Embark on a journey of vengeance to become King of Skull Island in this new action-adventure game

MINNEAPOLIS – July 20, 2023 – Your reign is at hand! Skull Island: Rise of Kong arrives on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam later this year. Based on the rich history of Skull Island developed by creator Joe DeVito and based on Merian C. Cooper’s King Kong, this exhilarating third-person action-adventure game lets you become Kong on a journey of vengeance as you fight to claim your rightful place as King of Skull Island.

Take on an action-packed quest to avenge the death of Kong’s parents at the hands of the ultimate alpha predator: the saurian terror Gaw. Traverse the mysterious island and uncover its secrets across a variety of treacherous environments, discovering the power coursing through its exotic flora and fauna. Conquer waves of primal beasts, defeat unique bosses, and rise above all who stand in Kong’s way to being King!

Key Features

• Explore the Origins of the King: Start your journey as the orphaned Kong and experience his evolution to the King of Skull Island as you hunt for revenge against Gaw.
• Unleash the Fury of Kong: Deal devastating combos to dominate Gaw’s ferocious minions, and unleash your rage to heighten the impact of your attacks. Send even the most gargantuan of enemies fleeing with your earth-shattering roar and brutal finishing attacks.
• Ascend to New Heights: Gain new abilities through special events and intense boss fights to unlock Kong’s full potential.
• Discover the Mythos of Skull Island: Explore mountainous terrain, jungles, swamps, skullite-filled caves and more to unearth collectibles, unlock new areas, and learn more about the mysterious history of this faraway land.

Skull Island: Rise of Kong is available to pre-order now for $39.99 at major retailers. A digital deluxe version of the game entitled the Colossal Edition will be coming up for pre-order soon at $49.99. This edition includes eight exclusive film grains featuring the ability to experience a red-tinted rage mode and the original look of the classic 1933 and 1970s-era King Kong films, the Kong style pack with eight different colors so you can choose your own Kong, a boss-rush mode allowing you to defeat all the titans of Skull Island, and a behind-the-scenes exclusive pack including looks at in-game artwork and the all-original orchestral soundtrack.

This game is developed by IguanaBee Studios and published by GameMill Entertainment. 

DeVito ArtWorks, LLC controls all copyright and TM rights to Merian C. Cooper’s King Kong, Skull Island, The History of Skull Island, King Kong of Skull Island and all their derivative works in story and images as developed and set forth in its King Kong/Skull Island Universe. ©2023 GameMill Entertainment, LLC. All Rights Reserved. GameMill Entertainment is a registered trademark of GameMill Entertainment, LLC. Iguanabee and IguanaBee logo are trademarks of IguanaBee SpA. All rights reserved. Nintendo Switch is a trademark of Nintendo. “PlayStation Family Mark”, “PlayStation”, “PS5 logo”, “PS5”, “PS4 logo”, “PS4”, and “PlayStation Shapes Logo” are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. Microsoft, the Xbox Sphere mark, the Series X logo, Series S logo, Series X|S logo, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X|S are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.

London, July 20th 2023 – Curve Games and Orc Chop Games have launched a new demo for their award-winning roguelike turn-based RPG, Goblin Stone. Don’t let another goblin die at the hands of experience-point-thirsty adventurers. Check out the demo today, available on Steam from the 20th of July through to the 3rd of August and join the fight to save the goblins!   

Goblin Stone features tactical combat, unique base-building, legacy systems, and a strong roguelike loop, all presented in a gorgeous story-book aesthetic with AAA-quality narration. Goblins and orcs have been hunted to near extinction and driven underground. Players must gather a ragtag group of goblins and journey through an epic procedurally generated world, seeking to change an entire species’ fate.  

Goblin Stone’s fully narrated storyline is accompanied by original music from award-winning composer Peter McConnell, famed for his work on Hearthstone, Grim Fandango, Psychonauts and Broken Age. The game is set to release on Steam in 2023. To learn more, please visit the official Steam product page.

