No more California dreamin’; it’s time to hit HELL-A

Check out our review for DEAD ISLAND 2 HERE

HELL-A, CALIFORNIA / Sydney, Australia, 21^st April 2023 | After announcing the game just eight months ago, Dambuster Studios and Deep Silver are thrilled that Dead Island 2 is out today.

Set in Los Angeles, or HELL-A as it’s known in Dead Island 2, gamers play as one of six survivors turned slayers – Amy, Bruno, Dani, Ryan, Carla and Jacob – each with their own personality and unique range of abilities, which can be customised using the brand new Skill Cards system.

With the city in quarantine thanks to a deadly virus, it’s down to the somehow immune slayer to embark on an epic pulp journey, meet a crazy cast of characters and explore well-known locations such as Beverly Hills, Venice Beach and Santa Monica to uncover the truth behind the outbreak and who or what they are turned into.

Killing zombies has never been so much fun and gamers will truly see and feel their slays thanks to Dambuster’s F.L.E.S.H. (Fully Locational Evisceration System for Humanoids) system, which makes dismemberment gloriously gory. To assist in this carnage the adventure offers tons of weapons, mods and skills to craft and equip, allowing full personalisation and crazy builds.

There are dozens of distinct zombie types, each with their own mutations, attacks and LA-themed variations. And if gamers need a helping hand, the exciting coop mode (up to three players) will ensure a lengthy stay in the City of Angels.

Dead Island 2 is out now on Xbox Series X and Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment systems from Microsoft, PlayStation®5 and PlayStation®4 computer entertainment systems and the Epic Games Store for PC.

For more information on Dead Island 2 follow us on Twitter, Instagram and on Facebook at @DeadIslandGame or at www.deadisland.com.

© 2023 PLAION GmbH and published by Deep Silver. Developed by Deep Silver Dambuster Studios. Additional development by Fishlabs GmbH. Deep Silver, Dead Island, Dambuster, Fishlabs and their respective logos are trademarks of PLAION GmbH. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are property of their respective owners. All Rights Reserved.

ABOUT DEEP SILVER

Deep Silver develops and distributes interactive games for all platforms. The Deep Silver label means to captivate all gamers who have a passion for thrilling gameplay in exciting game worlds by creating products of the highest possible quality, always focusing on what the customer desires. Deep Silver has published more than 200 games since 2003, including its own brands like the open world extravaganza Saints Row, the zombie action franchise Dead Island, and the gritty, post-apocalyptic Metro series. Upcoming highlights from Deep Silver include the next entries into the TimeSplitters and Dead Island franchises. Deep Silver development studios include Deep Silver Dambuster Studios and Free Radical Design, both in Nottingham, UK and Deep Silver Fishlabs in Hamburg, Germany. For more information please visit www.deepsilver.com. All product titles, publisher names, trademarks, artwork and associated imagery are trademarks, registered trademarks and/or copyright material of the respective owners. All rights reserved.

ABOUT DEEP SILVER DAMBUSTER STUDIOS

Deep Silver Dambuster Studios is a AAA game developer with a heritage spanning over 20 years, with around 170 designers, narrators, artists, programmers and engineers making up the talented team.

Established in Nottingham (UK), the studio was founded by a passionate team of games industry veterans, with the genesis of the studio traced back to the late 1990s, when several people formed Free Radical Design where they worked on TimeSplitters.

In 2014 the studio was acquired by Deep Silver and rebranded Deep Silver Dambuster Studios. It released Homefront: The Revolution for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC in 2016. In the 12 months following the launch of Homefront it released additional Resistance Mode content and three individual story expansions; The Voice of Freedom, Aftermath and the final story bookend, Beyond the Walls.

The studio is now developing the next instalment in the highly successful Dead Island series of games.

 For more information please visit www.DSDambuster.com.

