Sign Up to Receive Special In-Game Gifts

LOS ANGELES – APR. 20, 2022 – Netmarble, a leading developer and publisher of high-quality mobile games, announced pre-registration is now open for the upcoming massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds. Ahead of the game’s early summer release, players can visit the official website and Discord to sign up and receive exclusive in-game pre-registration gifts.

App store and Google Play pre-registrations will receive the Explorer Outfit via the in-game mailbox. Players who join Discord can obtain the Catarumpus Hat and a Special Title, redeemable via coupon codes once the game is launched.

Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds is an expansion of the original Ni no Kuni series, reimagining the franchise’s vivid fantasy worlds and popular character designs in an all-new story. Boasting anime-style graphics and high-quality animation cutscenes rendered in Unreal Engine 4, Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds immerses players in an experience reminiscent of an interactive animated film, where fantasy and reality exist side by side.

Developed based on Level-5 and Studio Ghibli’s original fantasy RPG series ‘Ni no Kuni’, Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds will launch early summer on mobile platforms and will also be playable on PC.

For the latest game info and updates, visit the official website (https://ninokuni.netmarble.com/) and follow the game’s Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, and Discord channels.

About Netmarble Corporation

Established in Korea in 2000, Netmarble Corporation is a top developer and publisher pushing the boundaries of the mobile gaming experience with highly innovative games including Marvel Future Revolution, Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds, Lineage 2: Revolution, The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross, Blade & Soul Revolution and Marvel Future Fight. As a parent company of Kabam, and a major shareholder of Jam City and HYBE (formerly Big Hit Entertainment), Netmarble strives to entertain audiences around the world with a variety of mobile games based on its powerful franchises and collaborations with IP holders worldwide. More information can be found at http://company.netmarble.com

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Developer Digital Lode and Publisher Tripwire Presents Unveil Sequel to Espire 1: VR Operative at Meta Quest Gaming Showcase

ROSWELL, Ga. — Apr. 20, 2022 — As revealed live during this year’s Meta Quest Gaming Showcase, developer Digital Lode and publisher Tripwire Presents are excited to announce Espire 2, the sequel to the award-winning first-person stealth action virtual reality (VR) title Espire 1: VR Operative. Scheduled to release in November 2022 for the Meta Quest 2 platform, Espire 2 combines the tactical precision of modern stealth titles with the unprecedented immersion of VR, further expanding upon the genre-defining experience of its critically acclaimed predecessor. More information about Espire 2 will be made available in the near future, but agents wishing to secure their role early can add the game to their wish list on the Meta Store.

“We are so excited to finally share a first-ever look at Espire 2, the VR stealth-action sequel of our dreams,” said Digital Lode Founder and Game Director Michael Wentworth-Bell. “Espire 2 would not be possible without the amazing teams at Meta and the Quest 2 platform, or without our continued publishing partnership with Tripwire Presents, who have believed in our vision from the beginning and continue to guide and mentor our studio. Most importantly, this sequel wouldn’t be happening without the incredible community that has supported Espire 1 since its release two years ago. We thank you, and we hope you will enjoy what we have in store for Espire 2.”

In the world of Espire 2, advanced military and virtual reality technologies meet, allowing Espire Agents to take on the role of a super spy, piloting deadly Espire Model 1 Operative espionage droids remotely from the safety of the Control Theatre. Set in the year 2036, Espire 2 marks the return of Espire Agent POE (the Primary Operator of Espire). After emerging from a seven-year coma, POE is thrust back into the world of dark espionage as the centerpiece of the Espire project. Now, with the help of two bleeding-edge droids called “Frames”, and an all-new arsenal of weapons and tools, POE must embark on a mission to eliminate the global threat imposed by the deadly terrorist organization, OPHIS.

“We are thrilled to be working with Digital Lode and Meta on Espire 2! The team at Digital Lode has embraced fan feedback from Espire 1 and is focused on implementing features that open exciting new ways to play in the sequel,” said Brian Etheridge, Publishing Director at Tripwire. “The new Espire frame offers an entirely new tool set to take on the enemy in Espire 2, while the addition of cooperative multiplayer lets players coordinate with each other to develop dynamic tactics and create awesome memories. The Digital Lode teams are, more than anything, VR super fans and that shows in everything they do!”

Developer Digital Lode has big plans to expand upon the success of the original Espire 1: VR Operative, adding a wealth of new features and improvements to the gameplay that made the original a top-selling hit. 

