London headquartered publisher Kepler Interactive today announces $50 million USD revenue in first full year following its 2021 launch

Company launches new suites of services, including a white-label publishing division and a video game fund

LONDON (March 17, 2023) – Kepler Interactive announced today that its first full year of operation following its 2021 launch has seen revenues exceed $50 million USD, whilst detailing a robust, strategic roadmap for 2023 and beyond with new investment and publishing partnerships.

Kepler is the first global publisher co-owned and run by creators and in 2022 it saw the hugely successful launches from founding studios Ebb Software (Scorn) and Sloclap (Sifu). The multi-award nominated Sifu sold more than 1 million copies in its first three weeks and has since surpassed 2 million global sales ahead of its arrival on Xbox and Steam later this month.

In addition to the strong $50m+ revenue in 2022, Kepler also saw significant cash generation, reaffirming the rationale for building a collective business model that harnesses the creativity and independence of its member studios.

Announcement of multiple new partnerships to drive further growth

Building upon its exceptional performance in 2022, Kepler Interactive today announces a series of new partnerships to drive further growth in new markets and to expand its range of developer-first offerings.

• Kepler Interactive today reveals investment in award-winning Singapore-based studio The Gentlebros, creators of the million-selling Cat Quest franchise across PC, consoles and mobile. Kepler is currently supporting on the Cat Quest back-catalogue and adding valuable expertise in the mobile gaming space. It will also partner with The Gentlebros on future releases.
• Additionally, Kepler Interactive revealed a global publishing partnership with Montpellier-based Sandfall Interactive, a new studio focused on delivering incredible stories in gorgeous fantasy worlds. Sandfall’s debut game, an epic single-player narrative-driven adventure, is currently in development.
• Following the successful launches of Sifu and Scorn in China, Kepler Interactive will deepen its partnership with China-based marketing and PR agency IOI Gamer, which provides valuable boots-on-the-ground support in the market for Kepler’s portfolio of current and future titles.

Launch of a new suite of services to diversify Kepler’s developer-first support offerings

Kepler Interactive is building on its creativity-first approach by launching a new suite of services for a curated set of games and studios.

Today, the company is unveiling a white-label publishing service offering Kepler’s in-house, best-in-class marketing and publishing talent at an industry-leading 15 percent base revenue share. The service empowers developers to remain self-published while building their own brand and community with support.

White-label projects are already underway, including:

• Eternights, set to be self-published by Studio Sai with behind-the-scenes support from the Kepler publishing team,
• The unannounced debut game from Hadoque, the Swedish developer helmed by El Huervo, the renowned artist known for their work on the critically-acclaimed Hotline Miami series.

Kepler Interactive is also today announcing a new partnership with Kowloon Nights. The revered video-game fund will now operate a new division within Kepler Interactive, funding even more exceptional developers across the world and empowering them to create games with complete creative freedom. The division’s first funded project from Seattle-based Aggro Crab will start development later this year.

Commenting on Kepler’s first full year of operation, CEO Alexis Garavaryan said: “We started Kepler with the ambition to offer the best environment for exceptional teams to thrive. Last year’s results have validated this aspiration beyond our wildest expectations.”

“As we look forward to 2023 and beyond, our mission is to continue our growth into a leading entertainment company co-owned and run by creators. Nurturing a vibrant ecosystem around Kepler and beyond, offering total artistic independence, operational support, and cross-pollination between outstanding teams. This exceptional year set us on a trajectory where we can offer those services to a broader group of studios.”  

Headquartered in London, Kepler Interactive has grown to a team of over 300 across the world since its inception, becoming Great Place to Work UK – Certified™   by the global authority on workplace culture. Its slate of releases in partnership with its founding studios for 2023 includes the highly-anticipated open-world tropical adventure, Tchia, coming to PC (via the Epic Games Store), PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 on 21 March 2023, and the open-world action-RPG, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn.

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About Kepler Interactive:
Kepler Interactive is the first global publisher co-owned and run by creators. Launched in 2021 and led by the founders of Kowloon Nights, Kepler nurtures creativity through collaboration with each of its founding studio partners having a stake in the business and a leadership role in strategic decision-making, whilst retaining total artistic independence. Following the successful launches of Ebb Software’s, Scorn, and Sloclap’s two million selling and critically acclaimed, Sifu, Kepler’s studio partners are as varied as they are talented, including A44 Games (Ashen, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn) in New Zealand, Alpha Channel and Awaceb (Tchia) in Canada, and Timberline (The Red Lantern) in North America and Shapefarm in Asia. Kepler Interactive is headquartered in London.

