LONDON, UK, 13th September 2023 – Spilt Milk Studios, the award-winning indie studio, are delighted to introduce you to Trash Goblin, a cosy and moreish fantasy shopsim where you uncover, clean, upcycle and sell a vast variety of trinkets – both invaluable and unlovable – to a diverse cast of fascinating customers across a colourful fantasy city.
Think Potionomics meets PowerWash Simulator, with a unique protagonist! Today we’re excitedly announcing the game, while launching the official website, as well as the Steam page and pushing the kickstarter “Coming Soon” page live… all topped off with an exclusive announcement trailer.
In this (very) cosy Shop Sim you play as an orphaned Goblin unearthing, cleaning and upcycling rare and valuable trinkets to sell to a bewildering variety of customers from all walks of life – all to save up enough money to realise your dreams of becoming an adventuring archaeologist!
Described by one excited fan as “Goblin Etsy: The Videogame” and by an industry insider as having “Blizzard-quality graphics”, Trash Goblin focuses on incredibly satisfying and tactile pottering gameplay married to visuals that make you want to take a little nibble of everything you touch, with a soundscape that engrosses and envelops you as you leisurely serve your customers, cleaning trinkets, and making your snug little workshop even snugger!
Devilishly Violent Title from Ziggurat Interactive Brings the Brutality with Throwback Visuals of the Late ’90s.
Denver, Colorado (September 13, 2023) – Ziggurat Interactive, publisher of multiplatform retro and modern games, is excited to announce that Slave Zero™ X launches on PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch on February 21, 2024. Made in partnership with Poppy Works and the team behind the renowned Devil Engine, Slave Zero™ X is a stylish 2.5D character action game set in the biopunk world of Slave Zero (1999).
The newest title in the classic Dreamcast Slave Zero™ franchise will bring a whole new side-scrolling hack-and-slash experience to fans of the original game. A satisfyingly punishing game, Slave Zero™ X sees the protagonist, Shou, merging with a stolen Slave Unit Prototype, becoming a furious Devil in pursuit of killing a false God. Take up arms and do battle against the violent forces of the tyrannical SovKhan, the violent dictator who rules Megacity S1-9 with fists of iron and flesh.
Featuring multiple gameplay modes and a variety of futuristic 2.5D dystopian urban levels to battle through, players will string together brutal combos and fight through waves of genetically enhanced biopunk opponents — all to the tune of a gnarly synth soundtrack. Run & slash your way through a dystopian future in this character action game, which will resonate with fans of action and fighting game favorites Devil May Cry, Strider, and Guilty Gear.
Key Features of Slave Zero™ X include:
Different Modes to Mutilate: Play through the story, build your combo-crushing skills in training mode, or test your might in the post-story Bloody Palace mode
Hack-n-Slash ‘n Slash ‘n Slash…: Chain together lethal attack combos with your sword and an array of explosive ordinance while leaping, sprinting, and flipping your way through a grim biopunk world
A Uniquely Worthy 2.5D Environment: Battle your way through massive levels and boss-rushes in a lo-fi blend of 2D and 3D art reminiscent of the 90s Dreamcast era.
Brutal Battles and Cutthroat Stages: Conquer mini-bosses and climactic arch-villains in unforgettable combat sequences
Blood-Soaked and Synth-Soaked: Immerse yourself in a world of heavy Drum ‘n Bass and industrial tracks that get more intense as the action heats up
Since its founding in 2019, Ziggurat has published over 130 titles, from retro classics to all-new IP franchises. With games currently available across all major PC and console platforms, Ziggurat reaches a wide variety of gamers across all ages, genres, and playstyles.
Throughout the last few years there has been a rise in games that tackle preservation and climate issues in a variety of ways. Some are subtle, trying to work their message into a grander story, while others are quite blatant with their messages and while many of these titles have seen certain levels of success, few, if any, have partnered with an actual environmental preservation group to help deliver their message. That is what makes Under the Waves something of a unique offering, combining the work of Parallel Studios partnering with Surfrider Foundation to deliver a tale of grief and isolation mixed with environmental messaging to some levels of success that struggles a bit with both its messaging and design.
Story
Stan is a professional diver who has taken on a job for the deep-sea drilling company named UniTrench in the North Sea. Choosing such an isolated outpost, one that will see him working beneath the waves far from any other form of human contact is already a strange choice, but when that is compounded with the fact that UniTrench is a far from reputable company, his choice of choosing to work here is certainly a strange one, especially when one of the first conversations he has upon arriving in his isolated habitat on the ocean floor is to leave a message for his wife.
