ROCKET LEAGUE DEVELOPER TEAMS UP WITH POPULAR iD TECH SUMMER CAMPS

Leading Summer STEM Program to Incorporate Rocket League Competitions at Over 130 Campuses in 30 U.S. States

SAN DIEGO, CA – April 7, 2016 – Independent video game developer and publisher, Psyonix, and iD Tech, the leading educational STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) summer program, unveiled today plans to incorporate the eSports sensation Rocket League into more than 130 summer camps across 30 states in the U.S.

Throughout the summer, more than 50,000 students ages 6-18 will attend iD Tech STEM programs on prestigious campuses such as Stanford, UC San Diego, Rice, Caltech, Yale, and Princeton, and many others nationwide. They’ll design video games, learn programming, code apps, build robots, solve engineering challenges, model in 3D, and create hands-on tech projects. Rocket League was selected as the primary pre-teens (ages 10-12) game for iD Tech Camps competitions. This smash sports-action hit will also be used by all iD Tech students during non-instructional time, at night, during weekends, and for those participating in the Ultimate Gaming Weekends.

“Our task force team unanimously chose Rocket League because it’s challenging and entertaining with that fun, eSports feel,” said Pete Ingram-Cauchi, CEO, iD Tech. “Having an E-rated game is also a big selling point because it’s age appropriate and fun for all kids.”

“We were immediately excited by the prospect of being included in the popular iD Tech programs,” said Jeremy Dunham, Vice President, Psyonix. “We believe in their vision and we love their programs, but we also know that Rocket League’s accessibility will give sports fans and non-sports fans alike the chance to compete in a game that’s unique and different than anything else.”

In addition to Rocket League, iD Tech incorporates a number of popular games such as Minecraft, Torchlight II, Dota 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and others.

Founded in 1999 by Alexa Ingram-Cauchi and her mother, Kathryn Ingram, iD Tech lets students discover their passions, develop new tech skills, complete a tech project, and gain a competitive advantage. It prepares students for the booming technical job market, delivering innovative, hands-on STEM courses in a fun summer camp environment. Students learn in small class sizes with only eight students per instructor for more personalized learning. Additionally, they build key 21st century skills like problem-solving, creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and innovation. Balanced fun is also important so campers can spend time competing in gaming tournaments and playing popular games like Rocket League.

Winner or nominee of more than 100 game of the year awards, Rocket League is one of the most critically-acclaimed games of 2015. Boasting a community of more than 13 million players, Rocket League is a high-powered hybrid of arcade-style soccer and vehicular mayhem that offers easy-to-understand controls and fluid, physics-driven competition. Available digitally on Xbox One, PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, and Windows PC via Steam, Rocket League includes more than 100 billion possible customization combinations, a fully-featured offline season mode, multiple game types, casual and competitive online matches, and special “Mutators” that let you change the rules entirely.

To learn more about Rocket League, please visit www.RocketLeagueGame.com, “Like” it on Facebook, and follow it on Twitter @RocketLeague for all the latest developer updates and news.

For more info about iD Tech, please visit www.iDTech.com.

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ABOUT PSYONIX

Based in San Diego, CA, Psyonix is a critically-acclaimed independent video game developer and leading experts in Unreal Engine technology. For more than a decade, the studio has been a driving force behind some of the most successful games in the industry, including Gears of War, Mass Effect 3, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, Bulletstorm, Unreal Tournament III, Unreal Tournament 2004, Nosgoth, and the award-winning Sports-Action hit, Rocket League.
For more information, visit www.psyonix.com.
ABOUT iD TECH

iD Tech is the leader in summer STEM education programs for students ages 6-18, with over 235,000 students who have attended iD Tech since 1999. Students design video games, solve engineering challenges, learn programming, code apps, build robots, model in 3D, and more. Programs are held at over 130 prestigious campuses nationwide, including Stanford, Rice, Caltech, Yale, Princeton, and many others. In addition to iD Tech Camps, there are 4 other iD Tech summer STEM programs held nationwide: Alexa Café (weeklong, all-girls, ages 10-15), iD Tech Mini (weeklong, co-ed, half-day options, ages 6-9) as well as teen academies iD Programming Academy and iD Game Design & Development Academy (2-week, pre-college, co-ed, ages 13-18).
To learn more, visit iDTech.com.

