AUSTRALIAN HIP HOP ARTISTS AT THE FOREFRONT OF SPECIAL COLLABORATION WITH GLOBAL GIANT NBA® 2K23

Today, NBA® 2K23 the latest iteration of the NBA video game simulation and Universal Music Australia announced a special partnership with Australian recording artists; Chillinit, Sahxl and Barkaa. The exciting collaboration titled Court in Session is a unique musical performance series that puts Australia’s best hip-hop artists alongside the beats created from the self-expression of the basketball players within the basketball video game, NBA 2K23. 

For over 20 years the soundtrack has become an annual ‘greatest hits’ of today’s top hip-hop artists, and today the brand further substantiates its footing in the local Hip Hop scene with the launch of its new cultural platform, Court in Session.

Stood upon a basketball court (their stage), today’s most exciting Hip Hop artists will perform a bespoke track inspired by the game. Performing alongside huge vertical screens that sync game footage to the beats, the artists will MC over unique beats crafted from basketball sound effects. Ball bounces become beats, bleacher stomps become heavy drums and shoe squeaks become record scratches across the three original tracks.

The music videos have been directed by acclaimed twice ARIA-nominated music video and commercial director, Gabriel Gasparinatos. Gabriel has recently directed films and commercials for Adidas, Beats by Dre, Spotify, Google and the A-Leagues.

Gabriel said, “It’s been so fun getting back to my rap video roots on this project, it’s highly technical with massive LED screens, an enormous lighting set and motion control rigs but working with DOP Tyson Perkins and bolt operator Max Pepper from Cinoptix on it has been super rewarding. Pulling inspiration from 2K gameplay highlight reels and modern rap clip sensibilities we had a blast pulling these individual videos together. It’s so cool to see such exciting, global brands willing to invest in & give a platform to Australian hip hop artists.”

NBA 2K23 offers an authentic and true-to-life gameplay with best-in-class visual presentation, improved player AI, up-to-date rosters and historic teams, the game has never felt more real and complete than it does in NBA 2K. The original music from Australian artists will also be available via all streaming platforms from today.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with such great local talent and to be able to be facilitators of taking them to a global audience through our game,” said David Kelley at 2K Games. “NBA 2K has always prided itself in being central to Hip Hop culture and with Court in Session in collaboration with BRING, we are proud to have created a platform that majestically combines our game, Hip Hop and basketball in a truly authentic & ownable way to appeal to a new audience.”

One of the most dominative names in the Hip Hop community is Sydney rapper Chillinit, who has thrived on building his career through social media platforms to become one of the country’s most prominent rappers with his 420Family. With an ARIA Gold album, two Double Platinum and eight Gold singles under his belt, ChillinIt is one of Australia’s most decorated artists.

The Court in Session campaign was extremely attractive to the young rapper who has always promoted his music in a non-traditional forum.

“I have always been a huge fan of the NBA and the video game, as a kid I would play for hours, then fast forward years later to see my own billboard within the game while I play with my own little brothers is surreal.

“It’s been such an honour to work with the team at 2K and to be a part of a game that I genuinely love and grew up playing. I can’t thank the team enough and can’t wait to welcome you all to the 2K with

‘Big Swish’,” said Chillinit.

Also joining the collaboration is 19-year-old vocal prince, Sahxl who has been primed as one of Australia’s next breakout stars, teetering the line between R&B and Hip-Hop with brazen conviction, honest story-telling, and undeniable melodies.  At the age of 13, Sahxl caught the attention of APRA Billion Stream award-winning producer Khaled Rohaim (Rihanna, Polo G, The Kid LAROI, OneFour) and has been steadily ascending since.

On the collaboration, Sahxl says, “When I collab with brands, it has to be authentic. I play NBA 2K all the time in the studio, so for me this project just made sense. It was a bit of a challenge producing the beat with my producer Sid Mallick, as it was our first-time using basketball sound effects to put together a song, so it was a really different process. The final track sounded dope though, and it was fun experimenting with new experiences and themes to help this song come together. It was a pleasure being invited!”

Hailed “the new matriarch of Australian rap” by GQ Magazine, Barkaa is a Malyangapa, Barkindji woman from Western New South Wales, now living in South West Sydney on Gandangara land. Music to Barkaa has been part of her journey to express herself, the truth and issues impacting First Nations people. Since her 2020 debut single, “For My Tittas”, Barkaa has swiftly climbed to the top as one of Australia’s most respected voices, named as one of the top rappers in the country by triple j and Red Bull respectively.  Most recently, Barkaa was announced as part of The #YouTubeBlack Voices Class of 2022, appearing on billboards across Times Square and Los Angeles, Barkaa’s star power is fast rising.

