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BECOME A MASTER ASSASSIN IN ASSASSIN’S CREED MIRAGE

Philip Federico
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To celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the Franchise That Has Sold more than 200 Million Games Worldwide, a Roadmap of the Brand’s Future has been Unveiled During the Assassin’s Creed Showcase as Part of Ubisoft Forward

Sydney, Australia – September 11, 2022 – Today, during Ubisoft Forward, Ubisoft announced that Assassin’s Creed® Mirage, the next installment in the Assassin’s Creed® franchise, will launch worldwide in 2023. In addition, the roadmap of the brand’s future has been unveiled with the next two HD flagship games Codename RED and Codename HEXE as part of the Codename INFINITY hub, along with the AAA mobile game Codename JADE and more information about the collaboration with Netflix. Assassin’s Creed Mirage will release on Xbox Series X | S, Xbox One, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4 and Luna, as well as on Windows PC through the Epic Games Store and the Ubisoft Store. Players can also subscribe to Ubisoft+* to access the game.

With development led** by Ubisoft Bordeaux, the studio behind the Wrath of the Druids expansion for Assassin’s Creed® Valhalla, Assassin’s Creed Mirage invites players to immerse themselves in a magnificent ninth-century Baghdad at the peak of its Golden Age. It offers a narrative-driven action-adventure experience with an intriguing coming-of-age storyline, charismatic protagonists, a majestic open city and modernized legacy gameplay focusing on parkour, stealth and assassinations. They will embody a new hero, Basim Ibn Is’haq, a singular street thief with a mysterious past, who will join the Hidden Ones in Alamut on a quest for answers. Basim’s mentor, Roshan, will be voiced by Emmy-winning actress Shohreh Aghdashloo. Assassin’s Creed Mirage is an homage to the series, and a particularly special tribute to the first Assassin’s Creed®. The announcement of the game comes with a cinematic reveal trailer with original music composed by Brendan Angelides, who is also the music composer for the game.

 “For the 15th anniversary of the franchise we wanted to offer something special to the players and our community”, said Stéphane Boudon, Senior Content Director for Assassin’s Creed Mirage. “Assassin’s Creed Mirage is a tribute to the franchise, and notably to the original game. We are bringing a modern take on the iconic Assassin’s Creed gameplay experience, as well as a deep dive into the rituals and tenets of the Hidden Ones, something we think both longtime and new fans alike will be eager to play”. 

Additionally, the Assassin’s Creed Mirage Deluxe Edition and Collector’s Case*** were announced:

  • The Deluxe Edition: will include the base game, digital artbook and soundtrack, as well as a Deluxe pack containing a Prince of Persia–inspired outfit, eagle and mount skins, weapons, and more.
  • The Collector’s Case will include the Deluxe Edition with a high-quality figurine of Basim (32cm), an exclusive SteelBook with a design to be elected by fans, a mini-artbook, a replica of Basim’s brooch, a map of Baghdad as well as a selected soundtrack of the game. The Collector’s Case is available from the Ubisoft Store and select retailers.  

Fans who pre-order**** Assassin’s Creed Mirage will receive a bonus quest at launch called The Forty Thieves, where players will uncover the mysteries of Ali Baba’s legendary cave.

Since the release of the first Assassin’s Creed game in 2007, the brand has sold more than 200 million games worldwide, positioning it as one of the most important franchises in video game industry. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla continues to receive new updates and exciting content in its second year of post-launch. In a few months we will launch the Last Chapter, a free quest in which Eivor will reunite with some key characters including some influential historical figures. There are also special rewards available in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla starting today.

Moreover, during the Assassin’s Creed Showcase, the future of the brand was unveiled. The next two HD flagship games, Codename RED and Codename HEXE, will be part of Codename INFINITY, as well as information about the AAA mobile game Codename JADE, and the collaboration with Netflix:

  • Assassin’s Creed Codename RED is the next flagship title after Assassin’s Creed Mirage and the future of the open world RPG in Assassin’s Creed. It is being developed by Ubisoft Quebec, the studio behind Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, with Jonathan Dumont as Creative Director. Here players will be able to explore a long-awaited setting for an Assassin’s Creed game: feudal Japan and all its shinobi fantasies.
  • Assassin’s Creed Codename HEXE is the next flagship title after Codename RED. It is being developed by Ubisoft Montreal, birthplace of the Assassin’s Creed franchise, with Clint Hocking as Creative Director.
  • Assassin’s Creed Codename INFINITY will connect projects and players through different types of experiences, including released Assassin’s Creed games and the next ones to launch: Codename Red and Codename HEXE, the next two HD flagship games. As part of Codename INFINITY, multiplayer is set to return as a standalone experience in the Assassin’s Creed franchise.
  • The Assassin’s Creed Codename JADE is a AAA RPG action-adventure game for mobile platforms set in Ancient China. Players will be able to create their own character and discover the story of the first Assassins in China. It will be free to play.
  • The live-action Assassin’s Creed series from Ubisoft Film & Television and Netflix is going to be an epic, genre-blending adaptation of the highly successful video game franchise. The collaboration does not end there, however, as Netflix is also collaborating on an exclusive Assassin’s Creed game to be made available on their platform.

“By celebrating the franchise’s 15th anniversary, we wanted to not only honor our players and the people behind the brand, but also share our ambitions for the future of Assassin’s Creed with our fans. We are looking to expand the universe and continue to offer compelling, immersive experiences. We have countless stories to tell and we want history to be everybody’s playground.”, said Marc-Alexis Côté, Executive Producer on Assassin’s Creed.

For more information about Assassin’s Creed Mirage, please visit assassinscreed.com.

To continue to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the brand, please visit assassinscreed15.com.

For the latest news on Assassin’s Creed and other Ubisoft games, please visit news.ubisoft.com.

