The Future Magazine - Dec 2009 Jan 2010 Edition by Exertis

Dec/Jan 2009

SANDISK Now available from Gem

Festive deals from Sage Buy Instant Accounts V15 and Instant Payroll V11 and receive 20% OFF

Complete your online submissions with Sage Payroll Internet submission of Payroll Year End P35 and P14 information will become mandatory for all companies by 2010. Prepare now and save time with the latest Sage payroll. Internet Submissions can speed up time consuming processes at Payroll Year End, providing an efficient method of securely delivering accurate information to the Inland Revenue. The Sage payroll range entitles you to an Internet Submission module, so whether it is mandatory for you to submit or not, you can benefit from the most efficient, time saving services.

Accounts From 2010, all businesses will have to start to file and pay their VAT returns online – but our HMRC-recognised software lets you get ahead of the game with maximum confidence and minimum effort. And because our software has been fully tested and achieved HMRC recognition for filing VAT returns, you know you are submitting the right information, totally securely. You can use Sage e-Banking to send your VAT Return payment to HMRC electronically For more information on Sage and the HMRC, go online at www.gem.co.uk and take a look at the ‘News’ section.

*Valid 1st – 18th December 2009 Discount available on combined price only – terms and conditions apply

For more information contact your Gem account manager on 01279 822822, or visit www.gem.co.uk

Offer available throughout the Gem 12 Days of Christmas*

CONTENTS

FEATURES 08 SANDISK Announcing our new partnership with SanDisk, a World Leader in flash memory cards

15 CHANNEL ASSIST Delve a little deeper into what Channel Assist has to offer Managing Editor Louise Powell Associate Editor Danielle Govier Design Karl Kisala Sophie Hammond Production Support John Dunn Matt Andrews Peter Cox

22 LOGITECH GAMING Take a closer look at the extensive gaming range from Logitech

29 NINTENDO Announcing the launch of the Black Wii console

Gaming Feature Kristan Reed Publisher Gem Creative

Printed in the UK by The Magazine Company PLC www.magprint.co.uk To place an order please call 01279 822822 between 9am-6pm Monday to Friday, or visit www.gem.co.uk to buy online*. To open an account please visit www.gem.co.uk or call our new accounts team on 01279 822800. *Trade account needed

ALSO THIS MONTH 07 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS An early gift in this year’s 12 Days of Christmas

17 SYMANTEC Symantec give us a greater insight to their new security model, Quorum

19 AIPTEK Unleash your inner designer with Aiptek’s range of graphics tablets

21 EXSPECT Exspect launch their new fully compatible Wii Motion Plus Racing Wheel Gem Distribution Ltd St. George House, Parkway Harlow Business Park Harlow, Essex, CM19 5QF

Telephone numbers Office: +44 01279 822800 Sales: +44 01279 822822 Facsimile numbers Office: +44 01279 416228 Sales: +44 01279 412604

24 2009 GAMES REVIEW A review of the game highlights of 2009

REGULARS 05 WE WANT ONE Paramount announce its “Movies on USB”

30 GAMES FOCUS Kristan Reed takes a look at the latest game releases

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Movies on USB Paramount Pictures forms a new approach in bringing movie content to consumers. Collector’s editions of blockbuster movies, Star Trek and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, will be available on limited edition “Movie on USB” devices, which will play on any DivX certified device including PC, Mac, and PS3. The two SKUs will feature the movie on a specially constructed 4GB USB emblem which sits inside a metal case with a unique identification number laser printed into the packaging. Star Trek “Movie on USB” available now and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen from 30th November 2009, priced at SRP £19.99 each. Both launches coincide with the release of the DVD and Blu-Ray versions.

TEL 01279 822822 FAX 01279 412604 WEB WWW.GEM.CO.UK

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For more information on the fantastic offers available throughout this promotional period, contact your Gem account manager on 01279 822822 or go online at www.gem.co.uk/promotions Terms and conditions apply Offers available for a limited time only and while stocks last. TEL 01279 822822 FAX 01279 412604 WEB WWW.GEM.CO.UK

SANDISK

Gem are pleased to announce their recent partnership with SanDisk, a world-leader in flash memory cards

SanDisk designs, develops, manufactures and markets flash storage products for a wide variety of electronic systems and digital devices ranging from cameras, camcorders and PCs to games consoles, TVs and cars. The range available from SanDisk is so extensive that they have a solution for almost every hardware device sold. Established in 1988, SanDisk have continued to change the way that people work, live and play. Working alongside a number of large brands, SanDisk’s products have helped to drive the exponential growth in sales of digital cameras, multi-function mobile phones and many other digital consumer devices. Also, SanDisk is the only company, worldwide, that has the rights to both manufacture and sell every major flash card format, including CompactFlash®, SD™, miniSD™, microSD™, MultiMediaCard™, Reduced Size MultiMediaCard (RS-MMC™), Memory Stick PRO™ and related Memory Stick® products, xD-Picture Card™ and USB flash drives. How to sell memory? The consumer “stepped approach” to purchase decision understands that mainstream consumers know they need a memory solution to store pictures, music and video files; however they are unlikely to be aware of the different types of memory available. Therefore in order to provide the best service this approach must be followed. Firstly, it is important to fully understand a customer’s camera requirements, such as the type of camera that they have and then establish what the camera will be used for. This information will then help advice the consumer on the size and type of memory they need. The speed, reliability and capacity of any memory storage is highly subjective and therefore consumers need it to be explained to them in real terms. Often it is more cost effective and convenient for customers to obtain more memory than required, reducing the risk of running out of space.

PRODUCT RANGES Gaming cards With SanDisk gaming cards users can take every play to the next level by extracting the ultimate performance from every game. Get more out of your Nintendo Wii system with a SanDisk Gaming SD memory card. Take advantage of the Nintendo Wii system’s advanced features and extend its limited storage capacity. Now you can do much more than just play games – download and store game snapshots and content, save game music, edit and store photos and more. When there’s a need for more music and pictures a Nintendo DSi™ SDHC™ Memory Card made by SanDisk® is the answer. With two built-in cameras, AAC music playback and only 256MB of onboard storage, it’s easy to run out of room on the Nintendo DSi. SanDisk’s 4GB and 8GB cards can give the Nintendo DSi up to 15 or 30 times more space respectively, leaving more room for taking photos and creating photo mash-ups. Unleash the power of the PSP portable game system with a SanDisk® Gaming Memory Stick PRO Duo™ card, turning this portable game system into a fully-loaded multimedia entertainment device by adding extra storage from SanDisk. With capacities up to 8GB, there is more space to save and share game data, listen to music, play videos and view photos.

