The explosive retro FPS launches May 23 on PC and consoles

PARIS — May 19, 2023 — Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun, the bloody and explosive homage to the retro shooters of yore set in Games Workshop’s iconic universe, is just around the corner! To manage your wait before charging headfirst into battle next week, discover the game’s new extended gameplay trailer, showcasing seven minutes of viciously satisfying gameplay footage topped off with a climactic boss fight.

Published by Focus Entertainment and developed by Auroch Digital in partnership with Games Workshop, this deadly stylish indie FPS releases May 23 on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC.

Plunge headlong into the grim dark of the future!

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is a single-player FPS that delivers a hardcore, neo-retro experience with iconic ‘90s style, putting you in the ceramite-armored boots of the ultimate killing machine: a Space Marine. One week before it launches, get a nice, good look at the devastating, visceral gameplay that will have you obliterating the daemons of Chaos.

The extended gameplay trailer showcases Boltgun’s extremely fluid and modern gameplay, brought to life with glorious, fully 3D, sprite-based visuals. Grab your Boltgun, Chainsword and Grav-Cannon to shoot, shred, slice, and demolish dynamic waves of heretics in pulse-pounding combat through the wide variety of environments of the vibrant Forge World Graïa.

Carve through the hordes of Chaos when Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun releases on May 23 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC. Pre-orders are open for PC and all Sony and Microsoft platforms.

Sign up as a Focus member to get exclusive news and upcoming special offers for Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun and the whole Focus catalog.

CD PROJEKT RED, the video game development studio behind The Witcher series of games and Cyberpunk 2077, today announced that Promised Land Art Festival will take place September 3rd-6th this year, with Early Bird tickets now available for purchase through the official website.

Aimed at professionals from various creative industries such as film and gaming, Promised Land Art Festival was created to be an opportunity for sharing ideas, networking, and bridging the divide between traditional and digital arts. Lasting four days, the festival will host over 100 hours of activities, including talks, hands-on workshops, live demonstrations, portfolio reviews, masterclasses, networking sessions, as well as Q&As with high-profile creators. The event will once more take place at EC a renovated and modernized former power plant that now serves as a center of culture and science.

Last year’s Promised Land Art Festival boasted over 850 participants, as well as 58 speakers, with 42 hours of lectures, 31 hours of workshops, 15 hours of life drawing sessions with professional models, and 18 hours of demos taking place during the four-day event. Speakers and participants came from a variety of companies, including 11 bit studios, Bloober Team, People Can Fly, Platige Image, Techland, Ubisoft, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Riot Games, Wizards of the Coast, Guerilla Games, and many more.

The studio today unveiled the first three speakers to take part in the event: Bastien Lecouffe Deharme, Genci Buxheli, and Ben Erdt. More speakers will be unveiled as the event draws nearer.

Bastien Lecouffe Deharme moved from France to the United States in 2010 where he has continued a career dedicated to every aspect of his art, including painting Magic: The Gathering cards, working with his agency on large-scale projects, and developing his graphic novels & role-playing games. Bastien’s artwork can be seen in publications and exhibitions worldwide, including on the cover of the emblematic Spectrum Fantastic art book.

Genci Buxheli is a lead character artist at Eidos Montreal in Montreal, Canada. He joined the company to work on Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, where he had the opportunity to create some of the game’s main protagonists and antagonists — as well as supporting cast members. When creating workflows, Genci often finds inspiration from other departments to help speed up and improve the creation process of character modeling and shading.

Ben Erdt has worked in the industry for over 10 years as a character/creature artist and has previously worked on titles such as Killzone: Shadow Fall, Horizon Zero Dawn, its DLC Frozen Wilds, the early stage of Horizon Forbidden West, NVIDIA’s Project Sol, and Love, Death & Robots. He joined Blizzard Entertainment in 2018 and is currently working on Diablo IV as a lead character artist.

Learn More About the Speakers

Tickets for Promised Land Art Festival are available starting today. Early bird tickets available for 2300 PLN are time limited and will be available until June 12th, or while supplies last. Each ticket grants the owner access to all Promised Land events and includes food & drink vouchers, as well as a welcome pack of physical Promised Land goodies. The ticket also encompasses Open Day, a one-day event hosted the day before the festival’s official opening for creative industry enthusiasts.

