Sources confirm fall 2013 release, detail graphics processing power.

The next Xbox will ship to retailers in late October or early November of next year with six times the processing power of the Xbox 360, sources close to the project have told IGN.

Following initial reports from tech blogs Fudzilla and SemiAccurate, our sources have confirmed that mass production of the system's GPU will indeed begin by the end of 2012 but will not, however, be based on AMD's 7000 series Southern Islands GPU. Instead, the processor will be derived from the 6000 series, which was introduced last year. More specifically, it will be akin to the Radeon HD 6670, which offers support for DirectX11, multidisplay output, 3D and 1080p HD output. The chip currently has a market price of upwards of $79.99.

In real terms, the Xbox 720's raw graphics processing power is expected to be six times that of the Xbox 360 and will yield 20-percent greater performance than Nintendo's forthcoming console, the Wii U.

Developers are likely to receive development kits based on the system's final configuration in August. Projected pricing for the console was not provided.

AGOURA HILLS, Calif. Jan 18, 2012 – THQ Inc. today announced the second downloadable content pack for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine is scheduled to release for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Playstation®3 computer entertainment system, and Windows PC on 24th January (US) / 25th January (EU).

The premium add-on pack called The Dreadnought, adds a new multiplayer mode called Dreadnought Assault where both teams battle to capture a central location on the map and the winners spawn a player controlled Dreadnought. The Dreadnought is armed with an Assault Cannon / Auto Cannon, a Meltagun and a Power Fist / Power Claw and must capture points across the map to score points for their team. Once the Dreadnought is destroyed a new spawn point will appear.

The Dreadnought DLC also includes three new multiplayer maps Desolation, Dome Mechanicus and Chem Refinery, as well as new achievements / trophies and has a suggested cost of 800 Microsoft Points / US$9.99.

In addition to the premium add-on content all players of Space Marine will receive a new multiplayer Capture and Control Mode for free. Playable on all the game’s multiplayer maps, this team based mode challenges players to capture and defend locations around the map to score points.

Jim Huntley, Vice President of Global Brand Management commented, “Fans of Space Marine have been asking for vehicles for a while so we are delighted to be bringing the iconic Dreadnought and Chaos Dreadnought to consoles for the first time in this DLC content.”

Alongside this add-on content THQ will be releasing two new player skins for sale on the Xbox LIVE® online entertainment network, Playstation® Network and STEAM. Players will be able to purchase unique Iron Hands and Death Guard skin packs for a suggested price of 240 Microsoft Points / US$2.99 each.

The Space Marine DLC content is scheduled to be available to purchase on Xbox 360, Playstation®3 and Windows PC on 25th January(US) / 25th January (EU).

Blizzard have announced that their massive annual convention won’t be happening this year. Instead, they’ll be devoting more time to finishing their many projects. “In light of our jam-packed schedule, we’ve decided to hold the next BlizzCon in 2013,” Blizzard say in a statement on Battle.net, mentioning that they’re currently “heavily focused on getting Diablo III, Mists of Pandaria, and Heart of the Swarm into players’ hands as soon as possible.”

It’s sad news for fans. Blizzcon is a mad, noisy celebration of some of PC gaming’s biggest series. Blizzcon 2011 brought MMO and esports fans together, and hosted the announcement of World of Warcraft’s next expansion, Mists of Pandaria. Having said that, it was obvious from the many developer panels and Q&As, that a lot of time had gone into getting demos and CG trailers ready for the show, time that could have been spent getting games finished.

In the light of the success of the massive Starcraft 2 pro finals at Blizzcon 2011, Blizzard announce that they will be staging the 2012 Battle.net World Championship, described as “a major global eSports event featuring some of the best pro-gaming competition in the world.” It’ll host StarCraft 2 and WoW Arena World Championship tournaments in Asia later this year.

Blizzard haven’t announced any release dates for Mists of Pandaria and StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm, and a post last week revealed major changes to Diablo 3 that will surely push it further back. Behind the scenes, work will continue on Blizzard’s next big MMO, Project Titan. Are you disappointed by Blizzard’s decision to delay Blizzcon 2012?

To celebrate the release of Soulcalibur V™ on Feb 3 2012, Namco Bandai has joined forces with GYMBOX to present the Soulcalibur V: Swordsman Workout, a brand new fighting fit workout class, running exclusively every Tuesday evening at 7.00pm throughout the month of February at GYMBOX Westfield (open to both members and non-members).

The most exciting gym in London, GYMBOX and a special team of fight choreographers has designed the sword workout. The session is inspired by the Soulcalibur video game franchise and the exercises replicate the likes of Mitsurugi, Siegfried and Pyrrha, taking you through a series of moves lifted straight from the game, giving your body the ultimate cardio and muscle workout.

The 40 minute course is built up of 16 layered sword repetitions, progressively enhancing and improving speed, accuracy and ultimately conditioning the body. Simple yet very effective, many of the moves can also be done at home, so members can continue with their swordsmanship as often as they like!

In addition, any Soulcalibur fan who turns up at GYMBOX Westfield with a copy of Soulcalibur V on either Playstation 3 or Xbox360 will not have to pay a joining fee if they decide to sign up for GYMBOX membership during February, saving themselves £99! 2012 is the year to slash the pounds…don’t delay, get fighting fit today!

For further press information or to attend the Soulcalibur: Fighting Fit   session contact:

Laurence Bray, Luke Mortner or Simon Byron at Premier PR
020 7292 7396 / 020 7292 7398 / 020 7292 2024
laurence.bray@premierpr.com / luke.mortner@premierpr.com / simon.byron@premierpr.com

SoulCalibur V trailer: http://www.youtube.com/v/_S2n50VM0KA&fs=1&source=uds&autoplay=1
For further information about GYMBOX please visit: www.gymbox.co.uk

Company Exiting the Kids’ Licensed Category

AGOURA HILLS, Calif. Jan. 25, 2012: THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) announced its updated business strategy as the company exits traditional kids’ licensed video games and focuses on its core video game franchises and digital initiatives for the future. The company will continue to build its strong portfolio of core game franchises and align its resources to deliver games on both existing consoles and new and emerging platforms. The company intends to accelerate digital revenues by extending and supporting key console launches, and to create dedicated digital properties for emerging platforms.

As part of the alignment, THQ is in the process of exiting its relationships with kids’ licensed entertainment companies but will continue to sell certain previously released titles.

“THQ will be a more streamlined organization focused only on our strongest franchises,” said Brian Farrell, President and CEO, THQ. “The success of  Saints Row®: The Third™  is an example of what our revised strategy and focus can achieve. We have now shipped 3.8 million units globally and are currently expecting to ship between five and six million units lifetime on this title. Additionally, our robust digital content offerings for this game have resulted in the highest digital revenue of any console title in our history.”

The company’s five internal studios are developing games aligned to several of THQ’s key franchises, including the upcoming launch of  UFC® Undisputed™ 3  and  Darksiders® II, as well as Company of Heroes, inSANE, Saints Row, Warhammer 40,000,  and the new title from Patrice Désilets and his team. The company also continues to work with prominent external development talent on both existing and new franchises. THQ’s goal is to optimize its portfolio for the current generation of consoles and to establish new franchises on the next generation of game devices.

THQ will discuss its new streamlined business model that reflects this strategy in more detail on its third quarter 2012 conference call scheduled for Thursday, February 2, 2012.