About Orc Chop Games  

A self-funded indie game studio started by a driven couple who began developing games together in 2009. We started in Redwood City, California, and now have studios in Manila and Beijing through our partners at TOPGAME.  

We aim to create “passion project” games because we believe the best games are born out of a real passion you can’t shake off. We build games that are slightly off the beaten path, familiar enough to draw you in yet strange enough to make lasting memories.  

About Curve Games    

Curve Games is an award-winning independent label working with developers worldwide to deliver the best in interactive entertainment. With a uniquely diverse games catalogue that includes renowned indie hits such as For the King, Bomber Crew, The Ascent, and Lawn Mowing Simulator, and the multi-million-selling smash hit Human Fall Flat, Curve Games has taken its place as one of the leading games publishers worldwide.   

PARIS – July 20, 2023 – Today Focus Entertainment and its studio Deck13 Interactive unleashed a gripping new combat trailer for their upcoming game Atlas Fallen, the epic fantasy action RPG where you’ll battle legendary creatures in superpowered combat. Releasing on August 10 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, pre-orders are open on all platforms. Watch the video now for a five-minute deep-dive into the exhilarating action of Atlas Fallen!

Rise as the ultimate champion and shape your playstyle

In a devastated, sand-covered world, you’ll seize the divine power of a mysterious Gauntlet and wield heroic abilities to defeat a tyrannical, almighty god. Tame the sands to shape them into three powerful weapons and move through the air with incredible speed and agility. Pick an unstoppable duo of weapons with which to go into battle, and use the deadliest combos in a seamless flow between them. Watch your weapons grow larger as you build Momentum to unleash the full, irrepressible power of the Gauntlet.

The 151 Essence Stones that can be found in the world of Atlas grant you a wide range of extra effects and abilities. Whether you prefer to play aggressively or with a mix of shields, debuffs and healing, you can combine Essence Stones how you like to create your own approach to combat.

These tools allow you to take on intense fights against a wide bestiary of Wraiths. Adapt and play wisely against each opponent, and extend the combat possibilities even further with a friend in two-player online co-op mode. You can play the full story campaign together, finding the most incredible synergies to defeat your enemies in increasingly impressive style.

Limited Edition available for pre-order

Pre-orders are now open for Atlas Fallen – Limited Edition, which includes:

• The game on the platform of your choice (Physical copies for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X; Steam code for PC)
• The game’s official Steelbook®
• A metal poster
• The “Ruin Rising Pack” DLC

Don’t miss this special edition before it runs out!

Rise from the dust when Atlas Fallen launches on August 10 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. Pre-orders are open on all platforms and grant a special DLC bonus: the “Ruin Rising Pack,” with exclusive cosmetic items and combat abilities.

The upcoming World War II turn-based strategy game from Absolutely Games reveals its core gameplay and unique mechanics ahead of its launch in late 2023.

Thursday, 20^th July 2023 – Absolutely Games and Team17 Digital today shared the first gameplay video for Classified: France ’44, which launches later this autumn.

The video outlines the ambitious gameplay mechanics that evolve the turn-based tactics genre. These include the game’s unique morale system that means every shot counts; stealth and ambush gameplay to thin down overwhelming enemy forces; a flexible overwatch system that enables players to pick out attacking targets; and real-world fix-and-flank tactics to outmanoeuvre and destroy the enemy.

Classified France ’44 is inspired by the untold story of the Jedburghs: a group of heroic Allied special forces, dropped into occupied France to sow chaos behind enemy lines in the run-up to D-Day. During the game’s extensive campaign and using its RPG system, players will build a team of hardened soldiers and selfless French Resistance freedom fighters in the weeks ahead of the decisive Normandy landings; decide which missions to pursue, which regions to liberate, and ultimately shape the outcome of D-Day.

