Gamers mark your calendars as the first of four massive Downloadable Content (DLC) Pack offerings for Call of Duty: Ghosts, the #1 most played multiplayer title currently for Xbox 360 on Xbox Live online entertainment network from Microsoft, is on the way with Call of Duty: Ghosts Onslaught.  Set to launch on 28th January first, exclusively on Xbox Live for both Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft and the Xbox 360 games and entertainment system from Microsoft, Onslaught debuts four unique multiplayer maps, each with their own distinct environments, small to medium scale and varied gameplay, as well as the all-new “Maverick” dual-purpose Assault Rifle/Sniper Rifle. Anchoring Call of Duty: Ghosts Onslaught is “Episode 1: Nightfall,” the first instalment in Extinction’s four-part episodic narrative that delves deeper into the storyline and features new characters, a new weapon and new alien species including a towering, three-story tall alien enemy.

Onslaught is also included as part of the Call of Duty: Ghosts DLC Season Pass, which gives fans access to four epic Call of Duty: Ghosts DLC Packs** planned to release in 2014 – Onslaught,Devastation, Invasion and Nemesis. Additionally, Call of Duty Ghosts DLC Season Pass holders get instant access to the downloadable multiplayer map, “Free Fall,” as well as the Team Leader Digital Pack, which comes with a unique multiplayer character head, weapon camo, reticle, player patch, player card and player background.

"We know our fans have an appetite for new gameplay content all year long and the team here is committed to delivering a full season’s worth of amazing new maps, weapons and more, starting withOnslaught in January,” said Mark Rubin, Executive Producer at Infinity Ward. "This year will see an assortment of content for players to dig into, with new, uniquely themed maps, new multiplayer weapons and an episodic Extinction story arc that introduces new characters, new locations and new weapons as they try to uncover the genesis of the aliens’ existence.”

Call of Duty: Ghosts Onslaught will deliver the fast-paced multiplayer experience fans love, with four classically designed Call of Duty® multiplayer maps, each with their own distinct environments, small to medium scale and varying gameplay. The first map, “Fog,” is a small to medium sized map set alongside the banks of a murky lake. Every area within “Fog” is a chilling homage to classic horror films, from an eerie campsite, flickering TVs, torture chamber and seemingly abandoned structures as players try to unlock the map’s dark secret.  If a player happens to find and complete a specific Field Order, they become the embodiment of evil and don the persona of one of cinema’s most iconic horror characters, Michael Myers.  Additionally, the entire soundscape changes to the eerily familiar Halloween Theme music so other players know to run for their lives.  Next is “BayView,” a close-quarters map set on a coastal Californian boardwalk packed with seaside gift stores and an aquarium, offering players fast-paced run-and-gun matches. Players must also be wary of the deadly artillery strike enemies can call-in from a Naval Destroyer anchored just offshore.

The third map “Containment,” transports players to a war-torn Mexican village, where the battle rages along both banks of the dried out riverbed.  The action in this compact map centres on the remains of a small bridge holding a hi-jacked truck filled with leaking radioactive material. Surrounded by a myriad of abandoned bars, cafes, a church and a pool hall, “Containment” also features elevated rooftop vantage points for players who prefer longer-range engagements. Onslaught’s fourth map “Ignition,” launches players into an aging Florida space launch facility. Inspired by “Scrapyard” – the fan-favourite multiplayer map from Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® 2, reimagined with dynamic gameplay elements – “Ignition” packs plenty of action both above and below ground amongst abandoned warehouses, flame trenches and a massive transport crawler. As if rockets crash-landing into the map weren’t enough, the close-quarters combat is further complicated via two separate rocket test engines sites that opposing forces can trigger, sending massive fireballs into the already intense firefights and the failed launch of a massive rocket has a dramatic effect on the combat.

Call of Duty: Ghosts Onslaught also arms players with a deadly new addition to the Call of Duty: Ghosts’ weapons arsenal with the “Maverick,” a dual-purpose Assault Rifle or Sniper Rifle that players can choose how to use depending on their tactical needs – a first for Call of Duty.  Outfitted with a lightweight wood stock this weapon can be selected in either the Assault or the Sniper Rifle class.  As an Assault Rifle the weapon’s fire rate becomes fully-automatic with high damage at a decent range and as a Sniper Rifle the “Maverick” sports an advanced scope and a semi-auto rate of fire.