Buy Promised Land 2023 Tickets

The festival is held under the auspices of City Council as part of “600 Years of (“600 lat”) and “EC1 – The City of Culture” Miasto Kultury”) promotional programs. Learn more about the festival on the official website.

About CD PROJEKT RED

CD PROJEKT RED is a game development studio founded in 2002. It develops and publishes video games for personal computers and video game consoles. The studio’s flagship titles include The Witcher series of games, Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales, GWENT: The Witcher Card Game, and the futuristic AAA role-playing game — Cyberpunk 2077, upon which the Netflix anime series Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, created by CD PROJEKT RED and Studio Trigger, is based. Together with GOG.COM, a game store offering hand-picked titles for PC and Mac, CD PROJEKT RED is part of the CD PROJEKT Group. CD PROJEKT S.A. is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (ISIN: PLOPTTC00011).

About Promised Land Art Festival

Promised Land Art Festival brings together professionals working in film, gaming, and other creative industries. Focusing on the exchange of knowledge and experience, the event plays host to dozens of activities: from hands-on workshops, talks and demos, to Q&A and networking sessions. Leading and collaborating in these are speakers from some of the most recognizable brands in the industry. The festival is organized by acclaimed games developer CD PROJEKT RED, in cooperation with the city of Poland and EC1 Łódź – City of Culture.

Sydney, Australia, May 19^th, 2023 – When people talk about turn-based tactics games, very often Jagged Alliance is mentioned as one of the legendary forefathers of the genre. So creating a new instalment in the series, almost 25 years after the first one has electrified gamers around the globe, is not a simple task. With Jagged Alliance 3, developer Haemimont Games and publisher THQ Nordic are proud to finally add the number “3” behind the iconic name – Jagged Alliance 3 shall be a worthy successor and an outstanding strategy game when it releases on July 14th, 2023 for PC.

In the latest trailer, we’re gonna spill the beans on what Jagged Alliance 3 brings to the table, and what it doesn’t. Battle-hardened mercenaries who’ve conquered the previous instalments might scoff and say, “Been there, done that.” But for you unfortunate souls who’ve never tasted the thrill of a Jagged Alliance game yet (shame on you!), this rad new trailer will answer the burning question you’ve been dying to ask.

Check out the Explanation Trailer on YouTube:

Pre-Order now to save big
Jagged Alliance 3 is currently in development for PC and is set to release on July 14th, 2023. The digital pre-order on Steam is now ready and will grant a 20% discount. We’re sorry for not offering some fancy mercenary costumes or a super-duper season pass.

Pre-order here: https://thqn.net/ja3-steam

More information about the game is available in our biweekly Twitch-streams, tune in Thursdays at 11 AM EST / 17:00 CEST (Fridays at 1am AEST) on THQ Nordic’s Twitch Channel: https://www.twitch.tv/thqnordic

In case you missed a stream, you can always read all developer diaries here: https://thqn.net/ja3-dd02
… or re-watch the live stream recordings here: https://thqn.net/3nRdvHo

If you want to learn more about the game, make sure to follow on social media or discuss with other fans in the forums or on Discord:

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About Jagged Alliance 3
Grand Chien, a nation of rich natural resources and deep political divides, is thrown into chaos when the elected president goes missing and a paramilitary force known as “The Legion” seizes control of the countryside. Now, the President’s family has pulled together all their resources, including an arrangement with the powerful Adonis corporation, to hire a group of skilled mercenaries tasked with finding the President and bringing order back to the country.

In Jagged Alliance 3, select from a huge cast of mercenaries all with their own unique personalities, quirks, and backstories. Then go out and explore Grand Chien as you meet new people, earn money, grow your team, and ultimately make your own decisions that will decide the country’s fate.

