Today, Xbox announced that, starting this week, it’s releasing a new platform-wide, reactive voice reporting feature to Xbox Insiders, allowing players to capture and report inappropriate in-game voice chats. As the next step in Xbox’s safety innovation, voice reporting – specifically for in-game chat – was targeted as this is an area where players have the highest opportunity to interact with players outside their friend network. Xbox’s player reporting now covers all content including text, image, video and voice.

The feature, part of Xbox’s larger moderation suite, equips Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One players with the ability to capture a 60-second video clip of an in-game voice incident that they believe violates our Community Standards and submit it as evidence to our Xbox Safety Team for review, who will evaluate the user report and determine if a policy violation took place. We’ve also made updates to our notification features so the player that submitted the report will get a notification about whether or not Xbox took action on the report submitted.

The process follows a ‘capture now, report later’ scenario, meaning players can initiate a report while in a game, capture the audio containing the speech in question, return to their game, minimizing disruption to play. The clip lives on player’s console for 24 online hours, giving them the flexibility to either submit immediately or wait until they’re ready. Xbox will also send a reminder to report if players haven’t completed one within the 24 online hour period. If they decide not to report, the clip will be erased from consoles automatically.

This feature was built after much research and feedback from the player community, including Xbox Ambassadors. It will go out first to the Xbox Insiders program before becoming widely available to the console player base in English-language speaking markets (US, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand). Xbox is actively exploring and testing additional languages.

Xbox knows that each player has an important role to play in its thriving and growing community, and is calling for players to step up for one another, be active allies, and report any experiences of toxicity.

Raise The Woof with Little Friends: Puppy Island, Available Now on Nintendo Switch

Sydney, Australia – 13^th July 2023: Explore a paradise island and meet adorable puppy pals in Little Friends: Puppy Island, an un-paw-gettable island adventure, available now on the Nintendo Switch™ system.

Watch the Launch trailer here

Become best friends with Shibas, Labradors, Corgis, Huskies, Dachshunds and more in a totally labradorable adventure. Go for walks across exciting locations, dig up hidden treasures, build and expand your holiday resort, and meet lovable pups to care for on your very own tropical island.

Dress up your puppies with over 350 outfits and accessories, and explore sandy beaches, snowy mountains, cherry blossom sanctuaries and more. Care for your puppies by bathing, feeding, brushing, walking and playing with them. Find the paw-fect locations to build new accessory shops and activity stations, and level up your puppies’ skills to discover new areas of the island and become the ultimate pup stars.

FEATURES:

• Little Friends On Holiday! – Set off on an exciting new adventure that takes your puppy-care experience even further! Explore an entire paradise island, find exciting new locations, dig up treasures and embrace your adventurous side with your new Little Friends.
• Explore Puppy Island! – Take your lovable companion out on their very own adventure across an island filled with puppies! Discover sandy beaches, snowy mountains, cherry blossom sanctuaries and so much more! What will you uncover on your adventure?
• Become Puppy Pals! – Become friends with 9 different breeds of puppies and find the perfect companions to enjoy your adventure with! Meet new puppies while out on walks and bring them home to care for them. Take photos using the in-game camera to make memories that last a lifetime.
• Build The Ultimate Puppy Paradise! – Discover new locations throughout the island to build new toy, clothing and accessory shops and unlock pawsome new items for your puppies!
• Enjoy Puppy Care! – Brush, bathe, feed and play with your pups to give them everything they need for their adventures! Improve their obedience, agility, endurance & more, levelling up their stats to gain access to exciting new areas of the island.
• Dress Up Your Pup! – With over 350 colorful outfits and accessories to choose from, find your puppy’s own unique style! From tiaras and dresses to mohawks and sunglasses, customise your puppy’s look however you like!

Little Friends: Puppy Island is available on Nintendo Switch today at physical retailers.

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.

