Remember when I was talking about Moshi Monsters?  It’s been released!

Moshi Monsters: Moshling Zoo is Now Available for Nintendo DS

SANTA MONICA, Calif.,  – Fans worldwide are rejoicing today as they embark on a discovery of an entirely different side of Moshi Monsters, as a new type of gameplay within the Moshi Universe arrives with Moshi Monsters: Moshling Zoo from  Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) and Mind Candy. Moshi Monsters: Moshling Zoo, based on the massively popular Moshi Monsters online social world (www.moshimonsters.com),  is now available for Nintendo DS in North America.

Moshi Monsters: Moshling Zoo extends the popularity of the online world’s Moshlings (“pets of pet monsters”), including brand new Moshlings and locations plus an intuitive format in which to interact with their favorite characters. Along the way, there are 52 Moshlings to collect from the common to the rare and even the elusive ‘ultra-rare.’ Children can also play new mini-games and educational style puzzles or even win awards and trophies to take back to their zoo!

Available while supplies last, a ‘Limited Edition’ copy of the game comes packaged with 1,000 free Rox (the in-game currency of MoshiMonsters.com) and an official trading card pack from Topps. These ‘Limited Edition’ copies of the game are available exclusively at Toys’R'Us.

“Throughout Moshi Monsters: Moshling Zoo’s development cycle we’ve been astounded by the passion of the fans of Moshi Monsters, and how quickly the property is growing,” said David Oxford, Activision Publishing. “Activision has embraced the spirit of what made Moshi Monsters so appealing to over 50 millions kids across the world. We can’t wait to see how our fans respond to a fresh Moshi experience on Nintendo DS!” said Michael Acton Smith, CEO Mind Candy (Moshi Monsters parent company).

Moshi Monsters: Moshling Zoo is available now for Nintendo DS at $29.99. This game has been rated E for Everyone by the ESRB. For more information please visit www.MindCandy.com or www.Activision.com.

TRINE 2 OFFICIAL WEBSITE LAUNCHES WITH 18 BREATHTAKING NEW SCREENSHOTS
The site is now online, not unlike the game’s amazing 3-player co-op!

IRVINE, CALIFORNIA — ATLUS and Frozenbyte, the respective publisher and
developer of the upcoming Trine 2, a high fantasy, physics-based action-platformer with
cooperative online multiplayer, launched the official website for the game, complete
with a host of new assets and information for the highly anticipated sequel to one of the
most acclaimed downloadable games of the generation.

The official website offers a sampling of the fantastical monsters and many lush and exotic
environments in the game, which is slated to release on PlayStationNetwork for PlayStation3
computer entertainment system, Xbox LIVE Arcade for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment
system from Microsoft, and PC later this year. In addition to beautiful art work and new details
surrounding the game, a set of 18 gorgeous new screenshots show a fantasy world rendered with
unprecedented vibrancy, richness, and depth.

Trine 2 is currently scheduled for release this December for PlayStation3 computer entertainment
system, Xbox LIVE Arcade for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft,
and PC. To visit the full site, visit http://www.trine2.com.

My wife is a HUGE fan of NASCAR, and Jeff Gordon specifically.  When she found out Activision is releasing a new game, she wanted to know all about it!

Activision’s NASCAR Unleashed Breaks Free From the Oval and Hits the Streets Today

Arcade Racing Action for NASCAR Fans of All Ages

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Get ready to experience blindingly fast arcade speed and over-the-top racing action as Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc.  (Nasdaq: ATVI), expands on the success of the NASCAR videogame franchise with NASCAR Unleashed. Now available for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation3 computer entertainment system, the Wii from Nintendo and Nintendo 3DS, NASCAR Unleashed  has players breaking out of the oval tracks and onto the uneven pavement of city streets, idyllic countryside roads, pristine beachfront highways and more!

NASCAR Unleashed features 15 of NASCAR’s biggest names, including NASCAR Sprint Cup series drivers Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Jeff Gordon, and Joey Logano. Players will take the wheel of growling, turbo-charged racing machines that will unleash their stock car fury on defenseless city streets. Familiar NASCAR tracks just waiting to be ripped apart include: Daytona International Speedway, Chicagoland Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Martinsville Speedwayand Talladega Superspeedway. Lifelong NASCAR fans and those new to the sport will enjoy careening around the tracks before rocketing away from the grandstands to explore the wide open world, NASCAR style.

