store.gem.co.uk August 2012

THERE'S MORE THAN ENOUGHto suggest that F1 2012 will be another quality outing for

the seriesEurogamer”

F1 2012 IS STILL VERY MUCHa thinking man's racing game...with careful strategising

and tactics required to win racesXbox360achievements

”

”© 2012 The Codemasters Software Company Limited ("Codemasters"). All rights reserved. "Codemasters”®, “Ego” ® and the Codemasters logo are registered trademarks owned by Codemasters. “Codemasters Racing”™ and “RaceNet”™ are trademarks of Codemasters. An official product of the FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP.

The F1 FORMULA 1 logo, F1 logo, F1 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP logo, FORMULA 1, FORMULA ONE, F1, FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, GRAND PRIX and related marks are trade marks of Formula One Licensing BV, a Formula One group company. Licensed by Formula One World Championship Limited. All rights reserved.

All other copyrights or trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are being used under license. Unauthorised copying, adaptation, rental, lending, re-sale, arcade use, charging for use, broadcast, cable transmission, public performance, distribution or extraction of this product or any trademark or copyright work that forms part of this product is prohibited. Developed and published by Codemasters.

”

CONTENTS

www.facebook.com/gemgroup @gemdistribution www.linkedin.com/company/gem-distribution-ltd

05 EDITOR’S COMMENTFaye Le Duc shares the best bits of July andwhat to look forward to in August at Gem

06 WE WANT ONEThe Nintendo 3DS XL, handheld gaming just got bigger

07 GEM NEWSTHQ join Gem in time for the launch ofDarksiders II

09 NEW TO USFeel the bass with new audio partner VIBE

11 Q&AThe Future gets to know Paul Langley, our Leisure Software Divisional Manager at Gem

13 SYMANTECRegister for the Norton Partner Portal today

15 LOGITECHFollow your own pattern with the newGraffiti Colour Collection

17 MICROSOFTMicrosoft webcams and headsets to keepyou in the picture

19 KASPERSKYWin your logo on a Kaspersky race car andtickets to the Ferrari Challenge!

23 STEELSERIESEnhance your Guild Wars 2 gameplay withaccessories from SteelSeries

24 CODEMASTERSF1 2012 is back with the latest release inthe popular racing series from Codemasters

26 UBISOFTBecome a real guitar hero with Ubisoft'samazing new music title, Rocksmith

30 THQWin big with Darksiders II, the sequel to thepopular 2010 title

32 KONAMIWith new features and life-like characters,PES 2013 is back

03TEL 01279 822822 FAX 01279 412604 WEB WWW.GEM.CO.UKTO BUY ONLINEstore.gem.co.uk

Store.gem.co.uk

Who can believe that it is now just a matter of weeks until the Back toSchool promotional period begins, marking the start of what promises to be abusy peak period.

The first of Gems Back to School sales kicked off in July giving our customers theopportunity to grab a bargain and stock up in time for September. As well as somefantastic bundles, multi-buy offers and excellent pricing, Gem were delighted towelcome some new vendors to the party.

Announced earlier last month, Gem is now the exclusive distribution partner for THQ,publishers of the Saints Row and WWE series. They have a fantastic portfolio ofstrong titles and a tantalising roadmap for the next 12 months creating endlessopportunities for bespoke added-value bundles in stunning retail packaging.

The first THQ title Gem will be fulfilling is Darksiders II, launching on the 21stAugust. To ensure its success, Gem has worked with THQ to produce an excellentrange of POS for you to kit out your stores. What’s more, we’re running a BestDressed Store competition - giving you the chance to win £200 Gem credit, Xbox 3604GB Console and your very own copy of Darksiders II Collector’s Edition. For moreinfo, check out page 30.

Round 2 of the Gem Back to School sale starts on Monday 13th August through toFriday 17th August, so make sure you keep an eye on store.gem.co.uk/backtoschoolso you don’t miss any of the outstanding deals.

The infamous Gamesaid Golf and Spa day hosted at the Grove last month raised awhopping £75,000 for charity. We’re proud to be sponsors of the event and areabsolutely delighted that the hard work and efforts paid off!

A big thank you to those of you who played, got pampered and donated.

EDITOR’S COM-

Faye Le Duc PR & Marketing Manager

Managing EditorFaye Le Duc

Web ExecutivePeter Cox

DesignSophie Hammond

Finn MacleanAmber-Sky Watts

Gaming EditorKristan Reed

PublisherGem Creative

Gem Distribution LtdSt. George House, Parkway

Harlow Business Park, Harlow, Essex, CM19 5QF

Head of MarketingKatie Rawlings

Contact DetailsTelephone Office: +44 01279 822800

Sales: +44 01279 822822 Facsimile Office: +44 01279 416228

Sales: +44 01279 412604

To place an order please call 01279 822822 between 9am-6pm Monday-Friday,

or visit store.gem.co.uk to buy online*

To open an account please visit ww.gem.co.uk or call our new accounts team on 01279 822800.

*Trade account required.

Printed in the uk by Cadmium Multimedia

www.cadmiummultimedia.co.uk

editor’s comment

05TO BUY ONLINEstore.gem.co.uk TEL 01279 822822 FAX 01279 412604 WEB WWW.GEM.CO.UK

Faye

Nintendo 3DS XL

For more information on Nintendo 3DS™ XL, contact your Gemaccount manager on 01279 822822 or go online at store.gem.co.uki

Since Nintendo revealed plans to launch Nintendo 3DS XL, we’ve been itching to get our hands on itand on the 28th July, we did just that. The new version of the Nintendo 3DS, with a screen 90%larger than its original counterpart, creates an even more immersive entertainment experience forusers, delivering a wealth of games and video content that can be enjoyed on the go.

