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Eximius: Seize the Frontline Season 3 Update Revamps Graphics with Unreal Engine 5, Overhauls Units

Epic Game Store launches 30 Dec. with full cross-play capabilities

SELANGOR, Malaysia – 29 Dec. 2022 – Eximius: Seize the Frontline, the strategy shooter hybrid from Ammobox Studios seamlessly blending FPS and RTS action, marches onto the battlefield with Season 3, “The Breakthrough,” update alongside an official launch on Epic Game Store with full cross-platform multiplayer tomorrow, 30 Dec. 2022.

Get the lay of the land in a whole new light with fully revamped graphics and optimization systems courtesy of Unreal Engine 5. Recruit freshly reworked units from Support Crawler, APC, Specialist, Armory and Deployed Mule, and Service Ironguard to round out a capable team of commandos. Unite the squadron with seven distinct skins, including two premium options, and enjoy newly implemented key remapping potentials in addition to other exciting updates.

Rival security contractors compete for total control over a devolving dystopian world. The field is dominated by two forces, the Axeron Corporation, a private research organization known as AXR, and the Global Security Force, a peacekeeping organization known as GSF. Both sides hold the irrevocable belief that their status quo will pull society from its downfall, and will stop at nothing to achieve complete authority.

Skillfully meld tactical gameplay with real-time strategy and assemble a powerful team of hand-picked units to engage in 5v5 squad-based combat. Set up camp and train an unstoppable battalion of soldiers as acting Commander on the RTS side. Then, switch into the first-person shooter role to neutralize combatants and gather resources to upgrade forces for the next skirmish. 

Eximius: Seize the Frontline continues to expand with even more opportunities for growth and experimentation, and we at Ammobox couldn’t be more thrilled,” said Jeremy Choo, Director, Ammobox Studios. “We strive to offer commanders ample choice in how they play between real-time strategy and first-person shooter styles. We’re proud to bring Eximius’ fully upgraded systems to fans today, and look forward to introducing new divisions to the AXR and GSF forces in the very near future!”

Eximius: Seize the Frontline is available now, including the Season 3 update, on Epic Game Store for free as a part of their weekly giveaway as well as Windows PC via Steam and the Humble Store at a 75% launch-week discount for $7.49. Following the conclusion of the sale, the permanent price will be lowered to $19.99. Eximius features English, German, Russian, and Chinese (Simplified and Traditional) language support.

To learn more, visit the official site and join the community on Twitter, Facebook, and Discord.

About Ammobox Studios

Ammobox Studios is an independent developer based in Malaysia. Founded on the core concepts of innovation and a people-first studio culture, they seek to deliver memorable experiences by innovating on classic mechanics. Eximius: Seize the Frontline is their debut title.

For more on Ammobox Studios, please visit the official website.

Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- Reunion Review

Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- Reunion

Developer: Square Enix
Publisher: Square Enix
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 , Xbox Series X (Reviewed), Xbox One, Switch, PC
Release Date: Available Now
Price: $49.99 USD – Available Here $89.95 AUD – Available Here

Overview

Over the years the line between a remake and a remaster has blurred. While there are simple remasters that simply bring a game to modern consoles with barely any upgrades other remasters have taken the original and improved it in almost every possible way. With Square Enix’s handling of Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- Reunion this line is almost non-existent as the company has taken this 2007 PSP game and revamped most aspects of the title through graphical upgrades and technical changes to some gameplay mechanics. Were their efforts successful or is this prequel of an action RPG best left in the past?

Story

Set seven years before the events of Final Fantasy VII, Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- Reunion follows the story of Zack Fair, a 2nd Class member of SOLDIER who has dreams of becoming a hero and looks up to his friend and mentor 1st Class soldier Angeal. He is jealous that Sephiroth is often given the spotlight as the greatest hero that SOLDIER has ever seen and does his best to train and get promoted to a 1st Class fighter like the rest, not batting an eye at any of the missions that Shinra sends him on even if it involves invading the land of Wutai and eliminating everyone he comes across. 

His hopes of becoming the best Shinra has ever seen begin to waver as other members of SOLDIER begin to go rogue and turn against the company and things begin to grow ever darker as more elements involving Shinra’s shadier elements begin to come to light. As the story progresses through its ten roughly hour long chapters players will watch Zack go from a starry eyed fighter to a more serious and troubled character as he experiences numerous losses, betrayals, and more all while interacting with numerous familiar faces that appear in the main game. Of course, the game isn’t all dark and dreary as it takes plenty of opportunities to work in some eye-rolling humor, some emotionally touching moments, and odd mood swings that feel like the perfect epitome of mid-00s writing.

Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- Reunion continues to work quite well as a prequel to at least most of the events that happen in Final Fantasy VII as it gives some great characterization to both Zack as well as Sephiroth before he turned into the villain that everyone is familiar with. It also details quite a lot of the preceding events and some of the most dramatic moments that appear as memories in the base game. That being said, it is worth noting that this story has not been changed in any way. This means that those who have played the original will already know everything that happens in Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- Reunion and while this is great for purists and those who may never have played the original despite being fans of the classic Final Fantasy VII, it does mean that certain things may not quite line-up with how events might play out in Square’s latest efforts with VII’s story. Regardless, this story remains a great expansion to the lore of the series and gives some exceptional background to many characters and features numerous moments that fans of Final Fantasy VII will certainly enjoy.

