EDMONTON, Alberta–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Earth has been captured, the galaxy is on the verge of total extinction, and it’s up to you as Commander Shepard to assemble the counter offensive and take Earth back. Award-winning developer BioWare, a label of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS), announced today that multiplayer will be coming to the critically-acclaimed Mass Effect™ series for the very first time as part of the new Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War system. With the Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War system, players will fight for the survival of the galaxy against an ancient alien race known only as, Reapers, in both the single player campaign and through a suite of Mass Effect games and applications. Progress made in each of the components of the system, including the new multiplayer mode, will directly link back to the player’s main campaign, helping Commander Shepard rally the forces of the galaxy to eliminate the Reaper threat once and for all. The Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War feature can be activated via the Online Pass code found in every new copy of Mass Effect 3. The Mass Effect 3 Online Pass can also be purchased separately on the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.

“The theme of galactic war in Mass Effect 3 presents us with the perfect opportunity to introduce multiplayer into the Mass Effect series,” said Casey Hudson, Executive Producer of the Mass Effect series. “Multiplayer not only features amazing combat and deep customization options, but it will give players another way to help the war effort against the Reapers in the main event — the single player campaign.”

Featuring four-player cooperative gameplay, multiplayer in Mass Effect 3 puts players in the role of a team of elite Special Forces soldiers sent to protect resources and assets that can help the war effort against the Reapers. Players will have the option of playing as one of six classes and from six different races: Human, Krogan, Asari, Drell, Salarian and Turian.

Multiplayer and other components of the Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War system provide alternative ways for players to wage the final war against the Reapers. The new system will also connect players to their BioWare Social Network accounts to stay up to date on the latest Mass Effect 3 news and access downloadable content (DLC) and add-ons.

The Mass Effect franchise is one of the most highly decorated series in the history of games, having earned over 200 awards worldwide. Mass Effect 3 arrives on the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC in North America on March 6, 2012 and in Europe on March 9, 2012. For more information on Mass Effect 3, please visit http://masseffect.com, follow the game on Twitter at http://twitter.com/masseffect or “like” the game on Facebook at http://facebook.com/masseffect.

SAN FRANCISCO (Xinhua) — Microsoft announced Wednesday that it will bring cable television content to its Xbox video game console over the upcoming holiday season, expanding the console into an entertainment hub.

According to the company’s press release, nearly 40 world- leading TV and entertainment providers such as HBO GO and BBC will stream their content through the Xbox Live service in more than 20 countries and regions.

Users will be able to sift through shows online with the Kinect motion sensor device for Xbox 360 and Bing voice search, Microsoft said.

To watch TV programs via Xbox as an alternate delivery system, customers have to already subscribe to the TV services and Microsoft’s Xbox Live Gold service of 60 U.S. dollars per year.

“Today’s announcement is a major step toward realizing our vision to bring you all the entertainment you want, shared with the people you care about, made easy,” Microsoft said in the press release.

Microsoft first entered the gaming console market in 2001 with the Xbox, the predecessor to the Xbox 360. The Xbox 360 currently competes with Sony’s PlayStation 3 and Nintendo’s Wii as the seventh generation of video game consoles.

In June, Microsoft said 35 million people subscribed Xbox Live service around the world, spending an average of 60 hours a month playing games and watching movies and shows. Last year, the company integrated social networking features into Xbox Live, allowing users chat with each other while watching programs.

AGOURA HILLS, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–This fall, gamers will discover just how much swordsmanship, charm and flair one cat can contain, in THQ’s (NASDAQ: THQI) Puss In Boots video game, scheduled for release just prior to the debut of the new animated comedy-adventure from DreamWorks Animation SKG, INC (NASDAQ: DWA).

Available on Kinect™ for Xbox 360^®, PlayStation^®3 (Move-compatible), Wii™ and Nintendo DS™, the Puss In Boots video game takes players on a wild journey into the past of the legendary hero, long before he met Shrek.

In this swashbuckling adventure, players must master the ways of the sword and tap into their sly feline capabilities to help Puss clear his name, repay the citizens of his hometown of San Ricardo, and even serenade a few señoritas along the way.

“This title beautifully brings to life all the charm, action and humor inherent in the Puss In Boots origin story,” said Martin Good, Executive Vice President of PlayTHQ™, the company’s division for kids, family and casual games. “The depth of this journey, the richness of the atmosphere and the level of interaction with environments make for very exciting gameplay.”

With real-time swordplay woven throughout the Puss In Boots video game, players will swing, kick, block and unleash special attacks, like the adorable yet deadly “Claw Frenzy.” With practice, players will also master Puss’ stealthy ways as they climb, leap and sneak to avoid detection.

On Kinect for Xbox 360, players can actually become Puss, stepping into his boots and utilizing full-body motions to fight off banditos – dodging attacks, engaging in fast-paced sword fights, strumming the guitar, and wiggling to escape enemies’ clutches.