Nintendo 3DS XL features an updated form factor and will be available in Silver + Black, Red + Blackand Blue + Black. The new system’s battery life outperforms that of the original Nintendo 3DS, and itcomes bundled with a 4GB SD card, which owners can use to store content such as downloadablegames and videos from the Nintendo eShop.

Who wouldn’t want one?

Handheld gaming just got bigger

we want one

™

Gem News

THQ partner with GemGaming giant select Gem as their exclusive UK distributor

Gem Distribution has been appointed as THQ UK’sexclusive distribution partner following a tenderprocess to manage the independent retailers in theUK. The first title Gem Distribution will be workingon is the highly anticipated Darksiders II whichlaunches on August 21st.

Of the new partnership, Jonny Harvey, THQs UK &Ireland Sales Director commented;

Gem Distribution’s UK General Manager, DarrenHoughton concurs saying;

EDITOR’Sgem news

07TO BUY ONLINEstore.gem.co.uk TEL 01279 822822 FAX 01279 412604 WEB WWW.GEM.CO.UK

GDS appoint new Sales ManagerJoanne Gilman joins Gem Design & Sourcing

Following the launch of the new division, GDS is delighted to welcomeJoanne Gilman who will be taking on the role as UK Sales Manager.Joanne will report into Gem’s Head of Business Development, PhilipMunro, whilst working closely with Mike Sanderson, General Manager,Gem Design & Sourcing.

Joanne joins GDS from Magicbox, who are a design led brand, selling intothe Audio & Telecoms market both as Magicbox brand and also as an ownbrand label. Jo worked on both a local and DI basis, meeting with majorretailers in the Far East to explore needs and opportunities. In addition tothis, Jo brings a wealth of experience in both Business Development andMarketing, having held the role of Sales & Marketing Director at IDS UKfor over 10 years.

Gem welcome VIBE AudioNew VIBE Optisound range available now

VIBE Audio, manufacturers of innovative audio equipment, have partnered withGem to supply the Optisound range to Gem’s extensive customer base.

The products available will include the Optisound Game 5 Subwoofer, OptisoundTV 5D Subwoofer and the Optisound TV 6D Subwoofer. Each one combines withexisting TV speakers to enhance the viewing experience for movies, sports, gamesand TV programmes –delivering an immersive cinematic experience from an easy-to-hide box.

For more information on the VIBE Optisound range, please contact yourGem account manager on 01279 822 822

Gem announce brand new divisionDesign & Sourcing added to Gem’s portfolio of retail services

Last month, Gem announced the tactical launch of GemDesign & Sourcing to significantly enrich the dedicatedservices to retail the distributor already provides.

Gem offer a fantastic proposition to retail partners by utilising their facilities in the Far East. They have experienced and dedicated local staff, sourcing and manufacturing at the highest quality on behalf of customers. GDS, as it will be known, is able to deliver desirable ‘retail own-label’ products that offer differentiation in design and quality, whilst their existingbrand – Exspect – will serve as a ‘product only label’.

Gem benefit from being able to source and manufactureany type of product direct from its Asian counterpart, already housing an experienced and professional team.

From exclusive customer own label accessories, nicheproduct development, licensing to special products, such as working with 3rd party partners on establishinghigh volume, low risk, and diverse product category opportunities; GDS can literally offer a service to suit therequirement of today’s tough consumer, who look for highquality goods but at a more affordable price.

We are delighted to have appointed GemDistribution to work as an extension of ourown Sales team to reach the UKs independentretailers. We were looking for a partner who will be as dedicated to our business aswe are and are confident we have found thisin Gem Distribution.

We are thrilled to add THQ to the extensive portfolio of UK publishers represented by us. THQs forthcoming titles including Darksiders II, Metro: Last Light andSouth Park The Stick of Truth represent amajor opportunity for independent retailers,we are looking forward to developing a longterm relationship with THQ.

http://www.gem.co.uk/

EDITOR’Snew to us

The bass of gamingFounded in 1993, VIBE Audio is committed to the designand manufacture of innovative audio equipment.

With industry defining products such as the VIBE BlackAirVented 12 Bass Enclosures, LiteAir Amplifiers and the competition level BlackDeath range, VIBE Audio is a majorforce in the international car audio market, currently exporting to over 50 countries internationally.

VIBE Audio’s global success in the audio market has allowed them to leverage on their experience and expandinto new segments including home cinema, marine andpersonal audio.

Gem is delighted to welcome the well-known brand to their portfolio of audio vendors to supply the Optisound range.

Optisound is a powerful subwoofer that works with the existing TV speakers to enrich the entertainment experience when playing games and watching TV.

Bass is not directional so it appears that there is soundbeing produced in areas of the room other than just the TV, creating an impressive surround sound experience whilstremaining hidden from view.

The synergy between the VIBE Optisound Subwoofer’s andGem’s existing customer requirements presents endless opportunities for added value bundles.

09TEL 01279 822822 FAX 01279 412604 WEB WWW.GEM.CO.UKTO BUY ONLINEstore.gem.co.uk

A Wireless N HD media player that brings all the stuff younormally watch on your computer to your HDTV; movies and TV programmes streamed from the Internet, over 200 different apps and a full web browser

Webcode DSM-380 SRP £229.99

Paul LangleyLeisure Software Divisional Manager, steals the spotlight in this months Q&AAs a veteran of Gem, you’ve been with the businessfor many years, what changes have you seen inrecent times? As the retail channel is fully aware, the key topic atpresent is the economic climate. Consumers are becomingmore price savvy and prepared to hunt for a bargain tokeep up with the latest and greatest products that ourmarket has to offer.