“The song “Ball On ‘Em” is a track that I wrote that was intended on amping people up and a shout out to haters that they couldn’t stop nothing. Referencing brother Patty Mills this is dedicated to him for defying all odds, somebody we as a First Nations community are constantly inspired by and in awe of. The lyric “pass it to them young ones, they gon’ run the game strong” is saying that this is and has always been bigger than us… We got to pass that torch over to our youth when our time is up and know that our future is in good hands, I’ve got to give a massive shout out to Rhyan Clapham (DOBBY) for going ham on the beat, we had so much fun in the studio working on this track,” said, Barkaa.

Developed by Visual Concepts, NBA 2K23 is rated PG by the Australian Classification Board. For more information on NBA 2K23, please visit https://nba.2k.com/2k23/.

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

Follow NBA 2K on TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook for the latest NBA 2K23 news.

The Tycoon Management Game Comes to Consoles After Empowering More Than 400k CEOs on Steam

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Nov. 29, 2022 — Startup Company Console Edition, the hit business sandbox simulation from developer Hovgaard Games and publisher 2Awesome Studio that sold more than 400k units sold on Steam, welcomes aboard new CEOs via PlayStation 5|4, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.

Future entrepreneurs can bring their dreams to fruition as the founder of a website in their chosen area of expertise. Choose the path of a social media maven, a competitive new streaming service, or even a steamy dating app for singles. Build and operate a tech-savvy gaming platform, a chic shopping site, or an engaging video sharing service. Professional life begins anew as players breathe life into their fun ideas through intelligent office management.

Go headhunting for the best candidates and employ them in various expansive roles. Find Designers to create website blueprints, graphics, UI assets, and anything the company needs to impress its visitors. Hire Researchers to unlock new features and employ Developers to program the backend, network, database, and keep the quality of the company’s output at a maximum.

Train new hires to improve their skills and reward them with salary increases to keep employee turnover low. Upgrade the company website with newly researched features to increase customer satisfaction. Utilize email blasts, TV commercials, podcasts, banner ads, and more to highlight the unbeatable services available and gather enough users to become the number one site in its category. Design and renovate the office as the company grows to keep everything looking fresh and employees happy!

“Bundling the chaotic corporate environment with a fierce yearning to be number one has kept more than four hundred thousands entrepreneurs on their toes,” said Jonas Hovgaard, Founder, Hovgaard Games. “But left even more demanding! We look forward to helping this next generation of business owners with our optimized console release.”

Startup Company Console Edition launches Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023 for $12.99 on PlayStation 5|4, Xbox X|S, and Nintendo Switch with support for English, French, German, Spanish – Spain, Portuguese – Brazil, Simplified Chinese, Russian, Turkish, Italian, Hungarian, Korean, Japanese, Dutch, Czech, and Polish languages. For more information, follow 2Awesome Studio on Twitter, and visit the official pages for 2Awesome Studio and Hovgaard Games.

About Hovgaard Games

Established in 2017, Hovgaard Games resides in Copenhagen, Denmark as an independent game studio with a penchant for high quality, casual management games (Startup Company, Big Ambitions). Hovgaard Games’ furthers their mission to help other indie game studios by sharing their tooling and game development methods.

About 2Awesome Studio

2Awesome Studio, an independent game development studio based in Barcelona, was founded by two ex-space engineers, David Jimenez and Alejandro Santiago. Now with over 25 employees, 2Awesome Studio (Aeon Drive, AK-xolotl) has grown to specialize in high quality porting and software engineering. By publishing games for all platforms and collaborating with remarkable indies, 2Awesome Studio hopes to make reality as awesome as possible.

Far Cry 6 Free Trial and Discounts of up to 67 Percent Off All Editions Starts Today;

Title Update 6 with New Game+ Now Available

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — November 30, 2022 — Today, during the Far Cry 6 Expansion Reveal Livestream, Ubisoft announced that Lost Between Worlds, a new expansion* coming to Far Cry 6, will be available on December 6 for $29.95, or as part of the Upgrade Pass, on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, 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 .

In Far Cry 6: Lost Between Worlds, players will begin a thrilling new chapter of Dani Rojas’ story, set in a fractured version of Yara. Following their exploration of a mysterious meteorite impact site, Dani will discover themselves in a twisted space between worlds accompanied by a noncorporeal lifeform named Fai. Players will need to repair Fai’s broken spacecraft by collecting five lost shards, each increasing Dani’s overall stats for survivability, bringing them one step closer to escape.

