Over 90 games industry partners united to raise over £500,000 for gamers’ charity SpecialEffect through their flagship One Special Day campaign in October

November 28, 2023 – The charity is indebted to the many games industry companies from across the world who came together to support their life-changing work. Donations from the event on the weekend of 6-8 October derived from sales income of mobile and PC games plus a variety of innovative company-driven fundraising challenges.

The funds raised from One Special Day will be a huge boost in the charity’s mission to enrich inclusion and quality of life by helping people with physical disabilities to play video games to the best of their abilities.

Dr Mick Donegan, SpecialEffect’s CEO and Founder, said “We’re simply blown away by such an astonishing level of support from our friends in the games industry and community, especially at such a difficult time for many companies. Demand for our support continues to grow, and this amazing total will be a cornerstone in enabling us to bring the magic of gaming to thousands of people with physical disabilities, and to help developers all over the world to make their games more accessible to all.”

More information about One Special Day can be found at  www.onespecialday.org.uk.

About SpecialEffect

SpecialEffect are an award-winning charity that enables people with physical disabilities to benefit from the fun, inclusion and therapy of video games. We support people of all ages through personalised assessments, equipment loans and equipment modifications.

BRNO, Czech Republic & VIENNA, Austria – Nov. 28, 2023 – THQ Nordic and developer Ashborne Games’ WWI RTS Last Train Home is available today on PC via Steam for $33.99 after a 15% launch discount available through Dec. 5 ($39.99 before discount). A Digital Deluxe Edition is also available at a 15% discount ($46.74 from $54.99) through Dec. 5, and will include the official digital soundtrack and art book, as well as the first paid DLC, “Legion Tales,” upon its release. Brace yourselves to confront the merciless Red Army, endure the gnawing pangs of hunger, and defy the bone-chilling cold of Siberia. This odyssey is long, grueling, and full of challenges – a true test of our mettle. A heroic endeavor that leaves no room for the faint-hearted.

Play the Demo: thqn.net/lth-steam

About Last Train Home

The Great War is over – but the fight continues. Command a legion of soldiers desperately trying to make their way home amidst the chaos of civil war. Lead them through the unforgiving wilderness onboard an armored train. Manage your crew and resources and try to survive.

“Legion Tales” promises an immersive encounter with the Czechoslovak Legionaries through a set of exclusive replayable real-time missions. More DLC information will be shared at a later date.

Last Train Home is developed by Ashborne Games in Brno, Czech Republic, and is available now on Steam. If you want to learn more about the game, make sure to visit the website, follow us on social media, or discuss with other fans on Discord:

Website: https://lasttrainhome.thqnordic.com

About Ashborne Games

Ashborne Games is a game development studio with roots in Brno, Czech Republic, growing the strategy/RPG genre. The team is currenctly working on its new project, Last Train Home, and was also responsible for helping Comanche to lift off. The studio is a member of the THQ Nordic family.

About THQ Nordic

THQ Nordic’s official boilerplate can be found on our website: https://www.thqnordic.com/company/about

Marvelous Europe today announced the first free content update for their fashion and communication title, Fashion Dreamer. The Nintendo Switch™ system-exclusive title will receive its Winter Update, version 1.2, on Dec. 5, which adds new content, new patterns and new items and more ways to curate outfits, and a fabulous crossover with Ciào, a popular monthly magazine in Japan.

The Winter Update will introduce new patterns, Muse parts, showroom furniture and photo frames, growing the wardrobe available to Muses as they find their freshest fits and show off their unique styles in the showroom. Some of these new looks are available through the Limited Time Fair, a free in-game system to support every influencer in Eve with a fresh set of objectives for them to complete each month, earning them useful items and patterns. Designed with approachable objectives respectful of players’ time, the first Limited Time Fair features a Fantasy theme with nearly two dozen items in a butterfly dream motif. Designers will also be able to explore the all-new Muse Notebook, an in-game journal that will record players’ memories of the Muses they’ve met in-game in case they’d like to look back for inspiration from past encounters; and the Lookbook, where players can save and name their favorite outfits for a quick change of clothing or to share with followers. Finally, all Muses will receive a T-shirt made in collaboration with ‘Naisho No Lily’ (written by Fujita Hasumi), which is being serialized in Ciào Deluxe; and ‘Shining!’ (written by Nao Maita), which is being serialized in Ciào’s main magazine; and a Photo Egg frame made in collaboration with Ciào.

*Additional event functions and limited fair are exclusive contents for online mode.

More updates with additional styles, outfits, and features in the world of Eve will be released for free in 2024.