Gameplay

At its core many elements of Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- Reunion still hold fairly true to its portable origins. Most combat encounters and almost all missions are designed to be small encounters that often only take a few minutes at a time. Even story missions feature battles that are spaced out with frequent save points in-between to make sure that players always have a place to stop should the need arise. It also happens to feature a fairly large number of random mini-games that appear throughout story missions that try and change things up a bit by introducing a random new mechanic that is immediately thrown away and end up being incredibly forgettable.

Battles in the game happen in real time with a focus on action as players always have a standard combo attack available to them at all times, revamped button mapping that allows for easier blocking and dodging, and the ability to swap between and use items on the fly. It also allows for quick use of any of the many Materia that players will have equipped, with four being the initial offering before players quickly unlock the ability to use six at a time. Materia that are used in combat make use of either MP for spells or AP for active attacks though there are also a number of Materia that can be equipped to either boost Zack’s abilities, health, mana, or AP, and offer a number of other improvements.

In fact, players will often find themselves with so many Materia that they may feel a bit overwhelmed with the amount available to them. Thankfully not only can players actively swap what Materia they have equipped in the middle of a mission they can also use Materia fusion to craft even stronger attacks and buffs. Fusing “Mastered” Materia will often result in a more powerful version of that skill being available such as Fira being upgradeable to Dark Firaga if fused with a proper skill or, should players wish, potentially unlock far stronger skills earlier than they usually would become available. This opens up quite a lot of possibilities that make for some exciting combinations, especially once players begin to equip accessories that remove the limiters placed on health, damage, etc.

This emphasis on customization makes for a number of interesting elements in combat but perhaps the most interesting comes from the Digital Mind Wave, or DMW. The DMW works as a literal slot machine that is constantly spinning in the top left of the screen as long as players are fighting in a battle. The spinners feature character pictures and numbers and depending on how the slots land, players may receive a number of buffs or be able to execute powerful attacks. Shouild three of a character’s image appear, not only will Zack restore some of his health, AP, and mana but also gain the ability to use powerful Limit Breaks or Summons that have various effects of their own such as dealing tons of damage, healing or buffing Zack, and even upgrading every Materia he owns. The numbers also play a factor as they can provide a number of buffs ranging from making all AP/MP attacks free of cost, making Zack temporarily invincible, or straight up leveling Zack in the middle of a fight.

The randomness of the DMW makes almost every fight something of an unknown since players may fight against a number of generic foes with zero buffs one time only for Zack to level up and finish everything off with a blast from Bahamut the next with no actual difference. Along these same lines, there can be boss battles that can be completely trivialized due to a Summon triggering randomly and since players have the option to immediately restart a fight should they fall in battle, even having the opportunity to change their equipment should they choose, players will find that the game’s only true challenge comes from tackling a Mission earlier than they should.

Now, these “Missions” end up making up the bulk of the game and also exhibit some of the game’s most obvious portable holdbacks. Missions can be undertaken at any save point, including those found in the middle of a story chapter, and feature a massive amount of rewards should players complete them. Sadly, a lot of these rewards are absolutely useless but players must complete these to reach ones that offer truly valuable items including those that allow them to equip more accessories or unlock new Summons to appear on the DMW. These Missions all make use of a handful of generic looking stages that can be completed within a few minutes and almost always involve some minor exploration through halls with random battles and hidden treasure chests before facing off against the target to complete the actual Mission. The fact that these are bite size challenges doesn’t stop them from being incredibly repetitive and the fact that some feature great rewards is something of an annoying drawback and it would have been nice to see them expanded in some form beyond the limitations imposed from the PSP.

Visuals & Audio

It must be said that Square Enix has put a lot of effort into making most of Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- Reunion look as outstanding as possible. Nearly all of the game’s character models have been given a complete overhaul to look as impressive as possible while the environments that players fight through are nicely detailed, if a bit too repetitive when it comes to the game’s missions. The game is at its best during combat where spells and combat techniques are visually impressive and the various summons that players can unleash are outstanding looking and a real treat whenever the DMW makes one available for use. It is worth noting that not every aspect has transitioned well as the game’s cinematic cutscenes are a bit on the rougher side as it appears that these have not been given any actual touch-up other than a minor up-res from their PSP versions, making them noticeable downgrades from what players are used to seeing throughout the game.

The English voice cast for Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- Reunion has been completely revamped with all of the voices of familiar characters being replaced with the voice actors who handled the same roles in Final Fantasy VII Remake. While this isn’t an issue for most of the cast, the new English voice actor for Zack is downright awful at the best of times and incredibly annoying during some of the game’s more eye rolling scenes. This means that those who want to really enjoy the game’s story will find the Japanese dub more than satisfactory. The soundtrack features all of the classic background music that fans of the original games will immediately recognize and while it does sound like they may have seen some improvement, the music remains quite impressive in this release.

