Bit.Trip Runner: Like Super Mario Bros, But Musical And Maybe Weirder [Gdc]

Here is Bit.Trip Runner, the first sidescrolling game in the Bit.Trip series of downloadable games for the Wii. Two videos of the game played by G4’s Patrick Klepek. Shot by me. Keep the guy running, synced to the music. More

News: Non-profit XBLA game Chime dated

Musical puzzler donates to charity. OneBigGame, an inspiring new non-profit publisher, has announced a 3rd February release date for Chime. Developed by Zoe Mode and available from Xbox Live Arcade, this will be the first game on OBG’s label. What’s more, 60 per cent of the 400 MSP (£3.40/€4.80) asking price will be donated to children’s charities around the world. Feel bad already, don’t you? Read more…

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News: Non-profit XBLA game Chime dated

BECOME A MAESTRO ON THE MOVE THIS CHRISTMAS WITH ‘EASY PIANO’ EXCLUSIVELY FOR NINTENDO DS

Strike up a Tune Anywhere, Anytime with the First DS Game Featuring a Real Keyboard, Available Now at Retailers Across EMEA and Asia Pacific

LYON, FRANCE – 4 December 2009 – Christmas day will come alive with a new sound of music as NAMCO BANDAI Partners announce the launch of ‘Easy Piano’ for Nintendo DS from publisher Game Life, available now at retailers across EMEA and Asia Pacific. Featuring an exclusive full-octave keyboard peripheral, ‘Easy Piano’ gives players the most fun and realistic piano experience ever on DS.

The wealth of entertaining and accessible game modes in ‘Easy Piano’ helps beginners take their first steps towards concert glory and lets more seasoned players take it away with a flourish to some of the most familiar and best loved music ever composed.

Budding maestros can play more than 30 of the world’s best known compositions spanning time and genres to offer something for everyone. ‘Easy Piano’ takes players from Mozart and Beethoven to pop classics and even Jingle Bells, the perfect number to liven up any Christmas morning.

Through a series of fun lessons the game teaches the skills and dexterity needed to become a mobile virtuoso. Players have access to a three octave range while playing, making clever use of the 8-note full octave keyboard included with the game. The range of musical sounds to choose from includes guitar and other instruments as well as piano, so whatever your style or mood, there’s a sound to suit.

The Creation mode lets players record up to three 3-minute masterpieces of their very own, with the game lending a hand to bring out every player’s full potential. With beginner and advanced difficulty modes and a myriad of entertaining games included, ‘Easy Piano’ is accessible and fun for everyone. In no time at all you can be tickling the ivories like a pro.

For more information please visit www.namcobandaipartners.com.

About NAMCO BANDAI Partners
NAMCO BANDAI Partners, one of the video game industry’s leading distribution, marketing and sales companies, is a wholly owned subsidiary of NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe with 16 dedicated offices operating in 50 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South America, Australasia, and south east Asia (Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea). The company distributes and markets a broad catalogue of high quality interactive entertainment products for Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo gaming platforms and PC from NAMCO BANDAI Games, D3Publisher and other major video game publishers on an international and regional basis. NAMCO BANDAI Partners is an independent business unit of the NAMCO BANDAI group of companies.

For more information about NAMCO BANDAI Partners and its products visit www.namcobandaipartners.com. For media assets visit www.namcobandaipartners-press.com.

About Game Life
Game Life is a video game production company for hand-held, online and next generation consoles. The company focuses its production on quality, originality and market potential. All games are created in collaboration with external development studios which are among the most talented on the planet. Our goal is to deliver accessible, user-friendly and exciting games that can be shared with family and friends. The Horse Life range is already a worldwide success with 500 000 units shipped to date.
Easy Piano on Nintendo DS is a worldwide premiere, offering a real keyboard to learn, play and compose tunes in the most fun and simple way possible.
For more information visit our website : www.gamelife.com

BECOME A MAESTRO ON THE MOVE THIS CHRISTMAS WITH ‘EASY PIANO’ EXCLUSIVELY FOR NINTENDO DS

Strike up a Tune Anywhere, Anytime with the First DS Game Featuring a Real Keyboard, Available Now at Retailers Across EMEA and Asia Pacific

LYON, FRANCE – 4 December 2009 – Christmas day will come alive with a new sound of music as NAMCO BANDAI Partners announce the launch of ‘Easy Piano’ for Nintendo DS from publisher Game Life, available now at retailers across EMEA and Asia Pacific. Featuring an exclusive full-octave keyboard peripheral, ‘Easy Piano’ gives players the most fun and realistic piano experience ever on DS.