About Big Blue Bubble

Big Blue Bubble is an established video game developer with over 15 years of experience creating fun, innovative, and accessible titles. With more than 100 titles to date, Big Blue Bubble maintains a proven track record of being the first to market with a variety of innovations in technology and game design, establishing the company as a long-standing industry veteran. Big Blue Bubble’s commitment to producing fun, engaging games has earned the studio recognition from prestigious organizations around the world, such as Deloitte, BAFTA, and IGN. Big Blue Bubble continues to produce award-winning titles that stand the test of time, including their top-grossing flagship franchise,

Nintendo Switch is a trademark of Nintendo.

Executed by emerging publisher headed by former senior tinyBuild and Adult Swim Games vets

GLOBAL – 12 July, 2023 – Desynced, the beltless automation RTS hybrid featuring fully customizable units from publisher Forklift Interactive and developer Stage Games, launches on Windows PC via Steam Early Access on Tuesday, 15 August, 2023. Founded by former tinyBuild Publishing Director and Adult Swim Games Product Lead, Forklift Interactive will take strategy fans to a satisfying, synchronized haven in the publisher’s debut title. Starting today, players will be able to enroll for the closed playtest on the Steam page.

Take refuge on a foreign planet, blooming with life and endless possibilities. Work alone or with a team to erect and automate a bustling base of operations, further scientific advancement, and repair the ship. Dispatch base units equipped with a variety of highly customizable, interchangeable attachments to explore an expansive, procedurally generated landscape ripe with untold dangers and valuable resources.

Once an optimal location has been established, send bots toting the latest in mining technology to harvest metal and laterite ore, crystal clusters, and other native resources. Don other robots with fabricators to manufacture metal plates and enforced frames, crafting the beginnings of a successful operation. Wield these building blocks to strategically construct foundational facilities and produce vital pieces of technology. 

Bolster structures with defensive add-ons such as turrets, shields, and others to withstand attacks from droves of hostile indigenous creatures and rival factions in multiplayer matches. Once fortified, traverse diverse biomes including lush grasslands, dense forests, rocky plateaus, and more to discover new materials for further expansion. Weather evolving climate changes while developing advanced technology to break into unexplorable areas, blights, and gather new materials.

Experiment with thousands of layout possibilities to create a free flowing, fully automated hub. Utilize a complex tech tree to further research and develop more advanced hardware. Create new challenges by adjusting the hostility level of alien lifeforms and uncover hidden secrets in the mysterious world ahead. 

“Desynced features automation without belts,” said Andrei Podoprigora, CEO, Forklift Interactive. “Instead of managing the flow of materials, players must learn to manage the behavior of their bots. Fans of automation, base-building, and even RTS games will find something to love as they strive to build, explore, and survive on an alien world.” 

Desynced will launch worldwide on Tuesday, 15 August, 2023 for Windows PC via Steam Early Access for $29.99. For more information, please visit the game’s official website, join the community on Twitter and Discord, and search #DesyncedGame on social media.

About Stage Games Inc.

Stage Games Inc. is an independent game developer based in Tokyo, Japan. The studio was formed by industry veterans who have worked with major Japanese publishers and developers internationally across all major platforms. They are currently developing their first title, Desynced.

For more information, please visit the official website and follow the team on Twitter.

About Forklift Interactive

Forklift Interactive is a Barcelona and Atlanta-based indie publisher founded by experienced industry veterans and former tinyBuild Publishing Director, Andrei Podoprigora, and Adult Swim Games Product Lead, Tuсker Dean. They specialize in the production of deep, endless, system-driven games with player created narratives. They’re currently publishing their first title, Desynced. 

For more information, please visit the official website and follow the team on Twitter. 