ABOUT PLAION

PLAION is a leading independent developer and producer of games and entertainment products, with nine development studios and five publishing units based all over the world. Founded in 1994 as Koch Media, PLAION offers a unique breadth of services and solutions, dynamically growing its business to push ourselves and our partners to the forefront in all the segments we operate in. PLAION runs a multi-label strategy, with fully owned publishing units, such as Deep Silver, Prime Matter, Milestone, Vertigo Games and Ravenscourt, publishing games for consoles, PC and VR platforms across all physical and digital channels. Additionally – as a global publishing partner – PLAION has formed long-term multinational publishing collaborations with numerous game publishers including Activision Blizzard, Bethesda, Capcom, Focus Multimedia, Giants Software, Koei Tecmo, Paradox, Sega, SNK, Square Enix, Techland, THQ Nordic, Tripwire, Warner Bros and many others. With its parent company in Höfen, Austria – and the HQ in Munich, Germany – PLAION owns local publishing companies in Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Australia, the United States as well as Japan and Hong Kong. PLAION owns nine game development studios: Deep Silver Dambuster Studios (Nottingham, UK), Fishlabs (Hamburg, DE), Warhorse Studios (Prague, CZ), Milestone (Milan, IT), Voxler (Paris, FR) , DigixArt (Montpellier, FR), Flying Wild Hog (Warsaw, Kraków, Rzeszów, PL), Free Radical Design (Nottingham, UK) and Vertigo Games (Rotterdam, Amsterdam, NL). Additionally, PLAION collaborates with numerous independent development studios around the world. Part of PLAION is also PLAION PICTURES, a leading independent film distributor in Europe with a library of more than 1.400 titles. Further business operations include Sola Media, a sales agency and production company for family entertainment, Spotfilm Networx, a multi-channel streaming network, and a sub-label dedicated to Japanese animation. PLAION also owns the leading video game merchandise company DPI Merchandising (Denver, Roseburg, USA and Munich, DE) and a Quality Assurance Facility in Olomouc, CZ. PLAION is an Embracer Group company.

The fourth and final chapter of Magic’s multi-set arc will have players defending all planes of the Multiverse from the spreading Phyrexian invasion!

Friday 21 April, 2023 — Wizards of the Coast today released March of the Machine, the latest set for the world’s oldest and best trading card game, Magic: The Gathering. The final instalment to the four-part Phyrexian storyline, March of the Machine will see players team up with Legendary creatures and Planeswalkers from all across the Multiverse to battle against the Phyrexian invasion. The set was released on Arena on 18 April and launches for tabletop today.

“All worlds will know perfection”

Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines and leader of the Phyrexian army has amassed a force to take over the entire Multiverse at once. She now expands her reach to bring the glory of New Phyrexia to other planes in an attempt to compleat all beings.

“One Last Stand”

Rallied by a heroic team of Planeswalkers, Legends from across all planes of existence must team up to fight the Phyrexian scourge. Popular characters from across Magic’s history will band together for the final fight with the fate of their world – and all other worlds – on the line.

March of the Machine features several new mechanics, the most exciting being a brand new card type – Battle. Battles are a new type of dual-faced card: when you play a Battle, you pick an opponent to protect it. Similarly to Planeswalkers, Battles can be damaged or attacked and when they are defeated, flip into a powerful new card for free! This is the first new card type since the debut of Planeswalkers in 2007 so players can look forward to an exciting new gameplay experience.

Also featured is the creature-based mechanic Backup which allows players to add +1/+1 counters to creatures and gain additional abilities based on the creature giving the counter. Fans of the Phyrexian armada will also get to play with Incubators – artifacts that enter with a number of +1/+1 counters and can be turned into creatures by paying two mana. 

Both Jumpstart and Commander product lines return for March of the Machine with five exciting themes for Commander decks:

●     Phyrexian Cats

●     Zhalfir Knights

●     Shaman Creatures

●     Convoke Angels

●     Gremlin Artifacts

Five new Jumpstart booster themes will also be introduced:

●     Brood

●     Overachiever

●     Expendable

●     Reinforcement

●     Buff

To capture the battles happening all across the Multiverse, March of the Machine will feature the most showcase art styles to date: all showcase frames from recent sets will feature in March of the Machine alongside several brand new frames to represent additional planes. These showcase frames will primarily focus on Multiverse Legends: teams of Legendary creatures who are fighting against the Phyrexian invasion.

Additionally, a new type of foiling process will feature in the set. The new Halo Foil pattern will appear for Multiverse Legends cards in Collector Boosters only. Lastly, the 30th-anniversary celebrations continue for Magic with three more unique promo cards releasing in WPN stores to celebrate the launch of March of the Machine.

March of the Machine will be available as Draft Boosters, Set Boosters, Collector Boosters, Jumpstart Boosters, Welcome Boosters, Commander decks, Bundles, and a Secret Lair.

For more information on March of the Machine, visit https://magic.wizards.com/en/products/march-of-the-machine. 

ABOUT MAGIC: THE GATHERING

Magic: The Gathering’s compelling characters, fantastic worlds, and deep strategic gameplay have entertained and delighted fans for more than 25 years. Fans can experience Magic through the tabletop trading card game, the digital game Magic: The Gathering Arena, a New York Times bestselling novel, and a critically acclaimed comic book series. With more than 50 million fans to date, Magic is a worldwide phenomenon published in more than 150 countries.