Classified: France ’44 Key Features

• Realistic Tactics: Enemy engagements replicate real-world military tactics. Use stealth to ambush your opponents, pin them in place with suppressing fire, then when their morale is broken, flank them to finish the job.
• Discover an untold story: Lead a campaign based on the heroic exploits of the Allied special forces ahead of the Normandy landings. Unite with the French Resistance, growing a unique and memorable team with their own skills, politics, and personalities.
• Define D-Day: In the game’s branching and highly replayable campaign, form an elite team, liaise with disparate political factions, face challenging dilemmas, liberate key regions of France, and ultimately, raise a Resistance force that will make or break the D-Day landings.
• Fight on: Classified: France ’44 is built on the Classified System, and will include a mission editor for the PC community to craft and share their own creations, using the very same tools that the game itself was built in. Upcoming DLCs develop this further, with new enemies, campaigns, and more!

For more information on Classified: France ‘44 sign up to the official website

About Absolutely Games

Formed in late-2019 by industry veterans, each with over 25 years’ experience, Absolutely Games is set to be a new powerhouse of strategy and tactical video games. Consisting of 27 talented developers and with a focus on a strong vision, culture, and belief in excellence, the studio prides itself on developing evolutionary, high-quality gaming experiences for PC and consoles. Its first title will be Classified: France ’44, a historical strategy experience set in the run up to D-Day, coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S consoles.

About Team17 Digital

Founded in 1990, Team17 Digital is a leading developer, video games label, and creative partner for developers around the world. Part of Team17 Group plc, which floated on AIM in 2018, Team17 Digital has an extensive portfolio comprised of over 140 titles, and fully encapsulates the spirit of independent games. Team17 Digital’s portfolio of multi-award-winning and award-nominated in-house brands include Hell Let Loose, Golf With Your Friends, The Escapists, and the iconic Worms franchise, alongside its games label partner titles, including the award-winning games Blasphemous, Greak: Memories of Azur, and Overcooked! franchise.

“PlayStation” and “PS5” are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.

Control the Fast-Changing Map through a Series of Escalating War Strategies and Diplomacy!

Hertfordshire, 20^th July 2023 — In celebration of the 40^th Anniversary of the NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION series, KOEI TECMO Europe is proud to announce that NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION: Awakening, the 16^th entry in Kou Shibusawa’s famed historical simulation franchise, is now available digitally for PlayStation®4, Nintendo Switch, and PC Windows via Steam®.

Begin your conquest of Japan’s Warring States period with theNOBUNAGA’S AMBITION: AwakeningLaunch Traileron YouTube

In NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION: Awakening, players will experience the life of a daimyō, a powerful Japanese leader, in the troubled times of the Warring States Period, 16^th century Japan. As the head of their own clan, players will have to make the best decisions in key areas ranging from the economy, to diplomacy, and military might in hopes of eventually unifying the country.

As players progress and begin taking over larger pieces of the map, their tactics expand through the cooperation between daimyō and officer provinces. Here, a regent, who is the leader of a province, will propose Province War Tactics, with various scenarios playing out depending on the regent’s ability. Tactics include: joint offensives, with all troops marching towards the same target as the daimyō province; ranging attacks, where provinces attack multiple castles of the same enemy clan all at once; bolster, where troops in the rear send soldiers to the allied units in the frontline; and feint, where troops march near enemy borders, luring them out of their castles to create opportunities for an allied units’ attacks. With so many tactics to choose from, it’s key for players to choose their regents wisely in order to outmanoeuvre enemy forces!

One of the series’ most popular features, siege, also makes its comeback in NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION: Awakening, but in an entirely new form. For the first time in the series, sieges will take place on a single map with different types of terrain and totally different castles or castle towns, allowing players to enjoy dynamic sieges and a new level of strategy. When attacking, players will need to decide where to break through and which route to take while, when defending, they will need to decide where to deploy defensive equipment and how to intercept the attacking force.

In NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION: Awakening, players can also build their inner circle by appointing officers to “council officials” which include two types of positions, “conservators” and “overseers”. A “conservator” is a role that can have influence on the whole clan and can only be assigned to someone higher than senior retainer or daimyō from vassal clans. Thus, players need to consider wisely before appointing a conservator. An “overseer” is a role that can have influence on the clan’s policies.