Far Cry 5 Free Weekend Announced for March 23 – 27 as Part of Anniversary Celebration

Sydney, Australia — March 17, 2023 — As part of the Far Cry® 5 anniversary celebration, today Ubisoft® announced that one of the most highly requested fan features, Far Cry® 5 in native 60 FPS, is now available on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation® 5 via a free patch.* The 60 FPS boost applies to all Far Cry 5 modes: solo campaign, co-op, Arcade, and all downloadable content.

Under siege and cut off from the rest of the world in rural Hope County, Montana, by a fanatical doomsday cult, players will need to join forces with residents to create a resistance and liberate the community and themselves. Players will take to the skies in dogfights against cultists across Big Sky Country; destroy cult supplies with vehicles, explosives, and more; and recruit Guns for Hire from a large cast of characters including Fangs for Hire, specialized animals like bears and cougars to complement players’ playstyles, whether they’re going in stealthily or forcefully. How players approach each situation and the chaos they create in Far Cry 5 is up to them.

Ubisoft also announced a free weekend** for Far Cry 5 from March 23 – 27 on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, as well as Windows PC through the Ubisoft Store and the Epic Games Store. Players can also subscribe to Ubisoft+ on PC and Amazon Luna***. Players will have access to all the main game content throughout the free weekend and can take advantage of up to 85 percent off Far Cry 5 to continue their adventure. For more information, please visit: www.farcry.com/farcry5

For more information about the Far Cry franchise, please visit farcry.com.

For the latest news on Far Cry® 5 and other Ubisoft games, visit news.ubisoft.com.

*In addition to a 60 FPS boost on available consoles, the patch provides a native enhanced resolution on Xbox Series X|S. Players can play Far Cry 5 in 1920X1080 resolution on Xbox Series S, and in 3840X2160/4K resolution on Xbox Series X. On PlayStation 5, the game remains at a dynamic resolution at around 2880X1620.

**Any progression made during the free weekend will carry over when the player upgrades to the full game on the same platform. An online connection might be required to start the game as a free player. On PlayStation®, the game is available to all users regardless of their PlayStation®Plus subscription. On Xbox, players need an Xbox Live Gold subscription. Restart might be required.

***Ubisoft+ on Luna requires account linking and a Multi Access plan. Territorial restrictions apply. 

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

© 2023 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Far Cry, Ubisoft and the Ubisoft logo are registered or unregistered trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the US and/or other countries. Based on Crytek’s original Far Cry directed by Cevat Yerli.

Los Santos Drug Wars: The Last Dose Out Now – Help the Fooliganz Unravel a Psychedelic Conspiracy, Secure the New Ocelot Virtue Supercar, Tap Into a Massive Rewards Event, and More

The wild trip of Los Santos Drug Wars builds to its explosive finale in The Last Dose, with five new missions leading you, Dax, and the Fooliganz down an action-packed rabbit hole brimming with familiar faces, hired guns, sabotage, kidnapping, and more — all while fighting off the effects of some extremely potent psychedelics.

After unleashing a tide of mind-bending chemicals and calamities on the population of the greater Los Santos area in The First Dose, the troupe are now keen to get to the bottom of a budding pharmaceutical conspiracy in the culmination of this two-part story.

The Last Dose

Since joining up with the Fooliganz in The First Dose, you’ve helped Dax, Luchadora, Labrat, and the rest of this colorful crew wage war on the competition for control of the Southern San Andreas psychedelics trade — squeezing out rival operations through outright theft, eliminating those who would stand in your path, and even enjoying a little time in an altered state.

Now, in The Last Dose, the shadowy opposition is striking back, so it’ll be up to you to assist the Fooliganz in their quest to remain atop the illicit pharmaceutical food chain with five new missions that pick up right where things left off. Look for a call from Dax or visit The Freakshop to get going.

Those who have yet to take the plunge, meet up with Nervous Ron Jakowski at Liquor Ace in Blaine County to kick things off with the initial six missions in The First Dose. Along the way, you’ll gain access to The Freakshop as a base of operations, set up a mobile Acid Lab business, and distribute your product throughout Los Santos while undermining competitors.

As an added bonus, both The First Dose and The Last Dose are awarding 2X GTA$ and RP through March 29 to those ready and willing to get weird across the whole collection of new story missions in Los Santos Drug Wars.

This is an Intervention

Head to the Fooliganz’ annual meet-up to get back into the swing of things. Surely nothing could sour the mood. It’s always a good idea to bring snacks to a party, but you may as well come fully equipped with body armor and automatic weapons too.

Unusual Suspects

Dax isn’t the type to allow the abduction of one of his own slide — let The Lost and their hippie allies know this aggression will not stand and learn what you can about Labrat’s captors along the way. Intimidation is always necessary in this kind of business, but be careful you don’t kill the gang leaders who might be able to give you some answers.