With the increased competition from major highstreet and online retailers, how does your teamstrive to help our Indies to grow their business?There is no doubt that over the last couple of years thebusiness has evolved drastically; with the diversification ofsupermarkets and online competition driving down RRP’s,it has become more apparent that our traditionalindependent retail stores are expanding into other areasbeyond their normal expertise to ensure a broaderproductoffering and of course, the additional margin this brings.My team and I strive to offer outstanding deals in the formof ‘when bought with’ or ‘multi-buy’ offers to

ensure that our account base can increase their businessalong with ours.

We’ve had some great titles launch this year such as Spec Ops: The Line, Max Payne 3 and Ghost Recon– which games are you most excited about aswe move into peak? My personal choices for peak are: Rocksmith (Ubisoft) andBorderlands 2 (Take 2) in September, Assassins Creed 3(Ubisoft) and Forza Horizon (Microsoft) in October and ofcourse Master Chief pays us all a visit in November!

Rumour has it you’re in a boy band, is this true?I can confirm that the rumours are true, lead vocal andbass for “The Hamwahs” with Brother, Uncle and Cousin(Facebook and Twitter pages available) - all classic covers!Simon Cowell will simply not leave us alone.

And finally, who would play your character in a movie?A tricky one, would have to be either Rik Mayall or Keith Lemon.

Follow Gem for the latest news & updates

Q&A

11TO BUY ONLINEstore.gem.co.uk TEL 01279 822822 FAX 01279 412604 WEB WWW.GEM.CO.UK

Clive Hudson shares ROKU’s updates...

Clive HudsonVice President - Europe

Streaming video and film is a relatively new concept in theUK, so when we started ROKU less than six months agowe realised we needed a consumer education programmeas well as an attractive sales story for our resellers.

The BBC iPlayer has been around a while, with manypeople accessing this on their PC. The arrival of Netflixbegged the question from the market: “How can I watch allthis stuff on my TV?”

ROKU lets you do this and is aimed at the middle market-not necessarily the tech–savvy.

The products are priced reasonably enough to be a solutionfor a second or bedroom TV (as well as your main one!)and most importantly, very easy to set up. This easyusability has been one of the key drivers for our businessin the US and now looks to be having the same effect here.

Our PR investment has been a key part of our launch, witha very strong review programme that is continually

evolving, as the interest in streaming TV becomes more apparent across a wide range of media sectors. Bothmodels have been reviewed by major national newspapersincluding The Sunday Times, Daily Telegraph and Mail onSunday and key consumer technology media such as T3,Reg Hardware and Pocket-Lint. We’ve also receivedsignificant broadcast coverage with both productsfeaturing on BBC Click and The Gadget Show. The PR isalso delivering company and product news, with regularannouncements on channel updates and new contentpartners being made to the press.

To help create further demand for our partners, we recentlystarted extensive Google advertising, channelling theclicks from our website to our partners resulting in a biguplift in sales.

This month we have launched new retail packaging, soROKU is not now just an online brand.

Call your Gem account manager to see how you canbe part of the streaming revolution!

Ranked #1 in both protection and performance*Stop viruses, spyware, online identity theft, and more with thesecurity solution proven to detect and eliminate online threats.

• Defends your customers against viruses, spyware, and online attacks

• Stops online threats from damaging your customers computers, stealing their personal information, and their hard earned cash

• Allows your customers to workonline safely, without annoying slowdowns or disruptions

• Help your customers to protect their kids online with award-winning Norton Online Family

Protecting the Stuff that matters™

© 2012 Symantec Corporation. All Rights Reserved

*Ranked #1 in Overall Protection and Remediation: AV-Test GmbH, “Real World Protection and Remediation Testing Report,”August 2011.*Ranked #1 in Performance: PassMark Software,”2012 Consumer Security Products Performance Benchmarks,” August 2011.

13TO BUY ONLINEstore.gem.co.uk TEL 01279 822822 FAX 01279 412604 WEB WWW.GEM.CO.UK

Succeed with the new Norton Partner PortalThe all new Partner Portal is now live!Based on your feedback, the Norton Partner Portal has been completely redesigned withstreamlined user navigation, and now includes more sales and marketing tools as well as thelatest product pricing and promotions. In addition, you can take advantage of personalised supportand the latest Norton news. Plus, download your very own copy of Norton free of charge!

Some of the new features include;

NortonSocial - A unique web based solution that enables you to republish your choice of Nortonnews, useful articles and posts via your own social media networks, giving your customers keyinformation.

ChannelNews – Allows you to receive the Norton news you want, when you want it. Simply setyour personal communication preferences by product, news type and frequency so you will onlyhear from them when you want, with the news that will make a difference to you.

As a registered user of the Norton Partner Portal, Norton will give you complimentary versions oftheir award winning products, to help kick start your sales by giving you the chance to experiencethe speed of Norton for yourself. These Not for Resale (NFR) one user, one device product keysare valid for 12 months.

As a registered user of the Norton Partner Portal you will also have the opportunity to take part intheir promotions and win some great prizes. Last year they gave away a holiday to California, aVIP trip to the Tour de France and a Lotus Elise!

To make sure you don’t miss out register at www.nortonportal.com today!

1st PRIZEUltimate Digital Home Music System

2ndPRIZESupreme Desktop Package

3rd PRIZELogitech Mouse

The raffle scheme will reward you based on your totalspend between Monday 16th July to Friday 31stAugust 2012. To qualify, you must spend at least £150for which you will receive 1 raffle ticket. If your spendexceeds £300 you’ll win 5 raffle tickets, however,should you order over £600 worth of Logitech productsyou’ll receive a whopping 10 raffle tickets!

Each week selected products will carry bonus raffletickets when purchased as part of your order.