• Engage in rich, tactical turn-based combat
• Recruit from a large cast of unique mercenaries, including many familiar fan favourites
• Loot, salvage, and customise an arsenal of weaponry and equipment
• Choose from a wide array of special perks to customise your mercs as they level up
• Decide the fate of Grand Chien in an open RPG structure
• Control territory, train the locals, command multiple parties, and defend against enemy forces in an alive, active world
• Experience the campaign with friends in online co-op mode

Jagged Alliance 3 Website 

Notes for Editors:

About THQ Nordic

The THQ Nordic official boiler plate can be found here: https://thqnordic.com/company/about

THQ Nordic Website

MORTAL KOMBAT 1

The Mortal Kombat Universe is Reborn, Set in a New Story with Iconic Heroes and Villains Reimagined as They’ve Never Been Seen Before Pre-Order Beginning May 20 to Receive Bonus Shang Tsung Playable Character and Access to Upcoming Beta; Kombat Pack to Include Jean-Claude Van Damme Skin

Sydney, Australia – May 19, 2023 – Warner Bros. Games today announced Mortal Kombat 1, a brand-new title in the acclaimed Mortal Kombat videogame franchise that has sold more than 80 million units since its debut over 30 years ago. Developed by award-winning NetherRealm Studios, the upcoming game will introduce a reborn Mortal Kombat Universe that has been created by the Fire God Liu Kang, featuring reimagined versions of iconic characters as they’ve never been seen before. Mortal Kombat 1 is scheduled to release on Sept. 19, 2023, for PlayStation®5 (PS5™), Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch™, and PC.

The Mortal Kombat 1 Official Reveal Trailer can be viewed and shared here

NetherRealm’s genre-defining Story Mode returns with an immersive cinematic narrative featuring unexpected twists on classic rivalries and original backstories for a wide-ranging cast of legendary fighters, including Liu Kang, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Raiden, Kung Lao, Kitana, Mileena, Shang Tsung, Johnny Cage, and many others. Mortal Kombat 1 will also introduce Kameo Fighters, a unique roster of partner characters that can assist during matches, creating expanded gameplay possibilities for players.

“With Mortal Kombat 1 we are bringing a reimagined universe to the legendary franchise which has captivated gamers for more than 30 years and continues to top itself,” said David Haddad, President, Warner Bros. Games. “The talented team at NetherRealm Studios continues to push the series forward in bold ways that have consistently expanded the global audience, and we believe Mortal Kombat 1 will continue to attract new players as well as thrill our core fans.”

“Mortal Kombat 1 marks a new beginning for the franchise and we couldn’t be more excited to share this original storyline and fresh take on classic characters with our fans,” said Ed Boon, Chief Creative Officer, NetherRealm Studios and Co-Creator of Mortal Kombat. “We’re also introducing our Kameo Fighter system which brings a unique roster of partner characters into the mix, and we are looking forward to showing this feature as well as more new elements of the game very soon.”

Starting tomorrow, May 20, Mortal Kombat 1will be available for pre-order on all launch platforms*, including:

• Mortal Kombat 1 Standard Edition will be available physically and digitally on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC, including Steam and Epic Games Store.
• Mortal Kombat 1 Premium Edition will be available physically and digitally on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Steam and Epic Games Store) and will include all Standard Edition content, along with the Kombat Pack, early access to the game beginning Sept. 14, and 1,250 Dragon Krystals (in-game currency). The Kombat Pack will feature a Johnny Cage character skin with the likeness of famed actor and martial artist, Jean-Claude Van Damme (available at launch), early access to six new playable characters (available post-launch), and five new Kameo Fighters (available post-launch).

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).

# # #

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 NetherRealm Studios

NetherRealm Studios is a leader in the development of interactive entertainment, and the creator of the billion-dollar Mortal Kombat franchise. Mortal Kombat has spawned two theatrical films, multiple television series, and has sold more than 80 million games to date. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the award-winning NetherRealm team has been working and creating games together since 1992. Additional information about NetherRealm Studios can be found at NetherRealm.com.

Mortal Kombat 1© 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Developed by NetherRealm. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

Mortal Kombat, the dragon logo, NetherRealm Studios, NetherRealm logo and all related characters and elements are trademarks of © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

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

(s23)

*Timing for pre-order availability may vary by region and retailer. Please inquire with local retailers for details.

*** 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. ***

While accessibility is an important topic year-round, May is always special as Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) recognises the strides made by the accessibility community and the games industry to make gaming more inclusive. The entire SIE team is committed to furthering that mission, and overnight has shared new details and images of the Access controller for the PS5 console.

