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New look for PS5 console this holiday season

Sony Interactive Entertainment is excited to share that a new PS5 model is launching. The smaller PS5 design comes with 1TB storage for PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition; new model provides the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive to PS5 Digital Edition. 

To address the evolving needs of players, our engineering and design teams collaborated on a new form factor that provides greater choice and flexibility. The same technology features that make PS5 the best to play are packed into a smaller form factor, along with an attachable Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive and a 1TB SSD for more internal storage.

The new PS5 has been reduced in volume by more than 30%, and weight by 18% and 24% compared to the previous models. There are four separate cover panels, with the top portion in a glossy look, while the bottom remains in matte. If you purchase the PS5 Digital Edition, you can add the Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive for PS5 later, as it will also be sold separately for $159.95 AUD. 

The new PS5 model will be available starting this November in the U.S. at select local retailers. It will continue to roll out globally in the following months. Once inventory of the current PS5 model has sold out, the new PS5 will become the only model available.

Check out the new look for the PS5 console below. 

The recommended retail price at participating retailers for the new PS5 model at release is as follows:

PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – $799.95 AUD

PS5 Digital Edition – $679.95 AUD

Also, a new Vertical Stand compatible with all PS5 models will be sold separately at $49.95 AUD

A variety of PS5 Console Cover colours for the new model will be available starting in early 2024, including an all-matte Black colourway and the Deep Earth Collection colours in Volcanic Red, Cobalt Blue, and Sterling Silver. Prices for the PS5 Console Covers will start at 54.99 USD | 54.99 EURO | 44.99 GBP | 7,480 JPY with AUD pricing to be confirmed at a later date. Additional colours will be released in the future.

We are ten days away from the launch of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, with additional games including Alan Wake 2 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 launching shortly after. With these fantastic games coming, in addition to recent releases such as EA Sports FC 24, Assassin’s Creed: Mirage, and Baldur’s Gate 3, there’s plenty for gamers to play on PS5 this holiday season.

For more information on the new PS5 form factor, head to the PlayStation Blog.

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PlayStation 5 specifications

External dimensions(excluding projecting parts)Approx. 358 × 96 × 216 mm(width × height × depth)
MassApprox. 3.2 kg
CPUx86-64-AMD Ryzen™ “Zen 2”
8 Cores / 16 Threads
Variable frequency, up to 3.5 GHz
GPUAMD Radeon™ RDNA 2-based graphics engine
Ray Tracing Acceleration
Variable frequency, up to 2.23 GHz (10.3 TFLOPS)
System MemoryGDDR6 16GB
448GB/s Bandwidth
SSD1TB
5.5GB/s Read Bandwidth (Raw)
PS5 Game DiscUltra HD Blu-ray™, up to 100GB/disc
BD/DVD driveDisc Drive portequipped with Disc Drive
Video OutSupport of 4K 120Hz TVs, 8K TVs, VRR (specified by HDMI ver.2.1)
Audio“Tempest” 3D AudioTech
Input/OutputFront of ConsoleUSB Type-C® port (Super-Speed USB 10Gbps)
USB Type-C® port (Hi-Speed USB)
Input/OutputBack of ConsoleUSB Type-A port (Super-Speed USB 10Gbps) x2
NetworkingEthernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T)Wi-fi: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax

PlayStation 5 Digital Edition Specifications

External dimensions(excluding projecting parts)Approx. 358 × 80 × 216 mm(width × height × depth)
MassApprox. 2.6 kg
CPUx86-64-AMD Ryzen™ “Zen 2”
8 Cores / 16 Threads
Variable frequency, up to 3.5 GHz
GPUAMD Radeon™ RDNA 2-based graphics engine
Ray Tracing Acceleration
Variable frequency, up to 2.23 GHz (10.3 TFLOPS)
System MemoryGDDR6 16GB
448GB/s Bandwidth
SSD1TB
5.5GB/s Read Bandwidth (Raw)
PS5 Game DiscUltra HD Blu-ray™, up to 100GB/disc
BD/DVD driveDisc Drive port
Video OutSupport of 4K 120Hz TVs, 8K TVs, VRR (specified by HDMI ver.2.1)
Audio“Tempest” 3D AudioTech
Input/OutputFront of ConsoleUSB Type-C® port (Super-Speed USB 10Gbps)
USB Type-C® port (Hi-Speed USB)
Input/OutputBack of ConsoleUSB Type-A port (Super-Speed USB 10Gbps) x2
NetworkingEthernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T)Wi-fi: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax

Super Crazy Rhythm Castle Demo rocks onto Steam Next Fest

Experience The Chaotic Rhythm Adventure ahead of its Full Release for A Limited Time!

Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. and British developer Second Impact Games today revealed Super Crazy Rhythm Castle is taking part in Steam Next Fest October 2023, with a demo giving users a taste of the early part of the game, featuring a tutorial and access to the Undergrowth area.

Steam URL: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1812560/SUPER_CRAZY_RHYTHM_CASTLE/

Steam Next Fest October 2023 runs from 9th October to 16th October, providing users with a week-long access to this rhythm puzzle adventure ahead of its full release on 14th November, launching on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch™. Pre-orders are now available on all platforms.

Additional details about Super Crazy Rhythm Castle are available on the official website and channels below: https://www.konami.com/games/eu/en/products/super_crazy_rhythm_castle/

About Second Impact Games

Second Impact Games was founded in 2011 by two young programmers who dreamed of making their own games for the world to enjoy. In the wonderful city of Brighton, we’ve worked hard for over 10 years on all manner of projects. We’ve helped other studios bring ideas to life and hit deadlines. We’ve worked with marketing agencies to add interactive magic to their campaigns. We’ve even partnered with big name brands, creating games and apps they can show off to their consumers. And all the while we kept the threads of our own games alive. Fusing genres, spanning dimensions, and tugging nostalgia.

Second Impact were also responsible for the hit Flash series Super Crazy Guitar Maniac Deluxe, played many millions of times in the glory days of Flash games. The spirit of SCGMD lives on today, in Super Crazy Rhythm Castle.

About Konami Group

Konami Group was established in 1973, starting as an amusement machine manufacturer for arcades. Over the years, the company has grown to include different business units across various markets. Currently, Konami Group corporation includes the Digital Entertainment, Amusement, Gaming & Systems, and Sports Businesses. The company went public on the Osaka Securities Exchange in 1984, the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 1988, and the London Stock Exchange in 1999.

About Konami Digital Entertainment

Konami Digital Entertainment, which is the core company of Konami Group, develops entertaining content for mobile, console and card games. The company is known for global franchises such as eFootball™, Metal Gear, Silent Hill, Castlevania, and Contra, as well as the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game series.

PAC-MAN MEGA TUNNEL BATTLE: CHOMP CHAMPS BRINGS MULTIPLAYER COMPETITIVE EATING TO CONSOLES AND PC

Chase and Devour the Competition to Become the Chomp Champ in a 64-Player PAC-MAN Eating Competition

Video game publisher and developer Bandai Namco Europe S.A.S. today announced PAC-MAN MEGA TUNNEL BATTLE: CHOMP CHAMPS, bringing the multiplayer PAC-MAN Battle Royale series to modern game platforms with enhanced visuals, new game play modes, a host of customization options, and new music. The game also promises to level up the competition with cross-platform play that allows up to 64-players competing and adds custom matchmaking with a Friend system, ranked mode, and global leaderboards. PAC-MAN MEGA TUNNEL BATTLE: CHOMP CHAMPS is devouring its way to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X | S, and PC via Steam®.

Watch the Trailer –

PAC-MAN MEGA TUNNEL BATTLE: CHOMP CHAMPS brings a lot of variety and features that make playing its uniquely PAC-MAN take on Battle Royale even more fun. In the game, players must eat their way through multiple interconnected mazes to become the Chomp Champ – a.k.a. the last PAC standing at the end of each match. Gain the upper hand on other players or turn the tables against Ghosts by utilizing a variety of Power Items which give PAC-MAN shields, enhanced speed and more. Players can also sabotage their competition by using Power Items that help the Ghosts. Not only will they be able to chomp through PAC-MAN’s regular diet of dots and the occasional fruit, but they can also chomp through other player-controlled PAC-MAN characters. Additionally, players can assert their own unique style by personalizing their PAC with a fun variety of body, head, and face cosmetics.

For those who enjoy healthy competition, PAC-MAN MEGA TUNNEL BATTLE: CHOMP CHAMPS lets players compete in Ranked or Elimination modes, or spectate matches either regionally or from the global leaderboard. The 64-player Battle Royale game is further enhanced with cross-platform play and skill-based matchmaking, broadening the field for competition while also letting players choose who they want to compete against.