There are various overseer traits and they can range from proposing new policies to reducing the cost of issuing policies. In addition, NOBUNAGA’S EMBITION: Awakening will include various features that befit the 40^th Anniversary of the series, including landmarks and achievements that will affect the strategy. Players will also enjoy a large variety of scenarios, events, policies, and more, as well as elements from the previous titles such as an editing function that will enable them to change officer status, background music and scenarios, or create new clans.

NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION: Awakening is available in both standard and Digital Deluxe editions. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes the base game, Officer Artbook (Japanese version), NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION 40^th Anniversary Commemorative Book (Japanese version), Complete Soundtrack, the exclusive scenario “Muskets Arrive”, and the NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION 40^th Anniversary “Officer Face Graphics and Additional Traits” (six each). Anyone who purchases the game digitally until 2^nd August 2023 will also receive the early purchase bonus scenario entitled “Battle of Tetorigawa”. For more information on NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION: Awakening, visit the official site, Join us on the KOEI TECMO Europe Discord server, ‘Like’ us on Facebook, and Follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @koeitecmoeurope.

ABOUT KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD.

KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD. is a publisher of interactive entertainment software for current generation consoles, handhelds and digital download content based in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, UK. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of KOEI TECMO HOLDINGS CO., LTD., headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. KOEI TECMO’s best known for their signature ‘one versus thousands’ Warriors series, the fan-favourite Ninja Gaiden and fighting entertainment title Dead or Alive. Through collaboration with strong existing franchises, such as A.O.T. Wings of Freedom (Attack on Titan), has brought fan-favourite shows to life in video game form. The company’s desire for innovation and diversity has seen the creation of the critically acclaimed dark-samurai action title Nioh, which takes on new and unique gameplay styles. The company’s acquisition of GUST, developer of a variety of heart-warming titles, has seen their flagship Atelier series span generations of consoles and fans alike. More information about KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD and its products can be found at www.koeitecmoeurope.com

“PlayStation” and “PS4” are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.

Nintendo Switch is a trademark of Nintendo. ©2023 Valve Corporation. Steam and the Steam logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Valve Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.

Duality Games’ psychological horror exploration game unleashed on Steam

Milan, Italy – 20th June 2022. HOOK, the indie label of global video game publisher Digital Bros, and Polish developer Duality Games are thrilled to announce that Unholy, the highly anticipated first-person psychological horror experience is available today for PC via Steam for £24.99/€29.99/$29.99 with a limited time 20% discount. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X versions will follow later. 

Unholy takes players on a terrifying journey and uncovers the horrors facing the protagonist Dorothea, as she traverses two parallel worlds in her search to uncover the truth surrounding the disappearance of her son.

Watch the release trailer for Unholy here 

(Please note that only PC code is available now, console code will be available at the console launch) 

Unholy follows the disappearance of a young child from a run-down, unwelcoming post-soviet town. Using exploration, puzzle solving and intriguing combat mechanics, players will traverse between reality and a twisted Unholy world to unveil the terrifying truth. 

Features of Unholy

• Two parallel worlds to explore. The gray and cold reality of a brutalist post-soviet Eastern European town and the creepy and twisted world of Unholy, a grotesque society ruled by a relentless priest caste.
• An intense psychological horror experience driven by a deep, dark narrative storyline played out with captivating visuals based on the works of reputed dark artist Tomasz Strzałkowski (Duality Games Art director and founder).
• A unique gameplay blend that combines meticulous exploration, intriguing puzzle solving, infiltration and stealth with intriguing shooting dynamics.
• An intriguing combat system. Use four different emotions: anger, shock, sadness and desire to interact with the environment (destroy obstacles, trigger mechanisms, overload circuits, illuminate your way) or to confuse, lure or damage your opponents.
• Masks! Everybody in the unholy world hides behind a mask and it can be the difference between life or death. Build your own mask to get new skills and improve your abilities or wear other masks to infiltrate, confuse your enemies and impersonate your opponents.

