This year’s hottest RPG - available exclusively on Xbox 360

LONDON 22nd October 2007, Microsoft Game Studios and BioWare Corp. announced today that the highly anticipated action role-playing game (RPG) “Mass Effect” has gone gold, and will also be offered in a limited collector’s edition.

The limited collector’s edition will be offered through participating retailers, and will include the following bonus materials:

· A “Mass Effect” fiction book titled “Galactic Codex: Essentials”
o A 36-page guide to the “Mass Effect” universe, including a Citadel timeline and a guide to all non-human races, biotics and the key locations in the Perseus arm of the galaxy

· An additional “Mass Effect” art book titled “A Future Imagined”
o A 36-page collection of BioWare’s concept art for the game

· A bonus DVD of exclusive “Mass Effect” background material and additional content including:
o “The Vision of “Mass Effect” documentary
o “The Making of “Mass Effect” documentary
o “Interactive Storytelling” documentary
o “Inside BioWare” documentary
o 18 “Mass Effect” themed gamer pics (three unique sets of six)
o 16 dashboard themes (four unique sets of four)
o Ten songs from the “Mass Effect” soundtrack
o Five historical “Mass Effect” trailers from X05 through E3 2007 and the official TV trailer
o A demo for “Blue Dragon” and videos for “Lost Odyssey,” “Halo 3” and “Halo Wars”
o Design galleries featuring 600 concept images fully commented by the Art Directors

From the creators of the critically-acclaimed “Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic” and “Jade Empire” comes an epic space saga exclusively for the Xbox 360 that spans the entire galaxy. Combining a rich and engaging narrative with intense sci-fi tactical combat, “Mass Effect” features an immersive and cinematic gameplay experience rarely seen before in video games.

“Mass Effect” will have an estimated retail price of £49.99, and the limited collector’s edition will have an estimated retail price of £49.99. “Mass Effect” is rated 18+ TBC. For more information, visit www.masseffect.com.

LONDON 22nd October, 2007 - The battle between good and evil continues this week as “Battlestar Galactica” comes to Xbox LIVE® Arcade for Xbox 360™. Inspired by the hit television series of the same name, “Battlestar Galactica” lets players choose their own path – be the hero and defend Galactica or join the dark side with the ruthless Cylons. In the thrilling puzzle action game, “Exit,” players will need to think fast to save lives as the heroic Mr. ESC. Both games will be available on Xbox LIVE® Arcade for Xbox 360™ this Wednesday, 24th October, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. GMT.

“Battlestar Galactica,” developed by Australian-based Auran Games, involves intense space battles as players choose to side with either the Humans or Cylon forces. Piloting iconic ships from the Viper II to the Heavy Raider, players lead a squadron through fast-action multiplayer space combat or can play through the intense single-player campaign based on memorable episodes from the TV series, including the riveting first episode of the continuing series, “33,” and the 2007 Emmy Award-winning episode, “Exodus.” “Battlestar Galactica” features both single and multi-player modes for up to eight players, skill-based matchmaking and leaderboards. The game will be available worldwide, with the exception of Korea, for 800 Microsoft Points.

A uniquely stylish and addictive puzzle game, “Exit” will have players using their decision-making skills and quick wit to escape numerous obstacles while rescuing people from more emergencies in over 220 levels. Developed by Taito, “Exit” stars Mr. ESC, the escape artist who goes wherever he’s needed to get people out of the worst predicaments you’ve ever seen. When it comes to escape, nothing’s impossible for Mr. ESC. The game will be available worldwide, with the exceptions of Asia and Latin America, for 800 Microsoft Points.

While you wait for “Battlestar Galactica” and “Exit” to arrive on Xbox LIVE® Arcade for Xbox 360™ this Wednesday, check out the highly anticipated update to “UNO” by Carbonated Games! The free update is available now and will introduce the following:

• Big Button Pad Support – The Big Button Pad takes its inspiration from the buzzers used by contestants in countless game shows throughout the years, making it easy for players of all ages and skill levels to get in the game. Four Big Button Pads are included with each copy of “Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action,” a social and engaging movie trivia game launching this November. Players will also be able to use the Big Button Pads to play “UNO” on Xbox LIVE® Arcade for Xbox 360™.
• Concentrated Camera Matchmaking – Xbox LIVE Vision Camera support is better than ever, providing the ability for camera-enabled players to match with other camera-enabled players and maximize the social experience.
• Direct Access to Privacy Settings – Xbox privacy settings are now displayed in-game. With a single button press the Xbox privacy settings launch right to the dashboard.