AVALON LORDS: DAWN RISES ARRIVING ON PC THIS MONTH

Indie Developer Animus Interactive Signs Publishing Deal with Reverb Triple XP

Twain Harte, CA – April 7, 2016 – Reverb Triple XP, the indie publishing initiative of Reverb Communications, and developer Animus Interactive have combined forces for the release of the medieval real time strategy game, Avalon Lords: Dawn Rises. Arriving on April 28 for Windows PC via Steam’s Early Access program, Avalon Lords: Dawn Rises features massive single and multiplayer battles set in a realistic medieval world where players develop their kingdoms through both plow and sword – building cities, raising armies and battling their foes. Reverb Triple XP will provide Animus Interactive with all aspects of marketing, PR and production support.

PAX East 2016 attendees will have an opportunity to play the game and meet with representatives from Animus Interactive’s development team. Avalon Lords: Dawn Rises will be shown in booth #10219 during the expo.

Avalon Lords: Dawn Rises is a medieval real time strategy game set in the land of Spero and features a single-player campaign and multiplayer combat. In the single-player campaign, players start as a minor lord of the city of Avon, one of Spero’s five city states. Lord Lutherian has sent the player out to form a new city in a strategic and desirable part of the realm to defeat anyone seeking to claim those lands for themselves. Along the way players will meet a rising leader who seeks to unite the warring Lords under one order – The Order of Dawn.

For fans of multiplayer combat, Avalon Lords: Dawn Rises supports up to six players in all out team versus team and one versus all combat. Players will build cities and armies in Conflict Mode for an expansive military campaign of conquest.

In Battle Mode, competitors can jump straight into the action as they skirmish with friends, taking their armies into the fight for world domination.

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ABOUT ANIMUS INTERACTIVE

Animus Interactive is an independent games company based in Cliffside Park, New Jersey with staff from all over the world to create a game that will revolutionize the RTS genre. Our team includes AAA developers, talented artists and writers, and a dedicated community team.

ABOUT REVERB TRIPLE XP

Reverb Triple XP provides a spectrum of services customized to focus on the publishing and marketing needs of indie game developers. Triple XP titles stand out with excellent gameplay, creative design, and that elusive fun factor. A cornerstone of the program is that the developer retains creative control and ownership of its intellectual property while receiving a custom solution tailored to their exact needs. Reverb Communications has over twelve years of experience in public relations and marketing. Reverb Triple XP builds on that foundation by pairing it with production and distribution services.

Crytek Announces VR First Partnership with IEEE

The IEEE joins growing list of high-profile partners for Crytek’s academic virtual reality initiative

Frankfurt am Main (Germany) April 7, 2016 – Expanding the reach of its VR First academic initiative, Crytek today announced a new strategic partnership with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

The IEEE is the world’s largest professional association for the advancement of technology, and supports a network of over 2,300 universities worldwide by providing course accreditation and learning resources.

Yu Yuan, Chair of the IEEE Digital Senses Initiative, said: “The IEEE Digital Senses Initiative is pleased to be a partner in the VR First initiative. We believe that virtual reality, as well as augmented reality, will have a great impact on all aspects of industry.”

Tom Coughlin, Director of the IEEE Region 6 and Chair of the IEEE Consumer Electronics Society Future Directions Committee, said: “Providing laboratories at Universities and Colleges where students can learn and create using state-of-the-art VR tools will be important to prepare the next generation of innovators who will make these technologies a part of our daily lives.”

Welcoming the partnership, Ferhan Özkan, Crytek’s Senior Business Development Manager Partnerships & Alliances, said: “Collaborating with the IEEE dramatically broadens the potential reach of VR First, and emphasizes our commitment to ensuring the program makes a genuine impact on the landscape of VR research and development at the grassroots level.”

