Unity Establishes Itself as the Fastest Growing Game Development Platform for iPhone

Chart Success for New Releases Underscores the Strength of Unity in De-Risking the Business of Game Creation

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – November 30, 2009 – Unity Technologies, the leading provider of the multi-platform game development platform for Web, PC, Mac, Wii™ and iPhone, announced today that 12 percent of the games featured on AppShopper.com’s Top 25 paid for Apps* were built with Unity iPhone. Only 12 months since it was first released, Unity iPhone is proving to be the fastest growing game development platform for the iPhone.

Unity-built new releases StarWars®: Trench Run (THQ) and Ravensword: The Fallen King (Chilingo) both became top paid for apps on AppShopper.com within a week of release, joining fellow hit Unity powered titles Skee-Ball, Zombieville USA and Monster Trucks Nitro.

With a plethora of new titles being released on a daily basis the battle for high chart rankings grows ever more fierce with paid for apps competing not only with free apps but also high rates of piracy. Unity developers are finding that built-in anti-piracy technology, a royalty-free license and the affordability of the Unity iPhone Basic for $399 allows them to significantly de-risk their development.

“Game engines are the glue to put together all the components of your game. Unity iPhone has been our special super glue offering a great PhysX engine and solving the hard parts of iPhone / iPod Touch compatibility which have allowed us to focus on the game itself rather than the engine,” said Jonathan Czeck, co-founder of Graveck Interactive, developers of Skee-Ball. “Without a doubt, it helped us overcome the many competitors on the App Store as we rose all the way to the # 1 spot of best selling games.”

“Using Unity for our future apps after the success of Zombieville seemed like a given. It’s proven to be the ideal tool for us and many other developers,” said Noah Bordner, co-founder of Mika Mobile, developers of Zombieville USA. “With each new release the engine grows more feature-rich and optimized – we’d be crazy to try and build another game from scratch!”

“The iPhone is a very exciting platform and a fiercely competitive market. We have seen a great uptake of our product by developers small and large as our product helps quality games be delivered faster on the iPhone and iPod Touch,” said David Helgason, CEO of Unity Technologies. “We keep seeing an increasing number of Unity authored games, and a good number of them keep popping in the top rankings.”

Toucharcade.com recently hailed Unity as an impressive 3D engine,** underscoring one of the many reasons that a rapidly growing band of developers are adopting it as their platform of choice for iPhone game creation.

*AppShopper.com chart positions:

• Skee-Ball (1st place for several weeks in a row, still in the top rankings at #11 )
• Star Wars Trench Run (13th place)
• Ravensword: The Fallen King (24th place)
• Zombieville USA (47th place)
• Monster Trucks Nitro (60th place, continuing to sell well eight months after release)

Additionally, four Unity-built games – Battle Bears, Downhill Bowling, Inkvaders and Skee-Ball – are featured in iLounge’s prestigious Top 100 paid for games for 2009.

Other Unity powered titles previously achieving Top 100 Chart positions include Battle Bears; Touch KO; Rasta Monkey; RC Heli: Indoor Racing; Vans SK8: Pool Service; Biplane – Wings of Raccoon; Crazy Snowboard; Monkey Diving; Scarecrow; Realmaze3D; Downhill Bowling; Little Runner; Inkvaders; Castle Warriors; Samurai: Way of the Warrior and Human Body 3D Anatomy.

Unity Technologies just released version 1.5.1 of Unity iPhone in response to new submission rules from Apple. For more information on Unity iPhone, visit http://www.unity3d.com.

To get the free feature-packed Unity or to get a free 30 day evaluation of Unity Pro to create Web, PC and Mac games, go to http://unity3d.com/unity/download.