The classic 16-bit horror game comes to the West for the first time

Valencia, Calif. – July 12, 2023 – The clock is ticking for the modern release of a survival-horror classic! Independent game studio WayForward, alongside publishing partners Sunsoft and Limited Run Games, is frightfully excited to announce that an enhanced version of the original 16-bit Clock Tower is headed to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox, and PC in early 2024, marking the first time this terrifying initial adventure in the popular horror series will officially be translated and released in North America and Europe. A new behind-the-scenes video, as shown at the LRG3 digital event, can be seen at below:

Originally released on Super Famicom in 1995 in Japan, Clock Tower traps players in the haunting confines of the Barrows family manor, where they’ll be pursued by Scissorman, a murderous, shears-wielding psychopath. As teenage orphan Jennifer Simpson, players will use a point-and-click interface to explore the mansion and search every disturbing corner to find items, reveal secrets, and discover ways to survive Scissorman’s assaults. Without any offensive capabilities, Jennifer must rely on her wits and resourcefulness if she has any hope of escaping with her life and earning one of the game’s multiple endings. A tense atmosphere, chilling sound effects, detailed 2D animations, and randomized elements to maximize replayability demonstrate why Clock Tower is considered a groundbreaking pioneer in the survival-horror genre.

Harnessing the power of Limited Run Games’ Carbon Engine, this new edition of Clock Tower retains the authentic gameplay, graphics, and sound of the original version while also adding modern features and enhancements. These include a new vocal theme song performed by Mary McGlynn (Silent Hill series), a new animated opening, motion-comic cutscenes before and after the game, a bonus art gallery, border artwork, save states, multiple language options, and more. Clock Tower will be published digitally in North America and Europe by WayForward, followed by a physical version that will be offered on select platforms by Limited Run Games. Further details, including information on the physical preorder window, will be announced at a later date. For the latest news, please visit www.wayforward.com and www.limitedrungames.com, and follow @wayforward and @limitedrungames on social media.

Key Features

• A survival-horror classic, officially translated and brought out of Japan for the first time
• Run, hide, and survive as you attempt to evade the psychotic Scissorman
• Atmospheric 2D art, detailed animations, and haunting sound effects
• Multiple endings and randomized gameplay elements maximize replayability (and jump scares)
• New animated opening, motion-comic cutscenes, and vocal theme song performed by Mary McGlynn
• Art gallery, save states, and other modern enhancements

About WayForward

Based in Valencia, California, WayForward was founded in 1990 and has remained an independent game developer for more than 30 years. It is home to many talented individuals including programmers, environment artists, animators, modelers, illustrators, audio wizards, designers, and team leaders. With new avenues for distributing games directly to fans, they are finally able to make the games they have always wanted to.

About Limited Run Games

Limited Run Games is a subsidiary of “Freemode,” an operative group comprised of gaming and entertainment companies owned by Embracer. Limited Run Games is the industry leader in the production and distribution of premium physical video games. Limited Run seeks to celebrate the legacy of gaming through its award-winning collector’s editions. Founded in 2015, they have published over 1,000 physical games, exclusive merch, and collectibles. Limited Run is the gold standard in bringing digital games to physical form and now re-releasing retro titles on modern platforms via their proprietary Carbon Engine. Visit limitedrungames.com for the latest offerings and to learn more about Carbon Engine development. Follow the brand on your social media platform of choice for all LRG-related updates: @limitedrungames.

Five games’ worth of preposterous high-class slapfests are headed exclusively to Nintendo Switch

Valencia, Calif. – July 12, 2023 – High society is about to get a smackdown! Independent game studio WayForward, in conjunction with Japanese developer NIGORO, is excited to announce that they will be bringing Rose & Camellia Collection, the absurd one-on-one slap-fight anthology, exclusively to Nintendo Switch. Featuring five games, more than 30 characters, and all-new English voicework, Rose & Camellia Collection is scheduled to be published digitally by WayForward in North America and Europe in late 2023 or early 2024. A trailer showcasing the ridiculous gameplay and gorgeous animated intro sequence (complete with vocal theme song) can be seen below:

Rose & Camellia Collection tells the tale of an over-the-top upper-crust inheritance battle spread across five games: Rose & Camellia, Rose & Camellia 2, crossover title Rose & Camellia vs. La-Mulana, and all-new entries Rose & Camellia 3 and 4 (debuting in this collection). As tensions and tempers rise amidst the division of family wealth and power, so do open hands, resulting in a series of ludicrous one-on-one slap battles between the all-female cast. Using either immersive Joy-Con motion controls or touch-screen swipes, players will smack some respect into their aristocratic adversaries by slapping, dodging, feinting, and countering until only one heiress is left standing.