Overall

Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- Reunion often feels like it goes far beyond a simple remaster as it takes the game’s original combat mechanics and refines them to be far more accessible now that the title has arrived on consoles. Combine this with the mostly outstanding graphical upgrades and you have an amazing upgrade of a more than fifteen year old PSP game. Unfortunately limitations from its origins as a handheld mobile game as well as a dreadfully bad new English voice actor for Zack hold this remaster back from being truly outstanding.

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

Marvel’s Midnight Suns – Firaxis Tactical Legends Special Offer

Get Marvel’s Midnight Suns in the Firaxis Tactical Legends special offer on Steam, which includes XCOM 2 and XCOM: Enemy Unknown at special pricing*!

2K today announced Firaxis Tactical Legends, a new special offer on Steam that is available until January 2, 2023* and includes base game versions of Marvel’s Midnight Suns, XCOM: Enemy Unknown and XCOM 2. The special offer is available today at a suggested retail price of $89.92 and is eligible for the Steam “Complete the Set” feature, where you only pay for and receive items that you don’t already own. 

Firaxis’ latest game, Marvel’s Midnight Suns, is included as part of the Firaxis Tactical Legends special offer. Nominated for IGN’s Best RPG of 2022, Marvel’s Midnight Suns launched to critical acclaim, with VGC awarding it at 5 out of 5, calling it a “modern strategy classic.” PC Gamer said it was “completely brilliant” and scored it an 88 out of 100, and Rock Paper Shotgun called it “one of the best super hero games full stop.” The Firaxis Tactical Legends special offer includes:

Marvel’s Midnight Suns

  • Marvel’s Midnight Suns combines the rich story, character relationships, customization and progression of an RPG with the tactical strategy and combat mechanics of a revolutionary new card-based tactics game. Set in the darker side of the Marvel Universe, you will forge unbreakable bonds with legendary Marvel Super Heroes and dangerous supernatural warriors in the fight against the world’s greatest threat yet…the demonic forces of Lilith and the elder god Chthon. 

XCOM: Enemy Unknown

  • Winner of dozens of Game of the Year awards, XCOM: Enemy Unknown is the modern remake of the classic and beloved original XCOM. XCOM: Enemy Unknown will place you in control of a secret paramilitary organization called XCOM. As the XCOM commander, you will defend against a terrifying global alien invasion by managing resources, advancing technologies, and overseeing combat strategies and individual unit tactics.

XCOM 2

  • XCOM 2 is the sequel to XCOM: Enemy Unknown, the 2012 award-winning strategy game of the year. Aliens now rule Earth, promising a brilliant future for mankind while secretly hiding a sinister agenda. As the leader of a guerrilla force facing impossible odds, you must ignite a global resistance to eliminate the alien threat and save the human race from extinction. 

For more information on the Firaxis Tactical Legends special offer, visit the Steam page.

For more information on Marvel’s Midnight Suns, visit www.midnightsuns.com and sign up for the 2K newsletter, become a fan on Facebook, subscribe on YouTube, follow on Twitter and Instagram, and join the conversation using the hashtag #MidnightSuns. 

Firaxis Games is a 2K studio. 2K is a wholly owned publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).

*Firaxis Tactical Legends special offer available on Steam until 9:59 a.m. PT on January 2, 2023 (and equivalent time zones where offer is available). Pricing and availability may vary by region. See steampowered.com for details. Terms apply.

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NEXON’S “MAPLESTORY X BLACKPINK” COLLABORATION UPDATE

BLINK Beauty, a BLACK & PINK package designed by the BLACKPINK members will be released

SEOUL – Dec. 23, 2022 – On Friday, Dec. 23, Nexon Korea Co., Ltd. (CEO Lee Jeong-heon) announced the update for the collaboration between Nexon’s flagship IP MapleStory and global artist BLACKPINK.

Nexon has recently released two episodes of the collaboration videos as a preview for the collaboration project. Episode one of the collaboration videos features MapleStory gameplay experiences and each BLACKPINK member’s fashion style preferences. In episode two, BLACKPINK members divide into two teams – BLACK team (JISOO, JENNIE) and PINK team (ROSÉ, LISA) – and use BLACKPINK’s popular songs as inspiration to design collaboration items with the game’s art design department. Those two-episode videos where BLACKPINK members talk about their gaming experiences and provide ideas for design items have garnered a lot of attention from the players.

In this collaboration, MapleStory has released two BLACK Packages, two PINK Packages and BLINK Beauty item (Face/Hair). BLACK Packages, which are designed by JISOO and JENNIE, will include a chic and charismatic concept inspired by the popular songs “Pink Venom” and “Shut Down.” PINK Packages, which are designed by ROSÉ and LISA, will include the cute, bubbly, and lively concept inspired by the popular songs “As If It’s Your Last,” “Boombayah,” “Ice Cream,” and “DDU-DU DDU-DU.”

More information and details for the “MapleStory X BLACKPINK” collaboration update can be found on the official MapleStory and MapleStory M communities in North America, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, and Korea.