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

**Associate studios are Ubisoft Montréal, Ubisoft Montpellier, Ubisoft Philippines, Ubisoft Singapore, Ubisoft Sofia, Ubisoft Kyiv, Ubisoft Odessa, and Ubisoft Bucharest.

***Final content and release dates subject to change. Some features may not be available at launch. Content may be available for purchase and/or as giveaway(s) separately at Ubisoft’s sole discretion at any time.

****Pre-orders currently available from the Ubisoft Store and at select retailers, coming soon to Microsoft Store, PlayStation™ Store and the Epic Games Store.

The Last of Us Part I Review

Travis Bruno
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The Last of Us Part I Review

The Last of Us Part I

Developer: Naughty Dog
Publisher: Sony
Platforms: PlayStation 5 (Reviewed), PC
Release Date: PlayStation 5 – Available Now, PC – TBA
Price: $69.99 USD – Available Here $124.95 AUD – Available Here

Overview

When it comes to Naughty Dog, some people will think of their previous work through the Uncharted series but perhaps their biggest achievement happened to be their 2013 release of The Last of Us. The game saw Sony’s PlayStation 3 console taken to the limit and told a heart-wrenching tale of struggle and survival that saw many treat it as the best game of the generation. It seems that Sony certainly has agreed with this as now The Last of Us’ original release has now been given a release on every platform since with The Last of Us Part I bringing up the third release of the title in under a decade. With numerous improvements throughout the game’s various mechanics and massive graphical and technical upgrade, is it worth delving into a third time?

Story

Now let’s get this out of the way right away, The Last of Us Part I is a straight forward remake of the original The Last of Us that already has seen a re-release in The Last of Us Remastered, meaning that the story content that players will be experiencing has not been changed in any way. Events will play out the exact same with even the same dialogue being used from the original release as it has been enhanced so the same performances can remain true to form. This includes the expansion DLC The Last of Us: Left Behind that was also included in the Remaster and is meant to be played after beating the core storyline but can be accessed at any time in Part I.

Of course that is far from a real negative as the story told through The Last of Us Part I is still as gripping and emotional as before, perhaps more so thanks to the various graphical improvements made to the game. The reason for this is due to the way that the facial animations and shadowing have now added extra emotional meaning to the characters’ expressions and actions throughout the game’s cinematic cutscenes. While this may not change the way players will feel about the characters, it adds new levels of depth to some scenes as this extra level of detail really drives home certain scenes, especially compared to the original 2013 release. That being said, this still means that your mileage may vary as those who remember every element of the story will still be retreading old ground while newcomers will find themselves in for a real treat.

For newcomers, The Last of Us Part I is set in 2033 with a horrific apocalypse beginning twenty years prior when humanity began to turn into “Infected”  that would kill and slaughter anything that moved. As such, humanity has survived by remaining within walled quarantine zones and avoiding infectious spores and the still dangerous Infected roaming outside. Players will take on the role of Joel, a smuggler who has lost much in his life to the point he cares little for others who is hired to escort a young girl named Ellie across the dangerous wilderness. Ellie is discovered to be apparently immune to the infection and a sign that a cure might be possible, but only if Joel can bring her to the Fireflies that are still surviving and working on solving this humanity dooming plague.

As mentioned before, while we won’t go too much into detail about this thrice-told story, it is one that is masterfully told with tons of emotionally charged scenes and great character writing over the course of the game. Joel and Ellie’s relationship grows in a meaningful and exceptional manner while the side characters fill their roles quite well in helping the journey move forward both as allies and obstacles and it is nice to note that the redesign of Tess does fit the character’s age and relationship with Joel a bit better, though it is worth noting that this is the only one to see a noticeable adjustment in design. As a result players will be able to once again experience this amazing storyline once and explore a bit more about Ellie’s history with the prequel DLC as well, though perhaps the addition of at least some extra content would have been nice to entice longtime fans who already saw everything that is shown here nine years ago.

Gameplay

In most ways The Last of Us Part I still plays similar to the original release as the core gameplay mechanics, systems, and layout of the stages have all remained the same. This includes everything down to the various puzzle solutions, locations of most collectibles, and codes. What has been refined is the smoothness of how well Joel and Ellie control and move around, for the most part as going down ledges is still awkward, the way that aiming guns is handled, and thanks to the Dualsense Haptic Feedback features giving every weapon a different feel to use, the sense of getting into combat as a whole.

This is especially true when it comes to the enemies that players will be facing off against as the enemy AI has been improved significantly to properly react to situations in a more interesting manner and act more aggressively, similar to how they do in The Last of Us Part II. Enemies will try to flank the player should they stay in one place too long, enemies that are taken hostage will try to talk their way out of things while their allies circle for a better shot, and other elements that make gunfights a far more interesting endeavor especially on harder difficulties. It is worth noting that even ally AI is improved a bit as not only will allies take a bit more active part in combat when they can, but they will also no longer randomly move into fire or walk aimlessly around enemies that they just so happen to be invisible to. While a small change, no longer watching Ellie walk past Clickers and right into other Infected while trying to sneak around makes for far better immersion.

Despite the fact that enemy AI and character control now is far closer to the game’s sequel, the team has not taken various combat and stealth additions forward. Players cannot go prone while sneaking like they can in Part II nor can they dodge in any way, and while the former isn’t much of a loss given the way levels are designed, the lack of a dodge after adding it in Part II is a strange addition given how up close and personal many fights can become. 