New details and product images

First revealed at CES this year as “Project Leonardo,” the Access controller for PS5 is an all-new, highly-customisable accessibility controller kit designed to help many players with disabilities play games more easily, more comfortably, and for longer periods.

Developed in collaboration with accessibility experts, the Access controller will include a wide array of swappable button and stick caps so players can freely create different layouts that work for their unique strength, range of motion, and physical needs. Each Access controller will include:

• Analog stick caps (standard, dome and ball stick cap)
• Button caps in different shapes and sizes, including:
  • Pillow button caps
  • Flat button caps
  • Wide flat button cap (which covers two button sockets)
  • Overhang button caps (which benefit players with smaller hands as they are positioned closer to the centre)
  • Curve button caps (which can be pushed if placed along the top or pulled if placed along the bottom of the controller)
• Swappable button cap tags for players to easily mark which inputs they map to each button

In addition, players can use the Access controller on flat surfaces, orient it 360 degrees, or easily secure the controller to an AMPS mount* or tripod. They can also adjust the distance of the analogue stick from the controller.

First look at the Access controller UI

Beyond the wide range of hardware customisation options, the Access controller features a myriad of ways for players to create personalised UI settings and configurations that unlock new ways to play.

Button mapping & control profiles. On the PS5 console, players can select their preferred orientation for the Access controller, map different inputs to the various buttons, toggle buttons on or off, or even map two different inputs onto the same button. They can also create and store their favourite control profiles for different games or genres (such as “combat” or “driving”).

Controller pairing and analogue stick adjustments. Up to two Access controllers and one DualSense (or DualSense Edge) wireless controller can be used together as a single virtual controller, allowing players to mix and match devices, or play collaboratively with others. Similar to the DualSense Edge wireless controller, players can also fine-tune the starting position and sensitivity of input. The ability to adjust dead zones (the distance your analogue stick moves before it’s recognised in a game) and stick sensitivity is particularly helpful for players to improve their fine motor control during gameplay.

Toggle mode. The Access controller also features a toggle mode, which allows players to adjust the behaviour of any button to work like a caps lock key on a keyboard. For example, if you enable toggle mode for the acceleration input in a racing game, the Access controller will accelerate the car without you needing to hold the button down.

Players can enable toggle mode for any programmable input. As an example, if a game only allows you to sprint by holding down “L3” (the left analogue stick), which can be physically challenging, you can change that input to behave like “click L3 to toggle sprint” by enabling toggle mode for the button you’ve assigned to L3.

Read more about the Access controller’s hardware features in the original blog post here, and visit this new web page here, where you can sign up for email updates and be informed when preorders launch, so you can secure your controller at the earliest opportunity.

To see the full list of features, and a video highlighting ongoing efforts across product development and PlayStation Studios teams to make gaming accessible for more players on PS5 head to PlayStation.com.

For the latest PlayStation news, follow on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

Snag Souped-Up Los Santos Tuners and Auto Shop Bonuses This Week – Triple Rewards on Auto Shop Client Jobs and Robbery Contracts, Plus New Community Series Jobs, and More

Citizens far and wide can hear the hum of engines inside the LS Car Meet, Los Santos’ hub for all things automotive. Inside this graffitied warehouse is a world of good vibes, stylish vehicular customization, and unrestrained horsepower.

Woven into the underground tuner scene is an entrepreneurial spirit that’s on full display this week, with a host of Auto Shop Bonuses, limited-time event liveries, Double Car Meet Reputation Points, and much more.

3X GTA$ and RP on Robbery Contracts and Auto Shop Client Jobs

Running an Auto Shop (30% off this week) gives you access to your very own mod bay, complete with owner’s rates and the opportunity to do tuning work for others in Auto Shop Client Jobs. Successful deliveries will result in triple the usual GTA$ and RP this week.

As for the Auto Shop’s more unlawful activities, completing Robbery Contracts will net you Triple Rewards, while sourcing coveted vehicles in Exotic Exports will pay out 2X GTA$ and RP this week.