About Unity Technologies
Headquartered in San Francisco, Unity Technologies enables game developers of all sizes to get their game made faster and more efficiently across a variety of platforms. The Unity engine is platform agnostic and significantly expands the reach for developers. As a fully supported deployment platform, developers can now use Unity to drive development of the best games on iPhone, Mac and PC as well as the Wii console. For more information about Unity Technologies visit unity3d.com

*November 20, 2009 AppShopper.com Top 100 (Paid) in Games Chart
** November 17, 2009 TouchArcade.com review: http://toucharcade.com/2009/11/17/ravensword-the-fallen-king-the-review/

Guild Wars 2 Race Video Dev Q&A

In the Races of Tyria, the latest preview video for NCsoft’s’s upcoming MMO Guild Wars 2, we explore the world of Tyria through the eyes of the five playable races in the game
RACES OF TYRIA TRAILER QUESTIONS

In the Races of Tyria, the latest preview video for NCsoft’s’s upcoming MMO Guild Wars 2, we explore the world of Tyria through the eyes of the five playable races in the game. Meet the noble and resilient humans, the war-mongering charr, the brilliant inventors known as the asura, the mighty shapeshifting norn, and a new race of nature spirits, the sylvari. From these five races, mighty heroes shall rise!

Who are these characters in this video and what’s their significance in the overall story of the game?

The characters in the video are the members of the famous adventuring group, Destiny’s Edge, renowned for their bravery and skill. Although Destiny’s Edge no longer travels together, tales of their heroic deeds are told in every part of Tyria.

• Logan Thackeray—Captain Logan Thackeray is a commander in the Seraph guard of Divinity’s Reach, defender of the last human kingdom. When danger threatens, Logan faces it with the determination of a man who knows that he is the only thing standing between all that he loves… and its utter destruction.

• Rytlock Brimstone—This ruthless charr warrior has risen quickly through the ranks of the Blood Legion to become a Tribune of great renown. He stands foremost among the charr of the Black Citadel, carrying a sword of fire and leading their armies to greatness.

• Eir Stegalkin—Eir is a norn hero and tactician of great renown. There are those who call her a visionary, who say she speaks to the Spirits of the Wild. With her companion wolf, Garm, Eir roams the icy Shiverpeaks, bow and blade in hand, searching for meaning in the snow’s silence.

• Zojja— The foremost apprentice of the venerable asura inventor Snaff, Zojja seeks to live up to her mentor’s legacy. Zojja’s intellect is unrivaled even by members of the Arcane Council of Rata Sum, and her ability to multitask across a spectrum of disciplines inspires awe and jealousy among her fellow asura.

• Caithe— Her blades are as swift as a blooded sunset, her movement as silent as the fall of night. Caithe was among the first sylvari to step upon the earth of Tyria, but where the others turned toward the sun, she sought shadow. She has never been afraid to gaze into darkness – or to seek truths that others fear.

You show off some very interesting environments in the Races of Tyria video. Can you tell us more about them?

The video takes us across the vastness of Tyria to the homelands of each of the five signature races of Guild Wars 2.

• Divinity’s Reach—A breathtaking monument to the human spirit, this shining city is the capital of Kryta and a bastion of hope to embattled mankind.

• The Black Citadel—Capital of the Iron Legion, this massive charr war-keep was built on the ruins of the conquered human kingdom of Ascalon.

• Hoelbrak – In the frigid heights of the Shiverpeaks the norn have built this grand encampment, with huge lodges where they seek the wisdom of the Spirits of the Wild.

• The Grove—Deep in the Maguuma Jungle, this mystical settlement has grown around the Pale Tree, the birthplace of all sylvari.

• Rata Sum—Rising from the jungle, this metropolis of geomystic generators and giant ziggurats is full of brilliant asura and their golem servants.

Some of the voices in this video seem familiar, can you identify the actors? How big is voice going to be in Guild Wars 2?

Seamlessly integrating voice into the game experience is a key feature of Guild Wars 2, so we have gathered world-class voice talent to help bring the world of Tyria alive. This video introduces the five iconic heroes of each race, all voiced by accomplished actors:

• Logan Thackeray the human defender is voiced by Troy Baker (Fullmetal Alchemist, One Piece).
• Rytlock Brimstone the charr warrior is voiced by Steve Blum (Spectacular Spider-Man).
• Eir Stegalkin the norn is voiced by Jocelyn Blue (Invader Zim, Space Jam).
• Zojja the asura is voiced by Felicia Day (Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, The Guild, Buffy the Vampire Slayer).
• Caithe the sylvari is voiced by Kari Wahlgren (Wolverine and the X-Men, Aliens in the Attic).