The reason for this choice quickly becomes clear as Under the Waves tells the story of a man struggling with an incredibly emotional loss and handling it extremely poorly. Following the traumatic event that saw him the life of someone precious to him, Stan has fled to the ocean to hide away in his sorrow, isolating himself from the rest of the world and choosing to undertake the daily lists of tasks that come from being an deep-sea diver for a mining corporation that is barely hanging together, using work as a method of escape.
For the most part Under the Waves does a solid enough job trying to blend together the story of Stan dealing with his overwhelming grief with him trying his best to keep UniTrench’s drilling efforts working without affecting the environment too much before eventually everything comes to a head as both elements come crashing together into a disastrous spiral that works incredibly well only to end up falling apart a bit at the end. The way that Under the Waves handles grief is a bit heavy-handed to the point that it is a bit too blunt, especially in the latter half of the game and while it does lead to some rather heart wrenching moments with plenty of impact, including some rather terrifying feeling moments, they are far more cumbersomely handled than the game’s other key storyline component, the ecological conservationist angle.
As mentioned before, players take on the role of a member of UniTrench but it doesn’t take long before it becomes clear that the company is up to no good and since the game is set in an alternate techno-futuristic 1970s, players familiar with oil giants of the time will be well-aware of the issues that may arise here. The game’s handling of these ecological impacts is far better handled and, in many ways, more meaningful as well, especially since a large amount of the game’s collectables and side-content relates to various elements of pollution, ecological disasters, and natural sea life. Players are encouraged to take photos of wild life they encounter while swimming through the ocean or piloting their submarine, unlocking extra bits of lore and even picking up random pieces of trash used for the game’s crafting system can often trigger bits of lore involving pollution that either happened in the past or is still happening today. This is likely due in part to the aforementioned Surfrider and helps really nail home many of the ecological elements as well as some of the wonder of simply spending time deep beneath the waves, enjoying your time with the ocean and the beauty of the marine life when there isn’t a disaster or grief induced hallucination happening.
Gameplay
Under the Waves is a rather uniquely designed narrative game as players are presented with a number of tasks that they must complete every single day, ranging from simply gathering a few items or crafting something, to venturing far out into the ocean using their submersible, called the Moon, to reach a distant UniTrench installation in need of maintenance. The puzzles that players need to solve in various locations are fairly simplistic in nature, with none of them actually being a challenge outside of perhaps spending a bit of extra time underwater figuring a certain puzzle solution out, using up Stan’s limited oxygen.
Alongside these “Daily Tasks” that players must complete every single day, which can often be tackled in any order or even put off for a bit should players choose to take part in the other big aspect of the game, underwater exploration. As mentioned before, what makes Under the Waves a uniquely designed narrative game is the fact that it does feature something of an open-world that players can explore as the ocean is filled with all sorts of collectables to discover, extra blueprints to unlock, wildlife to take photos of or simply witness, and much more. Whether it is piloting the Moon submarine, which handles fairly well as one would expect, or swimming out on his own when going a short distance or needing to enter a tighter location, players will find that the swimming and piloting mechanics handle exceptionally well here, to the point that, despite the game featuring repair kits for the submarine, was never actually needed.
Along these same lines, the crafting system that is implemented into Under the Waves also feels a bit tacked on as, outside of mandatory items that must be crafted, the system can be almost entirely ignored. Sure, Stan may need to use oxygen refills that can be crafted before venturing out into the sea but the game often provides enough of these that players can easily stockpile up on them without actually needing to craft them, nor do most of the unlockable blueprints feel like they are worth tracking down. That being said, at least the best part of the exploration, navigating the sea and experiencing the deep ocean, remains a truly enchanting endeavor.
It is also worth noting that, alongside some visual bugs which we will mention in a moment, that Under the Waves isn’t without its own issues on the Xbox Series X. On more than a handful of occasions the game would crash to the home screen seemingly out of nowhere and players will often need to fiddle with their positioning on certain interactables to properly trigger the activation sequence, something that happens far too frequently to not be a bit annoying as well as one instance that saw Stan trapped inside the Moon submarine, forcing a reload of a previous save.
