In a move that’s got tails wagging from Hollywood to Manhattan, Nintendo of America is teaming up with Uggie, the talented Jack Russell terrier known to moviegoers as the canine co-star of The Artist. Starting today, Uggie will sink his teeth into a memorable new role as Nintendo’s first-ever “spokesdog,” spreading the word about the interactive fun of nintendogs + cats for the Nintendo 3DS hand-held system.

To help celebrate February as Responsible Pet Owners Month, Uggie will lend a paw by showing how the game includes valuable tips on how people can maintain happy, healthy relationships with their furry friends in real life. Though he previously announced plans to retire after this year’s awards season, the chance to team up with Nintendo was too doggone good for Uggie to resist.

Uggie is no stranger to the spotlight, having appeared in numerous television commercials and films during the last decade. As Nintendo’s spokesdog, he’ll appear alongside his owner Omar Von Muller to promote nintendogs + cats and the Pearl Pink Nintendo 3DS system, which offers a wide range of wireless features and entertainment experiences that can be enjoyed in 3D without the need for special glasses. In particular, Uggie and his owner will show consumers how nintendogs + cats can not only provide players with an adorable, customizable companion but also teach them skills that can translate to real-world dog or cat ownership. With February as Responsible Pet Owners Month, it’s the perfect time for this partnership.

“Uggie didn’t have to sit up and beg for his role as Nintendo’s spokesdog,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “It’s truly our pleasure to work with a star of Uggie’s magnitude, especially to help animal lovers and portable gaming fans discover the fun of nintendogs + cats.”

With nintendogs + cats, players can use the Nintendo 3DS system’s built-in touch screen, camera and microphone to interact with their dog or cat in amazing ways to form a lasting friendship. Players can feed, train and care for their choice of more than 27 breeds of puppies, and can also care for a variety of lovable kittens. If they take their Nintendo 3DS systems when going out, players can exchange Mii™ characters, puppies, kittens and presents with other nearby players via a wireless connection using the StreetPass™ feature. Nintendo will soon be adding a free playable demo of nintendogs + cats to the Nintendo eShop, so players can download the game and check it out at no cost.

Remember that Nintendo 3DS features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/3ds.

For more information about nintendogs + cats, visit http://nintendogspluscats.nintendo.com.

2K Games announced today that  The Darkness II, the sequel to the hit 2007 title,  The Darkness, is now available in North America for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system and Windows PC*. The title will be available internationally on February 10, 2012. Inspired by the comic book series created by Top Cow Productions, Inc., and developed by Digital Extremes,  The Darkness II continues the story of Jackie Estacado, head of a New York crime family and wielder of an ancient and brutal force of chaos and destruction known as the Darkness. Introducing unique Quad-Wielding™ combat and four-person cooperative gameplay distinct from the first-person campaign,  The Darkness II  breaks the mold of traditional first-person shooter titles.

“The Darkness II combines a powerful driving narrative with imaginative violence, creating a unique gameplay experience,” said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. “We are able to stay true to the origins of  The Darkness comics while introducing significant new features to the game, which is a great accomplishment for the franchise.”

The Darkness II  introduces a new combat mechanic through Quad-Wielding, allowing players to slash, grab, and throw objects and enemies with two Demon Arms while simultaneously firing two weapons. The game is layered with thematic elements of dark versus light, steeped in deep and twisted storytelling, and maintains the stylistic violence visualized through a hand-painted graphic noir technique, true to its comic book origins.

“Jackie Estacado’s saga returns in epic form with  The Darkness II,” added Marc Silvestri, founder and CEO of Top Cow Productions and co-creator of  The Darkness comics. “There’s a certain level of anxiousness when you see a favorite character move from ink on a page to pixels on a screen. 2K Games and Digital Extremes were able to do it in a way that stayed true to the Jackie from the comic books, while making a brutally awesome game at the same time.”

Also new in  The Darkness II  is the cooperative Vendettas campaign, a fast-paced, story-driven experience that takes place parallel to the single-player campaign. Vendettas lets up to four friends play together as one of four new playable characters – all with their own unique Darkness weapon – and begin their dangerous and bloody journey. Designed as a team-focused, mission-based experience, Vendettas explores the crucial role each character plays in Jackie Estacado’s campaign to defeat the Brotherhood.

A playable demo** of  The Darkness II is broadly available worldwide for Xbox 360, PS3™ and Windows PC.  The Darkness II is rated M for Mature by the ESRB. For more information on  The Darkness II, please visit

*Steam account and Internet connection required to activate game.

**Xbox LIVE®, PlayStation®Network  or Steam account and Internet connection required to access demo.

2K Games is a division of 2K, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).

Entitled NeverDead Expansion Pack Volume 1, the DLC expands the online element of the game, with a new playable character, three new challenges within the expanded Asylum level and two new online costumes for the game’s immortal hero, Bryce Boltzmann.

