LOS ANGELES – August 2, 2023 – Netmarble, a leading developer and publisher of high-quality mobile games, announces a new update for the mobile RPG Seven Knights 2. A brand new Legendary+ hero, Indomitable Guardian Varion, makes his debut in this update, along with a number of events, a new challenge dungeon and cosmetic items for players to enjoy.

Indomitable Guardian Varion is an Attack type, Ranged hero. When his HP drops to 50% or below, he recovers max HP, and increases his attack speed proportional to his ATK. This means he’s a great unit to use in conjunction with others that buff for a last stand before he goes down! He also deals damage ignoring shields to his target and deals additional DEF ignoring damage to those who are Branded. Lastly, he applies an unremovable debuff immunity to himself, while removing buffs on Universal type enemies.

As part of this update, Challenge Dungeons will also be introduced to Seven Knights 2. Challenge Dungeons are seasonal, with a ranking based on time to complete, as well as battle conditions. Players will be able to challenge Golden King Gigantus, a powerful foe that will push players to their absolute limit. And what’s more, players can set its level – the more powerful they make Galactus, the better rewards and higher scores they can earn.

Additionally, a new costume for Phine, Refreshing Sea Breeze, has been added to the game just in time to beat the summer heat with a special swimsuit.

Events taking place during this update include:

• Summer Festival Check-in Event (Aug. 2 – Aug. 16): Players who check in for seven days during the event period can earn a Summer Festival Chest, Sealed Accessory Summon Voucher, and many other rewards.
• Summer Festival Ticket Crafting Event (Aug. 2 – Aug. 30): Obtain the Summer Festival Chest from check-in events or in-game special mission events. These tickets can be used to  craft multiple rewards using the Summer Festival Chest. Rewards include Summer Festival Coins, Legendary Jewel Selection Ticket, Legendary+ Hero Summon Voucher and more.
• Summer Festival Event Shop (Aug. 2 – Aug. 30): Players can use Summer Festival Coins obtained from multiple in-game events at the Summer Festival Event Shop. These coins can be exchanged for Legendary+ Pet Summon Voucher, Pet Step Up Summon Tickets and more.

The official sequel to Seven Knights, a game enjoyed by 60 million players globally, Seven Knights 2 takes place 20 years after the original and introduces beautiful open world gameplay. The story centers on the Daybreak Mercenaries who embark on a journey to find the last member of the Seven Knights, “Rudy,” after a series of events involving a mysterious girl named Phiné. Stunning cinematics and graphics powered by Unreal Engine 4 will immerse players in this epic game story filled with unique characters and powerful bosses. Players can collect and develop their heroes and experience a new combat system with powerful ultimates and suppressors.

Seven Knights 2 is available now for download on Google Play, App Store and Windows PC (beta).

More information on Seven Knights 2 can be found on the official Facebook page, YouTube and forums or by visiting Netmarble’s Global YouTube channel.

About Netmarble Corporation

Established in Korea in 2000, Netmarble Corporation is a leading developer and publisher of top-grossing mobile games worldwide. Through powerful franchises and collaborations with acclaimed IP holders, Netmarble strives to elevate the gaming experience and entertain audiences globally. As a parent company of Kabam and SpinX Games, and a major shareholder of Jam City and HYBE (formerly Big Hit Entertainment), Netmarble’s diverse portfolio includes Lineage 2: Revolution, MARVEL Future Fight, Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds, The King of Fighters ALLSTAR, The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross, and forthcoming PC games like Paragon: The Overprime. More information can be found at http://company.netmarble.com.

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Istanbul, Turkey. June 20, 2023 –  Draft of Darkness was released in early access back in July 2021. Since its launch, over 4,000 players have braved the darkness in the challenging survival horror deckbuilder. Solo developer, Crawly Games, is excited to announce that Draft of Darkness is now ready to mutate into its final form when it leaves early access on the 23rd of August. Watch the Steam 1.0 release trailer below.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/9sZE1xr7wvI Draft of Darkness is set in a post-apocalyptic city plagued by…darkness! The procedurally generated and interconnected maps are infested with vile creatures, all of which require a unique approach to overcome. Some creatures are susceptible to brute force, while others require a more tactical ‘disabling’ approach.

Your decisions outside combat are just as important as those in combat, especially if you wish to survive the darkness-infested city. Statuses stay with you throughout your run, only being removed by well-managed navigation. You can upgrade your cards and equipment through in-world interactions and trading opportunities. Be warned, every action in Draft of Darkness has a reaction!

