February welcomes a wealth of new content to World of Warships, with British submarines coming to Early Access, an Australian themed campaign and the return of Clan Battles

22^nd February – World of Warships is introducing an armada of content to Update 12.1. With British submarines coming to Early Access, a campaign with an Australian light cruiser waiting at the end and a new season of Clan battles, this update is jam-packed full of content. On top of all this, World of Warships has also added a chain of several special combat missions with All-American prizes waiting at the finish line.

British submarines sink into Early Access

From March 2nd, three historic British submarines will make their way into Early Access. Undine, Sturdy and Thrasher all enter the game alongside several permanent camouflages and other exciting rewards. These deep-sea vessels offer value in manoeuvrability and fast reloading acoustic torpedoes, however their limited hit-points will require players to be deft in their movements. These sub-surface ships also see the standard submarine equipment, including “Damage Control Party”, “Submarine Surveillance” and “Hydrophone”.

Alongside these additions, comes a special collective chain of combat missions which, upon completion, will bestow players with both a special commemorative flag and British Tokens.

Queen of the Seas campaign sets sail

In a three-week campaign format, The Queen of the Seas takes players on a special pirate-themed adventure that follows the path of an Australian bushranger on her quest to flee the continent aboard a mythical ship. Along the way players can acquire plenty of Pirate Tokens – a temporary resource that can be exchanged for two valuable prizes – Australian light cruiser Brisbane and Commander Matilda Kelly. With powerful air defence that includes ten 152-mm main battery guns and an augmented torpedo armament for underwater destruction, Brisbane is a valuable addition to any fleet, and the accompanying Commander Kelly sits at her helm with 19 skill points. 

All-American awards await

Combat missions aren’t only limited to British submarines though. Until the end of February, players can embark on a chain of combat missions where completing them brings about a number of all-American rewards including a Commander Statue of Liberty, equipped with its own unique voice acting and American Tokens. Players can also secure permanent camouflages, a commemorative flag and a number of other star-spangled goodies in exchange for tokens or across random doubloon packs.

The season of “Salamander” Clan Battles

Closing out the Update 12.1, the game also sees the 20th season of Clan Battles. Starting 20 February and running until 10 April, Warships players with Tier X ships can team up and engage in a seven-on-seven battle of strength and strategy. As usual, to keep the playing field level, there are a handful of ship restrictions with the exclusion of aircraft carriers and submarines, as well as a cap on battleships.

Update 12.1 also sees another Battle Pass added to the game, three Brawls starting on 20 February and several visual and technical changes across the board.  

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About World of Warships

World of Warships is a free, historical, online combat PC game from Wargaming. With its massive fleet of most iconic war vessels, including five different ship classes and strategically designed environment, World of Warships provides the ultimate naval warfare gaming experience, suitable for everyone. Thanks to its largest collection of historically accurate ships available to play, World of Warships prides itself as a digital ship museum and a focal point for naval history enthusiasts. New thematic content and innovative game modes are being added on a regular basis, providing a diverse and exciting gameplay to its broad player base.

One franchise – multiple platforms

After the successful launch of World of Warships on PC, its unique gameplay and design has been adapted to bring free massive naval battles to other platforms with World of Warships: Legends available on PlayStation and Xbox and World of Warships Blitz on iOS and Android mobile devices. Official website: http://www.worldofwarships.eu

About Wargaming

Wargaming is an award-winning online game developer and publisher headquartered in Nicosia, Cyprus. Operating since 1998, Wargaming has grown to become one of the leaders in the gaming industry with 16 offices around the world, including studios in Chicago, Prague, Shanghai, Tokyo and Vilnius. Millions of players enjoy Wargaming’s titles across all major gaming platforms. Our flagship products include the free-to-play hits World of Tanks, World of Warships and World of Tanks Blitz.