Official MapleStory M Community: Facebook / Instagram /Twitter / Twitch / YouTube

About MapleStory M  https://maplestorym.nexon.com/

MapleStory M, launched globally on July 24, 2018, brings the nostalgic world of side-scrolling MMORPG MapleStory to mobile, offering the same endless amount of customization, immersive storylines and epic boss raids that fans have come to expect from the legendary franchise. MapleStory M quickly reached 10 million downloads within 100 days after global launch and celebrates its four year anniversary in 2022 having 16 million total downloads globally.

About NEXON Co., Ltd 

Founded in 1994, NEXON Co., Ltd. (Nexon) (3659.TO) is a company engaged in the production, development and operation of online games and Virtual Worlds. First listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in December 2011, Nexon was placed on JPX400 in 2015 and added to the Nikkei Stock Index 300 in 2017. In 2020, Nexon was added to the Nikkei 225. Nexon currently has more than 45 live games on multiple platforms including mobile and available in more than 190 countries. Major game franchises include MapleStory, KartRider and Dungeon&Fighter. In 2021, Nexon completed the acquisition of Embark Studios AB, a company based in Stockholm, Sweden, developing multiple projects for global release. 

FINAL FANTASY XIV ONLINE REVEALS NEW TRAILER FOR PATCH 6.3 AND JANUARY 10th RELEASE DATE

Players Can Enjoy the Holidays with New Starlight Celebration and Heavensturn Seasonal Events

London (Dec. 23, 2022) – Duringtoday’s Letter from the Producer LIVE broadcast, SQUARE ENIX® revealed that FINAL FANTASY® XIV Online’s Patch 6.3: “Gods Revel, Lands Tremble” will launch on Tuesday, January 10th, 2023.

A new trailer offered players a fresh look at what to expect when Patch 6.3 launches, which includes a number of new activities including new main scenario quests, alliance raid, trial and more.
Additionally, updates scheduled for Patch 6.35 were also shared, including a new series of daily tribal quests and the next stage in the Hildibrand story saga.

You can view the trailer for Patch 6.3 here: https://sqex.to/S2deA

Further details on Patch 6.3 content are available below:

●       New Main Scenario Quests – In the darkness of the Thirteenth, the Warrior of Light finds an unexpected ally in a half-voidsent woman named Zero. She returns with them to the Source for a time, and upon recovering from their recent trials, they prepare to continue the search for Azdaja. But an unforeseen threat bars their path…

●       New Side Story Quests – Continue Tataru’s Grand Endeavor and the Tales of Newfound Adventure.

●       New 8-Player Trial – A new challenge at both Normal and Extreme difficulties.

●       New Unreal Trial – Containment Bay P1T6 (Unreal) – As ever, the faux commander craves tales of death-defying derring-do, and in a bid to satisfy him, you cast your mind back to your frenetic encounter with the eikon Sophia. The memory remains vivid even now, and you find yourself facing the Goddess once more, your very survival hanging in the balance…

●       New 24-Player Alliance Raid – Myths of the Realm, Part 2: Euphrosyne.

●       New Ultimate Raid (Patch 6.31) – Launching two weeks after Patch 6.3, challenge a fearsome version of Omega in the latest Ultimate battle.

●       New Dungeon – Lapis Manalis – In pursuit of voidsent, you learn of an abandoned village in the mountains of Garlemald where garleans once practiced the reaper arts. But what will you find there deep in the heart of the mountain?
Duty Support Updates – Support will be added for the remaining Heavensward™ main scenario dungeons (The Great Gubal Library, The Aetherochemical Research Facility, The Antitower, Sohr Khai, Xelphatol and Baelsar’s Wall) so they can be completed alongside a party of NPC allies.

●       Island Sanctuary Updates – A number of quality-of-life improvements, new ranks, crops, animals and more.

●       Gold Saucer Updates – New Leap of Faith map added.

●       Miscellaneous Updates – A new treasure hunt dungeon, various retainer adjustments, a new Crystalline Conflict PvP arena, new custom deliveries and more.

Additionally, Patch 6.35 will also include the following updates:

●       New Tribal Quests: Loporrits – New daily quests for Disciples of the Hand.

●       New Deep Dungeon: Eureka Orthos – The highly anticipated successor to Palace of the Dead and Heaven-on-High.

●       Somehow Further Hildibrand Adventures

●       Manderville Weapons Update

To rewatch the broadcast, please watch the archived stream at: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1686701110

Players will also be able to celebrate the Starlight Celebration in-game seasonal event up until December 31 and go on an adventure to obtain seasonal items, including a new mount, the Starlight Steed. Additionally, as the year ends, and a new one begins, players can celebrate the annual Heavensturn in-game seasonal event which will run from January 1 to 16 and offer fun rewards to collect as well.