Crytek’s collaboration with the IEEE follows on from news that the VR First program – which provides state of the art VR research facilities on university campuses – is being rolled out to seven new academic institutions in North America with support from AMD, Leap Motion, OSVR, and Razer.

For more information on VR First, visit vrfirst.cryengine.com.

About the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
The IEEE is the world’s largest professional association advancing innovation and technological excellence for the benefit of humanity. IEEE and its members inspire a global community to innovate for a better tomorrow through its highly-cited publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities. IEEE is the trusted “voice” for engineering, computing and technology information around the globe. There are more than 430,000 IEEE members in more than 160 countries.

About VR First
VR First is an academic initiative designed to provide state-of-the-art facilities to anyone interested in exploring the power and potential of virtual reality development. The program encourages educational institutions around the world to establish dedicated VR labs on their campuses by partnering with Crytek and leading VR hardware innovators. VR First participants have full access to Crytek’s CRYENGINE software alongside the latest technology required for VR development. The overarching goal of VR First is to nurture new talent in VR development and create a global community equipped to embrace this exciting field of technology.

About Crytek
Crytek is an independent videogame developer, publisher, and technology provider with headquarters in Frankfurt am Main (Germany) and six other studios around the world. Established in 1999, Crytek has created multiple award-winning titles, including the original Far Cry, the Crysis series, Ryse: Son of Rome, and Warface. All of Crytek’s games are developed using CRYENGINE, the company’s cutting-edge 3D game technology, which is also the first choice of other leading developers and licensees when creating games for PC, Xbox One, PlayStation^®4, and Android. Crytek’s ongoing growth in the games-as-a-service market has extended the company’s reach as they continue to deliver top quality interactive experiences to players through self-publishing platforms online.

For more information visit www.crytek.com  and cryengine.com

Total War: WARHAMMER – See the Chaos Warriors in Battle for the First Time

Watch Emperor Karl Franz and the Forces of The Empire Join Battle with the Chaos Warriors, Led by the Archaeon the Everchosen

Creative Assembly unveils new gameplay for the Chaos Warriors in Total War: WARHAMMER with a massive new Let’s Play video of Chaos Warriors vs. The Empire.

This first-look at the Chaos Warriors showcases a range of Chaos units, from core infantry such as Chaos Marauders and Warriors, to higher-tier monstrosities such as the Chaos Giant and the brutal Helcannon – a foul instrument which transmutes souls into flesh-searing bolts of arcane energy and hurls them into the enemy ranks.

Accompanied with developer commentary, this land battle also showcases spells from the Lore of Light and Lore of Fire as the two armies clash on the frigid plains of Norsca.

To view the Chaos Warriors in battle for the first time in Total War: WARHAMMER, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MYlmb3gip8&feature=youtu.be

Please note that players will be able to replicate battles such as this in Total War: WARHAMMER’s Custom Battle menu, regardless of whether they own the Chaos Warriors Race Pack.

A fantasy strategy game of legendary proportions, Total War: WARHAMMER combines an addictive turn-based campaign of conquest and empire-building with explosive, colossal, real-time battles, all set in the vivid and incredible world of Warhammer Fantasy Battles. Total War: WARHAMMER will release on May 24^th 2016 and is available now to pre-order http://store.steampowered.com/app/364360/.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to find out more on Total War: WARHAMMER: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=thecreativeassembly

The latest Pokémon TCG: XY expansion collides into shops in May!

KOEI TECMO ANNOUNCES OFFICIAL EUROPEAN TITLE FOR EXPLOSIVE ACTION GAME BASED ON THE WORLDWIDE ANIME PHENOMENON: ‘ATTACK ON TITAN’

Release Date and Gaming Platforms revealed for A.O.T. Wings of Freedom! 

Hertfordshire, 07 April 2015- Koei Tecmo Europe is thrilled to reveal today a wealth of new information relating to the western release of Omega Force’s highly acclaimed action title, based on international hit anime series, ‘Attack on Titan’! 