FriedMind

Storm the FriedMind Pharmaceuticals HQ to gather clues, rescue the missing members of the troupe, and return them safely to The Freakshop. The stealthy approach could be the smart way of getting in and out without raising the alarm but keep your head on a swivel and check your corners — it only takes one guard with a shotgun to end you.

Checking In

Pay a visit to the local rehab facility that’s running trials using Labrat’s stolen recipe. Be careful, or you might end up becoming a test subject. Protecting Dax and Luchadora should be your top priority when heading into the maelstrom, so lead the charge and remove as much resistance as you can. The troupe relies on you, Fresh Meat.

BDKD

Add final insult to injury by clearing out your competition’s remaining supply and stomping them out of existence in the process. That’s the Fooliganz way. There’ll be no stopping Dax from attempting to procure every bit of product he can get his hands on. Be ready to keep a lot of heat off his back when the time comes and make use of every bit of cover you can find.

The Doctor Is In

A well-known Los Santos psychotherapist whose troubled client base includes Michael De Santa in Grand Theft Auto V, Dr. Isiah Friedlander is always looking to boost his profile, and his bank account.

Intimately familiar with the efficacy and popularity of psychoactive substances — and no longer content with leaving money on the table — he’s now decided to get in the drug game himself as FriedMind Pharmaceuticals. But while his company carries a lot of name-brand cache, his product just does not compare with the stuff you can get on the street.

Friedlander will stop at nothing to gain the competitive advantage — kidnapping, dosing, hiring mercenaries to do his dirty work. It’s up to you to stop him.

The Brand-New Ocelot Virtue Supercar

Ego meets eco with the all-new Ocelot Virtue (Super), an all-electric hypercar that comes track-steady and city ready, so you can show off your climate awareness and your tax exile status from behind the same wheel.

Intrepid trippers will earn Friedlander’s personal Virtue with a FriedMind livery for free by completing all the new missions in The Last Dose. The Virtue is also eligible for Imani Tech upgrades from the Agency Vehicle Workshop to safeguard it from potential peril.

GTA+ Members can pick up the Ocelot Virtue now at Legendary Motorsport.

The Willard Eudora: Available for a Limited Time

Once upon a time, we had so much hope. We thought humans would live on Mars, and everyone would have a robot best friend. Well, none of that happened, and all our dreams of excellence were dashed … except one.

Introducing the Willard Eudora Muscle Car. The shining hope of the Jet Age. Available from Southern San Andreas Super Autos or Simeon’s Premium Deluxe Motorsport showroom, but only through March 29.

New Cardigans and Wide Designer Jeans

Update your wardrobe by shopping for new Branded Cardigans and Wide Pants, available in the Tops and Designer Jeans sections of retail establishments citywide, respectively.

The Last Dose Rewards

The psychedelic warfare and general drug-related pursuits spanning across Los Santos Drug Wars — and culminating with the launch of The Last Dose — will have lasting effects on the population of San Andreas for generations to come. Some of the more immediate consequences are a collection of rare clothing and accessories for helping Dax solve the mystery haunting all his most intense trips, all in celebration of today’s release of The Last Dose:

Earn The Last Dose rewards now through March 29. Gifts will be delivered within 10 days of completion.

1.5X GTA$ and RP on Fooligan Jobs

Defend the Fooliganz’ honor across Los Santos and reap an extra 50% GTA$ and RP by contacting Dax and sabotaging the troupe’s rivals, committing theft, poisoning the local water supply, and more by completing Fooligan Jobs throughout the week.

Double Supplies on Acid Lab Resupply Missions

The local population’s appetite for psychoactive drugs is ravenous: Keep pace with demand by completing Acid Lab Resupply Missions — you’ll earn double the Supplies over the next seven days.

Meanwhile, Mutt can hear the customers’ screams for more — sometimes literally. As a result, he’ll keep your operation humming along at 1.5X the usual Acid Production Speed. Lining up trick shots when delivering your product is optional, but always encouraged.

Premium Deluxe Motorsport Showroom

Stroll through the Premium Deluxe Motorsport exhibition space to get a closer look at this week’s selections — including the new Willard Eudora (Muscle), available for a limited time only. Take them for a trial run around the block, or buy directly from Simeon.

• Willard Eudora (Muscle)
• Invetero Coquette D10 (Sports)
• Pegassi Toros (SUVs)
• Vapid Bullet (Super)
• Hijak Ruston (Sports, 50% off)

Luxury Autos Showroom
Cross the street from Record A Studios to visit the window of the Luxury Autos Showroom and examine the two Supercars on offer this week: the Överflöd Tyrant (Super, 25% off) and Grotti X80 Proto (Super).