Also, coming this Wednesday is “Bomb-Up Pack 3,” the third add-on pack for “Bomberman Live,” as well as new downloadable content for “Pinball FX.”

Where can I get “Battlestar Galactica”, “Exit”, “Bomb-Up Pack 3” and the update to “Uno” from?

Battlestar Galactica: available for 800 MS points from Wednesday 24th October

Exit: available for 800 MS points from Wednesday 24th October, 2007

Uno update: available for free from today, 22nd October, 2007

Bomb-Up Pack 3”: available from Wednesday 24th October, 2007

Pinball FX: available from Wednesday 24th October, 2007

They are rated: 7+, 7+, 3+, 12+ and 7+ respectively.

More information is available at http://www.xbox.com/games/livearcade.

Want a new game? Need a new console? Click here

EA’S FIFA STREET 3 TURNS GLOBAL ICONS INTO ACTION HEROES
FOR THE ULTIMATE ARCADE FOOTBALL EXPERIENCE

Express Yourself Like Never Before Using Stylized Action Heroes
Performing Over-the-Top Moves In FIFA Street 3

Chertsey, UK, – 22nd October , 2007 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that the newest iteration of the street football arcade series FIFA Street will return with a new look that turns the game’s global football icons into stylized action heroes and a simplified control system that enables you to easily perform over-the-top trick moves. Scheduled for release in spring 2008 under the EA SPORTS BIG™ brand, FIFA Street 3 is in development in Vancouver, B.C. by EA Canada, and the studio that is also home to the industry-leading FIFA 08 videogame.
The third chapter in the FIFA Street series creates a fast-paced and larger-than-life arcade football experience for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. FIFA Street 3 creates a hyper-real world that merges the game’s biggest stars with environments that pulsate to the music in exotic locales around the world.
Featuring over 250 of the world’s best players representing 18 of the top international teams, each player has been rendered into a stylized caricature with heroic qualities. Decked out in authentic training kits, every player boasts their own, distinctive style of play with unique abilities to match. Whether you’re after brawn, brains, silky skills or crunching tackles to complete your team, the perfect street player is out there. Choose from Tricksters, Enforcers, Playmakers and Finishers to give you different options on the ball and make your mark on the street.
“We have completely re-invented the FIFA Street franchise by turning the game’s biggest stars into action heroes using art direction that makes you look twice,” said Joe Nickolls, producer on the project. “The power of the Next Generation hardware gives us the horsepower to break new ground for consumers, making it the perfect stage to enjoy a multi-player, sports action arcade experience. Casual gamers and sports fans can expect a simplified control system that makes it easier to perform spectacular moves and enjoy the game with friends, yet still be a challenging experience for more seasoned gamers.”
Using the same engine as the critically acclaimed NBA STREET Homecourt basketball arcade game, combined with the market-leading AI from FIFA 08, FIFA Street 3 delivers animations and ball control that enables you to take complete control of your players with a responsive and intuitive control system that makes it easier than ever to pull off sensational moves. Use the simple button configuration and analog stick to seamlessly combine moves – providing you with hundreds of different ways to show off your street skills. Fill up your all-new Game Breaker to power your ultimate abilities and express yourself like never before. Maneuver your players to leap past defenders, flip off walls, or perform gravity-defying one-timers to score spectacular goals.
From the urban playgrounds of South America to the rooftops in Asia to the streets of Europe, your players perform to an eclectic selection of music seamlessly infused into the surroundings, where the game’s environments pulsate, and explode to life with every well-timed tackle, outrageous trick move or unstoppable shot on goal.
Take your football heroes to the streets and experience the revolution in street football. FIFA Street 3 is scheduled for worldwide release this spring on the Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3

Neverwinter Nights 2: Mysteries of Westgate Available Fall 2007

NEW YORK, Oct. 22: Atari, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATAR), one of the world’s most recognized brands and a third-party video game publisher, today announced the development of the first Neverwinter Nights^TM 2 Adventure Pack to be available exclusively by digital download. Created by Atari and some of the most prominent members of the Neverwinter Nights 2 communities, Neverwinter Nights 2: Mysteries of Westgate provides hours of additional entertainment with all new engrossing storylines, professional voice acting, enchanting musical scores, new in-game content, and much more. Neverwinter Nights 2 is set in the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS^® Forgotten Realms^® universe created by Wizards of the Coast, a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS). DUNGEONS & DRAGONS is under license from HPG, the licensing division of Hasbro.