Finally, players on the North American data centers are now able to utilize the four new Worlds that launched alongside the new logical data center, named “Dynamis.” Launched on November 1, this addition will serve to further reduce congestion during peak periods for the ever-expanding player base with plans to expand again in the future. More details are available on the Lodestone at: https://sqex.to/Ro9we

With more than 27 million total registered players, there has never been a better time for newcomers to begin their adventures in the critically acclaimed FINAL FANTASY XIV Online saga. The expanded Free Trial now includes all content from A Realm Reborn™ and the Heavensward™ expansion (and updates through Patch 3.56), as well as an additional playable race (Au Ra), and three additional playable jobs (Dark Knight, Astrologian, and Machinist). Free Trial players can enjoy hundreds of hours of award-winning gameplay and story experiences equivalent to two full FINAL FANTASY titles, without limit on playtime. More information is available: http://sqex.to/FFXIVFreeTrial

New players looking to get up to speed can dive into the FINAL FANTASY XIV Online Starter Guide Series, a seven-part online video series which provides novice players with tips and tricks to get the most out of their adventure. The YouTube video series follows the journey of new player Kaz and his mentor Mayra, who guides him through his first steps in Eorzea. Watch the video series online at: https://sqex.to/8q2Pq

For more information on FINAL FANTASY XIV: Endwalker™, visit the official site at: https://eu.finalfantasyxiv.com/endwalker/

STUDIO WILDCARD UNVEILS ARK: THE ANIMATED SERIES SEASON ONE TRAILER, AND ARK: THE SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST MODE FOR PC

Competition Re-Evolved – ARK: The Survival of the Fittest Prototype Now Available On Steam
SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 23, 2022 – Today Studio Wildcard is continuing its ARK franchise expansion, giving the first in-depth look at Season One of ARK: The Animated Series and launching ARK: The Survival of the Fittest, a dinosaur battle royale spin-off of its hit video game.

WATCH THE FIRST FOOTAGE FROM ARK: THE ANIMATED SERIES SEASON ONE HERE

Featuring an unparalleled voice cast with the talents of Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All At Once), Gerard Butler (300), Russell Crowe (Gladiator), and Executive Produced by Vin Diesel (Fast Franchise), ARK: The Animated Series is an adaptation of the hit video game. In a sweeping story that spans eons of human & world history, 21st century paleontologist Helena Walker finds herself resurrected on a mysterious primeval land after tragedy. There she must learn to survive and find new allies, or die again at the hands of ruthless warlords — all while trying to uncover the true nature of their strange new world. ARK: The Animated Series will release on a to-be-announced platform in 2023. Join us then for an ageless adventure beyond life & death itself!

ARK: The Animated Series voice talent and character descriptions, in alphabetical order:

  • Dee Bradley Baker vocalizes many of the ARK’s furry and scaly creature friends.
  • Monica Bellucci plays Cassia Virila, a strong-willed Roman noblewoman during the Augustan Empire.
  • Gerard Butler plays General Gaius Marcellus Nerva, a brutal ancient Roman despot.
  • Devery Jacobs plays Alasie, a peppy 17th century Inuit teenager, now finding her place on the ARK.
  • Cissy Jones plays The Gladiatrix, a formidable commander in Nerva’s army.
  • Madeleine Madden plays 21st century Australian paleontologist Helena Walker, newly awoken on the ARK.
  • Deborah Mailman plays Deborah Walker, a 21st century Aboriginal Australian activist, and mother to Helena Walker.
  • Zahn McClarnon plays Thunder Comes Charging, a 19th century Lakota warrior who leads a thriving community on the ARK.
  • Malcolm McDowell plays Senator Lucius Cassius Virilis, a manipulative aristocrat during the reign of Caesar Augustus.
  • Juliet Mills plays Chava, a wise healer and village council member.
  • Elliot Page plays Victoria Walker, an idealistic humanitarian aid worker, and wife of Helena Walker.
  • Ragga Ragnars plays Queen Sigrid, a bellicose 10th century Viking warlord.
  • David Tennant plays Sir Edmund Rockwell, an egocentric 19th century scientist harboring dark ambitions.
  • Alan Tudyk plays The Captain, a crusty buccaneer who profitably sails the dangerous waters around the ARK.
  • Karl Urban plays Bob, a recent square-jawed ARK arrival.
  • Jeffrey Wright plays Henry Townsend, an 18th century American watchmaker and Patriot spy.
  • Michelle Yeoh plays Meiyin Li, a 3rd century Chinese rebel leader, known on the ARK by her reputation as the formidable “Beast Queen.”
  • Ron Yuan plays Han Li, a 3rd century Chinese rebel leader and brother to Meiyin.
    • With Russell Crowe playing Kor the Prophet, an eccentric ‘dino-whisperer’ hailing from a time before recorded history.
    • And Vin Diesel playing 24th century ‘Mek’-pilot, gearhead, & freedom-fighter Santiago.

Jay Oliva (Batman: The Dark Knight ReturnsJustice League: The Flashpoint Paradox) has taken on the role of Executive Producer, Director, and Co-Showrunner, alongside ARK franchise creators Jeremy Stieglitz and Jesse Rapczak, with the series being produced at Glendale-based Lex+Otis animation studio, and written by Marguerite Bennett and Kendall Deacon Davis.

