PORTAL MASTERS GET READY TO GO FULL THROTTLE WITH SKYLANDERS® SUPERCHARGERS 

#1 Kids Console Game in the World¹ Brings Vehicles-To-Life, A New Toys-To-Life Category 

Skylanders SuperChargers Drives Franchise’s Innovation Even Further with Number of Firsts, Including Online Multiplayer and Racing Gameplay 

Donkey Kong and Bowser Join the Incredible Cast of Skylanders Characters as Guest Stars for the First Time, Available Exclusively for Nintendo Platforms 

Sydney, Australia – September 23, 2015 – Skylanders® fans with a need for speed should look no further — Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI) is bringing vehicles-to-life today with Skylanders SuperChargers. Available at major Australian retailers nationwide from today, and New Zealand from 25 September, Skylanders SuperChargers takes kids on a wild ride as they drive the mountainous terrains, dive the deep sea environments and fly the big blue skies of Skylands like never before, with amazingly detailed vehicles, many of which feature moving parts that will play in the real world and come to life in the game via the Portal of Power®. Packing some major star power, the game includes two of Nintendo’s iconic characters reimagined as Skylanders — Turbo Charge Donkey Kong and Hammer Slam Bowser – available exclusively in Skylanders SuperChargers Starter Packs for the Wii U system, and in Skylanders® SuperChargers Racing Starter Packs for the Wii system and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems.

“Remember when you were a kid and pretended that your toy cars came to life, zooming around your living room on the most epic racetracks of your imagination?” said Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing. “Well, we are about to bring that fantasy one step closer to life with Skylanders SuperChargers. We are reimagining toys-to-life by bringing race cars to life, along with helicopters, motorcycles, jet planes and submarines, as you race through Skylands and compete against other players for the first time. Our fans are going to love playing this game. I know I do.”

Developed by Vicarious Visions, Skylanders SuperChargers expands upon the franchise’s signature gameplay to introduce vehicles-to-life — an entirely new way for fans to experience the magic of Skylands. The trailblazing innovation of Skylanders SuperChargers is realised when players take the helm of powerful, tricked-out land, sea and sky vehicles that are playable in both the physical and digital worlds in a high octane action-adventure videogame. Skylanders SuperChargers offers a rich story-driven gameplay experience filled with vehicle-based and on-foot adventures, combat, puzzles, mini games, activities and platforming, set within a variety of all-new compelling environments. The game features a brand-new class of heroes that is distinct with fresh moves, powerful attacks and all-new weapons.  SuperChargers also have special in-game abilities that help Portal Masters fight Kaos.  Twenty new SuperChargers character toys and 20 new vehicle toys will be available.  Right out of the box, the game also features an all-new Racing Mode that blends high-octane, supercharged racing with combat, accentuated by power-ups, boosts, hazards and more.

Players can also purchase Racing Action Packs that unlock additional content. A total of three Racing Action Packs, one for each terrain, will be available for RRP $39.95 and each will include three special toys — a SuperCharger, vehicle and villain trophy which unlocks two exclusive racing tracks for the game. The first of the three packs, the Skylanders SuperChargers Sea Racing Action Pack, will be available at launch.

Skylanders SuperChargers Starter Pack will include two new Skylanders characters, a first-of-its-kind Skylanders vehicle, a newly designed Portal of Power® and the full AAA game. Skylanders SuperChargers will be available for the PlayStation^® 3 and PlayStation^® 4 computer entertainment systems, Xbox 360^™ and Xbox One^™ video game and entertainment systems from Microsoft, and Nintendo’s Wii U^™ system for RRP$99.95.

Skylanders SuperChargers Dark Edition Starter Packs also will be available in Australia and New Zealand for RRP $119.95. All Dark Edition Starter Packs will include Dark Spitfire, Dark Hot Streak and the highly sought after Kaos Trophy which is the only way to unlock special gameplay content, plus a two-sided ultimate collector poster. The Dark versions of the Turbo Charge Donkey Kong and his vehicle, Barrel Blaster, will be available in the Wii U Dark Edition Starter Pack; Dark Hammer Slam Bowser and his vehicle, Dark Clown Cruiser, will be available in the Wii Dark Edition Starter Pack.