Espire 2 features include:

• Immersive Single Player Campaign: Take on missions across the globe in sandbox environments designed to allow the player total freedom over their play style. Sneak past guards, create distractions, and think strategically to achieve objectives or charge forward, guns blazing. Espire 2 offers the thrill of both stealth and action-focused strategies to each area, all presented with immersive VR technology.
• Multiplayer Co-op campaign: Players can now team up with a fellow operative in a new multiplayer co-op campaign that bridges the gap between Espire 1 and Espire 2.
• Control Multiple Espire Frames: For the first time, players can control and can switch between two unique Espire frames. Each frame is suited with their own special abilities and attributes, offering strategic benefits for players to discover while playing through both of Espire 2’s campaigns.
• Unique Gadgets: The player’s entire array of tools and gadgets is now fully integrated into the Espire frames, offering a vast variety of accessible options for handling objectives before they even draw their weapon.
• Rule the Play Area: Espire Vision gives Agents a strategic, accessible view of the situation, allowing players to see through walls, mark the location of enemies, predict patrol paths, and more.
• Voice commands: Players can utilize voice commands to distract, hold up and interrogate the enemy. Interrogation commands include “empty your pockets” and “where are your friends?” Espire 2 can be played without voice commands, if players prefer.
• Cutting Edge Graphics and Spatial Audio: Espire 2 boasts next generation VR graphics and spatial audio systems that will take full advantage of the power of the Meta Quest 2.
• Stealth AI System: The stealth AI system has been rebuilt from the ground up with a focus on core stealth mechanics, enemy engagements and player agency, bringing even more depth to Espire 2’s variety of gameplay options.
• Immersion and Presence: Thanks to Espire 2’s accurate “arm IK” system, players see their virtual forearms where their real ones would be and experience VR interactions in lifelike detail.
• Enhanced Control Theatre: The technology behind the “Control Theatre” lies at the heart of the Espire 2’s movement and control system. Utilizing the Meta Quest 2’s additional rendering capabilities, the innovative “Control Theatre” comfort system makes its return in Espire 2, with enhanced features, a new user interface, and easier accessibility. This “VR within VR” system allows for precise full freedom of movement, maintains immersion, and also eliminates “VR motion sickness” for almost all players. The Control Theatre is fully customizable to suit the player’s level of comfort, up to fully disabled for those already comfortable moving in VR.

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

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

About Digital Lode

Founded in 2017, Digital Lode is an award-winning VR game developer based in Melbourne, Australia. Their first title, Espire 1: VR Operative was released in 2019 to critical acclaim, setting the new gold standard for the stealth-action genre in virtual reality. Espire 1’s success, combined with the partnerships forged with Tripwire Presents + Meta, has allowed Digital Lode to expand their resources, tripling the size of their studio. Now Digital Lode aims to make the VR sequel of the dreams a reality with Espire 2 for the Meta Quest 2.

Digital Lode is an ambitious team committed to making best-in-class games in Virtual Reality. Connected by their passion for immersive media, the team shares, shows and plays what they create and possess limitless curiosity to discover and invent new out-of-the-box ways in which players can experience their games. Learn more about Digital Lode at http://thelode.com.au and applicants interested in joining the team can reach out to [email protected].

About Tripwire Interactive

Formed in 2005 as a humble independent developer founded by gamers who found success in the video game modding community, Tripwire Interactive has developed and self-published multiple critically acclaimed titles in the wildly popular Killing Floor and Rising Storm franchises, which have collectively sold over 20 million units to date. The studio’s latest project, Maneater, breaks new ground in the popular action RPG genre and finds players taking on the role of a deadly shark with the uncanny ability to evolve as it feeds.

Since then, Tripwire Interactive has expanded its business with the publishing division, Tripwire Presents, turning its experience and resources to include publishing titles spanning multiple platforms and genres from other talented independent studios. Tripwire Presents aims to help like-minded independent studios bring their titles to market, including Chivalry 2 developed by Torn Banner Studios, Espire 1: VR Operative and Espire 2 developed by Digital Lode, and Road Redemption developed by EQ Games and Pixel Dash Studios. Tripwire Presents continues to grow their portfolio, and are always on the lookout for the next great team and game. Inquiries and pitches can be directed to [email protected], or submitted through their publishing application form.

All product titles, publisher names, trademarks, artwork and associated imagery are trademarks, registered trademarks and/or copyright material of the respective owners. All rights reserved.

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Aspyr and Lucasfilm Games bring you an epic action-adventure classic with intense multiplayer Duels and immersive Joy-Con™ motion controls

AUSTIN, Texas — April 20, 2022 — Aspyr and Lucasfilm Games have announced that the Nintendo Wii™ edition of the classic action-adventure game Star Wars™: The Force Unleashed™ is available today on Nintendo Switch™ for $19.99. Become Starkiller, Darth Vader’s secret apprentice, and set out on a dangerous mission to hunt down and destroy the Jedi.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is a riveting untold story set in the time between Star Wars™ Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars™ Episode IV: A New Hope. Join the dark side and dive into a thrilling saga with devastating lightsaber combos, fierce multiplayer Duels, and support for Nintendo Switch Joy-Con™ motion controls.

Key Features:

• Play as Darth Vader’s secret apprentice and destroy all who stand in your way on your quest to serve Lord Vader.
• Unleash epic Force powers and lightsaber combos with optional Nintendo Switch Joy-Con motion controls.
• Battle your friends in local multiplayer Duel Mode to determine the galaxy’s most powerful Jedi, with 27 characters to choose from!
• Travel the Star Wars galaxy and defeat powerful Jedi Masters across a variety of iconic locations, including Cloud City, the Wookiee homeworld Kashyyyk, the floral planet Felucia, and the junk world of Raxus Prime.

