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Less than a week until NZ’s first Digital Entertainment Expo

Less than a week until NZ’s first DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT EXPO – DIGITAL NATIONZ!


With just under a week to go before the kick-off of New Zealand's first Digital Entertainment Expo, organisers are urging the public to get their tickets sooner rather than later.

"We have seen from shows in the past that people tend to walk up on the day, only to wait in line for long periods of time. However, with massive queues there is always a chance you might miss out on that one speaker you wanted to hear or not get enough time to see everything you wanted to see. Tickets are cheaper online than on the door so make sure you get tickets for you and your mates now!" says Peter Hall, DIGITAL NATIONZ Event Manager.

TELECOM HOMEGROWN TO SHOW OFF MORE THAN 20 KIWI GAME DEVELOPERS

Telecom together with the New Zealand Game Developers Association (NZGDA) is bringing more than 20 local developers to DIGITAL NATIONZ, New Zealand's first digital entertainment expo in an effort to showcase the strength and breadth of expertise in online and digital gaming at work right here in NZ.

"This is a great opportunity for our growing community of over 500 developers to show off the local talent and the amazing projects they are working on. Kiwi developers range from 'one man bands' to fully fledged studios that are turning out some of the hottest games internationally," says Stephen Knightly, Chairperson of the NZGDA.

As the naming rights sponsor of Homegrown, Telecom is supporting the rapidly growing developer scene with the inclusion of a big screen where gamers can play games from some of the local developers. Gamers can also bring their own portable devices to plan on in the Telecom Social Circle, where bean bags will be set up, along with a mobile charging unit.

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"With its 24/7 demands for data, gaming is a significant part of the entertainment offering for Telecom into the future. Our Network also supports New Zealand gamers with taking their products to the world, that's why we're supporting Homegrown at DIGITAL NATIONZ" says Telecom’s Head of Brand Communications and Digital, Kellie Nathan, who adds, the gaming community have been amongst the first technology users to truly demonstrate what can be achieved with the faster broadband connections now available, such as fibre and VDSL.

"In recent years, we've seen gaming emerge from the basement and become accepted as high quality entertainment for the mainstream, and with that are some serious demands of users' home connections, requiring faster data, and zero tolerance for lag. We're excited to be joining some of our top NZ gamers and game developers at DIGITAL NATIONZ, and encourage attendees to give our Ultra Broadband range a go in achieving the at-home online gaming experience they demand. Additionally, we think Telecom's Network is the perfect partner for helping gamers on the go to keep up with the play, serving challenges and stats to mobile devices"

Telecom Homegrown stands in the main arena bowl will have different NZ developers showing their games and answering questions. While Grinding Gear Games and Outsmart Studios will be located at the Telecom Social Circle area, located upstairs. Gamers who play and share their experience on Twitter through the dedicated hash tag #telecomhomegrown over the weekend, will be up for some great prizes.

FINAL SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE LG DIGITALKZ SESSIONS

The team at DIGITAL NATIONZ is also happy to announce more speakers to the already impressive line-up.

CAPCOM Dead Rising 3 producer, Mike Jones will be joining the event in an open Q&A styled session aimed at creating increased audience engagement to discuss the upcoming title as well as previous work at the AAA publisher.

Jeff Nusz, one of the main "V-Motion Project" developers from Assembly will take the stage to explain how the very real concept using a combination of PC's, Mac's and motion sensors was created.

Jeff's work has been recognised with awards from Cannes, Axis, SXSW, Webbies, Best and FWA, and his approachable tech write-ups have been featured on major technology sites Wired, Smashing Magazine and the Creators Project. He is also the creator of acclaimed and awarded online games Sprout and Anika's Odyssey, and exhibits interactive artwork in New Zealand and Australia.

This concludes this year's speaker line-up, which already boasts a great mix of Kiwi and International speakers

Speakers at THE LG DIGITALKZ SESSIONS

Benson Russell - Naughty Dog

Mike Read - CRYTEK

Kim Dotcom - Mega

Carl De Visser - Grinding Gear Games

Jay Hosfelt - Epic Games

DR Mark Sagar - Auckland Bioengineering Institute

DR Melanie Swalwell -Flounders University

Greg Broadmore - Weta Workshop

Tara Brannigan - Pik Pok

For Full list of speaker schedules and panels please visit: http://digitalnationz.com/speakers/

The speaker sessions are run in association with Media Design School.

Speaker accommodation provided by Pullman Auckland Hotels.

MORE THAN $22,000 PRIZE POOL FOR KIM DOTCOM VS 100

The Kim Dotcom VS 100 challenge, announced more than a week ago, has been a huge success, with submissions to participate overwhelming organisers, even without any prizes being announced.

The registration for the direct qualifier to the challenge ends September 25th. Those who do not qualify directly will still get a chance to play Mr Dotcom on the day, but will need to be there to enter the random qualifier rounds.

