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Harley Quinn in the latest Arkham City download content trailer

Bald Bouncer — Fri, 18 May 2012 16:49:34 GMT

Poor Harley Quinn. First the Joker breaks her mind, and then The Batman breaks her heart. It's nice to see that she's not wallowing in self-pity, though, and that she's got the initiative to get back out in the world and make a name for herself. Granted, she's using homicide to do so, but still, good for her. This latest trailer for Ms. Quinzel's starring role as an Arkham City DLC antagonist gives us a look at the various brow beatings Batman and Robin will dispense to the citizenry of Gotham's beating lunatic heart, as well as somewhat unsettling introduction from the man in white himself.

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Metal Gear Rising's live-action (video)

Bald Bouncer — Fri, 18 May 2012 16:42:41 GMT

Previously, Konami's FMV-esque trailers for Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance have given us weird, disorienting looks into the surgical processes involving Raiden's robo-arm and cyborg eye, but this latest episode is a little more ... theatrical, let's say. Anyone who clearly remembers and is still somehow able to comprehend Raiden's background as outlined in Metal Gear Solid 2 will be able to piece together what's happening in this video, though we're still not entirely sure why you'd hand a sword to someone during surgery, even if that surgery's purpose is to turn them into a milk-powered electro-ninja.

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Quantum Conundrum's latest trailer (video)

Bald Bouncer — Fri, 18 May 2012 16:29:37 GMT

Quantum Conundrum's more than just fluffy pillows and super heavy stuff. It's also all about ripping apart space and time itself at your whim, with the helpful aid of a glove-enabled "shift device," as demonstrated in the trailer below. Quantum Conundrum's Airtight Games is used to handling inter-dimensional scenarios, but now it's going for the most egregious combination yet, mixing virtual reality with real reality. Quantum Conundrum and iam8bit are teaming up for a mysterious and seemingly slightly dangerous production this May, asking "hardcore fans" to sign up to be "transported to another dimension, all in the name of science. Seriously, we're not messing around."

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Far Cry 3 two-week closed beta this summer for PS3 and Xbox 360

Bald Bouncer — Fri, 18 May 2012 16:15:11 GMT

GameStop PowerUp Rewards members who pick up Ghost Recon: Future Soldier on May 22 at, well, GameStop, will receive a code to participate in a planned closed multiplayer beta for Far Cry 3, Ubisoft announced today. The beta will kick off this summer and last two weeks on the PS3 and Xbox 360. If you don't want to buy Ghost Recon, Ubisoft will also be giving away 500 codes through Facebook. It sounds like this is going to be a pretty big beta, so best of luck to those looking for entry. Ubisoft will announce the specific window for Far Cry 3's closed beta at a later date.

Press Release:

UBISOFT® DETAILS FAR CRY® 3
MULTIPLAYER BETA

SAN FRANCISCO - May 17, 2012 - Today, Ubisoft® announced details for the Far Cry® 3 Multiplayer Beta, which will run for two weeks this summer on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.

In the multiplayer beta, up to sixteen simultaneous players per match will have the opportunity to choose from six playable classes and will able to experience online action within multiple maps and modes – including the innovative Firestorm mode. Dozens of weapons with hundreds of upgrades and customizations will also be available. Gameplay includes teamplay-focused experiences with support points and weapons, as well as the ability for all classes to revive fallen teammates. Zip-lining, combat sliding, psyche gas and barrel bombs are just some of the gameplay elements that can be experienced when playing.

The closed beta will be accessible by invitation only. With the purchase of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier™ from GameStop retail outlets on May 22, 2012, GameStop® PowerUp Rewards™ members will receive an invitation code to be redeemed at: http://www.gamestop.com/code. The site will be live on May 22 and validate the invitation code provided exclusively at GameStop. Players can choose to play on either the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3. Once the beta is live, players will be e-mailed their actual code which they will enter through their console of choice.

Consumers may also choose to enter via Facebook for a chance to win one of five hundred beta keys at: http://www.farcrygame.com/sweeps. Consumers that have entered on Facebook and won a beta code will receive an e-mail notification when the beta launches this summer.

