LOS ANGELES – JAN. 6, 2022 – Netmarble’s latest mobile roleplaying game Seven Knights 2 received a new update that introduces Chapter 11 of the game’s story alongside new Legendary Heroes and events to kick off the New Year.

Seven Knights 2’s latest chapter focuses on the Daybreak Mercenaries heading to the Dark Magic Research Tower to uncover Neo Dellons’ memories, while taking on strong enemies within the tower. As part of this update, players can now acquire two newly added heroes – Legendary+ Hell Lord Kris and Legendary Mad Researcher Mercure. Lord Kris is a Legendary+ hero with a unique ‘Instant Death’ Skill that activates when continued attacks are launched and certain limits are reached. Mad Researcher Mercure’s ability is to wield a Suppressor that weakens the 8-player dungeon boss Saleos.

Other additions and events for Seven Knights 2 players to enjoy include:

• New Collectible Legendary +, Rare Grade Pets – Today’s update introduces the Legendary Hero Rudy Pet, the Legendary Mercure Pet, and the rare New Year’s Clothes Shay Pet that are now available to collect
• New Year Festival Special Check-In Event – By checking in every day during a 14-day period, players can acquire various Summon Tickets, Dungeon Entry Tickets and rubies
• Hero Summon Event –During this event, players can acquire various rewards for summoning heroes
• New Year’s Clothes Shay Pet (Rare) Obtain Event – By clearing 4/8-Player raids, players will have the chance to obtain a rare New Year’s Clothes Shay Pet.

Seven Knights 2 takes place 20 years after the original Seven Knights, and centers on the Daybreak Mercenaries who embark on a journey to find the last member of the Seven Knights “Rudy,” after a series of events involving a mysterious girl named Phiné. Starring an array of characters depicted with stunning graphics powered by Unreal Engine 4, Seven Knights 2 will immerse players in a true sequel featuring the fun and innovative gameplay of Seven Knights enjoyed by players around the world. Players can collect and develop charismatic heroes while engaging in a deep and immersive cinematic story.

Seven Knights 2 is available now for download on Google Play, App Store and Windows PC. The game is available to play in twelve languages, including English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Thai, Portuguese, Spanish, German, Italian, French, Russian, and Indonesian.

More information on Seven Knights 2 can be found on the official Facebook page, YouTube and forums or by visiting Netmarble’s Global YouTube channel.

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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 Seven Knights 2, Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds, MARVEL Future Revolution, Lineage 2: Revolution, The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross, Blade & Soul Revolution and MARVEL Future Fight. As a parent company of Kabam and SpinX Games, 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.

Master Your Right Brain in QuickSpot, the Spot the Difference Game Launching Today on Nintendo Switch

BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Brings a Nostalgic Puzzle Game with Brain Stimulating Play and Party Mode to the Nintendo Switch 

SANTA CLARA, Calif., (January 6, 2022) – Leading video game publisher and developer BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. today announced that QuickSpot™, the spot the difference puzzle game, is now available on the Nintendo Switch. QuickSpot stimulates the brain and trains the eyes with fun games where players try to find mistakes, fit puzzle pieces, and uncover hidden objects in a gallery of creative images. Coming to the Switch for the first time with newly added game types, an all-new Party Mode, and a variety of new illustrations, QuickSpot lets players enjoy fast pickup-and-play games alone or gather friends to compete for bragging rights. 

QuickSpot offers 20 different games with more than 10,000 questions and puzzles designed to stimulate the right brain, the center of creativity. The game features hundreds of fun and quirky illustrations, including nods to some of the most popular BANDAI NAMCO games. Players can test their mettle alone or with friends in a variety of modes. In Quick Mode, players participate in ten-second speed rounds that push their intuition and concentration to the limits. Endless mode offers training and brain refreshing exercises with a relaxed-pace version of the game’s puzzles with no time limit. In Party Mode, up to four players can compete to see who can score the most points.

“QuickSpot is fun and affordable ‘edutainment’ at its best on the Nintendo Switch, a great console for this kind of game,” said Zanda Ra, Associate Brand Manager at BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. “One of the best parts of QuickSpotis the replay value, with gameplay and variety that’s a joy to return to, and a rewarding scoring system that keeps players striving to get better.”

QuickSpot is available now for $19.99 at the Nintendo eShop. For information on this and other products from BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc., please visit www.bandainamcoent.com or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BandaiNamcoUS, or join the conversation on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/BandaiNamcoUS.