Aspyr and Lucasfilm Games have also partnered with Limited Run Games to release physical Standard, Premium and Master editions of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed for Nintendo Switch. Both the Premium and Master editions include a number of exclusive items for fans and collectors. For more information on these products, available to pre-order now for a limited time, visit www.limitedrungames.com/collections/star-wars-the-force-unleashed.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is rated T (Teen) by the ESRB. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook and Twitter @AspyrMedia.

About Aspyr

Aspyr is a leading video game publishing and development partner focused on maximizing the potential of games across all platforms for all players. Today the company supports a growing network of partners that includes many of the industry’s leading entertainment IP holders, publishers, developers, and technology providers. Aspyr is a standalone entity under Saber Interactive, an Embracer Group company. Aspyr is based in Austin, Texas. For more information, visit www.aspyr.com.

All copyrights, trademarks, logos and brands are the property of their respective owners.

Lucasfilm, the Lucasfilm logo, STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. © & ™ 2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.

PSYONIX AND NASCAR ANNOUNCE  2022 NASCAR FAN PASS IS NOW LIVE

SAN DIEGO – April 20, 2022 – Psyonix, the San Diego video game developer, announced that the 2022 NASCAR Fan Pass is now live in Rocket League on all platforms!

The 2022 NASCAR Fan Pass will feature new NASCAR-themed content throughout the year. The first content drop available in the Item Shop now features three Cars (NASCAR Next Gen Ford Mustang, NASCAR Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro, and NASCAR Next Gen Toyota Camry), nine NASCAR team Decals and Player Banners, and Next Gen Goodyear Racing Wheels. The nine NASCAR teams featured in the first content drop, along with which car their Decals will be available for, are: 

• Front Row Motorsports #34 (NASCAR Next Gen Ford Mustang Decal)
• RFK Racing #17 (NASCAR Next Gen Ford Mustang Decal)
• Stewart-Haas Racing #4 (NASCAR Next Gen Ford Mustang Decal)
• Team Penske #12 (NASCAR Next Gen Ford Mustang Decal)
• Hendrick Motorsports #5 (NASCAR Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro Decal)
• Spire Motorsports #7 (NASCAR Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro Decal)
• Trackhouse Racing #1 (NASCAR Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro Decal)
• Richard Childress Racing #8 (NASCAR Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro Decal)
• Joe Gibbs Racing #19 (NASCAR Next Gen Toyota Camry Decal)

The 2022 NASCAR Fan Pass will be available for 1100 Credits from April 20 through April 26. Additional content will be added to the Pass later in the year around upcoming NASCAR races and players who own the Fan Pass will have the new items added to their inventory automatically. Additional content includes three Next Gen Decals and three NASCAR-inspired Decals for the Octane, Fennec and Dominus. 

The Fan Pass is part of the multi-year collaboration between Psyonix and NASCAR started in 2021, and makes its debut in-game ahead of the NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500 Race at Talladega on April 24. At the race, fans will be able to play Rocket League at the Allied Esports gaming truck put on in partnership with NASCAR. 

To learn more about the 2022 NASCAR Fan Pass, please read the latest blog post HERE. 

If you or a member of your team is interested in a 2022 NASCAR Fan Pass code, please let us know.

ABOUT ROCKET LEAGUE
Winner or nominee of more than 150 “Game of the Year” awards, Rocket League is one of the most critically acclaimed sports games of our generation. Rocket League is a high-powered hybrid of arcade-style soccer and vehicular mayhem with easy-to-understand controls and fluid, physics-driven competition. Available on Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on Epic Games Store, Rocket League includes nearly endless customization possibilities, online Ranks and Competitive Tournaments, a fully featured offline season mode, multiple game types, casual and competitive online matches, and special “Mutators” that let you change the rules entirely.

To learn more about Rocket League, please visit www.RocketLeague.com, “Like” it on Facebook, and follow it on Twitter @RocketLeague for all the latest developer updates and news.

ABOUT PSYONIX™
Based in San Diego, CA, Psyonix is a critically acclaimed video game developer and a leading expert in Unreal Engine technology. For more than 20 years, the studio has been a driving force behind some of the most successful games in the industry, including Gears of War, Mass Effect 3, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, Bulletstorm, Unreal Tournament III, Unreal Tournament 2004, and the award-winning sports-action hit, Rocket League®. Psyonix joined the Epic Games family in 2019. 

© 2015-2022 Psyonix LLC. Rocket League, Psyonix, and all related marks and logos are registered trademarks or trademarks of Psyonix LLC. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. 

ABOUT NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 16 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR consists of three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour), one local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series) and three international series (NASCAR Pinty’s Series, NASCAR Peak Mexico Series, NASCAR Whelen Euro Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’).

RUNESCAPE KINGDOMS: SHADOW OF ELVARG BOARD GAME ANNOUNCED AND FIRST MODELS REVEALED

• Announcing ‘RuneScape Kingdoms: Shadow of Elvarg’
• Board game will include first ever official RuneScape tabletop models
• Steamforged Games will launch the board game on Kickstarter this year — follow the Kickstarter campaign here

Wednesday 20th April 15:00 UTC / 16:00 BST – Manchester, UK – Tabletop-gaming powerhouse Steamforged Games, together with leading British video game publisher and creator of the iconic RuneScape franchise, Jagex, has revealed the first details of the RuneScape board game coming to Kickstarter this year.