For more information on PAC-MAN MEGA TUNNEL BATTLE: CHOMP CHAMPS and other products from Bandai Namco Europe please visit: www.bandainamcoent.eu. Join the conversation on X at: https://twitter.com/officialpacman

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About Bandai Namco Europe S.A.S.

Bandai Namco Europe S.A.S. is a leading global publisher and developer of entertainment content for platforms including, but not limited to, all major video game consoles and PC.

Bandai Namco Europe is producing intellectual property for a global audience, and is building its reputation with franchises such as LITTLE NIGHTMARES™, PARK BEYOND™, and the upcoming UNKNOWN 9™ Awakening – developed by the recently acquired Reflector Entertainment based in Montreal, QC.

Bandai Namco Europe serves as the Headquarters of Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. for mainland Europe, which is known for creating and publishing many of the Toy & Entertainment industry’s top franchises, including PAC-MAN™, TAMAGOTCHI™, GUNDAM™, TEKKEN™, DARK SOULS™ and the recently released ELDEN RING™.

For more information please visit www.bandainamcoent.eu

Unleash Against the Corruption in Action RPG Sands of Aura On PCs October 27

Dallas, TX – Oct. 10, 2023 – Sands of Aura, the unrelenting isometric action RPG from developer Chashu Entertainment and publisher Freedom Games, prepares to cast off the Early Access anchor and set sail for a grand 1.0 launch on PC via Steam, Epic Games Store and GOG on October 27th, 2023.

Set foot into the forsaken realm of Talamhel, where the soul-draining Night Plague has plunged the world into an endless sea of sand. Enlist in the valiant Order of Remnant Knights, the last protectors of humanity, to hunt down and destroy the emergent evil. Engage in gripping and unforgiving soulslike combat perfectly melded with a rich, captivating narrative that hooks one in at the first swing of a sword.

Master one of seven potential combat approaches and create a personalized playstyle through freely customizable loadouts of armor, weapons, magic, and consumables. Hoist the sails of the nimble Grainwake, and venture into a vast, unforgiving wasteland to fight through punishing boss battles, gain remarkable rewards, and make critical decisions that determine the destiny of a crumbling world. 

Amidst the turmoil, find solace in the tranquility of Starspire, a sanctuary within Talamhel, and bask in the hauntingly beautiful melodies composed by Eduardo Lopez.

“With version 1.0, we offer our players a journey filled with peaks and valleys, exploration, and demanding challenges. Talamhel, a world six years in the making, is both dark and desolate yet filled with trust, kindness, and resilience, a testament to those who call it home.” said Creative Director, Michael Shistik. “We want to thank the vocal community who has remained vigilant during our Early Access journey. Without them we would not be as proud of what Sands of Aura has become today. They have described Sands of Aura as a world infused with Tim Burton-esque art, the exploration of Wind Waker, and the demanding combat of Souls-like games. We hope we have met and exceeded those expectations.”

Sands of Aura will be launching into 1.0 on Steam, Epic Games Store and GOG on October 27, 2023, for $24.99 USD.

For more information on Sands of Aura, pleasevisit the official website, follow the game on social media, join the community on Discord, like the Facebook page, and search for #SandsOfAura on social media. 

About Chashu Entertainment

Chashu Entertainment is a small studio based in Dallas, Texas composed of passionate and self-critical individuals that always strive to improve the craft of game design. Sands of Aura is their sophomore project following their first release titled Deputy Dangle.

To learn more, visit the official Chashu Entertainment website.

About Freedom Games

Freedom Games is a publisher dedicated to offering best-in-class services to partners and providing players around the world with unique and memorable experiences. With over 50 years of combined industry experience at the executive level, Freedom Games seeks to leverage its expertise to facilitate great games and even better publishing experiences.

For more information, visit the official Freedom Games website.

Survival Sim Farworld Pioneers Takes Over PlayStation 4|5 Today

Forge a vibrant colony, counter alien enemies, and chart the cosmic frontier.

COLUMBUS, Ga. — Oct. 10, 2023 — Farworld Pioneers, the open world sci-fi sandbox from former Rimworld and Starbound developers at Igloosoft in partnership with publisher tinyBuild, terraforms PlayStation 4|5 today.

