Shortlist announced for Best Italian Game, Best Italian Debut Game, Best Innovation, Outstanding Italian Company and Outstanding Individual Contribution

Milan, Italy – 23 June 2022: Italian Interactive Digital Entertainment Association (IIDEA), Italy’s video game trade body, is delighted to announce the finalists of this year’s prestigious Italian Video Game Awards 2023. The award ceremony, which is in its eleventh year, will take place on 6 July 2023 at the innovation hub Nana Bianca in Florence and will be hosted by Irish games host, critic and streamer Aoife Wilson. This will be during First Playable conference, the annual international gaming B2B event in Italy.

Thalita Malagò, General Director at IIDEA said: “It’s such an honor for us to host the Italian Video Game Awards each year and to be a part of putting a spotlight on the excellence within our industry. There is always such a huge amount of talent in the entries and this year was no exception. Our industry is growing and thriving each year and we are delighted to see it continue to flourish.”

Here are the chosen finalists for the Italian Video Game Awards 2023:

Best Italian Game

• Batora: Lost Haven (Stormind Games)
• Freud’s Bones – The Game (Axel Fox | Fortuna Imperatore)
• Hell is Others (Strelka Games & Yonder)
• Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope (Ubisoft Milan)
• MotoGP™22 (Milestone)
• Ravenous Devils (Bad Vices Games)
• Redout 2 (34BigThings)
• Saturnalia (Santa Ragione)
• Soulstice (Reply Game Studios)
• tERRORbane (BitNine Studio)
• The Rude Awakening (One O One Games)
• Vajont (Artheria)

Best Italian Debut Game 

• Freud’s Bones – The Game (Axel Fox | Fortuna Imperatore)
• IMAGO: Beyond the Nightmares (BR-Digital)
• tERRORbane (BitNine Studio)
• Vajont (Artheria)
• Venice 2089 (Safe Place Studio)

Best Innovation

• Hell is Others (Strelka Games & Yonder)
• Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope (Ubisoft Milan)
• Saturnalia (Santa Ragione) 
• tERRORbane (BitNine Studio)
• Vajont (Artheria)

Outstanding Italian Company

• Nacon Studio Milan
• Reply Game Studios
• Ubisoft Milan

Outstanding Individual Contribution

• Antonio Cannata (Stormind Games)
• Valerio Di Donato (34BigThings) 
• Cristina Nava (Ubisoft Milan)

IIDEA is delighted to be teaming up this year with media partners GamesIndustry.biz and VGC. The Italian Video Game Awards 2023 ceremony will take place on 6th July at 19.00 BST/20.00 CEST, and will be streamed live to English-speaking audiences by VGC. 

The jury for this year’s awards included industry veterans from development and press within the games industry. This year’s judges were: Vikki Blake reporter, critic, columnist, and consultant; Mike Channell, Co-editor for Outside Xbox; Lucy James, Senior Video Producer at GameSpot and Creative Producer at Giant Bomb; Imogen Mellor, Games Journalist and Content Creator; Alexis Trust, Comms Manager at Chucklefish; Jake Tucker, Editor-in-chief of TechRadar Gaming; and Ross Thompson, Content Creator and Consultant & Advisor in Gaming, Esports and Influencer Activation.

You can see all the finalists for this year’s awards, and read about the jury, over at www.firstplayable.it/italian-video-game-awards/ 

The two-day First Playable event, will be hosted by Nana Bianca in Florence. More information about the event is available on www.firstplayable.it 

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 60 members, including videogames hardware manufacturers, videogames publishers, Italian game developers and esports business operators.Internationally, in 2002 IIDEA joined ISFE (Interactive Software Federations of Europe), which is the European videogames Association located in Brussels. Since 2005 IIDEA is member of the ISFE 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. 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.

Compilation of Critically Acclaimed Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City, and Batman: Arkham Knight Released for the First Time on Nintendo Platform, Bundled with All Previously Released DLC in One Iconic Package

Sydney, Australia – June 23, 2023 – Warner Bros. Games and DC has announced Batman: Arkham Trilogy for Nintendo Switch, a compilation of Rocksteady Studios’ award-winning videogames that brings together the critically acclaimed Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City, and Batman: Arkham Knight in one iconic package. Batman: Arkham Trilogy is scheduled to launch for Nintendo Switch this fall 2023, complete with all previously released downloadable content (DLC) from all three titles. The trilogy is being developed for Nintendo Switch by Turn Me Up Games.

Developed by Rocksteady Studios and released in 2009, Batman: Arkham Asylum is where it all started. The game set the stage for DC’s “Arkhamverse” that fans know and love today, and introduced players to a unique, dark, and atmospheric adventure that takes players to the depths of the infamous Arkham Asylum. Featuring an original story, players move in the shadows as Batman to instill fear amongst enemies and confront The Joker and Gotham City’s most notorious villains, including Harley Quinn, Bane, Killer Croc, Poison Ivy, and Scarecrow, who have taken over the asylum.