The video ends with the question, “What’s your story?” – how important is story in Guild Wars 2?

Story is a huge element in Guild Wars 2. From the moment you choose your character’s race, you’re taking your first step down a road that only you can travel. You’ll explore a vast, living world where your actions have real consequences. You’ll immerse yourself in a rich, powerful narrative that is personalized to and influenced by your character.

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO RULE THE SCHOOL? SEE FOR YOURSELF IN MEAN GIRLS: HIGH SCHOOL SHOWDOWN FROM PARAMOUNT DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT – NOW AVAILABLE ON THE APPLE APP STORE

Strategic Match 3 Battles Decide Who Will Reign Supreme at North Shore High
Suffer the rejection of the cliques of North Shore High or completely rewrite the rules of the social ladder – it’s all up to you! Mean Girls: High School Showdown from Paramount Digital Entertainment for the iPhone and iPod touch, now available for the introductory price of only $0.99 on the iTunes App Store! Inspired by Paramount Pictures’ film, in Mean Girls: High School Showdown, players take on the role of a new student who must decide if naughty or nice will run North Shore High by fighting opposing high school cliques in strategic Match 3 battles.

In Mean Girls: High School Showdown, players select one of four different character types – slacker, nerd, rebel or art freak – and go head-to-head in Match 3 battles against characters featured in the “Mean Girls” film. Players can achieve perfect social harmony or completely control the cliques of North Shore High – their strategy choices will determine how far players rise on the social scene.

Players can focus on matching heartbreak icons to be a bully, or match special heart icons to make a new BFF. Each round ends when the Stamina meter is depleted or the Loyalty meter is filled up. Players can determine how vicious or virtuous they want to be by customizing battle stats and unlocking special skills.

Are you a mean girl, or just pretending to be one? Find out with Paramount Digital Entertainment’s Mean Girls: High School Showdown!

Mean Girls: High School Showdown for iPhone and iPod touch is available now from Apple’s App Store or at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mean-girls/id337961657?mt=8 for an introductory launch price of $0.99 and will be regularly priced at $1.99.

For more information, including screenshots, please visit: http://bhimpact.gamespress.com/client_page.asp?i=169

# # #

“Mean Girls” is a trademark or registered trademark of Paramount Pictures. Apple, iPhone and iPod are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

KONAMI ANNOUNCES STREETDATE FOR METAL GEAR SOLID®: PEACE WALKER FOR PSP®

Full-Scale Sequel to Metal Gear Solid 3 – Features New Game System and Original Story by Hideo Kojima Available Next Year

El Segundo, Calif. – December 4, 2009 – Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., announced that May 25th, 2010 is the official street date for Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, on the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system in North America.

Developed by legendary Hideo Kojima – the mastermind behind the most successful video game tactical-espionage series of all time – this latest PSP system installment picks up where Metal Gear Solid®3 for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system leaves off as players take control of the famed Naked Snake. Taking place in 1974, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker features original game design, story and scenario by Hideo Kojima. Scheduled to launch in 2010, the game takes the series in an exciting new direction with its incredible visuals and its unique new game system designed specifically with the PSP in mind.

“Featuring an original story created by legendary game designer, Hideo Kojima, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker is a title that has serious sales potential,” said David Daniels, Director of Marketing for Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. “Kojima Productions has pushed the limits of the PSP system and we cannot wait to unveil their latest addition to the Metal Gear franchise to gamers this coming May.”

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, is being developed exclusively for the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system.

About Konami
Konami is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties. Konami’s titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid®, Silent Hill®, DanceDanceRevolution® and Castlevania®, among other top sellers. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. KONAMI CORPORATION is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. KONAMI CORPORATION is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be found at www.konami.com.