Official website: wargaming.com

Overnight via Xbox Wire., Microsoft announced several new titles coming to the Xbox Game Pass libraries across cloud, console and PC beginning today, including:

Week of February 20:

• Atomic Heart, February 21 (Cloud, Console, and PC)

Week of February 27:

• Merge & Blade, February 28 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Soul Hackers 2, February 28 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• F1 22 EA Play, March 2 (Console and PC)
• Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, March 3 (Cloud, Console, and PC)

For more information, including news about other titles, head over to Xbox Wire.

Standard and Collector’s Editions now available from Serenity Forge in collaboration with Fellow Traveller

Boulder, Colo. (Feb. 21, 2023) – Before everything, there wasn’t just darkness. The void was full of life, love, cosmic beings and smooth, velvety jazz. How about a love-triangle adventure set in space to a backdrop of said jazz? All of these elements collide in Genesis Noir, which fans can now show their love for with brand-new physical editions courtesy of Serenity Forge, Fellow Traveller and developer Feral Cat Den:

The Standard and Collector’s Physical Editions are available at your favorite retailer or at the Serenity Forge online store here: https://store.serenityforge.com/.

Genesis Noir, a point-and-click adventure now available physically on Nintendo Switch, sets players in the shoes of No Man, an eternal watch peddler stuck in a love triangle with two other cosmic beings: Miss Mass and Golden Boy. When an ensuing gunshot sets off the Big Bang, players will have to destroy the universe to save their love.

The Standard Physical Edition of Genesis Noir ($39.99) features the following: 

• Physical copy of the game on Nintendo Switch
• Gorgeous illustrated inner coversheet
• Unique 3D lenticular card 
• Yoshitoshi-inspired illustrations on a two-sided poster
• High-quality vinyl sticker sheet

Genesis Noir’s Collector’s Edition ($119.99) comes with everything in the Standard Physical Edition along with the following in a collector’s box:

• Stunning, detailed 134-page art book featuring developer commentary
• Set of four postcards depicting iconic scenes from the game
• Distinctive space linked keychain with characters from the game
• Dynamic animated enamel spinner pin
• A high-quality wristwatch with face art inspired by the game

Stay in the loop on all things Serenity Forge by visiting the team’s website and Twitter page. Learn more about Fellow Traveller on their website as well as on the team’s Twitter page.

# # #

About Serenity Forge

Based in Boulder, Colorado, video game development and publishing studio Serenity Forge prides themselves on the care and dedication they put into their work, creating meaningful games that challenge the way you think. Firm believers in the artistic, cultural, and educational power of video games, Serenity Forge aims to craft unique interactive experiences to broaden players’ horizons and expand their perspectives. Learn more at http://serenityforge.com.

About Fellow Traveller

Founded in 2011, Fellow Traveller is an indie games label exploring the possibility space of what narrative games can be. They seek out and partner with pioneering game developers working on unusual games with narrative at their core. They are passionate about the vast and untapped potential of games as a medium. It is Fellow Traveller’s mission to seek out and support the developers and artists pushing at the boundaries of games and to travel with them on their journey into uncharted territory, helping bring their creations into the world and connecting them with players looking for something different.

Milestone comes through digital and physical sales ahead of title’s second anniversary of release

Boulder, Colo. (Feb. 21, 2023) – Publisher and co-developer Serenity Forge and developer Team Salvato today announced that Doki Doki Literature Club Plus exceeded 1 million sales across consoles and PC.

Released initially as a hobby project by creator Dan Salvato in 2017, Doki Doki Literature Club quickly became the #1 rated Steam game of the year and one of the highest-rated titles of all time. Through word-of-mouth and widespread streaming of playthroughs by fans, the game garnered a huge community and amassed over 13.5 million downloads worldwide. 

Doki Doki Literature Club Plus brought the original game to consoles for the first time, along with remastered visuals and a variety of all-new content, drawing in new and existing fans alike. 