The gameplay features forgiving handling and virtually no rules, with the key being bashing and smashing opponents out of the way to earn the trophy. Drafting and power sliding around turns will be the most useful tools in a player’s arsenal; but with loose mechanics they should be vigilant for cars flying overhead in wicked Hollywood style crashes. The wild “Rival” feature turns up the heat: players must compete not only with the other racers but with a given “Rival” who is gunning to knock them out of the lead and to the back of the pack. Distinct game modes available for play include single player championship, time trial challenges, quick races and action-packed split screen multiplayer.

NASCAR Unleashed is now available on Xbox 360, PlayStation3 system, Wii and the Nintendo 3DS for $39.99 MSP. The game is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB. NASCAR Unleashed will also be featured in the Battle of the NASCAR Kids event taking place the weekend of November 18 at the Sprint Cup Championship race in Homestead-Miami. For more information please visit www.ActivisionUnleashed.com or join us on facebook.com/NASCARUnleashed.

Activision Recruits Xbox 360 And PlayStation3 System Gamers to Become the Ultimate Mi6 Agent In GoldenEye 007: Reloaded

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI), today announced that GoldenEye 00: Reloaded is now available in retail stores nationwide, allowing Xbox360 and PlayStation3 system gamers to experience the modern re-telling of the legendary GoldenEye film for the first time ever on their HD consoles.  GoldenEye 007: Reloaded was built on a brand new engine that delivers the gritty, lethal action of Daniel Craig’s James Bond at 60 frames per second with stunning visuals, lightning fast gameplay and the ability to play using the PlayStationMove sharp shooter.

“This is the epitome of a classic reborn,” said David Oxford, Executive Vice President at Activision Publishing.  ”We know that fans love the original GoldenEye film, so our team worked closely with the original screenwriter and film talent, along with the devoted developers at Eurocom, to create a modern reimagining tailor-made for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 gamers around the world.”

Based on the original screenplay, GoldenEye 007: Reloaded introduces brand new ‘Mi6 Ops Missions‘ — new, distinct levels additional to the single-player campaign that span the varied environments from the story.  The game challenges players to complete different Assault, Elimination, Stealth and Defense objectives all showcased in HD and running at a smooth 60-frames per second.  GoldenEye 007: Reloaded takes multiplayer to new heights, maintaining and improving its renowned four-player split-screen action and adding full, adrenaline-pumping 16-player online matches with more maps, weapons, characters and game modes than ever before.

The game is brought to life with an updated story penned by the Hollywood screenwriter from the original GoldenEye film, Bruce Feirstein; the voices of Daniel Craig as James Bond and Judi Dench as ‘M’; and combat animations motion-captured by Daniel Craig’s film stunt double, Ben Cooke.

GoldenEye 007: Reloaded is being developed by Eurocom under license from EON Productions Ltd and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM), for the PlayStation 3 system and Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and is rated “T” (Teen) by the ESRB.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/GoldenEyeGame or www.GoldenEyeGame.com.

If you’re not for all the moving around and shooting wild game using the PlaystationMove or the Wii, or the Kinect, Cabela’s (where I used to sell shoes!) has also released the new 3rd-person game Shadows of Katmai.  Read the Press Release below:

Activision Releases Cabela’s Survival: Shadows of Katmai

Chilling adventure for survival against all odds is now available

MINNEAPOLIS — Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) today announced that its gripping 3rd-person survival adventure game Cabela’s Survival: Shadows of Katmai is now available for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation3 computer entertainment system and Wii system from Nintendo. The new harrowing adventure comes packed with the Top Shot Elite wireless controller and puts gamers in a fight to survive the harsh Arctic environment after a horrifying accident. From the electrifying single player campaign to the multiplayer shooting galleries, this is one of the most extraordinary Cabela’s adventures yet.

“With a brand new style of gameplay, an epic tale of perseverance, and its focus on survival, Cabela’s Survival: Shadows of Katmai represents a brand new chapter in the Cabela’s franchise,” said David Oxford, Executive Vice President of Activision Publishing.