Beta keys will also be distributed through Ubisoft social channels such as Ubi.com, farcrygame.com, along with partner social channels and community and media websites.

Developed by Ubisoft Montreal, Far Cry 3 is slated to be released in North America on September 4, 2012. For more information on Far Cry 3, please visit www.farcrygame.com
and follow the game on Facebook at www.facebook.com/farcry.

About Ubisoft:
Ubisoft is a leading producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment products worldwide and has grown considerably through a strong and diversified lineup of products and partnerships. Ubisoft has offices in 26 countries and has sales in more than 55 countries around the globe. It is committed to delivering high-quality, cutting-edge video game titles to consumers. For the 2010–11 fiscal year Ubisoft generated sales of 1.039 billion euros. To learn more, please visit ubisoftgroup.com.

About GameStop:
GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Grapevine, Texas, is the world's largest multichannel video game retailer. GameStop's retail network and family of brands include 6,683 company-operated stores in 17 countries worldwide and online at www.GameStop.com. The network also includes: www.Kongregate.com, a leading browser-based game site; Game Informer® magazine, the leading multi-platform video game publication; Spawn Labs, a streaming technology company; and a digital PC game distribution platform available at www.GameStop.com/pc.

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Darksiders 2: Death in the shadow of the colossus (video)

Bald Bouncer — Fri, 18 May 2012 16:06:50 GMT

Darksiders 2's Death is apparently not good at the maths. A man runs at 10MPH. A horse can trot at 30MPH. A colossus lumbers along faster than both. Don't kill the colossus, Death! Put out a picnic near the back of one of its shoulders and casually relax to your destination. "We look forward to launching Darksiders [2] beginning on August 14 in North America," announced THQ CEO Brian Farrell during an investor conference call today. Farrell said that the delay from the previous June date was a "demonstration of our commitment to quality" – and that, after discussions with retailers, the publisher determined that "mid-August is a more favorable release window."

Pre-orders for Darksiders 2 are more than five times what they were for the first game at the equivalent point before release, Farrell noted. THQ is accompanying this release with double the marketing spend of the first game as well – it needs a hit game, and badly.

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The Walking Dead sells a million episodes

Bald Bouncer — Fri, 18 May 2012 15:51:45 GMT

The Walking Dead's critically acclaimed game adaptation has sold over a million episodes across platfoms in its first two weeks. The game takes Heavy Rain-inspired mechanics and weaves them into an intense and morally ambiguous experience. "The most exciting aspect of getting off to such a great start is that this is just the beginning of the five episode series. The Walking Dead fans are going to experience some really great moments in the months ahead that are uniquely influenced by the choices they make throughout the season," said Telltale Games CEO Dan Connors.

The second episode of the five-part series will be available in June. We are currently following up with the developer to find out if having "sold over one million episodes" means the first episode sold a million units or if those who bought a season pass of five episodes were counted five times.

"The information includes both Season Passes sold and individual Episode 1 purchases in the first two weeks. Given that each platform or partner where The Walking Dead game series is available for purchase sells our episodic content with different configurations due to their individual policies, the only way to put all sales information on equal footing is to translate the paid sales into episodes," said Steve Allison, SVP of Marketing for Telltale Games told Joystiq. "The nature of our agreements with each platform partner do not allow us to provide specific sales numbers by platform. We can also tell you that 70% of the transactions to date have been Episode 1 sales across all the platforms. Another data point we can share is that the trial version on consoles has been downloaded over 1.5 million times since April 25th."

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Borderlands 2 special editions revealed

Bald Bouncer — Fri, 18 May 2012 15:46:03 GMT

Good day, vault hunters. Today, 2K Games announced two special editions of Borderlands 2 for optional acquisition for the game's launch in September. The $100 "Deluxe Vault Hunter's Collector's Edition" includes the game, Marcus Kincaid bobblehead, art book, stickers, digital comic and some unspecified DLC. There's also the "Ultimate Loot Chest Limited Edition" (pictured), which includes all items previously mentioned, along with actual red loot chest box and other goodies. Pre-ordering the game in any edition (even the plebby "standard") at "participating retailers" will also net access to the Borderlands 2 Premiere Club, to download the Gearbox Gun Pack, Golden Key, Vault Hunter's Relic and the Mechromancer character class when the game's out.

