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Destroy Buildings and Revel in Chaos with Hammer of Virtue on Steam August 7, 2023

PlayStation 5 version to launch in 2024

STOCKHOLM – 11 July 2023 – Hammer of Virtue, the skill-based action game set in a fully destructible land of tomorrow from developer No Pest Productions, pummels toward a Monday, 7 August 2023, launch on PC via Steam. More destruction will come to PlayStation 5 in 2024.

Defend humanity from an onslaught of cybernetically enhanced animals by stepping into a protective suit of armor and wielding a powerful hammer. Lay waste with engaging melee combat with timed directional blocks, strikes, and parries to send enemies flying across stages and into destructible environments. Experience emergent chaos by toppling buildings, bowling robotic raptors into one another, and turning trees into makeshift cannonballs.

Fight through over 20 stages set in abandoned neighborhoods, construction sites, and more. Juggle incoming attacks from sword-wielding monkeys, deliver crushing uppercuts to send foes sky-high, and avoid fearsome armored bears before launching deadly counterattacks. Improvise with physics objects like steel beams, barrels, and billboards to gain the upper hand and cut through approaching enemies.

Bring a friend to the fight in 10 unique split-screen couch co-op maps – but take heed of friendly fire once the hammers start swinging. Turn co-op buddies into co-op weapons of mass destruction by launching them into the fray with a well-timed strike, or turn a friend into an enemy with split-screen deathmatches where each player controls their own army to find out whose hammer is the mightiest.

“Working on Hammer of Virtue as a solo developer has been an absolute blast,” said Jens Kolhammar, programmer and owner of No Pest Productions. “Creating a fully destructible sandbox primed for unpredictable physics interactions and challenging combat encounters means I’m always seeing something new, and I can’t wait for players to experience it themselves on August 7!”

Hammer of Virtue will launch on Steam for Windows PC Monday, 7 August 2023, for $19.99. It features English, Japanese, Korean, German, Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese language support. A PlayStation 5 version will be available in 2024.

For more information, visit the official website and wishlist Hammer of Virtue on Steam today.

About No Pest Productions 

No Pest Productions is an independent studio based in Sweden founded by Jens Kolhammar. With more than 10 years of experience and multiple titles, including A Bastard’s Tale and Driven Out, No Pest Productions focuses on melee action experiences that provide maximum fun while delivering thrilling challenges.

For more information, visit the official website.

LINE NEXT Signs MOU With SEGA, Bringing SEGA’s classic game to Web3

  • Agreement to bring one of SEGA’s popular video games to GAME DOSI through IP licensing  
  • LINE NEXT aims to reach more global GAME DOSI users by partnering with a world-class gaming company 

 SEONGNAM, South Korea – July 10, 2023 – LINE NEXT Inc., LINE’s venture dedicated to developing and expanding the NFT ecosystem, announced today the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with SEGA CORPORATION (“SEGA”) to receive the license to one of SEGA’s classic games and bring it to the Web3 gaming platform GAME DOSI. 

Through the agreement, LINE NEXT will receive the license to utilize one of SEGA’s immensely popular game IPs and develop it into a Web3 game. LINE NEXT will showcase this new title in GAME DOSI and support NFT production, digital payments, and marketing activities, as part of LINE NEXT’s plans to popularize Web3 gaming. Further details about the title will be revealed at a later date. 

 Headquartered in Japan, SEGA has for decades been one of the world’s leading video game and entertainment companies, developing and publishing games across multiple platforms and genres. 

 “LINE NEXT is pleased to be teaming up with SEGA to bring some exciting gaming to the Web3 space for gamers around the world,” said Youngsu Ko, CEO of LINE NEXT. “Through this partnership, GAME DOSI will provide Web3 content that anyone can easily enjoy, including SEGA fans.” 

 Launched in May, GAME DOSI is a Web3 gaming platform that provides user- and game-centered services under the slogan “Gamer First, Web3 Next.” It has already unveiled six titles, including its in-house game “Project GD.” For more information, visit the GAME DOSI website: https://game.dosi.world 

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About LINE NEXT Inc. 

Based in United States, LINE NEXT Inc. is focused on growing the global NFT business. Through blockchain and NFT technology, LINE NEXT aims to provide new digital experiences and lead the way into the future. 

