A New Day Begins

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USA Network, in tandem with DC Entertainment, has released volume two of Burn Notice: A New Day an engaging first interactive multiplatform comic book series. Sponsored by Hyundai, the comic book gives fans their Burn Notice fix before the show’s return on November 3 at 10/9c. Available on usanetwork.com, Facebook and as a freestanding iOS and Android App on select devices and written by the creative team behind the show, including series creator Matt Nix, this second volume features more exclusive content along with unique special effects that will give readers a 3-D view into selected panels, allowing them to more deeply explore Michael Westen’s environment. Fans will have behind-the-scenes video of DC artist Tony Shasteen, who is returning as lead artist on the volume 2. This content will not only show how he created the artwork, but how he determined the look and feel of the characters. This new volume will feature exclusive cover art each week leading into all-new episodes of season five, which premieres Thursday, November 3, with a new issue unveiled that same day. Picking up where Volume 1 left off, Volume 2 takes Michael around the globe to continue his hunt for the operatives who burned him. With a new chapter each week, you’ll experience a story you won’t get anywhere else, and unique interactive features that bring you deeper into the Burn Notice world of intrigue!

Gaming Networks A ‘Necessity’ In A Few Years, Says Activision Executive

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Call of Duty Elite is one of the biggest elements that Activision is rolling out for the game this year. Activision VP of digital Jamie Berger indicates that such social methods will be a necessity in the near future.

“We believe that a 24/7, year-round services strategy that broadens the game experience beyond just playing is going to be a necessity,” said Berger. “Right now, it’s an option but in three to five years, it won’t be. To support a diverse player base, you will have to have a services and ongoing content strategy. I don’t see how games are going to manage without that. Elite is about Call of Duty being bigger than ever five years from now and laying the groundwork for that.”

Source: MCV

Rage Over Three Discs On Xbox 360

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The upcoming Rage by id Software will come on three discs for the Xbox 360. While the full install is 22 GB, Creative Director at id Software Tim Willits indicates that players don’t have to go all-in for the game.

“We recommend installing the game to the hard drive, but you don’t need to install all three discs,” explains Willits. “If you don’t have the space available on your hard drive, don’t stress. Install the first disc, the first chapter, the first half of the game, then when you’re done, uninstall and install disc two.”

The PS3 version will, meanwhile, require a one-off 8GB install; Willits praised Sony for including hard-drives on all PS3s and for allowing for large mandatory installs. “Sony was great. Kudos to Sony for letting us do that,” he said. “What we were able to do is install all the textures to the highest level. What is nice about the PS3 platform is that it’s just one platform. Everyone has one Blu-ray drive, one hard drive, it’s all the same. Some of the other systems you have . . . should I install it on my 360 Should I not install it ”

Source: Eurogamer

Just Dance 3 Wants To Introduce You To Katy Perry

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On the official Facebook page for Just Dance 3, a new app called “welcome” invites fans to check out new video content and enter to win tickets to meet Katy Perry. Fans can also enter to win a sweepstakes and win prizes like an “I heart Just Dance” t-shirt, branded sunglasses and headbands. Browse through gameplay videos featuring songs from artists like LMFAO, Britney Spears, Rhianna and Barbra Streisand.

Social Ad Metrics: Two Ways To Measure Success

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With marketers ponying up $6 billion for social campaigns in 2011, social media has clearly outgrown the experimental stage. Of course, there remains the problem of determining whether it is working or not.

In order to determine effectiveness, two firms are launching their own social metrics. DataXu unveiled DX Social its effectiveness tool for Facebook campaigns, designed to gain insights gleaned from DataXu’s display and video ad platforms to Facebook campaigns.

“[Linking performance data from Facebook and display ads allows marketers to] decrease the randomness of throwing money at all of these things that are disconnected,” said Mike Baker, CEO of DataXu.

At the same time, Merkle has launched the social measurement product Merkle Connect. It uses the company’s existing trove of CRM data about a customer set, valuing each Facebook fan, share, and like in order to help marketers decide how to mold their social campaigns.

“Without knowing what to do (with their Facebook pages), most marketers default to a mass media social strategy we call ‘Wall Talk,’ which is throwing something onto their wall and hoping people find it engaging,” says Rich Fleck, vp and general manager of Merkle Connect.

Source: adweek.com

Experience A House With Memories

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A new website for the upcoming supernatural horror film Dream House has been launched. Filled with cinematic snowy effects, music and sounds, the site puts the user in an exploratory mode where they can navigate to find out more about the house, characters and story. Interstitial full screen flash video between each action draws fans deeper into the mystery of this suspense thriller. Click on ‘video’ to experience the theatrical trailer and TV spots in HD.

Amazon Tablet Expected To Rival IPad

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Amazon is expected too make an announcement of their long awaited tablet at a press conference on Wednesday. It is anticipated by many as the big moment for Amazon to expand in mobile commerce and sell more digital goods and services.

“Wednesday is tablet day,” BGC partners analyst Colin Gillis. “The real issue here is that, you know, it is likely going to be good for consumers; is this going to be good for shareholders Knowing Amazon, it is likely to be a very aggressive price.”

Similar to the way that Amazon’s Kindle e-reader was priced low to get traction among readers, it is expected that the price of the tablet will be low to attract users and sell other content and services. “It’s a marketing tool to build a relationship with customers and sell them cloud (computing) services,” said James McQuivey, an analyst with Forrester Research.

It is believed that the device will be 7 inches with a full color touch screen, run Google’s Android software and cost $250. Some think the device could be a major competitor to the iPad, considering the popularity of the movie and music services Amazon sells.

Source: Reuters