Other Vehicle Offerings This Week
This week’s top prize on the Lucky Wheel is a collector’s item in the Sports Classic class — the Pegassi Infernus Classic.

Prize Ride Challenge: Finish in the Top 3 in the Pursuit Series for three days running to earn this week’s Prize Ride, the Coil Brawler (Off-Road).

On the Test Track: Maibatsu Penumbra FF (Sports), Imponte Beater Dukes (Muscle, 50% off), and Cheval Taipan (Super, 25% off).

Only on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S

Premium Test Ride: Principe Deveste Eight (Super)

HSW Time Trial: Textile City — Stab City

2X GTA$ and RP on Sumo (Remix)

Chase a shrinking and moving safe zone while keeping your wits, instincts, and reflexes about you. Sumo (Remix) is dishing out 2X GTA$ and RP to all competitors through March 22.

3X GTA$ and RP on Overtime Rumble
Parachuting to a distant landing zone is only half the battle in Overtime Rumble — the other half is jostling for position and feinting your foes to their watery demise. Win or lose, both sides roll away with 3X GTA$ and RP, all week long.

GTA+
Maintaining an Agency is about so much more than servicing the needs of VIP clients. GTA+ Members can make sure their operation is running smoothly by taking advantage of the following benefits:

• Free Ocelot Virtue (Super) with Jackal and Ocelot Racing liveries
• Agency Vehicle Workshop
• Pink Floral Tech Demon Mask, Gray Yeti Combat Shirt, and Gray Yeti Battle Pants
• 2X GTA$ and RP on Fooligan Jobs (3X GTA$ and RP in total this week)
• 3X GTA$ and RP on Hotring Races

All of this — and more, including a bonus of GTA$500,000 delivered upon billing and deposited automatically into your Maze Bank account — for just $5.99 a month. For full details, visit the GTA+ website.   

DISCOUNTS

Join the troupe by picking up an MTL Brickade 6×6 (Service), complete with complimentary Acid Lab installation, and stock up on all Body Armor and Ammo (including Mk II rounds) — all for 30% off this week. Be sure to peruse all the deals on other vehicles, both below and in showrooms around Los Santos:

• Declasse Weaponized Tampa (Muscle) – 25% off
• Cheval Taipan (Super) – 25% off
• Överflöd Tyrant (Super) – 25% off
• Buckingham Miljet (Plane) – 25% off
• Hijak Ruston (Sports) – 50% off
• Imponte Beater Dukes (Muscle) – 50% off
• Sea Sparrow (Helicopter) – 50% off

Stock up on weapons, ammo, and armor — all at below-market prices — by seeking out the Gun Van. In addition to the usual markdowns, the Heavy Rifle is 25% off, and GTA+ Members can purchase the Marksman Rifle for 45% off.

Prime Gaming Benefits 

Players who connect their Rockstar Games Social Club account with Prime Gaming will receive GTA$125,000 for playing anytime this week. All bonus GTA$ will be deposited into your Maze Bank account within 72 hours at the start of the next weekly event.

To ensure access to future benefits, make sure to visit Prime Gaming and sign up.  

Check Rockstar Support for details and limitation

Free update to most-loved VR city creator brings cosy creations to life 

Welcome the itty-bitty bustle to Little Cities with the Little Citizens Update, available now on Meta Quest and Quest 2! The latest free update for the cosy city creator, developed by Purple Yonder and published by nDreams, brings cities to life – welcoming an all-new tiny population that’s eager to explore every inch of players’ intrepid creations. 

Crafting a place where residents love to live has always been at the very heart of Little Cities and this update empowers players to experience residents enjoying their cosy creations up-close for the very first time. From hot dog chompers to beachside bathers, the Little Citizens’ huge range of intuitive behaviours deliver a new level of immersion. They relax, party and wander around town, growing in number as players’ creations expand – they even wave back! 

With a truly diverse population enjoying everything from yoga sessions in the park to gameday at the stadium, now there’s always something delightful to spot on the streets of Little Cities. 

“We’re delighted to welcome Little Citizens to the game, bringing a genuinely game-changing sense of hustle and bustle to Little Cities,” said James Howard, co-founder of Purple Yonder. “We’ve been working hard to deliver this popular community ask and I really can’t wait to see our fantastic player community discover all the joyful quirks and habits of their new tiny population”. 

Little Cities’ publisher, nDreams has already hinted at more updates to come this year, including bringing Little Cities to new platforms. 