 About GAME DOSI 

GAME DOSI is LINE NEXT’s global Web3 gaming platform. Under the slogan “Gamer First, Web3 Next,” the company aims to provide a game-centered platform that allows users to play Web3 games while building a community where users are free to own and trade digital goods. 

 About SEGA CORPORATION 

SEGA CORPORATION is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, and is a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops, publishes, and distributes a variety of games for consoles, PCs, and wireless devices, as well as developing and distributing arcade machines, merchandise, and various other products. Moreover, SEGA distributes a range of gaming content developed by its domestic and overseas studios worldwide via its global publishing bases. SEGA CORPORATION’s website is located at https://www.sega.co.jp/ 

KING OF THE CASTLE EXTENDS ITS REIGN WITH A NEW AND EVENT-FILLED UPDATE

Dozens of new events form the core of the new Democracy Manifest update to Tributary Games’ medieval multiplayer party game of treachery, fiefdoms, and bejewelled crabs.

Monday, 10th July 2023 – Tributary Games and Team17 Digital have today launched Democracy Manifest, a new update for King of the Castle, which sees players band together online with up to 3,000 others to steer the fate of a fictional fantasy kingdom and reckon with treacherous – and often hilarious – consequences. The update brings 59 new events to the game, including ‘The Rightful Heir’ event chain that introduces a potential tale of revenge against usurpers of the throne, and the ‘Jailbreak’ event chain, which sees an imprisoned noble break out and cause havoc in the kingdom.

Democracy Manifest also sees the introduction of several community requested features, including the ability for Premium Nobles (those who have bought King of the Castle) to choose the region they join; new schemes will be available, including a loyalist scheme available to winning regions to select; new Noble shields have also been added, alongside new Twitch drops, and a rework of the game’s user interface to enhance its readability.

King of the Castle Key Features

  • Cooperative online multiplayer: Work together with friends or strangers via Twitch or any device with a web browser to steer the fate of your kingdom, tackle unique challenges, and play a key part in its downfall or prosperity
  • Write your story: Play through hundreds of unique medieval fantasy stories, each with their own characters, choices, and far-reaching consequences
  • Give peace a chance… or not: As Monarch, balance the competing demands of your Nobles while keeping an eye out for brewing political unrest or revolts
  • Democracy manifest: Bribe, persuade or intimidate your way through difficult votes, or alter the law entirely to give yourself extra sway in the polls
  • Customise your kingdom: Ensure your legacy upon the land by choosing your name, pronouns, appearance, and even your family crest
  • Party Game mode: Gather a small party of 3-24 people and play together with friends! Only King of the Castle game hosts need to own a copy of the game, all others can join for free from their mobile device or web browser using a unique access code

To stay up to date with King of the Castlecheck it out on Steam, like it on Facebook, follow on Twitter, and join the community on Discord. 

About Tributary Games 

Tributary Games is a London-based indie games studio focused on collaborative storytelling and creating innovative multiplayer experiences that facilitate the push and pull of role-playing, imagination, and complex social dynamics. Its debut title, King of the Castle, is available now on Steam.

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.

Opening Anime for New Action RPG, Silent Hope Featuring Song from Rock Band KAMI WA SAIKORO WO FURANAI unveiled

Pre-orders now available on in Europe and Australia

Sydney, Australia – 10th July 2023 – Marvelous Europe has shared the opening movie for Silent Hope, a new action RPG title scheduled to launch on the Nintendo Switch™ system worldwide on Oct. 3. The anime is backed with a title track by viral music sensation KAMI WA SAIKORO WO FURANAI and showcases the seven heroes enjoying a bit of downtime at Base Camp before venturing into the Abyss to take on the enemies that lurk within its depths. The rock band featuring Shuusaku Yanagita on vocals, Kiichi Yoshida on guitar, Gaku Kiriki on bass, and Ryousuke Kurokawa on drums complements Silent Hope’swordless world with an energetic original song, setting players up for the perilous journey that lies ahead.

Shuusaku Yanagita, lead singer of KAMI WA SAIKORO WO FURANAI had this to say about creating the theme song for Silent Hope: “I’ve loved RPGs ever since I was a child. While party games are about competing with others, RPGs are about taking things at your own pace, whether leveling up your party, enjoying the scenery, or diving deeper into the stories of the main cast and even the supporting characters as well.