Q&A Nikki Willcock

Regional Marketing Manager

What do you see as the key points for retailers to communicate in selling a SanDisk product? The beauty about memory is that there is a need for it on almost every host device you can think of; - Nintendo DSi, Nintendo Wii, Camcorders, Laptops / Netbooks, Cameras, Phones and printers – there’s even memory slots on some cars now! This means that whatever device a consumer is purchasing, there's always a memory solution for them. The trick is to ﬁnd out what the consumers will be doing with the device i.e. buying a DSI - will they be using the camera facility or playing music on it? If so, they will need a

Audio/Visual SanDisk’s Sansa range showcases the very best of MP3 technology, combined with fantastic features and generous capacity the Sansa range of MP3 players caters for a wide range of consumers, whether looking for an on-the-road entertainer or lightweight running partner. Sansa also lets the user enjoy more content with a microSD slot. The range includes the small but powerful Sansa clip, the Sansa Fuze with up to 8GB of storage space and the Sansa View; the pocket-sized entertainment centre, allowing the user to play videos, music, photos and audiobooks with a bright 2.4” colour screen. USB flash drives SanDisk USB Flash Drives give all the power and performance needed to transfer, store and share pictures, tunes, music and data with ease. Ranging from 2GB to 64GB there is a product to suit all needs. The range includes the Extreme range of flash drives feature professional-grade speed, security and performance making this the perfect choice for professionals on the go who need the absolute best in USB flash drives. Also available is the Ultra range, which allows the user to back up critical files at the touch of a button on the USB with no need for cables or adapter, suitable for a consumer that needs a simple, convenient backup and storage solution. For everyday, casual users the Multi-use USB range is perfect, providing an easy and reliable means to store, transfer and share their video, music, photos and other files with friends and family. Imaging cards SanDisk imaging cards are reliable, rugged, fast and have a storage capacity up to a massive 64GB. Representing every photo card format on the market, SanDisk’s award winning range of camera memory solutions offers something for everyone. The Extreme range of memory cards are the new, industry leading choice for professional photographers who demand one of the fastest, most rugged, most reliable cards on the market. Also in the range is Ultra II, the high quality memory cards for photo enthusiasts, which offers storage of up to 16GB. For basic photos the multi-use range offers a wide variety of memory cards which can be used in devices such as digital cameras, smart phones and handheld gaming. Marketing Support Available There is an extensive amount of marketing support available to the trade from SanDisk, including Point of Sale, Plaongraming, Training and merchandising to help encourage sales. SanDisk understands how important point of sale can be to help drive sell-out, and so they make everything available to trade, including sell sheets to highlight the products benefits, security gate sleeves, product brochures, take to the counter cards, dump bins and counter display units. Planograms are also available and tailored to ranging recommendations to provide the retailer with SanDisk’s optimal ranging solution. Top 3 reasons to stock • World leader in flash memory cards • There’s a memory solution for almost all hardware devices • Extensive marketing support available For more information on the full range of SanDisk products available from Gem, contact your Gem account manager on 01279 822822 or go online at www.gem.co.uk/search/quick/SanDisk

Nintendo DSi SDHC card in 4GB or 8GB (our Nintendo cards have the ofﬁcial Nintendo Seal of Approval so retailers can sell with conﬁdence). The retailer has already added value to the consumer, made an additional sale meaning more margin and more money in the till. Do you have any future developments you think we should watch out for? The future for memory is extremely bright - as host devices become more memory hungry and consumers use more and more devices in their life, the greater the opportunity is to sell memory. It's easy to see this when you look at the camera or

mobile phone market - an increasing number of consumers are taking video on their cameras, and the only way that they can save this is on a high capacity memory card. What is SanDisk’s key reason for partnering with Gem? SanDisk are so proud to be launching product with Gem - it's such a natural ﬁt as they are the ideal partner with their strong links in the gaming arena. Gem have a great, solid reputation in the industry and we are keen to focus on new opportunities moving forward.

TEL 01279 822822 FAX 01279 412604 WEB WWW.GEM.CO.UK

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Up to 20% OFF Office Home and Student 2007

Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 is the essential software suite for home computer users and includes 2007 versions of Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and OneNote. This system enables you to quickly and easily create great-looking documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, and organise your notes and information in one place, making it easier and more enjoyable for you to get things done. This updated version features a new streamlined user interface that exposes commonly used commands, enhanced graphics, and formatting capabilities that let you create high-quality documents, plus a powerful note and information organisation tool, and more reliability and security with the document inspector tool and improved automatic document recovery. With these enhancements, Home and Student 2007 makes it a pleasure to complete schoolwork and other tasks at home.

Product Features • This product can be installed on three computers • Contains: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote • Create great-looking documents faster and easier using improved picture, charting and graphics tools with Smart Graphics. • Create eye-catching spreadsheets and charts with shading and colour in Excel 2007 Give documents, spreadsheets and presentations a consistent look automatically with Themes • See formatting changes in one click using Live Preview. • Get better results fast, with improved user interface, menus and toolbars. • Gather, organise and search your notes and information in one place with Office OneNote 2007 • Remove comments, hidden text and personal information from documents with Document Inspector • Recover documents lost while working during inopportune system problems through the Document Recovery Tool

Offer available 24th December - 3rd February Code 79G-00007@PRO Full Packaged Product For more information and to buy today, contact your Gem account manager on 01279 822822 or go online at www.gem.co.uk/promotions

TEL 01279 822822 FAX 01279 412604 WEB WWW.GEM.CO.UK

Star Trek “Movie on USB” available now and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen from 30th November 2009

Transformers Revenge of the fallen Paramount Pictures forms a new approach in bringing movie content to consumers. Collector’s editions of the blockbuster movie Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, will be available on limited edition “Movie on USB” devices, which will play on any DivX certified device including PC, Mac and PS3. The SKU will feature the movie on a specially constructed 4GB USB emblem which sits inside a metal case with a unique identification number laser printed into the packaging.