KONAMI is a registered trademark of KONAMI CORPORATION. “PlayStation”is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Media Contacts
Konami Digital Entertainment
Brandon Cox
310-220-8674
CB32603@konami.com

Bender/Helper Impact
Marisa Gross / Marion Wallace
212-689-6360
marisa_gross@bhimpact.com / marion_wallace@bhimpact.com

ASTRO Gaming and Upper Playground Release 2nd Edition of Artist Series Speaker Tags

Contact Info (ASTRO Gaming):
Aron Drayer, 415.354.6300×132
aron@astrogaming.com

Contact Info (Upper Playground):
Gabriella Davi-Khorasanee, 415.252.0144×118
Gabriella@UpperPlayground.com

San Francisco, CA – ASTRO Gaming, creators of premium video gaming equipment for professional gamers, and Upper Playground, leaders in today’s progressive art movement, are launching a second edition of three Artist Series Speaker Tags for the award-winning A40 Audio System.

Three new sets of Upper Playground Speaker Tags are now available for sale via the Astro Gaming website. One design features Sam Flores’ instantly recognizable signature character and the other two represent fresh takes on the distinctive Upper Playground Walrus logo.

“The success of the first edition Upper Playground Artist Series went beyond all our expectations.” said Brett Lovelady, Founder of ASTRO Gaming. “We knew there was plenty of overlap between video gaming and urban culture, and this just confirms it. We just began the fifth printing of our first edition Tags and felt it was high time to release the second edition.”

The Upper Playground Artist Series Speaker Tags are available as part of the Upper Playground Edition A40 Audio System and as standalone Speaker Tag sets in limited quantities. Both are sold exclusively online at www.astrogaming.com and www.astrogaming.co.uk.

Win An ASTRO Gaming Headset & 2nd Edition Artist Series Speaker Tags
As a special thank you to their loyal fan bases, Upper Playground and ASTRO Gaming are giving away one A40 Audio System with one of the new speaker tags of their choosing. To enter, fans need to (1) follow both @UpperPlayground and @AstroGaming on Twitter.com; and (2) “tweet” or “retweet” the following text: “Retweet this for a chance to win one of the new @upperplayground A40 Audio Systems! #astroupcontest” to their Twitter accounts. For details on rules of entry, please visit the Upper Playground website or the ASTRO Gaming Blog.

About the A40 Audio System
The A40 Audio System, consisting of the A40 Headset and MixAmp, is a critically acclaimed solution for Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and PC gamers. The A40 Headset is the most versatile and user-configurable gaming headset in the world, and offers players an unprecedented amount of customization features. The MixAmp combines class-leading voice communication capabilities with pinpoint-accurate Dolby Digital surround sound. All ASTRO Gaming products are available direct from the company website at: http://www.astrogaming.com/products/

Relevant Links
ASTRO Gaming US Web Store: http://www.astrogaming.com
ASTRO Gaming Euro Web Store: http://www.astrogaming.co.uk
Upper Playground Stores: http://www.upperplayground.com/locations
Upper Playground Web Store: http://www.upperplaygroundstore.com

About Upper Playground
Based in San Francisco, CA, Upper Playground is the leader in today’s progressive art movement with its innovative apparel and accessories line and art galleries. Since 1999, Upper Playground has been recognized as a catalyst for the fusion of fashion with fine art. UP apparel and accessories are designed by local and international artists including Sam Flores, Jeremy Fish, Estevan Oriol, David Choe, and Alex Pardee. The Upper Playground collection is sold in over 300 boutiques worldwide and online. In addition, Upper Playground has stores and galleries in San Francisco, Berkeley, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, New York, Mexico City and London.

http://www.upperplayground.com

About ASTRO Gaming
ASTRO Gaming creates premium video gaming equipment for pro gamers, leagues and their lifestyles. Spun-off from design powerhouse Astro Studios, known in the gaming world for designing the Microsoft Xbox 360™, Alienware PCs, and HP’s Blackbird PC, ASTRO Gaming produces a line of gamer centric “tech-life” products, supporting this rapidly growing community. ASTRO Gaming’s product line includes the critically acclaimed A40 Audio System, the Official Licensed Headset of the Major League Gaming Pro Circuit, and the new Transport Series of gaming gear bags.