ABOUT HASBRO

Hasbro is a global branded entertainment leader 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

Ubisoft’s Division Day Stream Celebrates Seven Years for the Franchise, Shares Year 5 Roadmap for Tom Clancy’s The Division 2, Reveals More Gameplay Details for Tom Clancy’s The Division Heartland

The Division 2’s Year 5 Season 1 launches in June, while players can sign up at www.thedivisiongame.com for a chance to play in future tests for The Division Heartland
and The Division Resurgence mobile game.

Sydney, Australia— April 21, 2023 — Today, during a Division Day stream celebrating the seven-year anniversary for the franchise, Ubisoft shared more details for three games in the Tom Clancy’s The Division® universe: The Division® 2, The Division® Heartland and The Division® Resurgence. Ubisoft also shared details of new projects in the works that will connect fans with new stories and new experiences inspired by the world of The Division.

Tom Clancy’s The Division 2: Year 5

Year 5 will kick off in June, but players can already get their hands on an upcoming new mode, Descent, by participating in a public PC test server that will be available from April 21. From April 25 to May 9, the Resident Evil Leon Kennedy RPD outfit will also be available to all players who log in during that time. The full list of content for each season in Year 5 includes:

• Season 1: Broken Wings (June): This new season brings a new twist on Manhunts and introduces a new game mode titled Descent, a rogue-lite mode available for free to all Division 2 players when Year 5 begins. Players will also see the continuation of a multi-season rebuild of the Castle Settlement that will bring the devastated landmark back to life with a renewed purpose. As a part of the premium pass for Season One: Broken Wings, players will be able to unlock pieces of a Splinter Cell themed outfit to help Fifth Freedom their way throughout DC and NYC.
• Season 2: Puppeteers: A challenging new Incursion will take Agents on a venture out to the Meret Estate for another confrontation with the Cleaners.
• Season 3: Vanguard: Agents will go back to New York City for the holidays and discover new revelations about Aaron Keener and his Rogues.
• Season 4: Black Diamond: New story DLC will be available that adds new zones, new main missions, and a whole new endgame structure.

Each season will also continue to introduce new Manhunts, Leagues, and Events. Players will need to own the Warlords of New York expansion to access all the new content aside from Descent mode, which will be open to all The Division 2 owners.

Watch the Division Day Livestream: Official Franchise Updates

More Gameplay Details for Tom Clancy’s The Division® Heartland; Register Now for Future Tests

Watch The Division Heartland Cinematic Intro

Each session begins and ends in the Base of Operations, and each time players exfiltrate they will take back materials and gear they’ve collected to better prepare them for future days in the town. Players will use the Base of Operations to fabricate supplies and ready their go-bag preparing for their time out in the town. Before each session, they can select between three Classes: Weapons Expert, Medic, and Survivalist. Each Class brings a unique ability, and in a squad, each truly shines when complemented by the others. When they venture out during the daytime, players will be scavenging for supplies as well as preparing to survive the night. At night, Silver Creek becomes much more tenuous, with PvEvP gameplay forcing players to think quick and potentially work together to make it out alive with their loot intact.

Heartland takes players to Silver Creek, once a pleasant town in the American Midwest, left in ruins following the spread of the Dollar Flu. Silver Creek is a hostile environment filled with deadly contamination, roaming enemy hordes, and the looming threat of sickness and dehydration. In The Division Heartland, and for the first time in The Division, Silver Creek’s Base of Operations is a shared space. Silver Creek’s Rockit Rink is an abandoned roller-skating rink where players will be able to socialize, form a group, customize their character, and prep for the next Operation.

Watch The Division Heartland Developer Deep Dive

The team is taking a test-and-learn approach to building this game, continually conducting test phases, and gathering player feedback before moving on to the next phase. Players can sign up for future closed tests at thedivisionheartland.com. Those who are invited to participate in closed tests will also receive five invites to share with friends.

Pre-Register Now for Resurgence Tests

The next phase of testing for The Division Resurgence will be coming this winter in select territories.  For the first time, players with iOS-powered devices will have the opportunity to enjoy The Division Resurgence, along with Android users, in these select territories.

Pre-register here for a chance to play in future tests and stay tuned for updates regarding the test phase: https://thedivisionresurgence.com/register

Inspired by the world of The Division

The Division Day stream also touched on projects in the works that will connect fans with new stories and new experiences inspired by the world of The Division:

• Collectible action figures of Caleb Dunne and Brian Johnson, Agents who were featured in the original announcement of The Division 2, will be available later this year.
• A new webtoon coming next year will chronicle the journey of a teacher in Houston, Texas, whose watch lights up with the telltale orange glow as the Dollar Flu outbreak spreads, as they make unlikely allies and encounter new factions far from the East Coast. 

For the latest news on The Division universe and all of Ubisoft’s games, please visit: https://news.ubisoft.com/en-au/.