Batman: Arkham City is Rocksteady Studios’ 2011 follow-up that builds upon the intense, atmospheric foundation of Batman: Arkham Asylum. The game sends players soaring through the expansive Arkham City – the maximum security “home” for all of Gotham City’s thugs, gangsters, and insane criminal masterminds. Featuring an incredible Rogues Gallery of Gotham City’s most dangerous criminals including Catwoman, The Joker, The Riddler, Two-Face, Harley Quinn, The Penguin, Mr. Freeze, and many others, the game allows players to experience what it feels like to be The Dark Knight and deliver justice to those confined within Arkham City.

Batman: Arkham Knight raises the stakes for The Dark Knight in Rocksteady Studios’ 2015 finale to the multi-award winning trio of Batman: Arkham games. In this epic conclusion to the Arkhamverse story arc, the fate of Gotham City hangs in the balance as Scarecrow is joined by the Arkham Knight, making his villainous debut in DC’s Batman Universe, as well as a roster of notorious DC Super-Villains including Harley Quinn, The Penguin, Two-Face, Firefly, and the Riddler. Joining The World’s Greatest Detective are his closest allies, Commissioner Gordon, Oracle, Alfred, Lucius Fox, Catwoman, Robin, and Nightwing. The gameculminates in the ultimate showdown in Gotham City and introduces players to the complete Batman experience with the Batmobile that is fully drivable throughout the open game world and capable of transformation from high-speed Pursuit Mode to military grade Battle Mode.

To learn more about Batman: Arkham Trilogy, join the conversation on Facebook (BatmanArkham), Twitter (@BatmanArkham), Instagram (BatmanArkham), and YouTube (@BatmanArkham).

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About Warner Bros. Games

Warner Bros. Games, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, Inc., is a premier worldwide publisher, developer, licensor and distributor of entertainment content for the interactive space across all platforms, including console, handheld, mobile and PC-based gaming for both internal and third-party game titles. Additional information can be found at WBGames.com.

About Rocksteady Studios Ltd.

Rocksteady Studios, a Warner Bros. Games development studio, is a multi-award winning videogame developer based in London, England. Creators of the critically acclaimed and multimillion-selling Batman: Arkham series, Rocksteady has been the recipient of over 110 awards, including five British Academy Games Awards. Additional information about Rocksteady Studios can be found at Rocksteadyltd.com.

About DC

DC, part of Warner Bros. Discovery, creates iconic characters and enduring stories and is one of the world’s largest publishers of comics and graphic novels.  DC’s creative work entertains audiences of every generation around the world with DC’s stories and characters integrated across Warner Bros. Discovery’s film, television, animation, consumer products, home entertainment, games, and themed experiences divisions, and on the DC Universe Infinite digital comic subscription service. Learn more at DC.com.

About Turn Me Up Games

Turn Me Up Games is an independent developer with years of experience producing video games and other interactive media. Founded in 2011, the Los Angeles-based team of developers, designers, artists, and producers lead development and coordinate production between offices in Italy and throughout Europe. Specializing in licensed and original IP, as well as ports and co-dev, Turn Me Up Games prides itself on delivering experiences that are both comfortably familiar and excitingly unprecedented.

BATMAN: ARKHAM TRILOGY software © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Original game Developed by Rocksteady Studios. Nintendo Switch version developed by Turn Me Up.

DC LOGO, BATMAN and all related characters and elements © & ™ DC. All Rights Reserved.

WARNER BROS. GAMES LOGO, WB SHIELD: ™ & © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (S23)

The Bravado Buffalo EVX, Available Now from Legendary Motorsport – Celebrate the New San Andreas Mercenaries Update with Special Bonuses, Avenger Liveries, and More

The Bravado Buffalo EVX (Muscle) improves upon the Buffalo line’s already successful formula, swapping out gas for a powerful electric engine, formidable handling, and a customizable build that’s eligible for HSW Upgrades and Imani Tech.

Visit your Agency’s Vehicle Workshop to equip resourceful enhancements like Armor Plating and Slick Mines, and either a Remote Control Unit or a Missile Lock-On Jammer. Hao’s Special Works — located inside the LS Car Meet on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S — can hook it up with its own full suite of vehicular customizations to maximize performance.

The Bravado Buffalo EVX is available to purchase now from Legendary Motorsport’s website and is also featured this week at the Luxury Autos showroom.

Join Up with the Los Santos Angels

The addition of San Andreas Mercenaries to GTA Online has guns-for-hire carrying out counter operations against the Merryweather private army across the state. For those yet to enlist in this action-packed new update, answer the call from Charlie Reed to join up with the Los Santos Angels.

The Operations Terminal upgrade for the Mammoth Avenger is your inroad to an assortment of explosive new missions in San Andreas Mercenaries, including Charlie’s ambitious Project Overthrow efforts and an audacious series of LSA Operations.

Visit Warstock Cache & Carry to pick up the Avenger’s Operations Terminal upgrade, which is available for free to GTA+ Members through July 19 along with scores of other benefits.