Renowned for its disruptive storytelling approach, DDLC compels players through very real, complex human emotions by exploring and questioning their evolving relationship with fictional characters. Through six new world-building Side Stories, DDLC Plus provides space for the characters to explore their interpersonal relationships and grow together, as people.

“These past 5 years, seeing my writing reach so many people has helped to shape who I am. I feel so connected to every DDLC fan I have the privilege of meeting,” said Dan Salvato, the game’s creator. “In my gratitude to all our supporters, I’m committed to using our funding from DDLC Plus to support mental health nonprofits, as well as to make new boundary-breaking games that can create connection and meaning for even more people.” 

To celebrate the milestone, Dan Salvato will be streaming a playthrough of the Side Stories content on Friday, Feb. 24 at 6pm PST. His Twitch channel can be found here: https://www.twitch.tv/dansalvato

DDLC’s story is told from the perspective of a student who grudgingly joins the school’s literature club at the request of his childhood friend Sayori. After meeting the other club members, Yuri, Natsuki, and club president Monika, players write and exchange poems to grow closer to them. On the surface, DDLC appears to be a visual novel dating simulator, but as players progress, the game reveals itself to be more than it seems.

Stay in the loop on all things Serenity Forge by visiting the team’s website and Twitter page.

# # #

About Team Salvato

Independent game development studio Team Salvato’s mission, through their games, is to tell stories and express creativity in ways not possible using traditional media. Team Salvato believes that games, as an interactive art form, can have a unique impact and become a part of the player’s personal story. Seeking to provoke deepened self-awareness within players of their games, Team Salvato strives to inspire others to discover new ways of making a positive difference in their own lives and the lives of others. Learn more at http://teamsalvato.com.

About Serenity Forge Based in Boulder, Colorado, video game development and publishing studio Serenity Forge prides themselves on the care and dedication they put into their work, creating meaningful games that challenge the way you think. Firm believers in the artistic, cultural, and educational power of video games, Serenity Forge aims to craft unique interactive experiences to broaden players’ horizons and expand their perspectives. Learn more at http://serenityforge.com.

Make yours a double! Startenders: Intergalactic Bartending announces PS VR2 details, including free upgrade for existing owners

Intergalactic bartending game to arrive on next-gen headset in February – with existing owners able to snag it for free if they own it on the original PS VR. Cheers!

BRISTOL, UK – February 21, 2023 – Having boldly gone where no bar has gone before, brilliant virtual reality bartending game Startenders: Intergalactic Bartending will be serving up another intoxicating round of fun when it arrives on PlayStation®VR2 (PS VR2) on February 22nd.

Startenders: Intergalactic Bartending originally released on PS VR in September 2022, bringing immersive arcade-style gameplay which let players loose with a cocktail shaker, a collection of mad machinery, and an abundance of crazy ingredients to mix, shake and serve their way across the universe. 

Startenders: Intergalactic Bartending on PS VR2 will be an enhanced release, taking advantage of the new headset and PlayStation VR2 Sense™ controller features to deliver the most immersive sci fi bartending game yet. The game will retail for $14.99 / €14.99 / £10.99 – but owners of the original PS VR version who upgrade their headset will be able to grab the PS VR2 version for free. 

“We’re delighted to confirm that anyone who owns Startenders: Intergalactic Bartending on PS VR will be able to get the PS VR2 version on us,” says Chris Youles, Creative Director of Foggy Box Games. “We’ve been thrilled with the reaction to the game since it launched, and look forward to serving up even more hectic intergalactic bartending when the new headset releases next year.”

Features

• Four game modes: Campaign, Free Mix, Daily Run and Endless
• Create your own custom drinks with over 2 million cocktail combinations
• The quicker and more efficient you are, the higher the tips to upgrade your equipment
• One chance a day to compete on the global leader board for the best score in Daily Play
• Relax or train in-between shifts in your habitat.