To find out what these products are, call your accountmanager or check out

www.gem.co.uk/logitechraffle

Each raffle ticket will go into a draw from which thewinners will be selected at random on Wednesday 5thSeptember 2012 and announced on Gem’s websiteand via our Social Media platforms.

Win with Logitech

From the 16th July to the end of August, Gem customers

have the chance to enter anexclusive Logitech competition

to win an abundance of top-notch prizes.

15TO BUY ONLINEstore.gem.co.uk TEL 01279 822822 FAX 01279 412604 WEB WWW.GEM.CO.UK

Between Facebook feeds, YouTube searches and massive media libraries,there's a lot of scrolling to do these days—and it can get pretty tedious.Say good-bye to choppy scrolling and tricky touchpads thanks to theLogitech® Wireless Mouse M325.

Designed for Web use; micro-precise scrolling makes Facebook, shoppingon Amazon and scrolling through Google searches easier whilst tilting thewheel moves you backward or forward on the Web.

Webcode White Paisley 910-003007 Inks Gears 910-003012 SRP £29.99

Logitech Wireless Mouse M325Smoother Web surfing. Happier hands

Follow Your Own Pattern Introducing the Global Graffiti Collection from Logitech

The Wireless Keyboard K360 enhances the comfort of a laptop or netbook in afamiliar layout but in a space-saving design that's roughly 20% smaller thanLogitech’s standard keyboards. The six internet and media hot keys and 12programmable F-keys make regular tasks easier, and it’s virtually hassle-freewith a 3-year battery life and plug-and-play setup that takes seconds.

Webcode Ink Gears 920-004119 SRP £29.99

Logitech Wireless Keyboard K360Beautifully convenient. Conveniently compact

The HD Webcam HD 720p makes video calling via instant messagingapplications even easier with Logitech Vid™ HD – the free, fast and easy way to see loved ones face to face.

The webcam utilises Logitech RightLight™ technology to automaticallyadjust in poor lighting conditions to produce the best possible image,whilst Logitech RightSound™ technology minimises background noise to deliver clear conversations.

Webcode White Paisley 960-000906 Coral Fan 960-000905 SRP £24.99

Logitech HD Webcam C270HD video calling that's simple

®

®

®

http://store.gem.co.uk/product/?id=Q2F-00003

17TO BUY ONLINEstore.gem.co.uk TEL 01279 822822 FAX 01279 412604 WEB WWW.GEM.CO.UK

Stay Tuned into LifeMicrosoft webcams and headsets to keep you in the picture

Never miss a thing with the Lifecam Cinema from Microsoft, with ahigh-quality 720p HD widescreen video and crystal clear audio.

Relax while the camera automatically sharpens images and TrueColoradjusts exposure for bright, vibrant footage. For even sharper video,take advantage of the high-precision glass lens and ClearFrameTechnology to improve the picture even in low light conditions.

Webcode 6CH-00002SRP £42.99

Capture and share it all in glorious HDMicrosoft Lifecam Cinema 3000®

This headset delivers whether you’re on a crucial call or trying to meet adeadline in a distracting workplace. The stereo ultra-wideband digital audioprovides clear, acoustically accurate sound.

The noise canceling microphone makes sure you get heard even in noisysurroundings. And the specially designed earpieces provide comfort for thelongest days.

Webcode 7XF-00001 SRP £49.99

Make every conversation more productiveMicrosoft Lifechat LX-6000®

This headset with a single earpiece lets you hear what’s going on around youand still take care of business.

The ultra-wideband digital audio provides clear, acoustically accurate sound.The highly sensitive, noise cancelling microphone gives you the confidencethat you are being heard even when you’re surrounded by a noisy workspace.

Webcode 7YF-00001 SRP £41.99

Multitasking made easyMicrosoft Lifechat LX-4000®

TM

TM

Why use an external webcam?

• Higher quality video• Better optics• Larger aperture• Flexible camera angle • Direction, increased field of view and the

ability to easily manage security

We’re already seeing significant travel cost savings andreduced logistics complexity with LifeCam Cinema and its HDcapabilities, which also helps us meet our corporatesustainability and green IT goals

Rick Echevarria, Intel VP, GM, Business Client Platforms.

• 8 Paddock passes up for grabs• Your logo on the side of the race car• The Full Ferrari Motorhome

hospitality experience• Ferrari Challenge Series - Silverstone

- Sunday 16th September

to be in with a chance of winning with Kasperky LAB

19TO BUY ONLINEstore.gem.co.uk TEL 01279 822822 FAX 01279 412604 WEB WWW.GEM.CO.UK

Race ahead with KasperskyNew reseller incentive scheme rewards performance

Kaspersky Lab has launched an exciting new incentive programme for high performing resellers. Up until 4th September2012, qualifying resellers will have the chance to win tickets for Kaspersky’s Ferrari Challenge Series at Silverstone on16th September 2012. With full Ferrari motorhome hospitality, this is a truly awe-inspiring experience.

The winning resellers will each receive a pair of tickets to host a guest which can be a customer, colleague, a friend or afamily member. The No.1 prize winner will also have their company logo on the Kaspersky race car itself, giving them ataste of being a sponsor for the day.

Kaspersky Lab is one of the fastest growing IT security vendors, thanks to their market-leading security products. Not onlydo they offer world-class support, they value your business, support your efforts, reward your achievements and help youincrease sales.