COMPETITION RE-EVOLVED – ARK: THE SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST NOW AVAILABLE ON STEAM

It’s the ultimate Jurassic free-for-all to see who will be the last survivor – and dinosaur – standing with ARK: The Survival of the Fittest! This spin-off of ARK: Survival Evolved pits up to 60 combatants against each other in a fast-paced, action-packed struggle for survival, where players are ultimately pushed into an epic final showdown leading their Dinosaur Armies into battle. ARK: The Survival Of The Fittest, which is now released as a prototype available for players to try out, revives the competitive online survival arena ARK experience on PC (Steam) with a significant number of technical/quality of life/balance changes to make it more approachable for all players. A cross-play console release is planned for 2023.

Originally beta-launched in 2016, ARK: The Survival Of The Fittest is the only battle royale focused on large-scale creature-army confrontations, combined with a Real Time Strategy (RTS) overlay, for unique experiences in every match. Survivors will assemble dinosaur armies and duke it out in epic dino-battles until one tribe is left standing victorious.

For the latest ARK updates, follow us on Twitter, join our Discord, subscribe to our YouTube, visit the Website at playark.com, and watch us tame and train leviathan dinosaurs on Twitch.TV.

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ABOUT STUDIO WILDCARD
Founded in 2014 by industry veterans Jeremy Stieglitz and Jesse Rapczak, Studio Wildcard’s mission is to bring AAA quality to ambitious indie titles designed for core gamers. The team emphasizes direct communication with its active community, implements player feedback into its fast, iterative dev cycle, and provides tools to drive user-generated content. Studio Wildcard includes distributed developers across multiple continents, as wherever talented developers reside, Wildcard seeks them out! www.studiowildcard.com

Twin-Stick Roguelite Looter Shooter Dust & Neon Comes to Nintendo Switch and PC Early 2023

New Trailer and Extended Gameplay Walkthrough Debuted alongside Nintendo’s Inside the House of Indies: Holiday Event

December 23, 2022 – LOS ANGELES – As part of Nintendo’s Inside the House of Indies: Holiday EventRogue Games, publisher of the wildest games in the west, revealed Dust & Neon is coming to Nintendo Switch in early 2023.

The post-apocalyptic Wild West action game features tight twin-stick shooting controls, Roguelite-RPG progression, and loot… lots of loot, with thousands of revolvers, shotguns, and rifles. Shoot, collect and upgrade with dozens of unlockable abilities as players progress through the beautifully stylish cyber cowboy action shooter.

View the Dust & Neon Nintendo Direct gameplay trailer here: 

To get a feel for the core gameplay loop of Dust & Neon, Rogue Games has also provided an extended gameplay walkthrough showcasing the strategic top-down twin-stick shooting, looting, and deep roguelite progression. Catch a glimpse of the game’s unique mechanics such as the manual reload and automatic cover system, as well as the main hub world and character skill trees.

View the Dust & Neon extended walkthrough video here: 

Dust & Neon is coming to SteamEpic Games Store, and Nintendo Switch in Early 2023. For the latest, follow Rogue on Twitter or Discord.

About Rogue Games
Rogue, founded by industry leaders with more than 150+ years of games publishing experience, brings innovative and distinct games to the masses. Its extensive portfolio of games, which spans console, PC, and mobile, features award-winning hit titles including Arcanium, Monomals, Super Impossible Road, Sprawl, and Swordcar. Rogue also recently announced key partnerships with Bloober Team and Netflix to bring a broad range of badass games to market. 

Rogue is headquartered in San Mateo with offices in Los Angeles and Seattle.

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Celebrate the Holiday Season in GTA Online with Snow in Los Santos, Free Gifts, Collectible Snowmen, and much more

Celebrate the Holiday Season with the GTA Online Festive SurpriseInterrupt a Standoff at Weazel Plaza, Beware of The Gooch, and More as Snow Blankets Los Santos

The Festive Surprise brings cheer and chaos to Southern San Andreas in equal measure. Local businesses and properties are festooned with holiday decorations, while weather forecasts call for a rare blanket of snowfall across the greater Los Santos area. In addition to the window dressing, Weazel News affiliates are reporting a rash of muggings by a local nuisance-maker, and tense standoffs atop Weazel Plaza.

With the overnight snowfall, an army of Snowmen have emerged around Southern San Andreas. If you should spot one, give in to your primal instincts — listen for the jingle of sleigh bells to find and destroy these wintry interlopers to earn GTA$ and RP. Locate and eradicate all 25 to earn an extra GTA$125,000 and the Snowman Outfit as a grim reminder of who’s boss.

Crime certainly spikes around the holidays: everyone’s flush with gifted cash, after all. So, beware of The Gooch, a nefarious opportunist now roaming the streets and lurking in the shadows, looking to empty the pockets of unsuspecting players while causing grievous bodily harm. Successfully fight off a surprise attack from this assailant before they strip you of your valuables to earn a little GTA$ bonus and The Gooch Mask.