“When I was chosen to write the theme song for Silent Hope, a brand-new action RPG, my eyes lit up just like I was a kid again. The story and themes of this game, set in a world that has lost the ability to communicate through language, feel like an antithesis to today’s social media society. Words are a double-edged sword–a single, simple word can hurt someone deeply, but on the other hand, a single word can also save someone’s life. We hope that the message of Silent Hope and of our song will reach not only audiences in Japan, but around the world!”

In a world without words, what hope is there for humanity? Silent Hope takes place in a once-peaceful land, silenced by the former King who stole people’s speech before escaping into the endless chasm known as The Abyss. Following these events, the Princess, mourning her father’s actions, wept endlessly until her sorrow entombed her in a magical teardrop. Now, years after these events faded from memory, seven heroes find themselves imbued with new powers and drawn towards the Princess; to restore their world, they must brave the depths of The Abyss to find the long-lost King and free the Princess from her crystalline prison.

Silent Hope harkens back to the glory days of isometric dungeon-crawlers while adopting modern features. Players will take the role of seven unlikely heroes, each with their own unique weapon, fighting style, and non-combat job. After spending their days battling through enemies and collecting materials in The Abyss, the heroes return to Base Camp to craft items, improve gear, and rest up for their next adventure. Each journey into The Abyss will be a fresh experience, with randomized layouts ensuring every excursion has the element of chance, with even greater dangers lurking the further the heroes dare to venture.

Silent Hope will be published by Marvelous Europe for Nintendo Switch in Europe and Australia on October 3rd, 2023.

More information about Marvelous Europe on the official website at www.marvelousgames.com or @marvelouseurope across Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube.

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About KAMI WA SAIKORO WO FURANAI

KAMI WA SAIKORO WO FURANAI is a rock band featuring Shuusaku Yanagita on vocals, Kiichi Yoshida on guitar, Gaku Kiriki on bass, and Ryousuke Kurokawa on drums. In 2020, their song “Yonaga Uta” went viral, and they released their 1st digital single “Utakata Hanabi” that July. Since then, they have continued to attract attention through TikTok hits, theme songs for TV dramas and anime, and collaborations with other artists. They also wrote the insert song for the Japanese TBS Sunday Drama, “Last Man -Zenmo no Sosakan-”. Their second full album “Shinkai” will be released on September 27, 2023.

About Marvelous Europe

Marvelous Europe is the publisher behind Mandragora, Nova Antarctica and Ninja or Die, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marvelous Inc., developer of beloved Story of Seasons and Rune Factory series.

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

BLADE & SOUL REVOLUTION ADDS REINFORCE CONTENT, MISSION EXPANSIONS, EVENTS, AND MORE IN NEW SKILLS POTENTIAL UPDATE

LOS ANGELES – July 7, 2023 – Netmarble, a leading developer and publisher of high-quality mobile games, releases the Skills Potential game update for its open world mobile RPG, Blade & Soul Revolution. Players can experience newly added Reinforce content, Skill Badges, mission expansions, events and more.

Players can now utilize new Reinforce content to grow their potential and increase stats by receiving the newly added item, Aura of Skills. This item can be obtained from Alchemy Merchant (within the Village) using the Legendary Martial Tome Fragment or Super Secret Technique Scroll.

Three new Skill Badges are now available, including Skyshatter Skill Badge that decreases Damage, and additional ranged Damage, received by the player. The Devotion Skill Badge decreases Legendary Skills damage while Clarity Skill Badge interrupts opponents’ activation of Ultimate Stance, which allows players to utilize additional strategic gameplay options.

Additionally, Achievement Missions now include expanded stages that give players the opportunity to obtain the Super Legendary Restoration Stone Selection Chest, Radiant Legendary Design and more once they complete missions.

Players can celebrate this new update with several new in-game events, including:

  • Rock Paper Scissors Event Season 1 (July 6 – August 24): Participants who enter daily, and based on the maximum number of consecutive wins, will have the opportunity to receive the Legendary Restoration Stone Fragment, Legendary Martial Tome Fragment and more.
  • Summer Special Dungeon Exploration (July 6 – August 3): Players who complete missions, such as clearing dungeons, can earn Splendid PvP Chest as rewards.

Blade & Soul Revolution is an open world mobile RPG that translates breathtaking cinematic stories of revenge based on the PC online game Blade & Soul. The game stays true to its PC roots with a high level of full 3D graphics and large-scale content that has been revamped to perform flawlessly on mobile devices. It displays an eastern-fantasy world with stunning full 3D graphics backed by the Unreal Engine 4, offering massive real-time faction battle and incomparable hands-on action experience.