About Little Cities  Little Cities is the debut title from husband-and-wife team Purple Yonder and published by VR veterans nDreams, Little Cities has become the most loved VR city creator since its release on Quest and Quest 2 in May 2022. The game has an average user rating of 4.6 on the Quest Store, making it one of the highest rated games in Quest history, plus a current score of 81 on vrgamecritic, with critics particularly praising the game’s UI, accessibility and VR-first design.  

About Purple Yonder 
Purple Yonder is a new VR studio, based in Cambridgeshire, UK. Founded by husband-and-wife team, James and Kelly Howard, Little Cities is Purple Yonder’s debut game. The studio is committed to creating captivating VR experiences, using their experience of working on AAA and indie titles to deliver compelling gameplay in VR.      

About nDreams  

nDreams is a world-leading VR game developer and publisher headquartered in Farnborough, UK. They are the team behind hit titles Phantom: Covert Ops, Far Cry: Dive Into Insanity and Fracked, as well as publishing innovative VR games developed by the brightest indie talents including the cosy smash hit, Little Cities.  

Fully dedicated to VR games since 2013, no publisher has greater virtual reality experience and specialism. With the recent acquisition of Near Light, nDreams is now comprised of five internal development teams, across four studios: the original nDreams Studio, nDreams Studio Elevation, nDreams Studio Orbital and now Near Light.  

With a $35 million investment from the Aonic Group in March 2022 and several exciting projects in development across our teams – including Synapse and Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord – nDreams has cemented its place at the forefront of VR gaming.  

Pre-orders now available for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4/5 versions arriving same day

VANCOUVER, Canada — March 16, 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, serves up caffeinated comfort as a day one Game Pass launch for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC on Thursday, April 20, 2023.

Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly on Game Pass will support streaming via Xbox Cloud Gaming at launch. Connoisseurs of cappuccinos and conversation can pre-install the game as of today on Xbox systems and Windows PCs. Hibiscus & Butterfly joins the original Coffee Talk on Game Pass for Xbox and PC.

“Xbox Game Pass helped introduce new fans to the first Coffee Talk, and we’re excited that Episode 2 will be on the service from day one,” said Shintaro Kanaoya, founder and CEO of Chorus Worldwide. “With Coffee Talk still on Game Pass, now is the perfect time for Game Pass subscribers to play the original game in time for the release of Episode 2 on 4/20.”

Pre-orders featuring a 10% launch discount are now live on the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch, for PlayStation Plus members for PS4 and PS5, and also on the Xbox Marketplace for those who wish to purchase the game. Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly will also be released on Steam for Windows and Mac.

Open the coffee shop doors — and patrons’ hearts — in a present-day, fantastical Seattle where memorable humans, quirky orcs, business-oriented succubi, and other mythological denizens coexist. Customize each requested drink with a mixture of ingredients like tea, ginger, chocolate, mint and more to make a standout latte they won’t soon forget. Become the barista everyone feels comfortable enough to talk to, and lend them a much-needed ear.

Turn strangers into friends and encounter familiar faces while listening to people vent about their real-life problems. Improve customers’ moods by serving them warm drinks complete with personalized latte-art designed with an in-game fluid simulation. Relax in a soothing environment and cozy up for emotional warmth to the tunes of lo-fi chillhop beats. Explore various narrative arcs, concoct recipes with distinct combinations of ingredients, and help heal the souls of city denizens in dire need of conversation.

Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly launches on PC and Mac via Steam, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch on April 20, 2023 for $14.99 MSRP. Physical editions from Serenity Forge including a Collector’s Edition are now available for pre-order from retailers worldwide.

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, and the Asian releases of The Room and The Room Two.

Unravel dark secrets and repressed memories through hyperrealistic encounters with paranormal haunts

Denver, USA – 16th March, 2023  – Independent game studio Jukai Studio and Versus Evil, one of the leading independent video game publishers, today announced that its mystery-driven psychological horror game Stray Souls is coming to PC, PlayStation 4|5 and Xbox Series S|X in 2023; with a hands-off demo also being shown to press this week at GDC 2023.

Dive into the mind of Daniel, a teenage boy who inherits a home from his estranged grandmother. As he moves in, Daniel meets the enigmatic Martha who knows more about the house than he would expect. As night falls, dark secrets hiding within the dwelling and Daniel’s past come out of the woodworks – secrets Daniel cannot seem to outrun…

Stray Souls combines beloved elements of Japanese survival horror games with an array of new tricks, including a variety of randomized systems where enemy encounters, item placement, paranormal activity and even weather patterns are always changing so no two playthroughs are exactly the same. Using the power of Metahuman technology and Unreal Engine 5, characters and environments are authentically brought to life, throwing you straight into the dread and dismay of the narrative. 