Players will answer the call of the wild as they take the role of bush pilot Logan James after he survives a horrific plane crash in the Arctic wild. Injured, isolated and in the middle of a hostile wilderness, Logan is cut off from all hope of rescue and it’s up to players to guide him to safety. In this heroic battle against deadly creatures and freezing weather, players must use all their survival skills and trek through a variety of environments as they use scavenged firearms and gear to stay alive. In addition, the game has a deep selection of shooting galleries for an endless amount of party fun.

Cabela’s Survival: Shadows of Katmai is available with the Top Shot Elite on Xbox 360 and PlayStation3 for $79.99 and Wii for $59.99. The game can be purchased separately on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 for $39.99 and $29.99 on Wii. The game is rated T for Teen by the ESRB. For more information, go to activisionhunts.com and please follow on Twitter @ActivisionHunts and Facebook – at Facebook.com/ActivisionHunts.

Battlefield 3, where are you!?  I pre-ordered Battlefield 3 several months ago.  I mean, like six months ago.  UPS tracking says it was sent to me at 10/24/2011 21:40:00 ORIGIN SCAN[I] BALDWIN PARK, CA, US…it was sent to me HOURS before anyone else!!  Yet UPS is just holding onto my game!!  Those bastards in Commerce City, CO have held it since they received it 10/25/2011 01:32:00  ARRIVED IN[I]  COMMERCE CITY, CO, US.  It took five hours to fly from Cali to Colo, but that was two days ago now!  Give me my game, UPS!  Are you playing the game!?  It’s going to be open when I get it, isn’t it!?  OPEN!?  I have to say this: next time I pre-order a game, it’s going to be in town, and I’m going to pick it up at midnight!

Activision’s Cabela’s Big Game Hunter: Hunting Party and Cabela’s Adventure Camp Are Available in Stores Now!

The Cabela’s Franchise Introduces Two New Motion-Based Family Games in Time for the Holidays

MINNEAPOLIS — Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) creates an exciting suite of family fun with two new motion gaming titles for the entire household as Cabela’s Big Game Hunter: Hunting Party and Cabela’s Adventure Camp releases in stores tomorrow.

Packaged with the first-of-its-kind Top Shot Sport controller, Cabela’s Big Game Hunter: Hunting Party has been developed exclusively for Xbox 360 and the Kinect for Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Cabela’s Adventure Camp, a stimulating title for people of all ages, is available for Kinect for Xbox 360, the PlayStationMove for the PlayStation3 computer entertainment system, and Wii system from Nintendo.

“Both Cabela’s Adventure Camp and Cabela’s Big Game Hunter: Hunting Party give families a new way to play together on Kinect for Xbox 360, PlayStationMove and Wii,” said Pat Kelly, Senior Vice President of Studios at Activision Publishing. “We’re also proud to bring the Top Shot Sport peripheral to the Kinect, as an industry leading concept, designed to help gamers fully experience and enjoy Cabela’s Big Game Hunter: Hunting Party.”

Cabela’s Big Game Hunter: Hunting Party is a unique arcade-style hunting game composed of a series of shooting galleries where both the player and the Top Shot Sport are the controller. The game tracks total body movement as players shoot, dodge and duck their way through a variety of obstacles while grabbing power-ups. Gamers will also explore a variety of environments as they battle with some of the world’s most dangerous animals. The immersive gameplay also provides competitive entertainment for up to four friends in hot seat multiplayer.

Cabela’s Adventure Camp includes motion-based outdoor activities that send players straight to summer camp, regardless of the season! With Kinect for Xbox 360, PlayStationMove and Wii support, players will lose themselves in summer time activities such as: Thrill Hill Biking, Wild River Kayaking, Full Throttle Wave Riding and more. Adding side-splitting high jinks to the mix, interactive griefing allows idle players to join in on the fun by knocking down trees and rocks. The brisk gameplay and fantastic variety keep everyone animated, excited and having a good time!