Where The Last of Us Part I does show its age is the fact that, despite the massive visual upgrade to all areas of the game that players travel through, the actual layout and size of these levels remains the same as the 2013 release and so do the various simple puzzles players need to solve. Nearly all levels are almost entirely straightforward with only minimal exploration with many combat arenas being obvious arenas where a shootout is about to happen or where players can sneak past foes. Similarly, various simple puzzles that see Joel needing to grab a ladder, board, dumpster, or even floating palette simply to progress that were likely added into the original release to mask loading times now serve as oft strange slowdowns of progression, especially since many simply involve moving an item just a small distance within the same room.

It is also worth noting that outside of the main campaign players will find that the incredible multiplayer mode known as Factions has been removed entirely with an eventual stand alone release planned sometime in the future. This removal is a shame and can really be felt thanks to the real slim pickings when it comes to Extras included in this release. Players will find that players will be able to unlock various bits of concept art, models, and more but perhaps the biggest changes come once players finish the game. 

Completing the game allows players to obtain various cheats of sorts such as infinite ammo, one hit kills, and more that can make replaying the game something of a joyride especially with the various character costumes that unlock as well. It is worth noting that it is a rather strange choice to lock Developer Commentary mode behind a game completion since many longtime fans would certainly have enjoyed stepping into the game right away with this option. Alongside this come various different modes such as Speedrunning mode, single life mode, and more that help change things up as well as graphical filters that are completely useless.

For quite some time now various games have been offering various accessibility options for players and The Last of Us Part I offers perhaps some of the most wide ranging features in a game so far. Players can adjust everything from various visual and auditory clues for those who may be hard of hearing or have difficulty seeing while also giving players a number of variables to decrease the game’s difficulty even further than simply playing on an easier difficulty. In fact, a number of these various accessibility features come off as simple game improvements as well should players choose to add them, especially in regards to automatically picking up items from the floor such as ammo, crafting parts, and breakable weapons as well as pointing out the way towards story progress should players want to explore first.

Visuals & Audio

Now when it comes to The Last of Us Part I, the main improvement comes from the fact that Naughty Dog has rebuilt the game’s graphics from the ground up with a complete overhaul of nearly every visual aspect of the game. The company has provided sharp textures, smooth animations for the characters, and improved the lighting to such a degree that nearly every aspect of the world is gorgeously detailed. As mentioned before, this extensive upgrade to the graphics have improved how the characters come across emotionally and this is especially true when it comes to their eyes, as they appear to truly react to scenes as they unfold in a believable manner. It must be said that The Last of Us Part I may be the best looking PlayStation 5 game yet thanks to the level of detail put into nearly every aspect of the game, from the lush overgrown levels of the apocalyptic world players explore to the horrific Infected players must take down.

As for the performances, it appears that Naughty Dog has managed to retain the original voice work for all of the characters so players will find that the amazing performances for the characters remains true to the original though what has been improved is the overall ambiance of the world including atmospheric noises, gunfire, and even Infected noises as players travel through areas. The soundtrack once again features a similar array of music as before with a stellar score providing a great accompaniment to the events happening on screen.

Overall

The Last of Us Part I is clearly the best possible way to experience the gripping and emotional story of Joel and Ellie as graphical improvements, gameplay tweaks, and accessibility features make the experience all the more enjoyable compared to the original releases. That being said, it does come with a few caveats as well as a complete dearth of bonus features that one would expect from the third release of a less than a decade old game. With the removal of multiplayer, aged level design, and the fact that the storyline remains the exact same, longtime fans may find The Last of Us Part I a difficult pill to swallow, especially at the game’s significant price point compared to the current availability of the Remaster. As such, the title is in a bit of a strange place where for newcomers, this is easily the best way to play the game but for longtime fans it offers very little new to experience outside of its gameplay and visual improvements.

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

Broken Pieces Puts Together a Mysterious Launch on PC Today

Philip Federico
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Clues for a Console Release Point Toward ~Halloween~

SAINT-MALO, France – Sept. 9, 2022 – Broken Pieces, the survival thriller set in a French village stuck outside of time from developer Elseware Experience and publisher Freedom Games, seeks out the paranormal on PC via Steam and Epic Game Store today. Playstation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One versions release on Halloween, Oct. 31, 2022.

Walk along the cobblestone streets of the quaint, empty village of Saint-Exil as Elise tries to find her missing fiance, Pierre, amongst supernatural threats. Solve puzzles inspired by the real life mysteries of Brittany, France and collect clues to uncover the truth behind an eclectic cult to escape a town stuck outside of time. Survive antagonistic shadow monsters, upgrade weapons, and take control of Elise’s own unexplainable abilities.

Control elements of the town like the weather or fixed camera angles to progress through roadblocks and uncover hidden bits of information in the form of cassette tapes. Gather important facts and evidence to understand the goals of the cult and what caused the town to become a prison for Elise. Extra cassette collectibles can also provide essential benefits for survival, but not in the way one might expect.

Elise’s story takes place within a total hush, no background music to lighten up the mood. To fill the silence, the original licensed soundtrack can only be played from discoverable tapes that Pierre left behind. Paired with full handheld camera-work, every aspect of the game’s design evokes a feeling of solidarity and loneliness that can only be filled with the broken pieces of many parts across the music, visuals, dialogue, and gameplay.

“The mystery of Broken Pieces is out now and calls you all to solve it”, said Mael Vignaux, Project Lead of Elseware Experience. “The sense of isolation was our biggest focus and we have explored that in a number of ways one only can in video games. There is little to no background music, no NPCs to keep you company, just a portable camera that feels like it’s stalking you through the town. I think everyone can relate to that emotion and being able to convey what Elise is also feeling is something we hope people can really empathize with.”

Broken Pieces is available on PC via Steam and Epic Game Store for $24.99 thanks to a 20% launch discount as well as English and French language support. The console version will arrive on Monday, October 31, 2022. To learn more, visit Broken Pieces’ official site, join the community on Twitter and Discord, and search #BrokenPieces on social media.