The wealth of entertaining and accessible game modes in ‘Easy Piano’ helps beginners take their first steps towards concert glory and lets more seasoned players take it away with a flourish to some of the most familiar and best loved music ever composed.

Budding maestros can play more than 30 of the world’s best known compositions spanning time and genres to offer something for everyone. ‘Easy Piano’ takes players from Mozart and Beethoven to pop classics and even Jingle Bells, the perfect number to liven up any Christmas morning.

Through a series of fun lessons the game teaches the skills and dexterity needed to become a mobile virtuoso. Players have access to a three octave range while playing, making clever use of the 8-note full octave keyboard included with the game. The range of musical sounds to choose from includes guitar and other instruments as well as piano, so whatever your style or mood, there’s a sound to suit.

The Creation mode lets players record up to three 3-minute masterpieces of their very own, with the game lending a hand to bring out every player’s full potential. With beginner and advanced difficulty modes and a myriad of entertaining games included, ‘Easy Piano’ is accessible and fun for everyone. In no time at all you can be tickling the ivories like a pro.

For more information please visit www.namcobandaipartners.com.

About NAMCO BANDAI Partners
NAMCO BANDAI Partners, one of the video game industry’s leading distribution, marketing and sales companies, is a wholly owned subsidiary of NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe with 16 dedicated offices operating in 50 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South America, Australasia, and south east Asia (Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea). The company distributes and markets a broad catalogue of high quality interactive entertainment products for Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo gaming platforms and PC from NAMCO BANDAI Games, D3Publisher and other major video game publishers on an international and regional basis. NAMCO BANDAI Partners is an independent business unit of the NAMCO BANDAI group of companies.

For more information about NAMCO BANDAI Partners and its products visit www.namcobandaipartners.com. For media assets visit www.namcobandaipartners-press.com.

About Game Life
Game Life is a video game production company for hand-held, online and next generation consoles. The company focuses its production on quality, originality and market potential. All games are created in collaboration with external development studios which are among the most talented on the planet. Our goal is to deliver accessible, user-friendly and exciting games that can be shared with family and friends. The Horse Life range is already a worldwide success with 500 000 units shipped to date.
Easy Piano on Nintendo DS is a worldwide premiere, offering a real keyboard to learn, play and compose tunes in the most fun and simple way possible.
For more information visit our website : www.gamelife.com

BECOME A MAESTRO ON THE MOVE THIS CHRISTMAS WITH ‘EASY PIANO’ EXCLUSIVELY FOR NINTENDO DS

Strike up a Tune Anywhere, Anytime with the First DS Game Featuring a Real Keyboard, Available Now at Retailers Across EMEA and Asia Pacific

LYON, FRANCE – 4 December 2009 – Christmas day will come alive with a new sound of music as NAMCO BANDAI Partners announce the launch of ‘Easy Piano’ for Nintendo DS from publisher Game Life, available now at retailers across EMEA and Asia Pacific. Featuring an exclusive full-octave keyboard peripheral, ‘Easy Piano’ gives players the most fun and realistic piano experience ever on DS.

The wealth of entertaining and accessible game modes in ‘Easy Piano’ helps beginners take their first steps towards concert glory and lets more seasoned players take it away with a flourish to some of the most familiar and best loved music ever composed.

Budding maestros can play more than 30 of the world’s best known compositions spanning time and genres to offer something for everyone. ‘Easy Piano’ takes players from Mozart and Beethoven to pop classics and even Jingle Bells, the perfect number to liven up any Christmas morning.

Through a series of fun lessons the game teaches the skills and dexterity needed to become a mobile virtuoso. Players have access to a three octave range while playing, making clever use of the 8-note full octave keyboard included with the game. The range of musical sounds to choose from includes guitar and other instruments as well as piano, so whatever your style or mood, there’s a sound to suit.

The Creation mode lets players record up to three 3-minute masterpieces of their very own, with the game lending a hand to bring out every player’s full potential. With beginner and advanced difficulty modes and a myriad of entertaining games included, ‘Easy Piano’ is accessible and fun for everyone. In no time at all you can be tickling the ivories like a pro.