“We think it’s good to embrace a little evil sometimes, and it has been a pleasure to work with Jukai Studio to bring their contemporary Japanese style thriller to life,” said Steve Escalante, General Manager of Versus Evil. “Stray Souls pays homage to classics like Resident Evil and Silent Hill whilst bringing its own spin on the genre with new technological innovations. This is a game built by people that know horror, from a veteran dev team who have worked on other titles such as Blair Witch, The Medium, Visage, and Road to Hollow Hills – it’s built by horror fans for horror fans..”

Stray Souls will release on the PC and consoles later this year. Head over to the game’s Steam page for more details and to wishlist the game.

About Jukai Studio
Established in 2022, Jukai Studio is an independent game studio comprised of an experienced team focused on creating memorable experiences within the horror genre. Aiming to push the boundaries of what is considered possible within the indie space, the team has come together to work on its first title, Stray Souls, a genre-pushing homage to classic survival horror.

About Versus Evil
Founded in 2013, Versus Evil, LLC is the US based video game publisher behind critically acclaimed video games First Class Trouble, Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire and The Banner Saga trilogy. Publishing games on all major mobile, PC and console platforms, Versus Evil works with independent development studios from around the world. The corporate philosophy is to champion for the independent game developer.

Experience The Dark Pictures Anthology’s worst horrors like never before with PlayStation®VR2 — in the ride for your life, choose your path wisely and try to stay alive!

GUILDFORD, United Kingdom – March 16, 2023 – Supermassive Games, the award-winning studio behind Rush of Blood, has launched the must-play immersive horror experience The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR on PlayStation®VR2 today.

Plunging players into a fast-paced rollercoaster horror action shooter, The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR is an original standalone game where you will come face to face with the most terrifying antagonists from Season One of The Dark Pictures Anthology. Experience the horror like never before in this multi-sensory VR experience, with the PlayStation®VR2’s innovative capabilities:

• DON’T BLINK! – Using PlayStation®VR2’s Eye Tracking feature, your enemies are upon you in the blink of an eye.
• HOLD ON TIGHT – Endure every bump, twist, turn and drop as your cart speeds along the tracks with Haptic Feedback, bringing that roller-coaster feeling to life.
• FEEL THE TENSION – Adaptive Triggers make each weapon feel unique as you unload on terrifying enemies that emerge from the shadows.
• MIND YOUR HEAD – Avoid falling beams, overturned buses and hanging witches. Headset Rumble ensures that you’ll feel it if you don’t!
• Plus, 4K HDR and 3D audio support.

This horror shooter is set to take you through ancient temples, ghost ships, murder hotels and a whole lot more. Players will experience a terrifying world as they squeeze their way through the appropriately named ‘meat tube’ (caution for those with claustrophobia!) and persevere as they fight against the supernatural horrors aboard a WWII ghost ship. Discover otherworldly vampires and escape the horrifying World’s Fair Hotel with a sadistic serial killer out for blood!

“It has been an amazing journey bringing our terrifying and intense horror game, that took its inspiration from its much beloved predecessor Rush of Blood, to the next generation of VR. Switchback VR takes everything people loved about that game and adds in a new level of horror and intensity from The Dark Pictures Anthology. We can’t wait for people to experience the terror in our new game,” said Pete Samuels, Managing Director of Supermassive Games.

The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR is out now as a PlayStation®VR2 launch title for $39.99/£32.99 and available for purchase on the PlayStation Store.

For more information on The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR, follow Supermassive Games on socials and keep up to date with the latest news on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

About The Dark Pictures Anthology 

The Dark Pictures Anthology is a series of standalone, cinematic horror games designed to present a new, terrifying experience on a regular basis. Each game features a brand-new story, setting, and cast of characters. www.thedarkpictures.com 

About Supermassive Games 

Supermassive Games is a BAFTA-winning independent game developer with a reputation for innovation in both storytelling and VR. The studio has released a number of successful titles and is best known for the critically acclaimed PS4 hit Until Dawn. www.supermassivegames.com  

© 2023 Supermassive Games Limited. “THE DARK PICTURES” “SWITCHBACK VR” and “SUPERMASSIVE GAMES” are trademarks or registered trademarks of Supermassive Games Limited. All rights reserved. © 2023 Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe. “PlayStation Family Mark”, “PlayStation”, “PlayStation Shapes Logo” and “Play Has No Limits” are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.  

The studio’s new portfolio promises to bring Action, Attitude and Adrenaline to players everywhere

AALBORG, Denmark — March 16, 2023 — Legendary developer and publisher 3D Realms, known for bringing gamers blockbuster franchises like Duke Nukem, Max Payne, and Prey, is happy to announce that Justin Burnham has joined the company as Chief Creative Officer. With over 16 years of experience in the video game industry, Burnham’s vast knowledge and expertise, coupled with a well-defined vision, will solidify 3D Realms as a leader in heart-pumping action games.