Audio & Visuals
It is quite evident that the developers of Under the Waves care quite a bit about marine life simply through how lovingly crafted the underwater visuals and swimming physics are handled. Players will be treated to some truly wonderful looking sights as they travel through the ocean and encounter all kinds of marine life down in the depths and these wondrous open areas are mirrored perfectly by the tight, nearly suffocating, feeling designs of the wreckages and mining equipment players will need to navigate. Experiencing the stark contrast between manmade construction and destruction alongside natural fauna remains consistently impressive. Unfortunately while swimming and everything moving through the ocean may feel wonderful, the actual walking animations and a few of the more mundane day-to-day animations are far more cumbersome. The transition from swimming to walking is rough to put it generously, often placing players out of position and, on numerous occasions, resulting in getting stuck in the level geometry for a bit. It is also worth noting that various mundane activities around the habitat often have glitched animations in one way or another and while some of these appear to have been fixed, they still happen frequently enough to be noticeable.
The soundtrack for Under the Waves is a perfect blend of melancholic tracks that both fit the somber and wonderful feeling of exploring the depths of the ocean as well as the depths of sorrow that Stan is dealing with throughout the game. The voice work is serviceable at best, with Stan’s performance being a bit of a mixed bag, though this is mostly due to random cheery sounding voice clips appearing during more dire sequences when completing tasks. Otherwise his performance during most dramatic moments, including some of his lone monologues dealing with his grief and solitude in the deep are quite striking.
Overall
Under the Waves tells a unique narrative blend that combines grief with its message of preserving nature in a way that doesn’t always mesh the best but still delivers a number of impactful moments all the same, some a bit more hamfisted than others. Along these same lines, its pseudo open world allows for plenty of wonderful exploration in the deep sea mixed with bugs and a lack of polish on smaller details that build up to become noticeable issues.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
Touhou Project is a series of indie SHMUP (Shoot ‘Em Up) games in the bullet hell – or “Danmaku” in Japan – sub-genre. The first entry in the series was originally released on the PC-98 home computer in 1997. Nowadays, Touhou games are developed on the Windows platform, and its nineteenth main entry was released on Steam in August this year.
Touhou is a pretty big deal among anime enthusiasts worldwide. Although the main series was never officially translated to English, some of its numerous fan-made games were released in the West. Touhou: New World is the latest fan entry to receive an English localization by publisher XSEED.
Story
Reimu Hakurei and Marisa Kirisame are inhabitants of Gensokyo, a dimension parallel to ours where humans and mystic creatures, known as youkai, coexist somewhat peacefully. One day, they have a strange and vivid dream in which they find themselves in a completely different place. It doesn’t take long for them to realize that, somehow, they ended up in the human world.
There, they meet a human girl, named Sumireko, who is fascinated by the occult. She explains that she would love to visit Gensokyo and was about to conduct an experiment in order to breach the barrier separating the two worlds. Before the girls have a chance to protest, Sumireko draws a black orb that instantly teleports them to Gensokyo. This chain of events cause untold troubles in multiple worlds. Now, it’s up to Reimu and Marisa to journey through hell and beyond to prevent a dimensional cataclysm.
Players can choose to experience the story as either Reimu or Marisa. The main plot remains the same, but each girl interacts differently with NPCs and bosses; this is reflected not only on main stages but also on sub-quests.
The plot unravels through brief dialogues between playable characters and other well-known denizens of Gensokyo. Their banter can be funny at times, but the game’s attempt at comedy falls flat more often than not.
Gameplay
Touhou: New World is best described as a top-down view action game with sparse platforming gimmicks and some RPG mechanics like character growth through leveling up and equipable items. Fan-favorite characters Reimu and Marisa are selectable from the start. Their special skill table differs considerably in appearance but not so much in function. Otherwise, they play almost exactly the same.
Progression occurs by navigating an overworld where players can select quests and sub-quests. Sub-quests provide more character interactions, and items used to customize basic attribute points. Stages are designed like a maze where players have to avoid very simple traps while activating switches to progress further. However, the level design is bland and uninspired which made me happy that the stages were so short. Exploration is limited to finding treasure chests off the beaten path, and these chests will always contain equipment with random attributes. While there are multiple types of equipment, including weapons, they do nothing to modify the gameplay besides providing better basic stats.
Enemies are found prancing along the path, but sometimes they come in the form of multiple waves in an enclosed space. This makes things a bit more challenging. Even then, the default difficulty is too easy. Avoiding barrages of shots thrown at your character is redundant since they are able to tank through them effortlessly thanks to a healing skill that’s easily abused. There is an additional “Bullet Hell” difficulty setting that makes enemies attacks more frequent and overwhelming, but I would have preferred a more balanced option.