About Elseware Experience

Elseware Experience is a France-based development team, with team members who have previous experience working on games like Dishonored. Broken Pieces is the first title they created working together. At its core, Elseware just wants to make cool games that are narrative-heavy and make an impact on players.

About Freedom Games

Freedom Games is a publisher dedicated to offering best-in-class services to partners and providing players around the world with unique and memorable experiences. With over 50 years of combined industry experience at the executive level, Freedom Games seeks to leverage its expertise to facilitate great games and even better publishing experiences.

For more information, visit the official Freedom Games website.

DC League of Super-Pets: The Adventures of Krypto and Ace Flies onto PC and Consoles Today!

Philip Federico
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SUPER-PETS KRYPTO AND ACE ARE READY TO TAKE TO THE SKIES TO SAVE THE ANIMALS OF METROPOLIS

Outright Games, the global leading publisher of kids’ interactive entertainment, have today launched DC League of Super-Pets: The Adventures of Krypto and Ace. Licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment on behalf of DC, this brand-new video game is inspired by the Warner Bros. Pictures animated feature film DC League of Super-Pets, due in theatres September 15, 2022. DC League of Super-Pets: The Adventures of Krypto and Ace is available right now on PlayStation®, Nintendo Switch, and Digitally on Xbox One and PC.

In the game, the fate of Metropolis is in the paws of DC’s iconic Super-Pets Krypto and Ace as they set off on a new high-flying adventure to take on Superman’s arch-nemesis, Lex Luthor. Using his vast intellect and resources, Lex has hatched a plan to capture the stray animals around the city, and it’s up to you to put a stop to him!

Play as the titular Super-Pets in this 3D on-rails action game, across multiple missions throughout Metropolis, using their unique abilities to save strays from the clutches of Lex Luthor’s army of robots! Once all the strays are rescued, players will then be able to help them find loving new homes by bringing them to the adoption agency.

Key features:

●       TAKE ON DC’S MOST DASTARDLY SUPER-VILLAIN – Battle Lex Luthor and his army of LexBots, who’ve been let loose all over Metropolis to capture the city’s strays!

●       PLAY AS FAN FAVOURITE SUPER-PETS – Superman and Batman’s pups Krypto and Ace are on the scene to save the day, along with a little help from pet pals PB, Merton and Chip.

●       UPGRADE YOUR POWERS AND GEAR – Help PB, Merton and Chip unlock powerful new upgrades to aid Krypto and Ace On their missions and earn three unique abilities for each playable pup as the game progresses!

●       EVERY PET NEEDS A HOME – As you rescue strays from the clutches of Lex Luthor, you’ll be able to help them find new homes with the citizens of Metropolis through a pet adoption minigame.

DC League of Super-Pets: The Adventures of Krypto and Ace is a stand-alone story based in the same universe as DC League of Super-Pets, which hits cinema screens internationally on 27th July 2022 and on the 29th in North America.

Terry Malham, CEO of Outright Games said: “We’re so excited to be launching DC League of Super-Pets: The Adventures of Krypto and Ace today, letting players take flight as some of the most lovable Super Hero pets around. It’s been a delight working again with our partners Warner Bros. on another excellent children’s franchise, and we can’t wait for DC fans of all ages to get their hands on this brand new DC adventure.”

DC League of Super-Pets: The Adventures of Krypto and Ace is available today on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Digitally on  Xbox One and PC. Free Xbox Series X|S and PS5 upgrades will be available on September 30th for existing owners on Xbox and PlayStation.

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About Outright Games:

Outright Games is a global video games publisher with a focus on quality family entertainment to a worldwide audience. Founded in 2016, Outright Games has established its place in the market delivering engaging interactive games of beloved entertainment licenses globally. Outright Games brings stories and characters to life with titles including favourites such as Jumanji: The Video Game with Sony Pictures, Paw Patrol The Movie: Adventure City Calls with Nickelodeon, Ben 10 Power Trip with Cartoon Network, and Dragons: Dawn of New Riders with NBC Universal. With an Outright Games title there will be fun for all the family to enjoy. For more information please visit: www.outrightgames.com

About DC:

DC, a Warner Bros. Discovery Company, creates iconic characters, enduring stories, and immersive experiences that inspire and entertain audiences of every generation around the world and is one of the world’s largest publishers of comics and graphic novels. As a creative division, DC is charged with strategically integrating its stories and characters across film, television, consumer products, home entertainment, interactive games, and the DC Universe Infinite digital subscription service and community engagement portal. For more information visit dccomics.com

About the Film:

In DC League of Super-Pets, Krypto the Super-Dog and Superman are inseparable best friends, sharing the same superpowers and fighting crime in Metropolis side by side. When Superman and the rest of the Justice League are kidnapped, Krypto must convince a rag-tag shelter pack—Ace the hound, PB the potbellied pig, Merton the turtle and Chip the squirrel—to master their own newfound powers and help him rescue the Super Heroes.

Jared Stern directed from a screenplay he wrote with frequent collaborator John Whittington, based on characters from DC, Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.  The film is produced by Patricia Hicks, Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia and Jared Stern.  The executive producers are John Requa, Glenn Ficarra, Nicholas Stoller, Allison Abbate, Chris Leahy, Sharon Taylor and Courtenay Valenti.

Warner Bros. Pictures Presents A Seven Bucks Production, DC League of Super-Pets.  The film will be released by Warner Bros. Pictures in theatres internationally beginning 27 July 2022 and in North America on July 29, 2022.

About Bandai Namco Europe S.A.S.

Bandai Namco Europe S.A.S. is a leading global publisher and developer of entertainment content for platforms including, but not limited to, all major video game consoles and PC.