Following a successful launch in its native Japan, the eagerly anticipated action game will be released across Europe under the title: ‘A.O.T. Wings of Freedom’ on the 26^th August 2016. The title name is a nod to the fan-favourite blue and white wings of the Scout Regiment insignia, where many of the anime’s (and by extension the game’s) playable characters serve.

Koei Tecmo also confirmed that ‘A.O.T. Wings of Freedom’ will be available for players to enjoy on a wide selection of consoles, and is currently being developed for physical release on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, and Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, and for digital only release on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®Vita handheld system and on PC via Steam®.

‘A.O.T. Wings of Freedom’ closely follows the riveting story line of Attack on Titan’s first season and focuses on the exploits of various key characters, putting the player in a position to relive the anime’s most shocking, courageous, and exhilarating moments. It revolves around the story of three young people who survive the destruction of their walled city district by enormous, man-eating Titans and eventually go on to join the Scout Regiment in order to protect humanity from this overpowering foe.

While more information about the game’s plot, original content, and playable characters will be unveiled in the coming weeks, Koei Tecmo has released the first batch of localised assets, as well as an action trailer that can be accessed here.

To stay in touch with all the ‘A.O.T. Wings of Freedom’ news please visit the official site at www.koeitecmoeurope.com/aot, like www.facebook.com/koeigames, and follow us on twitter @koeitecmoeurope

ABOUT KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD.

KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD. is a publisher of interactive entertainment software for current generation consoles, handhelds and digital download content based in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, UK. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of KOEI TECMO HOLDINGS CO., LTD., headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. TECMO is best known for the Dead or Alive® and Ninja Gaiden®series. KOEI is best known for its Dynasty Warriors® and Samurai Warriors® franchises. On April 1, 2009, KOEI TECMO HOLDINGS CO., LTD was established as a result of the TECMO, LTD. and KOEI Co., Ltd. merger. More information about KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD and its products can be found at www.koeitecmoeurope.com

©2015 KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD. The KT logo is a registered trademark of KOEI TECMO HOLDINGS CO., LTD.

©Hajime Isayama,Kodansha/”ATTACK ON TITAN”Production Committee. All Rights Reserved.

DARK SOULS III – WIN $10,000 CASH IN THE DARK SOULS III SPEED RUN COMPETITION

Bandai Namco Entertainment are proud to announce a competition for the upcoming Dark Souls III on PS4, Xbox One and PC – The Dark Souls III Speed Run Competition!

Australian and New Zealand consumers will be able to enter this competition where they will strive to finish the game in the fastest possible time – termed the ‘Speed Run’, made famous in games like Dark Souls, Dark Souls II and Bloodborne. The quickest time will win an amazing $10,000 Cash!

To enter, consumers need to purchase Dark Souls III on their format of preference and complete their ‘Speed Run’ and then post their time on the Bandai Namco Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bandainamcoau under the competition posting. Entrants must also upload or stream the entire run to their Twitch account with the hash tag #DS310KSpeedRun. The competition runs for 4 weeks ending Tuesday 10^th of May, allowing gamers plenty of time to hone their ‘Souls Skills’ and deliver their best time and performance in their ‘Speed Run’. The Bandai Namco Au facebook page will be updated regularly with a table of the top competitors, allowing entrants and fans alike to compare their styles of play, methods and tricks with others, leading to more enjoyment of what is easily the best game of 2016 so far! Full terms and conditions will be available on the facebook page before the competition starts on April 12.

So, if you fancy yourself as a bit of a player, get along to the Facebook page now and check out the post and start preparing for the ‘Speed Run’ of a lifetime! You could win that $10,000 cash! Just think of how many copies of Dark Souls III you could buy with that?

You can view the Twitch stream of the Dark Souls III Launch event containing the ‘Speed Run’ announcement here:  https://www.twitch.tv/6t4bites_aus/v/58920411

If you need any hints and tips on how to play Dark Souls III better and to level up yourself, please view the ‘Comprehensive Guide’ here:  https://youtu.be/FqiNDwr0bM4

If you still don’t have a review copy of this game and don’t know what I’m talking about, please respond to this email.