http://www.astrogaming.com

About Sam Flores
Fifteen years after first arriving on the West Coast from New Mexico, Sam Flores, an art school evacuee and self-taught illustrator, has established his place in the modern art movement as a master of fine art and product design. In keeping with the signature styling of his graffiti art background, Flores’ current fine art work carries a voice and vision that is instantly identifiable. The exotic characters and neutral landscapes he is known for are at once lush and meticulous. In addition to admirers of his original paintings, Sam Flores’ achieved popular recognition through clothing lines, skateboard & snowboard designs, signature home decor pieces, and a limited edition collection of vinyl toys. His artwork appears regularly in publications such as Juxtapoz, Urb and Wired Magazines, and he has show in galleries in Japan, France, Italy, Germany & Singapore, among other locations throughout the world.

http://www.samflores.com/

ASTRO Gaming and Upper Playground Release 2nd Edition of Artist Series Speaker Tags

Contact Info (ASTRO Gaming):
Aron Drayer, 415.354.6300×132
aron@astrogaming.com

Contact Info (Upper Playground):
Gabriella Davi-Khorasanee, 415.252.0144×118
Gabriella@UpperPlayground.com

San Francisco, CA – ASTRO Gaming, creators of premium video gaming equipment for professional gamers, and Upper Playground, leaders in today’s progressive art movement, are launching a second edition of three Artist Series Speaker Tags for the award-winning A40 Audio System.

Three new sets of Upper Playground Speaker Tags are now available for sale via the Astro Gaming website. One design features Sam Flores’ instantly recognizable signature character and the other two represent fresh takes on the distinctive Upper Playground Walrus logo.

“The success of the first edition Upper Playground Artist Series went beyond all our expectations.” said Brett Lovelady, Founder of ASTRO Gaming. “We knew there was plenty of overlap between video gaming and urban culture, and this just confirms it. We just began the fifth printing of our first edition Tags and felt it was high time to release the second edition.”

The Upper Playground Artist Series Speaker Tags are available as part of the Upper Playground Edition A40 Audio System and as standalone Speaker Tag sets in limited quantities. Both are sold exclusively online at www.astrogaming.com and www.astrogaming.co.uk.

Win An ASTRO Gaming Headset & 2nd Edition Artist Series Speaker Tags
As a special thank you to their loyal fan bases, Upper Playground and ASTRO Gaming are giving away one A40 Audio System with one of the new speaker tags of their choosing. To enter, fans need to (1) follow both @UpperPlayground and @AstroGaming on Twitter.com; and (2) “tweet” or “retweet” the following text: “Retweet this for a chance to win one of the new @upperplayground A40 Audio Systems! #astroupcontest” to their Twitter accounts. For details on rules of entry, please visit the Upper Playground website or the ASTRO Gaming Blog.

About the A40 Audio System
The A40 Audio System, consisting of the A40 Headset and MixAmp, is a critically acclaimed solution for Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and PC gamers. The A40 Headset is the most versatile and user-configurable gaming headset in the world, and offers players an unprecedented amount of customization features. The MixAmp combines class-leading voice communication capabilities with pinpoint-accurate Dolby Digital surround sound. All ASTRO Gaming products are available direct from the company website at: http://www.astrogaming.com/products/

Relevant Links
ASTRO Gaming US Web Store: http://www.astrogaming.com
ASTRO Gaming Euro Web Store: http://www.astrogaming.co.uk
Upper Playground Stores: http://www.upperplayground.com/locations
Upper Playground Web Store: http://www.upperplaygroundstore.com

About Upper Playground
Based in San Francisco, CA, Upper Playground is the leader in today’s progressive art movement with its innovative apparel and accessories line and art galleries. Since 1999, Upper Playground has been recognized as a catalyst for the fusion of fashion with fine art. UP apparel and accessories are designed by local and international artists including Sam Flores, Jeremy Fish, Estevan Oriol, David Choe, and Alex Pardee. The Upper Playground collection is sold in over 300 boutiques worldwide and online. In addition, Upper Playground has stores and galleries in San Francisco, Berkeley, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, New York, Mexico City and London.

http://www.upperplayground.com

About ASTRO Gaming
ASTRO Gaming creates premium video gaming equipment for pro gamers, leagues and their lifestyles. Spun-off from design powerhouse Astro Studios, known in the gaming world for designing the Microsoft Xbox 360™, Alienware PCs, and HP’s Blackbird PC, ASTRO Gaming produces a line of gamer centric “tech-life” products, supporting this rapidly growing community. ASTRO Gaming’s product line includes the critically acclaimed A40 Audio System, the Official Licensed Headset of the Major League Gaming Pro Circuit, and the new Transport Series of gaming gear bags.