The San Andreas Mercenaries Bonuses Event

Los Santos’ smuggling industry is all up in the air — literally. The San Andreas Mercenaries Bonuses Event rewards sky-high ambitions with collectibles and rare items for setting up your aerial base of operations, taking part in high-danger trafficking, and helping Charlie Reed with Project Overthrow and LSA Operations through July 12.

• Buy (or already own) the Operations Terminal and Mammoth Thruster Upgrades for the Mammoth Avenger to receive the Hinterland Bomber Jacket
• Sell GTA$500,000 worth of Smuggler cargo goods by July 12 to receive the LS Pounders Cap
• Complete all 6 Project Overthrow Missions by July 12 to get the Blue & Green Camo livery for the Mammoth Avenger
• Complete all 3 LSA Operations by July 12 to receive the Conveyor livery for the V-65 Molotok

All the rewards above will be delivered within 10 days of completion.

SMUGGLING TIPS: Open your Interaction Menu and move your Avenger from your Facility to your Hangar by going to Services > Avenger > Return Options. And make sure to speak to Rooster McCraw inside your Hangar, he’ll help you source Air Freight Cargo crates for a fee.

1.5X GTA$ and RP on Project Overthrow Missions

Put that new Avenger Operations Terminal to proper use helping Charlie strike back against Merryweather and their metastasizing mercenary presence in Project Overthrow missions for 1.5X GTA$ and RP. Team up with up to three other players on these action-packed missions or go solo if you’re feeling particularly bold. GTA+ Members — who get the Operations Terminal for free through July 19 — can also make the most of stacking bonuses for Project Overthrow, to the tune of over 2X Rewards.

Avenger Livery Gifts

Playing GTA Online anytime this week will land you the Pink & Green Camo, Santo Capra Coins, and Dolla Dolla liveries for your Mammoth Avenger to adorn your airborne HQ and intimidate foes on land and in air alike.

Only on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S

Premium Test Ride: Överflöd Entity MT

Hao’s been busy making tweaks to the Överflöd Entity MT (Super), outfitting an already formidable car with a full suite of cosmetic and performance upgrades. Stop by Hao’s Special Works inside the LS Car Meet to try out this week’s Premium Test Ride and see how it performs for yourself.

This Week’s HSW Time Trial
If you’ve let Hao peek under the hood, you might as well put his improvements to the test by racing against the clock between Del Perro Beach and Murietta Heights in this week’s HSW Time Trial.

3X GTA$ and RP on Community Series

The Community Series showcases the best from GTA Online’s Job Creator community. We’re always on the lookout for the latest and greatest creations. Check out the newest additions to the Community Series below and get Triple Rewards on these player-made Jobs all week long. And remember to tag your creations with #communityseries on Social Club.

Bike vs Plane by Darti1989

On its face, this mode is a lopsided battle between a team on bikes and a fleet of planes, but the latter’s lack of weaponry means that pilots will have to time their runs impeccably to knock the bikers off their perch.

Double Decker Sumo by SafetyCircle

Can’t get enough Sumo? This mode dishes out a double dose of the fan-favorite across two layered levels, with a selection of different vehicles to choose from — each with its own size and speed to ensure maximum chaos. 

CXB1 DKRX Duckling by chapmman

You’ve never seen the Los Santos Golf Club quite like this: transformed into a multi-terrain rallycross Race with bumpy sections testing your ability to keep an even keel. Recommended for Off-Road vehicles and anything with four-wheel drive.

Bleu_Pistol by Crappatoni

A classic, true-blue Deathmatch with plenty of cover to go around. Stay frosty though, or you might end up electrocuted.

The Grand National Rally by JettaArts

Rally racing may be a sport, but creating rally tracks is an art in its own right. This track winds from Paleto Forest to Raton Canyon, veering both on and off-road, with twists and turns to keep drivers guessing.

Skytower Fight Club by PontSangsue7534

This Last Team Standing built high above Pillbox Hill is a chaotic close quarters melee. Keep your wits about you and check around corners before dealing out blunt force trauma to your foes.

Zombie Survival by The_Amazing_Zeph

Fight off a tide of zombified enemies atop The Diamond Casino & Resort in this high-stakes rooftop Survival mode. If you get swarmed, running through zombies will knock them over, giving you some space and time to breathe.

Premium Deluxe Motorsport Showroom

This showroom in downtown Los Santos features a tastefully curated selection of vehicles and Simeon promises a five-star vehicular shopping experience. Compare stats, kick the tires with a consequence-free, no-questions-asked test drive, and buy right on the spot.

This week, Mr. Yetarian’s inventory includes the powerful Truffade Nero supercar and four cars only available at Premium Deluxe Motorsport:

• Enus Paragon R (Sports)
• Annis Hellion (Off-Road)
• Declasse Vamos (Muscle)
• Dinka Verus (Off-Road)
• Truffade Nero (Super, 30% off)

Luxury Autos Showroom

The window display of the elegant Luxury Autos showroom in Rockford Hills is where you can get a closer look at the new Bravado Buffalo EVX (Muscle) this week before taking the plunge on it, alongside the Annis S80RR (Super).