For more information please visit www.namcobandaipartners.com.

About NAMCO BANDAI Partners
NAMCO BANDAI Partners, one of the video game industry’s leading distribution, marketing and sales companies, is a wholly owned subsidiary of NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe with 16 dedicated offices operating in 50 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South America, Australasia, and south east Asia (Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea). The company distributes and markets a broad catalogue of high quality interactive entertainment products for Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo gaming platforms and PC from NAMCO BANDAI Games, D3Publisher and other major video game publishers on an international and regional basis. NAMCO BANDAI Partners is an independent business unit of the NAMCO BANDAI group of companies.

For more information about NAMCO BANDAI Partners and its products visit www.namcobandaipartners.com. For media assets visit www.namcobandaipartners-press.com.

About Game Life
Game Life is a video game production company for hand-held, online and next generation consoles. The company focuses its production on quality, originality and market potential. All games are created in collaboration with external development studios which are among the most talented on the planet. Our goal is to deliver accessible, user-friendly and exciting games that can be shared with family and friends. The Horse Life range is already a worldwide success with 500 000 units shipped to date.
Easy Piano on Nintendo DS is a worldwide premiere, offering a real keyboard to learn, play and compose tunes in the most fun and simple way possible.
For more information visit our website : www.gamelife.com

BECOME A MAESTRO ON THE MOVE THIS CHRISTMAS WITH ‘EASY PIANO’ EXCLUSIVELY FOR NINTENDO DS

Strike up a Tune Anywhere, Anytime with the First DS Game Featuring a Real Keyboard, Available Now at Retailers Across EMEA and Asia Pacific

LYON, FRANCE – 4 December 2009 – Christmas day will come alive with a new sound of music as NAMCO BANDAI Partners announce the launch of ‘Easy Piano’ for Nintendo DS from publisher Game Life, available now at retailers across EMEA and Asia Pacific. Featuring an exclusive full-octave keyboard peripheral, ‘Easy Piano’ gives players the most fun and realistic piano experience ever on DS.

The wealth of entertaining and accessible game modes in ‘Easy Piano’ helps beginners take their first steps towards concert glory and lets more seasoned players take it away with a flourish to some of the most familiar and best loved music ever composed.

Budding maestros can play more than 30 of the world’s best known compositions spanning time and genres to offer something for everyone. ‘Easy Piano’ takes players from Mozart and Beethoven to pop classics and even Jingle Bells, the perfect number to liven up any Christmas morning.

Through a series of fun lessons the game teaches the skills and dexterity needed to become a mobile virtuoso. Players have access to a three octave range while playing, making clever use of the 8-note full octave keyboard included with the game. The range of musical sounds to choose from includes guitar and other instruments as well as piano, so whatever your style or mood, there’s a sound to suit.

The Creation mode lets players record up to three 3-minute masterpieces of their very own, with the game lending a hand to bring out every player’s full potential. With beginner and advanced difficulty modes and a myriad of entertaining games included, ‘Easy Piano’ is accessible and fun for everyone. In no time at all you can be tickling the ivories like a pro.

For more information please visit www.namcobandaipartners.com.

About NAMCO BANDAI Partners
NAMCO BANDAI Partners, one of the video game industry’s leading distribution, marketing and sales companies, is a wholly owned subsidiary of NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe with 16 dedicated offices operating in 50 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South America, Australasia, and south east Asia (Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea). The company distributes and markets a broad catalogue of high quality interactive entertainment products for Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo gaming platforms and PC from NAMCO BANDAI Games, D3Publisher and other major video game publishers on an international and regional basis. NAMCO BANDAI Partners is an independent business unit of the NAMCO BANDAI group of companies.

For more information about NAMCO BANDAI Partners and its products visit www.namcobandaipartners.com. For media assets visit www.namcobandaipartners-press.com.