http://www.astrogaming.com

About Sam Flores
Fifteen years after first arriving on the West Coast from New Mexico, Sam Flores, an art school evacuee and self-taught illustrator, has established his place in the modern art movement as a master of fine art and product design. In keeping with the signature styling of his graffiti art background, Flores’ current fine art work carries a voice and vision that is instantly identifiable. The exotic characters and neutral landscapes he is known for are at once lush and meticulous. In addition to admirers of his original paintings, Sam Flores’ achieved popular recognition through clothing lines, skateboard & snowboard designs, signature home decor pieces, and a limited edition collection of vinyl toys. His artwork appears regularly in publications such as Juxtapoz, Urb and Wired Magazines, and he has show in galleries in Japan, France, Italy, Germany & Singapore, among other locations throughout the world.

http://www.samflores.com/

KONAMI ANNOUNCES STREETDATE FOR METAL GEAR SOLID®: PEACE WALKER FOR PSP®

Full-Scale Sequel to Metal Gear Solid 3 – Features New Game System and Original Story by Hideo Kojima Available Next Year

El Segundo, Calif. – December 4, 2009 – Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., announced that May 25th, 2010 is the official street date for Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, on the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system in North America.

Developed by legendary Hideo Kojima – the mastermind behind the most successful video game tactical-espionage series of all time – this latest PSP system installment picks up where Metal Gear Solid®3 for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system leaves off as players take control of the famed Naked Snake. Taking place in 1974, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker features original game design, story and scenario by Hideo Kojima. Scheduled to launch in 2010, the game takes the series in an exciting new direction with its incredible visuals and its unique new game system designed specifically with the PSP in mind.

“Featuring an original story created by legendary game designer, Hideo Kojima, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker is a title that has serious sales potential,” said David Daniels, Director of Marketing for Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. “Kojima Productions has pushed the limits of the PSP system and we cannot wait to unveil their latest addition to the Metal Gear franchise to gamers this coming May.”

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, is being developed exclusively for the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system.

About Konami
Konami is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties. Konami’s titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid®, Silent Hill®, DanceDanceRevolution® and Castlevania®, among other top sellers. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. KONAMI CORPORATION is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. KONAMI CORPORATION is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be found at www.konami.com.

KONAMI is a registered trademark of KONAMI CORPORATION. “PlayStation”is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Media Contacts
Konami Digital Entertainment
Brandon Cox
310-220-8674
CB32603@konami.com

Bender/Helper Impact
Marisa Gross / Marion Wallace
212-689-6360
marisa_gross@bhimpact.com / marion_wallace@bhimpact.com

ASTRO Gaming and Upper Playground Release 2nd Edition of Artist Series Speaker Tags

Contact Info (ASTRO Gaming):
Aron Drayer, 415.354.6300×132
aron@astrogaming.com

Contact Info (Upper Playground):
Gabriella Davi-Khorasanee, 415.252.0144×118
Gabriella@UpperPlayground.com

San Francisco, CA – ASTRO Gaming, creators of premium video gaming equipment for professional gamers, and Upper Playground, leaders in today’s progressive art movement, are launching a second edition of three Artist Series Speaker Tags for the award-winning A40 Audio System.

Three new sets of Upper Playground Speaker Tags are now available for sale via the Astro Gaming website. One design features Sam Flores’ instantly recognizable signature character and the other two represent fresh takes on the distinctive Upper Playground Walrus logo.

“The success of the first edition Upper Playground Artist Series went beyond all our expectations.” said Brett Lovelady, Founder of ASTRO Gaming. “We knew there was plenty of overlap between video gaming and urban culture, and this just confirms it. We just began the fifth printing of our first edition Tags and felt it was high time to release the second edition.”

The Upper Playground Artist Series Speaker Tags are available as part of the Upper Playground Edition A40 Audio System and as standalone Speaker Tag sets in limited quantities. Both are sold exclusively online at www.astrogaming.com and www.astrogaming.co.uk.