Initially debuting in the early 2000s as a hit online Flash series, Rose & Camellia Collection marks the first time the saga will be available on a dedicated gaming console, providing the definitive versions of the included games by adding high-definition visuals, full English voiceovers (plus text in English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, and Japanese), an anime-style opening, and two all-new vocal songs by frequent WayForward collaborator Cristina “Vee” Valenzuela. Complementing the single-player story mode, the collection also offers a new competitive two-player local versus mode, in which one player controls one of the heroines, and the other plays as one of the villains. In addition to the digital version of the game available through the Nintendo Switch eShop, a glamorous physical version of Rose & Camellia Collection will be sold through publisher Limited Run Games; further details about the physical edition will be made on Limited Run’s channels in the future. For more information about Rose & Camellia Collection and other WayForward titles, please visit www.wayforward.com and follow @wayforward on Twitter and Facebook.

About WayForward

Based in Valencia, California, WayForward was founded in 1990 and has remained an independent game developer for more than 30 years. We are home to many talented individuals including programmers, environment artists, animators, modelers, illustrators, audio wizards, designers, and team leaders. With the new avenues for distributing games directly to fans we are finally able to make the games we have always wanted to.

The lost GBA game will be the last GBA game!

Valencia, Calif. – July 12, 2023 – Shantae is back in a Game Boy Advance game 20 years in the making! Independent game studio WayForward, alongside publisher Limited Run Games, is thrilled to announce that Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution — the long-lost sequel to the original Shantae — is back in development after being put on the shelf for nearly two decades. Building off the original game code from the early 2000s, this once-canceled title will be completed and released physically on a Game Boy Advance-compatible game cartridge. A new behind-the-scenes video, as revealed at the LRG3 digital event, can be seen below

Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution reunites the design team of Shantae creator Erin Bozon, series director Matt Bozon, and programmer Michael Stragey, who are using GBA-era development tools to authentically complete the handheld experience that was planned so many years ago. Previously existing only in unfinished demo form, Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution will be released as a full game with all of the hair-whipping, belly-dancing action that Shantae fans have come to expect, along with multiple chapters, numerous towns and labyrinths, six creature transformations, fierce bosses, and a soundtrack by acclaimed composer Maddie Lim, plus a 4-player battle mode.

“Restoring the lost Shantae sequel has been an incredible adventure!” says Matt Bozon, Shantae series director. “After reuniting as a team, we restored the original game demo, and now are working hard to complete the full game on original hardware! This isn’t a demake or a new retro-style game, but an actual GBA-era title that was lost to time. We paused development in 2004, and now we’re back at it nearly 20 years later with the same tools, hardware, and Link Cables that we were using back then. It’s crazy, it feels impossible, but it’s happening! We’re on a time-travel mission to save Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution, and finally bring it to the fans!”

Filling in the gaps between the original Shantae (2002) and Shantae: Risky’s Revenge (2010), Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution sees Shantae protecting Sequin Land from a twisted new plot orchestrated by her nemesis, the pirate Risky Boots. Using a secret subterranean device, Risky is able to rotate and rearrange the continent, plunging it into chaos and giving her more coastal cities to plunder. Fortunately, by harnessing this technology and the knowledge of the Relic Hunters, players will be able to turn the tables on Risky, giving Shantae new paths through environments and a chance to thwart the villain’s scheme. Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution will be released as a physical Game Boy Advance-compatible game cartridge published by Limited Run Games with an estimated release date of early 2024. Additional information, including dates for the game’s preorder window, will be announced in the future. For the latest news, please visit www.wayforward.com and www.limitedrungames.com, and follow @wayforward and @limitedrungames on social media.