About Game Life
Game Life is a video game production company for hand-held, online and next generation consoles. The company focuses its production on quality, originality and market potential. All games are created in collaboration with external development studios which are among the most talented on the planet. Our goal is to deliver accessible, user-friendly and exciting games that can be shared with family and friends. The Horse Life range is already a worldwide success with 500 000 units shipped to date.
Easy Piano on Nintendo DS is a worldwide premiere, offering a real keyboard to learn, play and compose tunes in the most fun and simple way possible.
For more information visit our website : www.gamelife.com

BECOME A MAESTRO ON THE MOVE THIS CHRISTMAS WITH ‘EASY PIANO’ EXCLUSIVELY FOR NINTENDO DS

Strike up a Tune Anywhere, Anytime with the First DS Game Featuring a Real Keyboard, Available Now at Retailers Across EMEA and Asia Pacific

LYON, FRANCE – 4 December 2009 – Christmas day will come alive with a new sound of music as NAMCO BANDAI Partners announce the launch of ‘Easy Piano’ for Nintendo DS from publisher Game Life, available now at retailers across EMEA and Asia Pacific. Featuring an exclusive full-octave keyboard peripheral, ‘Easy Piano’ gives players the most fun and realistic piano experience ever on DS.

The wealth of entertaining and accessible game modes in ‘Easy Piano’ helps beginners take their first steps towards concert glory and lets more seasoned players take it away with a flourish to some of the most familiar and best loved music ever composed.

Budding maestros can play more than 30 of the world’s best known compositions spanning time and genres to offer something for everyone. ‘Easy Piano’ takes players from Mozart and Beethoven to pop classics and even Jingle Bells, the perfect number to liven up any Christmas morning.

Through a series of fun lessons the game teaches the skills and dexterity needed to become a mobile virtuoso. Players have access to a three octave range while playing, making clever use of the 8-note full octave keyboard included with the game. The range of musical sounds to choose from includes guitar and other instruments as well as piano, so whatever your style or mood, there’s a sound to suit.

The Creation mode lets players record up to three 3-minute masterpieces of their very own, with the game lending a hand to bring out every player’s full potential. With beginner and advanced difficulty modes and a myriad of entertaining games included, ‘Easy Piano’ is accessible and fun for everyone. In no time at all you can be tickling the ivories like a pro.

For more information please visit www.namcobandaipartners.com.

About NAMCO BANDAI Partners
NAMCO BANDAI Partners, one of the video game industry’s leading distribution, marketing and sales companies, is a wholly owned subsidiary of NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe with 16 dedicated offices operating in 50 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South America, Australasia, and south east Asia (Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea). The company distributes and markets a broad catalogue of high quality interactive entertainment products for Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo gaming platforms and PC from NAMCO BANDAI Games, D3Publisher and other major video game publishers on an international and regional basis. NAMCO BANDAI Partners is an independent business unit of the NAMCO BANDAI group of companies.

For more information about NAMCO BANDAI Partners and its products visit www.namcobandaipartners.com. For media assets visit www.namcobandaipartners-press.com.

About Game Life
Game Life is a video game production company for hand-held, online and next generation consoles. The company focuses its production on quality, originality and market potential. All games are created in collaboration with external development studios which are among the most talented on the planet. Our goal is to deliver accessible, user-friendly and exciting games that can be shared with family and friends. The Horse Life range is already a worldwide success with 500 000 units shipped to date.
Easy Piano on Nintendo DS is a worldwide premiere, offering a real keyboard to learn, play and compose tunes in the most fun and simple way possible.
For more information visit our website : www.gamelife.com

PANDEMIC STUDIOS TAPS GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINATED COMPOSER FOR THE SABOTEUR

Hollywood Composer Christopher Young Scores Theme to Epic Open-World Action Title, Songs Available on iTunes Dec 22

Los Angeles, Calif. – December 3, 2009– Pandemic™ Studios, a studio of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS), announced today that Golden Globe and Emmy nominated film composer Christopher Young, best known for scoring major films such as Spider Man 3 and the upcoming movie Creation, composed the main theme to its open-world sandbox action game set in a stylized version of Nazi occupied Paris, The Saboteur™. Inspired by early 20th century France and the game’s blockbuster action, Christopher Young’s main theme presents a musical window into the heart of The Saboteur, its suspenseful atmosphere, striking Parisian setting and its unique perspective on the era.

“I had tremendous confidence in knowing that once the defining theme to The Saboteur was left in Christopher Young’s hands, we would receive ground breaking results. His rich experience and his unique talent takes EA’s latest franchise to new heights,” said Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive of Music at Electronic Arts.