This Week’s Test Rides, Prize Ride, and Lucky Wheel
The LS Car Meet in East Los Santos is home to car enthusiasts of all stripes and the perfect place meet up with like-minded automotive aficionados. Try out a variety of vehicles, including this week’s selection of Test Rides — the Bravado Gauntlet Classic (Muscle, 40% off), Vapid FMJ (Super), and Grotti Itali RSX (Sports, 30% off).

Whether you’re weaving through detours in Street Races or into oncoming traffic in Pursuits, drivers who place in the Top 2 in LS Car Meet Races for four days in a row will earn the keys to this week’s Prize Ride, the Grotti Turismo Classic (Sports Classic).

Visit The Diamond Casino & Resort in East Vinewood once a day to spin the Lucky Wheel, compliments of the house. This week you’ll have the opportunity to win the Pegassi Tempesta, an imported supercar designed to look good while breaking local speed limits.

GTA+

GTA+ Members gain admittance into The Vinewood Club, an all-new VIP experience that includes access to The Vinewood Car Club’s curated stock of distinct vehicles. Plus, enjoy a wide selection of benefits through July 19:

• Maibatsu MonstroCiti (Off-Road) and Chepalle Motorsport livery
• The new Avenger Operations Terminal
• Cream Pearl and Blue-Green Flip Chameleon Wheel Paints
• 1.5X GTA$ and RP on Project Overthrow Missions
• 40% off Avenger upgrades

And much more, including a GTA$500,000 bonus delivered upon billing each month. Visit the GTA+ website for the complete breakdown.

DISCOUNTS:

• 30% off – Mammoth Mogul (Plane)
• 30% off – Buckingham Miljet (Plane)
• 40% off – Bravado Gauntlet Classic (Muscle)
• 30% off – Truffade Nero (Super)
• 30% off – Grotti Itali RSX (Sports)

Gun Van Inventory and Discounts

Tactical SMG | Unholy Hellbringer | Military Rifle (30% off for GTA+ Members) | Railgun | Homing Launcher (30% off) | Vintage Pistol | Machine Pistol | Pipe Wrench | Proximity Mines | Sticky Bombs | Grenades | Armor

Play as Bumblebee in ‘TRANSFORMERS: EARTHSPARK – Expedition’ Launching on Consoles and PC Globally Later This Year

Watch the reveal trailer

Outright Games, the leading global publisher of family-friendly interactive entertainment, has announced TRANSFORMERS: EARTHSPARK – Expedition, an all-new action packed, single player TRANSFORMERS video game that is being developed in partnership with Hasbro, a global leader in play. This is the first game inspired by the original animated series TRANSFORMERS: EARTHSPARK that premiered globally November 2022. TRANSFORMERS: EARTHSPARK – Expedition will introduce a new generation of video game fans to an all-new generation of Earthborn TRANSFORMERS bots when it launches later this year on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC.

TRANSFORMERS: EARTHSPARK – Expedition puts fans behind the wheel of the iconic hero Bumblebee, as he drifts, drives, and fights his way across a new but familiar world. The game aims to faithfully recreate the environment and feel of the ground-breaking animated series, as Bumblebee sets off on his own adventure to face a mysterious threat from his past and stop the series villain Dr. Meridian, aka “Mandroid”, from recovering missing pieces of an ancient technology.

As part of this action-packed journey, players will be able to freely explore three massive biomes and complete quests from their Terran allies, the first TRANSFORMERS robots to be born on Earth, and new original characters from the TV series. To complete his mission Bumblebee will also fight against and alongside fan-favourite legacy TRANSFORMERS bots including Optimus Prime, Grimlock, Skullcruncher, Nova Storm, and Skywarp.

Deep levels of exploration and combat reward players for undertaking multiple playthroughs as they unlock a diverse range of upgrades and abilities that allow access to previous locations, and to discover secrets in previously inaccessible areas. Unlock the skills needed to take down Decepticons with spectacular ultimate attacks and customize Bumblebee by selecting a variety of engine energy trails when in vehicle mode.

The game has been designed to be accessible for fans of all ages, with detailed analysis given to different scenarios allowing freedom of exploration, text legibility, control setups and difficulty curves ensuring it is playable by younger gamers. Variable difficulty options are included that allow the game to be played according to individual ability, alongside mechanics that mitigate frustration in combat, such as directional warnings to help players identify incoming threats more easily. An assisted driving system has also been included which provides an easier control scheme when in vehicle mode, as well as the option to enable automatic camera so players can focus their full attention on exploring, driving, and battling enemies.

Stephanie Malham, COO of Outright Games said, “We’re very excited to be working with our long-term licensing partner Hasbro once again on a Transformers title that pushes the boundaries of what video games can bring to a long standing, hugely popular franchise. They have done an incredible job modernising and reinventing what Transformers means for a new generation through TV series, blockbuster movies, and working with the best partners on streaming platforms. We’re delighted to bring our expertise to the table and help compliment this strategy through the creation of video games for younger fans.”