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About BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc.

BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc., part of BANDAI NAMCO Group, is a leading global publisher and developer of interactive entertainment for all major video game consoles, iOS, Android, and online platforms. The company is known for creating and publishing many of the industry’s top video game franchises including PAC-MAN®, GALAGA®, TEKKEN®, SOULCALIBUR®, and ACE COMBAT®. BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. is the premier publisher in the Western hemisphere for anime based video games including NARUTO SHIPPUDEN™, DRAGON BALL Z®, and ONE PIECE®. More information about the company and its products can be found at http://www.bandainamcoent.com or www.facebook.com/BandaiNamcoUS

Press Release © 2021 BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.

Ubisoft Bringing Ubisoft+ to Xbox and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six ^® Extraction to Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass Members

Sydney, January 6, 2022 – Today, Ubisoft announced that it will bring Ubisoft+, its subscription service, to the Xbox platform in the future. The company also shared that it will offer Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six ^® Extraction, a tactical co-op FPS that brings a whole new squad-based PvE experience to the millions of players in the Rainbow Six universe and beyond, to Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass members when the game launches on January 20.

Ubisoft+ brings players more than 100 Ubisoft games – including the latest releases, DLC and classic games – and rewards which include customisation items, boosters and other in-game perks. Ubisoft+ is currently available on PC, Stadia, and Amazon Luna, and soon will be available on Xbox.

“By making Rainbow Six Extraction available to Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass members on the day and date of its launch, we’re demonstrating that we believe in the value and choice that game subscriptions offer to players,” said Chris Early, Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Business Development at Ubisoft. “Rainbow Six Extraction for Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass members is just the beginning. Ultimately, we will offer the Ubisoft+ subscription service to Xbox owners so that they can enjoy the full extent of our Ubisoft+ game library, including new releases, on their consoles.”

When Rainbow Six Extraction releases on January 20, Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass members can jump into this intense, thrilling, and unpredictable PvE co-op experience to take on dynamic incursions of up to three players. Rainbow Six Extraction builds on all the tactical gameplay elements introduced in Rainbow Six Siege. Ubisoft shared that Siege also will be available for PC Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members starting January 20 and will see its availability on Xbox Game Pass extended.

“With Rainbow Six Extraction, Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass members are getting another blockbuster added to their library on the same day the title launches,” said Sarah Bond, Corporate Vice President, Game Creator Experience and Ecosystem at Xbox. “And because Rainbow Six Siege will be on both Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass as well, the Rainbow Six community and fans of tactical shooters will have plenty to look forward to playing together, no matter where they play.” 

To learn more, please visit: https://news.ubisoft.com/en-us/article/6swN56EyVYT97D6r1sFwZE

# # #

About Ubisoft     

Ubisoft is a creator of worlds, committed to enriching players’ lives with original and memorable entertainment experiences. Ubisoft’s global teams create and develop a deep and diverse portfolio of games, featuring brands such as Assassin’s Creed ®, Brawlhalla®, For Honor®, Far Cry®, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon®, Just Dance®, Rabbids, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six®, The Crew®, Tom Clancy’s The Division®, and Watch Dogs®. Through Ubisoft Connect, players can enjoy an ecosystem of services to enhance their gaming experience, get rewards and connect with friends across platforms. With Ubisoft+, the subscription service, they can access a growing catalog of more than 100 Ubisoft games and DLC. For the 2020-21 fiscal year, Ubisoft generated net bookings of €2,241 million. To learn more, please visit: www.ubisoftgroup.com.

© 2021 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Ubisoft and the Ubisoft logo are registered trademarks in the US and/or other countries.

Pagan: Control, the second major DLC coming to Far Cry 6 as part of the Season Pass, will be available on January 11 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, as well as Windows PC through the Ubisoft Store and the Epic Games Store. Players can also subscribe to Ubisoft+* on PC. Players must own Far Cry 6 to access Pagan: Control.

Players will embody Pagan Min, the iconic villain from Far Cry® 4, in a brand-new experience inspired by the roguelite genre taking place in the depths of the villain’s troubled psyche. Blending intense action and storytelling, Pagan: Control will provide a unique opportunity for players to explore Pagan’s mind, learn more about his past, and face off against familiar faces as he struggles to break free from his cycle of guilt and regrets.