Startenders: Intergalactic Bartending features a range of VR-specific accessibility options to allow maximum comfort for all players. Playable seated or standing, Startenders: Intergalactic Bartending also allows for teleport node-based locomotion and optional snap turning, seated mode height offsets, in-world subtitles, and height adjustment on all surfaces.

Startenders: Intergalactic Bartending is out now on PlayStation VR with a suggested retail price of $14.99 / £11.99 / €14.99, and published by Yogscast Games. The PS VR2 version will launch on February 22nd 2023, priced the same, with owners of one version getting the other for free. 

Visit joinstartenders.com for more info. 

PARIS — Feb. 21, 2023 — Atomic Heart, the action-RPG set in the mad utopia of an alternate post-WWII world, is finally here! Available now on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC, this hotly anticipated cinematic shooter is published by Focus Entertainment and developed as studio Mundfish’s debut title. Watch Atomic Heart’s dynamic launch trailer before finally experiencing it firsthand, and get a glimpse of the twisted and intriguing story, fierce battles and mind-bending puzzles that await you!

Atomic Heart features a utopian rewriting of history where humans live in harmony with their loyal and fervent robots in a fictional USSR that spearheaded a scientific and technological revolution… Well, that’s how it used to be. Shrouded experiments and the unstoppable course of technology have shattered this once utopian world of wonders and perfection. Witness the deadly consequences of innovation firsthand as Agent P-3 on a journey where you’ll encounter artificial intelligence on the brink of madness, unsightly mutants, and killer robots roaming Facility 3826. Upgrade and unleash an arsenal of cutting-edge melee and ranged weaponry, unlock abilities and combine them to tailor your unique playstyle, and survive these inescapable threats.

Whether you’re a hardcore player in need of a frenzied, gore-filled challenge, or an adventurer eager to explore this unique world full of wild, gripping narratives, Atomic Heart can be molded to your ideal experience with three difficulty levels to choose from.

Before diving into the world of Atomic Heart, make sure to update your game! Connect your gaming platform to the internet and install the latest day one patch, which is an essential part of the experience. Play the full game the way it was intended!

Atomic Heart is out now on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC. Four editions are available: Limited (base game + physical items), Standard (base game), Gold (base game + Atomic Pass), and Premium (base game + Atomic Pass + digital artbook).

Launching in May, Blooming Business: Casino Let’s Players Run the Business and Manage the Drama in this satirical Tycoon Genre

London, February 21, 2023 – Curve Games and French indie studio Homo Ludens are excited to release a new demo for their casino-themed sim-management game, Blooming Business: Casino. Launching in May on Steam, Blooming Business: Casino sees retro Las Vegas-inspired aesthetics and animal inhabitants combine for a satirical take on the tycoon formula. 

Blooming Business: Casino Trailer

Blooming Business: Casino is a unique sim-management game with a satirical narrative twist. Players must design, build and run their own retro casino in a bustling world full of drama and danger. Work alongside animals who are anything but cuddly and attempt to maximize client satisfaction while juggling customers’ complicated demands. Blooming Business: Casino offers an exploration into a fantasy world where players embody the role of a casino manager. Attract various types of customers with competitive tastes! Fill the casino with personality and carve out a place on the Strip. Players can grow a casino from a gambling den to the biggest name in town where the sky’s the limit in this electrifying new take on the sim-management genre.

To learn more about Blooming Business: Casino please visit the official steam page.

About Curve Games

Curve Games (part of the Catalis Group) is an award-winning independent label working with developers across the world to deliver the best in interactive entertainment. With a uniquely diverse games catalogue that includes renowned indie hits such as For the King, Bomber Crew, The Ascent, Lawn Mowing Simulator, and the multi-million selling smash hit Human Fall Flat, Curve Games has taken its place as one of the leading games publishers worldwide.

About Homo Ludens

Homo Ludens is a young independent video game studio founded in 2019 and based in Paris, France. The studio was built with an ambitious social policy within the company, through a strong empowerment of employees and a diversification of profiles. We want to create immersive and engaging experiences that involve our communities and respect the time invested by our players.