Draft of Darkness uses a unique card weapon system, where attack cards are associated with a weapon that requires ammo/resources. Looting these resources is only half the battle, as you’ll need to manage just how aggressively you use them in a run. Just like any true survival horror game, resource management is very important in Draft of Darkness.

Uncovering the secret of the low-fi world will unlock the deep and inter-webbed story of Draft of Darkness. Every stage of a run offers new characters to meet, fleshy TVs to play fancy dress with, and delicious (unknown) stews to feed to your party. Only by uncovering the full flow chart of the story will you learn the dark secrets behind the story.

Since its early access launch, Draft of Darkness has received several sizable updates. These updates include over 260 new cards being added, 4 new survivors to play as, 5 new companion types to unlock, 5 new weapons to utilize, 11 new boss fights, 58 new decision/story events, 45 new unique items to build around and 3 new ending for the game.

Game features:

A card is only as good as its weapon

Attack cards are linked to a weapon. Managing your weapons resources as well as your deck is vital to make sure your build is ready to defeat what lurks in the shadows.

Is the darkness better as a group?

Find different companion types lurking deep within the darkness. Manage the status of your party, and avoid radiation and infection at all costs!

Every death brings rewards

At the end of every run, you will receive credits that can be used to open booster packs to unlock new starting cards. Every death is a chance to find new strategies!

Be careful what you ask for

Draft of Darkness has a unique “meta-story progression” system. Every decision can alter the story’s outcome and allow for new ways to progress. Different choices are available in each run, but be careful; some will have serious consequences.

Draft of Darkness will leave Steam early access on Wednesday, the 23rd of August. The game will receive a price increase for its 1.0 launch, which will see it cost $17.99/£14.99/17.49€. 

If you want to review Draft of Darkness, please request a review key below. Review keys will be available from the 9th of August.

August 2, 2023 – Skillprint, a pioneer in personalizing games to match the personality, cognitive skills, and motivations of players, today announced that its CEO, Chethan Ramachandran, will be a distinguished speaker at SIGGRAPH 2023, showcasing the latest advancements in computer graphics and interactive techniques. This year’s conference will be held August 6-10 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. On August 7, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM in Room 518, Chethan Ramachandran will present an enlightening session on “Unleashing the Power of AI to Personalize Games.”

Chethan’s talk will delve into groundbreaking advances in utilizing artificial intelligence to customize gaming experiences based on individual players’ unique attributes. By exploring the intersection of AI, gaming, and personalization, attendees will gain valuable insights into how AI can revolutionize the gaming industry by driving innovation in the games industry, enhancing player engagement, and fostering player fulfillment.

Skillprint is at the forefront of pioneering cutting-edge AI technologies to enhance gaming experiences for players worldwide. Drawing upon neuroscience research, player gameplay data, and comprehensive game characteristics and ratings, Skillprint recently launched into beta the AdaptivePlay AI Platform that evaluates and nurtures players’ cognitive skills and personality traits to provide a personalized gaming experience. Over time, AdaptivePlay will provide developers with the ability to balance the game’s difficulty, progression, rewards, and gameplay in real-time based on the player’s personality, behaviors, and abilities.

For more information about Skillprint and to schedule a time to meet at SIGGRAPH, please visit www.skillprint.co.

About Skillprint
Skillprint is at the intersection of gaming and cognitive science and uses AI to reveal insights about a player’s talents, mindset, and personality traits. Its mission is to democratize access to insights that empower individuals and game developers to thrive.

Founded in 2019, Skillprint’s Insights are embedded in 40+ games which collect and analyze an average of 1,200+ events per player per game session and predict a player’s personality traits and cognitive skills and help them to achieve their desired mood. Combining neuroscience research, player gameplay data, and over 150+ game characteristics and ratings, Skillprint can vet games for their ability to assess and develop a player’s cognitive skills and personality traits, positively affect their mood, and help them to achieve their goals.

The company has raised $3.5 million in funding, backed by private investors and leading VCs in the gaming, mental wellness, and future of learning sectors.

The company celebrates the anniversary with exciting in-game events, special offers, and donation to Ukraine

August 2^nd, 2023 — Wargaming has turned 25 today! Since its formation in 1998, the company has released over 20 titles across all major gaming platforms bringing immersive online hobbies to millions of players worldwide. To support this significant milestone, Wargaming is planning an exciting series of in-game activities, events, and exclusive offers on Steam. 