Joseph: Collapse, the third and final DLC to release as part of the Season Pass, will be available later this year and allow players to dive into the mind of Far Cry 5 ‘s villain.

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

For more information on Far Cry 6, please visit Farcry.com

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

*$19.95 per month. Cancel anytime. The Ultimate Edition will be available as part of a UPLAY+ subscription. More information at uplayplus.com.

***In close collaboration with Montreal. Other studios involved include Ubisoft Shanghai, Ubisoft Berlin,

Ubisoft Kyiv, Ubisoft Philippines, and Ubisoft Montpellier.

About Ubisoft

Ubisoft is a creator of worlds, committed to enriching players’ lives with original and memorable entertainment experiences. Ubisoft’s global teams create and develop a deep and diverse portfolio of games, featuring brands such as Assassin’s Creed^®, Brawlhalla^®, For Honor^®, Far Cry^®, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon^®, Just Dance^®, Rabbids^®, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six^®, The Crew^®, Tom Clancy’s The Division^® and Watch Dogs^®. Through Ubisoft Connect, players can enjoy an ecosystem of services to enhance their gaming experience, get rewards and connect with friends across platforms. With Ubisoft+, the subscription service, they can access a growing catalog of more than 100 Ubisoft games and DLC. For the 2020–21 fiscal year, Ubisoft generated net bookings of €2,241 million. To learn more, please visit: www.ubisoftgroup.com. 

© 2021 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Far Cry, Ubisoft and the Ubisoft logo are registered or unregistered trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the US and/or other countries. Based on Crytek’s original Far Cry directed by Cevat Yerli.

RING IN A NEW YEAR OF THE KING OF FIGHTERS ALLSTAR WITH NEW FIGHTERS AND SEASONAL END-OF-YEAR CONTENT

LOS ANGELES – JAN. 5, 2022 – Fighting game players and fans can look to the New Year with enthusiasm as Netmarble’s popular mobile action role-playing game (RPG) THE KING OF FIGHTERS ALLSTAR continues its legacy in 2022 by introducing two new Fighters and a range of seasonal content with its new year-themed update.

From Dec. 29 to Jan. 19, two new Boss Syndrome Fighters will be available for players to collect and experience their powerful special features. [Boss Syndrome] Nameless, a Green element Fighter, will increase Green element Fighter’s ATK, when used as a Leader, while [Boss Syndrome] Ash Crazed by the Spiral of Blood is a Yellow element fighter who can bump up the ATK of Boss Syndrome Fighters and lowers HP when used as a Leader.

Exclusive dungeons for these two Boss Syndrome Fighters are available throughout the whole event, while Time Attack Challenges involving the new characters are now open for those seeking extra challenges and rewards. Other content coming to THE KING OF FIGHTERS ALLSTAR include:

• New Year’s Greeting Login Bonus (12/29~1/15)
  • By logging in to the game, players can collect items such as an AP, Element Soul Selection Box, a Plus Capsule Selection Box, an Awaken Level 1-5 EXP Capsule Random Box, and a Rare Enhancement Hammer.
• New Year’s Roulette Event (12/29~1/19)
  • By spinning the wheel, players can acquire a 2022 Gold Lucky Pouch. The new pouch can offer Awaken EXP Random Box, a Plus Capsule Random Box, a Rare Enhancement Hammer, Imprint Ores, and 2022 New Year Coins can be included.
  • Roulette Tickets can be obtained by logging into the game, and by completing Rush Dungeons and Event-Exclusive Dungeons.
• 2022 New Year’s Rush Dungeon
  • By completing the Rush Dungeon, players can earn Rubies, and by equipping certain Fighters with correlating Battle Cards, Bonus Effects can be applied.
  • Exchange shop rewards include a [Baton Touch] Set Card, a Fighter/Battle Card Summon Silver Token, and an Awaken EXP 1-5 Random Box, an Auto-Clear Ticket Random Box, Gold and more.
  • Clearing Stage Missions for the first time rewards 5 rubies. 
• New Year’s Team Battle Event  (12/29~1/12)
  • Pick a side in this event about Female Fighter’s New Year wishes as players are placed randomly in ‘Team Rooting for Hotaru’ and ‘Team Rooting for Nakoruru’ in this event.
  • Team Battle Event Points can be earned by playing through the seasonal New Years event content, with personal rewards, Team Victory/Loss rewards, and team rank rewards like Rubies and other items all up for grabs.
• New Year’s Battle Pass
  • The New Year’s Battle Pass will be available from Dec. 30 to Jan. 19 for players to purchase.