To recover the missing shards, players will need to rely on their guerrilla skills to navigate through 15 challenging and intense trials called Rifts, where they must defeat Shardfaces, humanoid and animal crystalline enemies, lurking around every corner. In each distinctive Rift, such as a shattered fortress suspended in the sky and an underwater Esperanza full of deadly traps, players will encounter different dangers and otherworldly obstacles. Players can choose how they approach each Rift and will uncover powerful weapons and tools along the way, and collect energy fragments scattered throughout the area, allowing them to revive and retry a Rift, if necessary. With multiple branching paths, platforming exploration, and intense moment-to-moment action, the roguelite-inspired gameplay will have players’ runs feeling unique each time as they master this twisted world.  Upon mission completion, players will receive Fai’s powerful gear and will be able to take it back to Yara for an ethereal edge in the ongoing fight against the regime.

Additionally, Ubisoft announced that Far Cry 6 will offer a free trial for new players starting today on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, as well as Windows PC through the Ubisoft Store and the Epic Games Store. Players will be able to explore the Isla Santuario region and those who want to continue their fight for freedom will keep their game progression and enjoy discounts on the game, Season Pass and DLC content.

Title Update 6 is now available, and players can return to Yara and relive their favourite missions stronger than ever with the highly-anticipated addition of New Game+ mode, allowing them to bring their endgame gear and weapons back to the start of their next playthrough. Title Update 6 also introduces a Completionist Aid feature, providing players with guided assistance in uncovering all of Yara’s hidden secrets.

Ubisoft is also working with Audible to tell the story of the events leading up to Far Cry 6. The six-episode audio series features the cast of Far Cry 6, including Giancarlo Esposito as Antón Castillo and will be available in 2023.

For more information on Far Cry 6 and the Lost Between Worlds expansion, please visit: Farcry.com

For the latest news on all of Ubisoft’s games, please visit: news.ubisoft.com

*Players must own Far Cry 6 to play the Lost Between Worlds expansion.

###

About Far Cry® 6

Led by Ubisoft Toronto, Far Cry 6 is an open-world first-person shooter that plunges players into the heart of a modern-day guerrilla revolution. On the island of Yara, President Antón Castillo vows to restore his nation to its former glory while grooming his son Diego to follow in his footsteps. Yet, paradise comes at a cost and enriching his country means subjugating those who don’t follow his vision. Players will take up the cause to liberate Yara as Dani Rojas – a local Yaran and military drop out – tries to escape Yara but ends up joining revolutionary group, Libertad. As Dani, players will experience the adrenaline and chaos of “resolver” guerrilla combat, Far Cry style, with the most creative and innovative arsenal yet.

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. 

© 2022 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.

Live event to feature reveal from former Fate/Grand Order director Yosuke Shiokawa’s new Fahrenheit 213 studio

TOKYO – Nov. 29, 2022 – INDIE Live Expo Winter 2022, the sixth entry in the biannual live digital showcase connecting indie game fans all over the world with more than 57.5 million total views, reveals some of the content of the hundreds of games participating in the two-day showcase. Watch the English-language broadcast on Saturday, Dec. 3 and Sunday, Dec. 4 on YouTube and Twitch in English, along with separate Chinese and Japanese broadcasts.

ILE Winter 2022 will feature the world premiere of the first project from Fahrenheit 213, the new studio founded by Yosuke Shiokawa, known for his work on beloved titles like Kingdom Hearts, Dissidia: Final Fantasy, and Fate/Grand Order. Additional titles set to take part include Mindhack, the psychological visual novel developed by VODKAdemo; the adventure co-op BOKURA and story rich adventure The 13th month both published by Kodansha Games; and deep lore adventure Rakuen from creator Laura Shigihara’s Morizora Studios with support from 8-4. Many more surprises await among the 200-plus games set to take part across both days.

DAY1: Let’s Play will highlight previously released and Early Access games. Watch for reveals of updates and new content for select titles and spotlights on games worth playing from notable figures in the media, content creators, and gaming industry. Learn about many games in as little time as possible in the return of the rapid-fire INDIE Waves segments spotlighting dozens of games from creators worldwide.

DAY2: Awards will split its focus between unreleased titles with INDIE Live Premiere segments and more INDIE Waves features, along with honoring the winners of the third-annual INDIE Live Expo Awards. Winners from 10 categories, including Game of the Year, will be determined by an international judges’ panel and public voting. The deadline for public contributions is Dec. 3 at 11:59 AM JST, with voting available at this link. The latest INDIE Studios Around the World feature takes place on DAY2, with a spotlight on developers from Korea.