As a thank you to the Unholy community, Duality Games and HOOK will make the game’s soundtrack available for free to anyone purchasing the PC version via Steam. This captivating soundtrack is composed by Jan Ignacy Królikowski (composer of the Academy Awards nominated short film The Dress)

Additionally, in a special collaboration with the clothing brand Propaganda, there will be a very limited production run of Unholy / Propaganda co-branded t-shirts.

Unholy is available today for PC via Steam for £24.99/€29.99/$29.99 with a limited-time 20% discount. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X versions will follow later. 

### 

ABOUT HOOK 

HOOK, a Digital Bros’ subsidiary, is a publishing label focused on offering a unique selection of indie games which stand out for concept, visual, genre or themes. 

HOOK provides full-service publishing support (including funding, development support, QA, localization, marketing & PR) to independent development teams with a strong commitment and vision, to help them realize and market their projects globally. 

ABOUT DUALITY GAMES 

Duality Games is a Warsaw based studio founded in January 2018 by Tomasz Strzałkowski. A team of 26 developers who are all professionals in their fields and very passionate about what they do. For all of them, making games is doing what they love.

Bandai Namco Amusement Europe Ltd will open its first retail experience store called ‘Bandai Namco Cross Store’ in Camden, London, on the 18^th August 2023 with an exclusive media and creator access event on the 16^th August.

This will be the first of its kind outside of Japan and it focuses on a celebration of the physical market and Bandai Namco’s heritage as a worldwide entertainment company.

The Bandai Namco Cross Store is made up of a collection of shops where customers can ‘see’, ‘touch’ and ‘experience’ characters, products, events and feel part of an experience to make people smile whilst celebrating community and entertainment.

The first Bandai Namco Cross Store in the UK will be in Camden, London, one of London’s most popular cultural hubs and popular tourist destination. The store is in Camden Market, and it will house seven ‘shops’ that feature Bandai Namco Group content, four of which will be the first in the UK. The shops will offer a wide selection of high-quality Japanese character products from collectables, card games, figures, video games and everyday items.

“Camden, London, is widely recognised as offering an eclectic mix of cultural products and art”, said John McKenzie MD of Bandai Namco Amusement Europe. “It is the perfect location to launch our first Bandai Namco Cross Store concept in the UK which combines our expertise in locations-based entertainment with a rapidly growing demand for IP and concepts originating from our group’s Japanese culture.”

ABOUT Bandai Namco Amusement Europe Ltd

Bandai Namco Amusement Europe Ltd is part of entertainment company, Bandai Namco.

Bandai Namco exists to share Dreams, Fun and Inspiration with people around the world. Connecting people and societies in the enjoyment of uniquely entertaining products and services, we’re working to create a brighter future for everyone.

Bandai Namco Cross Store Camden, London Information & Content

Shops                                     

BANPRESTO OFFICIAL SHOP (First in the UK)

GASHAPON BANDAI OFFICIAL SHOP

Ichibankuji Official Shop (First in the UK)

MegaHouse Official Store (First in the UK)

ONE PIECE CARD GAME Official Shop

Sun-Star Stationery Shop (First in the UK)

 Bandai Namco Entertainment

Other attractions                 

Arcade Experience

Event Space

Café

Other information

Official store name               

Bandai Namco Cross Store Camden, London

Address                                 

Provender Building, Units 16-18 (GF) / Units 100-101 (1F) Stables Market, Camden Market, Chalk Farm Road,

London NW1 8AH

Accessibility                         

Wheelchair accessible via lift

Website                                 

www.bandainamcocrossstoreuk.com

Socials                                   

Bandai Namco Cross Store UK @BNCrossStoreUK 

Opening                                 

18^th August 2023

London (July 20, 2023) In celebration of the 50^th anniversary of hip hop this August, Street Fighter™ is collaborating with NERDS Clothing and platinum record selling producers Steel Sessions to bring together top hip hop artists to release an original soundtrack, with select songs inspired by the sights, sounds, and action of the Street Fighter franchise. The album – “Street Fighter™ 6 x NERDS Clothing presents Steel Sessions” – will be available globally later this year across all major digital streaming platforms and builds on the recent momentous launch of Street Fighter 6, out now on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. Physical release is slated for Q4 2023 and will be available in the U.S. only.