TRANSFORMERS started life as a toy-line in 1984 and has gone on to depict the epic battle between the Autobots and Decepticons across movies, TV shows, comic books, innovative toys, and digital media. The TRANSFORMERS franchise is a global powerhouse spanning generations that has produced over 10 feature films and countless video games, making it a household name around the world.

TRANSFORMERS: EARTHSPARK – Expedition will launch in 2023 across Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC.

About Outright Games:

Outright Games is a global video games publisher with a focus on bringing quality family entertainment to a worldwide audience. Founded in 2016, Outright Games has established its place in the market delivering engaging interactive games of beloved entertainment licences globally. Outright Games brings stories and characters to life with titles including favourites such as Peppa Pig: World Adventures with Hasbro, DC’s Justice League: Cosmic Chaos with Warner, Star Trek Prodigy: Supernova and Paw Patrol: Grand Prix with Nickelodeon, and DreamWorks Dragons: Legends of The Nine Realms with NBC Universal. With an Outright Games title there will be fun for all the family to enjoy.

For more information please visit: www.outrightgames.com

About TRANSFORMERS and TRANSFORMERS: EARTHSPARK

The TRANSFORMERS brand is a global powerhouse franchise with millions of fans around the world. Since 1984, the battle between the Autobots and Decepticons has come to life in movies, TV shows, comic books, innovative toys, and digital media, bringing incredible “MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE” experiences to fans of all ages. The brand’s enduring connection is made possible by its rich storytelling and characters: the heroic Autobots who seek to protect all life, and the evil Decepticons who seek to conquer the universe.

TRANSFORMERS: EARTHSPARK is an original action-comedy series co-produced by Hasbro’s Entertainment One (eOne) and Nickelodeon and introduces a new generation of Transformers robots – the first to be born on Earth – and together with the humans who welcome them and care for them, they’ll redefine what it means to be a family.  

The TRANSFORMERS brand is a Hasbro franchise, which includes Hasbro’s new TRANSFORMERS: EARTHSPARK toy line, inspired by the series. 

About Hasbro:

Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a global leader in play whose mission is to entertain and connect generations of fans through the wonder of storytelling and exhilaration of play. Hasbro delivers engaging brand experiences for global audiences through gaming, consumer products and entertainment, with a portfolio of iconic brands including MAGIC: THE GATHERING, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, Hasbro Gaming, NERF, TRANSFORMERS, PLAY-DOH and PEPPA PIG, as well as premier partner brands.

Hasbro is guided by our Purpose to create joy and community for all people around the world, one game, one toy, one story at a time. For more than a decade, Hasbro has been consistently recognized for its corporate citizenship, including being named one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens by 3BL Media, one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Institute and one of the 50 Most Community-Minded Companies in the U.S. by the Civic 50. For more information, visit www.corporate.hasbro.com.

© 2023 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

About Tessera Studios:

Tessera Studios is a video game development studio founded in 2017 and based in Madrid, Spain. Since then, the members of the studio, animation, art, programming and game design specialists, have worked to create new stories and bring their talent and dedication to game development.

The previous experience and the one acquired during these years, turns Tessera Studios into a multidisciplinary team able to develop a great variety of projects on different platforms.

Among other Tessera Studios developments, Intruders: Hide and Seek, a first-person stealth game, was awarded PlayStation Talents Game of the Year and Best Game for the Press, SXSW Best Gaming Pitch and Gaming Voice Awards among 8 other awards.

EA and Maxis today announced The Sims™ 4 Horse Ranch Expansion Pack, available for PC via EA app, Mac® via Origin, Epic Games Store and Steam®, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One systems on July 20.

In The Sims 4 Horse Ranch Expansion Pack, players can explore the rustic locale and curate their ideal ranch life – whether that be a barn full of animal friends or a relaxing cabin on the prairie, each moment is sure to feel authentic and meaningful. 

For more information on The Sims 4 Horse Ranch Expansion Pack, please visit: ea.com/games/the-sims/news/the-sims-4-horse-ranch-guided-tour 

EXPERIENCE THE POWER OF THE EIKONS IN FINAL FANTASY XVI, NOW AVAILABLE The First Full Action RPG in the FINAL FANTASY Series is Here

Check out our review for Final Fantasy XVI HERE

SYDNEY (23^rd June 2023) – SQUARE ENIX® has announced that the release of FINAL FANTASY®XVI, the latest standalone entry in the critically-acclaimed FINAL FANTASY franchise, is now available for PlayStation®5 (PS5®) consoles.

FINAL FANTASY XVI is the first true action role-playing game (RPG) in the beloved series, combining a dynamic real-time action combat system and RPG features to provide an expansive and thrilling gameplay experience. Created by an experienced development team led by Naoki Yoshida, their goal was to deliver a FINAL FANTASY title that could be enjoyed by all players, and that pleases series fans and new players alike. Accessibility is also a big focus, with the introduction of Timely Accessories, a feature that allows players to tailor and customize game difficulty via gear to fit their individual play style. 