Press Release:

2K Games and Gearbox Software Announce Borderlands®2 Deluxe Vault Hunter's Collector's Edition and Ultimate Loot Chest Limited Edition

Replica loot chest, Marcus Kincaid bobblehead, in-game bonuses and much more included in special editions

New York, NY, May 17,2012 – 2K Games and Gearbox Software today announced two tiers of special limited editions for the highly anticipated Borderlands®2 -the Deluxe Vault Hunter's Collector's Edition and Ultimate Loot Chest Limited Edition. Currently in development by Gearbox Software, Borderlands 2 is the sequel to the critically acclaimed four-player cooperative shooter-looter that combined intense first-person mayhem with role-playing gameplay. Both editions will reward fans with a number of collectible and in-game bonus items that will enhance the action-packed experience of Borderlands 2.

The Deluxe Vault Hunter's Collector's Edition (MSRP $99.99) includes a copy of Borderlands 2; authentic Marcus Kincaid bobblehead; Inside the Vault: The Art & Design of Borderlands 2 hardbound book; collectable sticker set; map of Pandora; digital comic download code; and bonus downloadable in-game digital content. The Ultimate Loot Chest Limited Edition (MSRP $149.99) includes all of those items, plus a collectable scaled replica of the red loot chests found throughout Pandora in Borderlands 2; steel book case; Creatures of Pandora wide-format ID chart; lithograph postcard set; field notes from Sir Hammerlock; cloth map of Pandora; and a numbered certificate of authenticity. Both of the special editions will be available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Windows-based PC.

Gamers who pre-order the Deluxe Vault Hunter's Collector's Edition, Ultimate Loot Chest Limited Edition or the standard edition of Borderlands 2 from participating retailers will also gain access to the Borderlands 2 Premiere Club, allowing them to download the Gearbox Gun Pack, a Golden Key, the Vault Hunter's Relic and an all-new fifth character class - the Mechromancer. The Gearbox Gun Pack is a collection of unique guns to help players begin their journey on Pandora. The Golden Key is used to unlock a rare in-game item in the mysterious Golden Sanctuary Loot Chest found in Borderlands 2. The Vault Hunter's Relic is an in-game item that boosts players' gear-hunting fortune while playing solo or teaming up with friends. The Mechromancer character class will be available following launch when development of the character is complete and is free to those who pre-order Borderlands 2, and will be available for purchase for those who do not. To pre-order all editions of Borderlands 2, please visit www.borderlands2.com/preorder.

Borderlands 2 features all-new characters; skills; imaginative, diverse new environments with unique missions and enemies; and more exciting and fun weapons, equipment and loot than ever before. All of these features come together in a story that takes players to the world of Pandora to take down the notorious Handsome Jack and his corrupt Hyperion Corporation as a solo campaign or with up to four cooperative players.

Borderlands 2 will be available in North America on September 18, 2012, and internationally on September 21, 2012. Borderlands 2 is not yet rated by the ESRB. For more information please visit www.borderlands2.com.

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

Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies and are used under license from Microsoft.

"PlayStation" is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

All trademarks and copyrights contained herein are the property of their respective holders.

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Lionhead listing for 'MMO-like title for next generation consoles'

Bald Bouncer — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:49:34 GMT

The most recent want ad, spotted by Superannuation and since removed, described the potential game as an "MMO-like title" and an original IP for the "future generation of platforms." It "will be an RPG-based game with a radical new take on how co-operative and multiplayer gameplay feeds into the experience, while blending online and single-player into one complete experience," the listing read, as reported by MCV. The title "will have a complex progression system, multiple routes through the campaign and an MMO-like multiplayer experience that will affect the outcome of the player experience, and many other attributes surrounding their profile (such as the environment and the outcome of certain actions)." Superannuation notes that it was labeled as a multithreaded RPG with four-player co-op.