Cabela’s Big Game Hunter: Hunting Party and Cabela’s Adventure Camp will be available November 1, 2011. Cabela’s Big Game Hunter: Hunting Party is bundled with the Top Shot Sport peripheral for $69.99. Cabela’s Adventure Camp is $39.99 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 and $29.99 for Wii. Cabela’s Big Game Hunter: Hunting Party is rated T for Teen and Cabela’s Adventure Camp is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB. For more information, go to activisionhunts.com and please follow on Twitter @ActivisionHunts and Facebook – at Facebook.com/ActivisionHunts.

MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION FEE AND ONLINE STORE FOR ‘WAKFU’
Tactical MMORPG Will Make Worldwide Debut in February 2012;
Premium Content Available for Monthly Subscription Fee and
Microtransaction-Based Online Store Will Open at Launch

LOS ANGELES – Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of SQUARE ENIX interactive entertainment products
in the Americas and ANKAMA, an independent digital creation group and developer, today announced
that their upcoming tactical massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), WAKFU, will
be launching worldwide in February 2012. WAKFU will launch as a free download from the official
site at www.wakfu.com/na and include with it a large amount of gameplay content to experience at
no cost. In addition, a monthly subscription fee of $6.00 will give players access to premium
content, and a microtransaction-based store will allow users to purchase cosmetic items.
“WAKFU’s deep political and combat system combined with an ever-changing ecosystem delivers an
exceptional MMORPG unlike any other product in its category,” said Mona Hamilton, vice president
of marketing for Square Enix. “The team at Ankama created a unique, fun and entertaining online
game and we believe a monthly subscription fee and online store makes for a rewarding experience
all players can enjoy.”

Related Links
WAKFU official homepage: http://www.wakfu.com/na
WAKFU’s official Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SquareEnixWakfu
Follow WAKFU on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SquareEnixWakfu

Remember the game Shaq Fu? I remember, and it was the first thing I thought of when I read about the new MMORPG from Square Enix, WAKFU. Shaq Fu had you running through an alternate dimension as the seven foot tall basketball player Shaq. You have to rescue a young kid from the Egyptian conglomeration of the god of the sun (Ra) and the god of chaos (Set), aptly named Sett Ra. Thinking about Shaq Fu reminds me of Michael Jordan’s Chaos in the Windy City. You play as Michael Jordan, who can used magical basketballs to meander through a vivid platformer reminiscent of Bubsy. You get eight types of balls: Normal, Boomerang, Homing, Rebound, Fire, Ice, Iron, and Grenade. Thinking of Michael Jordan makes me think of how lame basketball players are in the NBA. Most get paid millions of dollars to PLAY A GAME! I used to live in England, and at least to some degree, they realize the ridiculous nature of paying people to play. Cricket players usually have to have actual jobs to pay their mortgages. Except in Australia…those guys make a tonne (Australian units) of money.

Wakfu is a very nice looking (remember, it’s from Square Enix) tactical MMORPG. What does that mean? Remember Final Fantasy Tactics? Or perhaps Azure Dreams? Maybe you played Tactics Ogre? Or Vandal Hearts? It’s a three-dimensional isometric turn-based RPG. One of the more interesting parts of Wakfu is management of the ecosystem for personal gain. You have to pay attention to the weather forecast, mobs in the area, and your experience level. Watch out! If someone comes in and kills all the animals, your ecosystem can suffer greatly. However, trappers can use seeds from animals to plant more…hopefully helping rebuild the ecosystem.

IRVINE, CALIFORNIA —- ATLUS announced that The Cursed Crusade, the action adventure epic set during the Fourth Crusade, is now available in stores across North America for PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system (PS3™), Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and PC download via Steam.

A story of salvation and survival, The Cursed Crusade brings to life the mystery and allure of the Middle Ages. The game’s main characters are not heroes; they’re just men, susceptible to temptation, easily made to feel doubt and despair. The raw, gritty accuracy of many of the game’s historical locations is sharply contrasted by Denz and Esteban’s supernatural struggle to save their souls. Their affliction, the Templar’s Curse, threatens to accelerate their descent into hell, burning their humanity away as it engulfs the space around them in demonic flame. A tale of retribution and survival, The Cursed Crusade is sure to satisfy action gamers everywhere with its violence, gore, and drama.

In addition, a demo that takes players through the “Assault on the Castle of Biron” mission, a fortress siege set on a fiery summer’s eve, is currently available via Xbox®LIVE (initially only to Gold members) and PlayStation®Network.