Returning for another stint hosting ILE Winter 2022’s English broadcast are content creator and indie gaming enthusiast “J-mon” alongside idol and “Bakusute Sotokanda Icchome” member Kaori “Kaotan” Horiuchi. American-born, Japan-based comedian Atsugiri Jason joins the cast once again for DAY2. Sponsors of this year’s show include Cygames, Shueisha Games, PlayStation, Mutan, UnknownX, Kodansha, Happinet, Freedom Games, and more. 

“An extraordinary amount of developers and publishers have submitted their games for this winter’s edition of INDIE Live Expo, and selecting this year’s participants was no easy task,” said Ryuta Konuma, Founder, Ryu’s Office. “Thanks to your engagement, along with the undying support of our sponsors and patrons, we have seen more and more indie creators expressing interest in our show, and we are beyond grateful for the trust and loyalty the indie community has shown to us.”

INDIE Live Expo Winter 2022 takes place Saturday, Dec. 3 and Sunday, Dec. 4 starting at 3:00 AM PDT / 6:00 AM EDT / 12:00 PM CEST on each day, with broadcasts expected to last at least three hours each day. The show will stream live on YouTube, Twitch, Twitter, and bilibili, in Japanese, English and Chinese.

Developers interested in information about future INDIE Live Expo events and opportunities can sign up for the INDIE Live Expo Letter here.

For more information, please visit the INDIE Live Expo website, follow @INDIELiveExpoEN on Twitter, and search for #INDIELiveExpo on social media.

About Ryu’s Office

Ryu’s Office offers in-depth marketing solutions for smartphone, console, arcade, and PC games in Japan. They are particularly focused on the planning and production of numerous live broadcasts based out of Japan for the gaming industry.

To learn more, visit the official Ryu’s Office website.

Free Update for Owners of Marvel’s Avengers also Adds Cloning Lab Omega-Level Threat Mission

San Mateo, CA (November 29, 2022) – Today, Crystal Dynamics announced that Marvel’s Avengers Update 2.7 is available. The Update brings with it a new playable Hero, Bucky Barnes, aka the Winter Soldier, and an entirely new four-player Omega-Level Threat mission, Cloning Lab, where players team up to take on a newly revitalized MODOK in one of the game’s toughest end-game challenges.

A series of Marvel’s Avengers trailers are now available and offer an extensive look at what players can expect from Update 2.7.

Watch the Marvel’s Avengers Update 2.7 Launch Trailer Here

Watch the Winter Soldier Abilities Feature Trailer Here

Watch the Winter Soldier Comic Origins Trailer Here

Watch the Winter Soldier Animatic Trailer Here

Watch the Cloning Lab Launch Trailer Here

Today’s update includes new gear and increases the maximum power level achievable in the game to 185, adding to a game already packed with content, and continues the game’s story through the ongoing Avengers Initiative. Marvel’s Avengers now offers several campaigns, 11 playable heroes (12 on PlayStation platforms), and endless multiplayer co-op action for up to four players.

About the Winter Soldier

Bucky Barnes, AKA the Winter Soldier, is a master assassin, brawler, and ranged specialist. Scientist Supreme Monica Rappaccini captured him to use him as her personal assassin and leverage his Soviet-era protocols to harness MODOK as a more pliable weapon. But Barnes escaped with the help of the Avengers, and now he’s looking to bring AIM to justice…and for a way to overcome his guilt and anger over the terrible things he has done.

Barnes doesn’t like to lose and doesn’t back down from fights. The battlefield is the Winter Soldier’s home. After all he’s been through, there are few things he is sure of other than his fighting skills and his devotion to his allies.

About the Cloning Lab Omega-Level Threat Mission

A large and familiar face is back with a vengeance: Scientist Supreme Monica Rappaccini’s latest experiment MODOK waits in the depths of AIM’s Cloning Lab. In one of Marvel’s Avengers’ truest tests of end-game teamwork, Cloning Lab requires advanced tactics and the full cooperation of a four-player team to beat the 175 Power Level challenge and obtain more-powerful gear. Along the way, players will be a part of Marvel’s Avengers’ unfolding narrative as they try to defeat MODOK before the Scientist Supreme can take control of one of the world’s most powerful minds!