THE KING OF FIGHTERS ALLSTAR boasts fast-paced fighting action as players battle through waves of enemies, giant bosses, and rival fighter teams. The excitement is paired with cutting edge graphics, bold colors, and lightning-fast animations. In addition, this game features all of KOF’s classic fighters from ’94 to XIV, with more than 130 fighters available to collect, along with more to come with seasonal events, collaborations with popular IP such as, SAMURAI SHODOWN, Seven Knights, and more.

THE KING OF FIGHTERS ALLSTAR is available to download on Google Play and the App Store in more than 175 countries and comes with support for English, Taiwanese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese, Russian, and German languages. 
 
For more information, please visit THE KING OF FIGHTERS ALLSTAR’s website. Also, please follow THE KING OF FIGHTERS ALLSTAR on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Discord, Reddit, and forum on Netmarble.com.

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 Seven Knights 2, Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds, MARVEL Future Revolution, Lineage 2: Revolution, The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross, Blade & Soul Revolution and MARVEL Future Fight. As a parent company of Kabam and SpinX Games, 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.

©SNK CORPORATION ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ©Netmarble Corp. & Netmarble Neo Inc. All Right Reserved.

A monstrous group boss awakens in the depths of Gielinor, featuring the last godly general, Nex and offering high-value loot.

Wednesday 5^th January 2022, Cambridge, UK – Old School RuneScape’s iconic God Wars Dungeon concludes today with the return of monstrous group boss Nex: The Fifth General.  The fearsome boss was originally released in January 2011, and 11 years later Old School RuneScape brings players a whole new encounter with this ancient adversary of the Second Age.

Dwelling in the Ancient Prison beneath the God Wars Dungeon, Nex can only be accessed once players have completed the Desert Treasure quest and a miniquest to unlock the Frozen Door. This iced-up access point has existed since the Dungeon was launched but has remained sealed, until now! Once inside the Prison, players must crush through a formidable army before reaching Nex herself.

The long-awaited PVM expansion can be battled in groups of up to 80, with the best players challenging themselves to take on Nex in smaller teams. Defeating Nex gives players the chance to obtain some highly valuable rewards, including Ancient Godsword, Zaryte crossbow, the iconic Torva armour set, and more. Every player who takes part in the fight has a chance of obtaining a unique item, with higher performing players bagging more loot.

All new content introduced to Old School RuneScape must have the backing of 75% of the community. Nex: The Fifth General was put to a player poll, and it passed attracting more than 57,000 votes with 90% approving the boss.

This is members-only content, become a member now at www.oldschool.runescape.com to start preparing for a climactic showdown in the new year. In addition, Nex will also be featured in the highly anticipated Leagues III, launching on January 19^th.

Notes to Editor
Suggested level requirements: 70 Ranged, 70 Strength, 70 Agility, 70 Hitpoints.

About Jagex
A leader in creating deep and engaging live games on PC and mobile, Jagex’s flagship MMORPG, RuneScape, has welcomed almost 300 million 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.

About Old School RuneScape
Launched on desktop in 2013, and now also on mobile devices, Old School RuneScape is the industry-leading collaboration between players and developers. Embracing its nostalgic heritage, hundreds of thousands of active players control the direction of the game with an in-game polling system. Featuring adventures for solo play through to 100-player strong raids, Old School RuneScape caters for every brave adventurer. Since 2016, Old School RuneScape has established itself as a competitive game with the seasonal free-for-all Deadman Tournaments, where winners receive huge cash prizes and membership. Play now at http://oldschool.runescape.com

LEGO® SONIC THE HEDGEHOG™ GREEN HILL ZONE SET – PRODUCT PRESS RELEASE

From Players to Builders: The new LEGO® Ideas Sonic the Hedgehog™
Green Hill Zone set offers fans a fun run of nostalgia

The LEGO Group has announced the new LEGO® Ideas Sonic the Hedgehog™ Green Hill Zone set; a detailed LEGO brick representation of one of the most iconic video game levels ever. Conceived by 24-year-old, UK based LEGO superfan Viv Grannell, through the LEGO Ideas platform, this new analogue version of the Green Hill Zone gives fans the chance to build and display a piece of gaming history.