Included in Call of Duty: Ghosts’ initial DLC Pack is the first instalment in Extinction’s four-part episodic narrative, “Episode 1: Nightfall.” Introducing a narrative driven by two new characters and featuring two all-new alien species and an exclusive weapon, “Episode 1: Nightfall” is a fast and frenetic, action-packed continuation of the original Extinction experience in Call of Duty: Ghosts. Set in a remote facility hidden deep within the Alaskan wilderness, the shadowy Nightfall Program has been researching the origins of the newly revealed alien threat. A small recon team of elite soldiers must infiltrate the site to retrieve intel and exterminate the hordes of savage creatures and along the way uncover a three-story tall terror unlike anything they’ve faced before.

Disney Interactive is releasing the winners of the Disney Infinity “Heroes vs. Villains” Toy Box challenge. Players were tasked with creating innovative Toy Boxes where they size up heroes against villains, bringing both sides to life.  Check out the latest episode of the new web series featuring the top global Toy Box of the week – “Ralph vs. Turbo” – and see who might win in a race to help Vanellop

Winning “Heroes vs. Villains” submissions include:

·         Ralph vs. Turbo – Turbo wants to beat Wreck-It Ralph in a race for helping Vanellope. Choose your side!

·         Mirror Mirror – Who is the fairest (and fastest) one of all? Find out in this obstacle course! First one to the apple wins.

·         Olympus Coliseum – Based on Kingdom Hearts where villains will battle for trophies. For a greater challenge, travel to the Underworld Arena!

·         King of the Hill – Control the cannons or run the gauntlet with favorite heroes and villains. Designed for two to four players.

·         Save the City! – Three missions: save 10 citizens, defeat 10 robots or defuse 10 bombs. Finish all three and save the city!

SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES "PLAYSTATION(TM)NOW", A NEW STREAMING GAME SERVICE THAT LEVERAGES CLOUD-BASED TECHNOLOGY;TO BE AVAILABLE IN THE UNITED STATES THIS SUMMER

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) today announced that "PlayStation(TM)Now" (PS Now), the company's streaming game service that leverages cloud-based technology, will become officially available in the United States this summer.  PS Now will deliver a variety of popular PlayStation(R)3 (PS3(TM)) game titles*1 first on PlayStation(R)4 (PS4(TM)) and PS3 systems, followed by the PlayStation(R)Vita (PS Vita) system. 

In addition to PlayStation platforms, most 2014 U.S. models of Sony's BRAVIA(R) TV*2 lineup will support PS Now.  Eventually the service will expand beyond PlayStation platforms and Sony devices, allowing users to stream PlayStation games on numerous other Internet-connected devices.

            SCE's vision for PS Now is to enable users to instantly enjoy a wide range of full games on the Internet-connected consumer electronics devices they use every day. The accessibility of PS Now means, for example, that PS4 users in the living room can continue playing a game on a PS3 system in their bedroom. Or PS Vita users can enjoy instant access to a game wherever there's Wi-Fi connectivity, such as outdoors, then can switch to a supporting BRAVIA(R) TV's big screen and play the same game after arriving home.

PS Now will offer choice to gamers with how they want to access content. Gamers can rent by title for specific games they are interested in, or they can choose a subscription that delivers additional value with the ability to explore and play many games available across a wide variety of genres. In addition, the service will support many popular PSNSM features such as online multi-player, Trophies, and messages.

"We are thrilled to deliver entertainment experiences only possible from PlayStation through our new streaming game service," said Andrew House, President and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.  "PS Now will allow users to engage in the world of PlayStation, whether they're existing fans or have never owned a PlayStation platform."

            During the 2014 International CES held in Las Vegas from January 7, attendees can visit the Sony booth to have a hands-on experience with the PS Now service for the first time ever.  Attendees can enjoy 4 blockbuster PS3 titles, BEYOND: Two Souls, God of War: Ascension, The Last of Us and Puppeteer from SCE Worldwide Studios, on PS Vita or BRAVIA(R) TV.

Prior to the official launch, SCE will begin a beta program on PS3 systems in certain regions of the United States from the end of January.  Additional information about PS Now will be available at http://us.playstation.com/playstationnow.

            SCE will continue to create and expand a new world of entertainment only available on PlayStation through the introduction of innovative technologies and services that deliver amazing experiences.

*1 Details of supported titles will be announced when ready.  
*2 Among the 9 U.S. models launching in 2014, 1 model (KDL-R400B) will not support this service.