2X LS Car Meet Reputation

Rise through the ranks by increasing your rep to gain access to rare items in the car meet. This week, earn Double Reputation Points by participating in Street or Pursuit Races, driving on the Test Track, and other Los Santos Tuners activities.

Only on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S

Premium Test Ride: Pfister Astron Custom

Hao’s worked overtime on this week’s Premium Test Ride, getting it ready for the masses descending upon the LS Car Meet. Check out a souped-up version of the Pfister Astron Custom (SUV), now prepped for whatever chaos may ensue.

This Week’s HSW Time Trial

Test your ride on the ultimate racetrack — the winding Los Santos freeways — as you zoom between Ron Alternates and Elysian Island in this week’s HSW Time Trial.

Premium Deluxe Motorsport Showroom

Make Simeon Yetarian’s day and visit the Premium Deluxe Motorsport showroom to check out this week’s crop of vehicles, including the Dinka Blista Kanjo (Compact) with the limited time Street Samurai livery, Vulcar Warrener HKR (Sedan), Annis Remus (Sports), Dinka Jester RR (Sports), and the Pfister Comet S2 (Sports, 30% off).

Luxury Autos Showroom

Get a closer look at what lies behind the Luxury Autos showroom display. This week it’s the Emperor Vectre (Sports) wrapped in the limited time Xero 29 livery, and Dinka RT3000 (Sports, 30% off). From there you can check out their stats and buy them outright.

2X GTA$ and RP on Vehicle Vendetta Street

Maneuver your vehicle around enclosed areas, dodge gunfire, and pick up crucial power-ups to succeed in Vehicle Vendetta Street, recently returning to GTA Online. Test your limits in the motorized mayhem to get 2X GTA$ and RP this week.

Car Meet Prize Ride: Übermacht Cypher
Win four Street Races this week to take home the Übermacht Cypher (Sports), a hallmark of German engineering and efficiency, wrapped in the limited time Xero: Team Xero livery.The LS Car Meet keeps on giving this week, and the trio of vehicles available on the Test Track are no exception: the Karin Calico GTF (Sports), Bravado Banshee (Super) with the limited time Weekend Racer livery, and the Vapid Dominator ASP (Muscle, 30% off). Take them for a spin or indulge your competitive urges in a Time Trial or a Scramble.

On The Diamond Casino Podium: Obey Tailgater S
Visit the Lucky Wheel in the lobby of The Diamond Casino & Resort for a chance to take home the Obey Tailgater S (Sedan), the sportier cousin of the original Tailgater, that embodies a work-hard, play-hard ethos.

3X GTA$ and RP on New Community Series
The Community Series features the crème de la crème of Jobs made using GTA Online’s Creator, where technical stunt racing and chaotic melee deathmatches can coexist in perfect balance.

GTA+
GTA+ Members get a wide range of bonuses, benefits, and more through June 12, including:

• Free Vapid Slamtruck
• A free Drone Station for your Arcade
• Two free Chameleon Paints
• 3X GTA$ and RP on Freemode Events
• Discounts on Garages and more

All of this and more — including a bonus of GTA$500,000 delivered upon billing — for just $8.95 a month.  For full details, visit the GTA+ website.  

DISCOUNTS

Enjoy a slew of car discounts, and save the time and energy of outsourcing their customization by purchasing an Auto Shop Property and all Upgrades and Modifications at 30% off:

• 30% off – Auto Shop Property
• 30% off – Auto Shop Upgrades and Modifications
• 30% off – Pfister Comet S2 (Sports)
• 30% off – Dinka RT3000 (Sports)
• 30% off – Vapid Dominator ASP (Muscle)
• 30% off – Maibatsu Penumbra FF (Sports)

Gun Van Discounts

Locate the Gun Van for a rotating selection of discounted weapons (10% off) including the Unholy Hellbringer (10% off) and the Special Carbine (30% off), throwables (15% off), and armor (20% off), with even further price cuts for GTA+ Members.

