SAN FRANCISCO - May 6, 2008 - Today Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest video game publishers, announced that Protöthea™ will be available in May for WiiWare™ in North America - Protöthea is rated "E" for Everyone.

Protöthea, Ubisoft’s exclusive WiiWare launch window title, is a 3D top-down vertical scrolling shooter game putting players in complete control of a last-generation spaceship via the Wii Remote™ and Nunchuk™. The easy-to-play game introduces new concepts to a beloved classic game style while mixing genres and utilizing the full capabilities of the Wii™ system, from graphics to controls.

"Ubisoft is excited to bring Protöthea exclusively to the platform and we feel it’s a must-have WiiWare title," shared James Regan, vice president of third party operations, Ubisoft. "Protöthea really reminds me of some of the best arcade games, with the Wii Remote as an added dimension. It’s just a flurry of fast-paced action that anyone can simply pick up and enjoy."

The compelling storyline immerses players into an adventure where they will need to destroy an asteroid called "Maqno 01" and sabotage the plans of a political faction called "The Core." Players will quickly jump right in and guide their ship through multiple missions on futuristic planets where enemy AI is dynamic and will change based on the player’s actions - so there are no predictable enemy paths, and therefore always a different game play experience. Players will have a wide range of eight different air-to-air weapons and two different air-to-ground bombs at their disposal, and can attack however they choose. In addition, there is a special power that decelerates time, allowing players to easily avoid enemy fire while they are able to move rapidly and attack enemies.

Protöthea is developed by Sabarasa & Digital Builders and published by Ubisoft. For more information, please visit www.ubisoft.com.
 

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Retail Sales of Grand Theft Auto IV Top $500 Million in First Week

New York, NY – May 7, 2008 – Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), said today that Grand Theft Auto IV has surpassed all-time entertainment records for day one and week one sales by dollar value. Released on Tuesday, April 29th, Grand Theft Auto IV, the critically acclaimed video game, has sold through to consumers approximately 6 million units globally with an estimated retail value of more than $500 million in the first week. Grand Theft Auto IV sold approximately 3.6 million units on its opening day with a retail value of approximately $310 million globally.

"We knew Grand Theft Auto IV would break new ground in terms of the player’s experience, with its compelling story line, extraordinary gameplay and action that ranges over a broad urban canvas. Now, it has broken sales and rating records as well. Grand Theft Auto IV’s first week performance represents the largest launch in the history of interactive entertainment, and we believe these retail sales levels surpass any movie or music launch to date. We congratulate the entire Rockstar team on creating a must-have experience that takes the legendary Grand Theft Auto franchise to a new level," said Strauss Zelnick, Chairman of Take-Two.

"Rockstar’s goal is to make each new title in the Grand Theft Auto franchise even better than those that preceded it, and Grand Theft Auto IV is a smashing success on that score. Grand Theft Auto IV makes full use of the power of next generation technology, and offers players an experience unique in the interactive entertainment medium. This game sets a new standard in the industry, with critics hailing it as both an artistic and technological masterpiece," said Ben Feder, Take-Two’s Chief Executive Officer.

Developed by series creator Rockstar North, Grand Theft Auto IV for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system is rated "M" for Mature. For more information, log onto www.rockstargames.com/IV.
 

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20% More Sales For Xbox 360 Version; Seamless Multiplayer and Exclusive Downloadable Content Make Xbox 360 The Best Way To Experience Liberty City
LONDON - 7th May 2008 — Gamers have voted with their wallets, and the results are in. The Xbox 360™ version of “Grand Theft Auto IV” has sold more than 100,000 copies, or 20%, more than the PLAYSTATION 3 version in the UK since the game’s release last Tuesday, 29th April. The groundbreaking latest instalment in the Grand Theft Auto franchise from Rockstar Games offers seamless multiplayer enhanced by Xbox LIVE® plus exclusive downloadable episodes coming this Autumn, making Xbox 360 the best way to experience this historic milestone in gaming.

Data released by ELSPA/Chart-Track shows Xbox 360 Week One sales at 514,000 copies sold in the UK. PLAYSTATION 3 version of the game sold only 413,000 copies, clearly demonstrating that gamers prefer the Xbox 360 version. Xbox 360 console sales jumped 125% reflecting the popularity of this franchise on the platform. Initial feedback from retail in other European countries reflects this great performance across the region.

“Grand Theft Auto IV has done phenomenally well this week with Xbox 360 version outselling PS3 in our stores,” said Gerry Berkley, Trading Manager at Woolworths. “Xbox 360 console sales have seen a big uplift off the back of Grand Theft Auto IV launching. It’s clear our customers see Xbox 360 as a great console for this incredible game.”