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About The Division 2: Led by Massive Entertainment in collaboration with seven other studios around the world,* Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 is the next evolution in the open world online shooter RPG genre that the first game helped establish. Set seven months after a deadly virus was released in New York City, Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 brings players into a fractured and collapsing Washington, D.C. The world is on the brink, its people living through the biggest crisis ever faced in human history. As veteran Division agents, players are the last hope against the complete fall of society as enemy factions vie for control of the city. If Washington, D.C., is lost, the entire nation falls.  Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 offers a substantial campaign that organically flows into a robust endgame to create a cohesive and meaningful experience for all types of players, helping players emphasize their freedom to make strategic choices and hone their own approach.

For more information on Tom Clancy’s The Division 2, please visit: https://www.ubisoft.com/en-au/game/the-division/the-division-2

*Associate Ubisoft studios are Reflections, Red Storm, Annecy, Leamington, Shanghai, Bucharest and Sofia.

About The Division Heartland: The Division Heartland is a survival-action multiplayer shooter set in small-town America within the Division Universe. With development led by Red Storm*, this standalone free-to-play Division game introduces new playable characters in a rural setting, far from the events in New York and Washington D.C. Silver Creek was once a pleasant town in the American Midwest, but it was left in ruins following the spread of the Dollar Flu. Players will take on the role of loyal Division agents from across the nation responding to a call for help. Fighting alongside and against other trained agents, players will explore the secrets of Silver Creek and provide hope to what remains of small-town America.

Development is led by Red Storm*, a veteran team who has worked on the franchise since the first The Division game. The team is bringing a test-and-learn mindset to the development of the game, continually conducting test phases with the community to gather and implement feedback before moving to the next phase.

For more information on Tom Clancy’s The Division Heartland, please visit: www.thedivisionheartland.com 

*Associate Ubisoft studios include RedLynx and Bucharest

About The Division Resurgence: The Division Resurgence is a canon opus featuring a new storyline, different classes and challenging enemy factions, and brings the acclaimed The Division experience to handheld devices. Players will see a new and independent storyline set in a vast open world where they will be free to roam around an outstandingly detailed urban environment with stunning graphics. The game takes place in a contemporary post-crisis New York City and offers a unique perspective on key story events that have taken place in The Division® and The Division® 2. The game will be available for iOS and Android™ devices on the App Store® and Google Play™.

For more information on Tom Clancy’s The Division Resurgence, please visit: www.thedivisionresurgence.com

About Ubisoft: Ubisoft is a creator of worlds, committed to enriching players’ lives with original and memorable entertainment experiences. Ubisoft’s global teams create and develop a deep and diverse portfolio of games, featuring brands such as Assassin’s Creed®, Brawlhalla®, For Honor®, Far Cry®, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon®, Just Dance®, Rabbids, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six®, The Crew®, Tom Clancy’s The Division®, and Watch Dogs®. Through Ubisoft Connect, players can enjoy an ecosystem of services to enhance their gaming experience, get rewards and connect with friends across platforms. With Ubisoft+, the subscription service, they can access a growing catalog of more than 100 Ubisoft games and DLC. For the 2021–22 fiscal year, Ubisoft generated net bookings of €2,129 million. To learn more, please visit: www.ubisoftgroup.com.

Blitz Endless Waves of Cosmic Enemies Through Five Golden Age Horror Comic Inspired Volumes 

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK – APRIL 20, 2023 – Publisher VoxPop Games, Inc. announced today the release of Outer Terror, its brand new pulp action bullet hell horror game, available now on Steam and the Epic Games Store. This horde shooter has you assemble a ridiculous arsenal of weapons and blitz through endless waves of cosmic creatures in stylish roguelite worlds that pay homage to classic B-movies and the Golden Age of horror comics of the 80’s and 90’s.

Explore Outer Terror either solo or co-op through the decimated cities swarming with deadly cosmic creatures to battle in fierce rapid-fire hybrid combat! Stay alive for as long as you can while attempting to assist the few survivors still alive. Five uniquely themed chapters feature 10 playable characters, each equipped with their signature weapons and special attacks forming an anthology of classic horror stories.

Each map is massive and, through exploration, players will discover other survivor hold outs and treasures. All culminating with massive boss encounters, elite creatures from beyond, ghouls, robots, and otherworldly abominations.