From August 2 to August 8, Steam players can enjoy limited-time promotions: free anniversary DLCs from the flagship Wargaming titles; a special anniversary multiproduct bundle “WG25: 4-in-1” consisting of powerful vehicles, days of Premium Account, customisation elements that is available at a huge 90% discount. A special 70% reduction will be offered to World of Tanks/World of Warships anniversary cross-product bundle. More details here: https://store.steampowered.com/publisher/wargaming/sale/wargaming25thanniversary

In addition to the Steam offerings, Wargaming has prepared a variety of extra in-game activities. World of Tanks PC players can partake in a 25^th anniversary-themed event to earn credits, different types of combat ratio, decals, emblems, day of Premium Account and more. World of Warships captains will be able to get extra economic bonuses, signal flags and other gifts by completing a series of special missions. World of Tanks Blitz offers a dedicated “Wargaming Turns 25!” quest with a legendary anniversary avatar as one of the rewards. World of Warplanes presents a chain of battle missions that will bring great prizes and a unique emblem.

“Back in 1998, I could hardly imagine that we would grow from a small group of friends united by our love for creating video games into a truly successful global company,” said Victor Kislyi, CEO of Wargaming. “Today we celebrate not only our achievements but also the shared journey with the gaming industry, our talented employees, and our passionate players. Here’s to the next chapter, as we will continue to create unforgettable experiences to gamers across the globe. Happy Birthday, Wargaming!”

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary, Wargaming continues its ongoing support of the people of Ukraine by donating $250,000 through United24, the official fundraising platform of Ukraine. The money will be applied to purchase medical equipment, to assist people affected by the war in Ukraine.

About Wargaming

Wargaming is an award-winning online game developer and publisher headquartered in Nicosia, Cyprus. Operating since 1998, Wargaming has grown to become one of the leaders in the gaming industry with 16 offices around the world, including studios in Chicago, Prague, Shanghai, Tokyo, Vilnius, Kyiv and Belgrade. Millions of players enjoy Wargaming’s titles across all major gaming platforms. Our flagship products include the free-to-play hits World of Tanks, World of Warships and World of Tanks Blitz.

Official website: wargaming.com

Travel the Five States and Receive Double Rewards on Free Roam Events – Plus, Get Special Month Long Bonuses, 2X Rewards on A Land of Opportunities Missions, and More

Roaming the frontier in Red Dead Online can be rewarding in its own right, and now doubly so with Free Roam Events paying out 2X RDO$, Gold, and XP through September 4. Accept Free Roam Event invites to put your skills to the test against other players in these competitive challenges over the next five weeks and complete a Free Roam event each week to receive an assortment of rewards:

• August 1 – 7: Reward for 5,000 Character XP
• August 8 – 14: Reward for a Treasure Map leading to a haul near O’Creagh’s Run
• August 15 – 21: 20X Shotgun Explosive Slug Ammo
• August 22 – 28: 3X Potent Health Cures
• August 29 – September 4: Offer for 50% off a Stable Slot

Plus, keep an eye out for a new telegram from “J” later this month. There’s word of some new cases requiring steady aim and an outlaw’s steady aim on the horizon.

2X RDO$ and XP on Free Roam Missions

Keep an eye out for Strangers while out and about on your travels. These interactions with new and familiar characters could lead you down the path of Free Roam Missions which vary based on your Honor level and dole out Double Rewards upon completion.

Monthlong Bonuses and More
Determined outlaws who complete a five-day Daily Challenge streak at any point between August 1 and September 4 will receive an Offer for 5 Gold Bars off one of the following items to help establish the Frontier Pursuit of their choosing:

Naturalist Sample Kit | Butcher Table | Bounty Hunter or Prestigious Bounty Hunter License | Moonshine Shack | Collector’s Bag

In addition to the RDO$ and XP bonuses on all Free Roam Events, join this trio of Role-based Free Roam Events to earn additional rewards:

• Participate in the Day of Reckoning Free Roam Event to receive an Offer for 30% off a Veteran or Prestigious Bounty Hunter Role Item.
• Participate in the Salvage Free Roam Event to receive an Offer for 40% off an Established or Distinguished Collector Role Item.
• Participate in the Trade Route Free Roam Event to receive an Offer for 40% off an Established or Distinguished Trader Role Item.

All Offers and Rewards will be delivered within 72 hours of completion.

2X RDO$, Gold, and XP on the Featured Series

Don’t get caught acting lily-livered — flex some competitive muscle in the weekly rotating Featured Series and earn Double Rewards. This month’s selection of chaotic, action-packed modes begins with the territory-claiming Overrun. Look for different modes each week, including new variations on Public Enemy later this month.