Blade & Soul Revolution is now available as a free download (with in-app purchases) via the App Store, and on Google Play. For more information, please follow Blade & Soul Revolution on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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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Baldur’s Gate 3: The Dark Urge, Romance & More Revealed at Final Panel From Hell

GHENT, Belgium July 7, 2023 – Today’s Panel From Hell: Release Showcase marks the final chaotic live update show from Larian Studios before the launch of Baldur’s Gate 3 on August 3. Streamed live from a medieval abbey with all the camp of a community theater production, the final Panel From Hell dives deep into everything from a customizable serial killer protagonist, to the importance of character identity, to the ability to wildshape into a dinosaur.

The Dark Urge

Over the past three weeks, Larian has left a breadcrumb trail of clues leading to the reveal of their final playable Origin character in the community-driven murder mystery Blood in Baldur’s Gate. While the community was ultimately murdered themselves, their last waking moments revealed their brutal killer and his mysterious companion: their murderer is the final playable Origin hero Dark Urge, by default an imposing dragonborn with alabaster skin and eyes that glare with the piercing gaze of a predator.

Unlike Baldur’s Gate 3’s other playable protagonists (Origins), the Dark Urge is a fully customizable character. Their class, appearance, species and gender are completely up to you – after all, evil can reside within anyone, irrespective of how they appear.

Stepping into the role of the Dark Urge, you’ll begin Baldur’s Gate 3 with your memory lost after an unfortunate encounter between a parasitic tadpole and your brain. Now all that’s left is an insatiable urge – an urge that makes itself known in your subconscious, through your deepest thoughts and in your dialogue options.

Followers of Blood in Baldur’s Gate will already be familiar with the Dark Urge’s simple but effective modus operandi: to murder brutally and indiscriminately. Driven to commit some of the most lurid acts of violence that you’ll encounter in the game, to play as the Dark Urge means to either indulge your most depraved impulses or attempt to resist them.

The Dark Urge is guided by Sceleritas Fel, voiced by Brian Bowles (narrator in Divinity: Original Sin 2). Fel is a vile and loyal servant who lives only to see the Dark Urge return to its rightful, bloodstained path. His words of encouragement are like a poison in your mind, fueling your impulses – but it’s a poison that tastes like honey, if you’re so inclined.

Despite your impulses as the Dark Urge, you are still a member of an adventuring party facing an arduous journey to Baldur’s Gate. Your party, in spite of your urges, will do its best to be there for you. For those party members you grow closest to, you can still form relationships and romances – but how they manifest compared to the others, however, is a tale only you can tell.

Orin the Red

Following earlier reveals of Lord Enver Gortash (Jason Isaacs) and General Ketheric Thorm (J.K. Simmons) as two of Baldur’s Gate 3’s central antagonists, today’s stream sees the reveal of the third and final antagonist: Orin the Red (Maggie Robertson), a shapeshifting murderess with the goal of painting the city of Baldur’s Gate in blood.

You’ll meet Orin soon enough, but how and when will be up to her.

Character Creation

Character identity is at the center of Baldur’s Gate 3, and its character creator allows customization of everything from your protagonist’s appearance to their stats and background – whether your protagonist be hero, villain, or Ed Sharran, a simple bard traveling the roads of Faerûn with his trusty lute and a barely-concealed inner darkness that gnaws and festers, demanding release – the character creator provides a lot of room for expression.

At launch, players will get to experiment with even more ways to create diverse, personalized characters:

  • New skin options like freckles, vitiligo, scars
  • New tattoo designs
  • Heterochromia
  • Lip makeup customization
  • Accessories like earrings and piercings
  • Horn color customization for Tieflings

Adventurers need not be slim or youthful – the addition of an age slider will allow you to create an older protagonist, and strong body types allow for larger body sizes across all genders.

Romance

“Have you ever considered the joys and pleasures of sexual congress with a wildshaped Druid?” asked Adam Smith, lead writer. “Because at Larian, we have, and ultimately landed on the side of giving the people what they want: tender, consensual romance with a man temporarily transformed into a grizzly bear.”