Outer Terror Game Features:

• Battle, Loot and Explore – Discover other treasures and hidden items as you explore each massive map. This may lead to boss encounters and otherworldly abominations.
• Weapon Stacking – Each player will experience increasing difficulty as gameplay progresses, bringing the opportunity to upgrade and gain new weapons and powers.
• 2p Co-Op Gameplay – Sit back and enjoy side by side expansive cooperative play in Local 2-player Couch & Online modes!
• Unique Characters – Players can choose to play as one of the 10 survivors, each boasting unique weapons and skills that will help them in battle.
• Nostalgic Art Style – Inspired by B-movies and classic comic books Outer Terror features art from renowned digital artist Joe Roman (Chito).
• Don’t Die! – Each volume of Outer Terror is packed with hordes of enemies set on ending your run, whether it be a vampiric zombie polar bear, the mangled remains of a pet bunny rabbit, or a pack of sentient toasters.

Outer Terror is available now on Steam and Epic Games Store for $6.99 (a 30% launch discount).

Outer Terror marks the first game launch for VoxPop Games’ new peer-to-peer games distribution and development platform, where multiple stakeholders, including the developer, artists and voice actors, will be paid directly from the VoxPop platform. The middleware toolset VoxPop offers, allows game developers to use equity in their games as an advanced resource for both team profit-sharing and launch marketing. 

The Brooklyn-based VoxPop Games, Inc. is a proud member of the New York City digital games community partnered with the City of New York Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) Game Development Industry Council, placing their world premiere of Outer Terror’s full Public demo within the New York State pavilion booth during last month’s Game Developer Conference 2023 in San Francisco.

For more information on Outer Terror follow the game on Twitter and join the conversation on Discord. 

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TOKYO – April 20, 2023 – LOST EPIC, the 2D Souls-like side-scrolling action RPG with fast-paced battles and hack-and-slash elements from publisher One or Eight and developer Team EARTH WARS, invades heavenly realms on Nintendo Switch today.

The tyrannical inhabitants of Sanctum deserve neither praise nor honor. Darken eternal deities’ doorstep as the God Slayer and destroy their sacred dwelling places to bring peace back to humanity. Bring gods to their knees in an unholy journey through a Metroidvania-like 2D world featuring character art by Namie (Fate/Grand Order, Arknights, Azur Lane).

Carve a path through legions of enemies, wrestling Anima from their remains to upgrade attack power and gear. Outfit the God Slayer with dozens of weapons and magic abilities, and embrace numerous playstyles with an extensive skill tree. Make eternal beings question their mortality with beautifully-animated Divine Skills dealing massive levels of damage, and lay waste to the Pantheon of Six to absorb their godlike powers.

Venture heavenward while navigating through six worlds, each a labyrinth protected by wicked minions. Circle back to previously-unreachable heights and depths with newfound powers to unlock secret areas full of valuable loot. Scour the corners of Sanctum in search of side quests, and encounter the Elite for epic boss battles yielding powerful rewards on the path to redemption. Craft healing and debuff items to prolong battles against near-invincible foes, and go fishing in heavenly waters for additional sustenance. 

Bear humanity’s burden with a partner in online cooperative multiplayer, and communicate with a heavenly language using visual-based stamps to overcome language barriers. Tackle raid bosses in Sky-Reaching Spire, and up the ante with New Game+ to unlock new rewards while basking in the glorious original soundtrack now available on Spotify, iTunes, and other music platforms.

LOST EPIC’s launch on Nintendo will feature all content introduced since the start of Early Access on Steam for PC, including the 1.01.7 update. Venture through all six worlds, the true final boss in the Abyss, new secrets, and Transcended weapons. Experience Sanctum in with new gameplay mechanics as an A.N.T.I. Soldier from EARTH’S DAWN, and slay gods from a distance using long-range weaponry. 

To commemorate the release of LOST EPIC on Nintendo Switch, EARTH WARS boasts a special 55% off sale until May 9th, 2023 at 11:59 PM PT. 

“Our community has been asking that we bring LOST EPIC  to the Nintendo Switch, and we’re happy to have been able to fulfill their request,” said Team EARTH WARS. “We are forever thankful for your support, and we look forward to a fresh group of slayers beginning their own epic journeys. See you in Sanctum!”

LOST EPIC is now available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Playstation 5, and Steam for Windows PC for $19.99. The LOST EPIC original soundtrack is available for purchase on Spotify and iTunes, and the digital artbook and soundtrack are available as part of the Premium Edition on PlayStation and as separate DLC for Steam. 

For more information, visit the official LOST EPIC website and the official Discord Server.

About Team EARTH WARS

The production team from EARTH’S DAWN which was released in 2015 and ported to many platforms. EARTH’S DAWN is a stylish fast-paced 2D action RPG. The user friendly interface and the hack and slash style replayability was praised by hardcore gamers resulting in 300,000 downloads.