SRP £19.99

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McAfee Family Protection

Ensuring that children have a safe online experience is one of the biggest challenges of the digital age. McAfee Family Protection is designed to offer the easiest and most complete way to keep children safe, and grows with children as their internet activity interests change and mature. With threats from inappropriate content, social networking risks, cyberbullying, posting of personal information, exposure to strangers, and more, it’s important to have peace of mind so that children can learn, explore and enjoy the internet in safety. As with all McAfee security products it’s fast and simple to set up, and features an array of measures to ensure that children aren’t exposed. 3 User SRP £ 29.99 Webcode MFN10UMB3RAA

Also in the range... McAfee Internet Security 2010, McAfee Total Protection 2010, and McAfee AntiVirus Plus 2010

McAfee AntiVirus Plus 2010

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McAfee Total Protection 2010

• Provides the best possible anti-virus protection • Active Protection ensures the fastest possible protection as threats evolve • New power optimisation feature ensures that scans do not drain the power from your Laptop when not plugged in • Faster performance boasts faster start-up and shut down, and runs silently in the background without slowing down the PC or interrupting use. • Protects up to 3 PCs SRP: £44.99 Webcode: MAV10UDV3RAA

• Revolutionary threat protection against identity theft and viruses • All-encompassing offering delivers an online-specific security package • Anti-phishing warns against accessing dangerous scam websites • Provides automated tools to keep your PC running at peak performance • New QuickScan lets you check for threats in the most commonly infected areas on the computer in less than 10 minutes • Protects up to 3 PCS SRP: £49.99 Webcode: MIS10UDV3RAA

• Comprehensive and easy-to-use package • Offers the ultimate security package for the user who wants to cover all bases • Colour-coded ratings system warns about suspect websites • Shredder facility completely destroys sensitive files when needed • Continuous and automatic updates ensure that the most current security is running to combat threats • Network monitoring - Alerts you when intruders connect to your home network • Protects up to 3 PCS SRP: £59.99 Webcode: MTP10UDV3RAA

For more information on the McAfee range available from Gem and to buy today, contact your Gem account manager on 01279 822822 or go online at www.gem.co.uk/search/quick/mcafee. Downloadable assets available online.

CHANNEL ASSIST

Helping to develop brands A closer look at what Channel Assist has to offer! hannel Assist is having a good year despite the current economic gloom. As a specialist business development agency the company helps software publishers and manufacturers of consumer electronics to build revenue streams in the UK within the retail, licensing and ESD sectors. Since Channel Assist offers a cost effective alternative to setting up UK ofﬁces or adding to existing head count the business has prospered in the current challenging climate.

The concept of scalability has also helped cement Channel Assist’s close relationship with Gem. The team’s proactive approach inevitably helps drive sales, and their intimate understanding of the operational side of Gem’s business, ensures that all aspects of the business runs smoothly, from ﬁnance through to logistics. Working closely with Gem Creative has also been instrumental in helping Channel Assist both launch new brands into retail and to extend brand awareness to the trade.

The business model is simple and centred on representing multiple non-competing vendors for whom they proactively drive business opportunities with channel partners. The Channel Assist team has well established relationships with all key retail

The Channel Assist team has an eclectic background spanning business development, distribution, brand development, product management and new media. It is this wealth of experience that underpins the creative approach with which they tackle the market and develop new revenue streams. Stepping outside of traditional mainstream opportunities the team seek out ways of developing business that are often left of ﬁeld. It is perhaps this combined with their professional approach that engenders such loyalty from the vendors they represent.

Representing several brands gives us additional mindshare which helps both the buyers and the vendors we represent more easily develop and optimise business opportunities. Victoria Satterly Business Development Director

partners and the representation model creates scalability which beneﬁts everyone in the supply chain. ‘Buyers are notoriously busy with limited bandwidth. This means unless you are a top tier brand, mindshare is often restricted and contact at best sporadic. Representing several brands gives us additional mindshare which helps both the buyers and the vendors we represent more easily develop and optimise business opportunities’ says Business Development Director Victoria Satterly.

Channel Assist has adeptly addressed a space in the market for professional channel representation. For vendors this provides a cost effective means to quickly access and build a market or to expand their market reach. For retailers and distribution this means a low maintenance partner that understands their business and proactively manages and develops business from a portfolio of brands.

To find out more on products supported by Channel Assist, available from Gem, contact your Gem account manager on 01279 822822 or go online at www.gem.co.uk

TEL 01279 822822 FAX 01279 412604 WEB WWW.GEM.CO.UK

Avanquest releases WebEasy 8 Following the success of WebEasy 7, Avanquest have launched WebEasy 8, a complete, all-in-one web design and publishing solution. Also available WebEasy 8 Professional -Platinum Edition

Avanquest WebEasy 8 Professional SRP £39.14 WebEasy 8 Professional is the complete solution for web-creation. WebEasy’s intuitive user-interface and drag-and-drop simplicity helps users get their own websites up and running quickly, by automatically creating the necessary html coding to create a professional and dynamic website. With web-hosting and domain included, WebEasy 8 Professional contains everything a user will need to get their own website published. Users can add photos, videos, music and more from the library of over 85,000 included, or use their own, plus, change backgrounds, text, colours and layouts. With more than 40 new or improved features, WebEasy 8 Professional makes web-creation easier than ever. WebEasy 8 is also Windows 7 compatible. • Over 400 new templates, including iPhone and SmartPhone optimised templates • Over 20 new WebWidgets • More than 30 new photo effects to transform pictures

Avanquest WebEasy 8 Professional - Platinum Edition SRP £97.86 A complete solution for creating and publishing your own website. Giving users the ﬂexibility to create the website they desire, with extra tutorials to help users get the most out of WebEasy. WebEasy 8 Professional - Platinum Edition includes extras perfect for business including: • 12 month’s web-hosting and domain name • Advanced e-commerce solutions including product, customer, order and inventory management • Advanced visitor statistic tools • Unlimited email addresses for a professional corporate image

For more information contact your Gem account manager on 01279 822822, or visit www,gem.co.uk

• Unlimited web pages and shop pages to allow businesses to grow, plus 10GB web space.