“The Saboteur’s visually striking environments were a major inspiration for me when composing,” said Christopher Young, composer. “The theme is a combination of The Saboteur’s unique blend of artistry and storyline mixed with the confusion, suspense, excitement and social temperament of the time period. It’s mysterious and dark but filled with a subtle feeling of hope.”

The Saboteur is set in World War II France and takes players through the seedy underbelly of Paris as hero Sean Devlin sets off on a revenge mission. Inspired by a true story, The Saboteur stars Sean Devlin who, motivated by personal revenge, fights, climbs, and races through open-world Paris, sneaking into the heart of the Nazi operations and sabotaging their every move. With the help of the French Resistance, the British intelligence, an arsenal of weaponry, street smarts and brawn, players will exact revenge on those who get in his way. From derailing trains and blowing up zeppelins to scaling famous Parisian landmarks, this action hero uses a broad range of weapons, explosives and vehicles to get the job done.

As the winner of art awards such as Best of E3 2009 for Artistic Design on Xbox 360 by IGN.com, The Saboteur has received widespread recognition for beautifully integrating a unique artistic style with a dramatic storyline and intense action to deliver a truly unique gaming experience.

The Saboteur will be available for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, the Xbox360® video game and entertainment system, and the PC on December 8th in North America and on December 4th in Europe and other countries worldwide. The Saboteur is rated “M for Mature” by the ESRB and “18+” by PEGI. For more information on The Saboteur, please visit http://www.thesaboteurgame.com or get the latest news on www.twitter.com/pandemicstudios.

About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is a leading global interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless devices and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA™, EA SPORTS™, EA Mobile™ and POGO™. In fiscal 2009, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $4.2 billion and had 31 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA’s homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA’s products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.

EA, EA SPORTS, EA Mobile, POGO, Pandemic and The Saboteur are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. “PlayStation” is a registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Microsoft, Xbox, and Xbox 360 are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Media Contacts:

Kerstin Mueller
Sr. Publicist, EA Games Label
310-754-7200
kmueller@ea.com

Amanda Taggart
Sr. PR Manager, EA Games Label
650-628-2794
ataggart@ea.com

Tammy Schachter
Sr. Director, EA Games Label
650-628-7223
tschachter@ea.com

**ROCK BAND MEDIA ALERT** ROCK BAND ADDS MORE GREEN DAY!

Guildford, UK. – 4th Dec. 2009 – Harmonix and MTV Games today announced that a three pack of songs from Green Day will be added to the Rock Band Music Store of downloadable content for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Wii™ on Dec. 15 and to PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system on Dec. 17.

Green Day is one of the more than 390 bands currently available through the Rock Band platform. With more than 1,000 songs available, Rock Band is, without question, the industry leader in providing the best selection of interactive musical content, songs and artists.

Green Day will bring three more tracks from 21st Century Breakdown to the Rock Band Music Store as downloadable content. The three pack of songs will include, “Christian’s Inferno,” “Last of the American Girls,” and “¡Viva La Gloria!”. These tracks will be available for purchase as “Green Day Pack 02” as well as individual tracks on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 system, and as individual tracks on Wii.

Green Day has won critical acclaim and numerous accolades, including Grammy„¥ Awards for Best Alternative Album for Dookie, Best Rock Album for American Idiot and Record of the Year for their smash hit “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.” Earlier this year, Green Day released their eighth studio album, 21st Century Breakdown, on Warner Music Group’s Reprise Records and released “21 Guns,” “East Jesus Nowhere” and “Know Your Enemy” on the Rock Band platform. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, as well as on the Rock, Active Rock and Alternative charts, fueled by the alternative radio No. 1 single “Know Your Enemy.” This past September, the band took home three 2009 MTV Video Music Awards for “21” Guns,” winning all three categories in which the clip was nominated: “Best Rock Video,” “Best Cinematography,” and “Best Direction.” Green Day performed Nov. 5 at the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards in Berlin. The band was nominated for three awards, “Best Live Act,” “Best Group” and “Best Rock,” and took home the award for “Best Rock.” They won an American Music Award in November for Favorite Alternative Rock Music Artist, and just received three Grammy Award Nominations for Best Rock Album, Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and Best Rock Song. Green Day is currently touring Australia and New Zealand.