To be in with a chance of winning, place your Kaspersky orders throughwww.gem.co.uk/kaspersky or contact your Gem account manager on 01279 822 822

to be in with a chance of winning with Kasperky LAB

• Works with virtually any TV

• Connects to your wireless network

• 720p HD video**Roku LTStreaming Player SRP £49.99

Webcode 2400EU@IND** 720p HD streaming not available from all content partners

Building on the increasing popularity of watching TV overthe internet, NOW TV will offer access to Sky Movies – theUK’s most popular subscription movies service – in a newway. It is easy, flexible and great value with no contract,set-up costs or installation. Available to anyone in the UKwith an internet connection, NOW TV is available on PC,Mac and selected Android smartphones; on iPhone, iPadwithin the next few weeks, on Xbox later this summer andYouView when it launches. NOW TV will continue todevelop for other platforms and devices, including ROKUlater this year.

Clive Hudson, European Vice President of ROKU,comments;

“We are delighted that NOW TV will be available onROKU. Many channels have been added onto our service

since we launched in January, and Now TV is a pointer tothe quality of content we are now able to attract. Theavailability of NOW TV on ROKU is yet to be announced,but we will make sure The Future readers are amongst thefirst to hear the date.”

More great Sky content will also be added in the comingmonths, with Sky Sports due to launch on NOW TV beforethe end of the year. This will enable NOW TV customers toenjoy live action from the Barclays Premier League, UEFAChampions League, England Test cricket, Heineken Cuprugby, ATP tennis, the Masters from Augusta and muchmore. The introduction of Sky Sports will be followed onNOW TV by must-see shows from Sky 1, Sky Atlantic, SkyArts and Sky Living, including home-grown drama, originalcomedy and US shows.

21TO BUY ONLINEstore.gem.co.uk TEL 01279 822822 FAX 01279 412604 WEB WWW.GEM.CO.UK

ROKU to host NOW TV Brand new internet TV from Sky soon to be available on ROKU

®

Plug it in Connect to Network Enjoy1 2 3

WI-FI ETHERNET®

XS only

OR

For more information on the ROKU range, contact your Gem account manager on 01279 822822 or visit store.gem.co.uk

1

Designed to go anywhere and everywhere; Flux provides a high quality audio experience whether you are on the go, competing at gaming tournaments, at the office, or kicking back at home.

FLUX YOURSELF. IN STYLE.

You can connect to any device, PC,laptop, smartphone/iphone/ipad. Itcomes with two cables in box to dothis. It includes an inline microphone.

You can share music, there are twoaudio jacks, so someone can pluginto your headset to listen to whatyou’re listening too.

It’s customisable – you can replacethe ear caps and cushions with different colours and brands.

CONNECT SHARE CUSTOMISE

23TO BUY ONLINEstore.gem.co.uk TEL 01279 822822 FAX 01279 412604 WEB WWW.GEM.CO.UK

Immerse yourself in Guild Wars 2 with SteelSeriesNew peripherals to enhance your gameplay

Guild Wars 2® Gaming Headset

The Guild Wars 2 Headset is a slim-profile, on-ear design that deliverssuperbly engineered in-game sound via 40mm driver units. Built forportability and ease of use, its travel-friendly design allows the ear cupsto fold inwards and lay flat when wearing the headset around the neck;it also collapses at the ear cup hangers for quick and compact storage.

With its matte white headband and glossy red, white and black logodesign it exemplifies the iconic Guild Wars 2 look and feel. Included with the headset is a red 3.5mm PC cable connection with an in-line,omni-directional microphone and mute controls for gaming and onlinechat. It also offers 2 input jacks, one on each side of the headset whichallows a friend to plug-in and share.

With the release of Guild Wars 2's fast approaching, it's the perfect time for fans and players to invest in some new gaming gear. With this in mind, SteelSeries has partnered withArenaNet, the world’s premier developer of massively multiplayer online games, to produce a new line of Guild Wars 2 branded gaming peripherals.

Guild Wars 2® Gaming Mouse

Bursting with Guild Wars style, this red, white and black mouse issynonymous with the game, evoking the artistry of the Guild Wars 2 in-game world. With best-in-class hardware switches, a pro-gradelaser sensor ranging up to 5,700 CPI, the Guild Wars 2 Mouse isdesigned to deliver players the best in gaming performance.

Its ambidextrous all-grip design includes 7 programmable buttons, all ofwhich can be fully customized with SteelSeries Engine software. Playerscan create macros, utilize pre-defined profiles and store an unlimitedamount of profiles. The Guild Wars 2 Mouse also features an XL-sizehigh-performance UPE material feet for a smooth, consistent glide aswell as a 2m 6.5ft red rubber cord, certainly one not to be missed.

Guild Wars 2® QcK Mousepads

This Steelseries Qck Guild Wars 2 Logan Edition mousepad providesusers with an accurate and consistent glide through the combination ofthis high quality cloth material and an optimized textured surface.

The specially designed non-slip rubber base prevents the pads fromsliding, no matter where the mousepad is placed. It has been enhancedand tested with professional gaming teams, from the mini to the heavy,the QcK series offers something for every gamer regardless of theirspace and set-up.

For more information on the Steelseries range, contact your Gem accountmanager on 01279 822822 or visit store.gem.co.uk

24

There's a lot of content under this hood and it's guaranteedto be fun for any fan who wants themselves another racing sim

GAMING EXCELLENCE

CODEMASTERS | XBOX 360 & PS3 - £49.99 | PC - £29.99 | 7th SEPTEMBER 2012

F1 2012

It seems like a solid game that's trying to expand it'saudience without sacrificing it's core. That's always a good thing

CO-OPTIMUS

After checking out F1 2012 for a bit, the one thing I was leftreplaying in my mind was the game’s amazing sense of speed

ESPN

EXCLUSIVETO GEM

SCAN HERETo gain more informationon this fantastic new title

The latest in Codemasters' world-leading Formula Oneseries arrives in September, and promises to takeplayers even closer to the experience of becoming

an F1 driver.