QUORUM FROM SYMANTEC

Quorum from Symantec The new security model

This month Symantec take the time to give us a greater insight into their new security model ‘Quorum’ Q. What is Quorum? A. Norton 2010 products include revolutionary new technology, codenamed Quorum, that uses cloud-based intelligence to identify malware in an entirely new way beyond traditional signatures and behaviour-based detection. More than three years in the making, Quorum is a real-time reputation system that tracks files and applications and dozens of attributes such as age, download source, digital signature, and prevalence. These attributes are combined using numerous algorithms to determine a reputation. As a file is distributed across the Internet and these attributes change, Quorum updates the reputation of the file. This reputation is especially important when a file is new, likely to be a threat, and not likely to detect it. Q. Why is Quorum important? A. Today’s threats are polymorphic – they are able to hide because every instance changes slightly to evade detection by conventional defenses. Each change keeps the malware active, but it modifies the file’s signature and renders security vendors’ technologies (both signatures and heuristics/behaviours) all but useless against the new breed of unknown threats. Quorum uses this technique against the bad guys by making such a new file capable of being detected because of its poor, un-established reputation. Q. Is Quorum a new feature? A. Quorum is not a feature; Quorum is a new technology that enables new features like Download Insight, and enhances all of our current technologies (AntiVirus engine, static heuristics, SONAR). Q. Can I see Quorum in the product? A. You can see Quorum working by looking at various features in the product. The most obvious example is “Download Insight”. Download Insight assists users when they download files or applications. Download Insight warns a user about an application that doesn’t have a good reputation. Another example is “File Insight”. File Insight, accessible by right-clicking on a file and throughout the product, tells users about the reputation of a particular file on the system. “Norton Insight” uses Quorum technology to help determine which files need to be included as part of a scan and which are trusted – that is, which have a good reputation. Q. How does Quorum work? A. Depending on a variety of factors, Quorum will use the reputation score of the file to make a decision as to whether it is safe, unsafe or unproven. A reputation score is calculated using a complex algorithm based on various parameters. The main feed in to the Reputation system is the information received from the Norton Community Watch program.

Here’s a list of a few parameters that are used to calculate the reputation score: • How many instances of a particular file are seen? • How long has that file been around? • From which URLs were they downloaded? • Which software vendor does the file belong to? These parameters are fed into a complex algorithm that determines the score of an application or file. As we continuously receive new information – the score of a file can change over time. Q. With Quorum, do we still need signatures or behavioural technology? A. It is important to note is that Quorum is not a replacement for our other security technologies. Although it includes the ability to convict both good and bad files it also enables our existing protection engines to be used in a more aggressive way while minimizing the likelihood of a serious in-field False Positive. It is designed to contribute important information to help “fill the gap” when a file is not positively known as being bad or being good and it is therefore additive. For example, in Norton Anti-Virus and Norton Internet Security 2010, Quorum is used by components like Download Insight and SONAR 2 to gain more confidence about our decision to convict a file as malware. Q. Is Quorum information dynamic? A. Yes, Quorum reputation information changes as we continue to build a file’s reputation using intelligence from the Norton Community. When a file is initially downloaded on to a users system the Norton Download Insight feature queries the Quorum service to obtain the current reputation of the file. A time to live is associated with that information. If at a later point in time, reputation information is needed for that file, if the time to live has been exceeded, the current reputation information will again be requested from the backend Quorum servers. This approach facilitates a file’s reputation evolving over time. For more information please visit www.gem.co.uk/symantec

TEL 01279 822822 FAX 01279 412604 WEB WWW.GEM.CO.UK

THE WORLD’S SMALLEST HD CAMCORDER

True mobility and freedom thanks to the ultra slim, compact design • 1280 x 720 (720P) HD high definition video resolution up to 30fps • Up to 2592 x 1944 (5 mega-pixels) still pictures • Built-in 4GB memory for 100 mins video recording • 2.8cm (1.1’’) OLED display with greater range of colours, higher contrast, better brightness, and wider viewing angle • Built-in Li-Polymer rechargeable battery • Recharging from PC/Notebook via USB cable • 3-in-1 multi-solution: Digital camcorder, Digital still camera, Voice recorder

AIPTEK

Making illustrating and design easy! This Christmas unleash your inner designer with the range of Aiptek graphic tablets

The graphics tablets from Aiptek accelerate the performance of illustrating and webpage design, allowing users to produce seamless images and accurately convert handwriting into typed text.

14000U Media Tablet (right)

The 14000U Media Tablet is designed to provide seamless pen-input interface and allow the user to handle tasks intuitively. The high pressure cordless pen allows users to maximise their creativeness by responding to both writing and drawing in a wide range of thicknesses. The high resolution 4000 lpi tablet, in combination with over 1000 levels of pen pressure ensures that the best graphics performance is provided for professional design. With an active area of 12” x 7 ¼” users have an extensive space for sketching and editing; and the dual mode active area means that the 14000U works well with both widescreen and standard sized monitors or notebooks. The hot key and twin scroll pads are both ergonomically designed for both left and right handed users. When the hot key is enabled, the scroll pad provides image zoom, volume adjustment or page scroll function. The 14000U Media Tablet also supports 34 macro keys in order to create hyperlinks to the most frequently used programs, ﬁles or websites to enhance efﬁciency and productivity. The Media Tablet supports both Windows and Mac, as well as most imaging software, to provide handwriting recognition, fast navigation options and accurate photo editing and graphic design. SRP £99.99