2X RDO$, Gold, and XP on A Land of Opportunities Story Missions

Help the widowed dame Jessica LeClerk and her right-hand man Horley exact frontier justice in A Land of Opportunities. Receive 2X RDO$, Gold, and XP on these story-based cooperative missions for two to four players, with different scenarios depending on your honor level.

2X RDO$ and XP on Races

Accelerate from a canter to a full gallop in any and all Races: Standard, Open, Target, and Open Target Races are all dishing out Double Rewards this month.

As a reward for your tenacity and your steed’s stamina, placing Top 3 in any Race this month will get you a green pair of the limited time only Vaquero Baroque Spurs.

2X RDO$ and XP on Call to Arms

Stand your ground, protect yourself and your allies, and glory is surely yours. Fight off wave after wave of increasingly armed enemies, heal your allies in the downtime between rounds, and you’ll be rewarded with 2X RDO$ and XP, all month long in Call to Arms.

Community-Inspired Outfit

YouTuber JillyBeany does inspired work creating outfits for the ladies of Red Dead Online, but we think her beautiful ensemble dubbed “The Blues” works handsomely for cowboys as well.

Visit participating Tailors or order the following articles of clothing to assemble this month’s Community-Inspired Outfit for free until September 4:

• Narrow Neckerchief
• Sandoval Jacket
• Isbell Corset
• Flora Coreseted Chemise (Female) or Everyday Shirt (Male)
• Fitted Pants (Female) or Cabrera Pants (Male)

Also, make sure to try on returning clothing like the Concho Pants and Cardozo Vest, available for a limited time only.

Discounts:

• Camp Tents and Camp Dogs – 30% off 
• Fast Travel, Camp Setup, and Relocation Fees – Waived
• Greetings and Receptions Emotes – 40% off 
• Special Horse Medicine and Reviver Pamphlets – 40% off 
• Rifles – 40% off 
• Revolver and Repeater Ammo – 30% off 
• Missouri Fox Trotter Horses – 30% off
• Pants – 40% off

Rayman is back in the third DLC for Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope.

Sydney, Australia – August 2, 2023 – Today Ubisoft^® announced that Mario + Rabbids^® Sparks of Hope: Rayman in the Phantom Show will release on August 30. In the final DLC for Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, Rayman will team up with Rabbid Mario and Rabbid Peach as they meet again with the Phantom!

In this brand-new adventure, separate from the main game’s story line, players will control Rayman, Rabbid Peach and Rabbid Mario as they discover the dramatic Space Opera Network, an uncanny TV studio full of props and easter eggs. This place is run by the Phantom, a previous antagonist from Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, returning as a studio director beyond reproach. With the TV studio’s ratings lower than ever, he needs the help of true stars to help him return to his former glory.

Rayman and his friends will explore brand new vertical levels on a variety of TV studio sets, as Rayman uses his haircopter ability to jump and take Rabbid Peach and Rabbid Mario with him. During battles, players will have tons of new tactical possibilities by leveraging the full power of Rayman’s arsenal, from his plunger blaster to his aerial traversal abilities, all coming straight from Rayman history.

The walk down memory lane won’t stop there, as David Gasman reprises his role as the limbless hero, and Christophe Heral joins Grant Kirkhope to compose the DLC Original Soundtrack.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope: Rayman in the Phantom Show can be bought standalone for AU$22.95 or as part of the Season Pass and Gold Edition. For more information about this edition, please visit https://www.mariorabbids.com/buypyt .  

For more information on Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope visit: www.ubisoft.com/en-au/game/mario-rabbids/sparks-of-hope.

About Mario + Rabbids^® Sparks of Hope

Only the most extravagant team of Heroes can rekindle the sparks of hope across the galaxy!

Team up with Mario, Rabbid Peach and their friends on a cosmic journey to defeat Cursa and save the galaxy! Explore planets throughout the universe that are filled with strange inhabitants, memorable quests and hilarious secrets! Outwit enemies in an innovative combat system mixing turn-based tactics and real time action. Combine forces with the Sparks’ immense energy and anything becomes possible…for better OR worse!

About Ubisoft

Ubisoft is a creator of worlds, committed to enriching players’ lives with original and memorable entertainment experiences. Ubisoft’s global teams create and develop a deep and diverse portfolio of games, featuring brands such as Assassin’s Creed^®, Brawlhalla^®, For Honor^®, Far Cry^®, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon^®, Just Dance^®, Rabbids^®, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six^®, The Crew^® and Tom Clancy’s The Division^®. Through Ubisoft Connect, players can enjoy an ecosystem of services to enhance their gaming experience, get rewards and connect with friends across platforms. With Ubisoft+, the subscription service, they can access a growing catalog of more than 100 Ubisoft games and DLC. For the 2022–23 fiscal year, Ubisoft generated net bookings of €1,739 million.