Bandai Namco Europe is producing intellectual property for a global audience and is building its reputation with franchises such as LITTLE NIGHTMARES™, PARK BEYOND™, and the upcoming UNKNOWN 9™ Awakening – developed by the recently acquired Reflector Entertainment based in Montreal, QC.

Bandai Namco Europe serves as the Headquarters of Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. for mainland Europe, which is known for creating and publishing many of the Toy & Entertainment industry’s top franchises, including PAC-MAN™, TAMAGOTCHI™, GUNDAM™, TEKKEN™, DARK SOULS™ and the recently released ELDEN RING™.

For more information please visit www.bandainamcoent.eu.

‘PlayStation®’ is a registered trademark or trademark of Sony Interactive Entertainment

DC SUPER PETS and all related characters and elements © & ™ DC and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s22)

NBA 2K23 Now Available

Philip Federico
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Answer The Call: NBA® 2K23 Now Available Worldwide

Experience greatness in NBA® 2K23 with the return of the Jordan Challenge, all-new Eras in MyNBA**, more immersive City**, and so much more

Sydney, Australia – September 9, 2022 – Today, 2K announced that NBA® 2K23, the latest iteration of the top-rated NBA video game simulation series of the past 21 years*, is now available on PlayStation® 5 (PS5™), PlayStation® 4 (PS4™), Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC***. NBA 2K23 offers an authentic and hyper-real basketball experience showcasing all-new gameplay innovations and animations, the coveted return of the Jordan Challenge mode, an immersive online community experience, and so much more.

“As a franchise, we strive to be at the forefront of basketball culture, and we’re excited for players to get their hands on NBA 2K23 to see the game come to life,” said Greg Thomas, President at Visual Concepts. “With the return of the Jordan Challenges, NBA 2K23 asks players to answer the call and experience some of the greatest performances in basketball history. The incredible attention to detail has led to our most realistic and authentic title yet, with fun integrations that long-time basketball fans and new players will enjoy.”

Additionally, Seasons returns to NBA 2K23 with brand new rewards, music, and challenges for players to compete and win. Jump into the first Season right away to enjoy unique experiences across MyCAREER, MyTEAM, and The W**. Level 40 rewards let you cruise around in a four-person Golf Cart on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S and a Hoverbike on PS4, Xbox One, PC and Switch, while new cards and game modes, better accessibility, more customization, and endless lineup combinations await in MyTEAM.

NBA 2K23 features several new additions and improvements, where rookie players and veteran ballers alike will find a variety of experiences to dive into:

  • This is Game – Players can compete as their favourite NBA and WNBA teams and stars, and experience the pinnacle of 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 2K23. Feel the energy of the crowd, the intensity of the competition, and the endless entertainment of one of the most immersive sports products in gaming today.
  • Michael Jordan Returns – Step onto the hardwood in the most definitive Michael Jordan experience to date with the revamped Jordan Challenge. Relive 15 iconic performances from Jordan’s illustrious career, with 10 of the original challenges making their return from NBA 2K11 completely rebuilt from the ground up, alongside five entirely new moments. Step back in time as you play through these iconic performances that include period-correct game presentations, arenas, and PA announcers, while listening to NBA luminaries that experienced first-hand the legend that came to be.
  • Make it to the League – Players can fulfill their NBA dreams as they set forth to greatness in a dramatic journey in MyCAREER. Forge relationships, build rep and overcome the arduous obstacles that test even the most promising ballers. Players can diversify their brand off-the-court and make their name the one to remember on the hardwood floor.
  • Join the Hoops Community – Players can experience the most immersive City to date on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, or embark on an epic voyage aboard the G.O.A.T. Boat on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. No matter the journey with MyPLAYER, be ready to work, gain rep, and run the courts. Test limits in the Gatorade Training facility, and hit the shops for the freshest gear from the biggest brands before competing in year-round events.
  • Build Your Dream Squad – MyTEAM turns fantasy into reality as players collect and earn cards to assemble out-of-this-world starting 5s with legends and All-Stars from any era. Discover immersive challenges, competitive tournaments, and exciting rewards, along with new updates season-after-season.
  • Take it to the Top – Call the shots to build a dynasty or decide the league’s trajectory in the most immersive managerial simulation experience in MyNBA** on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Choose to kick off your journey during different Eras and experience unparalleled control paired with in-depth tools to inform decision making and success. Jump into a season or envision long-term growth with a multi-year experience available online or offline.

Phoenix Suns’ shooting guard, three-time NBA All-Star, and 2021-22 Kia All-NBA First Team selection, Devin Booker, is featured on this year’s Standard Edition and cross-gen Digital Deluxe Edition. The Standard Edition is available for $99.95**** on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC and $119.95**** on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. The Digital Deluxe Edition is available for $129.95**** and grants players access to the Standard Edition across both console generations within the same PlayStation and Xbox console family.

Six-time NBA World Champion and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, Michael Jordan returns as the NBA 2K23 cover athlete, gracing the NBA® 2K23 Michael Jordan Edition, which is available for $149.95**** on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

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/.

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

Online Account (varies 13+) required to access online features. See www.take2games.com/legal and www.take2games.com/privacy for additional details.

**Only available on the new-generation of NBA 2K23 and will require PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S hardware to play.

*** NBA 2K23 is available on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC platforms. PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S required to play the new-generation version of NBA 2K23.

**** Based on 2K’s suggested retail price. Actual retail price may vary. See local store for info.

About 2K

Founded in 2005, 2K develops and publishes interactive entertainment for video game consoles, personal computers and mobile devices, with product availability including physical retail and digital download. The Company is home to many talented development studios, including Visual Concepts, Firaxis Games, Hangar 13, Cat Daddy Games, 31st Union, Cloud Chamber and HB Studios. 2K’s portfolio currently includes several AAA, sports and entertainment brands, including global powerhouse NBA® 2K; renowned BioShock®, Borderlands®, Mafia, Sid Meier’s Civilization® and XCOM® brands; popular WWE® 2K and WWE® SuperCard franchises; as well as the critically and commercially acclaimed PGA TOUR® 2K. Additional information about 2K and its products may be found at 2K.com and on the Company’s official social media channels.