Unholy Hellbringer (35% off for GTA+ Members) | Special Carbine (30% off) | Heavy Revolver | Minigun | Grenade Launcher | Sniper Rifle | Molotovs (15% off) | Proximity Mines (15% off) | Grenades (15% off) | Armor (20% off)

MILESTONE AND DORNA REVEAL THE NEW DESIGN OF THE CAREER MODE

Sydney, Australia, May 19, 2023 – Milestone and Dorna Sports S.L. reveal the updated design of the MotoGP™23 career mode, which has always been one of the most important features of the MotoGP™ videogame franchise. This year, it comes with a renewed and even more realistic, dynamic and social formula. A feature that everyone will be able to fully enjoy, thanks to the new neural aids, a system where realism and approachability meets in perfect balance.

There are many aspects to cover, so let’s go in order.

Watch the latest trailer here

THE NEURAL AID SYSTEM

The much-anticipated MotoGP™23 feature, the Neural Aid System, will help beginners to learn the ins and outs of riding thanks to an advanced AI support system, based on neural network technology. This innovative feature will assist riders with braking, acceleration and handling, for a seamless and more immersive riding experience. The system is carefully calibrated to ensure enjoyment for all, while the players who want to master the game will find in the MotoGP™ Academy the best tools to improve their riding style and performance.

Detailed descriptions will guide the players along the track, teaching them how to ride each section faster and more effectively.

AN APPROACHABLE CAREER

In MotoGP™23, the Career mode starts at the end of a Moto3™ championship. Easier to master compared to the bikes of the MotoGP™, these bikes will allow players to get familiar with the mechanics of this new edition. Depending on the results, players will be able to stay for another season in the same category or move up to Moto2™, or even forge ahead to race directly in MotoGP™. This will satisfy both who wants to experience all the different physics of the bikes and compete against the riders in all three categories, and the players who might prefer to skip directly to the higher class. Before every season players will be able to choose if they want to race a short 10-round calendar or the official one, which includes all the 21* rounds of the world championship.

TURNING POINTS           
MotoGP™23 introduces Turning Points, which are key decision-making moments in the game that will affect players’ career. During each season, players will encounter a variety of scenarios, each with different objective to achieve. Depending on the results obtained on track, each career path will take a different turn; for instance, from the initial tests to the Summer Break, based on their performance, players will be able to decide whether to renew with the same team, stay in their class, or move up. Objectives will not only consist of winning races but will also influence motorcycle development, allowing players to enjoy the game’s nuances. This new career design will thus offer long-term challenges that can only be experienced by playing multiple seasons and exploring all the game’s content.

THE SOCIAL NETWORK, RESPONSIBLY

MotoGP™23 has an innovative career mode that shifts the focus from team manager to rider. The career mode adapts to the players’ performance and features a fictional social network that emphasises their digital personality of their alter ego. The narrative of the game includes comments from opposing riders that are linked to career objectives. The players’ social behaviour will influence the response of the artificial intelligence during the race.

For example, if players are too aggressive on the track, opponents may ask them to behave more appropriately. Players have now the option to comply or to respond aggressively, with the risk to create heated rivalries. This will result in different levels of competitiveness, which will affect the gameplay. In the long term, having a negative relationship with other riders will make it difficult to form alliances. In the end, the game focuses on the consequences of social interactions in the racing world.

TEAM DYNAMICS           

In MotoGP™23, having a good reputation is crucial as it affects, not only the way other riders react, but also the objectives assigned to the players by their team. And beware: failing to achieve them might get you fired at the end of the season! Additionally, the game now offers a more realistic approach when joining a team, with only two spots available, so players will have to compete with the official riders and prove their value. For instance, to join the Ducati team, players must first demonstrate their ability with satellite teams like Team Gresini MotoGP, Pramac Racing, or VR46 Racing.

Another example of the new, emerging dynamics is the inclusion of newly entered teams such as GasGas Factory Racing, whose overall goal will be to finish in the Top 15 at the end of the championship. In case players perform even better and manage to be in the Top 10 before the summer break, a crossroad arises and they will have the opportunity to earn the same bike development upgrades as the KTM official team.

INTELLIGENT DEVELOPMENT

In MotoGP™23, the first rider of each team is responsible for the motorcycle’s development. To make their voices heard, players will have to demonstrate that the role of second rider is just not enough for them. The Turning Points will allow players to climb the ladder and direct the team’s technical development during tests. This applies also to AI-managed teams, whose motorcycles start with basic parameters and progress as technical development advances, which could result in unpredictable consequences for each season’s rankings.

Once in the first rider role, players must analyse not only their own performance but also their most competitive rivals’ and understand how to lead the technical development. Reading the MotoGP™23’s Social Network and the comments of the other riders, players must understand who to keep an eye on. Opponents will change their performances every time, based on the vehicle they are racing on and how they ended the previous season. This will affect the hierarchies within their teams, resulting in each season being different from the previous one.

*Career mode includes Kazakhstan Grand Prix and Indian Grand Prix.

About Milestone

Founded in Milan in 1996, Milestone S.r.l. is one of the leading and longest-established racing game developers in the world. The 200+ people team is responsible for hit series like MotoGP™, MXGP, and Monster Energy Supercross – The Official Videogame, the acclaimed Hot Wheels™ Unleashed, as well as own IPs RIDE and Gravel. For more information please visit  www.milestone.it

Developer more8bit will bring their enthralling lofi battler Bleak Sword DX to Nintendo Switch and PC (including Steam Deck!) on June 8, publisher Devolver Digital has proclaimed.

Bleak Sword DX is a dark fantasy action game challenging warriors to fight their way through compact, cursed diorama battlefields in a series of thrilling encounters with wonderfully cruel creatures.

Newly updated for PC & Switch, Bleak Sword DX expands on the critically acclaimed Apple Arcade version with elegant controls, three new game modes, and multiple gameplay and graphical improvements.

Through twelve tense and deeply atmospheric chapters, heroes must lift the curse of the legendary Bleak Sword by striking down all manner of horrifying creatures across an oppressive world wielding fierce weaponry and powerful magic.

This striking experience is scored by award-winning composer Jim Guthrie, with sound provided by famed designer Joonas Turner.

Enter the shadows at bleaksword.com

Global Accessibility Awareness Day is an exciting moment for Xbox to celebrate the 427 million players with disabilities across the globe and highlight recent accessibility work at Xbox. And with 66% percent of gamers sharing they face some kind of barrier when it comes to gaming, Xbox knows all too well the importance of making games accessible and fun for everyone.  

In honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), Xbox is proud to announce via Xbox Wire: 

• New accessibility updates, including:
  • Expanded accessibility support pages that allows players to learn about more than 150+ accessibility features, settings, and controls available across PC and console. 
  • New accessibility settings on the Xbox App on PC, including the ability to disable background images and disable animations.These settings are designed to help players reduce visual components that could cause disruption, confusion, or irritation.  
  • A new update on the Microsoft Store on Xbox.com that allows users to filter and search games based on their accessibility needs and preferences, as well as search for games based on their Supported Language, with over 17 supported languages. The improved Xbox.com experience allows users to apply different filters, including 20 accessibility filters like difficulty settings and subtitles, to find their next great game across Console, PC, and Cloud. 
• Global partnerships:
  • From May to September, Xbox will partner with Korea’s National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) for an art exhibition titled “Game Society,” showcasing contemporary visual art works embodying games’ imagination and realism. One exhibition will highlight game accessibility and will include the installation of the Xbox Adaptive Controller for visitors to use.   
  • Xbox Netherlands is partnering with Paul Van Der Made, a player with a disability, and the HiPerks Foundation to release a new video series showcasing the positive impact the Xbox Adaptive Controller continues to have for players with disabilities. View it via XboxNL’s TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter. 
  • As part of their continued partnership, Xbox and Special Olympics will team up at the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023. In June, Xbox and Humanelektronik will be inviting athletes and Unified partners to the athlete’s lounge in Berlin where they can try out different accessibility features and connect with other participants from around the world through the universal language of play. 
• Progress made on existing accessibility offerings at Xbox, including:
  • 1 million missions completed in the Xbox Accessibility Ambassador Explorer Path, a gamified way that allows Xbox Ambassadors to learn more about accessibility in gaming as well as try out new gaming accessibility features. 
  • New guidance added to the Microsoft Game Accessibility Testing Service (MGATS) centered around helping developers learn how to add Game Accessibility Feature Tags to their games. The MGATS program was launched in 2021 to help publishers and developers validate the accessibility of their games and receive feedback from players with disabilities. For GAAD, Xbox revealed that players with disabilities have logged over 13,000 hours of testing across the MGATS program, all in an effort to make games more fun and accessible for everyone.  