Price: £.99 UK (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) per track
£2.49 UK (440 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) for “Green Day Pack 02”
(200 Wii Points™) per track

** Dates for Rock Band game tracks are tentative and subject to change. **

Website Links:
For more information, please visit:

Rock Band Website
Green Day Website

Rock Band 2 is available for Xbox 360, PlayStation3 system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and Wii system. Xbox 360, PlayStation3 system and Wii versions support downloadable content.

Downloadable content for Wii is purchased via the in-game Rock Band Music Store using Wii Points™ purchased through the Wii™ Shop Channel and can be downloaded to the system memory or to an SD card for additional storage. The tracks stream directly from the SD card for seamless play.

With this addition, there are now 1,016 tracks available to date via disc and download purchase (complete list of tracks at www.rockband.com/music). Rock Band continues to satisfy music fans’ and gamers’ voracious appetite for rock with more than 60 million paid downloads since its launch Nov. 20, 2007. The Rock Band Music Store allows players to preview and purchase downloadable individual music tracks and packs from the vast selection of offerings available to date without ever leaving the game as they build their own custom Rock Band library.

Rock Band and Rock Band 2 are rated “T” for Teen (lyrics, suggestive themes) by the ESRB. Music downloads are not rated by the ESRB.

For more information on Rock Band 2 and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockband.com and www.harmonixmusic.com.

Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.

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

Wii is a trademark of Nintendo. © 2006 Nintendo.

WORLD CYBER GAMES KICKS OFF ITS FIRST-EVER GRAND FINAL IN MAINLAND CHINA WITH A SPECTACULAR OPENING CEREMONY

600 Elite Gamers From 65 Countries and Spectators Enjoy Thrilling Competition, Musical Pop Stars and Famous International Gamers

Chengdu, China. November 12, 2009 – World Cyber Games (WCG), the premier international video game competition and festival, officially welcomed over 600 of the world’s most elite gamers from 65 countries to the 2009 Grand Finals in Chengdu, China. In celebration of the first-ever Grand Final in China, the WCG put on a spectacular opening ceremony that was witnessed by thousands of fans at the New International Convention & Exposition Center.

The event began with the annual WCG Parade of Nations, during which a representative from each of the countries carried the flag of his homeland to showcase National pride and the dreams for gold and glory that each of the gamers brings to the event. Following the parade, internationally renowned Chinese Warcraft III player Li ‘WE-SKY’ Xiaofeng was joined on stage by Thomas Clarke, the head Guitar Hero referee from New Zealand, for the reading of the Fair Play Oath. Headlining the entertainment at the event was a performance from China’s pop sensation ‘Boy Band’ who sang a Chinese version of the official WCG theme song ‘Beyond the Game’.

The first day was not just pomp and circumstance. It also marked the beginning of the competition as Xiaofeng took on German great Marc ‘yAws’ Forster in Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne. The first match of the Grand Final gave Germany a great jump out of the gate as Forster took down the hometown favorite in a thrilling match.

“This year’s Grand Final marks the first time the WCG has selected China for its biggest event of the year and we are confident it will be one of the most spectacular to date,” said Hyoung-seok Kim, CEO of World Cyber Games Inc., the global organizer of the World Cyber Games.

The WCG 2009 Grand Final continues through November 15. For up-to-the-minute tournament updates and a full gallery of photos, please visit www.WCG.com.

ABOUT THE WORLD CYBER GAMES
World Cyber Games (www.wcg.com) is the premiere global eSports tournament and festival, with about 800 players from 78 countries participating at the WCG 2008 Grand Final. Founded in 2000 and credited with launching the professional careers of many of the planet’s top competitive video game players, World Cyber Games uses a yearlong tournament format, which begins with online, regional and national competitions in each country. National finalists then convene to compete in the ultimate international tournament in eSports, the World Cyber Games Grand Final, where each country’s best players battle for the largest and most prestigious prizes in competitive gaming. The WCG 2008 Grand Final was held in Cologne, Germany. This year’s WCG Grand Final will be held in Chengdu, China from November 11th to 15th.

Contact:
Yvette In 82-2-2106-6552 yvette@wcg.com
Blain Howard 212-689-6360 blain_howard@bhimpact.com
Aaron Smolick 914-479-0070 X10 aaron.smolick@wcg.com

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