About Take-Two Interactive Software

Headquartered in New York City, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is a leading developer, publisher, and marketer of interactive entertainment for consumers around the globe. The Company develops and publishes products principally through Rockstar Games, 2K, Private Division, and Zynga. Our products are currently designed for console gaming systems, PC, and Mobile including smartphones and tablets, and are delivered through physical retail, digital download, online platforms, and cloud streaming services. The Company’s common stock is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol TTWO.

All trademarks and copyrights contained herein are the property of their respective holders.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other securities laws. For these statements, Take-Two claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, or forecasts about our businesses, the industries in which Take-Two operates, and the current beliefs and assumptions of management of Take-Two; they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Without limiting the foregoing, words or phrases such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “goal,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “may,” “could,” “aspire,” and variations of such words and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to predictions or projections of our future financial performance, anticipated growth, strategic objectives, performance drivers and trends in the businesses of Take-Two, and other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions about future events, activities or developments and are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict, including: risks that the Combination disrupts the current plans and operations of Take-Two; the diversion of the management team of Take-Two from its ongoing business operations; the ability of Take-Two to retain key personnel; the ability of Take-Two to realize the benefits of the Combination, including net bookings opportunities and cost synergies; the ability to successfully integrate Old Zynga’s business with Take-Two’s business or to integrate the businesses within the anticipated timeframe; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Old Zynga or Take-Two in connection with the Combination; the uncertainty of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and measures taken in response thereto; the effect of economic, market or business conditions, including competition, consumer demand and the discretionary spending patterns of customers, or changes in such conditions, have on the operations, revenue, cash flow, operating expenses, employee hiring and retention, relationships with business partners, the development, launch or monetization of games and other products, and customer engagement, retention and growth, in each case, of Zynga and Take-Two; the risks of conducting the businesses of Zynga and Take-Two internationally; the impact of changes in interest rates by the Federal Reserve and other central banks; the impact of potential inflation, volatility in foreign currency exchange rates and supply chain disruptions; and the ability to maintain acceptable pricing levels and monetization rates for the games of Zynga and Take-Two. Zynga and Take-Two caution that undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Other important factors and information are contained in Take-Two’s and Old Zynga’s most recent Annual Reports on Form 10-K, including the risks summarized in the section entitled “Risk Factors,” Old Zynga’s most recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and each company’s other periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Zynga and Take-Two expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the expectations of Zynga and Take-Two with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

# # #

Gizmo – the Adorable Mogwai from “Gremlins” – is Now Available as Latest Playable Character in MultiVersus; New Gameplay Trailer Revealed

Philip Federico
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Sydney, Australia – 9th September 2022 – Warner Bros. Games today announced that Gizmo is now available to play in MultiVersus, the free-to-play platform fighter developed by Player First Games. The adorable Mogwai creature from the Gremlins franchise who must avoid bright light, water, and eating after midnight arrives as part of MultiVersus Season 1 and is a Support class character with a unique moveset that shows off his charm and talents, including the ability to attach to teammates to help absorb incoming damage. Gizmo’s attacks and specials are on display in a newly revealed gameplay trailer featuring his musical note projectiles, iconic pink toy sports car, and signature bow and arrow, as well as his Combat Gizmo character variant which is available now for in-game purchase.

MultiVersus – Gizmo Gameplay Trailer

The MultiVersus Season 1 Battle Pass is available now for players to earn in-game rewards.

MultiVersus is an all-new free-to-play platform fighter in development by Player First Games that introduces a team-based 2 vs. 2 format combined with an all-star cast of iconic characters, including Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Harley Quinn; Shaggy and Velma (Scooby-Doo); Bugs Bunny and Tasmanian Devil a.k.a. Taz (Looney Tunes); Arya Stark (Game of Thrones); Tom & Jerry (Tom and Jerry); Jake the Dog and Finn the Human (Adventure Time); Steven Universe and Garnet (Steven Universe); Iron Giant (The Iron Giant), LeBron James (Space Jam: A New Legacy); Morty Smith (Rick and Morty), Gizmo (Gremlins), and an extraordinary original creature named Reindog. More heroes and personalities will be continually added to the game, including Rick Sanchez (Rick and Morty), Black Adam (DC), Stripe (Gremlins), and many others who will join the MultiVersus roster in the coming months.

The MultiVersus Open Beta is available now as a free download for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 consoles, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One consoles, and PC.For additional information about MultiVersus, visit MultiVersus.com or join the community conversation on Twitter (@MultiVersus), YouTube (MultiVersus), Instagram (MultiVersusGame), Facebook (MultiVersus), and Discord (MultiVersus).

# # #

About Warner Bros. Games

Warner Bros. Games is a premier worldwide publisher, developer, licensor and distributor of entertainment content for the interactive space across all platforms, including console, handheld, mobile and PC-based gaming for both internal and third-party game titles. Additional information about Warner Bros. Games can be found at www.warnerbrosgames.com.

About Player First Games

Player First Games is a new independent game studio located in Los Angeles, CA. Started by veteran developers from across the industry, the team is focused on creating games and serving passionate communities of gamers with a player first mindset. Additional information about Player First Games can be found at www.playerfirstgames.com.