Special 22% Launch Discount Available for a Limited Time

TOKYO – April 20, 2023 – Arcana of Paradise -The Tower-, the real-time roguelike deckbuilding adventure developed by Tasto Alpha and published by SHUEISHA GAMES, (previously titled The Tower -To the Bottom-), launchestodayon Steam for PC and Nintendo Switch with a 22% launch discount ending on April 26th.

Embark on a tarot-inspired, topsy-turvy journey from the mind of Masaoki Shindo (Ruri Dragon) and Tom Ikeda (Black Bird, Rule of Rose, Director) complimented by an eccentric soundtrack by Jun Fukuda (No More Heroes, Lollipop Chainsaw). Tend to the survival of a fellowship of kids isolated at the top of a mysterious tower. Venture into the cavernous halls below in search of sustenance, treasure, and a rumored paradise while defending against an onslaught of malevolent monsters.

Buddy up to form the perfect duo and descend into the belly of the Tower. Strategically choose from a total of 20 playable children across 3 classes with distinct starting cards and passive traits, then build a deck with more than 100 tarot-inspired playing cards.

Unleash cards wisely and quickly, as the real-time card combat akin to Active Time Battles from classic RPGs requires quick-draw reflexes. Place offensive cards in rapid succession to string together devastating combos, and assume a protective stance with shield cards played in advance of enemy attacks. Combine defensive cards with perfect timing to parry incoming strikes that put opponents in a daze, and keep healing cards on hand to prolong survival. 

Reshuffle the deck if dealt a bad hand, paying close attention to card orientation. An upside-down card can flip battle plans in an instant with surprising effects both positive and negative. Every victorious skirmish results in a choice – will the party return with additional bread to feed their fellow Tower mates, or continue to stack the deck in their favor with battle cards to delve deeper into the depths of the Tower?

Unlock new cards, children and items during each run, encounter peculiar inhabitants of the Tower, and unravel the mystery of the Sacred Tree requiring the sacrifice of life-giving bread for special rewards. Toting a full deck and looking for a fresh challenge? Race to the bottom in Online Ranked Mode to challenge the highest-skilled pairings on the planet.

“Arcana of Paradise -The Tower-’s real-time twist freshens up the deckbuilding genre,” says Koichi Sugiyama, lead producer of Arcana of Paradise -The Tower- for SHUEISHA GAMES. “We’ve dreamt up amazing card synergies, and we look forward to being surprised by clever combos now that PC and Switch owners can build their own decks.”

Arcana of Paradise -The Tower- is now available on Nintendo Switch and Steam for PC for $19.99 with a 22% discount available from launch day until April 26th, and the official soundtrack is available for $9.99. Language support includes English, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, German, French, Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese text.

About SHUEISHA GAMES

SHUEISHA GAMES is a new video game publisher born by crossing the boundaries between the publishing and game industries, founded by the owners of the influential and popular Jump shonen manga publications and Viz Media. SHUEISHA GAMES aims to combine the ability of a publishing company to find and nurture new talent with the power of a game company to develop and deliver titles, bringing unique games to a worldwide audience.

SHUEISHA GAMES’ first wave of titles includes Arcana of Paradise -The Tower-, Captain Velvet Meteor: The Jump+ Dimensions, SOULVARS, ONI: Road to be the Mightiest Oni, and UKIYO, with an upcoming large-scale collaborative effort in the works with NetEase Games titled unVEIL the world currently in production. Early recognition for their works includes awards from Japan’s premier indie showcase BitSummit, and selections by Day of the Devs, The MIX, INDIE Live Expo, and Asobu Indie Showcase.

About Tasto Alpha

Tasto Alpha is a video game development and programming company based out of Tokyo with more than 20 casual apps under its belt. Tasto Alpha consists of Representative Director/Game Programmer Takuma Okubo and Director/Game Designer Tom Ikeda, who create heart-touching creative works with previous credits on Lollipop Chainsaw, Brave Yamada-Kun, and Black Bird.

LOS ANGELES – April 20, 2023 – Netmarble, a leading developer and publisher of high-quality mobile games, has released a new update for Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds.  New content is now available for all players to experience including an Interstellar Space dungeon, new equipment type, mount and several in-game events.

The newly-added equipment type, Crystal Orbs, offers players a new way to enhance their characters’ abilities. There will be two types of Crystal Orbs – Attack Type and Defense Type.

The Interstellar Space dungeon is now available for players to enjoy. Both “Solo” and “Party” modes offer power-up materials for the new Crystal Orb equipment, including Raw Crystal, upon clearing the dungeon. Additionally, a new Buzzbee mount has been added in this update that players can use in the game.

To celebrate this new game update, several new in-game events are now available, including:

• Treasure Island Treasure Hunt (~5/3): By completing daily activities, players can obtain Old Treasure Map Pieces as a bonus item. These pieces can be exchanged for various rewards such the new familiar 4★ Purrloiner and Superior Equipment Enhancement Stone Selection Chest.