Fashion Dreamer is a creative-focused game where players can express their unique styles using their avatar, called a Muse. Create iconic looks from cozy casualwear to chic couture, choosing from hundreds of available options that can be customized to be a truly one-of-a-kind look. Once players find their signature style, they can show off their latest outfits across different areas, called Cocoons. There, they can also explore inspiring new fashions from other Muses whether playing on- or offline or display them in their showroom to garner even more attention and Likes for their brand. Players can also increase their influence by completing design challenges, unlocking even more customization options to elevate their brand. Featuring asynchronous multiplayer, the world of Eve is inhabited by Muses from around the globe, allowing players to find inspiration or earn Likes for their most iconic fit virtually anywhere!

Developed by syn Sophia, Inc. and published in Europe and Australia on the Nintendo Switch™ by Marvelous Europe, Fashion Dreamer launched on Nov. 3, 2023. This title is published by XSEED Games in North America.

For additional information about Fashion Dreamer visit the official website at: https://eu.fashion-dreamer.com/en-gb. More information about Marvelous Europe can be found on the official website at http://www.marvelouseurope.com.

About Marvelous Europe

Marvelous Europe is the publisher behind Mandragora, Leximan and Cuisineer, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marvelous Inc., developer of beloved Story of Seasons and Rune Factory series.

Established in 2012, Marvelous Europe is passionate about helping games to reach a global audience while nurturing emerging developers and studios. With decades of experience and strong ties to the worldwide indie game dev community, the highly skilled European team is committed to supporting studios worldwide find success, while continuing to publish and distribute select Marvelous Inc. content.

Knoxville, Tennessee, US – “The Lost Legends of REDWALL™: The Scout Anthology” inspired by the characters created in Brian Jacques’ best-selling series REDWALL™ will now release on the 30^{th of} January 2024.

Even though a slight release delay is in place, Forthright Entertainment and Soma Games are pleased to announce that ‘Feast & Friends’ will also be coming out on the same day on Steam.

REDWALL™ is one of the best-loved children’s book series and has sold over 20 million copies worldwide. The series has also featured in audiobooks as well as an Opera and these two games offer something complimentary to the Redwall™ fans in the new year.

“The Lost Legends of Redwall™: The Scout Anthology” is a narrative puzzle-driven adventure game coming to PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC with a whole cast of characters, vivid locations, visuals, and enhancements for the current generation of action-adventure fans.

Features:

• A narrative-Rich Adventure game set in the universe inspired by the REDWALL™ book series.
• Follow Your Nose! A unique scent mechanic allows for dynamic, multifaceted fun.
• Puzzles Galore includes cryptic riddles and mysteries to unfold.
• Rich Dialogue mechanics! Learn how to speak to everyone, understanding their hopes and fears…your life may depend on it.
• Visual and lighting enhancements, and functionality updates for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.

“The Lost Legends of Redwall™: Feast & Friends” will also be coming to Steam on the 30^{th of} January 2024 featuring characters from the series.

Embark alongside Scout Chef Rootsworth on his journey to become the finest cook in Mossflower Wood.

Features:

• Chop, simmer and serve your way through iconic locations, from the humble villages of Lilygrove to the Badgers Lord’s stronghold of Salamandastron.
• Impress the master cooks of Redwall Abbey and you may just be invited to join the chefs of the famous Nameday feast.
• Feast and Friends offers a nuanced cooking sandbox in which recipes are yours to follow, ignore, or reinvent as you choose.
• Cook for a cast of rich characters eager to share their stories, or simply experiment in the free-play kitchen to your heart’s content.
• Send foragers out to refill the pantry cupboards or trade with travelling merchants for rare finds.
• Prepare meals for fun with intuitive controls, with heat, seasoning and ingredients at your fingertips.
  Discover pescatarian, vegetarian and vegan recipes you can make at home.

About Forthright Entertainment

Based in Knoxville, Tennessee, Forthright Entertainment is a boutique publisher of games for PC and consoles. We have a very simple mission, to position great game studios for global success by providing full-featured publishing services.

About Soma Games

Soma Games, founded in 2005, is located in beautiful downtown Newberg, OR. The producers of many games on nearly every platform around Soma Games is proud of their ability to work with one of the most beloved stories of a generation in REDWALL™. 

For more about The Lost Legends of REDWALL™ click here.

LOS ANGELES – November 28, 2023 – The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) and the IGDA Foundation, come together with the Women in Games International, Global Game Jam, Take This, and Game to Grow, have united to create the Stronger Together In Games Campaign. 

Running November 28th through the end of 2023, the initiative aims to raise $100,000 for these organizations’ efforts in supporting game industry workers and players alike, amidst a year of widespread layoffs and an ongoing national mental health crisis.

These six organizations collectively work to make the games industry more diverse and inclusive, foster supportive environments for professional growth and skill development, and support the mental health of game lovers and creators. 