RuneScape Kingdoms: Shadow of Elvarg is a cooperative campaign board game for one to five players set in RuneScape’s fantasy world of Gielinor. Driven by narrative and immersion rather than complex strategy, this tabletop adventure is designed to give those who love the franchise a new way to play and provide a way into the irreverent and exciting world of RuneScape for those unfamiliar with the MMORPG.

Explore the kingdoms of Asgarnia and Misthalin from above with a game board styled like a fast-travel map, jumping from region to region as you level up your skills and complete quests. Zoom in for face-to-face encounters with iconic bosses, that become even tougher as you work your way toward the final quest!

Steamforged — the company creating, Kickstarting, and publishing RuneScape Kingdoms: Shadow of Elvarg — today shared this description of the game:

RuneScape Kingdoms: Shadow of Elvarg distils the classic, fun, high-fantasy adventures of the beloved living game into a tabletop experience. Gather your group and immerse yourself in the sometimes epic, often irreverent world of Gielinor. Whether you’re slaying mighty monsters, crafting awesome gear, or gathering eggs to bake that game-changing cake, RuneScape Kingdoms: Shadow of Elvarg lets you live your fantasy, your way.

You choose what skills to max, which weapons to craft, and even where to explore next. Meander through Gielinor, sampling every side quest on the way, or keep your eyes on the prize and cut a straight path through the campaigns to take on challenging boss fights. With a classless progression system, every group member can play their way, maxing skills to level up and earn those all-important capes.

Whatever kind of ‘Scaper you choose to be, you’ll play an important role in the success of your group — because you never know when the fate of Gielinor will depend on baking the right pie.

Mat Hart, Creative Director and CCO of Steamforged, said:

“It’s incredibly important to us for the board game to appeal to RuneScape fans of all kinds. For that reason, the board game is heavily inspired by content and references from both RuneScape and Old School RuneScape, that’ll be familiar to all players past and present.

We also created the board game as a way for brand new fans to enjoy the rich world of Gielinor, even if they’ve never experienced the video games. Board gamers should expect a classic and fun fantasy game that features rich narrative quests, light-hearted distractions, sandbox exploration at the macro level, face-to-face boss encounters, and classless character progression.

Because we’re taking content from both Old School RuneScape and RuneScape, translating video game mechanics to the tabletop, and even adding some new quests into the mix, it seemed fitting to create a name that would embody what the board game is: A new way to explore the established world of Gielinor. And so, RuneScape Kingdoms was born.”

Steamforged and Jagex also today confirmed the board game will include the first ever official RuneScape models in the form of tabletop gaming miniatures.

Sculpted by the Steamforged team, the miniatures will depict iconic outfits, NPC’s, and bosses from across the IP developed in a uniquely “RuneScape” style for the tabletop. The first three miniatures revealed today are player avatars including a Knight in platebody armour, a Wizard sporting the Staff of Air, and Elvarg, the titular green dragon from the popular Dragon Slayer quest.

“We’ve worked closely with Jagex to develop a new visual style that, like the board game, is heavily inspired by and draws from both RuneScape and Old School RuneScape.” Mat continues, “These miniatures give the first taste of that new style, and we look forward to revealing more in the coming weeks.”

Phil Mansell, CEO of Jagex, said:

“RuneScape coming to life on the tabletop is a brand-new adventure for all of us here at Jagex. We are always looking for new ways for our players to experience the things they love about the lands of Gielinor as well as the rush they first felt when starting out in RuneScape. For years our community has also looked forward to collectibles of all their favourite characters. This board game is an important milestone for us, and we can’t wait to share more of what Steamforged have been developing for RuneScape Kingdoms: Shadow of Elvarg and get this tabletop adventure in players’ hands.”

Steamforged will launch RuneScape Kingdoms: Shadow of Elvarg on Kickstarter later this year. To be notified when the campaign launches, follow the Kickstarter here.

To get involved and receive the latest updates on the upcoming RuneScape board and tabletop roleplaying games, join the dedicated mailing list here.  

About Jagex
A leader in creating deep, community-driven games on PC and mobile, Jagex’s flagship MMORPG, RuneScape, has welcomed almost 300million player accounts to its world and is a $1billion lifetime revenue franchise. Today the RuneScape franchise exists beyond running games in live operations; our titles are living games that connect and inspire millions of players, with content and experiences both inside and outside of inexhaustible game worlds. 

Both RuneScape and Old School RuneScape, on PC and mobile, offer ever-evolving, highly active worlds and our community-focussed development ethos empowers players to have a real say in how each game is shaped. Now we’re expanding and extending our portfolio with fresh franchise titles and new IP to bring life to the living games of the future. Jagex employs more than 450 people at its Cambridge headquarters. Career information can be found at www.jagex.com/careers

About Steamforged Games
From small beginnings in the corner of a hobby gaming store in Stockport, Manchester, Steamforged Games has gone on to create tabletop adaptations of some of the biggest video games around.

