Gaming 3-0, Rise Nation fought back to force a winner take all game 7, thousands of Call of Duty fans saw OpTic Gaming emerge victorious as they were crowned Stage 1 champions in the first major tournament on the road to the highly-anticipated Call of Duty Championship this Spring.

“We know what we are capable of and that we are the best team in Call of Duty,” Said Seth “Scump” Abner, Captain of OpTic Gaming. “We haven’t always shown what we can do, so having this win under our belt is good for the rest of our season.”

Meanwhile, established players and aspiring amateurs alike competed as top teams from the CWL Challenge Division, earned a chance at a spot in the Pro Division for Stage 2. As part of the Relegation tournament, the top four Challenge Division teams, Cloud 9, Team Liquid, Cloud 9 Eclipse and King Papey faced off against the bottom four Pro Division teams. Dream Team and H2K Gaming held onto their Pro Division spots while Cloud 9 and King Papey won their matches and will participate in the CWL North American Pro Division Stage 2 and a chance to qualify for the Call of Duty Championship.

The North American Stage 1 Finals followed the Australia/New Zealand and European regional finals last week. All 30 CWL Pro Division teams competed in multiple week regional seasons prior to each set of finals. Mindfreak (ANZ) and Millenium (EU) took home the top spot in their regions and their share of CWL prize pools respectively.

The ANZ region featured a few different key match ups as perennial favourite Mindfreak beat Team Immunity and Tainted Minds on their way to being the CWL ANZ Pro Division Stage 1 Champions. New team, Incept, beat Exile.5 in Relegation for a spot in Stage 2 as Nv, Chiefs eSports Club, and Apotheon eSports all beat their challengers to remain in the Pro Division for Stage 2.

The EU region had multiple top teams vying for the Stage 1 prize pool. Millenium and Splyce met in the finals with Millenium winning the series handily 4 maps to 1. The road to the finals for each team was very different with Splyce fighting off top ranked Team Infused and exceL eSports in back to back 4-3 series wins to make the finals. Millenium, earned the number two seed in the tournament because of their success during the 18 match season, only had to beat Epsilon eSports in a 4-1 series to reach the finals, thanks to a first round bye. Similar to the ANZ region, one team was replaced in Relegation. French team, PuLse Gaming, was beaten by UK team Exertus 4 maps to 1. Vitality, Team LDLC, and Giants Gaming all beat their opponents to continue in Stage 2 of the CWL Pro Division.

Here are the final rankings for each CWL Stage 1 Pro Division region:

Australia/New Zealand

1^st Mindfreak

• Mitchell “Buzzo” Mader
• Denholm “Denz” Taylor
• Lincoln “Fighta” Ferguson
• Conrad “Shockz” Rymarek

2^nd Tainted Minds

3^rd – 4^th Orbit/Team Immunity

North America

1^st OpTiC Gaming

• Seth “Scump” Abner
• Ian “Crimsix” Porter
• Matthew “Formal” Piper
• Damon “Karma” Barlow

2^nd Rise Nation

3^rd – 4^th Faze Clan/Team Elevate

5^th – 8^th compLexity Gaming/Luminosity Gaming/Team EnVyUs/Team SoloMid

Europe

1^st Millenium

• Callum “Swanny” Swan
• Jordan “Jurd” Crowley
• Thomas “Tommey” Trewen
• Dylan “MadCat” Daly

2^nd Splyce

3^rd – 4^th Epsilon eSports/Team Infused

5^th – 6^th exceL eSports/TCM Gaming

As always, you can re-live the Stage 1 action on the Call of Duty YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/CALLOFDUTY/videos

Be sure to check out https://www.callofduty.com/esports and follow @CODWorldLeague on Twitter, Instagram, and Twitch for the latest CWL updates.

About Activision Publishing, Inc.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, 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.

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 about Call of Duty:  Black Ops III Awakening, 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.

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ACTIVISION and CALL OF DUTY are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc.  All other trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners.

NEWLY ANNOUNCED TURKISH TANK TO COME TO ARMORED WARFARE

Otokar’s Latest Vehicle Announced for 2017

Amsterdam, The Netherlands – April 4, 2016 – Global publisher My.com and Obsidian Entertainment are proud to announce that Armored Warfare will get Altay, the new Turkish Main Battle Tank. The mass production of this brand new tank has been announced today by Otokar, the manufacturer of this modern vehicle. Altay is the first Turkish-developed MBT since World War Two. It was developed using the South Korean K2 Black Panther tank experience and is armed with a 120mm L/55 smoothbore gun, comparable to or derived from the Rheinmetall 120mm. Its maximum speed reaches 70 km/h. The Altay tank will be added to Armored Warfare in 2017 and its in-game characteristics and tier will be announced in the future.

New tanks and armored vehicles will be regularly added to Armored Warfare, thereby letting all tank games fans try all the latest modern warfare technologies.

Armored Warfare is a free-to-play massively multiplayer online tactical military game that puts the player into the world of modern warfare. In Armored Warfare, players get a chance to try the most powerful tools of destruction invented by mankind – from modern main battle tanks to scouts and wheeled vehicles. Using modern defense systems like anti-missile protection and smoke grenades, along with various types of armor and ammunition, players can jump into fast paced battles both in PvP mode and a vast amount of PvE missions.

Download Armored Warfare for free today, visit: aw.my.com.To learn more about Armored Warfare, please visit aw.my.com, ‘Like’ it on Facebook, and follow its development on Twitter @ArmoredWar for all the latest developer updates and news.

ABOUT MY.COM

My.com comprises myMail, MAPS.ME, myTarget, and online and mobile games. Its mobile communications and entertainment services and apps facilitate people in pursuing their business goals – and let them relax and have a good gaming time in-between. Copyright © 2015 My.com.

For more information, visit my.com/