Visuals
New World’s Visuals are decent. Overall, the graphics, especially characters’ models, remind me of Grandia 2 on the Sega Dreamcast. However, visual assets are excessively reused, and post-processing effects, like bloom, are a bit overbearing. Additionally, the lack of contrast on brighter scenarios hurts the overall presentation a lot.
Audio
The soundtrack has an adventurous upbeat feel to it while on missions. On the other hand, story sequences tend to use more cozy melodies. All in all, New World’s soundtrack is well done and perhaps its best asset. Sound effects are pretty weak and muted, though. The absence of voice-overs is disappointing, as they’re usually good and give more life to characters in other Touhou games.
Overall
Touhou: New World has charming graphics and music. However, Touhou Project’s rich cast of characters is underutilized here. The gameplay, while underwhelming, might be serviceable to less demanding players or fervorous fans.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
The Women in Games Annual Global Conference will take place virtually on Tuesday October 10th – Tickets available now – Join hundreds of other women and allies from around the world for a full day of discussion and networking
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:The Women in Games Annual Global Conference will next month examine the idea and reality of Disruption as its theme – asking direct questions to look forward and build a better, progressive future for women in games and esports around the world.
Taking place via the Hopin online platform on Tuesday October 10th, the Conference will ask what is being done to disrupt existing norms and bring fairness to the playing field for women.
Tickets are priced at just £30, but there are Early Bird discounts on a first come, first served basis. Women in Games is a not-for-profit organisation and any money it receives from ticket sales covers the cost of the per-delegate cost incurred from the Hopin platform, as well as supporting the continuation of its work. Tickets are available here.
From questions based on original research about representation such as ‘What’s going wrong with women’s dialogue in video games?’, to questions from returning innovators about pay such as ‘Salary Transparency: Breaking the Game or Path to Success?’, the Women in Games Annual Global Conference will offer abundant challenges to the prevailing lack of fairness, whether that be in work or play environments. Mental health and toxicity are addressed in a series of sessions, from ‘Accountability and Repair: A new framework for addressing Toxicity?’ to an examination of the intersectional nature of Mysoginoir revealed through a new research report from Glitch.
Every session will pose a significant question, focusing on the Women in Games Priority Spheres of Action:
Fairness: equity and parity of pay and opportunity Toxicity and Harassment: within workplace and gaming spaces Entrepreneurship: opportunities, investment and funding Talent Development: developing talent and fostering leadership culture Education: all types and at all levels: school, training, colleges, universities, research institutes Diverse Creative Representation: of women and their ideas in platforms, products & services Advocacy and Awareness: raising awareness about the importance of gender equality in the global gaming ecosystem and challenging harmful stereotypes and biases Research and Data Collection: conducting research on the state of gender equality in gaming; using data-driven insights to inform strategies and measure progress Community Building: fostering safe and inclusive gaming communities, provide resources to support women and girls, and encourage positive behaviours Industry Collaboration: partnering with game developers, publishers, and other stakeholders to create inclusive games and work environments that promote diversity and equality
Women in Games CEO Marie-Claire Isaaman said:
“There are still huge challenges facing women working in games and esports, and women and girls playing games online. Our work at Women in Games is to address these significant challenges, and look to find solutions. Our Annual Global Conference provides us with the chance to ask difficult questions, to disrupt – in the hope of collectively seeking answers.“
“Women in Games’ continuing mantra is that no-one should be disadvantaged because they are a woman, and our speakers will share their perspectives on how and why their efforts at disrupting the status quo are a reason for optimism about positive change in the worlds of games, esports and beyond.”
Women in Games events are not possible without sponsors, and this year’s Conference is supported by Dovetail Games, Amiqus and Keywords Studios. Additional Sponsorship opportunities are available to suit all budgets.
Women in Games’ work aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) and is primarily focused on Goal 5: ‘Achieve Gender Equality & Empower all Girls and Women’.
Our purpose is to build and maintain a fair, equal and safe environment empowering girls and women in the global gaming ecosystem.
Our mission is to create new platforms, pathways and synergies, which foster opportunities that empower girls and women in the global gaming sector.
We bring together agents of change, advocates, men and boys, champions, experts, grass-roots organisations and others, for new dialogues focussed on shared solutions towards fairness and equality for all.