Webcode 100046

HyperPen 10000U (left) The HyperPen 10000U is a 12” professional graphic tablet that allows users to take webpage designing, photo editing and illustration to a new level. The working area matches with a 16:10 widescreen monitor and users have the ﬂexibility to resize or relocate the working area to suit your needs. The highly sensitive digital pen has 1024 levels of pressure, and the 4000 lpi high resolution tablet provides excellent handwriting and drawing performance. Ease of use is also enhanced by 16 hot cells that provide hyperlinks to the most frequently used programs or web pages. Compatible with Windows 7, Vista and Mac, as well as most imaging software, users are able to handwrite and annotate word documents, insert hand drawn graphics into documents, as well as edit photos to make them look their best, and share them in creative ways; making the HyperPen 10000U the perfect gift for aspiring artists and designers. SRP £69.99

Webcode 100055

Top 3 reasons to stock • Compatible with Windows and Mac • Compatible with most imaging software • Suitable for a range of tasks including web design and photo editing

TEL 01279 822822 FAX 01279 412604 WEB WWW.GEM.CO.UK

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12/11/09 14:09:42

Gamers will be driving home for

Exspect launches fully compatible Racing Wheel for Wii MotionPlus With a host of hotly anticipated racing games due for release in the run-up to Christmas, Exspect is making sure you get the drive of your life with its Wii Motion Racing Wheel.

Exspect’s Wii Motion Racing Wheel is available individually or as part of a comprehensive 15 in 1 Accessory Pack*, adding realism to several game types such as, golf, tennis and shooting.

Fully compatible with Wii MotionPlus, Exspect’s new wheel guarantees the most realistic and accurate drive for the top racing games in Santa’s sack, from F1 2009 to Madagascar Kartz. If you want to become the next Lewis Hamilton or Jenson Button, or just to gain an edge over your rivals, the Wii Motion Racing Wheel is the perfect accessory.

“Racing games have proven to be one of the big success stories on the Nintendo Wii, so we are delighted to enhance the experience with our new Wii Motion Racing Wheel.” said Mike Sanderson, Head of Development, Exspect. “Racing games will be high on Christmas lists across the country this year and now they can be enjoyed with added accuracy, as the wheel is fully compatible with the Wii MotionPlus.”

The wheel can also be used without the Wii MotionPlus adaptor, allowing you to get the most out of older games that are not compatible with Wii MotionPlus.

EX539 Wii Racing wheel EX538 15 in 1 Wii Motion Accessory Pack For more information please contact your GEM account manager.

*The 15 in 1 pack includes the following attachments: 1 x Wii Motion Racing Wheel 1 x Wii Motion Remote Adaptor 1 x Golf Adaptor

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1 x Tennis Adaptor 1 x Baseball Adaptor 1 x Snooker/Sword Adaptor

1 x Wii Motion Pistol 1 x Wii Motion Remote Skin 1 x Remote Skin

2 x Wrist Strap 2 x Remote Fascia’s 2 x Battery Grip Covers

12/11/09 14:09:54

TAKING GAMING TO THE NEXT LEVEL This month The Future takes a closer look at the extensive gaming range available from Logitech, helping gamers get the most out of their game-play The Logitech Gaming Range enables users to beat off the competition thanks to their wide-range of high-performance, durable and authentic peripherals. Whether it be gaining a tactical advantage using the pixel-precise laser mice and racing wheels, or unleashing your inner rock star with the wireless guitars, drums and microphones, the Logitech Gaming Range has something for every gamer.

Wireless Drum Controller The Wireless Drum controller from Logitech features fully adjustable drum heads and cymbals that can be positioned to suit the user’s style and reach, ensuring faster and more accurate gameplay. Produced from authentic materials, gamers get a more realistic experience, and the quiet and responsive drum heads have a lively feel so they won’t distract from the music. The setup is quick and when the show is over, the set folds ﬂat in seconds. Available and licensed for the PS3, Wii and Xbox 360. PS3 939-000185 SRP £179.99 Wii 939-000243 SRP £179.99 Xbox 360 939-000197 SRP £179.99

Wireless Guitar Controller Made from authentic materials, with solid body, wood neck, metal frets and rosewood ﬁngerboard the Wireless Guitar controller provides a realistic experience so gamers can really get into the music. The touch sensitive neck slider and star power button allows users to take full advantage of the features of Guitar Hero. The virtually silent strum bar and fret buttons won’t distract from the music and with a wireless range of up to 30 feet, the user is free to go where the music takes them. PS3 939-000129 SRP £179.99 Wii 939-000153 SRP £179.99 Xbox 360 939-000151 SRP £179.99

LOGITECH GAMING

Vantage USB Microphone Designed for singing games, the Logitech Vantage USB Microphone will maximise your voice power and display your talent. This high performance and reliable microphone accurately reproduces the sound of your voice so users will enjoy their favourite singing games over and over again. Being tied down is not an issue with a 4.5m cable users have the freedom to perform, ensuring that they can really get into the music. Available for the Wii and Xbox 360 Wii 981-000066 SRP £19.99 Xbox 360 981-000065 SRP £19.99

G27 Racing Wheel The Logitech G27 Racing Wheel features simulator-grade force feedback effects, sixspeed shifter and 900 degree wheel rotation so users will experience a smooth and accurate driving experience that they can really feel. This 28cm wheel is wrapped in real leather to keep your hand comfortable and the steel pedals deliver precise throttle, braking and shifting control to heighten realism. Optical encoding ensures reliable and accurate handling race after race, and two sets of ball bearing support the wheel shaft for superb performance. Designed to deliver a deﬁnitive racing experience for the PC, PS3 and PS2. Webcode 941-000047 SRP £279.00

G9X Laser Mouse The Logitech G9X Laser mouse is built with advanced customisation technology to tune performance, look and feel. An incredible 5700dpi gaming-grade laser sensor with full-speed USB and onboard memory profiles improves your gaming performance, allowing users to easily make the transition between pixel-precise targeting to lightening fast manoeuvres without pausing the action. The G9x mouse includes an onboard memory to program up to five ready-to-play profiles, as well as interchangeable grips, weight tuning and a dual-mode scroll wheel to give the user personalised comfort and control.