© 2023 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Ubisoft and the Ubisoft logo are registered trademarks in the US and/or other countries.

MARIO + RABBIDS SPARKS OF HOPE © 2023 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Rabbids, Sparks of Hope, Rayman, the character of Rayman, Ubisoft and the Ubisoft logo are registered or unregistered trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the U.S. and/or other countries. Nintendo properties are licensed to Ubisoft Entertainment by Nintendo. SUPER MARIO characters © Nintendo. Trademarks are property of their respective owners. Nintendo Switch is a trademark of Nintendo.

Earlier this morning, Xbox announced brand-new controller to the Xbox lineup, the Xbox Wireless Controller – Stormcloud Vapor Special Edition.

Stormcloud Vapor features rubberised, blue diamond-pattern grips on the back case that allow you to hold onto all your gaming action. Stormcloud Vapor also unlocks a brand-new dynamic background once you connect your new controller to your Xbox Series X|S console. The dynamic background features blue swirls in different tones, adding an exciting new theme to your console experience.

The Xbox Wireless Controller – Stormcloud Vapor Special Edition will be available from 25 August 2023 for $99.95 AUD / $119.95 NZD. For more information, head over to Xbox Wire.

JAPAN – August 1, 2023 –The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily, the crowd-controlling turn-based strategy game produced by One or Eight (LOST EPIC), WSS playground (Record of Lodoss War-Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth-), and Alliance Arts, broadcasts a 2024 release window on PC via Steam.

The King has been murdered, but who committed the heinous crime? False accusations paint villainess Scarlet as the perpetrator, and the Empire sentences her to death. Narrowly avoiding the guillotine, Scarlet travels back in time to before her execution where she comes across a mysterious girl named Lily, a master of media and livestreaming.

Together with Lily, Scarlet harnesses the power of livestreaming in an era without the internet to lead a revolution and take revenge on the Empire. Combine Scarlet’s wit with Lily’s expertise to manipulate imperial forces with deceptive information and sway public opinion in Scarlet’s favor.

Leverage the power of the media to outsmart the enemy. Steal the Empire’s only aerial warship to spread fake news from above, and influence imperial ground troops with distractions to increase the odds of victory. Orchestrate uncertainty amongst generals to cut off supply chains, and concoct diversions to direct enemies away from key strike points, then confront imperial battalions at their weakest moment.

Bolster Scarlet’s ranks with prisoners of war, swayed by propaganda to join the cause. Converse with apprehended comrades, each with their own distinct story, to build trust and bolster the morale of friendly forces. Foster deep bonds through conversation to unlock stat-boosting abilities, and build up Scarlet’s rebellion from a small nuisance to legions of unstoppable forces strong enough to topple the entire Empire. 

“The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily is ultimately a story about mass media. If we can so easily sway public opinion in a world before the Internet, where will the power of media technology go?” says Daichi Saito, CEO of WSS Playground. “We look forward to seeing how players exercise what could be called excessive press power.”

The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily is coming to PC in 2024 with language options in English, Japanese, Chinese and Korean. For more information, Visit the Alliance Arts official website, follow Alliance Arts on Twitter and YouTube.

About Alliance Arts

Creating interesting games and delivering them to a large audience is a difficult task for a single company. Alliance Arts is a confluence of independent people joining forces to create a system that delivers interesting games to a large audience. 

Overnight, Xbox announced several new titles coming to Xbox Game Pass on console, PC and cloud beginning today including:

Week of July 31:  

• Celeste, August 1 (Cloud, Console, and PC)  
• A Short Hike, August 3 (Cloud, Console, and PC) 

Week of August 7: 

• Broforce Forever, August 8 (Cloud, Console, and PC) 
• Limbo, August 9 (Cloud, Console, and PC) 
• Airborne Kingdom, August 10 (Cloud, Console, and PC) 

Week of August 14:  

• Everspace 2, August 15 (Cloud and Xbox Series X|S) 

ICYMI, we also announced Microsoft Flight Simulator World Update XIV: Central Eastern Europe is available for free now.

For more details on the new games joining Xbox Game Pass this month, available Perks and Quest updates, check out Xbox Wire here.