About WayForward

Based in Valencia, California, WayForward was founded in 1990 and has remained an independent game developer for more than 30 years. It is home to many talented individuals including programmers, environment artists, animators, modelers, illustrators, audio wizards, designers, and team leaders. With new avenues for distributing games directly to fans, they are finally able to make the games they have always wanted to.

About Limited Run Games

Limited Run Games is a subsidiary of “Freemode,” an operative group comprised of gaming and entertainment companies owned by Embracer. Limited Run Games is the industry leader in the production and distribution of premium physical video games. Limited Run seeks to celebrate the legacy of gaming through its award-winning collector’s editions. Founded in 2015, they have published over 1,000 physical games, exclusive merch, and collectibles. Limited Run is the gold standard in bringing digital games to physical form and now re-releasing retro titles on modern platforms via their proprietary Carbon Engine. Visit limitedrungames.com for the latest offerings and to learn more about Carbon Engine development. Follow the brand on your social media platform of choice for all LRG-related updates: @limitedrungames.

On July 13th, Car Detailing Simulator, a game that allows you to run a car detailing and restoration business, will be released on Nintendo Switch. The developers aimed for realism and a comprehensive take on full car restoration. Car Detailing Simulator has previously made a successful debut on PC. Later in 2023, the game will also be released on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.

Developed by the Polish studio Games Incubator, the simulator was released on PC in April 2022 and was well received by users. As of now, it enjoys 78% positive reviews on Steam (out of over 600 reviews in total). The studio that has been tasked with porting and publishing the game on the Nintendo Switch is Ultimate Games S.A.

Car Detailing Simulator – Nintendo Switch Trailer:

Car Detailing Simulator (Nintendo eShop): https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/car-detailing-simulator-switch/

Car Detailing Simulator (Steam): https://store.steampowered.com/app/1433570/Car_Detailing_Simulator/

Car Detailing Simulator focuses on single-player gameplay based on performing tasks involving car detailing, restoration, and maintenance. Available vehicles include both vintage cars and battered or simply poorly maintained rides. The player can also buy old car models and return them to their former glory or add any modifications to sell them subsequently for a higher price.

An important part of Car Detailing Simulator is garage development, which includes all kinds of upgrades and expanding your toolset. As you progress in the game by completing various tasks, you can expand your business.

The developers have put emphasis on realism, which can be seen in the extensive set of specialist tools and highly specific detailing and restoration options (including washing, foaming, and paint polishing).

“Car Detailing Simulator is a game with a fair dose of realism, which allows you to deal with detailing and restoration of all kinds of cars – from vintage to modern models. Car restoration has been tackled in a comprehensive way and with significant attention to detail. The game provides long hours of relaxing fun that can be enjoyed not only by car lovers,” says Rafał Jelonek, the Ultimate Games S.A. COO.

Car Detailing Simulator – main features:

• Car detailing, restoration, and maintenance
• Varied tasks
• Garage development
• Detailed car models
• Competition and rankings

The release date of Car Detailing Simulator for Nintendo Switch has been set to April 13, 2023. Later this year, the game will also be released on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.

Crunchyroll Delivers Anime Experience Showcasing Street Fighter: Duel, Live Performances, Anime Trailers, Merchandise, And Much More

Culver City, California (July 12, 2023) –Crunchyroll, the global leader in bringing the ultimate anime experience to fans in over 200 countries and territories, is excited to announce plans for the upcoming record-breaking Evolution Championship Series (Evo) in Las Vegas from August 4-6. This year, Crunchyroll joins forces with Evo to create an electrifying experience tailored to gaming attendees, immersing them in the vibrant world of anime and esports tournaments through hit series, DJ performances, games, special guest appearances, and more. This year Crunchyroll is bringing the newly released Street Fighter^TM: Duel. The game, available in select territories, lets players step into the ring to collect, level up and battle with over 40 fan-favorite fighters from across the Street Fighter^TM series. 