About Marvel’s Avengers

Marvel’s Avengers offers players a truly rich experience and combines the single player focused Reassemble story campaign with the ongoing Avengers Initiative’s missions, which take the Avengers around the world and beyond. Each mission in the Reassemble campaign is designed to showcase one or more hero’s unique abilities, while the Avengers Initiative missions can be played solo with your own custom AI team or with a group of up to four players* as any Hero in the player’s roster.

Marvel’s Avengers is currently available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PlayStation Plus (Extra and Premium), Xbox Game Pass, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and Steam, and is rated T (Teen) by the ESRB.

*Internet connection required. Your platform’s online multiplayer requirements will apply.

Related Links
Official Homepage: www.playavengers.com
Official Twitter: @PlayAvengers
Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlayAvengersGame/
Official YouTube: http://youtube.com/PlayAvengers
#PlayAvengers #Reassemble #EmbraceYourPowers
 
About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media. For more information visit marvel.com. © 2022 MARVEL

About Crystal Dynamics
Crystal Dynamics has developed and published more than 30 games during its award-winning, 30-year adventure. Some of the company’s beloved franchises include Legacy of Kain and TOMB RAIDER, which has sold more than 88 million copies worldwide. TOMB RAIDER’s protagonist, the hero Lara Croft, has been a cultural icon for more than 25 years, appearing in more than 20 games, and has made an indelible mark on virtually every facet of entertainment. In addition to its headquarters in San Mateo, CA, Crystal Dynamics has two additional studios: Crystal Northwest in Bellevue, WA, and Crystal Southwest in Austin, TX.

For more information on Crystal Dynamics, please visit http://www.crystald.com/ and Crystal’s Twitter account, Facebook page, or LinkedIn page.

CRYSTAL DYNAMICS, CRYSTAL NORTHWEST, CRYSTAL SOUTHWEST, TOMB RAIDER, LARA CROFT, and LEGACY OF KAIN are registered trademarks or trademarks of the Crystal Dynamics group of companies. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners.

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Discover free new content for the critically acclaimed coming-of-age exploration game today on PlayStation, Xbox & PC

STOCKHOLM – Nov. 29, 2022 – Raw Fury and Shedworks have officially released the stunning exploration adventure game Sable for PlayStation®5. As the young Sable, you’ll leave home to embark on a journey through an alien world of ancient monuments, decaying architecture, curious nomads and spaceship wrecks plunged from the cosmos. Discover a uniquely beautiful coming-of-age experience, winner of multiple awards and nominated for Best Debut Indie Game at The Game Awards 2021.

Alongside its PlayStation debut, Sable has released a free update today featuring new content for all platforms, including PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows PC. Try your skills with Sable’s new desert fishing mini-game and collect a variety of fish and bugs to show off in the Vivarium. There’s also a new Angler Mask to prove your fishing prowess!

Gameplay Features:

• Explore at your own pace – no time pressure and no dangers!
• Design and drive your own unique hoverbike through a beautifully crafted landscape.
• Help the inhabitants of the world, discover mysterious places and uncover hidden secrets.
• Experience an incredible original soundtrack from Japanese Breakfast.
• NEW MINI-GAME! Try your hand at fishing in the desert and showcase your collection of bugs and fish in the Vivarium.
• NEW COLLECTIBLE! Show off your fishing talent with the all-new Angler Mask.

For more information about Sable, visit https://rawfury.com/games/sable.

About Shedworks

Shedworks is a two-person game development studio founded in 2014 in a garden shed in North London. They’ve worked on cross-disciplinary projects with many collaborators from websites and apps to exhibitions and music videos over the years but now focus primarily on game development. For more on Shedworks and Sable, visit https://www.shed-works.co.uk.

About Raw Fury

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

Exhilarating Battles, Powerful Keys, and Three Returning Characters Grace the Series

Hertfordshire, 29^th November 2022 – Today, KOEI TECMO Europe and developer GUST Studios announced all new battle details and the return of three beloved characters in Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key. The third game in the popular “Secret” trilogy is currently in development for the Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, and Windows PC via Steam®, and is scheduled release Feb. 24, 2023.

A 25^th Anniversary title of the long beloved Atelier JRPG franchise, Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key follows fan-favorite alchemist, Reisalin Stout, and her mischievous friends on their third summer adventure as they set off to investigate a group of mysterious islands that have suddenly appeared, adversely affecting the stability of their hometown, Kurken Island. While working to solve the mysteries of the new islands, Ryza reunites with some nostalgic old friends. It seems Ryza has asked the familiar faces of Empel and Lila to help in her investigation, but when Ryza reaches the village of Faurre where they are said to be staying, she finds out that her old friends are being held captive! As Ryza scrambles to save them, another familiar face shows up on the scene – Patricia – dazzling as always with her swordsmanship! Once Ryza and Patricia help free Empel and Lila, all three returning characters can be added to Ryza’s party as they continue to work together to uncover the truth behind this new threat to Kurken Island.

Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key features real-time tactical battles with effects and presentation that are greatly enhanced from previous titles in the series. Players can select up to 5 battle members among the 11 party members and fight together as one team! A new system that transitions between battles, and the use of keys speeds up each fight and makes for a more seamless experience. Three battle members will be positioned up front with two in the rear, with players having the ability to use and swap out various skills. Some powerful sills will be activated in response to action orders from friends, while powerful keys can be equipped and used in battles to help crush the most grueling enemies. Using a key strengthens a character for a certain period of time, while also dropping the waiting time for all actions to zero, enabling you to use skills and attacks continuously!

Keys can also be used during the game’s evolved synthesis system in order to help Ryza create more powerful items than ever before. By inserting materials into a material ring, Ryza will be able to synthesize special items, then by using a key to improve the level of the recipe, Ryza will be able to not only improve the quality of the item, she will be able to increase the number of creations! Through the new “Link Morph” ability, Ryza will be able to add certain effects to items that could not be added before, while some items will feature a “super trait”, enabling the creation of even stronger items! Thanks to all of these new features, Ryza will be able to create extremely specialized items, the likes of which she hasn’t seen before.

KOEI TECMO Europe revealed previously that it will be releasing two delightful special edition versions of Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key – a Premium Box and a Special Collection Box, available exclusively through the KOEI TECMO Europe Online Store. The Premium Box version of the game includes an Art Book, a B2 cloth poster featuring an original art piece, a set of two illustrated clear files, a mini acrylic character charm, an early-access DLC costume for Ryza and a copy of the game all packed into a beautiful collectable box. The must-have Special Collection Box version of the game features all of the contents in the Premium Box version, as well as an Original Key Case, an A1 wall scroll featuring an original art piece, a selection of acrylic charms featuring the cover art from each game in the trilogy, and a set of twelve illustration cards.

Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key also features an Early Purchase bonus. Anyone who purchases a physical or digital copy of the game within two weeks after launch will be able to download a special set of seven Summer Look costumes. These costumes may be available for purchase at a later date.

For more information on Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key, check out the official site, ‘Like’ us on www.facebook.com/koeitecmogames, and Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @koeitecmoeurope.

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.

©2022 Valve Corporation. Steam and the Steam logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Valve Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.

INDIE Live Expo Winter 2022 Reveals First Wave of 200-Plus Games Taking Part in Two-Day Event

Live event to feature reveal from former Fate/Grand Order director Yosuke Shiokawa’s new Fahrenheit 213 studio

TOKYO – Nov. 29, 2022 – INDIE Live Expo Winter 2022, the sixth entry in the biannual live digital showcase connecting indie game fans all over the world with more than 57.5 million total views, reveals some of the content of the hundreds of games participating in the two-day showcase. Watch the English-language broadcast on Saturday, Dec. 3 and Sunday, Dec. 4 on YouTube and Twitch in English, along with separate Chinese and Japanese broadcasts.

ILE Winter 2022 will feature the world premiere of the first project from Fahrenheit 213, the new studio founded by Yosuke Shiokawa, known for his work on beloved titles like Kingdom Hearts, Dissidia: Final Fantasy, and Fate/Grand Order. Additional titles set to take part include Mindhack, the psychological visual novel developed by VODKAdemo; the adventure co-op BOKURA and story rich adventure The 13th month both published by Kodansha Games; and deep lore adventure Rakuen from creator Laura Shigihara’s Morizora Studios with support from 8-4. Many more surprises await among the 200-plus games set to take part across both days.

DAY1: Let’s Play will highlight previously released and Early Access games. Watch for reveals of updates and new content for select titles and spotlights on games worth playing from notable figures in the media, content creators, and gaming industry. Learn about many games in as little time as possible in the return of the rapid-fire INDIE Waves segments spotlighting dozens of games from creators worldwide.

DAY2: Awards will split its focus between unreleased titles with INDIE Live Premiere segments and more INDIE Waves features, along with honoring the winners of the third-annual INDIE Live Expo Awards. Winners from 10 categories, including Game of the Year, will be determined by an international judges’ panel and public voting. The deadline for public contributions is Dec. 3 at 11:59 AM JST, with voting available at this link. The latest INDIE Studios Around the World feature takes place on DAY2, with a spotlight on developers from Korea.