Another innovative feature is the Active Time Lore (ATL) system. Accessible at any time in the game, even during cutscenes, ATL allows players to learn more about the world and characters that are on screen or that they’ve just encountered, with over 2,800 written entries that delve deep into the backstory of Valisthea and its inhabitants.

The FINAL FANTASY XVI Demo is the perfect opportunity for players to jump into the realms of Valisthea to experience the beginnings of protagonist Clive Rosfield’s epic tale. The demo gives players access to the opening prologue, with saved progress carrying over to the full game after its release. In the demo, take control of Clive Rosfield at the start of his epic tale and learn about his ambitions and goals, as he endures a tragic event sending him on a dark and dangerous path of revenge.  Completing the prologue allows players to experience a special battle demo which has numerous abilities unlocked, giving them the opportunity to jump into exhilarating battles and test out a wide array of devastating attacks and combos.

FINAL FANTASY XVI introduces players to an all-new story in the FINAL FANTASY universe, an epic dark fantasy that takes place in the realms of Valisthea – a land blessed in the light of the Mothercrystals, and where peace falters as the spread of the Blight threatens to destroy their dominions. The fate of the land is decided by the Eikons, mighty summoned beasts and their Dominants, men and women who have been blessed with the ability to call upon and wield them. This is the tale of Clive Rosfield, a warrior granted the title “First Shield of Rosaria” and sworn to protect his younger brother Joshua, the Dominant of the Phoenix, Eikon of Fire. Before long, Clive will be caught up in a great tragedy and swear revenge on the Dark Eikon known as Ifrit, a mysterious entity that brings calamity in its wake.

FINAL FANTASY XVI is available now for the PlayStation®5 console.

Official Website: http://www.finalfantasyxvi.com

About FINAL FANTASY

For over 35 years, the FINAL FANTASY series has delighted generations of gamers and millions of players worldwide through beloved role-playing adventures that are built upon the benchmarks of spectacular visuals, highly imaginative worlds, rich stories, memorable characters, and technical and gameplay innovation leading the industry and earning the highest accolades from around the world. Each mainline game in the series is a completely new experience, and an ideal entry-point to the series. Titles of the series have sold over 173 million units worldwide.

About Square Enix, Ltd.
Square Enix Ltd. develops, publishes, distributes, and licenses SQUARE ENIX® and TAITO® branded entertainment content in Europe and other PAL territories as part of the Square Enix group of companies. The Square Enix group of companies boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 173 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 85 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix Ltd. is a London-based, wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.

More information on Square Enix Ltd. can be found at https://square-enix-games.com

© SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved.

LOGO & IMAGE ILLUSTRATION: ©2020 YOSHITAKA AMANO

FINAL FANTASY, the FINAL FANTASY XVI logo, DRAGON QUEST, SPACE INVADERS, SQUARE ENIX, the SQUARE ENIX logo and TAITO are registered trademarks or trademarks of the Square Enix group of companies. “PlayStation” and “PS5” are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners

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Read Between the Lines in Narrative Adventure The Bookwalker on Xbox, PlayStation, PC Today

SEATTLE — June 22, 2023 — The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales, a gripping narrative adventure from DO MY BEST (the creators of the indie hit The Final Station) and publisher tinyBuild, stands on the edge of fiction and reality on PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Xbox Game Pass today.

Traverse between realms as Etienne Quist, a writer-turned-thief with the ability to travel through fiction and reality. Aim to shorten Quist’s writer’s block sentencing and reclaim his previously revered status after a criminal boss makes him an offer: steal legendary artifacts found only in books.

Enter the world of six popular tales, all modernized and with unexpected twists, to trek across snow-covered mountains, sneak through a gloomy medieval prison, and go into orbit on a space-traveling vessel to procure the artifacts. Come across many treasures such as the bubbling Potion of Immortality, the shining Excalibur, and the all-powerful hammer once only wielded by Thor. 

Evade the writer’s police in turn-based battles and fight fellow storied villains like shape shifting entities, or the undead using the last drops of your writers abilities. Scavenge for items to replenish ink, a bookwalker’s source of power to defeat foes and manipulate objects within the books. 

Meet a cast of eccentric characters on this page-turning adventure. Keep an unlikely companion along for the journey: a curious and mysterious caged page taken away from an unknown book. Craft items and tools and use each instrument to aid the story’s progression and solve puzzles between reality and fiction. Stick through tales and words to uncover the man behind the thefts and why Quiest’s was chosen for the job..

“We created The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales to offer a special narrative experience that explores the question of character agency in fictional worlds,” said Oleg Sergeev, Co-Founder of DO MY BEST. “Its gameplay was crafted to give readers a deep immersion into every atmosphere with its impassioned narrative and dialogues.”

The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales is available on PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Xbox Game Pass now for USD $14.99 with a limited time 10% discount during launch week. Steam players with The Final Station in their library can purchase the DO MY BEST bundle to receive The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales with an additional 10% discount. The Bookwalker supports English, Russian, Brazilian Portuguese, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese languages. 

