At PAX West, SQUARE ENIX revealed new updates for two of their hit games, FINAL FANTASY XVI and THEATRHYTHM FINAL BAR LINE.

For FINAL FANTASY XVI, SQUARE ENIX hosted a “Voices from Valisthea” panel led by Localization Director Michael-Christopher Koji Fox and some of the game’s English voice actors. During the panel, they discussed the journey of bringing the beloved characters to life in the latest standalone entry in the acclaimed FINAL FANTASY series. The panel also included a segment where the voice actors answered a series of fan questions submitted through social media.

As part of the panel, FINAL FANTASY XVI Producer, Naoki Yoshida announced a thank you gift for FINAL FANTASY XVI players, featuring an alternate outfit and weapon skins for Clive, along with outfits for some of the other characters, and a free “onion sword,” allowing Clive to wield the favored blade of the Warriors of Light, heroes of FINAL FANTASY III. This “Appearance” feature is available with the free update for Version 1.10, and the “onion sword” can also be claimed by accessing “Redeemable Items” from the “System” menu. The free update also includes a number of improvements to the game, including additional game setting options, adjustments to Arcade Mode and more. Full Version 1.10 notes can be found here.

To watch the full panel, visit below:

Additionally, SQUARE ENIX announced that THEATRHYTHM FINAL BAR LINE is adding FINAL FANTASY XVI DLC. Available as an individual purchase or through the Season Pass Vol. 3, the DLC includes 11 songs for players to jam out to from the latest mainline instalment in the series, including My Star, Find the Flame, To Sail Forbidden Seas and more. The FINAL FANTASY XVI Pack launches on November 1, 2023.

Anime Opening Movie Debuts at ANIME Impulse OC, Featuring SUIREN

SYDNEY (Sept. 5, 2023) – Today, SQUARE ENIX® revealed the brand-new anime opening movie for the upcoming 2.5D remake STAR OCEAN™ THE SECOND STORY R™, launching on Nov. 2, 2023, for Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®5 (PS5®) and PlayStation®4 (PS4™) consoles, and on PC via STEAM®. First shown to attendees of ANIME Impulse OC, the anime-style opening features dual playable protagonists Claude and Rena alongside their allies preparing for adventure, before facing off against an otherworldly threat.

The opening movie was produced by the animation production company, “Yostar Pictures.” The song “stella” was written by SUIREN, a Japanese duo unit consisting of vocalist Sui and keyboardist/arranger Ren, and is the main theme song of STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R. Players can look forward to the intense action visuals combined with an upbeat song in this new anime opening movie.

A 2.5D remake of the 1998 RPG and second installment in the STAR OCEAN series, STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R combines beautiful 3D environments with nostalgic 2D pixel characters, offering players both a classic RPG and modern gameplay experience. A rearranged soundtrack, new difficulty settings, numerous quality-of-life improvements and more revitalize the original game’s beloved features, like the fast-paced, real-time combat, deep skill system and Private Actions, which allow players to grow relationships with party members and unlock many different endings.

Pre-orders for the physical standard editions are available now and include the following digital content as a pre-order bonus through select retailers:

• Pangalactic Federation Longsword
• Forest Knuckles
• x1 Set of recovery items (x20 Mixed berries + x20 Resurrection Potion)
• x1 Sunrise Ring

STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R will be available for Nintendo Switch, PS5™, PS4™ and PC via STEAM on Nov. 2, 2023. For more information, visit: https://square-enix-games.com

Official Website: https://www.starocean2r.com  

About SUIREN

SUIREN is a Japanese music duo consisting of vocalist Sui and keyboardist/arranger Ren. SUIREN has been active since 2020, mainly on YouTube. Their music combines the fleeting melody created by Sui’s unique voice and Ren’s beautiful and sophisticated sounds, producing something otherworldly together. During their time as indie artists, they have released 2 EPs and 4 singles. With every release, their songs became a part of many official Spotify and Apple Music playlists, increasing their fame as artists. Their music was also chosen as the opening theme song for the fourth season of the popular anime series, “Kingdom.”

Join Dragonheir’s Otherworld Horn event in the special Dragonheir Pre Gift App available on mobile and PC now for the chance to win epic hero summons to take into your adventure after launch

Los Angeles, August 31st  – International publisher and developer Nuverse and SGRA Studio  announced today that their upcoming multiversal RPG Dragonheir: Silent Gods will launch on Windows, Mac and mobile devices on September 19th 2023. The latest game from the publisher of the smash hit success MARVEL SNAP, Dragonheir: Silent Gods is a high fantasy RPG set in a magical new world. Players can pre register now for access to the Otherworld Horn Event and a chance to win a special summoning power. For more details visit the official website.

High Fantasy Open World Strategy RPG

The latest game from the publisher of the smash hit success MARVEL SNAP, Dragonheir: Silent Gods is a high fantasy RPG that gives players the chance to explore the magical world of Adenthia and an array of other dimensions in search of an ancient power that can defeat a draconic evil. Players can choose between four classes (warrior, thief, performer, scholar) and customise their character’s looks and attributes, such as strength or dexterity, to shape their adventure.

The multiversal open world RPG will launch with over 200 heroes to enlist and recruit, each with unique abilities and traits that will assist players on their journey. Players can also engage in cooperative PvE mode and team up with other adventurers to defeat challenging opponents, utilising chess-like strategic combat and dice rolls that will influence a players’ adventure across the many explorable realms.

Pre-Register to Acquire Hero Summons

Players keen to jump-start their Dragonheir: Silent Gods adventure can now download the Dragonheir Pre-Gift App on Android, iOS and Web here to take part in the special pre-launch Otherworld Horn Event. Players participating in the event can win free summons that will carry over into both the open beta and the game after launch by signing in, sharing the event on their socials or inviting friends. 

There will even be the chance to summon one of the legendary heroes to join players’ party ranks! From the chance to claim Sutha, the fearsome orc warrior on a quest to honour her fallen brother, to Ripekas the ethereal frost troll with a notorious reputation or Felicity, a 13 year old wiser than her years with mysterious magical prowess, the Otherworld Horn event is not to be missed. 

Spokesman at SGRA Studio said, “Our goal with Dragonheir: Silent Gods has always been to create an accessible, cross platform experience that appeals to both core fantasy enthusiasts and new audiences looking to embark on their first quest. The fantasy genre has exploded over the last few years and we’re excited to bring an entirely new experience and universe to life for players across the world.We’re really excited for everyone to step foot into Adenthia and the multiversal world of Dragonheir: Silent Gods on September 19th 2023!” 

Available on Multiple Platforms in 13 Languages

Dragonheir: Silent Gods will release on September 19^th 2023 on PC, iOS and Android. The game will be available in 13 different languages on launch.

About Dragonheir: Silent Gods

Dragonheir: Silent Gods is a multiverse adventure RPG teeming with high fantasy worlds to explore and stories to tell. Developed by SGRA Studio, Dragonheir: Silent Gods utilises classical tropes such as dice rolls, adventure parties, and a plethora of non-linear, open-world exploration full of quests, boss fights and adventures. 

About SGRA Studio

SGRA Studio is a brand-new development studio based in Shanghai, China that consists of industry veterans with experience working on games such as Pokémon UNITE, Arena of Valor and Monster Hunter. SGRA aims to develop breathtaking worlds for players to explore and interact with, and create unique high-fantasy adventures. Their debut title, Dragonheir: Silent Gods, is a multiversal RPG set to release in 2023 on mobile and PC.

About Nuverse

Nuverse is a game development and publishing company for players and developers around the world. They are dedicated to serving gamers worldwide by offering top-tier titles, building a global community, and providing fun and inspiring experiences for every player.

Highrise City, the ambitious city builder from FourExo Entertainment and Deck13 Spotlight, has officially left Early Access and is now available via Steam and GOG! After nearly two years in Early Access, this extraordinary mix of city builder and economy simulation was shaped with the help of a more than just loyal community and is OUT NOW!

A game that changed

Looking back, the game which went into Early Access originally is a different one from what Highrise City is today – from visual overhauls to more complex resource systems. From reworked UIs to massive performance upgrades, allowing players to build multi million citizen cities. With countless huge updates the gameplay was shaped during the development process of Highrise City. Players can now look forward to a competent city builder which gives them the control over everything.

New features to explore

The release update comes loaded with new features. New players can experience a small story and take on research missions. Power lines now have to be built, including substations. Shopping Malls are required by the citizens and mega skyscrapers can be unlocked during the late game. And if players manage to build a multi staged space port they can even unlock New Game+ content with alternate building modes for experienced players.

The transport is public now operational

And yet there’s more. Public transport through buses is now available. Players can set up custom lines to reduce traffic in their massive cities. New resources are available, mayors also need to take care of hazardous waste and the overall balancing, performance and features got slightly finetuned and improved.

The time has come to finally start building mega cities like you’ve never seen them before. With millions of inhabitants, a complex economy system and well balanced systems for beginners and experts.

Highrise City is now available in its full version on Steam and Good Old Games. Don’t miss out on this ambitious city builder and become a part of the community!

About Deck 13 Spotlight

Deck13 Interactive is one of Germany’s leading developers. Based in Frankfurt, the passionate team develops award-winning, large-scale productions for consoles and PC. With Deck13 Spotlight the team has also established a publishing service that helps independent developers bring their projects to wider audiences.

More information on the website: spotlight.deck13.com

About FourExo Entertainment

FourExo is a small indie developer located in eastern Germany. Their debut title stands perfectly well for the team’s ambitions: Working like maniacs on a vision – that’s the mission.

More information on the website: http://highrisecitygame.com/

Channel your inner God of Death and Darkness in Disaster Games’ 2D action platformer

Barcelona, Spain – 4th September 2023. Publisher SelectaPlay is excited to announce a new publishing deal with developer Disaster Games for the 2D action platformer Morkull Ragast’s Rage. SelectaPlay will be responsible for the global digital publishing of Morkull Ragast’s Rage on PC via Steam, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 in 2024. 

Morkull Ragast’s Rage is a 2D video game that combines platforming and action with a touch of exploration in which you control Morkull, God of death and darkness and lord of the Ragast. Morkull’s gameplay mechanics lie in breaking the fourth wall, which allows Morkull to communicate with the player in some exciting ways.

Watch the announcement trailer for Morkull Ragast’s Rage here

SelectaPlay is also thrilled to announce that Morkull Ragast’s Rage will be amongst the playable games exhibiting for the first time at the Indie Dev Day in Barcelona from 8th – 10th September in Barcelona, Spain. SelectaPlay will be hosting six new titles at the event and Morkull Ragast’s Rage joins the already announced first-person psychological horror narrative experience Luto, the addictive puzzle game Bubble Ghost Remake and Inner Ashes, the first-person narrative adventure game. Two more exciting titles will be announced this week and will join this stellar lineup. 

Get ready to play as Morkull, the villain of this story, who knows that he is a character in a video game, the existence of a player who controls him (that is, you) and of some developers who have created him (that is, us).

Your objective? Help Morkull escape from the Ragast so he can rule and carry out his evil plans around the world. Yep, that’s right. your typical cliché villain….

• Art and animation – Morkull Ragast ‘s Rage is completely hand-drawn and animated frame by frame. Inspired and influenced by traditional animated films and other two-dimensional video games. This traditional animation endows the entire cast of characters with great naturalness and life within.
• Break out of the fourth wall – What makes the game special is Morkull himself, his personality and character along with that fourth wall break that allows him to talk to players as if he were right there. We have endowed Morkull with great charisma and personality, constantly generating a lighthearted atmosphere, loaded with constant humour, bad jokes and pop culture references.
• Combat system – You’ll have your own hands and all the power that comes with being the God of Death and Darkness, of course… Plus a wide selection of combos and abilities that will allow you to fight your way through the deepest corners of the Ragast.

Morkull Ragast’s Rage will be digitally published by SelectaPlay in 2024 for PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series and PlayStation 5. 

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About Disaster Games

Disaster Games is a videogame studio founded in 2023, located in Zaragoza, Spain and formed by a group of young developers who are currently working on Morkull Ragast’s Rage.

About SelectaPlay

SelectaPlay is SelectaVisión’s video games publishing branch. The company works with talented studios on unique video games and helps them publish their titles in both physical and digital formats in Europe and worldwide.

About SelectaVisión SelectaVisión is a video publishing company founded in 1984. Based in Spain, SelectaVisión’s catalog includes anime and live-action feature films, TV shows, and movies. Publishing both anime classics and the latest Japanese productions since 1997, SelectaVisión has built a long relationship with fan-favorite Japanese producers and distributors, becoming the major publisher of anime content for Spanish audiences. 

Divergent Realities, the pioneering developer behind the beloved VR collectible card game Cards & Tankards, is delighted to announce the upcoming release of the 1.3 Update on September 7th, 2023 . This comprehensive update introduces exciting features designed to enrich gameplay, enhance social connections, and elevate the overall virtual reality experience.

The Cards & Tankards 1.3 Update, available now, presents players with a host of new and enhanced elements, including:

The “Lair” – Exclusive for Subscribing Members: Dive into a new and exciting gaming environment with the addition of the “Lair.” Set in the dungeon-like Lair of the Dungeon Master Faction, this exclusive location offers subscribing members a unique setting to enjoy their card battles. Engage in thrilling matches and savor the atmosphere of this distinct gaming space. [Note: The “Lair” will become available to all players in the near future; stay tuned for updates.]

Battle Mode Based Havens: Enhance your social gaming experience with the introduction of Battle Mode Based Havens. Find fellow players who share your preferred battle mode, Standard or Draft Mode (with Ranked support soon to come). Connect with like-minded gamers and enjoy a seamless journey through Cards & Tankards.

Improved VR Experience: We’ve invested in refining the overall VR experience by updating physics and lighting within the existing Tavern. The updated VR elements ensure a smoother and more engaging adventure. Step into a visually stunning and more immersive environment that magnifies the enchantment of Cards & Tankards.

“Adding new playable spaces is our first major step towards letting players explore the world of Sol’domis,” says Creative Director and Lead Game Designer Christopher “Avid” Atwater. “We plan to tell a story through exploration, where players will begin to uncover hidden truths about this amazing universe we are building, and what better place to start than with the Haven of our first faction, the Dungeon Masters!”

To experience the Cards & Tankards 1.3 Update and enjoy the new “Lair,” connect with fellow gamers in Game Mode Based Havens, and immerse yourself in the improved VR environment, players can download the game on their preferred VR platforms:

Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, Honkai Impact 3rd, Tears of Themis, and Zenless Zone Zero will provide a wealth of online and offline experiences to players!

Singapore, 2023/09/04 — The global interactive entertainment brand HoYoverse announced today that it will participate in Tokyo Game Show 2023. At this year’s Tokyo Game Show, HoYoverse will showcase the latest news from Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, Honkai Impact 3rd, Tears of Themis, and Zenless Zone Zero in the form of offline exhibitions and online special programs, as well as a variety of stage performances and game demo opportunities. This is also the most number of games HoYoverse has ever exhibited offline at Tokyo Game Show!

Offline Exhibition Information
Exhibition Date: 10:00 — 17:00 (Tokyo Time) from September 21st to 24th (21st to 22nd are business days, 23rd to 24th are public days)
Exhibition Address: Makuhari Messe

Booth Activities:
HoYoverse will provide visitors with an immersive entertainment experience, including stage performances, talk shows with creators and voice actors, offline game competitions, game demos, and merchandise giveaways.

Genshin Impact, the popular open-world adventure RPG nearing its 3rd anniversary, will allow Travelers to experience the beautiful scenery of Teyvat. The Genshin Impact themed area will bring to life some of the most iconic elements of the recently revealed Fontaine, allowing Travelers to take photos with their favorite characters amidst Fontaine’s unique architecture. Additionally, competitions, challenges, and giveaways will also be available for Travelers to explore and enjoy at the booth.

Honkai: Star Rail, the brand-new HoYoverse space fantasy RPG, will take Trailblazers to the Xianzhou Luofu, thanks to a fully-designed booth based on the Silkpunk flagship. The iconic Astral Express will also be making a stop to celebrate the annual gaming festival with a variety of gifts. In addition to the various displays, there will be a review of version 1.3 at the exhibition area, and Trailblazers can also try out the title’s upcoming PlayStation®5 version, which is set to be officially released in Q4 2023. The stage performance and the Honkai: Star Rail voice actor talk show will also be a highlight, so stay tuned!

HoYoverse’s highly acclaimed action game Honkai Impact 3rd will be holding an offline exhibition at Tokyo Game Show 2023 for the first time. Captains can take photos with popular characters’ standees and cosplayers at the Honkai Impact 3rd exhibition area. During the four-day exhibition, Honkai Impact 3rd will also feature a variety of stage performances and offline interactive activities, where Captains can try out the game onsite and receive bountiful gifts!

The romance detective game developed by HoYoverse, Tears of Themis, will craft an unforgettable experience for all Attorneys. At the exhibition area, the 2nd anniversary limited edition character standees will be waiting for Attorneys. Also, everyone will have the opportunity to get free merchandise at the booth. Come and indulge in a romantic date this autumn at Tokyo Game Show 2023!

HoYovese’s highly anticipated urban fantasy ARPG, Zenless Zone Zero, will also have an exhibition area at Tokyo Game Show for the first time, inspired by the Random Play Store in-game. Players will have the opportunity to take photos with cosplayers and Zenless Zone Zero’s characters’ standees, as well as participating in a variety of onsite activities for a chance to win official merchandise. In addition, a hands-on demo will be available at the booth, enabling visitors to catch a sneak peek of the game and its city, New Eridu. Moreover, audiences around the world can also watch the Zenless Zone Zero voice actor talk show online on September 22nd to learn more about the story of Zenless Zone Zero.

Online Special Program
HoYoverse will also present an online special program this year. The special program will cover all five games at Tokyo Game Show 2023, featuring voice actors from the games, as well as the latest information about the HoYoverse brand.

Program livestream time: September 22nd, 2023 19:00 –  Tokyo Time (estimated duration. Please refer to the actual livestream for the exact timing)

How to watch: Livestream on the official website of Tokyo Game Show 2023 (https://tgs.nikkeibp.co.jp/tgs/2023/en/）

At Tokyo Game Show 2023, HoYoverse will do its best to provide all players with a variety of online and offline activities, allowing them to experience wonderful moments inside and outside our games! If you want to learn more information about our titles, please visit the official websites of our games here:

<Genshin Impact> https://genshin.hoyoverse.com/en/home
<Honkai: Star Rail> https://hsr.hoyoverse.com/
<Honkai Impact 3rd> https://honkaiimpact3.hoyoverse.com/global/home
<Tears of Themis> https://tot.hoyoverse.com
<Zenless Zone Zero> https://zenless.hoyoverse.com
 
About HoYoverse

At HoYoverse, we are committed to creating immersive virtual experiences for players around the world. In addition to games such as Genshin Impact, Honkai Impact 3rd, Tears of Themis, and Honkai: Star Rail, HoYoverse also launched the dynamic desktop software N0va Desktop, the online community HoYoLAB, and a variety of products such as animations, comics, music, novels, and merchandise based on our creative concepts. Adhering to our mission of “Tech Otakus Save the World,” we are committed to technological research and development, exploring cutting-edge technologies and accumulating leading technical capabilities in cartoon rendering, artificial intelligence, cloud gaming technology, and other fields. HoYoverse is actively engaged in globalization, with offices in Singapore, Montreal, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Seoul, and other areas.