“We know fans of gaming and anime share a love of immersive storytelling, engaging characters, and expansive worlds. What better way to celebrate the similarities than to deliver an exciting experience at this vibrant event,” said Terry Li, SVP of Emerging Business and GM of Crunchyroll Games, Crunchyroll. “We’re proud to team up with Evo to create a truly memorable experience for fans attending the event.”

At the heart of Crunchyroll’s presence at Evo is its interactive booth #K1, which serves as a hub for fans to engage with popular anime touchpoints, including anime, games, music, and merchandise. The Crunchyroll booth is designed to celebrate the captivating visuals and sounds from popular anime, transporting visitors into other worlds. The booth features: 

• Get hands on with Games – Don’t miss a chance to play Street Fighter: Duel and explore the Subscriber Super Arcade where Crunchyroll Subscribers have the chance to win amazing prizes all weekend long. 
• Free Live Performances – Crunchyroll has partnered with Evo to curate an exciting lineup of artists and DJs performing for FREE all weekend long – including K?D, Shihori, James Landino and more! Additional performers include Meirlin, Hyper Potions, VGR, and Kino performing anime and gaming themed sets during Evo. 
• Interactive Photo Ops – Immortalize your Evo experience with photo ops featuring characters from hit series, including SPY x FAMILY, Hell’s Paradise, The Ancient Magus’ Bride, and JUJUTSU KAISEN, alongside Crunchyroll’s all-new interactive, digital photo booth.
• FreeSwag! – The booth will also feature giveaways featuring the most popular anime streaming on Crunchyroll.
• Merchandise – awesome Crunchyroll merchandise available at Evo for the first time!
• And much, much more!!! Stay tuned for more announcements unveiling details on game collaborations and events happening at the booth. 

Evo, the largest and longest-running fighting game tournament, is shattering records for this year’s event with an 81% increase in total competitors from 2022. Street Fighter 6 set an all-time Evo registration record of 7,058 competitors, surpassing 5,052 competitors in 2016 for Street Fighter V’s debut.  Guilty Gear -Strive-, MELTY BLOOD: TYPE LUMINA, and Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 — Evo 2023’s first-ever Throwback Tournament title — also set new all-time franchise registration records. Evo 2023 will welcome more than 20,000 ticketed competitors and spectators to its tournament convention and Arena Finals so far – a 33% increase from last year at this time.

“Crunchyroll fans will join Evo’s core audience in being thrilled by Evo’s largest event ever as we continue to evolve our gaming convention with expanded activities like the 10,000 square foot retro arcade, Industry and Community Showcases, artist alley, and new vendors and exhibitors alongside our internationally renowned, and once again record-breaking, tournaments,” said Rick Thiher, Evo’s GM. 

Evo will be held at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Aug. 4-6, with the finals taking place in the Michelob ULTRA Arena, which has sold out all available seating.  Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 4-5 and 9 a.m. on Aug. 6. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.evo.gg/. The full schedule and visiting vendors and exhibitors will be announced this month.

About Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll connects anime and manga fans across 200+ countries and territories with the content and experiences they love. In addition to free ad-supported and subscription premium content, Crunchyroll serves the anime community across events, theatrical, games, consumer products, collectibles and manga publishing.

Anime fans have access to one of the largest collections of licensed anime through Crunchyroll and translated in multiple languages for viewers worldwide. Viewers can also access simulcasts — top series available immediately after Japanese broadcast. 

The Crunchyroll app is available on over 15 platforms, including all gaming consoles.

Crunchyroll, LLC is an independently operated joint venture between US-based Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Japan’s Aniplex, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., both subsidiaries of Tokyo-based Sony Group.

About Evo

The Evolution Championship Series (Evo) represents the largest and longest-running fighting game tournaments on Earth. Evo brings together the best of the best from around the world in an electric showcase of skill and fun, as players and fans gather to honor the competitive spirit in an open bracket format that reveals the world’s strongest fighting game players. Evo was founded in 2002 after a series of local arcade tournaments run by Tom and Tony Cannon were first held in 1996. Evo is owned and managed by RTS and Sony.