The Cursed Crusade is out now for PlayStation 3 system, Xbox 360 system, and PC. For more, including screenshots, videos, concept art, wallpapers, and a special “Launch The Crusade” section, visit the official website at www.thecursedcrusade.com.

Want to win a million dollars?  You can’t…but you CAN win $400,000!!  Be in the Activision/Blizzard Los Angeles area this weekend for Call of Duty XP!

The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is the battleground for the Call of Duty $1 Million Tournament Presented by Xbox 360, set to feature a roster of top Call of Duty warriors in a colossal 32-team, single-elimination tournament for a record $1 million in cash and prizes.  Over September 2nd and 3rd, one victorious four-man crew will emerge victorious and walk away with $400,000 for first place and international acclaim as the world’s premiere Call of Duty players.  Four slots will be available onsite.  Tackle the Call of Duty: Black Ops gauntlet on September 2nd for your chance to win.  Gamers worldwide can pre-qualify for the remaining 28 slots now, but they’re pretty much all full.  All pre-qualification contests will utilize Call of Duty: Black Ops.  Successful pre-qualifiers will receive round-trip airfare to Los Angeles and hotel accommodations to compete in the main event at Call of Duty XP.  See rules governing each pre-qualification contest for details.  A legion of top Call of Duty gamers.  Thirty-two slots.  Eight money winners.  One worldwide champion squad.

Tickets to the event are $150 and valid for both days (Sept 2nd and 3rd).  Your two-day pass includes: Admission to the venue for both days, September 2nd and 3rd, from 10am to 10pm.  Live musical performances both nights by some of the world’s hottest acts (Dropkick Murphys, Kanye West, etc).  Access to the spectacular opening ceremony featuring the world premiere of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 multiplayer.  Hands-on time with Modern Warfare 3 months before launch and numerous opportunities to compete for cash and prizes.  The chance to battle for a slot in the $1 million Modern Warfare 3 multiplayer tournament.  Team paintball frag-fests in a life-size recreation of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2′s Scrapyard level and other signature Call of Duty-inspired real-world experiences.  Access to the developers via exclusive panels and other Call of Duty intel.  Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Hardened Edition free upon release.  Attendee-exclusive Call of Duty goodie bag.

Attendees must be 18 years of age or older.  Sorry.

Check it out!  http://www.callofduty.com/xp/home

Call of Duty(R) XP Gets Lucky: Celt Rockers Dropkick Murphys to Perform Live Opening Night

Boston-Based Punk Veterans Take The Stage At 8pm; All Attendees Guaranteed Admission

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Aug. 25, 2011 – Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) has tapped “green-collar” punk revelers Dropkick Murphys to perform opening night at 8pm, Sept. 2nd, at the first ever Call of Duty® XP, the destination for Call of Duty® gamers worldwide. The critically-acclaimed Dropkick Murphys–known for their complex distillation of classic punk rock, Celtic folk and American rock ‘n’ roll–will deliver a knockout live performance. The two-day Call of Duty fan event features the global premiere of Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® 3 multiplayer, a $1 Million Tournament presented by Xbox 360® and other landmark experiences including these live musical performances. Call of Duty XP will take place September 2nd and 3rd, 2011, inLos Angeles,Calif.

“With an unbeatable lineup of real-world and in-game experiences, Call of Duty XP was already poised to be an historic event for fans of the franchise,” said Eric Hirshberg, Chief Executive Officer of Activision Publishing. “The addition of Dropkick Murphys just makes XP that much more memorable. Few bands fit the bill better—we’re thrilled to have them performing on opening day.”

Now in their 16th year, Dropkick Murphys have slingshot from their Irish punk roots in Quincy, Mass., to become one of the world’s best known rock acts, routinely packing houses for their phenomenal live shows. The band’s countless EPs, singles, compilations and seven studio albums—including 1997′s Do or Die, 1999′s The Gang’s All Here, 2001′s Sing Loud Sing Proud, 2003′s Blackout, 2005′s The Warrior’s Code, 2007′s The Meanest Of Times and the 2011 release Going Out In Style—have earned the septet mainstream success and the adoration of fans around the globe.

For more information about Call of Duty XP, please visit www.callofduty.com/xp.