Returning for another stint hosting ILE Winter 2022’s English broadcast are content creator and indie gaming enthusiast “J-mon” alongside idol and “Bakusute Sotokanda Icchome” member Kaori “Kaotan” Horiuchi. American-born, Japan-based comedian Atsugiri Jason joins the cast once again for DAY2. Sponsors of this year’s show include Cygames, Shueisha Games, PlayStation, Mutan, UnknownX, Kodansha, Happinet, Freedom Games, and more. 

“An extraordinary amount of developers and publishers have submitted their games for this winter’s edition of INDIE Live Expo, and selecting this year’s participants was no easy task,” said Ryuta Konuma, Founder, Ryu’s Office. “Thanks to your engagement, along with the undying support of our sponsors and patrons, we have seen more and more indie creators expressing interest in our show, and we are beyond grateful for the trust and loyalty the indie community has shown to us.”

INDIE Live Expo Winter 2022 takes place Saturday, Dec. 3 and Sunday, Dec. 4 starting at 3:00 AM PDT / 6:00 AM EDT / 12:00 PM CEST on each day, with broadcasts expected to last at least three hours each day. The show will stream live on YouTube, Twitch, Twitter, and bilibili, in Japanese, English and Chinese.

Developers interested in information about future INDIE Live Expo events and opportunities can sign up for the INDIE Live Expo Letter here.

For more information, please visit the INDIE Live Expo website, follow @INDIELiveExpoEN on Twitter, and search for #INDIELiveExpo on social media.

About Ryu’s Office

Ryu’s Office offers in-depth marketing solutions for smartphone, console, arcade, and PC games in Japan. They are particularly focused on the planning and production of numerous live broadcasts based out of Japan for the gaming industry.

To learn more, visit the official Ryu’s Office website.

Nintendo Switch Digital Pre-Orders are Now Live

LONDON (Nov. 29, 2022) – SQUARE ENIX® today revealed the launch trailer for CRISIS CORE™ –FINAL FANTASY® VII– REUNION is out now. The launch trailer shows the most comprehensive look at the game yet and is a must-watch for all FINAL FANTASY VII fans.

View the CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION Launch Trailer:

Further, digital pre-orders are now live for CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION on all platforms, including the Nintendo Switch system. Those who pre-order the digital version will receive the SOLDIER Materia Set. This set will make three materia including Dark Fire, Dark Thunder, and Dark Blizzard available early in the game. These materia allow the use of attack spells that inflict “Poison” and “Silence” status ailments in addition to their respective elemental damage. The Digital Deluxe Edition of CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION is also available and features a mini soundtrack showcasing the game’s powerful music and a digital art book filled with gorgeous illustrations in addition to the full game.

The story of CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION begins seven years before the events of FINAL FANTASY VII and follows Zack Fair, a young Shinra SOLDIER operative. As his adventure unfolds, he discovers the dark secrets of Shinra’s experiments and the monsters they create.

15 years after the release of the PlayStation®Portable exclusive original game, CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION features a complete HD graphics overhaul, newly arranged soundtrack, fully voiced dialogue in English and Japanese, and an updated combat system.

CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION launches on PlayStation®5 (PS5™) console, PlayStation®4 (PS4™) console, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One consoles, Nintendo Switch™ system, and PC on December 13, 2022.  

The game can be pre-ordered here: https://ffvii.square-enix-games.com/games/crisis-core

Additionally, Zack’s high-quality action figure, otherwise only available as part of the game’s Japanese Collector’s Edition, is exclusively available at the Square Enix Store. CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION PLAY ARTS KAI Action Figure – ZACK FAIR SOLDIER 2nd CLASS can be pre-ordered here: https://sqex.link/szo8

About FINAL FANTASY VII
First released in 1997 on the PlayStation® computer entertainment system, FINAL FANTASY VII is celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2022. The game is universally regarded as a hallmark title of the RPG genre. The original title received high praise for its epic storyline, unique characters, and movie sequences that utilized the most cutting-edge technology of the time. Since then, the game has sold over 13.9 million copies worldwide and continues to receive widespread acclaim from critics and fans around the world. The popular game has even expanded into spin-offs, films, and merchandise.

The first game of the FINAL FANTASY VII remake trilogy project, FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE released in 2020 has been praised by both players and critics across the globe, earning more than 20 perfect scores from media, and was selected as a PlayStation® “Editor’s Choice” pick. The game also became the highest-selling digital release on the PlayStation® platform in SQUARE ENIX’s history, exceeding more than five million shipments and digital sales worldwide since its release. FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, the second game in the trilogy is now in development for the PlayStation®5.

