Developer: Square Enix Co., Ltd.
Publisher: Square Enix, Inc.
Platform: Wii™
Genre: Simulation ESRB: E (Everyone)
Ship Date: Spring 2008

FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: My Life as a King, the latest entry from Square Enix, takes a legendary franchise and launches it into the realm of simulation gaming. Available only on the Wii Shop Channel as a WiiWare™ download, this new chapter in the FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES saga challenges players to rebuild a kingdom and lead its young king on a path of discovery. Bristling with mystery and intrigue, this all-new adventure is set to captivate and charm gamers of all ages.

STORY
According to legend, a deserted town now serves as the lifeless reminder of a once powerful kingdom. The young son of an exiled king reaches this land after a long journey, finding only an abandoned castle – and a magic crystal. Though tarnished by years of neglect, the crystal has maintained its luminous glow and bestows upon the boy the power of architek, the ability to manifest memories into reality. With the help of loyal servants and audacious adventurers, the new king dutifully prepares to rebuild his people’s homeland in this new realm.

FEATURES
• Square Enix unveils its first WiiWare title, delivering an all-new adventure via direct download
• Scenario created by Motomu Toriyama, the acclaimed director of the upcoming FINAL FANTASY XIII
• Groundbreaking graphics optimized for the Wii enable players to journey through a world filled with memorable characters and architectural splendor
• Rebuild a nation by building houses and shops, carefully considering the best interests of the citizens. If the player’s nation regains its former glory, the secrets of the land may be revealed
• Enlist adventurers with varying levels, jobs and profiles to carry out dangerous missions in return for rewards
• Be mindful of the passage of time, and plan each day accordingly in order to efficiently carry out construction efforts
 

Virtual Console goes epic this week with the launch of Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom™. This 1991 instalment of the Phantasy Star series is a role-playing adventure from the SEGA MEGA DRIVE™ that will set players on a quest overflowing with twists and turns! Take on the role of Rhys, the Crown Prince of the kingdom of Landen, whose bride-to-be is kidnapped on their wedding day, sending him out on a quest that spans several generations. Hours of fun can be had as numerous choices are available to players within the game, dramatically impacting the way the story unfolds. A great game to play more than once, this is one not to be missed! Download Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom™ now for 800 Wii Points.

Virtual Console offers users the ultimate retro gaming experience. This week’s title joins the list of 205 classic titles already available for Virtual Console in Europe.

Surpasses One Million Paid Downloads in First Nine Days

Santa Monica, CA – April 17, 2008 - Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) announced today that the Call of Duty 4®: Modern Warfare™ Variety Map Pack, developed by Infinity Ward, has set a new record for the number of paid downloads on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, surpassing one million downloads in the first nine days since its release. Additionally, Xbox LIVE members played more than 30 million sessions and logged more than 30 million hours of gameplay. Available exclusively for download via Xbox LIVE online entertainment network now through April 24, the Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Variety Map Pack expands the experience of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, the worldwide best-selling game in units of 2007, according to The NPD Group, Chart Track and The GFK Group. Since its release, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare has sold in excess of nine million units worldwide.

The Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Variety Map Pack includes four new multiplayer maps featuring a variety of locations, while supporting split-screen and system link play for 800 Microsoft Points. The Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Variety Map pack will be available for download via the PlayStation Network beginning April 24 for $9.99.

“Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare delivers one of the best online multiplayer experiences ever,” said Will Kassoy, senior vice president, global brand management, Activision Publishing, Inc. “We are excited to be able to expand that experience and deliver to fans a new variety of locations and environments which have all of the intensity they have come to expect with Call of Duty.”

“Infinity Ward is extremely grateful for support from our loyal Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare community around the world,” said Robert Bowling, community relations manager, Infinity Ward. “From the beginning, we were committed to do our best and that continues now with the Variety Map Pack. We can’t wait to get back online with everyone.”

The momentum will continue this weekend as Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) has teamed with Activision, Inc., (Nasdaq: ATVI) and Infinity Ward to launch its newest online offensive: Call of Duty® 4: Modern Warfare™ LIVE Fire Weekend 2008, a 72-hour play and win sweepstakes full of games and prizes beginning on Friday, April 18 at 12:01 a.m. EDT through Sunday, April 20 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Hourly prizes will be awarded throughout the weekend, including Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare shirts, Infinity Ward autographed posters and Xbox LIVE point cards. One Grand Prize winner also will receive an Infinity Ward autographed Xbox 360 Elite console and a Limited Edition Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare faceplate, among other items. Players can register now through April 17, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. EDT at www.xbox.com/livefire/.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products. Founded in 1979, Activision posted net revenues of $1.5 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007.

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, Japan and South Korea. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company’s World Wide Web site, which is located at www.activision.com.
 

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced plans to bring the first of several Wiiware titles developed for North America. Known as Saku Saku Animal Panic in Japan, Critter Round-Up will be Konami’s first Wiiware title in North America.

Developed by Los Angeles, CA-based Epicenter Studios, Critter Round-Up is a puzzle game for up to four players. Players are challenged with building fences to separate different critter species into their own area, while avoiding predators and other mischievous animals attempting to stop you from rounding them up. Players can corral exotic critters from five environments encompassing 50 levels, with gameplay modes including a co-op Adventure Mode as well as special co-op challenges for up to four players. There’s also a Marathon Mode that supports up to four layers on a nearly infinite number of levels, as well as a collection of Critter Games, an entertaining selection of mini games such as Snowball Soccer and Predator Rampage.

Critter Round-Up is the first of several planned Wiiware titles to be distributed by Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. Future planned releases include Crescendo (working title), a musical experience fused with quick, frantic action of classic arcade action, and Fresco Beach (working title), a game where players create their own sandcastles and maintain their structure amidst the dangers of the beach.

Critter Round-Up is rated "E" for Everyone by the ESRB.
 

Downloadable Racer Brings Frantic Crash ‘N Grab Action to Wii

SAN MATEO, California - April 17, 2008 – D2C Games^TM, Inc. a premier developer and publisher of mass-market downloadable interactive entertainment, today announced SPOGS Racing^TM, a frenzied, arcade-style racing game set to hit WiiWare^TM. The game features high-speed arcade racing and Crash ‘N Grab^TM battling action as players dash around a dozen unique and challenging tracks.

Race along in distinctively unique SPOGS Racers that can be personalized, customized and modified with in-game images and vehicle parts. Gamers will control their SPOGS as they try their best to smash into their opponents to steal upgraded parts on-the-fly in the title’s innovative Crash ‘N Grab gameplay. Featuring several game modes, a variety of track types including outrageous stunt tracks with loops and jumps, multiple difficultly modes and control schemes, racing power-ups, weapons, and head-to-head multiplayer, SPOGS Racing offers plenty of fun for gamers of all ages and experiences.

"As a long-time game designer, I’ve learned that there’s one defining factor behind a successful game – is it fun?" said D2C Games founder and CEO Scott Orr. "That question directs our entire strategy at D2C, and SPOGS Racing is a great example of that commitment."

For more information, visit www.spogsracing.com.