The company’s history of adaptations began with the wildly successful Dark Souls™ Board Game. Steamforged took the game to Kickstarter back in 2016, where it raised £3.7million followed by significant success at retail and is still one of the best-selling board games out there, having sold over 500,000 units at retail to date.

Since then, Steamforged’s catalogue has grown to include popular board game versions of triple-A video games such as Monster Hunter: World, Resident Evil™ 1, 2, and 3, Horizon Zero Dawn™, and more, all well-received as authentic experiences true to the brand DNA. 

Now the UK’s leading developer and publisher of licensed tabletop games, Steamforged is led by a love of the craft, a collective pride in what they create, and a mission to deliver compelling tabletop experiences that capture the emotions and inspire the imaginations of players around the world.

Legendary Comedy duo Plants Roots in the Metaverse Platform, Bringing Counterculture Experiences and their NFT Project

HONG KONG – April 20, 2022 – The Sandbox, a leading decentralized gaming metaverse and a subsidiary of Animoca Brands, and My Homies by Cheech & Chong announced today a partnership that will bring the essence of the duo’s more than 50 years of commercial and cultural success to The Sandbox’s blockchain-based virtual platform. The famed duo’s iconic vehicles, looks, counterculture, psychedelic props, and, most definitely, cannabis will be voxelized and transported to a dedicated Cheech & Chong LAND for visitors to experience, man.

“I’m deeply involved with the art community and believed early on that the metaverse would expand on how people interact with brands they love by contributing their own creations,” said Cheech Marin.“The possibilities of what can be created virtually are endless and we’re very much looking forward to the trips we’ll be taking with our fans to our own dedicated LAND in The Sandbox.” 

“Art is about connecting with others and reaching deeper parts of self,” said Tommy Chong. “The  metaverse is a new medium for people to create and connect with each other, but in ways they never thought imaginable. Our partnership with The Sandbox will introduce our community to a whole new world, together.”

Part virtual real estate, part amusement park, The Sandbox fully embraces the idea of the metaverse as a continuous shared digital space where worlds and heroes collide to make magic. Cheech & Chong and their transcendent dreamworld join over 200 existing partnerships including Ubisoft, Gucci Vault, Snoop Dogg, Adidas, Deadmau5, The Smurfs, Atari, ZEPETO, and CryptoKitties, all following The Sandbox team’s vision of empowering players to create their own experiences using both new, and well-known characters and worlds.

“Cheech and Chong have always had an appreciation for art, counterculture and the different forms it can be expressed to stir emotions in people,” said Sebastien Borget, COO and Co-Founder of The Sandbox. “We’re looking forward to what they will create with and for their community in The Sandbox and what they will introduce to our metaverse.” 

About Cheech & Chong

Cheech & Chong, the legendary comedy duo, found commercial and cultural success in the 1970’s and 1980’s with their stand-up routines, studio recordings and feature films, which were based on the “hippie” and “free love” era. They gained legendary notoriety within the counterculture movements, most notably for their love of cannabis. They launched a new collectible project titled “My Homies” this year with the mission of “Community, Art, Legacy and Mindfulness.” Their first installment to My Homies was “Homies In Dreamland’’ which included an NFT collection with Art by Jermaine Rogers, produced by the duo’s IP agents Easy Partners (Cathy Cleghorn and Kimberley Bierley), Atomic Partners (executive producer Joe Bradley), and project manager Jay Grigalunas. Soon, Cheech & Chong will expand their transcendent dreamworld into The Sandbox metaverse, enabling fans to co-mingle virtually. 

About The Sandbox

The Sandbox, a subsidiary of Animoca Brands, is one of the decentralized virtual worlds that has been fueling the recent growth of virtual real-estate demand having partnered with major IPs and brands including Adidas, Gucci, Ubisoft, Square Enix, Snoop Dogg, The Walking Dead, Deadmau5, Atari, Rollercoaster Tycoon, Care Bears, The Smurfs, and more. The Sandbox metaverse offers players and creators a decentralized and intuitive platform to create immersive 3D worlds and game experiences and to safely store, trade, and monetize their creations. For more information, please visit www.sandbox.game and follow the regular updates on Twitter, Medium and Discord.

About Animoca Brands

Animoca Brands, a Deloitte Tech Fast winner and ranked in the Financial Times list of High Growth Companies Asia-Pacific 2021, is a leader in digital entertainment, blockchain, and gamification that is working to advance digital property rights. It develops and publishes a broad portfolio of products including the REVV token and SAND token; original games including The Sandbox, Crazy Kings, and Crazy Defense Heroes; and products utilizing popular intellectual properties including Disney, WWE, Snoop Dogg, The Walking Dead, Power Rangers, MotoGP™, and Formula E. The company has multiple subsidiaries, including The Sandbox, Blowfish Studios, Quidd, GAMEE, nWay, Pixowl, Bondly, Lympo, Grease Monkey Games, and Eden Games. Animoca Brands has a growing portfolio of more than 170 investments in NFT-related companies and decentralized projects that are contributing to building the open metaverse, including Axie Infinity, OpenSea, Dapper Labs (NBA Top Shot), Yield Guild Games, Harmony, Alien Worlds, Star Atlas, and others. For more information visit www.animocabrands.com or follow on Twitter or Facebook.