The Weazel News holiday party has reportedly gone off the rails this year. Keep an eye on the sky above Weazel Plaza for robbers in a tense shootout with a LSPD helicopter. Get involved, strip the thieves of their wallet and pick up a brand-new weapon befitting of your vigilante heroics. Making sure the assailants are permanently silenced will also earn you a Season’s Greetings skin for the Pistol Mk II, that can be applied at any Weapons Workshop.

The Candy Cane and More Festive Surprise Gifts

Santa really outdid himself this holiday season. Log in anytime this week to receive a bushel of gifts, including the Candy Cane, plus additional supplies and accessories to maximize the holiday chaos.

2X GTA$ on Acid Lab Sell Missions

Helping Dax and the Fooliganz fight off the combined forces of the hippies and The Lost MC is only the beginning: source and intercept crucial supplies by any means necessary, then brew and distribute potent psychedelics to the masses to complete Acid Lab Sell Missions and earn 2X GTA$.

3X GTA$ and RP on Beast vs. Slasher

It’s a tale as old as time: a team of supernatural Beasts must use their powers and agility to outwit and outmaneuver pursuing Slashers. Win or lose, both teams in the holiday-themed Beast vs. Slasher walk away with Triple Rewards through December 28.

2X GTA$ and RP on Races

Picture yourself crossing the finish line, whole seconds ahead of the competition, adrenaline pumping, ringing in your ears. It feels good, doesn’t it? Now go chase that feeling and earn 2X GTA$ and RP on all Rockstar Created, Rockstar Verified, and Community Series Races for the next seven days.

Only on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S

Premium Test Ride: Imponte Arbiter GT

Visit Hao’s Special Works to get your ride spruced up with superlative performance and get a closer look at this week’s Premium Test Ride, an Imponte Arbiter GT Muscle Car on a full stack of below-the-counter performance-enhancing upgrades.

This Week’s HSW Time Trial

Once Hao gets done with your vehicle, test it out on the long stretch between North Chumash and Palomino Highlands in this week’s HSW Time Trial.

Premium Deluxe Motorsport and Luxury Autos Showrooms

The lineup of vehicles in Simeon’s Premium Deluxe Motorsport showroom this week includes a selection of cars wrapped in seasonal limited-time liveries. Visit Simeon’s showroom to get a closer gander at the following:

  • Ocelot Ardent (Sports Classics) wrapped with the Tartan limited-time livery
  • Vapid Clique (Muscle) equipped with Merry Cliquemas limited-time livery
  • Maxwell Vagrant (Off-Road) decked out in the Blue Tartan limited-time livery
  • Ocelot Stromberg (Sports Classics) 30% off
  • Pegassi Toros (SUV)

Stop by the window display of the Luxury Autos showroom to check out the new Annis 300R Sports Carthat’s only available through December 28(and eligible for Imani Tech upgrades) and Överflöd Entity MT Super Car(available for HSW upgrades) up close and personal.

Other Vehicle Offerings This Week

Visitors to The Diamond Casino & Resort this week can give the Lucky Wheel a once-daily spin for the opportunity to walk away with prizes, including this week’s top reward: the Pfister Comet Safari Sports Car wrapped in the festive Deck The Halls limited-time livery.

Determined drivers who win an LS Car Meet Race every day for five days in a row will earn the keys to a seasonally appropriate Pfister Comet S2 Cabrio Sports Car wrapped in the Santa’s New Sled limited-time livery. Visitors to the car meet can also test out the Übermacht Revolter Sports Car equipped with a Tartan limited-time livery, the Pegassi Infernus Classic Sports Car (30% off), and Declasse Drift Tampa Sports Car (30% off).

GTA+

GTA+ Members can enjoy a new suite of benefits to complement the first dose of Los Santos Drug Wars:

  • Free Acid Lab Upgrade for the new MTL Brickade 6×6 Service Car and 50% Faster Acid Production Speeds
  • A Buckingham Alpha-Z1 airplane and LSIA Hangar A17
  • 1.5X GTA$ and RP on First Dose Missions
  • 1.5X GTA$ for Payphone Hits and Assassination Bonuses
  • Free Holiday Clothing, including the Have You Seen Me? Sweater, Red-nosed outfit, and Nutcracker outfit
  • And much more…

For full details, visit the GTA+ website.

DISCOUNTS:

Don’t head out into the snow-covered chaos empty-handed. Get 50% off the Homing Launcher and Proximity Mines and save on a selection of vehicles.

Vehicles: 30% Off

  • Declasse Drift Tampa (Sports)
  • Pegassi Infernus Classic (Sports Classics)
  • Obey Tailgater S (Sedan)
  • Declasse Granger 3600LX (SUV)
  • JoBuilt Velum 5-Seater (Plane)
  • Pegassi Toros (SUV)
  • Benefactor Schafter V12 (Armored) (Sedan)
  • Ocelot Stromberg (Sports Classics) 

Prime Gaming Benefits:

GTA Online players who connect their Rockstar Games Social Club account with Prime Gaming before January 25 will receive the Sprunk Snowflakes Festive sweater and a lump sum of GTA$125K 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. The Sprunk Snowflakes Festive Sweater will be available in your wardrobe within 10 days of the next time you log in. To ensure access to future benefits, make sure to visit Prime Gaming and sign up.