Baldur’s Gate 3 offers ample opportunities for romance with the characters you’ll grow closest with, and no two relationships follow the same formula. Emotional intimacy with one party member may slowly bud into mutual physical desire with one party member, while a relationship that begins with a night of post-Goblin-slaughtering passion could also blossom into something vulnerable and sweet, given proper care.

Today’s Panel From Hell introduces players to a few romantic potentialities, but there’s no shortage of relationships to explore and allies to smooch when Baldur’s Gate 3 releases August 3 on PC and September 6 on PlayStation 5.

Romance Trailer:

Catch the Show

Through doomed LARPs, exploding bards and an incinerated Geoff Keighley, telling the world about Baldur’s Gate 3 via the medium of the Panel From Hell has been quite a ride. For all we’ve covered here and much more, don’t miss the final Panel From Hell: Release Showcase – catch the VOD on Larian’s YouTube channel.

More information on Baldur’s Gate 3 is available on the official website. You can stay up to date with the latest Larian Studios news via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or the official Discord server.

About Larian Studios

Larian Studios is an independent RPG developer founded in 1996 in Ghent, Belgium. Over 400 people work between worldwide studios in Ghent, Quebec, Dublin, Guildford, Malaysia and Barcelona. Larian is best known for the Divinity universe, which they introduced to the world with Divine Divinity in 2002.

In 2014, Larian launched Divinity: Original Sin, a classic CRPG that won over 150 awards and nominations. The company released its critically acclaimed sequel Divinity: Original Sin 2 on September 14, 2017, followed by the Definitive Edition in August 2018 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One to a 93 Metacritic rating. The Nintendo Switch version released in September 2019 featuring cross-save progression between Nintendo Switch and Steam. Divinity: Original Sin 2 won a BAFTA for Best Multiplayer Game. In October 2020, Larian Studios released the early access version of Baldur’s Gate 3.

Repair, Customise & Restore Modern-Day Gadgets & Vintage Antiques in The Repair House, Coming July 19

LONDON, UK – July 7, 2023 – Discover, repair and restore a range of modern-day items and vintage antiques to their former glory in The Repair House, the next game from Claudiu Kiss, the original creator of PC Building Simulator, launching on PC via Steam on July 19.

Dismantle, clean, fix, customise and sell everything from musical instruments, toys, games consoles, arcade cabinets and more in a relaxing restoration sim. Meticulously disassemble each item, locate individual components, and carefully restore and reassemble. Learn the restoration process and plan your execution to perfect your craft.

RELEASE DATE TRAILER:

Set up your repair house just the way you like it. Layout your tools, unlock new equipment and expand the space to open up new restoration opportunities. Get creative with the painting station to colour, spray, stamp, and stencil your newly restored items however you wish.

Bid for unique items at the auction house and explore old barns for rare items to restore. Find hidden gems in the flea market and restore them for a hefty profit. Take a chance and bid for abandoned storage lots with mystery contents, figuring out what they have to offer from the outside only. Will you end up with far more than you paid for… or far less?

FEATURES:

  • Run your own repair house in a relaxing repair and restoration game from the original creator of PC Building Simulator.
  • Discover a range of unique items to repair, customise and restore, including musical instruments, arcade cabinets, antiques, toys and more.
  • Visit auction houses, barns and flea markets, and bid on storage units to discover profitable items to restore.
  • Customise your workspace and advance your level to become the ultimate repair house.

“Claudiu’s experience in the repair genre has brought so much to the game, and we’re hopeful that the array of objects, locations, mechanics and customisation options available in The Repair House will gives players an experience that they can relax with and enjoy,” said Rob Feather, Product Manager at Fireshine Games. “Disassembling each of the in-game objects is compelling, appealing to the curious minds of players who want to discover their inner-workings. We’re really excited for players to start their own workshop and build the ultimate repair house later this month.”

The Repair House can be added to your Steam Wishlist now. For more information, follow @RepairHouseGame on Twitter or visit FireshineGames.co.uk.

About Quantum Logic Games
Quantum Logic Games was founded in 2021 by a young and passionate game developer who put together a small team that aims to create awesome games and have fun while doing it.

About Fireshine Games 
Fireshine Games is a global publisher of digital and physical videogames based in London, England. Originally established in 2014 under the name Sold Out, Fireshine Games works with studio giants such as Team 17, Rebellion and Frontier Developments as well as introducing new indie dev studios to the world like Pugstorm, Stonewheat & Sons, Spiral Circus, ColePowered Games and many more – publishing for physical and digital distribution. Fireshine is also part of the EG7 group of companies.