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Player pre-registration for the game’s May event, “Bunny Chasers on Board,” is now open until May 2

SEOUL – April 20, 2022 – The latest update to popular anime RPG Blue Archive brings a fun-filled adventure with in-game event, “Playing Tag at Neverland.” In this update fans can redeem limited-time items and meet new adorable characters including Shun (small) and Saya (casual).

The story event follows Shun, instructor at Shanhaijing Plum Blossom Garden, as she transforms into a small, mischievous child after drinking a mysterious elixir. Players will experience a number of mishaps as they attempt to revert her back.

The update also introduces Kirino from new academy, Valkyrie Police School. She strives to become the best police officer despite her clumsy shooting skills. The police academy fills its students with a sense of justice as it handles the various problems throughout Kivotos.

Players can exchange event currencies “Turtle Mushroom,” “Black Bamboo Shoot” and “Ginseng doll” in the event shop for exclusive items including “Superior Tech Notes (Shanhaijing)” and “Intact Voynich Manuscript.” There will also be daily event tasks to earn Pyroxenes and Credit Points.

Publisher Nexon also opened pre-registration for next month’s Blue Archive event story “Bunny Chasers on Board,” through Monday, May 2. Players who sign up will be issued their cruise tickets and rewarded 1,200 Pyroxenes after the event starts in May.

Blue Archive’s roadmap for May to July was also revealed, showing exciting plans for main stories, event stories, new characters as well as new content including “Exclusive Weapon,” “Scrimmage” and “Furniture Interactions.”

Details regarding Blue Archive’s story event update, “Playing Tag at Neverland,” can be viewed in the official community forum.

Developed by NAT GAMES, Blue Archive follows a group of adventurous schoolgirls as they navigate romance, school clubs, academic events – and the occasional battle with rival schools. Players will take on the role of the students’ teacher and guide them as they investigate incidents throughout the city.

Blue Archive is available on Android and iOS devices in 237 countries and supports multiple languages including English, Korean, Thai and Chinese (traditional).

Players can find out more on the Official Website and follow the Blue Archive social media pages for the latest news and updates:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EN.BlueArchive
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EN_BlueArchive
Discord: discord.gg/bluearchiveglobal
Forum: https://forum.nexon.com/bluearchive/main

About NEXON Co. Ltd.
Founded in 1994, NEXON Co., Ltd. (Nexon) (3659.TO) is a company engaged in the production, development and operation of online games and Virtual Worlds. First listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in December 2011, Nexon was placed on JPX400 in 2015 and added to the Nikkei Stock Index 300 in 2017. In 2020, Nexon was added to the Nikkei 225. Nexon currently has more than 50 live games on multiple platforms including mobile and available in more than 190 countries. Major game franchises include MapleStory, KartRider and Dungeon&Fighter.

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Coming Soon to Xbox Game Pass: Bugsnax, Unsouled, 7 Days to Die, and More

by Megan Spurr, Community Lead, Xbox Game Pass

I’m happy to report that more games are coming to Game Pass (please share your favourite shocked face meme). We’ve got you covered on all the games you can play soon, updates for ones you’re probably already playing, and more cloud enabled games with Touch Controls. There are more games on the horizon we’ll give you a sneak peek into, so let’s dive in!

More Ubisoft Games Coming to Game Pass

I’m excited to share that we’re working with Ubisoft to bring even more incredible games to the Game Pass library! In the next two months, Assassin’s Creed Origins will join the library for cloud, console, and PC via Ubisoft Connect app. We will also bring For Honor: Marching Fire Edition to PC via Ubisoft Connect app, and upgrade to the Marching Fire Edition for cloud and console.

Available Today

F1 2021 (Cloud) EA Play
It’s lights out and away we go! Game Pass Ultimate members can experience a gripping F1 story with cloud gaming via EA Play. Hit the track with their own team and live every Formula 1 fan’s ultimate fantasy as F1 2021 joins a collection of racing games available to play on EA Play.

Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered (Cloud) EA Play
Feel the thrill of the chase and the rush of escape in Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered, now available with cloud gaming via EA Play. Unleash a savage sense of speed both as an outlaw and a cop in the world’s hottest high-performance cars. Outsmart the heat or take down lawbreakers with the tactical weaponry at your disposal in a heart-pumping, socially competitive racing experience. It’s time to reignite the pursuit.

Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion (Cloud, Console, and PC) ID@Xbox
Take control of the titular turnip seeking a way to pay back his debts to a corrupt onion mayor. Featuring a blend of puzzle solving, dungeon exploring, and plant harvesting, Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion is a cute, but epic journey to avoid paying taxes and tear down the establishment. 

Coming Soon

7 Days to Die (Cloud, Console, and PC) ID@Xbox – April 26
Set in a brutally unforgiving post-apocalyptic world overrun by the undead, 7 Days to Die is an open-world game that is a unique combination of first-person shooter, survival horror, tower defense, and role-playing games. Play the definitive zombie survival sandbox RPG that came first. Navezgane awaits!