The headline addition of F1 2012 is the all-new YoungDriver Test mode. Players are introduced to the world ofFormula One via a sequence of tutorials that give a fullinsight into the best way to handle racing’s most excitingand responsive cars.

Once they're ready for life in the fast lane, players are offered the ultimate challenge of becoming aprofessional driver for a team at the 2012 FIA Formula One World Championship.

Driving specialists Codemasters says that F1 2012 givesplayers the unparalleled thrill of Formula One driving, andhas bolstered its latest edition with a host of new features.

Players can look forward to "wide-ranging technical andgameplay advancements" as well as "extensivecompetitive and co-operative multiplayer components."

The game will feature all 12 Formula One teams and alltwenty-four drivers competing in the 2012 season.

With the choice of some of the fastest cars in the world at their disposal players will get to race against and alongside the elite drivers racing in F1 today, including Brit stars Jensen Button and Lewis Hamilton, as well as Sebastian Vettel, Mark Webber, and legendMichael Schumacher.

Teams such as Lotus, Red Bull, McLaren Mercedes,Williams and Sauber will battle it out for the big prize, andthe attention to detail across the full spectrum of the gameis expected to be astounding, thanks to the advances inCodies' EGO Engine 2.0.

All 20 circuits will be featured in the championship,including the brand-new United States Grand Prix atAustin, Texas - a track that won't even be completed in real life until two months after the game's September release.

The famous Hockenheimring circuit in Germany will also bemaking a welcome return to the calendar, alongside all theworld-famous venues, including Monaco, Silverstone,Monza and Suzuka.

The blistering online play once again allows the full grid of24 drivers to race for the chequered flag, with 16 humanplayers battling it out alongside eight AI drivers.

F1 2012 will allow every driver's racing personality to shinethrough, and playing style can be adjusted accordingly,with a plethora of options available for everyone. Casualplayers can make the game less punishing, while thehardcore crowd can get their crew to tinker with everyelement of the setup before they hit the asphalt.

As Codemasters says:

Call your Gem account manager today and don't miss out on the anticipated huge demand for this fantastic new title.

25TEL 01279 822822 FAX 01279 412604 WEB WWW.GEM.CO.UKTO BUY ONLINEstore.gem.co.uk

F1 2012 is set to deliver the most accessibleand immersive Formula One game for fans ofall abilities

3REASONS TO STOCK

• Latest in the No.1 series• A raft of improvements• Key release in the run-up to Christmas

RACING PROS HAVE THEIR SAY ON F1 2012

I think Codemasters havedone a super job of giving regularpeople a proper insight into whata FORMULA ONE car is like

SAM BIRD, TESTER FORMERCEDES AMG PETRONAS TEAM

When I came to Abu Dhabi Icouldn’t go to the simulator so Iswitched on the videogame andstarted to play. It actually workedbecause when I got here I felt likeI’d already driven [the circuit]. Itwas my first race in GP2, first evertime in GP2, and I won in my firstrace so it actually helped

STEFANO COLETTI OF SCUDERIATORO ROSSO

26 Visit the Ubisoft microsite www.gem.co.uk/ubisoft

ROCKSMITHAUTHENTIC GUITAR GAMES

UBISOFT | XBOX 360 & PS3 - £64.99 | 28th SEPTEMBER 2012 | PC - £54.99 | 19th OCTOBER 2012

27TO BUY ONLINEstore.gem.co.uk TEL 01279 822822 FAX 01279 412604 WEB WWW.GEM.CO.UK

3REASONS TO STOCK

• A unique music game that uses real guitars

• Large selection of great songs• Supports bass for multiplayer action

Become a real guitar hero with Ubisoft's amazing newmusic title, Rocksmith.

Promising the most authentic guitar experience in musicgaming, players simply plug in a real guitar or bass andlearn to play along to a fantastic, diverse selection ofclassic tracks.

No plastic, no faking, Rocksmith is the first and only gamewhere your 'controller' is any real guitar. Put simply, it's thenext stage in the evolution of the guitar game, whereplayers will develop real skills and real styles while playingreal music.

Suitable for complete guitar novices picking up the guitarfor the first time or experienced musicians, Rocksmithfeatures gameplay that automatically adjusts to eachplayer’s skill level. This innovative tuition system makesplaying music visually intuitive and promises to makeskilled musicians out of any one, regardless of their prior experience.

Players can choose from lead parts, rhythm, and comboguitar arrangements of each song, and once they'vemastered each song, they will be able to go away andperform them in real life once the game is turned off.

Unlockable minigames allow players to focus on specificskills, and players can choose from an expansive catalogueof songs in numerous contrasting styles.

Rocksmith also includes Bass mode, which means thatanyone can plug in and learn the bass arrangement on allon-disc and downloadable songs.

Better still, accompanying bassists (of any experiencelevel) can improve their skills via a selection of tutorialvideos and technique challenges. If players don't own adedicated bass, the game even supports six string guitarsto emulate a four string bass.

Using the bundled Real Tone Cable input jack providedwith the game, plug in and play through an in-depth libraryof music including everything from the latest hits to classicrock songs.

As Ubisoft says;

Don't miss out on this fantastic, unique new music title.

You’ll experience it all with an actual guitar.Nothing compares to playing a real guitar. Exceptplaying Rocksmith.