The award-winning virtual reality (VR) stealth action titles, Espire 1: VR Operative and Espire 2, from developer Digital Lode and publisher Tripwire Presents are now available in the Ultimate Stealth Collection Bundle. Players can now purchase these two must play VR games together at a 17% discount for $49.99 USD in the Meta Store. In addition, players who already own one of the critically-acclaimed VR stealth titles can complete their set by securing the other at a discounted rate. Whether playing stealthily or running in guns blazing, there’s never been a better time to test your mettle as an Espire agent. Find out why Meta Store players are awarding the stealth action sequel with 5-star reviews. 

Digital Lode and Tripwire Presents continue to deliver significant advancements for the Espire 2 community as outlined in their 2023 public roadmap. Most recently, the team added public matchmaking, making it easier than ever for players to find fellow agents and experience everything the Espire 2 Co-op Campaign has to offer. Players can also look forward to the release of the Espire Ops update coming soon before the end of Q1 2023. Designed for skilled agents, the Espire Ops update introduces new single player levels with developer-set challenges.

Espire 2 Public Roadmap Highlights Include:

●   Espire Ops: New single-player levels with weekly developer-set challenges
●   Co-Op Missions: More Co-op missions are in the works. In addition, players can expect a new hardcore difficulty setting for singleplayer and Co-Op Campaigns
●   New VR Platforms: Espire 2 is coming to new virtual reality platforms. We are in the early stages of development and will have more to announce in 2023
●   Skins: In response to this top request from players, Digital Lode will also introduce unlockable frame skins & weapon variants

Out now for the Meta Quest 2 and Quest Pro platforms, Espire 2 combines the tactical precision of modern stealth titles with the unprecedented immersion of VR, further expanding upon the genre-defining experience of its critically acclaimed predecessor. 

For more information on Digital Lode and to stay up to date on the latest news for Espire 2, be sure to visit the official website – and follow the developers on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

For more information on Tripwire Presents please visit their official website and follow them on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

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CELEBRATE 25 YEARS OF ATELIER MAGIC WITH ATELIER MARIE REMAKE: THE ALCHEMIST OF SALBURG

Return to the Royal Academy of Magic in this Carefree, Cozy RPG Adventure

Hertfordshire, 21^st February 2023 – In celebration of the 25^th Anniversary of the beloved Atelier game series, KOEI TECMO Europe and developer GUST Studios revealed a return to their magical roots with Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg. This re-imagined take on the classic title includes all-new graphics along with plenty of new elements to enhance the gaming experience. Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg is currently in development and will be available digitally 13^th July 2023 on Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, and Windows PC via Steam®.

In Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg, players are reintroduced to Marie, a struggling student at the Royal Academy of Magic, whose teacher gifts her an alchemy atelier for her upcoming graduation exam. Marie’s ultimate goal is to create an item within five years that will satisfy her teacher, but to do this, she’ll need to improve her alchemy skills, gather materials, and earn money for reference books and tools, as well as hire adventurers. Where to start is up to the player, as they’ll be able to navigate the game at their own pace in this carefree adventure, with the ultimate goal to graduate from the academy. 

All-new graphics brighten the screen using modern techniques to bring Marie and her friends to life. Character and event stills are newly illustrated, with 2D animations of character stills being freshly implemented. Brand-new 3D character models and stages have also been added to the remake, along with cute “chibi”-style character models that players will discover when exploring the world.

In addition, this Atelier series origin story not only maintains the simple and highly flexible playability of the original game, but also the tutorial and guidance of moving around town and collecting items has been expanded and modified, to help the remake become even more comfortable and easier to play. This includes improved mini-game controls and gameplay along with balance adjustments and enhanced comfort and presentation of both synthesis and battles.