Artists involved with the epic release include Benny the Butcher/Black Soprano Family, Royce da 5’9”, Dave East, Papoose, Sheek Louch, Styles P, Grafh, Smoke DZA, along with others who will be announced at a later date.

For the latest assets and information on Street Fighter 6, visit the official Street Fighter 6 website

Renowned NYC MC Dave East had this to say about the upcoming release: “Hip hop and Street Fighter go hand in hand. Bringing all these hip hop artists together to celebrate the music’s history alongside the legendary fighting game has been an incredible experience.”

NERDS Clothing CEO and Creative Director Eric Medina added: “Gaming and hip hop continue to play a huge role in our business and personal lives. We are grateful for this opportunity to partner with our talented brothers from Steel Sessions and deliver a project that pays homage to hip hop and the Street Fighter franchise.”

The current track listing can be found below, with even more tracks to be announced ahead of release:

• “Street Fighting”
• Artist: Dave East
• Produced by: Buda & Grandz, Mike Kuz, Big Len, Suave, Rondon, Looisey & MacShooter
• “Perfect”
• Artists: Black Soprano Family: Benny the Butcher, Heem, & Rick Hyde
• Produced by: Buda & Grandz & Ky Miller
• “Blood On Me”
• Artist: D-Block
• Produced by: Buda & Grandz & Ky Miller
• “Final Boss”
• Artist: Smoke DZA
• Produced by: Suave, Big Len, Buda & Grandz & Ky Miller
• “Already Up”
• Artist: Royce da 5’9″ & Courtney Bell
• Produced by: Big Len, Suave, Mike Kuz, Buda & Grandz
• “Power”
• Artist: Grafh
• Produced by: Mike Kuz, Rondon, Buda & Grandz

The Street Fighter franchise is currently celebrating its 35^th anniversary and has long had a close connection with hip hop music and culture, which is presented front and center in the latest Street Fighter 6 release that just surpassed two million copies sold since launch.

About NERDS Clothing

NERDS Clothing is a street wear company based in NY/NJ and was founded in 2011. Since its beginning, NERDS has built a loyal customer base, servicing a broad age demographic of consumers. CEO/Creative Director Eric Medina and Co-Executive Producer/Project Manager Jose Aquino have both provided creative and unique marketing campaigns to expand their company’s reach and potential customer pipeline within the video game and music industry. With a combined 20+ years of experience with licensed products and music, they have partnered up with platinum record selling producers Buda Da Future, Grandz Muzik, & Mike Kuz of Steel Sessions to spearhead this project with Capcom. The Steel Sessions team has worked with some of the biggest artists in music industry, including Jadakiss, 50 Cent, Rick Ross, Nipsey Hussle, Nelly Furtado, and Dave East.

About Street Fighter 6
Street Fighter 6, having sold more than two million units since launch, is available now and represents the next evolution of the Street Fighter™ series with a combo of unique fighting game innovations, brimming with content across three brand new game modes – Fighting Ground, World Tour, and Battle Hub. Players around the world can get their hands on all the hard-hitting Street Fighter 6 action now on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

About Capcom

Capcom is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment for game consoles, PCs, handheld and wireless devices. Founded in 1983, the company has created hundreds of games, including groundbreaking franchises Resident Evil™, Monster Hunter™, Street Fighter™, Mega Man™, Devil May Cry™ and Ace Attorney™. Capcom maintains operations in the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Tokyo, with corporate headquarters located in Osaka, Japan. More information about Capcom and its products can be found at www.capcom.com  or news.capcomusa.com.