Over the years, Burnham has helped transform Devolver Digital and Good Shepherd Entertainment into the gold standard for indie and AA games, evolved ESL DreamHack into a global gaming lifestyle brand, created digital worlds and innovative physical experiences at Subnation, and assisted companies like Game Jolt, The MIX and Skystone Games in strategic development.

Burnham started his career at the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences in 2007, elevating D.I.C.E Summit into the renowned showcase event it has become. He then went on to bring gaming to South by Southwest (SXSW), where it quickly became one of the fastest-growing aspects of the festival. Burnham’s expansive career now promises to evolve 3D Realms.

“We are thrilled to have Justin join our team. I’ve known Justin for years, and 3D Realms was a perfect match,” said Frederik Schreiber, CEO of 3D Realms. “Justin and I have great chemistry, and share a greater vision for the company. His extensive expertise in the video game industry will be invaluable to 3D Realms as we continue to grow and expand our portfolio.”

As Chief Creative Officer with 3D Realms, Burnham will oversee key growth areas such as brand direction, portfolio strategy, production execution, release roadmaps, event activations and other integral marketing campaigns. He will also play a pivotal role with Slipgate Ironworks, 3D Realms’ internal development sister company.

On his new role, Burnham said, “3D Realms holds a special place in my heart, having grown up playing their games and inspiring me to want to be part of this industry. We’re excited to redefine what our brand of AAA gaming means: Action, Attitude, and Adrenaline.”

Burnham is the harbinger of an exciting new portfolio for 3D Realms, with multiple games spanning various genres coming out in the near future. From tearing alien parasites out of monstrous creatures with your trusty pet gun in the co-op body horror game RIPOUT to fighting for survival in a world devastated by nuclear war in the classic RTS Tempest Rising, 3D Realms’ evolution as a publisher and developer has only just begun.

Other games in their upcoming portfolio include Combustion, a diesel-punk action RPG inspired by the PSX-era, and Phantom Fury, an adrenaline-fueled journey around the USA with the infamous Shelly ‘Bombshell’ Harrison, known from the 3D Realms smash hit Ion Fury. With Burnham at the helm of their creative endeavors, Realms Deep 2023 promises to usher in a new age for 3D Realms.

“It’s awesome to have Justin here, as his wealth of experience and innovative ideas promise to invigorate and strengthen the legacy of 3D Realms,” said Tim Willits, CCO of Saber Interactive and Director at 3D Realms. “With unwavering confidence in his abilities, we are excited for what the future holds and we eagerly anticipate collaborating with him.”

To learn more about what’s going on with 3D Realms and keep an eye on how Justin is transforming the company, follow the studio on Twitter, join their Discord or visit their website: https://3drealms.com.

About 3D Realms

Founded 30 years ago, 3D Realms was the publisher, developer, and creator of many legendary gaming franchises, most still going strong, including Wolfenstein 3D, Duke Nukem, Shadow Warrior, Max Payne, and Prey.

To learn more about 3D Realms, please visit the studio’s official website.

First Playable 2023, organized by IIDEA and Toscana Film Commission, in collaboration with ITA – Italian Trade Agency, will be held in Florence from 6 to 7 July

Milan, 16 March, 2023 – The Italian Interactive Digital Entertainment Association (IIDEA) is excited to announce the fifth edition of First Playable, Italy’s leading international event about games business, will take place in Florence from 6 to 7 July 2023.

The two-day event will be hosted by Nana Bianca in Florence, within the Innovation Center powered by Fondazione CR Firenze, a newly renovated innovation hub located in the Oltrarno district of the city,  and will offer preparatory coaching sessions, in-person talks and workshops from speakers around the globe, 1:1 meetings and pitching sessions with publishers and international investors and finally the 2023 Italian Video Game Awards ceremony to celebrate excellence among the productions made in Italy.

First Playable 2023 will facilitate connections between game development studios and international publishers and investors, offering content of the highest absolute value to Italian developers who will, once again, be able to attend the event free of charge.

More about First Playable 2023

• Pitching – The primary objective of the event is to offer a dedicated platform for Italian video game companies to connect with international buyers, including video game publishers and investors. In-person business meetings will be available using the leading online matchmaking tool Meet to Match.
• Talks – The event will feature a series of talks and workshops on business topics of common interest for the Italian game developer community, from national and international speakers. These talks will also be available to stream online. 
• Coaching and mentoring – Italian video game developers will have the opportunity to meet industry experts whom they can seek advice from regarding the development of their products, defining their business plans, and improving their pitches.
• Italian Video Game Awards – First Playable will again host the ceremony of the Italian Video Game Awards, aimed at celebrating excellence in video game development in Italy. Five awards will be presented by an international jury of recognized industry experts including Best Italian Game, Best Italian Debut Game, Best Innovation, Outstanding Individual Contribution and Outstanding Italian Company. 