• Starry Space Dice Event (~5/3): Roll the dice over the Starlight board to win various rewards such as the Superior Equipment Enhancement Stone Chest. When players finish a round, the Crystal Orb Summon Coupon, Miraculous Warding Doll, and more items will be available to obtain.

• Gosling’s Special Guidebook (on-going): Updates have been made to Gosling’s Special Guidebook that are based on the new Interstellar Space dungeon, including the newly-added Gosling’s Favor Achievement. Payers can earn items to power up Crystal Orbs, including Raw Crystals and Crystal Orb Summon Coupon.

• Delightful Surprise Missions (~5/3): Players can obtain a number of rewards upon finishing the given missions, including 5★ Tetro Puzzle Selection Packs, Jelly Bottle, and 5★ Decoration Chest.

Developed based on Level-5 and Studio Ghibli’s original fantasy RPG series ‘Ni no Kuni,’ fans can learn more about Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds’ latest game info and updates by visiting the official website (https://ninokuni.netmarble.com/) and following the game’s Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, and Discord channels.

About Netmarble Corporation

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

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Restore Peace To A Shattered Land With A Little Help From Your Furry Friend

CALABASAS, Calif. — April 20th, 2023 — Stray Blade, the fantasy indie action-adventure with a fresh approach to intense combat from global video game publisher 505 Games and developer Point Blank Games, raises steel for launch on Thursday, April 20th, 2023 for Windows PC platforms (Steam and EPIC), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Embark on a journey to Acrea the Lost Valley, a once peaceful valley torn asunder by war and death. Navigate a vibrant, ancient world wrought with destruction as a resurrected adventurer who perished in the ruins. Travel alongside Boji, the Adventurer’s Xhinnon Wolf companion responsible for their second chance at life, and uncover the forgotten treasures lying in the deepest corners of a world altered by the Adventurer’s actions.

Now eternally bound to the land they wander, the Adventurer must build a lasting bond with Boji to regain their freedom. Discover lore to advance Boji’s craftsmanship and create powerful new weapons to master a hyper-responsive combat system. Balance quick reactions with adaptable strategies to affect the flow of combat and subsequently change the world. Watch time continue to march forward with each failure. 

Approach death with a defiant grin. Explore an approachable cycle of life and death until the valley resembles its halcyon days. Thanks to explicit in-game indicators for combat, Stray Blade focuses on fun instead of frustration. Witness the world-altering effects of the Adventurer’s actions by revisiting areas — but do not be shaken by the greater challenges lying in wait.

Restore peace to colorful city ruins, frozen caverns, curving canyons, decaying throne rooms of towering god-kings, and other overgrown areas buried by time to restore peace when Stray Blade launches on Thursday, April 20th, 2023 for Windows PC (Steam and EPIC), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S for £39.99 GBP, with a 20% launch discount on all platforms from now until Thursday, April 27 6pm BST.

About 505 Games
505 Games, a Digital Bros’ subsidiary, is a global publisher focused on offering a broad selection of video games for players of all ages and skill levels. The company publishes and distributes premium and free-to-play games on console and PC platforms as well as mobile devices. Publishing highlights include DEATH STRANDING (PC), Control, Assetto Corsa Competizione, Ghostrunner, Gems of War, Journey to the Savage Planet, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, and Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. 505 Games has offices in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia, China and Japan.

Plan ridiculous heists with dozens of hats in this hilarious action game featuring campaign co-op and PvP multiplayer!

STOCKHOLM – April 20, 2023 – Hold on to your hats! Solo developer Kenny Sun and publisher Raw Fury have released Mr. Sun’s Hatbox, the slapstick roguelite platformer nominated for “Excellence in Design” at this year’s Independent Games Festival, on Nintendo Switch and Windows PC|Mac via Steam today for $13.49 after a 10% launch discount ($14.99 before discount). The Deluxe Edition of the title, which includes the full game plus a digital copy of the OST, is also available exclusively on Steam for $16.63 after a 10% launch discount ($17.99 before discount).

When the dastardly Mr. Moon and his troublemakers steal poor Mr. Sun’s hatbox delivery, it’s up to you as an honorable courier to get that hat back! Establish your HQ, upgrade its capabilities, and recruit a crew of reformed hat thieves to set up your next ridiculous heist. Equip an array of stylish hats with unique perks to give you an edge across a variety of missions, from stealthy espionage jobs to all-out combat assaults.