Capcom, and the Capcom logo are registered trademarks of Capcom Co., Ltd. in the U.S. or other countries. Ace Attorney, Devil May Cry, Mega Man, Monster Hunter, Resident Evil and Street Fighter are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Capcom Co., Ltd. and/or its subsidiaries, in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.

High-profile workshops, over 500 participants from 180 Italian development studios and 45 international publishers and investors, more than 1100 business meetings held

Milan, 20 July 2023 – First Playable 2023, the fifth edition of the business event for the video game sector in Italy, organized by IIDEA and the Toscana Film Commission – Fondazione Sistema Toscana, in collaboration with the ICE Agency, has reached an extraordinary milestone this year, with record breaking attendance.

The initiative, which took place on 6 and 7 July at the Nana Bianca innovation hub in Florence, attracted an unprecedented number of Italian video game developers, investors and publishers from all over the world.

More than 500 professionals from 180 Italian development studios and 45 publishers and investors from 12 countries worldwide took part in the event – ​​including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands, France, Poland, Mexico , Japan, Germany and Italy. This international participation has offered important opportunities for networking and collaboration, creating a stimulating environment for the growth and development of the Italian video game industry. Over 1,100 1:1 business meetings were held during the two-day event, offering Italian developers the opportunity to discuss potential collaborations with international operators present in Florence. These intense meeting sessions have fostered the exchange of ideas and the creation of new connections and partnerships that will further promote the growth and innovation of the gaming industry in Italy in the near future. 

Thalita Malagò, General Director of IIDEA said: “We are very pleased with the success of the fifth edition of First Playable, which has just concluded in the wonderful city of Florence. This year we recorded an unprecedented turnout, a clear sign of the important consolidation phase that the video game production scene is experiencing today in our country. This success is a symbol of the strength and vitality of the video game industry in Italy. IIDEA is particularly proud of how First Playable has now become an event not to be missed, not only for the local developer community, but also for international publishers and investors. The event represents a unique opportunity to share ideas, develop new partnerships and show the world the innovation and creativity that the video game industry is capable of expressing made in Italy”.

Stefania Ippoliti, Director of Toscana Film Commission also commented, underlining the importance of the collaboration with IIDEA: “Toscana Film Commission has always been very attentive to audiovisual innovation, for this reason video games, right from the start, have been the subject of great interest for us. We are a region full of tradition, but also of curiosity for everything that is able to intercept the interests of new generations, for technology and for internationalization. Video games have shown that they can create development, employment and an interesting growth for our country. Therefore, it is with enormous satisfaction that we can announce the excellent numbers of this fifth Florence edition.”

The 2023 edition was able to count on the support of various partners who, also through exclusive content, brought prestige and value to the event. Among these, Google and Unreal Engine, Diamond Partner of the initiative. Silver Partners include Acer, AWS for Games, LCA law firm, Maga Animation Studio, and TikTok. Other partners include Broken Arms Games, Memorable Games, 34BigThings, Climax Studios and Women in Games Italia. The Sustainability Partner was Treebu, a Benefit Company and innovative start-up that supported First Playable to give life to the creation of a real forest to partially offset the emissions of this edition of the event.

This year, for the first time, the MiC – Ministry of Culture was also present at the event, which opened the works of First Playable 2023 with a workshop organized by the Directorate General for Cinema and Audiovisual focused on tax credit and how much this measure has made it more interesting and convenient for foreign operators to invest in national videogame productions.

Finally, there was the wonderful award ceremony of the Italian Video Games Awards 2023, presented by the Irish games host, critic and streamer Aoife Wilson and staged live on 6 July from the Nana Bianca auditorium. During the evening, the five winners of the prestigious awards were announced and awarded, celebrating Italian talent in the video game industry. The evening ended with the engaging Italian Video Game Awards Party.

First Playable continues to consolidate its role as a leading business event for the video game industry in Italy, offering a unique opportunity for the exchange of ideas, the creation of partnerships and the recognition of Italian talent in the local and international videogame scene.

Stay tuned for an update on the unmissable event next year, First Playable 2024!