Many new elements have been added for fans of the original version as well as those new to the Atelier series. In Unlimited Mode, players can now take their time without the deadline of needing to graduate in five years, benefitting those who want to enjoy a relaxing atelier life without being driven by deadlines. Additional social events have been added, enabling players to interact with the main characters, uncovering new aspects and charms that were not included in the original game. Also added is the always helpful “Professor Ingrid’s Tasks”. These tasks help act as a guide, as the question “what should I do next” can be solved immediately, a unique feature for RPGs with this high degree of freedom.

KOEI TECMO Europe announced that a special Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg Digital Deluxe Edition will be available at launch. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes all of the content and DLC of the base game along with original full game “Atelier Marie Plus”, an extra BGM pack, and the “Another Look” costume set.

For more information on Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg, be sure to visit the official site, Like us on Facebook, and Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

ABOUT KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD.

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

©KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD. All rights reserved. GUST is a trademark of KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD. The KT logo is a trademark of KOEI TECMO HOLDINGS CO., LTD.

“PlayStation”, “PS5”, and “PS4” are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.

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

Experience a dark and deadly world featuring a rich and immersive story in Early Morning Studio’s new party-based RPG

Stockholm, Sweden – February 21st, 2023 – Thunderful and Early Morning Studio are pleased to announce that Vendir: Plague of Lies is available now on iOS and Android ahead of a PC and consoles release later this year. Building on Early Morning Studio’s established RPG-pedigree, Vendir delivers tactical turn-based combat, a cast of fascinating characters to recruit and interact with, and a deep and storied world to explore.

Drawing on the rich-history of classic RPGs, Vendir: Plague of Lies’ party-based combat uses a turn-based system to create intriguing tactical battles. Your party will be composed of a cast of compelling characters who will add to the game’s story as much as they do your prowess in combat, interjecting themselves in your conversations with NPCs to create a tapestry of conversational options. This feeds into a splintering narrative where your choices have a long-lasting impact on the story.

The once-great kingdom of Vendir is now under the tyrannic King Elrik who rules with an iron fist, his judgements harsh and his punishments torturous. When discovering an ancient prophecy promising the end of Elrik’s reign, two siblings must make their way from one muddy end of the Kingdom to the other- inciting Elrik’s wrath every step of the way. Challenge the truth in a Kingdom drowning in a plague of lies.

Expect to encounter an intricately crafted world, steeped in history and brought to life through a carefully crafted atmosphere and the stories of the people that inhabit it. It is a world where your decisions will have real weight and consequence – in conversation, combat, crafting and every other aspect of this old-school RPG created by a studio with a true passion for the genre. 

“We have put everything we have learnt from the success of our previous titles, Vampire Fall Origins and Champions of Avan, into creating our biggest and best title yet in the form of    Vendir: Plague of Lies,” said Emir Kuljanin, CEO and Co-Founder at Early Morning Studio. “I’m really excited for players to begin exploring the game today and discover for themselves why we say this is a game where your choices, in everything from combat to conversation, really matter.” 

To wishlist on Steam visit: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1478850/Vendir_Plague_of_Lies/

About Thunderful
Thunderful Group is a group of companies that develops, publishes and invests in games as well as distributes Nintendo products, games, game accessories and toys. Founded in 2017 Thunderful Games is one of the two business segments in Thunderful Group, the other being Thunderful Distribution. Over the last few years Thunderful Games has, organically and via acquisitions, grown into a global organization with eight development studios and over 300 employees. Besides the award-winning internal development pipeline, Thunderful Games also publishes a large number of third-party titles and invests in external game projects.

About Early Morning Studio
Founded in 2010, Early Morning Studio is a Swedish indie developer with a passion for creating high quality old-school RPG games without any hand-holding. Their title Vampire’s Fall: Origins was released on mobile in 2018 to great success which led to its launch on Steam in January, 2020 with a review rating of Very Positive. Early Morning Studio was acquired by Thunderful in 2021 and will continue on its mission of creating high-quality old-school titles with the support of its new partner.