G500 Gaming Mouse The Logitech Gaming Mouse G500 delivers game-changing precision at any hand speed. With it gaming-grade laser engine, gamers can rev up their intensity to reach a maximum hand speed of 165 inches per second. An on-the-ﬂy adjustable dpi gives gamers the most accurate level of precision – from pixel-precise targeting (200dpi) to lighting fast-manoeuvres (up to 5700dpi) – to suit any game or user. Full speed USB also ensures that the G500 mouse is smooth and responsive, whilst weight tuning lets the user personalised their feel and control. Webcode 910-001262 SRP £59.99

Webcode 910-001153 SRP £89.99 Interchangeable grips also available Crackle 939-000190 SRP £12.99 Skull 939-000192 SRP £12.99 Swircle 939-000191 SRP £12.99

TEL 01279 822822 FAX 01279 412604 WEB WWW.GEM.CO.UK

GAMESFoCUS

was the year that was... JANUARY

FEBRUARY

• 360 hits 3.2 million in UK, Wii 4.9 million, PS3 1.9 million • In handheld terms, DS leads the way with 8.8 million and PSP with 3.2 million according to official figures from Gfk ChartTrack • Official NPD figures in the US show the 360 outselling the PS3 by an impressive 2 to 1 • Konami signs Saw license

• Rockstar unveils a new title, Red Dead Redemption, set for release on 360 and PS3 • Nintendo continues to dominate, with huge year-on-year growth for both the Wii and DS • Half of Top 10 comprised of Nintendo titles: Wii Fit, Wii Play and Mario Kart Wii occupy the top three, and older titles Mario Kart DS and New Super Mario Bros at 7 and 8 • Rockstar releases its first Grand Theft Auto Episodes via Xbox Live. Retailing for 1600 Microsoft points, The Lost And The Damned proves to be a huge hit. "It would have outsold Killzone 2" in February had it launched at retail, says Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg • RTS spin-off Halo Wars ships on 360 to warm critical acclaim

MARCH • 2K Games reveals that Bioshock 2 puts players in the role of the Big Daddy • PS3 hits 2 million mark in the UK • One billion Halo 3 matches played online to date • Fable III accidentally announced by Jonathan Ross • Fable II scoops a BAFTA, and so does Super Mario Galaxy, Professor Layton and Race Driver: GRID • 13 million units of GTA IV shipped to date says Rockstar • Carnival Games has sold 4 million units says Take Two • The Department of Health claims playing games can lead to an early death • Konami releases Metal Gear Solid Touch on iPhone, reflecting huge growing interest in the platform. Hideo Kojima confirms work on next Metal Gear Solid underway • Nintendo DS ships 100 million worldwide, Wii hits 50 million • Rockstar unveils Max Payne 3 for release on 360, PS3 and PC. First two titles added to Xbox Originals line-up • First DS Grand Theft Auto released. China Town Wars scoops 10/10 review from Eurogamer

APRIL

NOVEMBER

• Nintendo DSi hits retail April 3rd and sells 300k in both Europe and US in the first two days on sale • Konami confirms Silent Hill 1 remake for Wii, PS2 and PSP, subtitled Shattered Memories • Wii Fit still top of the charts, one year on from original release • David Reeves retires from Sony. Andrew House the new Sony European CEO • Microsoft announces extended three year warranty for 'E74' error • Konami drops controversial Iraq War game 'Six Days In Fallujah' after public outcry

• Nintendo reveals new larger DSi coming to Europe in Spring 2010, as well as demos for WiiWare games for the first time • Supermarket loss leading pricing on top games blasted by indies across UK • Natal will costs under £50 according to report, with November 2010 the launch date. 14 games will go on sale with the peripheral • Bully 2 outed by music composer • Electronic Arts cans 12 games, lays off 1500 staff

MAY • Forza Motorsport 3 details leak ahead of official E3 reveal • Rockstar Games' Houser brothers are named in Time Magazine's Top 100 most influential people in the world list • Wii Sports confirmed as the best-selling game ever, with 45 million units • Empire Interactive falls into administration • Microsoft's top-secret motion-sensing peripheral rumoured • 360 hits 30 million sales milestone worldwide. 20 million Xbox Live users • After more than a decade in development, work on Duke Nukem Forever halts after developer 3D Realms lays off most of its staff. Legal battle with Take-Two commences

JUNE • Microsoft showcases camera-based, hands-free motionsensing peripheral, Project Natal, at E3. Set for release in late 2010, the critical response is phenomenal • Microsoft pulls off E3 PR coup of the decade, as the surviving members of The Beatles present The Beatles: Rock Band in front of a worldwide audience • Nintendo's Wii Remote add-on,Wii MotionPlus, released • Halo Reach confirmed as the next title in the series • Wii Fit Plus and New Super Mario Bros. Wii confirmed for release in Q4. The Legend of Zelda: Spirt Tracks, Metroid: Other M, Super Mario Galaxy 2 and the Wii Vitality Sensor also announced during E3 • Three new Overlord titles launched on the same day by Codemasters across five platforms • Last.fm, Facebook and Twitter coming to Xbox 360 • Alan Wake finally gets confirmed release date of Spring 2010 after six years of development • Metal Gear Solid: Rising confirmed for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. Hideo Kojima also overseeing next Castlevania. • PS3 Wand revealed at E3 • Rockstar reveals Agent as PS3 exclusive • Development veteran Peter Molyneux promoted to Creative Director of Microsoft Game Studios

AUGUST • Microsoft launches new Games On Demand service with 21 Xbox 360 titles • Codemasters scoops surprise No.1 with Ashes Cricket 2009 • Wii sales top 5.5 million in UK, and leads console sales for 2009 with 800k. DS Lite sells 680k, with 370k DSi sales since April launch • £199 is the new price of the Xbox 360 Elite, and prompts a 43 per cent sales spike

DECEMBER • Nintendo launches new DS-exclusive Zelda - Spirit Tracks

SEPTEMBER • PS3 Slim and PSPgo launch across the UK. PS3 sales rocket by 1000% as a result • Halo 3: ODST launches to positive reviews and tops the chart in its first week, and sells 2.5 million in the first two weeks • Colin McRae: DiRT 2 enters at No.2 • Microsoft reveals that Activision Blizzard, Bethesda Softworks, Capcom, Disney, EA, Konami, MTV, Namco Bandai, SEGA, Square Enix, THQ and Ubisoft are all producing games for Project Natal