TVFocus at game launch and on music TV channels

PrintPrint ads running in MI Pro & Music Week magazines

OnlineVOD appearing on Videology and 4ODSearch campaign targeting guitar enthusiastsYoutube and ultimate-guitar.com advertisingFacebook advertising to recruit fans

CommunityFestival ticket giveaways and other competitionsWork with community & tuition sites to create advocate videos

PartnershipsPartnership with EpiphoneXFM partnership including breakfast show sponsorship from launch until Xmas

PRSpecialist and mainstream advocacy programmeBattle of the Bands launch eventSchools of Rock

ExperientialFestival tour from June until September includingIsle of Wight, Reading and BestivalXFM Winter Wonderland Sponsorship

TradeIn store demosOnline tutorialsLink deals with guitars in music retailersPlatinum sponsorship of MI Pro Retail Conference & Expo

Rocksmith Marketing Campaign - £1m Spend

TBC

29TO BUY ONLINEstore.gem.co.uk TEL 01279 822822 FAX 01279 412604 WEB WWW.GEM.CO.UK

The hotly anticipated sequel to the 2009 shooterclassic arrives this September, and promises to bebigger, better and more exciting in every department.

Dubbed a "role-playing shooter" by Texan developmentveterans Gearbox, Borderlands 2 will boast all-newcharacters, skills, and diverse new environments withunique missions and enemies.

It's an embarrassment of riches for gamers, withBorderlands 2 featuring many more exciting and funweapons, equipment and loot than ever before.

But perhaps best of all, players can now team up with up to three other players for seamless drop-in/drop-outonline co-operative gameplay, or go for two-player offlinesplit screen for the ultimate in old-school couch-basedshooting fun.

Five years have passed since the events of the originalBorderlands, and the nefarious Handsome Jack is aimingto destroy Pandora's existing colonist population andindustrialise the planet.

Players must put a stop to his plans, rescue four vaulthunters and take him and his corrupt Hyperion Corporationdown by any means necessary.

The new lead character of this bombastic affair is thedeadly Gunzerker - a warrior with deadly skills that allowhim to dual-wield any two weapons found in the game.

And this dual wielding ability is a cool skill that becomesdeadlier as you progress, allowing players to do do morethings with two guns than they ever imagined possible.

Dual pistols? Of course. Dual machine guns? Yep. Dualrocket launchers? Check. Dual Sniper Rifles? Uh-huh.

Players can even experience with other styles, with manytactical choices and classes to choose from. As ever, manyhours will be spent levelling up characters and choosingfrom one of the millions of procedurally generated guns,shields and grenades. It's not a game that lacks depth,that's for sure.

Make new friends, arm them to the teeth and fightalongside them on your relentless quest for revenge andredemption. If you want a sure-fire blockbuster, you'vecome to the right game.

• Sequel to the 2009 blockbuster• 4 player online co-op• One of the biggest titles of 2012

2K GAMES | XBOX 360 & PS3 - £49.99 PC - £39.99 | 21st SEPTEMBER 2012

BORDERLANDS 2EXCLUSIVETO GEMTBC

30

THQ | XBOX 360 & PS3 - £49.99 | PC - £39.99 | Wii U TO FOLLOW | 21st AUGUST 2012

DARKSIDERS II

With the more customisablecombat experience, and some excellent platforming sections,Darksiders II is shaping up to besomething very compelling

TELEGRAPH

The sheer size of the game sounds incredibly ambitious

GAMESPY

Fans of the original will be pleasedwith Darksiders II, and the game’sarresting art and hack-and-slash combatare sure to appeal to fans of other,similar franchises

GAMEFRONT

The switch from a mostly straightforward action game to an action-RPG isone that the Darksiders series definitelybenefits from, and we can't wait to finallyto get our hands on it

IGN

Vigil is looking to bridge theexperience, mixing together the build-your-own-adventure approach ofthe MMO with the context and plot ofgames like the original Darksiders, andThe Legend of Zelda. It's a best of bothworlds approach, but it looks like it couldwork wondersVIDEOGAMER

31TEL 01279 822822 FAX 01279 412604 WEB WWW.GEM.CO.UKTO BUY ONLINEstore.gem.co.uk

EXCLUSIVETO GEM

The sequel to one of the most exciting titles of2010 hits store shelves this month, on a missionto take action RPGs to dizzying new heights.

Developed once again at the acclaimed Vigil studio,this 'parallel' sequel follows the same timeline as theoriginal Darksiders, but expands both the story andthe action in every direction.

Darksiders II boasts many classic gameplayelements, and fuses them into an impressivelyambitious, yet remarkably coherent whole. With slick action-RPG style combat alongside compelling platform adventuring, it cherry picks the best elements of Zelda, Tomb Raider, Prince OfPersia and God Of War and creates somethingequally impressive.

Although Darksiders II is a sequel in the traditionalsense, the events actually take place in a paralleltimeline, with the focus on the adventures of one ofthe other four horsemen - Death.

With his brother War (the star of the original) framed,and subsequently banished, for starting theapocalypse early - Death is compelled to clear hisname. Knowing that his incorruptible brother must bethe victim of a conspiracy, he journeys to thenetherworld to seek help from its powerful rulers.

Said to be more than double the size of the original,Darksiders II puts players in a truly epic adventurefilled with danger and surprises. To unravel thesecrets within, each captivating environment is filledwith deadly creatures and challenging puzzles thatwill test gamers to the limit.

As they progress, players gather loot, earnexperience, level up, and gradually unlock a plethoraof new skills and moves that give them the upperhand against the increasingly deadly enemies within.

Armed with a fearsome array of scythes and axes,the ultra-agile Death can cut a swathe through acrowd of determined enemies, before showing off hisfree-running athleticism elsewhere.

An ever-increasing array of gadgets andrechargeable special moves once again play a keyrole, with grappling hooks, death grips and variousmonumental Wrath powers unlocking as playersprogress through this 30-hour plus adventure.

As well as being able to call upon your trusty steed,Despair, when traversing the overworld, you can alsocall upon a raven guide called Dust to give you smallclues for where to head to next.