For more information, follow @domybest_games and @tinyBuild on Twitter, and join the adventure on Discord.

About DO MY BEST

DO MY BEST is a small indie team consisting of three developers who like to create deep narrative titles. After the success of their first title The Final Station, they are excited for their sophomore release, The Bookwalker.

About tinyBuild

tinyBuild is a global video game publisher and developer focused on creating long-lasting, sustainable franchises across multiple media formats. Responsible for over 70 titles including Hello Neighbor, Graveyard Keeper, and Potion Craft, the company has a dozen development studios spread across the US, EU, Serbia, and Ukraine.

Automate an Interplanetary Home in Nova Lands Today on PC, Consoles – Engineer an easier, efficient new way of life among alien flora, fauna

SÃO PAULO, Brazil — June 22, 2023 — Nova Lands, the automation base builder with interstellar exploration and survival mechanics from developer BEHEMUTT and publisher HypeTrain Digital, streamlines survival today on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam, GOG, and Epic Games Store.

Earth direly needs a new critical resource. Set off on a journey through the cosmos in search of other planets and an energy source for humanity. Create the Nova Gateway, a massive portal back to Earth, to make the transfer of resources a reality. Establish a home base on a newfound planet full of unexplored islands, dangerous aliens, off-the-grid scoundrels, and prepare to take prosperity home.

Become a base-building mastermind and construct a community of bots to automate tedious tasks required for survival. Program a neighborhood of robotic collectors, logistic problem solvers, transport drones, and combat units to uncover the secrets lying await on unknown lands.

Encounter and confront interstellar creatures living among the dank caves and overgrown plains to procure rare resources. Hunt down gargantuan boss-like fauna for their riches, or practice pacifism to acquire shinier treasures. Combat is always optional — even challenging bosses can be subdued…for those brave enough to pursue peace.

Research technologies to unlock new possibilities for mankind. Establish production lines of bots to extract resources and improve the community’s efficiency with scientific breakthroughs. Protect the homebase with a perimeter of defenses and venture forth to find crewmates arriving on the planet to gain extra hands.

Advance society to build a shuttle to the Space Station above and engage in interplanetary trade. Meet a thriving community of characters living out their days as a fully functioning society filled with new technologies and a series of shops offering new cosmetics, blueprints, and even houses, to any who pass by (with enough Kredits for a fair trade, of course).

“What interstellar explorers uncover will be decided by their approach,” said Douglas Oliveira, Co-Founder of HypeTrain Digital. “So many mysteries lie above and below, we’re keen to see the direction each community seeks out. Will they take a peaceful or warmonger approach? The fate of their universe lies in their lands!”

Nova Lands is now available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam, GOG, and Epic Games Store for $19.99 with a 10% discount for a limited time during launch week. Additional language support includes English, Brazilian Portuguese, French, Spanish, Russian, Thai, Vietnamese, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Turkish, German, and Korean languages.

For more information, follow BEHEMUTT on Twitter and HypeTrain Digital on Facebook and Youtube — and join the Discord to meet other like-minded cosmic engineers!

About BEHEMUTT

BEHEMUTT is a Brazilian-based independent game studio consisting of industry veterans. After working in the industry for several years, Co-founders Doug Oliveira and Ed Freitas established BEHEMUTT to create joyful, accessible experiences for audiences around the world, beginning with their first release, Mana Spark. Doug and Ed lead the programming and game design elements of development for their second title Nova Lands, alongside Artist, Lucas Lazora.

About HypeTrain Digital

HypeTrain Digital is a Cyprus-based indie game publisher championing PC and console games. The company’s mission is to help young developers deliver games to a worldwide audience across genres and platforms, and its wide cabinet of releases includes more than 10 titles. HypeTrain Digital proudly works with developers around the world, in countries including Brazil, United Kingdom, Estonia, Peru, Lithuania, Poland, Taiwan, Cyprus, Kazakhstan and China.

The SEGA classic reimagined for single and two-player next gen VR gameplay aims for the stars

After much anticipation, new game studio and publisher RapidEyeMovers and VR pioneers Wolf & Wood are delighted to announce the launch of C-Smash VRS on Friday 23^rd June, 2023.

Bringing slick, minimalist, feel-good sports fun into the home, C-Smash VRS is a complete reimagining of SEGA’s iconic Dreamcast and arcade icon “Cosmic Smash” for VR and online gameplay.

An immersive full-body VR experience, C-Smash VRS brings together the very best of racket sports and timeless action puzzle gameplay. The game’s high level of physical immersion, gameplay variety and distinct one-more-go quality will provide endless fun.

Watch the C-Smash VRS Launch Trailer here

The game has one simple goal: to make you feel good. Set in a utopia at the end of space and time, its low-gravity environments will enable you to pull off smash shots from your wildest dreams. It is what VR was always meant to be.

The single-player Journey mode uniquely brings rogue-like progression to a sports game with 100 levels and a host of powerups for you to discover in the remote corners of the cosmos.