Research and Destroy (Console and PC) – April 26
Available on day one with Game Pass: Take control of three brilliant Super Scientists in this turn-based action game as you research and develop strange new weapons and gadgets to destroy the Supernatural hordes that have all but crushed humanity!

Bugsnax (Cloud, Console, and PC) ID@Xbox – April 28
Bugsnax takes you on a journey to Snaktooth Island, home of the legendary half-bug half-snack creatures, Bugsnax. Invited by intrepid explorer Elizabert Megafig, you arrive to discover your host nowhere to be found, her camp in shambles, and her followers scattered across the island alone… and hungry!

Unsouled (Console and PC) ID@Xbox – April 28
Available on day one with Game Pass: Test your reflexes to the limit and land uber-satisfying combos in Unsouled, a punishingly difficult (yet fair) Action RPG. During the journey, you’ll have to master the ability to execute various skill combos and counterattacks for maximum damage if you hope to survive.

DLC / Game Updates

Age of Empires IV Season 1: The Festival of Ages – Available now
Age of Empires IV Season 1: The Festival of Ages kicks off the official start of 1v1 Ranked Seasons and Seasonal Events, and also introduces powerful creator tools with the Mod Editor’s beta release, as well as a brand-new map, Art of War challenge, and many quality of life and balance features.

Ark: Survival Evolved Eggcellent Adventure – Available through April 25
Eggcellent Adventure returns for the 7th year! Available now through April 25, follow the trails of wild Bunny Dodo’s and Bunny Oviraptor’s to gather Bunny Eggs for special event loot. Place down Bunny Eggs to paint on them, or use them in a Crafting Pot to craft special holiday-themed cosmetics including 5 new chibi’s and a full-body bunny suit costume!

No Man’s Sky Outlaws Update – Available now
Become an interstellar rebel in Update 3.85, Outlaws! Introducing outlaw systems; the ability to recruit your own squadron of pilots; improved space combat; a stunning Solar Sail Starship, and much more! Learn more about the Outlaws update here.

Sea of Thieves: The Shrouded Deep – Available April 21 through May 12
Summon the Megalodon! Hunt down a pale beast from the depths of legend to help Belle and the Pirate Lord find the Veil of the Ancients – all in ‘The Shrouded Deep’, Sea of Thieves‘ third time-limited Adventure running from April 21 – May 12!

Minecraft Dungeons: Luminous Night (Seasonal Adventure, Season 2) – Available on April 20
Become the avatar once more and earn new radiant rewards in Luminous Night – Minecraft Dungeons’ second seasonal adventure. Explore the Tower by night in a whole new light, with floors that include mysterious murals, perplexing puzzles, and fiery foes. New challenges and quality -of-life features await you – what will you discover before daybreak? Learn more about this new adventure here.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks

MLB The Show 22: Launch Bundle – Available now
MLB The Show is back on Xbox Game Pass. Kickstart a new year of MLB The Show 22 with 10 The Show Packs to build out your Diamond Dynasty. Once acquired, items should be redeemed upon booting the game. Information on items redeemed should be listed in your Profile mail inbox.

F1 2021: Deluxe Upgrade Pack – Available now
Upgrade your F1 2021 experience with the Deluxe Upgrade Perk, provided by EA Play. The Deluxe Upgrade features seven iconic drivers, a set of customization items, 18,000 PitCoin, and an in-game item pack inspired by the fictional stars of ‘Braking Point’.

Halo Infinite: 2XP and Challenge Swap Bundle – Available nowMake every match count with four 2XP Boosts and six Challenge Swaps! The Perk requires Halo Infinite Multiplayer to use, available free on Xbox, Windows, and Steam.

Super Animal Royale: Season 3 Perks Pack – Available now Unlock the Season 3 Xbox Perks Pack to earn an all-new cosmetic set including the Green & Black Cap, Green & Black Shotgun skin, and Green Sunglasses.

Apex Legends: 24-Carat Coffin Weapon Charm – Available now
Show the competition what you’re made of with your new 24-Carat Coffin Weapon Charm, brought to you by EA Play! Equip this to your favourite weapon and battle for glory, fame, and fortune in style.

Xbox Touch Controls Added to 12 More Games

Ultimate members, we’ve added Xbox Touch Controls to 12 more games ready to play from the cloud today, including two games with native touch enabled: Zero Escape: The Nonary Games and Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc Anniversary Edition! Jump in on the Xbox app for Windows PCs, Xbox Game Pass mobile app on Android devices, or Xbox.com/play on your Windows PCs and Apple phones and tablets, no controller needed!

• Ben 10
• Besiege
• Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc Anniversary Edition
• Edge of Eternity
• Hitman Trilogy
• Lawn Mowing Simulator
• Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered
• Paw Patrol
• Race with Ryan
• Transformers Battlegrounds
• Windjammers 2
• Zero Escape: The Nonary Games

Leaving April 30

The following games will be leaving the Game Pass library soon, so be sure to carve out some time out of your gaming schedule to play before they leave! Remember to use your member discount to save up to 20% to keep these in your library.