About Square, Ltd.
Square Enix, Ltd. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX® and TAITO® branded entertainment content in Europe and other PAL territories as part of the Square Enix group of companies. The Square Enix group of companies boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 173 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 85 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix Ltd. is a London-based, wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.

More information on Square Enix, Ltd. can be found at https://square-enix-games.com

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CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION © 2007, 2008, 2022 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved. CHARACTER DESIGN: TETSUYA NOMURA

Game Launches With A Free Weekender 8-11 December

Sydney, Australia – 29th November, 2022: CROSSFIRE: LEGION, the fast-paced action-packed Real-Time Strategy game will be coming out of Early Access and into stores on 8December 2022.

Launch will bring a full suite of gameplay modes, a raft of features, new units and commanders as well as the final act of the campaign.

The game will also launch with a ‘Free Weekend’ so players can discover the game for themselves on 8-11 December.

And if you haven’t seen it yet, check out the latest trailer:

Here’s the full list of everything and everything going into the final version:

• Campaign Act IV added
• Operation Northside Coop mode added
• New Game Mode Brawl
• New Skirmish Map: Labyrinth (3v3)
• New PayLoad Map: Tongren Facility (3v3)   
• 12 new units, 4 for each faction:
• 3 additional commanders:
  • Warden (Global Risk)
  • Stalker (Black List)
  • Cipher (New Horizon)
• A.I. creation for Battle Lines, Payload, Brawl and Standard Game modes

CROSSFIRE: LEGION has grown hugely since entering early access in May this year. This period has proved immensely valuable, working closely with the passions and expertise of RTS communities taught us what today’s fans of classic RTS want to see, they moulded the game.

For example, our original meta-progression system – involving soft currency to unlock units and commanders in a confusingly presented “store” – was immediately removed due to players fears we might introduce micro-transactions for gameplay-affecting items. It also broke the immediacy of the classic RTS experience, whereby the whole army toolbox is accessible from the start.

We listened to the community, ditching the progression system, doubling down on adding content, adding balance tweaks etc. The game has come a long way with now plenty of game modes, maps, units – and a map-making tool – all of which we offers the generous content and feel of classic RTS of yore.

Rightly, a massive thanks goes to those who have stuck with us for the early access ride. Your patience and support has been rewarded. By way of thanks and so that you can play with your friends who have been patiently waiting by the side-line, we will launch with a Free Weekend!

Final Contents: 

• Total units: 66 
• Total commanders: 9 
• Modes and maps
• PvP and PvE Classic, 5 maps: Predator (3vs3), Mountainside(1vs1), Typhoon(2v2), Frostbite (1v1), Labyrinth (3v3) 
• PvP and PvE Payload mode, 7 maps: Tongren Facility (3v3), Snowbase (2v2), Refinery (3v3), Badland (2v2), Blacksite (3v3), Domination(3v3), Railyard (2v2) 
• Co-op Defense v AI mode, Operation Thunderstrike
• Co-op Attack vs AI mode, Operation Northside 
• Arcade Mode: Brawl, Battle Lines
• Campaign Acts I – IV, 15 missions in total
• Map Maker with Steam Workshop

For more details and a look at the units and commanders, check out today’s DevBlog: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1072190/view/3516777336832234743

About Prime Matter

Headquartered in Munich, Germany, Prime Matter the premium gaming label dedicated to delivering a range of diverse and immersive games from amazing gaming development talent all around the globe.
Working across projects of all styles, scopes and sizes, single-player, co-op to live ops, from producing to publishing, from ambitious teams taking their first step that need full support without compromising their dream to larger established successful studios searching that next step in the global market and building of brands.
Prime Matter looks to lead through creativity, expression and passion, with games that will grip and enchant with enthralling story-telling, winning an audience with its incredible moments and larger-than-life experiences. Prime Matter is a proud member of the Koch Media Group.

About Smilegate 

Smilegate is a global gaming company that owns global game IPs, including the world’s No.1 online FPS game ‘CROSSFIRE’, blockbuster hack & slash MMORPG ‘Lost Ark’, and mobile turn-based RPG ‘Epic Seven.’ With roots in game development, Smilegate now also provides game publishing and investment business and is expanding as a global company with regional offices in the US, China, Southeast Asia and Europe. Its flagship IP, ‘CROSSFIRE,’ is one of the largest and most successful franchises in gaming history, with more than 670 million registered users to date and over 8 million concurrent players globally.