Win An ASTRO Gaming Headset & 2nd Edition Artist Series Speaker Tags
As a special thank you to their loyal fan bases, Upper Playground and ASTRO Gaming are giving away one A40 Audio System with one of the new speaker tags of their choosing. To enter, fans need to (1) follow both @UpperPlayground and @AstroGaming on Twitter.com; and (2) “tweet” or “retweet” the following text: “Retweet this for a chance to win one of the new @upperplayground A40 Audio Systems! #astroupcontest” to their Twitter accounts. For details on rules of entry, please visit the Upper Playground website or the ASTRO Gaming Blog.

About the A40 Audio System
The A40 Audio System, consisting of the A40 Headset and MixAmp, is a critically acclaimed solution for Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and PC gamers. The A40 Headset is the most versatile and user-configurable gaming headset in the world, and offers players an unprecedented amount of customization features. The MixAmp combines class-leading voice communication capabilities with pinpoint-accurate Dolby Digital surround sound. All ASTRO Gaming products are available direct from the company website at: http://www.astrogaming.com/products/

Relevant Links
ASTRO Gaming US Web Store: http://www.astrogaming.com
ASTRO Gaming Euro Web Store: http://www.astrogaming.co.uk
Upper Playground Stores: http://www.upperplayground.com/locations
Upper Playground Web Store: http://www.upperplaygroundstore.com

About Upper Playground
Based in San Francisco, CA, Upper Playground is the leader in today’s progressive art movement with its innovative apparel and accessories line and art galleries. Since 1999, Upper Playground has been recognized as a catalyst for the fusion of fashion with fine art. UP apparel and accessories are designed by local and international artists including Sam Flores, Jeremy Fish, Estevan Oriol, David Choe, and Alex Pardee. The Upper Playground collection is sold in over 300 boutiques worldwide and online. In addition, Upper Playground has stores and galleries in San Francisco, Berkeley, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, New York, Mexico City and London.

http://www.upperplayground.com

About ASTRO Gaming
ASTRO Gaming creates premium video gaming equipment for pro gamers, leagues and their lifestyles. Spun-off from design powerhouse Astro Studios, known in the gaming world for designing the Microsoft Xbox 360™, Alienware PCs, and HP’s Blackbird PC, ASTRO Gaming produces a line of gamer centric “tech-life” products, supporting this rapidly growing community. ASTRO Gaming’s product line includes the critically acclaimed A40 Audio System, the Official Licensed Headset of the Major League Gaming Pro Circuit, and the new Transport Series of gaming gear bags.

http://www.astrogaming.com

About Sam Flores
Fifteen years after first arriving on the West Coast from New Mexico, Sam Flores, an art school evacuee and self-taught illustrator, has established his place in the modern art movement as a master of fine art and product design. In keeping with the signature styling of his graffiti art background, Flores’ current fine art work carries a voice and vision that is instantly identifiable. The exotic characters and neutral landscapes he is known for are at once lush and meticulous. In addition to admirers of his original paintings, Sam Flores’ achieved popular recognition through clothing lines, skateboard & snowboard designs, signature home decor pieces, and a limited edition collection of vinyl toys. His artwork appears regularly in publications such as Juxtapoz, Urb and Wired Magazines, and he has show in galleries in Japan, France, Italy, Germany & Singapore, among other locations throughout the world.

http://www.samflores.com/

KONAMI ANNOUNCES STREETDATE FOR METAL GEAR SOLID®: PEACE WALKER FOR PSP®

Full-Scale Sequel to Metal Gear Solid 3 – Features New Game System and Original Story by Hideo Kojima Available Next Year

El Segundo, Calif. – December 4, 2009 – Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., announced that May 25th, 2010 is the official street date for Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, on the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system in North America.

Developed by legendary Hideo Kojima – the mastermind behind the most successful video game tactical-espionage series of all time – this latest PSP system installment picks up where Metal Gear Solid®3 for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system leaves off as players take control of the famed Naked Snake. Taking place in 1974, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker features original game design, story and scenario by Hideo Kojima. Scheduled to launch in 2010, the game takes the series in an exciting new direction with its incredible visuals and its unique new game system designed specifically with the PSP in mind.