Dark Souls III is available on PS4, Xbox One and PC on the 12^th of April 2016.

FORGE SOME LEGENDARY MEMORIES AT BLIZZCON^® 2016

Celebrate 25 years of games and friendship at Blizzard Entertainment’s 10th BlizzCon, taking place November 4–5 (November 5–6 AEDT) at the Anaheim Convention Center

Tickets on sale April 21 and April 24 AEST

Sydney, Australia—April 7, 2016—Gather your party, plot a course for Southern California, and get ready for an epic adventure—Blizzard Entertainment today announced that its 10th BlizzCon^® convention will be returning to the Anaheim Convention Center on Friday, November 4 and Saturday, November 5 PDT (Saturday, November 5 and Sunday, November 6 AEST)! Tickets to Blizzard’s two-day gaming convention and community celebration go on sale in two batches on April 21 and April 24 AEST.

“With more live games and upcoming content than ever before, 2016 is shaping up to be an exciting year for Blizzard gamers,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “We can’t wait to celebrate our 25-year anniversary with everyone during an epic weekend of gaming, esports, and great company at our 10^th BlizzCon.”

BlizzCon is the epic celebration of Blizzard Entertainment’s game universes and the global player communities that bring them to life. This year, attendees will have the chance to experience:

• Hands-on play time with the latest versions of Blizzard Entertainment games
• Global Finals for Blizzard esports, including the 2016 StarCraft^® II World Championship Series, 2016 Hearthstone^® World Championship, Heroes of the Storm^® Fall Championship, 2016 World of Warcraft^® Arena World Championship, and more
• In-depth discussion panels with Blizzard game developers and artists
• Community contests with great prizes
• Commemorative merchandise based on Blizzard’s game universes
• More activities and attractions to be announced

Tickets to attend BlizzCon 2016 will be priced at $199 USD (plus applicable taxes and fees) each, and will be available for purchase from the online event ticketing service Universe via their website in two separate batches. The first batch goes on sale at 12 p.m. Australian Eastern Standard Time on Thursday, April 21, and the second batch goes on sale at 3 a.m. Australian Eastern Standard Time on Sunday, April 24.

An exclusive pre-BlizzCon dinner to benefit Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) will also be held the evening of Thursday, November 3, where attendees can raise a glass and geek out with Blizzard developers, artists, and community representatives while supporting a great cause. A limited number of tickets will go on sale Thursday, April 28 at 12 p.m. AEST, priced at $750 USD each, and Blizzard Entertainment will donate the proceeds to CHOC.

Gamers from the far reaches of Azeroth, the Nexus, and everywhere in between can once again enjoy BlizzCon from the comfort of their own home by purchasing a BlizzCon Virtual Ticket, offering comprehensive live coverage of the event via an online stream. Further details on the Virtual Ticket, including pricing, availability, and programming information, will be announced at a later date.

For more information on BlizzCon 2016, visit the official website (www.blizzcon.com). Additional details will be posted as the event draws near. Those interested in attending the show in person can make advance hotel reservations now and receive special BlizzCon rates by booking through the BlizzCon hotel website.

Blizzard Entertainment is currently hiring for numerous open positions. More information on available career opportunities can be found at www.blizzard.com/jobs.

About Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.

Best known for blockbuster hits including World of Warcraft^® and the Warcraft^®, StarCraft^®, and Diablo^® franchises, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard Entertainment’s track record includes nineteen #1 games^* and multiple Game of the Year awards. The company’s online-gaming service, Battle.net^®, is one of the largest in the world, with millions of active players.

*Sales and/or downloads, based on internal company records and reports from key distribution partners.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements: Information in this press release that involves Blizzard Entertainment’s expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future, including statements about the dates and event plans for BlizzCon 2016, are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause Blizzard Entertainment’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 Blizzard Entertainment and Activision Blizzard as of the date of this release, and neither Blizzard Entertainment 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 Blizzard Entertainment 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.