Check Rockstar Support for details and limitations.

Dying Light 2 Stay Human – Winter Tales Event Starts Today

Experience the festive hunt for free from now until January 5th

Wrocław, Poland — 23 December 2022 — The nasty rascals have stolen all the candy in The City and their appearance mutated as a result of their cruel behaviour in Winter Tales the latest event in Dying Light 2 Stay Human. Complete special daily and weekly bounties to stop these ​​scoundrels and restore hope for the holidays.

Watch the official Winter Tales trailer:

Chilling Encounters

The cold-blooded infected have turned into Naughty Bolters, Naughty Helpers, and Uncle Snows. It’s up to players to cast out the infernal enemies spoiling the fun.

Baka the Unfortunate Returns

Compelled by a Christmas spirit, our resident sweet-tooth is back. Visit Baka at the Bazaar to discover what holiday surprises await this time around.

Get The Nutcracker Bundle for free

Get jolly hats, holiday-themed masks, Christmas-decorated weapons, and other cheery presents–collect the most sought after items of the season.

Most importantly: Unlock the new Nutcracker bundle for free by participating in the Winter Tales event.

–      Nutcracker skin: reach merchant level 5 and bring some gifts for Baka.

–      Go on your merry way: pick up 20 stolen presents to unlock the Nutcracker Paraglider reward.

–      Don’t deal with all the commotion alone–join other Pilgrims in celebration with the Bauble Mace after collectively gathering six million presents.

These rewards will appear in your in-game stash once the goal is reached. Head to Techlandgg.com, then sign in to your account to claim. Please note the Nutcracker bundle is time limited. Those who miss the winter party can buy the set ​​from digital stores later.

To help us create unforgettable experiences for all Dying Light 2 Stay Human players, join the conversation on Discord, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

For more information about Dying Light 2 Stay Human and Techland, head to www.dyinglight2.com

About Techland

Techland is one of the biggest and best-known Polish game developers with studios in Wroclaw and Warsaw. For over 30 years, we’ve carried a tradition of providing gamers with unforgettable experiences. We’re an international team of over 400 highly-skilled professionals driven by a passion for gaming, always striving for the best quality.

We’re fueled by the support of our global community built on the foundation of successful AAA franchises such as Call of Juarez, Dead Island, or Dying Light. The gamers’ trust in our games has resulted in our newest project, Dying Light 2 Stay Human, selling more than 5 million copies across all platforms within the first month after release.

On top of continuously growing the world of Dying Light through a robust post-launch support plan for Dying Light 2 Stay Human, we’re also working on an unannounced AAA Open World Action RPG set in a brand new fantasy universe; our biggest project to date.

Techland’s mission strictly determines every aspect of our work: we want to create unforgettable experiences.

EXPLORE THE STUNNING, HAND-DRAWN WORLD OF AFTERIMAGE THIS APRIL

Metroidvania and RPG elements combine in the ruined world of Engardin

Walnut Creek, Calif (Dec. 22, 2022) – Modus Games and Aurogon Shanghai revealed today during the Nintendo’s Inside the House of Indies: Holiday Event the release date for the gorgeous, fully hand-drawn AfterimageThe 2D action-adventure title is coming to PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch on April 25, 2023. The news was accompanied with a brand-new trailer showcasing the world of Engardin and the array of fantastical creatures that inhabit it:

Years after the cataclysm called “The Razing” nearly brought an end to human civilization, mystic forces suddenly assaulted mankind’s remaining settlements. Seeking to investigate these attacks, an amnesiac girl named Renee bid farewell to her destroyed village and embarked on her journey to discover the truth, inexplicably setting into motion a series of events that will determine the fate of the new world.

Afterimage combines its unique, hand-drawn aesthetic with deep RPG elements and a Metroidvania-like world to challenge its players to explore and traverse the land of Engardin. Explore treacherous environments, defeat challenging bosses, and uncover the secrets holding Engardin and its various inhabitants together.

The non-linear world of Engardin allows players to explore at their own pace. With over 200 pieces of equipment to collect, 6 different weapon classes to master and talent points to invest in multiple diverse skills, Afterimage allows players to take control of their own journey. 

For more information on Afterimage and Modus Games, visit www.modusgames.com or follow @modusgames on TwitterFacebookInstagram and Discord

About Modus Games
Modus Games is one of the fastest-growing video game publishers in the world. The label prides itself on providing AAA publishing services to talented developers across the globe. Modus Studios is a full-service development studio supporting creators of inspired interactive entertainment. For more information, visit www.modusgames.com.

About Aurogon Shanghai
Founded in 2007, Aurogon Shanghai is a video game developer headquartered in Shanghai, China, and a subsidiary of Wangyuan Shengtang. It is known for the Swords of Legends franchise.
 
The Afterimage team is a small indie team of Aurogon Shanghai, formed by Metroidvania lovers, passionate retro gamers, and anime and movie fanatics.