First Playable 2023 is organized by IIDEA and Toscana Film Commission – Fondazione Sistema Toscana, and it is supported by ITA – Italian Trade Agency, the Ministry of Foreing Affairs and International Cooperation, and Nana Bianca. MeetToMatch is matchmaking partner of the event. 

First Playable was launched in 2019 in Pisa and after 2 in-presence editions and two digital editions during the pandemic, this year it moved to Florence, again in presence. The First Playable 2022 event included 30+ international publishers and investors from 8 countries, 90+ Italian game development studios, had 630+ business meetings, included 25+ speakers from all over the world and had 92,000+ views for 10+ streaming hours.  

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.

Curated Line-up of Indie Games on Show, Along with Exclusive Pins, Merch and Even Free Wired Tattoos!

Watford, UK – 16th March, 2023: Video Games Publisher Wired Productions are proud to announce an impressive five title line-up for PAX East 2023, showcasing the very best of indie developers and their upcoming games. Billed as an ‘Indie Games Parlor’, attendees will be able to visit the Wired booth located at stand 1807 and experience first playable demos, new showcases and get hands on with an extensive store range of exclusive merchandise, including Wired’s No F*ing Thanks Pin Badge – a continuation of Wired’s 2021 campaign calling on the games industry to reject NFTs. 

Fans who show they follow Wired, and their developing partners on social media, can also be (temporarily) tattooed and claim an exclusive “I Love Indie Games” wristband to show off their love of games with pride!

Watch the Wired Productions Sizzle Reel:

Featured Artists in the Parlor

Returning to PAX East for 2023, visitors can rediscover the charming narrative puzzle adventure Tin Hearts, brought to you by Rogue Sun, including former members of ex Lionhead developers whoworked on Fable. Set to release on April 20th and voted Gamescoms  “Most Wanted Nintendo Switch Game”,, Tin Hearts is an immersive game wrapped in a powerful tale of love and compromise taking players through a magical toy-filled world using a variety of whimsical and inventive contraptions. March through soldier-routing riddles and solve increasingly  elaborate puzzles to unravel the emotional, thought-provoking story of Albert J. Butterworth, a genius inventor of Victorian times.

Making its American debut comes Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles, a standalone game created by maverick solo developer Tomas Sala. Set in the expansive oceanic world of the BAFTA-nominated ‘The Falconeer’, Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles is an open world, highly experimental take on the freeform building genre. Explore and pick any rock, cliff or mountain to build your fortress in a rich and living world.

Visitors can also choose to dive into The Last Worker, developed by Wolf & Wood and created, Directed and Written by Jorg Tittel, The Last Worker is an immersive narrative adventure which makes players question their place in an increasingly automated world, a week ahead of its launch on March 30th, 2023. The Last Worker is set in a lonely, oppressive but strangely beautiful environment, with characters designed by comics legend Mick McMahon, with unique, immersive gameplay mechanics, seamlessly interwoven into a narrative game like no other. Delivering an emotional and thought-provoking story, The Last worker is filled with rich characters performed by an all-star cast. 

As well as this, visitors can get hands-on with Epiphany Games twin-stick arcade shooter, Tiny Troopers: Global Ops which is out now. Lead an elite squad of battle-hardened specialists through an epic campaign of 40+ missions across 6 theaters of war where you can take your troopers into explosive battles through scorching deserts – dense, sweltering jungles and the coldest of frozen tundras!

In addition, attendees can purr-use through the latest demo of Angry Demon Studio’s hack ‘n’ slash adventure Gori: Cuddly Carnage. Set in a futuristic neon world of extreme and mutated toys take on the role of the adorable feline hero, Gori, on a death-dealing hoverboard to save the cuddly crew from certain cat-astrophe. Want to slice creepy toys? Want to dice mutated unicorns? Want to play as a bad-ass kitty on a death-dealing hoverboard? Great news – Gori: Cuddly Carnage is the game for you! 

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About Wired Productions
Wired Productions is an independent video games publisher based in Watford, UK. Wired has produced and published award-winning titles across all major platforms and its games are curated to deliver on its mantra: ‘Driven by Passion.’ Bringing games to market in both physical and digital media, recent notable launches include Tiny Troopers: Global Ops, Arcade Paradise, Martha Is Dead, The Falconeer, Deliver Us The Moon. Upcoming titles include Tin Hearts, The Last Worker, Gori: Cuddly Carnage, Hotel Architect and Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles.