Console Digest

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Future urges industry to rally gamers as Joysticks aim for one million votes

Future, the special-interest media group, is delighted to announce Scottish stand-up comic and TV star Frankie Boyle as the host of the 26th Annual Golden Joystick Awards – together with Virgin Media.

The Golden Joystick Awards take place on Friday 31st October at the Park Lane Hilton, London and organisers are encouraging marketing and pr departments to rally their loyal fans. With all UK gamers eligible to vote – companies are invited to promote the Golden Joysticks to their online communities – those who visit official websites, create their own fan communities, or post on forums.

Supporting this quest to secure additional votes for shortlisted products and increase the chance of scooping a prestigious Golden Joystick, Future has created a comprehensive EPK available to all eligible companies – designed to encourage gamers to vote at www.goldenjoystick.com.

Organisers hope the final month of voting will be further strengthened by industry support, rocketing the Golden Joystick Awards towards one million votes for the first-time. As the headline event of London Games Festival – the cultural celebration of everything gaming, the Joysticks are a major focal point – with attendance of mainstream media across the globe already confirmed.

With just a few tables remaining, almost 800 guests will be entertained at the event as Frankie Boyle takes time out from his sold-out tour to present the show, also streamed live at www.goldenjoystick.com and the Virgin Media website – www.virginmedia.com . Frankie first came to prominence when he won the Daily Telegraph’s Open Mic competition in 1996, launching his stand-up career. Since then he has racked up an impressive CV of TV work, including his infamous appearances on BBC Two’s Mock the Week.

Emma Parkinson, Organiser of the Golden Joystick Awards said:

“This year’s Golden Joystick Awards are shaping up to be the best yet, thanks to the support of our sponsor Virgin Media and Frankie Boyle signing up as host.

“The industry has always seen the Joysticks as a focal point of its calendar and long may this continue. Increasingly, it has become a focal point for mainstream press attention and a celebration of the games industry. As we aim for a million votes, we need the help of your fans and customers – make the wider world proud of our industry.”

The Greatest Games from PLAYSTATION Network come to UMD^TM

Each PLAYSTATION Network Collection Pack will feature three fantastic PLAYSTATION Network titles for PSP

There’s a pack to suit every taste: Puzzle, Power and more!

Date/ City: Soon PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) owners can get their hands on some of the greatest PLAYSTATION®Network titles – brought together on UMD™ (Universal Media Disc) for the first time. This October, PLAYSTATION Network Collection Packs will launch from Sony Computer Entertainment Europe for PAL territories with Puzzle Pack, the first in a series of themed packs with three PLAYSTATION Network titles on one UMD.

PLAYSTATION Network Collection Packs allow PSP owners the opportunity to purchase previously download-only titles on UMD. Packs are themed and combine a winning formula of quality titles – giving you three great games to choose from, all on one disc and all at a fantastic price. There’s a whole series to collect, and whether you’re into puzzles, shoot’em up games or adventure titles, you’ll definitely find a pack that will suit you.

Puzzle Pack combines PLAYSTATION Network’s best brain-busting challenges in a fantastic on-the-go package, perfect for those travelling or commuting to and from work. Use your strategic skills to save cute furry creatures in the classic Lemmings™, crack your way through classic puzzles in Go! Puzzle™, and get addicted to Go! Sudoku™.

If you prefer thrills and spills to puzzle-solving, you’ll love the second addition to PLAYSTATION Network Collection Packs, Power Pack. Indulge yourself in a three-part escapade of underwater exploration in flOw™, combat action with Syphon Filter™: Combat Ops and musical creation with Beats™.

Here’s the first PLAYSTATION®Network Collection Packs line-up:

• PLAYSTATION®Network Collection Packs Games Release date
• Puzzle Pack Lemmings™, Go! Sudoku™, Go! Puzzle™ Mid Oct 2008
• Power Pack flOw™, Beats™, Syphon Filter™: Combat Ops Late Oct 2008

The Puzzle Pack and Power Pack are set to hit stores in October 2008, with more Collection Packs to be released throughout 2009. PLAYSTATION®Network Collection Packs are exclusive to PSP.

Don’t just talk about the football – re-live it!

Football fans will be thrilled to hear that the best of this season’s Barclays Premier League will be available on GO!VIEW, the video on-demand service for the PlayStation Portable (PSP™). Following the big kick off this weekend, from Sunday 17th August, PSP™ owners will be able to transfer 45 minutes of extended highlights from Sky Sports matches to watch on the go - or wherever they want!

Throughout the new season, GO!VIEW customers will be able to watch a great range of Barclays Premier League football from hundreds of Sky Sports games. Sky Sports will show 92 Live Barclays Premier League games this season and a further 242 ‘near live’ matches, ensuring that all GO!VIEW customers will be able to access games involving their favourite Premier League team.

In addition, highlights from the season’s best games so far will also be available ongoing from October for fans to transfer to their PSP™ so they can relive the highs and lows of the current campaign.

The football content on GO!VIEW is available as part of the monthly ‘Sports’ subscription packs which offers content from across the sporting world, and includes cricket, golf, boxing and extreme sports. New GO!VIEW customers can get a one month trial subscription to the Sports Pack as well - as the two other Subscription Packs; Comedy and Entertainment - absolutely free!

In addition to the subscription packs, selected Movies to Rent and Latest TV to Rent can be transferred via the rental service on GO!VIEW. Subscription packs are priced at £5 (€7) for 1 pack, £8 (€11) for 2 packs and £10 (€14) for all three packs and with everyone who registers for the service at www.goview.tv receiving a free month’s subscription, there’s no better time to be a PSP owner!

www.goview.tv
GO!VIEW is a joint venture between Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and Sky who have established the joint venture ‘GO!VIEW Entertainment UK’. This is being used to bring the PSP video-on-demand to market in the UK, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands & the Isle of Man. Sky is providing their expertise in building successful video-on-demand platforms as well as content acquisition. Sony Computer Entertainment is providing the marketing for the service.