Skylanders SuperChargers Racing, a complementary racing experience, will be available for Nintendo’s Wii™ system for RRP $99.95 and the Nintendo 3DS™ hand-held system for $89.95. The addition of Donkey Kong and Bowser as guest stars in the new game, along with their specially created vehicles, will be available exclusively in Skylanders SuperChargers and Skylanders SuperChargers Racing Starter Packs for the Nintendo platforms. The SuperCharged characters not only work in Skylanders SuperChargers, but will also work with select amiibo-compatible Nintendo games with a simple twist of the character’s base.

Fans of the Skylanders franchise can also choose to purchase the Digital Portal Owner’s Pack, available for $69.95 for connected consoles, and use the Portal of Power they already own to play Skylanders SuperChargers. The download of the Digital Portal Owner’s Pack provides a great way for returning players to enjoy Skylanders SuperChargers on the platform of their choice. On October 26, the full Skylanders SuperChargers game will also be available on select iOS devices including iPad®, and for the first time ever iPhone® and iPod touch®.  Skylanders SuperChargers will also be available on Apple TV® this fall.

Skylanders SuperChargers is forward compatible with all 300+ unique toys from all previous games – Skylanders® SWAP Force^™, Skylanders® Giants, Skylanders® Spyro’s Adventure and Skylanders® Trap Team. The game will be available on September 23 in Australia/New Zealand.

RRP:                                     

$99.95 – Skylanders SuperChargers Starter Pack

$99.95 – Skylanders SuperChargers Starter Pack for iPad, iPhone, iPod touch

$99.95 – Skylanders SuperChargers Racing Starter Pack for Wii

$89.95 – Skylanders SuperChargers Racing Starter Pack for 3DS

$119.95 – Skylanders SuperChargers Dark Edition Starter Pack
$69.95 – Digital Portal Owners Pack

$19.95 – Individual vehicles toys

$17.95 – Individual SuperChargers character toys

$39.95 – Skylanders SuperChargers Racing Action Packs

For more information please visit https://www.skylanders.com/ or follow us on Instagram @SkylanderstheGame, Twitter @SkylandersGame and Facebook.com/SkylandersGame.  Assets for Skylanders SuperChargers are available at http://press.activision.com and below.

About the Skylanders^® Franchise

The award-winning, $3 billion Skylanders franchise has sold through more than 250 million action figures² 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 genre 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 globally¹.

About Activision Publishing

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.

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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 about the expected release date of Skylanders SuperChargers and Skylanders SuperChargers Racing 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.

© 2015 Activision Publishing, Inc., SKYLANDERS, SKYLANDERS SUPERCHARGERS, SWAP FORCE, PORTAL OF POWER, LIGHTCORE and ACTIVISION are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc.

¹Based on revenue from January – July, 2015, according to the NPD Group, GfK Chart-Track, and Activision Blizzard internal estimates, including toys and accessories.

² The NPD Group, GfK Chart-track, Activision Blizzard internal estimates, including toys and accessories

Yahoo7 Relaunches Games Platform
Aussie developers connecting with gamers worldwide

Sydney, 23 September 2015 – Yahoo7 has relaunched its games site, Yahoo7 Games to offer users even more great games across desktop and mobile. The revamp has seen as many as 100 new games added, expanding the site’s offering to more than 500 games.

The new Yahoo7 Games has been designed with evolving audiences in mind, as new research reveals Yahoo7’s audience of casual gamers – including parents, commuters and families – has expanded significantly in recent years. According to Nielsen, more than 1.8 million traditional gamers and more than 2.5 million* casual gamers visit the Yahoo7 network each month.

Caroline Casey, Director of Product and Audience, Yahoo7 said, “We’ve seen our gaming audiences really evolve over the last couple of years with casual gamers making up the fastest growing users. Puzzle, adventure and role-playing games are among the most popular genres for Australian users, so we’re expanding Yahoo7 Games to respond to the daily habits of our expanding audience.”

Australian developers are encouraged to take advantage of the global Yahoo Games Network and add their own games to the Yahoo7 Games site. It allows developers to reach a global audience and have their games monetised with a secure and streamlined payment method. Melbourne-based Chris Condon, Founder of Con Artist Games’ has done just that with The Last Stand: Dead Zone being a fan favourite.

Caroline continued, “The Yahoo Games Network will help us continue to grow our range of games to meet the changing habits and interests of our users. It also provides a real opportunity for Australian developers to connect with both local and international gamers across a variety of interest areas and gaming types.”