We believe that by investing in women and girls, we will be instrumental in influencing positive societal change, with significant benefits for the gaming sector.
Horsefly Games announces their next adventure game – available in Steam for wishlists!
KAUSTINEN, FINLAND, 9/13/2023: Embark on an extraordinary journey into the heart of mystery with Hyperdrive Inn, a captivating indie adventure that redefines the limits of interactive storytelling. Finnish-based Horsefly Games promises to deliver a game that will redefine the way the interactive narrative is understood.
Reality intertwines with the surreal, as you venture into the endless hallways of Hyperdrive Inn, an infinite hotel. Crafted with great care for detail, this point-and-click adventure offers a unique fusion of randomized content, a poignant narrative, and stunning audiovisuals.
GAMEPLAY In Hyperdrive Inn, each playthrough is an entirely fresh experience. Unlike anything you’ve encountered before, this game thrives on randomized content and replay value. For every playthrough the content is randomized, ensuring tat no two journeys are alike. Uncover the secrets of the infinite hotel, a boundless haven capable of accommodating infinite number of guests.
You are tasked to find your enigmatic father, Mr. Hilbert, who has vanished into the thin air after triggering a cataclysmic set of events that threatens to unravel reality itself. Explore the infinite hotel. solve perplexing puzzles and immerse yourself in a narrative that strikes a chord of humanity amidst the fantastic. As you navigate this ever-expanding hotel, which mirrors our society’s intricate tapestry, you’ll confront themes like boundless growth, overpopulation, and environmental turmoil.
AUDIOVISUALS
Prepare to be entranced by a sensory symphony that elevates Hyperdrive Inn to an ethereal level. Mesmerizing original score is seamlessly woven into the fabric of the game, responding dynamically to your actions and choices. Inspired by the melodies of Finnish folk music, the soundtrack adds a layer of depth to every interaction, every discovery, and every moment of introspection.
Every visual element within the game is painstakingly handcrafted from scanned recycled fabrics, breathing life into an otherworldly environment. Prepare to be captivated by a world that feels both familiar and extraordinary, as the tactile beauty of textiles comes alive in this surreal adventure.
The game is scheduled for release in October 2024 for PC
ABOUT HORSEFLY GAMES
Horsefly Games is a independent game studio located in Kaustinen Finland that is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of interactive storytelling. We aim to create unforgettable adventures that leave a lasting impact on players.
Six great games from the history of Duke Nukem are coming to Evercade, including many world firsts!
Duke Nukem 1 & 2 Remastered is a new development from Blaze Entertainment and is a complete, ground up recreation of the original Duke Nukem 2D platform games!
Duke Nukem 3D: Total Meltdown includes exclusive levels to this version of the game, which sees its first ever re-release!
Each new cartridge and its full game list are below, and you can hit the button to find yourlocal Evercade retailer!
Duke Nukem Collection 1 brings together one of the most seminal first-person shooters of all time, along with the games that preceeded it.
Duke Nukem 3D: Total Meltdown is the 32-bit version of the most famous of Duke’s adventures. This version gets its first ever re-release as part of Duke Nukem Collection 1, which means exclusive content to this version is available again for the first time since its initial release.
An exclusive episode with levels only found on Duke Nukem 3D: Total Meltdown are yours to enjoy along with game optimisations we’ve made to give the best gameplay experience.
Duke Nukem 1 & 2 Remastered are brand new re-releases of the original two Duke Nukem 2D platforming games. These have been rebuilt from the ground up by the team here at Blaze Entertainment and feature a lot of modern improvements such as smooth scrolling, widescreen support, improved resolutions, and more!
New Dimensions and Adventures
Duke Nukem Collection 2 takes a deeper look into the Duke Nukem franchise with three offerings from the late 90s and early 00s!
Duke Nukem: Time to Kill is the Duke’s first third-person adventure. This 32-bit game follows on from the success of Duke Nukem 3D and takes the franchise to new worlds in both the past, present, and future.
Its sequel, Duke Nukem: Land of the Babes, presents further third-person adventures with a myriad of new enemies to fight and several opportunities to save humanity. They both also come with a local multiplayer mode for you Evercade VS users to enjoy!
Duke Nukem Advance is a 32-bit handheld game that pushes the limits of what 3D could achieve on the handhelds of the early 00s. This standalone adventure has a very similar look and feel to the seminal Duke Nukem 3D but has great, unique gameplay and is a game that many will be discovering for the first time.
Check out the cartridges below to find out where to pre-order these new collections!
Embark on an epic train ride across the lands of Ginkgo: GAZZLERS is out now on Quest, Steam VR, and PICO VR, with the PS VR2 version following soon after.
14 September 2023 – The VR roguelite shooter, GAZZLERS, rolls out today on VR platforms, and will let players build the ultimate weapons to shoot, block, and dodge their way through hordes of crazy enemies.
The diesel-fueled chaos begins on the 14th of September on Steam, Quest, and PICO VR, with the PlayStation VR2 version following soon after. GAZZLERS will be priced at $14.99, with a 13% launch discount on Steam and PICO VR, where it will be $12.99 for a limited time.
Boasting an extravagant comic book aesthetic and wacky humor, GAZZLERS is an adrenaline-fueled ride where players hurtle their locomotive through the desert expanse of Ginkgo, facing off against a marauding army in a mad display of vehicular mayhem along the way.
GAZZLERS Launch Trailer:
About the game
GAZZLERS is an insane VR shooter full of diesel-fueled chaos! Embark on an epic train ride across the lands of Ginkgo. Build your ultimate weapon and shoot, block, and dodge your way through hordes of crazy enemies to reach the Temple of the Machine God.
With surprises around every corner – from unexpected encounters to jaw-dropping weapon enhancements and satisfying skills – no two runs are the same! It’s an exhilarating, on-rails journey where quick thinking & precision are your golden tickets to victory!
Key features
PILGRIMAGE OF STEEL – Embark on the Pilgrimage in your trusty locomotive with nothing more than your gun and your shield. Travel across the lands of Ginkgo, discover new enemies, and use weapons left behind by the fallen Pilgrims.
FIGHT THE GAZZLERS – Fight hordes of Gazzlers, insane creatures riding their mechanical contraptions, dead set on stopping you in your tracks. Discover the strategies behind their crazy clunkers so you can find the best way to beat them.
BUILD CRAZY WEAPONS – Unlock different weapon components and mods that impact the workings of your gun. Upgrade and combine the parts you find on your Pilgrimage to create a weapon so insane that it just might work!
ONE MORE RUN – GAZZLERS is an on-rails arcade VR shooter that features a roguelite-inspired encounter system. Get as far as you can, collect Scrap, upgrade your Skills and take on the Pilgrimage once more, stronger than ever!
MOVE IT! – Built exclusively for VR, GAZZLERS will keep you on your toes as you’ll have to physically aim, block and dodge your way through an insane journey full of hilarious encounters.
About Odders
Odders is an innovative team passionate about XR and new technologies. They are focused on the gaming industry at the moment but their ambitions go even further! They develop their own projects (Les Mills Bodycombat, OhShape, Chess Club) and help other amazing companies to make their dreams come true as publisher
Odders breathes joy and creativity. The team is not just a group of professionals; they’re a family, dedicated and talented. They’re a bunch of gaming enthusiasts, pet lovers, meme fans, all bound by their passion for shaping the future of XR gaming.
About Bolt Blaster Games
Bolt Blaster Games is a passionate team of ambitious game designers!! Headquartered in Diepenbeek, Belgium, Bolt Blaster Games has a mission to conquer the world with games that are fun and pure, unhinged chaos. Add VR into the mix, and you get GAZZLERS!
Scope Out the Physical Edition at retailers nationwide
Sydney, Australia – 13th September 2023: iam8bit and distribution partner Skybound Games, together with publisher Annapurna Interactive and developer Ben Esposito and Angel Matrix, have launched the retail edition of Neon White for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5. The retail edition is now available for purchase!
The standard retail edition of Neon White features an original 11 x 17 in. foldout poster and artwork by talented character artist Rebecca Ryan.
A trailer showcasing the Neon White retail edition can be viewed below
Neon White is a lightning-fast first-person action game about exterminating demons beyond the pearly gates. With a Metacritic score of 90 and nominations for “Best Debut”, “Best Design” and “Innovation Award” at the 2023 Game Developers Choice Awards, players assume the role of Neon White, an assassin handpicked from Hell to compete with other (oddly familiar) demon slayers for a chance to live permanently in Heaven.