• Cricket 19 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Outlast 2 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Secret Neighbor (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Streets of Rage 4 (Cloud, Console, and PC)

That’s a wrap for April! I’m going to watch some clean-tok videos and see if they have tips for cleaning up my backlog. In the meantime, stay tuned for updates on Twitter at @XboxGamePassPC and @XboxGamePass. Catch you next time! 

Sydney, Australia — April 20, 2022 — Today, Ubisoft announced that Emerald Plains, the first new map added to Rainbow SixSiege in three years, is now available for all players on PlayStation^®4, PlayStation^®5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X | S, Windows PC including on Xbox Game Pass, Ubisoft+, Ubisoft’s subscription service, Amazon Luna, and Stadia.*

Experience the rolling hills of Northern Ireland in the Emerald Plains country club and private ranch. In the idyllic setting, players can explore the grounds to develop the best approach for their matches, whether it be risking a rappel through the skylight, taking advantage of the three interior stairs, or seeking cover beside the fireplace atrium.

Watch the Emerald Plains Trailer below

The two floors inside Emerald Plains are distinct, with a modern bottom floor contrasting against the classic style of the manor’s upper floor, to emphasize clear call outs and orientation landmarks. Partially inspired by Bartlett and Border, these spacious rooms provide a large playground in this medium-sized map. Players can jump into Emerald Plains as part of Year 7 Season 1 Demon Veil with new Operator Azami. The new Defender is equipped with the game-changing Kiba Barrier gadget that repairs holes in walls and floors, offering a more mobile and versatile defensive approach.

Year 7 will bring more new maps, cross-play and cross-progression, continued efforts to encourage positive player behaviour with a Reputation System, new permanent game modes including Team Deathmatch, and many more updates.

For more information about Rainbow Six Siege, please visit: https://rainbow6.ubisoft.com.   

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

About Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege  

Alongside a thriving professional esports scene and a community of over 80 million registered players, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege puts players in the middle of a fast-paced, ever-evolving multiplayer experience grounded in the selection of unique Operators. Using the right mix of tactics and destruction, Rainbow Six teams engage their enemies in sieges, where both sides have exclusive skills and gadgets at their disposal. Defenders prepare by transforming the environments around them into modern strongholds, while attackers use recon drones to gain intel for carefully planning their assault. With access to dozens of Operators inspired by real world counter-intelligence agents from around the globe, players can choose exactly how they want to approach each challenge they encounter. Through the constant addition of new Operators and maps that add to the depth of both strategy and combat, the unpredictability of each round of Rainbow Six Siege sets a new bar for intensity and competition in gaming. 

About Ubisoft 

Ubisoft is a leading creator, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and services, with a rich portfolio of world-renowned brands, including Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, For Honor, Just Dance, Watch Dogs, and Tom Clancy’s video game series including Ghost Recon^®, Rainbow Six and The Division. The teams throughout Ubisoft’s worldwide network of studios and business offices are committed to delivering original and memorable gaming experiences across all popular platforms, including consoles,

First of four post-launch content drops features new environment, boss encounter, and Legendary loot

Today, 2K and Gearbox Software revealed Coiled Captors will be available on April 22, the first of four exciting post-launch content drops in the Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands® Season Pass. Whether you are just starting out in the Wonderlands or already in the end game, steel yourself to travel through Vesper’s first Mirror of Mystery and check out the new trailer.

Coiled Captors begins in Dreamveil Overlook, where the enigmatic fortune teller Vesper awaits. Eons ago, the Coiled naga got the biggest catch of all: an Old God. They trapped the being within the sharp-toothed, leathery-skinned body of a mighty seawarg, caging it deep within an icy mountain. Only you have the power to free him from his fleshy prison—but doing so means wading through wintery wastelands, arid ruins, and flooding caverns full of enemies. Coiled Captors includes:

• New boss “Chums” the Old God, with four powerful forms that unlock over time. Vesper’s tales are designed to be replayed so you can test your mettle against this rising difficulty;

• New loot to collect, including weapons, gear, and cosmetic items. Each time you vanquish the boss’ increasingly fearsome forms, you’ll earn Lost Souls that let you spin Vesper’s Wheel of Fate. Spins of this creepy contraption can reward you with Legendary weapons, gear, and other items;

• New Chaos Chamber content. Completing Coiled Captors will also add its respective levels and boss to the pool of possibilities in the Chaos Chamber, the endlessly replayable endgame of Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands. This will expand the myriad of combinations for your randomised dungeon, making each run that much more unpredictable.

Available for individual purchase or as part of the Chaotic Great Edition, the Season Pass includes all four post-launch content drops, featuring formidable bosses, unfamiliar settings, a seventh class that expands the Multiclass system even further, and a suite of cosmetics in the Butt Stallion Pack.

Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands launched on March 25, 2022 across Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, and PC via the Epic Games Store exclusively at launch, and on other PC digital storefronts later in 2022. To learn more, please visit playwonderlands.com and follow @PlayWonderlands on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Developed by Gearbox Software, the OFLC rating for Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is M. For screenshots, key art, and other visual assets, please visit newsroom.2k.com.

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

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