After a not-so-successful crash landing on a strange planet, all that’s left are a sharp pickaxe and a helpful NPC best friend. Build a makeshift shelter to survive the night and set off on a journey to create a new life: cultivate a self-sustained space farm, craft weapons, recruit survivors, and unlock blueprints to build a spaceship to take over the galaxy. 

Manage the colony by assigning jobs to fellow denizens, fulfilling their needs, and protecting precious resources from enemy raiders lurking in the shadows. Choose to venture this open-world adventure solo or with up to 32 players per server: collaborate by building a thriving colony together via co-op mode or assign different factions and fight against each other in PVP mode.

Explore the galaxy and uncover never-seen biomes filled with brand new resources and adventures… and new foes that stand in the way. Advance through the tech tree to unlock the knowledge and means to build miniguns, laser weaponry, and even more destructive tools. From character movement to bullet trajectories and how grenades ricochet, experience a realistic battle system with real-time physics in 2D, side-scrolling action gameplay. 

The PlayStation version includes multiple updates, quality of life improvements, and bug fixes made to the game since it’s launch on Steam in May.

“We’re glad to finally bring Farworld Pioneers to the PlayStation community,” said Rho Watson, Founder and Creative Director of Igloosoft. “Collaborating on games like Rimworld, Starbound, and Gnomoria sparked an interest to further explore open-world adventures, leading us to create our vision of the ultimate sandbox experience in outer space.”Farworld Pioneers launches on PlayStation 4|5 today, for USD $14.99. It is also available on PC and Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. It supports English, Portuguese (Brazil), French, Italian, German, Spanish (Spain), Japanese, Korean, Russian, and Simplified Chinese languages.

About Igloosoft

Igloosoft is an indie game studio founded by Rho Watson, who previously worked on successful titles such as Starbound, RimWorld, and Gnomoria. Watson gathered a team of experienced creators and game dev veterans to realize the vision of an open-world 2D sandbox game that offered more than a mere fight for survival on a foreign planet. 

About tinyBuild

tinyBuild is a global video game publisher and developer focused on creating long-lasting, sustainable franchises across multiple media formats. Responsible for over 70 titles including Hello Neighbor, Graveyard Keeper, and Potion Craft, the company has a dozen development studios spread across the US, EU, Serbia, and Ukraine.

Overcome Language Barriers, Make World-Changing Decisions and End an Unjust War – Long Gone Days Is Available Today from Serenity Forge

Lead with empathy and put a stop to the violence in this heartfelt, narrative-driven RPG

Boulder, Colo. (Oct. 10, 2023) – Publisher Serenity Forge and developer This I Dreamt today released the narrative-driven, anti-war RPG Long Gone Days across PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch for $24.99. Today’s news was accompanied by a new trailer showcasing the overwhelming challenges you’ll need to overcome if you hope to stop an unjust war that you’ve been training to be a part of your entire life:

Rourke’s life was always predetermined. As a child of The Core, he was chosen from birth to be a sniper. Just like that, training for this role became his world. But on his first mission, he realizes that the war he’s been training for his entire life isn’t what it seems, and everything changes. Rourke never anticipated being called a deserter, but there has to be a way to stop this war and end the bloodshed: https://serenityforge.com/games/long-gone-days

In Long Gone Days, embark on a journey where you will grapple with numerous real-world complexities, including an intricate web of language barriers, and forge bonds with a colorful cast of potential comrades. Every encounter becomes a pivotal moment, as the ripples of your choices extend to shape the fates of those around you. Can you rise above these formidable barriers, forging connections that transcend linguistic confines, or will the unforgiving grasp of warfare shatter the fragile bonds you endeavor to build? The answers lie in your hands, as you navigate a narrative that delves deep into the essence of shared humanity.

Unfortunately, peace is elusive in Long Gone Days, and Rourke’s expertise as a sniper frequently comes into play. Spot and take down targets from afar or engage up close in strategic, turn-based combat where specific parts of an enemy’s body can be targeted to perhaps come to a less violent end. Through you, Rourke’s shots will change the world and plot of Long Gone Days

Stay in the loop on all things Serenity Forge by visiting the team’s website and Twitter page.

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About This I Dreamt

Based in Santiago, Chile, This I Dreamt is an independent game studio focused on creating unforgettable games through a combination of  beautiful art, honest emotions, and intricate narratives. The studio’s members channel their lived experiences through lessons learnt from over a decade in the industry to make games that speak to players everywhere.