The Stronger Together In Games campaign seeks $100,000 in crowdfunded donations and an additional $50,000 in corporate matching funds. Pledges have already been secured from partners, including Amazon Games, Google for Games, SEGA of America, StridePR, Foundation Law, Clever Endeavor, Codename Entertainment, Modulate, and Midwest Games. Additionally, the group is hosting a 24-hour charity stream on December 8th to raise funds for the cause.

“The past year has been a challenging time for the games industry. As non-profit organizations that support game creators and players worldwide, we’re seeing skyrocketing demand for our programs and services” said Dr. Jakin Vela, Executive Director of IGDA. “The funds we raise will support our continued efforts in creating and sharing resources, facilitating networking opportunities and mentorship, and coordinating impactful programming aimed to diversify the industry, and more.”

For more information or to contribute to this cause, please visit the Stronger Together In Games Givebutter page. 

For more information on the IGDA, follow the IGDA Twitter and IGDA Facebook or join the IGDA Discord. To learn more about the IGDA Foundation visit the official website, and to stay up to date with the latest initiatives, please follow @IGDAFoundation on social media. 

About the IGDA:

The International Game Developers Association is the largest nonprofit membership organization serving game developers worldwide. The IGDA is committed to advancing the careers and enhancing the lives of game developers by connecting members with their peers, promoting professional development, and advocating on issues that affect the developer community.

For more information, please visit www.igda.org.

About IGDA Foundation

The IGDA Foundation (IGDA-F) advances a diverse workforce and ecosystem for the video game industry to better reflect the millions of passionate players enjoying video games worldwide. 

The IGDA-F focuses on promoting a game development community representative of, and welcoming and inclusive to, every person who wants to make games. The IGDA-F garners support for diversity and inclusion in the video game industry with initiatives such as its IGDA Scholars, Velocity, and Next Gen Leaders programs, with others in the pipeline.

The IGDA Foundation is a public charity, registered as a 501(c)3 organization in the United States.

To find out more about the IGDA Foundation’s initiatives visit http://igdafoundation.org and donate here.  

Sony Interactive Entertainment can confirm that the new look PS5 Console (model group – slim) will be available locally from December 6, with pre-orders starting today. The smaller PS5 design has the same power as previous models and comes with 1TB storage for PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition. The new model also provides the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive to PS5 Digital Edition. 

The new form factor addresses the evolving needs of players, providing 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. 

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

The 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. Local pricing for the PS5 Console Covers will be confirmed at a later date. Additional colours will be released in the future.

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

For the latest PlayStation news, follow on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram. 

PlayStation 5 specifications

PlayStation 5 Digital Edition Specifications

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Easy Day Studios wants to remind Nintendo fans that with the hectic holiday season of intense games to grind, there’s also time to chill with the upcoming release of Skater XL on Switch. Both physical and digital editions will be available for purchase at retail or to download on December 5 in North America and December 12 in EU and AU regions. This new trailer demonstrates the buttery-smooth 60 FPS visual quality of the Switch version as well as the lean-back vibes Nintendo gamers will experience this holiday season.

Skater XL will be available for Nintendo Switch on December 5 for $39.99 in the Nintendo eShop. Retail box versions of Skater XL will be available at brick-and-mortar retailers this holiday. Pre-order now at: skaterxl.com or Wishlist in the Nintendo eShop.

Skater XL is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. For the latest news and updates on Skater XL, follow the game on Instagram and Twitter, “Like” us on Facebook, and visit the official website, SkaterXL.com.   

Budapest, Hungary – November 27, 2023 — NeocoreGames is thrilled to announce that King Arthur: Legion IX, the upcoming expansion for its critically-lauded dark fantasy tactics game, King Arthur: Knight’s Tale, will be launching in early 2024. New heroes, foes, combat mechanics and a larger party are just some of the features provided in this challenging expansion. 

King Arthur: Legion IX. | Cinematic Reveal Trailer

The base game King Arthur: Knight’s Tale is a unique hybrid between turn-based tactical games and traditional, character-centric RPGs. King Arthur: Knight’s Tale is a modern retelling of a classic Arthurian mythology story told with dark fantasy tropes, a twist on the traditional tales of chivalry.

In the Legion IX expansion, the kingdom of Avalon is facing an all-new threat, as the Roman Ninth Legion has discovered a path to the mystical island, and is preparing an invasion. Players will experience the the brand new Roman campaign through the eyes of a tribune of the Ninth Legion, and they will uncover the remains of a Roman colony in Avalon and reveal the hidden secrets of the Lady of the Lake.

If you’d like to know more, be sure to follow our social channels as we share more info in the coming weeks and months.

About NeocoreGames

NeocoreGames is an independent video game development company founded in 2005 with its headquarters located in Budapest, Hungary. Best known for The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing series and Deathtrap, Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr and Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Prophecy, the very first Action RPG set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. NeocoreGames also developed Crusaders: Thy Kingdom Come, The Kings’ Crusade and the King Arthur: The Role-playing Wargame series.