Another subtle improvement to the formula comesfrom the game's MMO-style 'loot' system. As youbattle your way through the game, you'll accumulatemany items that - once worn - can influence howDeath fights.

The game’s enhanced skill tree also grants players much more control over Death's abilities,making Darksiders II much more of a genuine RPGthan the original.

With its rich narrative, stunning Jesper Kyd scoreand beautiful cinematic production values,Darksiders II is a strong contender to be one of2012's biggest and best games.

Contact your Gem account manager today to orderthis superb title.

3REASONS TO STOCK

• Sequel to successful 2010 debut• Better in every department• Many times bigger than the original

WIN £200 GEM CREDIT!an Xbox 360 4GB Console and a copy of Darksiders II Collector’s EditionTo enter, order your POS and kit out your store beforethe 21st August 2012 when the competition closes.

Upload your photo to www.gem.co.uk/darksidersII for achance to win!

SCAN HERETO ENTER THE

COMPETITION TODAY

32

KONAMI | XBOX 360 & PS3 - £49.99 | PC - £24.99 | DS - £39.99 | Wii - £19.99 | 28th SEPTEMBER 2012

PES 2013

3REASONS TO STOCK

• Dedicated fan base• Exciting new features and gameplay• Strong marketing campaign

EXCLUSIVETO GEM

33TO BUY ONLINEstore.gem.co.uk TEL 01279 822822 FAX 01279 412604 WEB WWW.GEM.CO.UK

Out next month, PES 2013 will see the series returning to its roots, with anemphasis on the individual skills of the world’s best players.

By working directly with fans of the franchise, PES 2013 delivers "total freedom" toplay any style of ball. For the first time players will be granted full control overshots, and will result in "the most faithful recreation of modern day football todate," according to Konami.

Faithful realism will be evident throughout, with players modelled to match therunning motions, abilities and playing styles, and the flicks and turns of their real-life counterparts.

Konami says that three key elements will form the basis of PES 2013’s innovations:PES Full Control, Player ID, and ProActive AI.

For PES FullControl, it's all about giving "Total Freedom of Control." Everything fromthe first touch, to the dribbling, shooting and passing has been overhauled to giveplayers greater flexibility.

Player ID, meanwhile, focuses on the individual elements and movements of eachplayer, from their likeness and signature skills and tricks to the way they trap theball, shape to shoot, or even celebrate.

For ProActive AI, Konami aims to unite the control and realism with players thatwill respond tactically and find space like professionals at the top of their game.As a result, the game flows more authentically.

In addition, training options have been enhanced, while new additions flesh outthe Football Life features, with improved transfer negotiations and better feedbackon up and coming players.

PES 2013 is also an incredibly deep game, and many of its options have been enhanced to exploit these key additions to the gameplay

• Performance Training: The training sessions are a popular part of the PES series, and are vital to mastering the new level of total control. A series of walk-thru guides will ease the player into the intricacies of quick passes and manual shooting. Training sessions also allow the player to refine the control over secondary players via the improved off-the-ball control, and the deft footwork of lobbing a goalkeeper.

• Football Life: Introduced in PES 2012, Football Life is an umbrella term for the series' popular Master League and Become a Legend Mode and features a variety of changes and additions in PES 2013.. In the new game players will find new ways to bolster team performance by earning money to add special coaches to work on the team's weaknesses, while transfers are more open with clearer reasons as to why negotiations are stalling. In the Become a Legend mode players are given feedback on how they need to improve to break into the squad.

• Online: Master League Online will introduce a new ranking system called Rival Ranking which sources players at a similar level. The community side of the game will be split into 240 cities across the globe, and will show when local players are online. Leagues can be created, and messages and challenges sent. The series' myPES synchronization with Facebook also returns, and will go into more detail. Match reports covering pass success rates, possession, etc, will be detailed, as will each user's top scorers, runs of results and scoring patterns. These can then be posted on the user's Facebook wall for bragging rights.

34

Everyone's favourite moustachioed Italian plumbers areback for some classic side-scrolling platform action, inthe fantastic New Super Mario Bros. 2.

Released exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS, this exciting sequel allows both Mario and Luigi to join in thefun at the same time, thanks to a brilliant two playermultiplayer mode.

Playable over a local wireless connection, two players whoown the game have the option to enjoy the entire gamewith a friend - just as they could on New Super MarioBros. Wii.

Nintendo has revealed that completing a level is only partof the fun, with each level in the the colourful MushroomKingdom bursting with more coin-collecting opportunitiesthan ever before.

Coins rain down from overhead pipes, trails of coins areleft behind special gold enemies and gold pipes transportMario into coin-filled caverns.

Gold rings turn enemies into valuable gold versions, and aGold Flower gives Mario the ability to turn almost anythingin his path into coins. It's up to players to grab as manyriches as possible throughout this crazy adventure!

As you'd expect from Nintendo, the wi-fi StreetPassfeature has been used in a cool new way, with the newCoin Rush Mode allowing players to collect as many coinsas possible across three levels, letting them challengetheir friends to beat the high score.

Elsewhere, players can expect lots of cool little touchesand returning features from previous classic titles,

including the return of Mario's Raccoon form, that giveshim the ability to fly and access hidden areas.

With a ton of compelling new levels to conquer, new Wi-Fi co-op play and the promise of exciting newdownloadable content later, New Super Mario Bros. 2 isanother must-have for 3DS from Nintendo.

NEW SUPERMARIO BROS.2

• All-new side-scrolling Mario classic• Follow-up to one of the biggest-sellers of

handheld history• Exclusive to 3DS

NINTENDO | NINTENDO 3DS - £39.99 | 17th AUGUST 2012

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