Enjoy Mr. Sun’s Hatbox on your own or via local multiplayer* and Steam Remote Play Together for up to four players. Play the full campaign solo, or team up with friends in co-op for each mission. When the work is done, hop into fast-paced Deathmatch and Last One Standing PvP modes with tons of powerful hats, lasers, swords, pitchforks, cannons, rubber ducks, stale baguettes and more!

Key Game Features:

• Get Hatbox Justice: Start small and assemble a crew to take down the mischievous Mr. Moon and his cronies across a challenging variety of action-platformer missions.
• Upgrade Your HQ: Build a brig to brainwash captives, a lab to experiment on your staff, a black market to purchase illicit contraband, and more to fuel your next job!
• Recruit Your Enemies: Eliminate Mr. Moon’s minions, or capture them for your cause! Put together a team of ex-crooks with an array of unique traits to use on future missions.
• Hats – Lots of Hats: Collect over 50 hats with special properties, including Dynamite Headbands, Cardboard Boxes, Noise-Canceling Earphones and Jet Packs! Choose the best hats to complement your play style.
• Invite Friends for a Hat Party: Play together via local multiplayer and Steam Remote Play Together for up to four players! Take on each campaign mission solo or in co-op with buddies, then duke it out in Deathmatch and Last One Standing PvP modes.
• Vibrant Retro Style: Drape yourself in colorful retro pixel art design from Mr. Kenny Sun, creator of visually stylish experiences like Circa Infinity and Yankai’s Peak.

For more info, visit www.MrSunsHatbox.com, and check out the latest new clips on TikTok.

*Controllers required for local multiplayer.

About the Developer

Kenny Sun is an award-winning game developer based in Brooklyn, New York. He’s been making games since 2007 and has developed a wide variety of titles including Circa Infinity, Twinfold, and Tender: Creature Comforts.

About Raw Fury

Raw Fury is a boutique indie (un)publisher founded in 2015 by Jonas Antonsson, Gordon Van Dyke, and David Martinez. We do not care about genres or mechanics. We care about experiences and emotions. We want to help developers make magic.

VANCOUVER, Canada — April 20, 2023 — Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly, the sequel to the 2020 heart-to-heart talking sim played by millions from developer Toge Productions and publisher Chorus Worldwide, opens its doors once again on Steam for Windows and PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One, also available via Game Pass for Xbox and PC.

Detect narrative notes of heartfelt emotions strewn between every conversation taking place in a present-day Seattle steeped in urban fantasy. Meet artistic elves, smoking mermaids, quirky humans, and more as they wander into the coffee shop looking for a pick-me-up. Hear the stories of strangers from across the bar and transform patrons into friends with a little cozy conversation. Help a diverse community of fantasy-inspired city dwellers to come to terms with the all-too-real drama occurring in their lives.

Warm the hearts of customers with caffeinated combinations of ingredients like ginger, mint, chocolate, and more, as conversations inform each patron’s personal flavor palate. Infuse each drink with all the love of a sincere barista by designing creative latte art with an in-game fluid simulation. Dissolve into a cozy atmosphere couched in lo-fi chillhop beats while the door’s bell rings with each character’s developing narrative as they come and go.

Become the barista the city needs. Offer a friendly ear while brewing up their favorite concoction of caffeine and conversation. Collect lost and forgotten items as they’re found, provide relief to those looking for emotional assistance through troubling times, and bond together under the roof of an unforgettable, storied establishment.

“Working with Toge for Coffee Talk Episode 2 has been a delight,” said Shintaro Kanaoya, founder and CEO of Chorus Worldwide. “The first Coffee Talk established such a convincing sense of space reflective of the times when it launched — together, we think we’ve rekindled that magic and look forward to fans seeing how the coffee shop and its patrons have changed over the years.”

Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly is available today on Steam for Windows and Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One, also available via Game Pass for Xbox and PC. For more information, follow Toge Productions and Chorus Worldwide on Twitter, and visit the official Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly page on Chorus Worldwide’s website.

About Toge Productions

Developers of the critically acclaimed Coffee Talk, Toge Productions is an Indonesian-based indie game development and publishing studio that helped to foster the success of projects like Mojiken’s A Space For The Unbound. Toge supports a Toge Game Fund Initiative (TGFI), a mentoring and funding program that provides up to $10,000 (USD) to help developers and studios in Southeast Asia make their games a reality.

About Chorus Worldwide

Chorus Worldwide is a global publisher composed of gaming veterans with experience at world-renowned companies including Microsoft, Supermassive Games, and Electronic Arts. Originally created to guide indie developers into the rapidly growing Asian markets, Chorus now works with talented developers across the world, including Argentina, Indonesia, and Malaysia, finding huge success in titles like the acclaimed Coffee Talk, A Space for the Unbound, and the Asian releases of The Room and The Room Two.