You can find a complete rundown of Xbox’s GAAD news and celebration and how Xbox is continuing to innovate and make the gaming industry more accessible here. 

Xbox’s latest GAAD efforts are part of Microsoft’s wider commitment to empowering people with disabilities through advancing accessible technology, partnering with the disability community. To learn more about how Microsoft is celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day – beyond Xbox – please click here.  

The nightmare continues with new Speedrun Mode, new weapons and added accessories

TOKYO – May 18, 2023 – NeverAwake, the twin-stick shoot’em up set in the world of a young girl’s horrifying dreams from developer Neotro Inc and publisher Phoenixx, haunts Xbox Series X|S on Thursday, June 29th, 2023.

After earning several awards includingan entry to the Famitsu Golden Hall of Fame in January 2023, the Tokyo Game Show 2022 First Selection designation, best game of BitSummit 2022, and a Metacritic score of 84 overall, securing a spot in the top 40 best reviewed PC games of 2022, the award-winning SHMUP continues it acclaimed journey onto all major consoles.

Guide Rem on a quest to wake up from a neverending nightmare. Wade through the subconscious thoughts of a young schoolgirl as everyday experiences turn into frightening face-offs against her fears. Fight against Rem’s biggest phobias including evil dentists, vicious vegetables, dangerous dogs and other adolescent annoyances. 

Bob and weave through bad dreams and mow down Rem’s inner demons with fast-paced twin-stick SHMUP combat. Stick and move with multiple attack patterns that lend to different movement styles, and clear waves of enemies with surreal specials like 360-degree explosions and shotgun-esque directional blasts. Purchase and upgrade items to improve passives and armor, and create the ultimate build to topple dozens of terrifying bosses. 

Unravel a touching narrative across more than 80 levels in a hand-drawn bizarre bullet hell. How fast can Rem awaken? Demonstrate dreamlike mastery in the all-new speedrun mode, and manifest five new weapons from fellow shoot-em-up favorites including “Emerald Vajra” from fantasy shooter VRITRA HEXA. Enjoy the latest that NeverAwake has to offer with the latest 1.1 content update featuring new battle accessories and the secret HIMITSU CHALLENGE after clearing world 8.

Tap into the source of Rem’s subconscious with the official NeverAwake “Nightmare World Art” digital artbook and soundtrack featuring the lo-fi lullaby “AWAKE,” by DJ, singer-songwriter, and producer YonYon, streaming on Spotify and Apple Music.

“It is very satisfying to see NeverAwake’s positive reception and that it continues to receive awards,” said Azusa Kawamura, Producer at Phoenixx. “Our dream of launching on all consoles is almost a reality, and we can’t wait for Xbox users to try out NeverAwake in a few short weeks!”

NeverAwake arrives on Xbox Series X|S on Thursday, June 29th, 2023 and is now available on PC via Steam for $19.99 and on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 for $24.99 with support for English, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese language text. The emotional “Nightmare World Art” digital artbook is also for sale on Steam for $7.99, as well as the NeverAwake soundtrack also for $7.99. A bundle with the game, artbook, and soundtrack is available for a 15% discount. 

To learn more, visit the Phoenixx official website, Phoenixx Facebook page, and follow @Phoenixx_inc on Twitter.

About Neotro Inc.

Neotro Inc. is a Japanese independent game development company based in Yokohama with a particular affection for arcade games and has previously released the 2D fantasy side-scrolling shooters VRITRA Complete Edition and VRITRA HEXA for exA-Arcadia. By bringing two words “Neo” and “Retro” together, Neotro Inc. chose their name to follow the saying “OnkoShuin”（温故知新, which translates to “learning from the past” and “carrying old wisdom to create new.”)  

About Phoenixx

Established in 2019 by industry veterans, Phoenixx aims to support innovative and creative developers from Japan and around the world. Its mission is to inspire and nurture the human spirit – one creator, one game, and one community at a time.