OCTOBER • Sky Player launches on Xbox 360 • Konami hits the All Formats No.1 with PES 2010 • 2K Games scores highly with new Gearbox shooter, Borderlands • Rockstar releases second 360-exclusive GTA DLC episode, The Ballad Of Gay Tony, as well as the disc-based Episodes From Liberty City. A PSP version of China Town Wars also hits • Retailers lash out at PSPgo, saying it will "fail miserably" • Bookies put Modern Warfare 2 as the favourite for the UK Christmas number one, followed by Assassin's Creed 2 and Sonic & Mario at the Winter Olympic Games • Fledgling website VG247 scoops three awards at the Games Media Awards. • Forza 3 launches and promptly tops the UK chart

JULY • Nintendo's first WMP title released, Wii Sports Resort, tops chart, sells 600k across Europe in first two weeks on sale. By October, some 7 million copies had shifted • Wii Fit, Wii Play and Mario Kart Wii the three best-selling games of the year in the UK so far, with 1.65 million units sold between them. Professor Leyton and Brain Training also in Top 10 • Despite its dominance, Nintendo reports that Q1 profits dropped 60 per cent due to the strong Yen and a fall in demand for the Wii and DS. Lack of big titles to blame for decline says Nintendo boss Satoru Iwata

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11/11/2009 17:19

GAMESFoCUS

Ones to watch

Believe it or not, 2010 is already nearly upon us. Usually, the start of any year tends to be something of a lull for the games industry, but this year has seen several publishers push back an unusual number of games into the first quarter to avoid clashing with the almighty impact of Modern Warfare 2. Join Kristan Reed for a rundown of some of the gaming highlights available soon through Gem...

Mafia 2

Bioshock 2

Alan Wake

FORMAT Xbox 360 / PS3 RELEASE DATE TBA PUBLISHER 2K Games

FORMAT Xbox 360 / PS3 / PC RELEASE DATE 9th February 2010 PUBLISHER 2K Games

FORMAT Xbox 360 RELEASE DATE TBA PUBLISHER Microsoft

The follow-up to the 2002 classic finally emerges in 2010, promising a mature and exciting peek into the dark and dramatic inner-workings of the Mafia.

Set 10 years after the events of the 2007 Game of the Year, Bioshock 2 takes gamers on another unforgettable journey through the underwater ruins of Rapture.

From the makers of Max Payne comes the next word in psychological horror videogaming.

Starring a beaten down Italian-American immigrant called Vito, players will become immersed in the tale of his descent into the world of organised crime in the 1940s and 50s. Together with his childhood friend Joe, the game follows their compelling journey as they work their way up the Mafia ladder from low-level robbery to their life as a 'Made Man'.

But rather than fighting the infamous Big Daddy, this visually gorgeous follow-up now puts players in the shoes of the hulking beast as he fights powerful new enemies, including the fearsome Big Sister - a deadly hybrid who combines the power of the Big Daddy with the Little Sister to devastating effect.

Powered by 2K Czech's next-gen engine, this openworld experience promises action-packed gameplay, including visceral hand-to-hand combat, thrilling car chases and intense gunplay. With captivating cinematics and an absorbing storyline, Mafia 2 looks set to be one of the most highly anticipated titles of the New Year. Reasons To Stock • Engrossing narrative • Compelling action • Follow-up to 2002 classic

Building on the unique combat of the original, players will now be able to dual-wield weapons and experiment with new plasmids to exhilarating effect. Even better, all-new elements allow players to experience life outside of Rapture with underwater exploration adding to the intrigue. And with multiplayer modes also now part of the experience, Bioshock 2 represents another fantastic sequel to emerge in 2010 from 2K Games. Reasons To Stock • Follow-up to 2007's Game of the Year • Experience the game as the Big Daddy • New underwater gameplay and multiplayer modes

Developed over more than six years, Alan Wake stars a best-selling suspense author who tries to start over in the sleepy, idyllic town of Bright Falls, following the mysterious disappearance of his fiance. When the plot of Alan Wake's book starts to play out for real, players will be tasked with solving unique puzzles, and engage in multi-layered character interactions as they roam around superbly realistic and fully interactive environments, using light against the mysterious creatures of darkness. Taking influences from Stephen King novels and iconic TV serial Twin Peaks, Alan Wake is a truly remarkable title which boasts an "intense and expansive cinematic world". Expect big things from this 'action thriller' release from Microsoft and Remedy Entertainment. Reasons To Stock • Huge anticipatio • Technical showcase • Absorbing storyline and unique horrorfocused gameplay

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40 TRACKS +5 FREE TRACKS FROM XBOX LIVE*

INCLUDES: COLDPLAY ”VIVA LA VIDA” RIHANNA ”DISTURBIA” & MC HAMMER ”U CAN’T TOUCH THIS”

& MANY MORE...

ALSO AVAILABLE WITH TWO XBOX 360® WIRELESS MICROPHONES!

www.xbox.com * Xbox LIVE subscription required to access Xbox LIVE. Compatible broadband connection, hard drive or memory unit required – sold separately. © 2009 Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft, Microsoft Game Studios logo, Lips, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. iNiS and the iNiS logo are trademarks of iNiS Corporation and are used with permission. All Rights Reserved.

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09/10/2009 16:19

GAMESFoCUS

Nintendo launches new Black Wii and accessories range Some three years after its hugely successful launch, the Nintendo Wii console is now available in a super-sleek Black edition. The exciting new look launched across the UK on November 6th, and will be available as a bundle including an array of official black accessories comprised of Wii Remote, Wii MotionPlus and Nunchuk. In addition, the pack also includes the recently released Wii Sports Resort game as well as the original 2006 classic Wii Sports, representing the best value Wii bundle to date. The Wii Sports Resort black bundle now offers consumers a total of 15 different sports to enjoy, including bowling, tennis, canoeing, cycling, golf, baseball, archery and boxing. For more information and to buy today, contact your Gem account manager on 01279 822822 or go online at www.gem.co.uk

Official Nintendo black accessories

Classic Controller Pro

Wii Remote

Wii MotionPlus

Wii Nunchuk

This new, improved version of Nintendo's Classic Controller ensures users can enjoy Wii Virtual Console titles the way Nintendo intended.