The Expansion Pack offers the user the chance to control a fashionable, charismatic pop-idol called Nikki Summerfield within NeverDead’s cooperative online challenges, and take part in three new challenges within the reworked Asylum stage. These include:

·          Egg Hunt: Scour the expanded Asylum level for collectables scoring points by delivering them to designated ‘Score Zones’. Opponents will try to snatch any that you drop along the way, while enemy ambush points and environmental hazards at every turn up the ante.

·          Fragile Alliance: A competitive race through a number of checkpoints spread across the map. Users can interrupt their rivals’ progress by attacking each other. This mode also sees the number of environmental hazards and enemy spawn points upped for additional challenge.

·          Onslaught: Unlock the entire Asylum level section-by-section by defeating all enemies. Demon-seals that block off areas will dissipate as you defeat enemies from the previous area, providing more-controlled player movement and encounters.

Finally, the NeverDead Expansion Pack Volume 1 also boasts two costumes for online users to dress Bryce in.

The Nintendo 3DS also continues to dominate hardware sales in Japan, selling 75,018 units while the Playstation Vita sold 17,141 (beating out the PSP).

Top selling Software and Hardware for 1/30 to 2/5.

• [3DS] 01. Resident Evil Revelations (Capcom, 01.26.2012) 43,575 (190,134)
• [PS3] 02. Soul Calibur V (Capcom, 02.02.2012) 34,328 (NEW)
• [PSP] 03. Photo Girlfriend (Capcom, 02.02.2012) 34,095 (NEW)
• [PSV] 04. Ragnarok Odyssey (Capcom, 02.02.2012) 33,496 (NEW)
• [PS3] 05. Armored Core V (Capcom, 01.26.2012) 30,775 (194,681)
• [3DS] 06. Mario Kart 7 (Capcom, 12.01.2011) 26,791 (1,460,749)
• [3DS] 07. Monster Hunter 3G (Capcom, 12.10.2011) 24,128 (1,211,026)
• [3DS] 08. Super Mario 3D Land (Capcom, 11.03.2011) 22,817 (1,311,312)
• [PS3] 09. Gran Turismo 5 Spec II (Capcom, 02.02.2012) 21,416 (NEW)
• [PS3] 10. Dragon Age II (Capcom, 02.02.2012) 19,928 (NEW)
• [3DS] 11. Rhythm Thief R (Capcom, 12.15.2011) 9,511 (56,037)
• [360] 12. Monster Hunter Frontier Online Forward .3 Premium Package (Capcom, 02.02.2012) 9,047 (NEW)
• [3DS] 13. Inazuma Eleven Go (Capcom, 01.26.2012) 8,960 (379,764)
• [PSV] 14. Tales of Innocence R (Capcom, 01.26.2012) 8,397 (63,250)
• [WII] 15. Just Dance Wii (Capcom, 10.13.2011) 7,851 (527,050)
• [360] 16. Soul Calibur V (Capcom, 02.02.2012) 7,679 (NEW)
• [PSP] 17. Monster Hunter Portable 3rd PSP the Best (Capcom, 09.22.2011) 6,875 (185,853)
• [WII] 18. Wii Sports Resort Wiimote Plus Pack (Capcom, 11.11.2010) 5,635 (862,118)
• [PS3] 19. Final Fantasy XIII-2 (Capcom, 12.15.2011) 5,336 (774,415)
• [WII] 20. Mario Kart Wii (Capcom, 04.10.2008) 5,068 (3,500,168)

Here’s the full hardware chart for the same period with the prior week’s sales in parentheses.

• 1. 3DS: 75,018 (84,789)
• 2. PS3: 23,293 (22,924)
• 3. PSV: 17,141 (18,942)
• 4. PSP: 15,847 (16,008)
• 5. Wii: 8,814 (10,396)
• 6. X360: 1,382 (1,235)
• 7. DSi LL: 1,090 (1,180)
• 8. DSi: 669 (738)
• 9. PS2: 481 (713)

Source: Andriasang.com

Elite Drop 2: Piazza Map
This seaside Italian getaway is anything but idyllic, as tight corners and branching pathways pose great risk at every turn. Close-range combat dominates, and the team that best utilizes flanking routes will most often come out on top. Attacks from behind, above and below are an ever-constant threat. Keep up your awareness and don’t get taken by surprise.

Elite Drop 3: Overwatch Map
Overwatch drops you into a construction site atop a New York City skyscraper. The battle takes place along two levels in a near symmetrical layout, with the central bridge and side routes open to attack from multiple angles. Watch your every step, as a lack of safety barriers surrounding the perimeter leaves nothing between you and a 70 story fall to the ground below.