DIGITAL NATIONZ can now disclose the prizes up for grabs as well as more info on how the event will work.

The game, Modern Warfare 3 will be played on XBOX360 in a one on one battle.

THE FIRST EIGHT PEOPLE TO WIN AGAINST KIM DOTCOM WIN

LG 5.1ch 3D Blu-ray Home Theater system RRP $999

$500 in cash from Kim Dotcom himself!

Two tickets to the show of their choice at Vector Arena valued at approx $400 *Subject to availability

ALMOST $2,000 WORTH OF PRIZES

Participants who beat Kim after the first 8 will still be eligible to win the grand prize described below.

ONE GRAND PRIZE WINNER, DETERMINED BY DOTCOM, WILL WIN:

LG 5.1ch 3D Blu-ray Home Theater system RRP $999

LG 55" Full HD Smart 3D LED LCD TV RRP $3049

XBOX One RRP $749

$1,000 in cash from Kim Dotcom himself!

Four tickets to the show of your choice at Vector Arena valued at approx $800 *Subject to availability

TOTAL PRIZE VALUE OF MORE THAN $6,600

Kim Dotcom Challenge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOz-W9anKdc

To register as a direct qualifier: http://digitalnationz.com/dotcomvs100/

MAD CATZ FIGHTING GAME CHAMPIONSHIP ANNOUNCED

Organisers are pleased to announce a great new addition to DIGITAL NATIONZ in partnership with Standing Fierce and Mad Catz where players can battle it out in Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3, Super Street Fighter 4 Arcade Edition 2012 and Street Fighter X on Xbox 360.

“We remain focused on bringing as much content as possible to our expo, and the partnership with Standing Fierce and Mad Catz is another example of us trying to ensure there is something for everyone to watch and engage in” Says DIGITAL NATIONZ Event Manager Peter Hall.

How to enter the Championship

Standing Fierce (standingfierce.com) have set up a registration page on the website forum for people to register there or through the Standing Fierce Facebook page. Alternatively they can email Dave (standingfiercedave@gmail.com) directly. The tournaments are capped for each tournament at 16 people due to the time constraints and will run from 11am.

For more info on how to enter, go to www.digitalnationz.com/mad-catz

REGISTRATION FOR WORKSHOPS AT DIGITAL NATIONZ NOW OPEN!

DIGITAL NATIONZ aims to expose people to exciting new technologies by providing first access opportunities to connect with the emerging digital landscape. As part of this drive, there will be two exciting hands-on workshops to DIGITAL NATIONZ across a wide range of digital technology topics.

AUGMENT YOURSELF! This hands-on workshop gives you an introduction to augmented reality, using your smartphone, some fancy app-based software and creativity.

MOBILE FILMMAKING AND MOBILE SOCIAL MEDIA: Participants will work with a number of smartphone apps and create short mobile-mentaries (mobile documentaries) and viral videos.

http://digitalnationz.com/workshops/

Ends –

GET TICKETS NOW!! PRICED FROM JUST $19 PER DAY/$34 WEEKEND PASS.

DISCOUNTS APPLY FOR STUDENTS.

Tickets on sale NOW available from Ticketmaster -

www.Ticketmaster.co.nz - 0800 111999

www.DIGITALNATIONZ.com, Facebook.com/DIGITALNATIONZ or @DIGITAL NATIONZ on Twitter for all the latest updates.

Ticket prices for DIGITAL NATIONZ – SEPTEMBER STANDARD PRICES:

1 DAY

ADULT: $19 (Up to 4 children under 12 years free with each adult ticket purchased)

CHILD/STUDENT/65+: $14 (a child is considered under 12 years old, student ID required)

VIP: $39 (Sold out)

2 DAY ADULT: $34 (Up to 4 children under 12 years free with each ticket purchased)

2 DAY CHILD/STUDENT/65+: $24 (Or otherwise known as a ‘Concession ticket’. A child is considered under 12 year’s old, student ID required)

2 DAY VIP: $74 (Sold out)

2 DAY VIP LAN: $149 (limited availability)

2 DAY LAN: $89 (limited availability)

Ticket prices for DIGITAL NATIONZ – Door Sales:

1 DAY

ADULT: $24 (Up to 4 children under 12 years free with each adult ticket purchased)

CHILD/STUDENT/65+: $19 (a child is considered under 12 years old, student ID required)

VIP: $49 (Sold out)

2 DAY ADULT: $39 (Up to 4 children under 12 years free with each ticket purchased)

2 DAY CHILD/STUDENT/65+: $34 (Or otherwise known as a ‘Concession ticket’. A child is considered under 12 year’s old, student ID required)

2 DAY VIP: $89 (Sold out)

2 DAY VIP LAN: $169 (limited availability)

2 DAY LAN: $119 (limited availability)

ends

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