Yahoo7 Games brings together a range of genres, tailored to suit different gaming styles. Games categories include; Action & Arcade, Board & Card, Casino, Puzzle, Strategy and RPG and Word Games.

*Source: Nielsen Consumer & Media View Survey 05 2015 (July14-June15) National Online: Yahoo7, August 15. Traditional gamers defined as those who play PC games/Multiplayer online games.

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment announced that the newest series of add-ons for Batman™: Arkham Knight – 2008 Tumbler Batmobile Pack and Original Arkham Batman Skin, are available beginning today for fans who have purchased the Batman: Arkham Knight Season Pass for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Xbox One, and are connected to the Internet.  The 2008 Tumbler Batmobile Pack can also be purchased a la carte beginning today for $2.95 MSRP on the PlayStation®Network and Xbox LIVE online entertainment network from Microsoft, while the Original Arkham Batman Skin is free-to-download for owners of the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Xbox One.

The 2008 Tumbler Pack places you in the cockpit of the iconic Batmobile from the 2008 film ‘The Dark Knight’ as you navigate two movie-inspired tracks in the Tumbler. Challenge and compete with your friends for the fastest time or wreak havoc on the destructible streets of Gotham City upon full eradication of all drones. Additionally, today’s free-to-download Original Arkham Batman Skin lets you invoke fear into the eyes of your foes wearing the suit that started it all, the original Arkham Asylum Batman Costume.

View the new Batman: Arkham Knight September Update Trailer here

The 2008 Tumbler Batmobile Pack and more are included with the  Batman: Arkham Knight Season Pass, which delivers regular new content for six months featuring new story missions, more Super-Villains invading Gotham City, new legendary Batmobiles, advanced challenge maps, alternative character skins, and new drivable race tracks.

Additional downloadable content becomes available next Tuesday, September 29^th:

• Crime Fighter Challenge Pack #2: Grab this Crime Fighter Challenge Pack and receive various challenge maps for Batman, Nightwing, Robin, Catwoman and the Batmobile. This expansive challenge pack allows focused training in Freeflow Combat and Invisible Predator stealth incursion.
• GCPD Lockdown: Set after the events of Arkham Knight, play as Nightwing to stop the Penguin from breaking out of the Gotham City Police Department in this thrilling story pack.

Stay tuned for even more Batman: Arkham Knight downloadable content coming in October, including:

• Batman Classic TV Series Batmobile Pack: Travel back in time with the Batman Classic TV Series Batmobile Pack. This pack includes the 1960s TV Series Batmobile, Classic TV Series Catwoman Skin, Classic TV Series Robin Skin and two racetracks inspired by the Batman Classic TV Series.
• Catwoman’s Revenge: Set after the events of Arkham Knight, prowl the night as Catwoman as she seeks her revenge on the Riddler with this story pack.
• Crime Fighter Challenge Pack #3: Get this Crime Fighter Challenge Pack to receive various combat and predator maps featuring Batman, Nightwing, Robin, and Azrael. 

Batman: Arkham Knight is based on DC Comics’ core Batman license and is available now for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft. The PC version of the game will be available in the coming weeks.

Batman: Arkham Knight brings the award-winning Batman: Arkham trilogy from Rocksteady Studios to its epic conclusion. Developed exclusively for the new generation of consoles and PCs, Batman: Arkham Knight introduces Rocksteady’s uniquely designed version of the Batmobile. The highly anticipated addition of this legendary vehicle, combined with the acclaimed gameplay of the Batman: Arkham series, offers gamers the ultimate and complete Batman experience as they tear through the streets and soar across the skyline of the entirety of Gotham City. In this explosive finale, Batman faces the ultimate threat against the city that he is sworn to protect, as Scarecrow returns to unite the super criminals of Gotham and destroy the Batman forever.

For more information on Batman: Arkham Knight, please visit www.batmanarkhamknight.com, https://www.facebook.com/BatmanArkham or https://twitter.com/BatmanArkham.com.

Afro Samurai 2: Revenge of Kuma Launches on PC and PlayStation®4 

Afro Samurai story continues where original manga and anime series left off

San Francisco, CA. – Sept. 2, 2015 – Independent game developer Redacted Studios in partnership with indie publisher Versus Evil today announced the launch of the highly-anticipated sequel Afro Samurai 2: Revenge of Kuma, Volume 1.  The game, which is available now for digital download on PC and PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, will also be available for Xbox One via the ID@Xbox self-publishing program on October 9^th, 2015.