About iam8bit
iam8bit is a creative production emporium that’s been boldly redefining the entertainment industry since 2005. Its collaborative works have taken a variety of forms, including groundbreaking community events, immersive art experiences, and exclusive collectibles, all designed to bring surprise and delight to people’s lives. iam8bit played a crucial role in the vinyl renaissance, minting its first record in 2010, and is the industry leader in premium physical editions of top-tier games. iam8bit evolved into financing and publishing games under its iam8bit Presents imprint, including the smash hit Escape Academy; NES mash note Garbage Pail Kids: Mad Mike and the Quest for Stale Gum; and the upcoming chill vibes simulator Simpler Times. The company is based in Los Angeles and co-owned/co-creatively directed by Jon M. Gibson and Amanda White.
About Skybound Games
Skybound is a company for creators. We’re known for using the Wheel of Awesome to make cool stuff, no matter the platform. We place creators and their projects at the center of the wheel and work with them to keep the integrity of their vision as it becomes a comic, game, TV series, film, audio series, or all of the above.
Skybound builds global franchises. We’ve been the home of The Walking Dead and Invincible since 2010 and are leaders in creating universes that become pop culture phenomena from our library of over 150 properties, including the emerging tentpole Impact Winter.
Skybound is a force in games. We publish, produce and distribute video games across every genre, including the blockbuster The Walking Dead series and the BAFTA award-winning Before Your Eyes.
About Annapurna Interactive
Annapurna Interactive, founded in 2016, works with game creators from around the world to develop and release personal experiences for everyone. Their award-winning portfolio includes Neon White, Stray, Outer Wilds, Storyteller, What Remains of Edith Finch, Sayonara Wild Hearts, Solar Ash, and A Memoir Blue, as well as upcoming titles Thirsty Suitors, COCOON, Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, Open Roads, Forever Ago, Skin Deep, Flock, Bounty Star, Silent Hill: Townfall and more.
Drive Pass Season 2 features 100 tiers and new rewards, alongside the recently added Brick Brawl mode
Today, 2K and the LEGO Group revealed the second Drive Pass* Season is coming to LEGO® 2K Drive tomorrow. All players will have access to 100 new tiers and the ability to earn 22 Free Rewards, including three Vehicles, five Brick Packs, five Drivers and more! Additionally, you can also now square off in the vehicular chaos of the new Brick Brawl mode.
For those who purchase the Premium Drive Pass for Season 2, which is included in the Year 1 Drive Pass, players will also have the ability to earn 103 Premium Rewards including:
New Vehicles and Drivers -PremiumDrive Pass Season 2 includes 11 new Vehicles and 10 New Drivers. With creations inspired by the LEGO City Design Team, new rewards include quirky creatures like a water-ready unicorn in pool-floaty form, a drivable couch, a viking ship, and more!
New Customisations – With PremiumDrive Pass Season 2 players can also take their creativity in the Garage to new heights with new Brick Packs, Stickers, Sounds, Flairs and more.
LEGO 2K Drive Seasons are not time-limited so players can pick up and play each Season at their own pace. Players that have been enjoying the Free version of a Season and decide to upgrade to the Premium version of Drive Pass Season 2 will instantly unlock all the Premium rewards they have earned based on their current level.
Additionally, as part of Season 2’s launch, last week saw several exciting updates for LEGO 2K Drive.
Brick Brawl lets players test their mettle in team-based battles in the new multiplayer mode that’s free to all**. A 3v3 online multiplayer mode that can also be played in 1v1 local splitscreen, the skirmishes push players to wreck an opponent’s vehicle, while hosting matchings in unique arenas that are full of destructive Power-Ups, criss-crossing pathways, and obstacles that players can use to their advantage.
Ranked Multiplayer Online Modes arrived as an addition to the Play with Everyone online multiplayer modes**. The Race and Brick Brawl modes allow for Ranked competition, and you can queue for them in a party of up to three players online. The Ranked leaderboards are reset at the end of each two-week Heat, with six Heats in every new Season. Beyond bragging rights, climbing the ladders of each Heat and Season in Ranked multiplayer lets you earn additional rewards. More details about Ranked Modes are available here.
Visual Concepts is a 2K studio. 2K is a wholly owned publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).
*Drive Pass rewards require unlocking with gameplay. Premium Rewards are only available as part of the paid Premium Drive Pass. Season 2 of the Premium Drive Pass is available for individual purchase and included in the Year 1 Drive Pass. The Year 1 Drive Pass is included in the Awesome Edition and Awesome Rivals Edition and is available for individual purchase. Base Game, Internet Connection and 2K Account required.
**Base game, 2K Account and Internet Connection required. Online console play requires a paid subscription.