ITALIAN VIDEO GAME AWARDS 2023 WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Last night the Italian games industry celebrated winning games tERRORbane, Venice 2099 and Saturnalia as well as Ubisoft Milan and Cristina Nava at the IVGA 2023 ceremony

Florence, 7 July 2022: Italian Interactive Digital Entertainment Association (IIDEA), Italy’s video game trade association representing the national games industry, is delighted to announce the winners of this year’s Italian Video Game Awards, as streamed at last night from First Playable conference, Italy’s premier B2B video game industry event.

Viewers of the Italian Video Game Awards ceremony, streamed by international media partner VGC, were treated to an evening of celebration with international host Aoife Wilson as she bestowed awards to the winners.

In the games categories, newcomer Venice 2089 from Safe Place Studio received the Best Italian Debut award, Saturnalia from Santa Ragione won the award for Best Innovation, and surprise hit tERRORbane from BitNine Studio scooped the prize for Best Italian Game. For the Outstanding Individual Contribution and Outstanding Italian Company Cristina Nava and Ubisoft Milan took home the prizes. 

Thalita Malagò, General Director at IIDEA said: “We are so impressed every year at the IVGAs with the amount of talent we see in the industry through the amazing submissions that we receive. Each year IIDEA strives to encourage growth in the Italian games industry and we are so happy to have seen such great results in the last year.”

Full list of 2023 winners:

Outstanding Italian Company

Ubisoft Milan

Outstanding Individual Contribution

Cristina Nava

Best Innovation

Saturnalia (Santa Ragione)

Best Italian Debut

Venice 2099 (Safe Place Studio)

Best Italian Game

tERRORbane (BitNine Studio)

The nominees and winners of each category were decided by a panel of esteemed judges, whom IIDEA would like to thank for their participation in judging the Italian Video Game Awards 2023: Vikki Blake, Mike Channell, Lucy James, Imogen Mellor, Alexis Trust, Ross Thompson and Jake Tucker. A special thanks to this year’s media partners; GamesIndusty.biz and VGC.

For more information including all the nominees and judges for the Italian Video Game Awards 2023 head to www.firstplayable.it/italian-video-game-awards/

About IIDEA

The Association was founded in early 2000s. Our original members were mainly multinationals operating on Italian soil. Since 2011, with the establishment of several game development studios in our country, we broadened our membership base to Italian videogames-producing companies, which nowadays represent most of our members. In 2019, we opened the Association’s gates to esports business operators, such as teams and tournament organizers.Currently, the Association is composed of over 100 members, including videogames hardware manufacturers, videogames publishers, Italian game developers and esports business operators. Internationally, in 2002 IIDEA joined Video Games Europe, which is the European videogames Association located in Brussels. Since 2005 IIDEA is member of the Video Games Europe Board of Directors.

Moreover, the Association is also members of the PEGI Management Board, videogames age ratings system helping parents in making informed choices during the purchase of a videogame. In 2020 IIDEA join EGDF. We are an agile, slender and results-oriented Association. Our line of work is very pragmatic and based on the constant involvement of our members in order to ensure that our action keeps abreast of the industry steady evolution. Our members are at the hearth of any choice or action carried out by the Association. 

New Mortal Kombat 1 “Lin Kuei” Trailer Reveals Smoke & Rain as Latest Main Roster Characters

Warner Bros. Games has announced Smoke and Rain as the latest playable characters joining the main roster for Mortal Kombat 1, the latest installment in the acclaimed videogame franchise developed by award-winning NetherRealm Studios.

Revealed in a new trailer focused on Scorpion and Sub-Zero’sstruggle to establish the Lin Kuei’s purpose in Liu Kang’s new Mortal Kombat Universe, the video introduces Smoke, a fellow member of the ancient warrior clan with a mastery of stealth and practical magic. With deep ties to Scorpion and Sub-Zero, Smoke has made the clan’s mission his own and joins his Lin Kuei brethren in defense of Earthrealm. The trailer also provides a first look at Rain, the High Mage of Outworld who has honed his craft of water magic into a fierce weapon and now hopes to learn the realms’ darkest and most powerful sorcery.

Additionally, Sektor, Cyrax, Frost, and Scorpion can all be seen in the video as new Kameo Fighters, which provide a wide range of support moves and abilities during matches.