The Italian Video Game Awards 2023 ceremony is available to watch back on the IIDEA YouTube channel, and the list of finalists and winners is available on the First Playable website: www.firstplayable.it/italian-video-game-awards/ 

For more details on First Playable and to consult the list of guests and publishers and investors present, visit the website www.firstplayable.it 

New Missions, New Challenges, New Player Hub & More – Available Today

London, UK, Thursday 20th July 2023: Immersive entertainment studio, Maze Theory, has today released the latest batch of free updates to acclaimed VR action-adventure, Peaky Blinders: The King’s Ransom, on Meta Quest 2 and PICO 4. 

Watch the latest trailer showcasing all of the brand-new content:

As part of a commitment to serve up brand-new content throughout 2023, today’s update is the most significant so far. As of today, players can take on two new story-driven combat missions – in Defend the Garrison, you’ll be fighting alongside Arthur Shelby fending off the Winter’s Children and in Battle for Pennyfields, players will fight their way through the streets of Limehouse with Arthur to defend Lily Wong’s territory from men still loyal to Feng Ho.

Also on offer is a brand-new Weapon Challenge where you’ll be tasked with taking down enemy grunts in the fastest time possible using the quick-fire Lewis gun, and new item skins for gloves, lighters, and the pistol, as well as a new ‘Player Hub’ where you can store and equip them all. Finally, there are also brand-new achievements to unlock as you complete some of the new content. Players will be able to access all the new content once they’ve completed the main game.

“We’re mid-way through our planned content roadmap for Peaky Blinders: The King’s Ransom, and we’ve already delivered over an hours’ worth of additional free new gameplay since launch,” said Tim Jones, Game Director at Maze Theory. “Today’s update is our most exciting and weighty so far, with yet more substantial new DLC still to come later in the year.”

Inspired by the BAFTA-winning drama, Peaky Blinders: The King’s Ransom is an original story written in collaboration with Peaky Blinders’ producer and brand owner Caryn Mandabach Productions, and with series creator and writer Steven Knight. The game is created in partnership with Banijay Brands, the commercial arm of media and entertainment powerhouse Banijay.

Peaky Blinders: The King’s Ransom is available now on Meta Quest 2 and PICO 4 (in all markets where PICO is available, including Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan, and Korea) for £24.99 / €29.99 / $29.99.

About Peaky Blinders

Peaky Blinders was created and written by Steven Knight (Dirty Pretty Things, Eastern Promises and Locke). The multi award-winning BBC One series is produced by Peaky Blinders’ official series and brand owner, Caryn Mandabach Productions, and co-produced with Banijay’s Tiger Aspect Productions. Series 1 to 6 are available on BBC iPlayer and Netflix. Peaky Blinders is distributed by Banijay Rights and has sold in more than 183 countries and is widely available internationally on Netflix including in the U.S.

The Peaky Blinders brand enjoys international success across multiple categories including gifting, live experience, apparel, accessories, and essentials. Officially licensed products are proving a hit with consumers and retailers, with over 40 licensees across multiple territories.

About Maze Theory

Maze Theory is an immersive gaming studio led by experienced industry veterans from top entertainment companies including Activision, Sony PlayStation, Oculus, EA, Disney, BBC, Channel 4, Output Group and more.

Recent expansion has seen the business grow to over 40 people with the team comprising multiple award-winning developers and creatives. The studio believes in delivering unforgettable stories through innovative, multi-tech and multi-platform narrative experiences that go beyond mere gaming and re-define the future of entertainment.

The game portfolio includes the first ever Doctor Who VR game Doctor Who: The Edge of Time and award-winning found-phone horror game Doctor Who: The Lonely Assassins, which launched this year to massive critical acclaim, heralded as ‘the best Doctor Who game ever’. 

About PICO

Founded in March 2015, PICO is a leading VR company with independent innovation and R&D capabilities, focusing on VR all-in-one technology. Embracing a mission to bridge connections, enrich life, and release infinity, PICO is committed to building an integrated XR platform that inspires the community and empowers developers, creators, and businesses.