“Featuring an original story created by legendary game designer, Hideo Kojima, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker is a title that has serious sales potential,” said David Daniels, Director of Marketing for Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. “Kojima Productions has pushed the limits of the PSP system and we cannot wait to unveil their latest addition to the Metal Gear franchise to gamers this coming May.”

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, is being developed exclusively for the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system.

About Konami
Konami is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties. Konami’s titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid®, Silent Hill®, DanceDanceRevolution® and Castlevania®, among other top sellers. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. KONAMI CORPORATION is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. KONAMI CORPORATION is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be found at www.konami.com.

KONAMI is a registered trademark of KONAMI CORPORATION. “PlayStation”is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Media Contacts
Konami Digital Entertainment
Brandon Cox
310-220-8674
CB32603@konami.com

Bender/Helper Impact
Marisa Gross / Marion Wallace
212-689-6360
marisa_gross@bhimpact.com / marion_wallace@bhimpact.com

Be First to Unleash the Power of The PEREGRINE with Pre-Order Program for the Innovative Gaming Glove

PC Gaming Glove Available for Pre-Order Immediately at www.ThePEREGRINE.com – the game-changer for RTS and MMO Fans

PALO ALTO, CA and LLOYDMINSTER, Alberta – Dec. 3, 2009
Today, PC gaming enthusiasts with an eye for the latest and greatest tech can register to become the first to experience The PEREGRINE gaming glove – the new, faster, more precise alternative to the clunky keyboard that lets you simply touch your fingers together for the win.

The pre-order program – available only at ThePEREGRINE.com – offers the innovative new gaming peripheral at a special early access price of $129.99, a $20 discount off the retail price. As an added pre-order bonus, early buyers will receive a limited set of “First Edition” gaming glove faceplates, a product launch certificate of authenticity and charter membership in “Peregrine FTW”, an exclusive program that will offer member-only promotions, new product news, contests and pro-training sessions.

Designed with real-time strategy (RTS) and massively multiplayer online (MMO) gamers in mind, The PEREGRINE is an intuitive, powerful way to gain an edge over the competition. Constructed of military grade flexible sensors, with a magnetically detachable USB connector, The PEREGRINE comfortably replaces the keyboard in any gamer’s command center. Gamers who add The PEREGRINE to their arsenal will gain access to more than 30 instantly accessible actions performed by simply tapping their fingers or palm to maneuver, strike or cast spells.

By bringing the hand closer to the game than ever before, The PEREGRINE gives users lightning fast access to more than 30 actions. With the limitless ability to customize control schemes for any game or application, and universal compatibility thanks to the use of standard keyboard drivers, The PEREGRINE is a plug-and-play weapon of mass destruction.

“I’ve talked to a lot of gamers about The PEREGRINE and they are just as excited as we are about becoming the first to instantly improve their game speed and accuracy by donning our glove – rather than fumbling with their tired old keyboard!” Said Brent Baier, CEO of Iron Will Innovations, the think tank founded to bring revolutionary products like The PEREGRINE to life. “The pre-order program gives those most fevered to get their hands in The PEREGRINE a chance to snag one before any of their friends and competitors so they can literally Touch for the Win!”

To pre-order The PEREGRINE or find out more, visit http://www.ThePEREGRINE.com/

About The PEREGRINE

The PEREGRINE is a new way to control games: it is a seamless, customizable input device that you wear on your hand in order to better control increasingly complex PC games. It is designed to replace or, in some cases, augment the keyboard for game play, The PEREGRINE is an intuitive, comfortable way to gain an edge, taking advantage of the most powerful tool we have – the human hand. The PEREGRINE was developed by Iron Will Innovations, Inc., a think tank formed to bring game-changing products to the global market. With an innovative culture, IWI aims to empower people everywhere with products like The PEREGRINE, and change the way the world interacts with technology. For more information, visit http://www.ThePEREGRINE.com/ and become a fan at “The PEREGRINE” on Facebook.

Chris Heintz, TriplePoint
(415) 692-5486
heintz@triplepointpr.com

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