View the official Mortal Kombat 1 – Lin Kuei Trailer

*** These videos/trailers may only be displayed if it is behind an age-gate that: (1) is age-neutral (i.e., requires the user to input their date of birth or select it from a drop-down bar); (2) employs reasonable technical measures to keep underage users from re-entering their age after initially being denied access; and (3) does not display any ACB rating information on the trailer player or the age-gate itself. Failure to implement these requirements may jeopardise your ability to obtain material of this nature from us in the future. ***

Mortal Kombat 1 is the latest instalment in the acclaimed Mortal Kombat videogame franchise developed by award-winning NetherRealm Studios and introduces a reborn Mortal Kombat Universe set in a new story with iconic heroes and villains reimagined as they’ve never been seen before. The game features a wide-ranging cast of legendary fighters with all-new backstories, including Liu Kang, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Raiden, Kung Lao, Kitana, Mileena, Shang Tsung, Johnny Cage, Kenshi, Smoke, Rain, and more, along with a separate roster of Kameo Fighters who can assist during matches.

Mortal Kombat 1 is scheduled to launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Steam and Epic Games Store) on Sept. 19, 2023. All Mortal Kombat 1 pre-orders will receive Shang Tsung as an in-game playable character, and those who pre-order the game for PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S will also receive access to the Mortal Kombat 1 Beta, which will be available in August 2023.

To learn more about Mortal Kombat 1, please visit MortalKombat.com or join the community conversation on Instagram (@MortalKombat), TikTok (@MortalKombat), Twitter (@MortalKombat), Twitch (NetherRealm), YouTube (Mortal Kombat), Facebook (MortalKombat), Discord (MortalKombat), or Reddit (MortalKombat).

Dive into Dolphin Spirit – Ocean Mission’s adventure with the first trailer!

Discover the fantastic island of Maupiroa and embark on an educational adventure with your dolphin companion Keanu

Sydney, Australia, July 7th, 2023 – Publisher Microids and studio Magic Pockets take players to the tropical island of Maupiroa with a first trailer for Dolphin Spirit – Ocean Mission. Accompanied by the dolphin Keanu, players will explore Maupiroa’s seabed and meet its inhabitants, while helping a local environmental association to save the island and restore its abundant ecosystem.

Watch the first trailer here.

Throughout their discoveries, players will complete their codex, a research notebook that records the missions they have been given as well as instructive information about the island’s flora and fauna. The codex also includes an environmental section detailing the causes and consequences of pollution on the wilderness and suggesting practical ways of preserving it.

About Dolphin Spirit – Ocean Mission:

Your journey on Maupiroa will not be easy! However, you can count on your grandfather and the locals to help you in your quest to save the island from destruction. Embark on a fantastic adventure and immerse yourself in the heritage of your ancestors to unlock the secrets of the magical totems. Discover the hidden treasures of underwater life with your sidekick Keanu the dolphin. Take part in the conservation missions of the local association and take photos of the island’s wildlife to complete your codex. Marvel at the rich marine ecosystem and learn how to preserve it. Use your power to help the endangered marine life.

Game features:

  • An original story filled with mystery and magic.
  • A fun way to learn about ecology with well-researched information.
  • A codex to complete to learn more about the different marine species.
  • Wild and colourful landscapes to explore.

Microids and Magic Pockets have worked closely with experts from Cetasea, an association working to create a European network of marine mammal refuges, ensuring in game data accuracy. Players will discover the world of marine life while learning more about the importance of marine habitat conservation.

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The standard edition available for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch will include:

  • The game
  • 2 postcards
  • A strip of stickers

Dolphin Spirit – Ocean Mission will be available September 28th, 2023, on retail and digital versions for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and on digital only versions fox Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC.

About Microids

Microids is a French video game publisher. Founded in 1985, Microids’ editorial strategy now focuses on 4 major areas: adventure games, racing games, retro gaming and games inspired by iconic titles. By collaborating with renowned studios and authors (Revolution Software, Sloclap, Oddworld Inhabitants, Pendulo Studios, Eden Studios, Go Nagai, Charles Cecil, Benoît Sokal, Paul Cuisset…), Microids has become a major player in international video games. Taking inspiration from legendary titles, Microids reaches a wide audience and creates original adventures which give gamers the chance to play as some of their most beloved characters.