Developed by Ossian Studios, Neverwinter Nights 2: Mysteries of Westgate is the first full featured Adventure Pack available from Atari. Set in the infamous Forgotten Realms city of Westgate, players find themselves in possession of a powerful but cursed treasure that threatens to destroy them. Linked to the underworld organization known as the Night Masks, the treasure will draw players into a city-spanning clash between warring factions. Players must choose their allegiance in order to break the curse and ultimately uncover a plot that threatens Westgate itself.

“Our premium module program for the original Neverwinter Nights was an enormous success due to the sheer amount of new, high-quality content we provided in each adventure,” said Hudson Piehl, Vice President of Product Development, Atari, Inc. “With our new Adventure Packs, such as the upcoming Neverwinter Nights 2: Mysteries of Westgate, we are evolving the premium module: fans can expect higher production values, deep storylines, and lengthy new campaigns they’ve come to associate with Neverwinter Nights.”

From the creators of the critically-acclaimed Neverwinter Nights module, Darkness over Daggerford, Neverwinter Nights 2: Mysteries of Westgate will feature a non-linear, open-ended single-player campaign with numerous side quests covering more than 15 hours of game play. Atari’s new Adventure Pack will also feature 3 new companions; an entirely new underground sewers tile set themed after the seedy underbelly of Westgate; a host of new monsters to do battle with, including some truly epic foes; an exciting new and original musical score; as well as thousands of new lines of professionally recorded dialogue.

The Neverwinter Nights franchise has sold more than three million copies worldwide, is translated into 10 languages, sold in more than 40 countries and features one of the largest and most active fan communities in all of gaming. To date, fans of the franchise, which includes Neverwinter Nights, Neverwinter Nights: Shadows of Undrentide^TM, Neverwinter Nights: Hordes of the Underdark^TM and Neverwinter Nights 2, have created more than 5,000 modifications to the original game using the award-winning toolset included with the full game that allows players to create their own universes, quests and storylines.

Neverwinter Nights 2: Mysteries of Westgate is scheduled for release in fall 2007. The new Mysteries of Westgate, as well as future adventure packs, require the original game and will be made available for purchase and download directly from Atari. More information about Neverwinter Nights 2 can be found at www.nwn2.com, which includes user forums, project news, development updates and more.

Windows iteration of the massively popular and critically- acclaimed Xbox 360 blockbuster draws nigh; set to hit store shelves on 9th November

LONDON October 2007; Microsoft Game Studios announced today that the eagerly-awaited “Gears of War” for Windows has gone gold and will hit retailers across Europe on 9th November 2007.

With the Xbox 360 version of the game selling more than 4 million copies to date, “Gears of War” has been lauded by critics for its gripping campaign and fast-paced multiplayer action. Windows gamers can look forward to the “Gears of War” experience for the very first time, and will get to choose between doing battle via mouse and keyboard, or using the Windows-enabled Xbox 360 controller. From renowned developer Epic Games, “Gears of War” for Windows will engage gamers in hyper-realistic combat, allowing players to fight for survival against the Locust Horde, a nightmarish race of creatures that surface from the bowels of the planet.

In addition to retaining all of the content from its Xbox 360 counterpart and all previously released downloadable content (seven multiplayer maps and the Annex game mode), “Gears of War” for Windows will feature exciting original content, all-new Achievements to unlock, and ultra-high resolution visuals. Five new campaign chapters expand upon the riveting story (including an epic battle with the fearsome Brumak), and the action-packed multiplayer offering is bolstered with three exclusive multiplayer maps, a “King of the Hill” game type, and Games for Windows – LIVE support to deliver online matchmaking for Gold members. A new game editor will allow users to develop an unlimited number of user-created levels with complete access to the Unreal Editor.

Players can get their hands on “Gears of War” for Windows for the estimated retail price of £34.99, “Gears of War” for Windows is rated 18 BBFC for more information, please visit http://gearsofwar.com/news/.