Lionhead's specific use of "MMO-like" and the description's emphasis on a "radical new" genre leaves the game's direction open to interpretation, while nodding at the style of former creative lead Peter Molyneux.

MMOs can be a big gamble, even for an established studio, and especially if its audience is tethered to a single console unfamiliar with the genre as a whole. Good luck, Lionhead. You may need it.

Lionhead's latest job post brings up two salient points:

* That listing for a multiplayer level designer with "a deep understanding of online multiplayer games" may encompass more than a simple FPS title with online capabilities.
* Microsoft could be looking to bring MMOs to its console market in a big way.

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Lionhead listing for 'MMO-like title for next generation consoles'

Bald Bouncer — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:49:34 GMT

Serious Sam 3: BFE, Serious Sam Double D XXL run screaming to XBLA coming this fall

Bald Bouncer — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:43:02 GMT

This fall, Xbox Live Arcade doubles down on Serious Sam. Serious Sam 3: BFE – which launched on the PC late last year and was ported over to the Mac last month – will ditch the disc for an Xbox Live Arcade release this fall. Serious Sam 3: BFE on XBLA will be the full game, losing nothing in the transition over to console. Serious Sam Double D XXL is the new version of Mommy's Best Games' PC release. The XXL brings with it "new campaign missions, new challenges, new enemies, Gunstacker upgrades and a hot new two-player local cooperative mode." Serious Sam Double D XXL is priced at 800 MS Points ($10).

Press Release:

DOUBLE-BARRELLED BLAST OF SERIOUS SAM COMING TO XBOX LIVE ARCADE

Serious Sam 3: BFE and Serious Sam Double D XXL Launch This Fall

Austin, TX – Croteam and MOMMY'S Best Games, in partnership with Devolver Digital and Mastertronic, have announced both Serious Sam 3: BFE and the retooled Serious Sam Double D XXL will launch on Xbox LIVE Arcade this fall.

Serious Sam 3: BFE will be delivered by series creator Croteam and feature all the fast-paced, brutal action Serious Sam fans love and take advantage of the deep online capabilities of Xbox LIVE Arcade's online community.

"Serious Sam fans have been asking for Serious Sam 3: BFE to come to Xbox LIVE Arcade and we're very excited to launch on the platform this fall," said Roman Ribaric, CEO of developer Croteam. "All the high-octane action and over-the-top violence will be intact so Xbox LIVE Arcade gamers will get the full Serious Sam 3: BFE experience!"

Serious Sam Double D XXL will explode onto Xbox LIVE Arcade with all new features, missions, weapons and a wild campaign cooperative mode on top of the fantastic action from last year's the indie PC hit.

"Our fans loved Serious Sam Double D when it launched on PC but some rightly felt that the shooting grew repetitive and the Gunstacker could use more depth," said Nathan Fouts, founder and lead designer at developer Mommy's Best Games. "We've taken all this to heart and are incorporating more gameplay variety and, of course, adding the biggest fan request-two-player co-op!"

On top of the original 18 campaign levels and 12 challenge maps Serious Sam Double D XXL is bursting forth with all-new features for Xbox LIVE Arcade like new campaign missions, new challenges, new enemies, Gunstacker upgrades, and a hot new two-player local cooperative mode.

"Xbox LIVE Arcade gamers are going to get so much insane Serious Sam action this summer it's going to make their televisions bleed," claimed Fork Parker, CFO of Devolver Digital, co-publisher of Serious Sam 3: BFE and Serious Sam Double D XXL. "Call the paramedics, homey. Your flat screen TV just took another headshot from Serious Sam."