Want to race against time, play with another player or just simply chill to the beat? You can choose to play alone or forge a cosmic connection with a friend, while exploring a variety of online versus modes. 

C-Smash VRS features original tracks by DJ Ken Ishii (Rez Infinite) and synth master Danalogue (front man of The Comet is Coming), delivering a hypnotic soundtrack which will make both the game’s dynamic environments – and player’s bodies – pulse to the beat.

Like VR tentpoles Beat Saber and Pistol Whip, C-Smash VRS will keep growing with new modes, features, and content. We have an excited roadmap planned.

The brand-new Launch Trailer invites players to ‘turn off their cellphones’ and immerse their minds and bodies in the chill thrills of C-Smash VRS.

About RapidEyeMovers
RapidEyeMovers is a brand-new game production studio and publisher based in London, England.
Besides, C-Smash VRS, RapidEyeMovers  recently launched Directional, a podcast about videogames and the creative rebellion. Hosted by Jörg Tittel and Chantal Ryan, the  acclaimed show features luminary guests from the world of games and beyond. www.rapideyemovers.com

About Wolf & Wood

Wolf & Wood are an independent games studio based in the North-East of England. The small but multi-talented team have written, designed and developed a number of first-person narrative titles including The Exorcist: Legion VR, which expands on the Oscar-winning horror franchise, along with their own award-winning games, A Chair in a Room: Greenwater and the rock’n’roll riot, Hotel R’n’R. 2023 has already been a busy year with the launch of C-Smash VRS and The Last Worker which is available on PS VR2 as well as other VR platforms, consoles and PC. 

About Sony

PlayStation®VR2 are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment. 

About SEGA® of America, Inc.

SEGA of America, Inc. is the American arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA CORPORATION, a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment. Established in 1986, SEGA of America publishes innovative interactive entertainment experiences for console, PC, mobile and emerging platforms. In 2020, SEGA ranked #1 among Metacritic’s Annual Game Publisher Rankings. Its globally beloved franchises include Sonic The Hedgehog™, Like a Dragon, Virtua Fighter™, Super Monkey Ball™, and Phantasy Star Online™, along with Atlus’ Persona™ and Shin Megami Tensei™ series. Since its debut more than three decades ago, Sonic has become a pop culture icon featured in dozens of games, TV series, and movies, with a new major motion picture currently slated for release later this year. SEGA of America has offices in Irvine and Burbank, California.

SEGA and the SEGA logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of SEGA CORPORATION or its affiliates. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are property of their respective owners.

Players can learn more about landmarks and clan targets in the Overview Trailer

Hertfordshire,  22^nd June 2023 — Today, KOEI TECMO Europe and developer Kou Shibusawa revealed the overview trailer for the upcoming tactical strategy game, NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION: Awakening. Additionally, the 16^th entry in Kou Shibusawa’s historical simulation franchise, NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION: Awakening is now available to preorder on PlayStation®4 and PC Windows via Steam®. Preorders for Nintendo Switch™ will start on 29^th June 2023. The title will be available digitally on 20^th July 2023.

Discover the Overview Trailer of NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION: Awakening on YouTube

In NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION: Awakening, players will experience Japan’s chaotic Warring States Period by taking over the role of daimyō – a powerful Japanese feudal lord – and leading their own clan. In order to succeed in their quest to unify Japan, players can establish their “clan target”, allowing them to set a guideline for the administration of their clan. By achieving their objective, players obtain useful rewards, which will prove to be strategic to their quest of unification of the country – such as the ability to apply new policies, labor increase, and even gold acquisition. It’s up to players to start with an easy target, or aim for those that are more difficult and offer greater rewards.

By completing their “clan target”, players also earn “commendations”, which they can bestow to their retainers as “accolades”. Granting such rewards to their retainers not only strengthens their loyalty to the daimyō, but also allows them to gain aliases like “The Experience” or “The Statesman”, as well as improved abilities. In their quest, players are faced with choices, such as whether strengthening an experienced retainer who has already made many achievements to keep them in the front line, or giving that chance to a promising new retainer. As players make choices, retainers earn various achievements, which leads to their aliases to change as they enjoy more powerful benefits with new aliases like “The Veteran” or “The Humanitarian”.

Throughout the game, players also discover various famous temples and shrines, like Atsuta Jingū, Tōdaiji, and Izumo Ōyashiro, scattered across the country. These temples and shrines are important strategic points called “landmarks”. By conquering a county with a landmark, players activate its effect bringing a variety of benefits to their clan, both civil and military. Players can strengthen the effect of a landmark by fulfilling certain conditions to level it up, which will not be without a significant gold cost. However, if an enemy takes control of a landmark, players will have to be prepared to fight an unexpectedly harsh battle.

For more information on NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION: Awakening, visit the official site, Join us on the KOEI TECMO Europe Discord server, ‘Like’ us on Facebook, and Follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @koeitecmoeurope.

ABOUT KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD.

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

More information about KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD and its products can be found at www.koeitecmoeurope.com

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

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