Afro Samurai 2: Revenge of Kuma, Volume 1 is the first of three distinct volumes that will be released, each with its own new story arch, characters and combat styles to master, plus original soundtracks by up and coming indie hip hop artists that have been mentored by music producer and rapper RZA of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan.

“Having worked on the original Afro Samurai video game, I am thrilled that we were able to collaborate with the same creative team once again to bring this vision to life.  Having original creator Takashi Okasaki, music director RZA as well as some of the original acting talent, like Phil Lamar involved has been a blessing and we’ve been humbled by their commitment to this franchise,” commented Dave Robinson, President and Lead Producer on the game. “It’s been a labour of love for all involved and we really think that fans world-wide will truly appreciate and love where we have taken this story.”

A PC and a limited-exclusive console PlayStation®4 bundle of all three volumes are available to purchase for $34.99 on PC and 20% off the SRP for PlayStation.   PlayStation Plus members can get the bundle for the best value at 30% off.  Volumes 1, 2 and 3 will be sold separately as they become available for an SRP of $14.99 on all platforms.

“As an indie publisher, it’s not every day that you get to launch a game with an indie studio that folds in a manga license with a cult following, supported by a music icon RZA and a 15 time NY Times bestselling author Jim DeFelice” said Steve Escalante, General Manager at Versus Evil. “However, the indie team at Redacted Studios proved they had the passion and determination to do it justice and we are incredibly proud to be able to launch this game with them.  Afro Samurai will be our first multi-platform launch and we are excited to get this onto the big screens at home.”

Versus Evil is also soliciting submissions for the Submit Your Track contest where up and coming hip hop artists can create their own original Afro Samurai inspired music track for use in a future game soundtrack. The deadline for all submissions is October 7^th, 2015. Full details of the contest and submission instructions can be found here: http://afrosamuraigame.com/contest/

For more information about Afro Samurai 2: Revenge of Kuma, visit http://www.afrosamuraigame.com facebook:/afrosamuraigame, @afrosamuraigame.

Launch Trailer link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgbH-tmf-Ps

About Afro Samurai 2: Revenge of Kuma

Afro Samurai 2: Revenge of Kuma is a 3^rd person action packed sequel to the original Afro Samurai story and picks up where the first game left off. Written by New York Times Best Selling Author Jim DeFelice, the story follows the path of Kuma, a cybernetically enhanced killing machine with a bear’s head who was made for one purpose, to kill Afro. The game will be released over 3 distinct volumes, each with its own story arc, characters and fighting styles to master, in addition to a unique soundtrack created by up and coming indie hip hop artists that have been mentored by the one and only RZA of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan.  RZA has been the music director on the franchise since the original animated series and was responsible for creating the ‘Afro Sound’ which fans of the franchise have grown to love and respect. 

Afro Samurai is created by acclaimed artist Takashi Okazaki. The animated series is produced by award-winning animation studio, Gonzo K.K. The series won the 2009 Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation 

About Versus Evil

Versus Evil, LLC is a US based independent video game publisher.  The company was founded on the principles of helping independent game developers be financially and creatively successful in the highly competitive video games market.  Led by group of AAA games industry veterans, Versus Evil’s services include the full suite of publishing support including brand marketing, community, social, PR, creative, production, QA, legal, distribution and other general business support.  As a global publisher, the Versus Evil team is strategically placed around the world with presences in California, Texas, Maryland, New York, and London and works with indie studios in North America, South America, and Europe.

For more information visit: http://vsevil.net/

© Versus Evil LLC. 2013-2015. All rights reserved.

About Redacted Studios

Redacted Studios is an independent development studio founded by President David Robinson and best-selling author and Head Writer Jim DeFelice.  Based in San Francisco the nimble team has 60+ years’ experience in high-end software development.

About Gonzo K.K.

Gonzo K.K. is a Tokyo-based, internationally-focused, Japanese media company founded in February 2000. Gonzo K.K.  produces cutting-edge entertainment for teens and young adults via the critically acclaimed Gonzo animation brand.  Gonzo K.K. is a world leader in animated content intended for both domestic Japanese and international audiences. Gonzo is the only Japanese animation studio to be nominated for and win a US Emmy Award. (Afro Samurai: Resurrection)