Serious Sam fans can follow development updates and news for Serious Sam 3: BFE and Serious Sam Double D XXL at the official Facbook fan page at facebook.com/SeriousSamFan and on Twitter via @DevolverDigital.DOUBLE-BARRELLED BLAST OF SERIOUS SAM COMING TO XBOX LIVE ARCADE

Serious Sam 3: BFE and Serious Sam Double D XXL Launch This Fall

Austin, TX – Croteam and MOMMY'S Best Games, in partnership with Devolver Digital and Mastertronic, have announced both Serious Sam 3: BFE and the retooled Serious Sam Double D XXL will launch on Xbox LIVE Arcade this fall.

Serious Sam 3: BFE will be delivered by series creator Croteam and feature all the fast-paced, brutal action Serious Sam fans love and take advantage of the deep online capabilities of Xbox LIVE Arcade's online community.

"Serious Sam fans have been asking for Serious Sam 3: BFE to come to Xbox LIVE Arcade and we're very excited to launch on the platform this fall," said Roman Ribaric, CEO of developer Croteam. "All the high-octane action and over-the-top violence will be intact so Xbox LIVE Arcade gamers will get the full Serious Sam 3: BFE experience!"

Serious Sam Double D XXL will explode onto Xbox LIVE Arcade with all new features, missions, weapons and a wild campaign cooperative mode on top of the fantastic action from last year's the indie PC hit.

"Our fans loved Serious Sam Double D when it launched on PC but some rightly felt that the shooting grew repetitive and the Gunstacker could use more depth," said Nathan Fouts, founder and lead designer at developer Mommy's Best Games. "We've taken all this to heart and are incorporating more gameplay variety and, of course, adding the biggest fan request-two-player co-op!"

On top of the original 18 campaign levels and 12 challenge maps Serious Sam Double D XXL is bursting forth with all-new features for Xbox LIVE Arcade like new campaign missions, new challenges, new enemies, Gunstacker upgrades, and a hot new two-player local cooperative mode.

"Xbox LIVE Arcade gamers are going to get so much insane Serious Sam action this summer it's going to make their televisions bleed," claimed Fork Parker, CFO of Devolver Digital, co-publisher of Serious Sam 3: BFE and Serious Sam Double D XXL. "Call the paramedics, homey. Your flat screen TV just took another headshot from Serious Sam."

Serious Sam fans can follow development updates and news for Serious Sam 3: BFE and Serious Sam Double D XXL at the official Facbook fan page at facebook.com/SeriousSamFan and on Twitter via @DevolverDigital.

Source

Trials Evolution sells half a million in just three weeks

Bald Bouncer — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:36:55 GMT

Screaming at monitors while attempting to make just one more crushingly difficult checkpoint is apparently a pastime shared by many, many gamers. This week, Ubisoft revealed that the latest Trials franchise entry – Trials Evolution – sold approximately 500,000 units since its launch in mid-April. Sure, it's no Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition, but half a million sales in less than a month is quite impressive for a title on Xbox Live Arcade. How impressive, you ask? Well, we'd love to tell you, but Microsoft doesn't release sales numbers for XBLA games. Those rascals! For context's sake, though, we'd point out that it took just over a year for the first Trials game on XBLA to hit 1 million units sold. We get the feeling it'll take a bit less time with Evolution.

In the same slide, RedLynx is called out as having many brands with "great multiplatform potential." A quick glance at RedLynx's catalog confirms our suspicion that Trials is indeed the Finnish studio's biggest "brand." How about that!

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There's already some Max Payne 3 download content, and it's free

Bald Bouncer — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:31:59 GMT

We assume while everyone was waiting for the Diablo 3 servers to boot back up yesterday, they played as much Max Payne 3 as the downtime allowed. So, since everyone has finished the entire Max Payne 3 campaign, Rockstar is mixing up multiplayer gameplay with a free download content pack for Xbox Live and PSN, titled "Gorilla Warfare." The Gorilla Warfare pack contains a gorilla mask, which gives players extra adrenaline for melee kills from behind; the lucky coin, giving players extra booty for looting bodies; and the booby trap item, which has players' corpses explode when they're looted. The Rockstar Pass is also now available for download on Xbox Live and PSN. The Rockstar Pass gives players all of the Max Payne 3 download content for a one-time price of $30. These offers will hit PC on launch day, May 29.