Overwatch is the third Content Drop in Modern Warfare 3’s Content Season, which will include more than 20 pieces of brand new content over the 9 month season. Elite Drops 4-6 will be available in March for Premium Members on Xbox Live and will include the multiplayer map Black Box and two brand new Special Ops Missions, Black Ice and Negotiator. The full calendar of content is outlined here – http://www.callofduty.com/contentcalendar

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The information contained in this fact sheet relates to a prerelease product that may be substantially modified before its first commercial release. Accordingly, the information may not accurately describe or reflect the product when first commercially released. This fact sheet is provided for informational purposes only, and Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, with respect to the fact sheet or the information contained in it.

Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360 and Xbox Live are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Next Chapter in the Franchise Introduces More Than 20 New Figures Including Super-Sized Giants and Characters Featuring Light Technology

Global Marketing Partnership With Toys”R”Us Grows Alongside The Game

Bring Your Toys To Life. This novel premise takes a monster step forward with the worldwide unveiling of Skylanders Giants, the follow-up to the most successful kids’ IP launch of the year.¹ Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI), will debut the sequel at the North American International Toy Fair in booths 3151 and 3251 at the Javits Center in New York City from February 12-15.

Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure uniquely combined collectible real-world toys with an epic virtual game world, creating a new platform for communal play that was embraced by parents and kids everywhere. Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure was the #1 best-selling kids’ franchise worldwide in 2011, as well as the #1 overall new IP launched in North America, according to The NPD Group, Charttrack and GfK.

¹According to The NPD Group, Charttrack and Gfk

According to The NPD Group, Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure went on to become a Top-10 seller in North America and generated the greatest overall single-year sales, inclusive of software and accessories, of any new children’s IP in North America, since NPD has been tracking the category.

Skylanders Giants builds upon the breakthrough fundamentals of the first game-merging the physical and virtual realms with an innovative line of cross-platform toy figures that have “brains,” which players everywhere can magically bring to life in the world of Skylands. This next installment of the franchise features a variety of new characters, new challenges, a thrilling new story-driven adventure, and advanced integration across console, handheld, mobile and online:

Going Big: Skylanders Giants introduces eight new highly collectible figures that are more than twice the size of the main skylanders cast in both physical and virtual form. Their in-game powers and abilities reflect their colossal scale.

Bright Lights: Helping to further the real world magic of bringing toys to life, Skylanders Giants includes a set of characters that feature spectacular new light technology integrated into the toys, allowing the figure to light up when near or on the Portal of Power™. These characters have additional in-game benefits as well. Batteries are not required.

Brand New Skylanders: Eight new regular sized skylanders, each with their own unique powers, abilities, and personality, join the adventure alongside the Giants.

Forward Compatibility: Every beloved character from Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure is 100% compatible with Skylanders Giants, leveled-up stats and customizations intact.

Wider Worlds: Portal Masters will see all new arenas and more gameplay options in Battle Mode for exciting head-to-head play, as well as enhanced Elemental Zones, new Hero Challenges, and other features that encourage players to collect and level up every character.

Skylanders Giants also features closer integration with Skylanders Spyro’s Universe, the large online world that allows Portal Masters around the world to greatly expand their Skylanders experience.

“Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure’s success in 2011 validated an exciting idea-that with the right technology, and the creative minds to support it with engaging characters and story, we could define a new model for children’s play,” said Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing. “Skylanders Giants marks the evolution of this core concept. We’ve got super-sized figures, remarkably cool new characters that light up, as if by magic, and more ways to play and explore Skylands than ever before. We’re delighted to announce the title at Toy Fair 2012 and can’t wait for fans to go hands-on this fall.”

Toys”R”Us has reaffirmed its commitment to Activision and the Skylanders franchise, and will remain a marquee retail partner for the launch of Skylanders Giants. “While it was still in development, we recognized the potential that Skylanders had to connect with our customers due to its unique merging of physical and digital play,” said Jerry Storch, Chairman and CEO, Toys”R”Us, Inc. “The game was an enormous success last holiday shopping season, and the toys seem to evaporate as soon as they arrive on our store shelves. We’re excited to continue our enthusiastic support for Skylanders with a comprehensive, global marketing program to introduce Giants to our customers.”

Skylanders Giants is developed by Toys For Bob, an Activision studio located in Novato, California. The game is not yet rated by the ESRB. For more information, visit www.skylandersgame.com

BloodRayne: Betrayal is a retro throwback, bringing back the best of old-school platformers and blending it together with extremely satisfying, gorgeously bloody vampire slashing. It’s a beautiful game with style in spades set to a chilling narrative. This is the definition of a must-have game at a fantastic price.

BloodRayne: Betrayal delivers over-the-top stylish action with a healthy dose of bloodshed. You are Rayne, the sexy dhampir with superhuman strength, speed, and agility, recruited by the vampire hunting Brimstone Society for one last mission. The target is a lavish, yet sinister ball in a secluded castle with plenty of dark surprises. With the help of a mysterious friend, and members of Brimstone, Rayne must infiltrate the manor, take out the fiendish horde, and stop an evil master plot once and for all.
For more information about BloodRayne: Betrayal, please visit www.bloodraynebetrayal.com.