Learn more at https://thisidreamt.com/ 

About Serenity Forge Based in Boulder, Colorado, video game development and publishing studio Serenity Forge prides themselves on the care and dedication they put into their work, creating meaningful games that challenge the way you think. Firm believers in the artistic, cultural, and educational power of video games, Serenity Forge aims to craft unique interactive experiences to broaden players’ horizons and expand their perspectives.

Learn more at http://serenityforge.com.

Monaco Esports: Heading to Copenhagen with an Elite Team for the Fortnite World Cup 2023

Brimming with pride, Monaco Esports proudly introduces its formidable team, poised to conquer the arena at the Fortnite World Cup 2023, taking place from October 13 to 15 in Copenhagen.

The Team: Epitomizing the excellence of Fortnite e-sports, our players are set to make history. Axadasz and Gabzera, Brazilian prodigies, have previously dazzled in competitions, solidifying their place on the national scene. Accompanied by Veno and Merstach, the proven young talents aged 18 and 16 respectively, and ranked 1st and 3rd globally, the team promises legendary clashes in their respective second World Cup.

Announcement Video: To celebrate our grand departure, we’ve unveiled an enthralling announcement video that showcases our fervor and unwavering determination to triumph in Copenhagen. 

Ambitions: Facing the game’s elite, Monaco Esports has a singular objective in mind: the pinnacle. Fortified by rigorous preparation and the steadfast support of our fans, victory is within our sights.

The Competition: The tournament stage this year promises fireworks as we confront top-tier Fortnite e-sports entities. Teams like the illustrious FaZe Clan, the formidable GXR, the rising stars of Become Legends, and not forgetting the likes of Gentle Mates formed by French streaming giants Squeezie, Gotaga, and Brawks. The World Cup assures audiences of unforgettable duels, brimming with strategy, talent, and unparalleled showmanship.

A Word from President Louis Ducruet: “I’m immensely proud of our players and their determination; in Copenhagen, they’ll show the world what Monaco Esports is all about.”

We fervently call upon our supporters and the media to embark on this adventure with us, rally behind our team, and resonate with our passion.

About Monaco Esports Monaco Esports is the Esports Club of the Principality of Monaco supported by the government and the princely family, acting since 2014 to be a global Esports hub in terms of titles won, hosting global events and training Monegasque talent.

Competing in the best national, European and global competitions, Monaco Esports has competitive teams on Fortnite and FIFA for the 2023-2024 season to win numerous titles all around the globe.

With its specialized infrastructures, MonacoEsports, alongside the Fédération Esports de Monaco and the Fédération International d’Esports, specializes in hosting world esports events in the Principality, such as the League Of Legends Finals 2020 & 2021, Monaco Gaming Show 2020 & 2021, SimRacing World Cup 2022.

Monaco Esports has always been able to discover talents and develop them to the highest level worldwide, its ambition is to be one of the world’s top esports organizations in the years to come.

RuneScape’s Necromancy Season Continues with the New “Ancient Awakening” Update, Out Now

Test your Necromantic skills with a new quest and combat arena!

CAMBRIDGE, England Oct. 10, 2023 – Out now in RuneScape, “Ancient Awakening” is the first update for the fantasy MMORPG’s Necromancy season. Following the launch of Necromancy earlier this year, “Ancient Awakening” sees players delve deeper into the lore behind the skill as they explore the secretive island of Ungael.

Joined by a full adventuring party, featuring Raptor the mysterious warrior, Aster the butler, and Bill, the architect who featured prominently in RuneScape’s previous Fort Forinthry season, players will discover a powerful ritual underway which will have devastating consequences for the world of Gielinor. During the quest, players will fight to stop the ritual, led by the necromancer Zemouregal, and in doing so prepare themselves for an epic new boss battle launching in November.

“Ancient Awakening” also features a new player-vs-monster combat activity which tests players on their necromantic combat skills, pitting them against waves of Zemouregal’s minions. With each run of the Ungael Arena comes new challenges, adding more complexity to the activity. Completing the encounter will unlock new titles and weapon cosmetics, as well as the Raptor’s infamous outfit.

For RuneScape skillers, “Ancient Awakening” expands the Fort Forinthry area with a Botanist’s Bench which will help players prepare Necromancy potions for the upcoming boss fight in November. The delightful Granny Rowan will be on hand to assist with decanting your brews and nattering your ear off.