Designed for players of all age and abilities, the Wii Remote has united generations and genders with its ease of use and flexibility. Now available in Black, users now have the choice over which style they prefer.

Released earlier this summer, the Wii MotionPlus unlocks the full potential of the Wii Remote, allowing for greater tracking accuracy of player movement that ever before.

Designed to be roughly the same dimensions as a household remote control, the Wii Remote is a multifunctional device that is equally at home being used as a steering wheel, tennis racket or weapon. With a pointing range of 15 feet, up to four Wii Remotes can be connected simultaneously for the ultimate in multiplayer gaming.

By plugging the unit in the bottom of the Wii Remote, the unit allows players to become even more immersed in titles such as Grand Slam Tennis, Tiger Woods, Wii Sports Resort and more.

Now available in black, the Wii Nunchuk works in conjunction with the Wii Remote. Designed to fit in a user's hand, the accessory plugs into the expansion port and allows players to use the analogue stick to move characters during games, as well as a further motion sensing device. With two additional fire buttons, it adds even greater functionality and flexibility for selected titles.

By fusing elements of the NES, SNES and N64 pads into the ultimate old school joypad, the new Classic Controller is both comfortable and adaptable, being faithful to the configuration and layout of the retro style of the past.

TEL 01279 822822 FAX 01279 412604 WEB WWW.GEM.CO.UK

F1 2009 FORMAT Wii, PSP RELEASE DATE Out Now PUBLISHER Codemasters SRP PSP £29.99 / Bundle £39.99 / Solus £34.99

Following hard on the heels of Jenson Button's crowning as the F1 world champion, Codemasters celebrates this monumental achievement with the release of the first in a new generation of Formula One videogames. Developed by World-renowned UK studio Sumo Digital, this officially licensed Wii and PSP title features all the stars of Formula One, as well as the teams and circuits from the revitalised motorsport. Said to take Wii and PSP racing to a "whole new level of authenticity and immersion," F1 2009 features a new 'Fair Race' game

balancing system, allowing players of all levels to able to compete regardless of experience and prowess, both in single and split-screen multiplayer modes. Players will jostle for position against the full 20-car grid, on all 17 2009 season tracks - all recreated in stunning detail realised in meticulous detail. Featuring advanced damage modelling, pitstops and KERS boost integration, F1 2009 looks set to be pole position for racing games this Winter. Reasons To Stock • First F1 game for years • Surge of interest in F1 • Developed by renowned racing game studio

Nintendo Presents: Crossword Collection FORMAT DS RELEASE DATE 1st February 2010 PUBLISHER Nintendo SRP £19.99

Crossword addicts can get their fix with this collection of over 1000 puzzles. By simply inputting answers via the touch screen and stylus, users is the perfect pick up and play brain-teaser. Nintendo has tailored Crossword Collection for the UK market, with words specific to British English, while the presence of three skill levels will make it approachable for ardent puzzlers or the novice wordsmith. Also suitable for either left or right handed players, the game utilises a book-like orientation, and can be flipped to either screen. Meanwhile, handwriting recognition ensures that players can quickly and easily write their answers direct onto the DS' touch screen. In addition the game also contains two extra modes: word searches and anagrams.

Reasons To Stock • Features more than 1000 crossword puzzles • Also includes Word Searches and Anagrams • Designed for UK English

GAMESFoCUS

Dragonology FORMAT DS RELEASE DATE Out Now PUBLISHER Codemasters SRP TBC

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Tag Force 4 FORMAT PSP RELEASE DATE 1st January 2010 PUBLISHER Konami SRP TBC

The super-successful Yu-Gi-Oh! brand sees the release of yet another new release this Winter, with the debut appearance of the new animated TV series on the Sony PSP. Borrowing story elements from the show's 'Dark Signers' episodes, the authentic visual style brings the game to life, with stunning anime likenesses of the 14 duelists and supporting characters.

Based on the 6 million-selling book, Codemasters' DS-exclusive will bring the magical world of dragons to life. Designed for younger gamers, players must become a master of Dragonology, learning ancient dragon-tracking techniques. They will mix potions and create contraptions while travelling to the icy wastes of Antarctica and the plains of Africa to study, protect and preserve these dangerous, secretive creatures. Better still, they also get to train, fly and play with dragons before releasing them back into the wild. In addition to enjoying 16 fun mini games, players will build up their very own Dragonological Encyclopaedia, including details on their claws, scales and teeth. Reasons To Stock • Based on the huge-selling book • Features 16 mini games • Brings the world of Dragons to life

Players will be able to move freely around locations based accurately around the show, with the story unfolding as they meet new characters and face-off against them in duels, or buy new trading cards for their deck. All told, over 300 hours of gameplay is in store for fans, with multiplayer support allowing up to four players to engage in one-on-one or two-on-two battles.

Reasons To Stock • Boasts an authentic look and feel • Expansive 300 hours of gameplay • Multiplayer support and downloadable content

Tornado Outbreak FORMAT Wii, PS3, Xbox 360 RELEASE DATE Out Now PUBLISHER Konami SRP Wii £24.99 / PS3 £29.99 / Xbox 360 £29.99

Konami launches a new brand this Winter, with the release of Tornado Outbreak, a "revolutionary" new multi-format title which puts some of Earth's most powerful elements in player's hands. Players will tear through open environments with the power of a raging tornado, facing-off against a wide variety of fearsome opponents. Starring Zephyr, the leader of the Wind Warriors, he can transform himself into a raging column of air, helping those in need in a cosmic battle for supremacy on Earth. Backed by the cloud-making Nimbus and a fearless squad of Wind Warriors, they must work together to find Omegaton's source of power and defeat him. Developed by Loose Cannon Studios, Tornado Outbreak promises to be a highly original addition to the action adventure genre. Reasons To Stock • Highly original gameplay • Tear through open environments • Nothing else quite like it TEL 01279 822822 FAX 01279 412604 WEB WWW.GEM.CO.UK

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15/10/2009 11:12