Xbox LIVE data shows that consumers are embracing the smooth, seamless multiplayer that is possible on Xbox LIVE – “Grand Theft Auto IV” is now officially the most-played game on the service, which is the only console online service to offer voice and Achievements in all games. It’s also the only version of the game that renders Liberty City in all its 720p high-definition glory. Other data, as of 4th May:

• More than 9.7 million hours of “Grand Theft Auto IV” online multiplayer played over Xbox LIVE
• More than 31 million hours spent playing “Grand Theft Auto IV” overall

“In the past week since the release of ‘Grand Theft Auto IV’, the bar has been set even higher for what the growing entertainment medium of gaming can deliver in the way of immersive, living worlds and exciting social experiences,” said Chris Lewis, Vice President, Interactive Entertainment Business, Microsoft EMEA. “Today it has become clear that consumers are finding Xbox 360 the best way to experience Liberty City and we expect this trend to continue, especially with exclusive ‘Grand Theft Auto IV’ episodes coming to Xbox 360 in the Autumn. ‘Grand Theft Auto’ has a new home on Xbox 360, and consumers are discovering how our platform can enhance the experience like no other.”

“Grand Theft Auto IV” is the first instalment of the franchise to feature online multiplayer, available through Xbox LIVE. For a limited time, “Grand Theft Auto IV” on Xbox 360 will include a one-month Gold membership to Xbox LIVE, allowing everyone to jump in and hit the streets of Liberty City with the community of more than 10 million members worldwide, the largest of any console.

Following the story of Eastern European Niko Bellic, “Grand Theft Auto IV” is a powerful crime epic set in modern-day Liberty City, a world with an unparalleled combination of scale, depth and detail. Starting this Autumn, Rockstar will extend this world further with the release of Xbox 360 exclusive “Grand Theft Auto IV” episodes that will provide hours of additional game play.
 

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TOP 30 NINTENDO WII
WEEK 18 YEAR 2008
Leisure software charts compiled by Chart Track, (C)2008 ELSPA  Ltd

LW

TW

TITLE

PUBLISHER

 

 

 

 

1

1

WII FIT

NINTENDO

7

2

WII PLAY

NINTENDO

2

3

MARIO KART WII

NINTENDO

3

4

MARIO & SONIC AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES

SEGA

5

5

GAME PARTY

MIDWAY

9

6

RAYMAN RAVING RABBIDS 2

UBISOFT

6

7

PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2008

KONAMI

8

8

SONIC AND THE SECRET RINGS

SEGA

4

9

SEGA SUPERSTARS TENNIS

SEGA

10

10

CARNIVAL: FUNFAIR GAMES

TAKE 2

12

11

BIG BRAIN ACADEMY: WII DEGREE

NINTENDO

11

12

GUITAR HERO III: LEGENDS OF ROCK

ACTIVISION

13

13

SUPER MARIO GALAXY

NINTENDO

19

14

WINTER SPORTS 2008: ULTIMATE CHALLENGE

ACTIVISION

21

15

CSI: HARD EVIDENCE

UBISOFT

17

16

SUPER MONKEY BALL: BANANA BLITZ

SEGA

16

17

THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD 2 & 3 RETURN

SEGA

 

18

COOKING MAMA

505 GAMES

18

19

TIGER WOODS PGA TOUR 08

ELECTRONIC ARTS

20

20

PDC WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP DARTS 08

OXYGEN INTERACTIVE

22

21

SEGA BASS FISHING

SEGA

24

22

MARIO PARTY 8

NINTENDO

25

23

LEGO STAR WARS: THE COMPLETE SAGA

LUCASARTS

23

24

ROCKSTAR GAMES PRESENTS TABLE TENNIS

TAKE 2

27

25

TOMB RAIDER: ANNIVERSARY

EIDOS

 

26

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD’S END

DISNEY INTERACTIVE STUDIOS

 

27

GHOST SQUAD

SEGA

30

28

RED STEEL

UBISOFT

26

29

WORMS: A SPACE ODDITY

THQ

 

30

THE DOG ISLAND

UBISOFT

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TOP 20 MICROSOFT XBOX 360
WEEK 18 YEAR 2008
Leisure software charts compiled by Chart Track, (C)2008 ELSPA  Ltd

LW

TW

TITLE

PUBLISHER

 

 

 

 

 

1

GRAND THEFT AUTO IV

TAKE 2

1

2

CALL OF DUTY 4: MODERN WARFARE

ACTIVISION

4

3

HALO 3

MICROSOFT

2

4

TOM CLANCY’S RAINBOW SIX: VEGAS 2

UBISOFT

 

5

IRON MAN: THE OFFICIAL VIDEOGAME

SEGA

6

6

GUITAR HERO III: LEGENDS OF ROCK

ACTIVISION

3

7

UEFA EURO 2008 AUSTRIA-SWITZERLAND

ELECTRONIC ARTS

13

8

BULLY: SCHOLARSHIP EDITION

TAKE 2

12

9

PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2008

KONAMI

8

10

ARMY OF TWO

ELECTRONIC ARTS

10

11