Necromancy is a standalone combat skill which launched in August alongside a huge expansion including a new hub area, nine brand-new quests, and two deadly boss fights. Necromancy is free for players up to level 20 and scales to level 120 for RuneScape Members. For more information, please visit the RuneScape website.

RuneScape is available now on PC, Steam, iOS, and Android, complete with cross-platform progression and play on PC and mobile.

About RuneScape 

Celebrating more than twenty years of adventures and acclaimed by PC Gamer as “one of the most endearing and unique MMOs available,” RuneScape is an ever-expanding, community-driven game that’s bursting with activity and life. Today RuneScape is one of the world’s longest-running online games, with over 300 million player accounts.

Set in a medieval fantasy land, players embark on epic journeys through a vast sandbox world that’s full of gods, warring races, unexplored dungeons, and glittering riches. Propelled by the game’s narrative, choose your own path through enthralling quests, and progress through 29 diverse skills to shape a single character in a classless world. RuneScape is available across PC, iOS and Android devices.

Become the hero you were born to be at www.runescape.com.

About Jagex 

A leader in creating deep and engaging forever games that empower our communities across PC, mobile and consoles, Jagex’s flagship MMORPG, RuneScape, has welcomed over 300 million player accounts to its world and is a $1 billion+ lifetime revenue franchise. Today the RuneScape franchise exists beyond live operations; our titles are forever games that connect and inspire millions of players, with content and experiences both inside and outside of inexhaustible game worlds. Both RuneScape and Old School RuneScape, on PC and mobile, offer ever-evolving, highly active worlds, and our community-focused development ethos empowers players to have a real say in how each game is shaped.

In 2022, Jagex expanded with the acquisitions of PipeWorks and Gamepires, bringing its expertise in building forever games to SCUM, a multi-million selling open-world survival title in Steam Early Access, and other unannounced titles. Jagex employs more than 600 people globally and is headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom.

More information can be found at www.jagex.com.

RIVER CITY: RIVAL SHOWDOWN REMAKE ARRIVING OCTOBER 12 FOR NINTENDO SWITCH, PLAYSTATION, AND PC

Continuing Arc System Works’ 35th Anniversary celebration, Arc System Works America, Inc. has announced that classic 2D action game River City: Rival Showdown will be digitally release in North America this October 12, 2023, for Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation 4® and PC via Steam. Steam pre-orders are available now!

The original 3DS version of River City: Rival Showdown was released in 2016 to wide acclaim.
Arc System Works is not only reviving the fan-favorite game for current consoles, but also giving
it a full power-up of modernization to bring players the ultimate 2D action game experience. The
updated 2023 edition includes all of the updates found on the 3DS version: the main game
loaded with a much larger volume of settings and storylines, improved graphics and operability,
and a brand-new prequel story mode to play through after you solve the main story’s mystery!

River City: Rival Showdown’s key features and new additions include:

● Action-Packed Story of Conspiracy and Mystery – “Hot Blooded Story” – Following a
mysterious evening attack on Kunio, he learns that Mami (girlfriend of his rival, Riki) has
also been kidnapped. Following the timeline from three days before Mami’s kidnapping,
Kunio and Riki band together alongside Kunio’s friends from Nekketsu High School, to
solve the mystery and find Mami. Their search brings them to the source of the evil,
Reiho Academy led by “Yamada”, where a heated battle begins…
● Free Scenario System with Multiple Endings – Players must search and battle through
different events to unravel the “Yamada” conspiracy and get to the truth. However, this
story does not follow one set scenario, but is experienced non-linearly through a concept
of time passing over a four-day period. This includes events scattered throughout the
map, where events played during the first three in-game days will dictate events on the
final fourth day and change game endings.
● Item Collection & Special Abilities – While unraveling the story, visit the game’s
“convenience stores” where recovery items can be purchased, “public baths” where HP
(stamina) and SP (willpower) can be recovered, and “thrift stores” to buy equipment with
special abilities. In addition, Special Moves have evolved to be more spectacular, while
experience gained in battle can be used to enhance your status!
● New Prequel Story Mode – “Cold-Blooded Hardcore Yamada-kun” – Enjoy an additional
mode that can be played after clearing the main story mode (“Hot Blooded Story”). Take
control of evil big boss “Yamada” and play the prequel to the incident. How did “Yamada”
expand his ambitions? And what is his purpose? Experience the dark machinations
behind the incident.