MULTIVERSUS software © 2021 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Developed by Player First Games. All DC characters and related elements are trademarks of DC © 2021. ADVENTURE TIME, STEVEN UNIVERSE and all related characters and elements © & ™ Cartoon Network. TOM AND JERRY, SCOOBY-DOO and all related characters and elements © & ™ Turner Entertainment Co. and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. GAME OF THRONES and all related characters and elements © & ™ Home Box Office, Inc. LOONEY TUNES and all related characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. WARNER BROS. GAMES LOGO, WB SHIELD: ™ & © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s21)

PLAYISM GAME SHOW – TGS 2022 Preview Features World Premieres Ahead of Tokyo Game Show Sept. 14

Philip Federico
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TOKYO – 9 Sept. 2022 – PLAYISM announces PLAYISM GAME SHOW – TGS 2022 Preview, the newest edition of the digital showcase highlighting the latest games from Japan’s oldest indie game publisher renowned for titles Bright Memory: Infinite, Gnosia, and DEEEER Simulator. The live broadcast, highlighting its Tokyo Game Show lineup and upcoming titles releasing worldwide, takes place Wednesday Sept. 14, 2022 at 8:00 AM EDT / 5:00 AM PDT / 1:00 PM CET / 9:00 PM JST in English and Japanese on YouTube.

PLAYISM GAME SHOW – TGS 2022 Preview will feature the world premiere of a brand new game along with multiple titles the company will localize and publish for a worldwide audience. Tokyo Game Show attendees will be among the first to go hands-on with another one of PLAYISM’s upcoming titles, appearing at the company’s TGS booth. PLAYISM will reveal console ports for multiple games during the broadcast, both previously-released and upcoming titles. 

PLAYISM serves as a gateway between the best indie games from both Eastern and Western hemispheres. Since 2011, the studio has brought games from Eastern indie developers to the West, localized western indies for audiences in Japan, Korea, and China both digitally and physically, and worked on console ports for acclaimed PC releases.

PLAYISM’s growing portfolio includes hit titles including Bright Memory: Infinite, DEEEER Simulator, Idol Manager, Mighty Goose, and Momodora: Moonlit Farewell, the anticipated latest installment in the action-packed, lore-rich Momodora series. The studio’s portfolio also includes Independent Game Festival Grand Prize winner Umurangi Generation and BAFTA Award winner Night In The Woods, while its Asian catalog includes acclaimed titles like Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!, Subnautica, Godfall, VA-11 Hall-A, Necrobarista, and more. 

“We are thrilled to share these upcoming games from our end of 2022 and 2023 lineup with the world and celebrate alongside our global audience,” said Shunji Mizutani, Executive Producer of PLAYISM. “Our partners and community have shown us incredible support over the past decade-plus, and we plan to return that same support in kind with this new slate of games.”

PLAYISM GAME SHOW – TGS 2022 Preview occurs Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022 at 8:00 AM EDT / 5:00 AM PDT / 1:00 PM CEST / 9:00 PM JST in English, Japanese and Chinese on YouTube, Twitter, and Niconico.

For more information on PLAYISM, please visit the PLAYISM GAME SHOW official web page or the PLAYISM official website, and follow @PlayismEN on Twitter.

About PLAYISM

Japan’s oldest indie publisher, PLAYISM is known in the West for supporting popular indie games such as Gnosia, Idol Manager, Tasomachi: Behind the Twilight, Touhou Luna Nights, Fight Crab, Record of Lodoss War -Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth-, the La-Mulana series, Bright Memory, Bright Memory: Infinite, and DEEEER Simulator among other titles.

PLAYISM’s motto is “Bringing a Different Breed of Indie Game to the World”.

To learn more, visit the PLAYISM official website and follow @PlayismEN on Twitter.

Sherwood Extreme Releases Sneak Peak of Rogue DLC into Steam Early Access Today

Philip Federico
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LOS ANGELES — 9 Sept. 2022 — Sherwood Extreme, the free-to-play crossbow shooter with bullet-time parkour and ridiculous co-op action from CAGE Studios, launches the first three levels of the “Rogue DLC” today with two new frontiers coming soon. The full 1.0 release on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows PC via Steam will jump into action in Q4 2023.

Leap and bound through unexplored biomes debuting in the DLC as the legendary rogue Robin Hood. Detonate an enormous gate at the entrance of the massive “Ice Mountain,” then spring up precarious glaciers to reach the jewel-filled garden above. With treasure secured, zipline through the treetops of “Waterwood,” and soar over the toxic seas of “Haunted Harbor,” while fending off undead ghosts, skeletons, and reapers guarding their territory.

Master thieves can look forward to spiraling through the “Twisted Tower,” with a barrage of heroic archery skills then delve into an underground passageway in “Secret Tunnel.” Uncover an eerily overgrown village and stylishly eliminate an onslaught of goblins along the way. These two additional levels will be released on Thursday, 7 Oct. 2022, rounding out today’s update for a total of five new stages.

Climb and conquer ever-evolving leaderboards solo or with a fellow partner-in-crime. Save the kingdom with a bevy of movement options and destructive weapons that may not be historically accurate, but will surely spark tons of over-the-top mayhem. Parkour across a variety of environments before putting those skills to the ultimate test in Horde Mode, where advanced maneuvers and jaw-dropping combos will be the only means of survival. 

“Sherwood Extreme proudly introduces its largest content update yet!” said Salaar Kohari, game director and co-founder of CAGE Studios. “The Rogue DLC in its completion adds 50% more content to the game’s Early Access version and our team had an absolute blast creating its levels with our community.”

“We wanted our latest addition to build upon the core spirit of Sherwood Extreme,” added Gabriel Langlois, lead developer and fellow co-founder. “Each level has its own diverse arena, introducing never-before-seen challenges that rogues can replay and master with the same chaotic expertise with which they triumph in the base game.”