In the PlayStation Move-compatible version for PlayStation 3, players can choose between their trusty controllers or the Move remote, which allows them to engage in motion-based swashbuckling. Taking up the Move remote allows players to master the sword in a full-motion sword fighting experience.

With Wii, adventurers use the Wii Remote™ to slash with Puss In Boots’ sword, the Nunchuk™ to dodge enemy attacks, and button combinations to perform special attacks that deliver devastating damage to foes.

On Nintendo DS handheld systems the movie’s storyline continues with an all-new plot that finds Puss engaging in dynamic swordfights, flamenco style dance battles and dozens of other mini games for endless on-the-go fun.

The Puss In Boots video game is scheduled for release on Wii and Nintendo DS (MSRP $29.99 USD), PlayStation 3 (MSRP $39.99 USD) and Kinect for Xbox 360 (MSRP $49.99 USD). Its release coincides with the theatrical release of DreamWorks Animation’s Puss In Boots.

“Now Guests can go from high touch to high tech with their bears and ‘connect’ in this innovative video game where they control the fun and direct the animation,” said Founder and Chief Executive Bear of Build-A-Bear Workshop, Maxine Clark. “’Kinectimals Now with Bears’ offers a fun entertainment experience for the whole family.”

The stuffed animals from the Build-A-Bear Workshop Collection that will be Kinect enabled include:

• Champ – A Champion Fur Kids™
• Colorful Hearts Bear
• Endless Hearts Teddy
• Peace & Hearts Bear

Select North American and United Kingdom Build-A-Bear Workshop stores will have Kinect for Xbox 360 stations set up to showcase “Kinectimals Now with Bears” and Kinect for Xbox 360 enabled Build-A-Bear Workshop furry friends including:

• Bellevue Square in Bellevue, Wash.
• Downtown Disney in Anaheim, Calif.
• Grapevine Mills in Grapevine, TX
• 5th Avenue at 46^th in New York, N.Y.
• Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn.
• Metro Centre in Gateshead, Durham
• Northshore Mall in Peabody, Mass.
• The Plaza at King of Prussia in King of Prussia, Pa.
• Roosevelt Field in Garden City, N.Y.
• Saint Louis Galleria in St. Louis, Mo.
• Vaughn Mills in Vaughan, Ontario
• Westfield Stratford City in White City, London
• West County Center in St. Louis, Mo.
• West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, Alberta
• Woodfield Shopping Center in Schaumburg, Ill.

“Kinectimals Now with Bears” will also be available for purchase at these locations and at buildabear.com.

Additionally, from October 11 through 31, Guests can enter for a chance to win the BABW Kinect for Xbox 360 Sweepstakes in Build-A-Bear Workshop stores, at buildabear.com/Kinect or on the Build-A-Bear Workshop Facebook page. Winners will receive a Kinect prize pack that includes an Xbox 360 4GB console, a Kinect Sensor, “Kinectimals Now with Bears” game, and a $100 gift card to Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Visit buildabear.com/Kinect for more details.

GRAPEVINE, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Nov. 8 launch of Activision Publishing, Inc.’s highly anticipated Call of Duty^®: Modern Warfare^® 3 is fast approaching, and GameStop (NYSE: GME), the world’s largest multichannel retailer of video games, is helping gamers get ready. Call of Duty fans can now reserve the Call of Duty ELITE premium membership for Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 in GameStop stores nationwide using any form of payment, including trades. With 30% extra trade-in credit on all trades towards Call of Duty ELITE or Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, it’s even easier to get the games you want for less at GameStop. Customers can also pre-order Call of Duty ELITE or Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 online at www.GameStop.com.

Launching alongside Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Call of Duty ELITE is designed to help gamers Play Together Better. An annual Call of Duty ELITE premium membership includes:

• All of the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 DLC, 20 pieces of new in-game content available monthly during the 9-month DLC season
• Level up your Clan by earning Clan XP through Call of Duty ELITE Clan competitions and unlock additional exclusive Clan benefits
• Compete year-round in official events and daily competitions for virtual and real-world prizes (tablets, LCD TVs, etc.)
• Improve your game and fine tune your skills with exclusive in-depth expert strategies, dynamic content and stat tracking tools
• Get eight times the HD video capacity to upload and share your finest moments
• Tune in to Call of Duty ELITE TV for original Call of Duty episodic video programming entertainment from top talent, all created for the Call of Duty community
• Access to future premium features as the service evolves

For those that reserve early, they’ll also earn Founder status within Call of Duty ELITE. Founders receive exclusive in-game status, Clan XP increases, an invite to the private “#Founder” group, a unique Call of Duty ELITE profile skin, a special Founder title card, emblem and weapon camo, along with access to specialized VIP Founder operations and exclusive prizing.

Visit www.GameStop.com/COD for complete details on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Call of Duty ELITE.