As a special add-on for fighting game fans, 2D action game Double Dragon Duel will also be
included as an extra game mode! This mode allows players to enjoy fighting game-like action
using a large number of characters, including hidden characters when certain conditions are
met. Network play is also supported, so you can play with friends far away.

The Game Industry Conference has once again become the European heart of game industry

This year, more than 3200 participants and business attendees gathered in Poznan, Poland, to attend Eastern Europe’s most important gaming event.

Poznan, Poland – October 10th, 2023: Last Sunday, 08.10, the Game Industry Conference (GIC) closed its doors in Poznan, Poland. This year marked the 16th edition of GIC, and the conference has truly established itself as the biggest and most significant business event in the region’s gaming industry. A record number of over 3200 business attendees and participants gathered for hundreds of high-quality talks and networking opportunities.                                      

Over the course of a few days, 150 professional talk sessions, panels, and roundtables were being held, featuring over 200 speakers. Additionally, the conference offered many side events, such as e.g., the Yet Another Pitching Event, and the Women in Games Breakfast. Other highlights of the conference were the GameDev Investment Forum, the VR summit, and the traditional, free city tours that take GIC visitors to Poznan’s most beautiful sightseeing spots. The conference again offered a daycare room hosting almost 30 gamedev kids speaking in three languages.

GIC 2023 yet again attracted numerous sponsors from the gaming industry. The biggest among them were Invest in Skane, Product Madness, Playtika, and Techland. Not only did they support the event financially, but also actively participated in this year’s conference.

“This was my first time visiting the GIC in Poznan and I must admit I was overwhelmed by the size and the quality of the Conference. A lot of great speakers, excellent organization, and infrastructure to make industry-wide contacts made for a perfect melting pot of gaming ideas. To top it off, the Central & Eastern European Game Awards honored all the creative studios from the region and gave them an impulse to make even greater games in the future!”, said Milos Hetlerovic, Manager at Ebb Software, Awarded in the Best Art category for Scorn at the CEEGA Awards. 

“GIC was always a great place for learning and networking, but this year’s event has surpassed anything I’ve seen in past editions both in the speaker lineup, conference agenda, and organization. This event is growing to be one of the best and most worthwhile in the game development world”, added Jakub Rokosz, CEO of Fools Theory, GIC speaker, and exhibitor.

The Game Industry Conference once again partnered up with the event networking app GRIP, which not only digitalized the ticketing system but also facilitated the planning of business meetings on-site and online and gave attendees the ability to personalize their event schedule on their mobile devices. 

On Friday evening, all GIC attendees had the chance to attend the Epic Game Music concert, featuring orchestral adaptations of some of the best-known soundtracks of games starting with one of the first live performances of Baldur Gate 3 but also Doom, Battlefield, Assassin’s Creed, Horizon: Zero Dawn, League of Legends, Dragon Age, Apex Legends.

The day after, it was finally time for the Central and Eastern European Game Awards (CEEGA). Hard West 2 by Ice Code Games won the prize for “Best Game”. The awards emerged from the cooperation of 16 industry associations in Eastern European countries, thus strengthening the entire local games industry. The awards in full:

  • Visual Art – Scorn (Ebb Software)
  • Audio – Layers of Fear (Bloober Team/Anshar Studios Inc.)
  • Design – Hard West 2 (Ice Code Games)
  • Narrative – Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened (Frogwares)
  • Technology – Gloria Victis: Medieval MMORPG (Black Eye Games)
  • Hidden Gem – Midnight Fight Express (Jakub Dzwinel)
  • Best Mobile – Railbound (Afterburner Studios)
  • Best Game – Hard West 2 (Ice Code Games)

For more information, please visit https://gic.gd/ 

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ABOUT GAME INDUSTRY CONFERENCE

The GIC, along with Poznan Game Arena, forms the biggest game event east of Cologne. It features professional knowledge exchange, workshops, roundtables, a B2B exhibition area, GRIP-meetings, Geek Careers recruitment opportunities, and networking parties. Not to mention the Central Eastern Europe Game Awards ceremony, GameDev Investment Forum and many more. Since its beginnings in 2008, the GIC grew to become one of the most significant events in Europe’s gaming landscape.