The first three levels of Sherwood Extreme’s Rogue DLC are available now on Steam Early Access for $4.99, available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian, with a full release featuring several new game modes, expanded capabilities, and more for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows PC via Steam in Q4 2023.

For more information, please join the community on the Sherwood Extreme Discord server, follow CAGE Studios on Twitter and Instagram, visit the official website, and play the Sherwood Extreme now on Steam.

About CAGE Studios

Co-founded by Salaar Kohari and Gabriel Langlois, CAGE Studios previously created Sail and Sacrifice with Sherwood Extreme becoming their sophomore project. The team aims to develop games alongside their community with a focus on polished gameplay and artistic integrity. Together they plan to continue to build a diverse team with an ever-changing portfolio.

To learn more, visit the official website, join the Sherwood Extreme Discord server, and follow them on Twitter and Instagram.

Latinx in Gaming Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with TwitchCon, UNIDOS Online Event, Game Development Grants

Philip Federico
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Partners Nintendo, Niantic, Riot Games, Unity, Activision Blizzard, PlayStation Support Underrepresented Creators, Grant Applications Now Open Through Sept. 20 

LOS ANGELES — Sept. 8, 2022 — Latinx in Gaming invites gamers of all backgrounds to celebrate all things Latinidad during Hispanic Heritage Month, Thursday, Sept. 15 to Saturday, Oct. 15 as they host a plethora of events and celebrations including the return of the online UNIDOS event, appearances at TwitchCon, game development grants, and more, with support of some of the industry’s biggest names.

UNIDOS returns during Hispanic Heritage Month for a three-day virtual charity event sponsored by long-time partners Twitch, EA, Niantic, Ubisoft, and NZXT on Friday, Sept. 30 – Sunday, Oct. 2. The event combines a Latin talent show and developer showcase to raise funds for educational programs, scholarship opportunities, grants, investor panels, and an exciting game jam with more information to be disclosed soon. Tune in for daily live streams featuring developer roundtables, giveaways, game trailers, demos, Let’s Plays, cooking demonstrations, speedruns, and more.

Grant applications open today until September 20, 2022, to award $30,000 USD in total funding for content creation, game development, marketing, and engineering professionals, courtesy of sponsors Nintendo, Niantic, Riot Games, Unity, Activision Blizzard, and PlayStation. Grant recipients may use funds to cover travel expenses for conventions, take professional courses, upgrade equipment, and obtain licenses for professional training. In addition, NZXT, a global leader in custom PC building, will donate five PCs to winners who exhibit a passion for game development and the betterment of the games industry.

Stop by the Latinx in Gaming booth at TwitchCon in San Diego, located in the Main Exhibitor Hall in the Charity Zone, from Friday, Oct. 7 to Sunday, Oct. 9, for limited-time merch and a chance to meet the team at networking events. Visit Café Cultivar’s Latinx and Hispanic Streamer MeetUp on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, at 2:30 PM PST, and the TwitchCon Salsero Happy Hour on Friday, October 7, 2022, at 5:00 PM PST. Embrace what makes the Hispanic culture rich and diverse, and build new connections with talent from all underrepresented backgrounds.

“Latinx in Gaming is a group of passionate people celebrating those of Latinx descent paving a path in the video game industry,” said Cristina Amaya, Founder, and President. “We have grown into a community of hundreds, all with the unified goal of making our voices heard. We’re grateful to our partners for aiding us in providing our community with educational programs and grants to fulfill their lifelong pursuits within gaming, it’s a dream come true.”

More announcements are to come between September 15th and October 15th, alongside additional surprises. The team is excited to see all the talent in their community this Hispanic Heritage Month at the third annual UNIDOS charity stream.

For more information about Latinx in Gaming, please visit the official website, join the Discord community, and follow @LatinosinGaming on Twitter, Twitch, and Facebook, and search for #LatinxinGaming on social media.

About Latinx in Gaming

Latinx in Gaming is a nonprofit (501c3) organization connecting Latines across the gaming industry worldwide to promote cultural appreciation and representation in games and related content, providing a platform for Latinx community members to elevate each other and themselves. They are a recipient of the Global Gaming Citizen Award at The Game Awards in 2021.

Pre-Order Evil West Now and Watch a New, Electrifying Gameplay Video, Coming to Consoles & PC November 22

Philip Federico
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0

PARIS – September 8, 2022 – Evil West, the third-person action game that puts you in the boots of a vampire hunter rescuing a Wild West devoured by darkness, just revealed a new extended gameplay video and opened pre-orders for all platforms. Coming Nov. 22 to PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC, check out the new extended gameplay video that fully showcases an early level in Evil West’s narrative-driven campaign and an additional boss fight.

Today’s 12-minute level preview shows extended gameplay sequences and gives plenty of new narrative detail, introducing more plot and characters through the showcased level’s cutscenes.

Discover a cowboys-meet-historical-figures-meet-gothic-horror world of corrupted politics and covered-up vampire situations in which young gunslinger Jesse Rentier and his father’s vampire-hunting organization, the Rentier Institute, play a central part. Then plunge into the heat of the action as the Rentier Institute experiences a major crisis! Fight virulent hordes of bloodthirsty monsters in a burning building, unleashing your old-school rifle and cutting-edge Rentier Institute technology in an explosive mix of shooting and melee combat. The vampire menace hit hard, and it will be up to you to eradicate it!

Join the Developer Livestream

Join developers behind Evil West for a livestream today at 6pm CET/12pm ET. Don’t miss this opportunity to watch them play the level showcased at Gamescom and take part in a Q&A!Evil West releases November 22 on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC. Pre-orders are open on all platforms and on the Focus Entertainment Store with an exclusive cover art for physical editions. All players pre-ordering the game digitally will receive the Wild Wild East Skin Pack, which is included in all physical versions of the game.

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