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There's already some Max Payne 3 download content, and it's free

Bald Bouncer — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:31:59 GMT

Rhode Island could own Amalur and all other 38 Studios intellectual property

Bald Bouncer — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:25:50 GMT

If 38 Studios does shutter, beyond Rhode Island taxpayers having to pay off the $75 million bond (plus interest) through 2020, it appears the state will also own the intellectual property of the developer as a parting gift. Reviewing updated documentation released by the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) today, it appears 38 Studios put up all present and future IP by the company as collateral. According to the documentation, 38 Studios' intellectual property rights and other collateral were pledged to the RIEDC and assigned to a trustee, which we've confirmed by pulling Uniform Commercial Code documentation. Any proceeds made from the sale of the collateral would go back to the bondholders. This covers "all rights, title and interest in any projects, including video game projects," such as Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning and "Project Copernicus" – the title currently in development at 38 Studios.

"Based on what information I've been able to review on the 38 Studios situation, it appears that the funds they received from the RIEDC were secured by collateral that amounts to all of 38 Studios assets, including all of their intellectual property," attorney and Law of the Game editor Mark Methenitis told Joystiq this afternoon. "That would include all the rights to Kingdoms of Amalur and any other games they may have in development, even if no information about those titles has ever reached the light of day."

"What that means, in brief, is if they default on their obligations to the RIEDC, then the RIEDC can turn around and take possession of as much of that as is necessary to pay off the debts owed. It's kind of like buying a house or a car and then failing to make payments; the lienholder – usually the lending institution – can repossess that house or car and resell it to offset their losses from your failure to pay."

Methenitis continued, "So, the RIEDC could then sell the rights in all of the Kingdoms of Amalur to another developer to offset the millions owed by 38 Studios, and this sale would typically be an auction-style sale to the highest bidder. As a secondary issue, if the sale of all those assets repossessed ends up being more than is owed, the RIEDC will theoretically owe those funds back to 38 Studios."

The Kingdoms of Amalur IP alone is unlikely to sell for $100 million.

"Practically speaking, assets sold after a repossession are usually a fire sale situation and rarely break even from the amount owed," Methenitis said.

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38 Studios, Schilling ask Rhode Island for more money

Bald Bouncer — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:21:16 GMT

Today's emergency meeting by Rhode Island officials to determine what they are going to do about Curt Schilling's 38 Studios has concluded with officials freezing like deer in headlights. Nothing happened. Rhode Island's Economic Development Corporation will take no immediate action to aid the developer, following a closed-door meeting attended by Governor Lincoln Chafee and Schilling, who asked for additional help to save the company. Schilling refused to answer press inquiries and officials wouldn't declare how much money the studio is seeking.

"How do we avoid throwing good money after bad?" Chafee is quoted by the Associated Press as saying after the three-hour emergency meeting finished.

"The company still has the option to cure the existing default by paying the $1,125,000 guaranty fee that is past due," reads an official statement by the EDC board. "In the meantime, we will continue to talk with 38 Studios and develop additional information, and will resume the Board meeting at our regularly scheduled meeting on May 21. The members of the Board may not discuss the confidential information received and discussed today."

If the studio doesn't receive assistance, it appears Rhode Island taxpayers may very well be on the hook for the $75 million 38 Studios loan that, after interest, would require paying back $112.6 million through 2020.

Full Rhode Island EDC board of directors statement on today's proceedings:

"The RIEDC Board of Directors met in closed session to receive a presentation from representatives of 38 Studios as to the company's confidential financial status and projections. Members of the Board asked many probing questions of the company. After representatives from 38 Studios concluded their presentation, the Board then engaged in extended discussion of confidential financial information. The Board did not take any vote. The company still has the option to cure the existing default by paying the $1,125,000 guaranty fee that is past due. In the meantime, we will continue to talk with 38 Studios and develop additional information, and will resume the Board meeting at our regularly scheduled meeting on May 21. The members of the Board may not discuss the confidential information received and discussed today."

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