Sonic the Hedgehog™ blasted onto the screens of gamers worldwide in 1991, racing to grab gold rings as he ran through the first level of the game — the now-iconic Green Hill Zone — a bright-green landscape with a look inspired by the California hills. Sonic has kept up the tradition of featuring the much-loved Green Hill Zone in many new versions of the game over the past 30 years — and now the zone can be tackled in a new way; a “real life” LEGO version, designed to be built by fans, arriving in LEGO Stores and https://LEGO.com/Sonic on New Year’s Day.

Lots of fun details and easter eggs have been incorporated into 1,125-piece set including five minifigures – an updated version of Sonic, Crabmeat, Moto Bug, Dr. Eggman and the Phantom Ruby. Also included are 10 boxes of golden-coloured Rings and a Technic lever to spring Sonic and friends into the air. And just like in the game, you can earn a gem reward as you build the set! This fun-filled LEGO build results in a dynamic display set or one that can be played with by any Sonic or LEGO fan for years to come.

LEGO fan Viv Grannell is a passionate Sonic enthusiast and saw an opportunity to create a dedicated LEGO set. They submitted their design to the LEGO Ideas® platform, a LEGO initiative that allows fans to create designs which are then voted on by the wider LEGO fan community. The submission reached the required 10,000 votes to be considered by the LEGO team to be made into reality.

Taking on the challenge of turning the concept into a LEGO set was LEGO Designer Sam Johnson. Talking about the set, Sam said; “Just about anyone who has enjoyed video games on any level in the last 30 years, knows and loves Sonic — and has probably sped through the unforgettable Green Hill Zone with him. We have designed this set to be just as colourful and fun as the in-game version of The Green Hill Zone, then filled it with lots of easter eggs and even prizes to help fans enjoy some of their most beloved gaming icons in a brand-new way.”

The LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog Green Hill Zone set is available from 1st January 2022 via LEGO Stores and https://LEGO.com/Sonic, at the recommended retail price of AUD$119.99.

 ENDS 

Notes to Editors:

FURTHER PRODUCT INFO: LEGO® PRODUCT (21331)

• Age – 18+
• Model measures: 
  • Height: 17cm / 7” 
  • Width: 36cm / 14”
  • Depth: 6cm / 2.5”
• 1125 pieces
• The latest LEGO x SEGA set, which features:
  • 5 minifigures, including a new version of Sonic and also Crab, Motobug, Dr. Eggman, and Phantom Ruby
  • 10 ring boxes
  • Modular build, which can be linked to other architecture sets
  • Interactive elements and easter eggs, such as:
    • A Technic lever on the spring module to launch Sonic and his friends into the air
    • Sit Dr Eggman inside the Egg Robot
    • Just like in the game – get a gem reward as you build the set
    • Super speed and shied TV screens also included
• Price: AUD$119.99

About the LEGO Ideas platform

LEGO® Ideas offers fans the opportunity to submit their own brick creations with the chance to have their concept brought to life with the help of LEGO master designers and a share of the profits.

About the LEGO Group 

The LEGO Group’s mission is to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow through the power of play. The LEGO System in Play, with its foundation in LEGO bricks, allows children and fans to build and rebuild anything they can imagine. 

The LEGO Group was founded in Billund, Denmark in 1932 by Ole Kirk Kristiansen, its name derived from the two Danish words LEg GOdt, which mean “Play Well”. Today, the LEGO Group remains a family-owned company headquartered in Billund. However, its products are now sold in more than 130 countries worldwide.

For more news from the LEGO Group, information about our financial performance and responsibility engagement, please visit www.LEGO.com/aboutus. 

About SEGA Europe Ltd.

SEGA Europe Ltd. is the European Distribution arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA CORPORATION, and a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe. SEGA wholly owns the video game development studios Two Point Studios, Creative Assembly, Relic Entertainment, Amplitude Studios, Sports Interactive and HARDlight. SEGA Europe’s website is located at www.sega.co.uk.

JAKKS PACIFIC, DISGUISE AND SEGA OF AMERICA ANNOUNCE “SONIC PRIME” TOY AND COSTUME COLLECTION

Celebrating the upcoming Netflix animated series, products to be available worldwide in 2023

Santa Monica, CA — January 4, 2022 (BUSINESS WIRE) – JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAKK) today announced a partnership with SEGA of America, Inc. for the upcoming animated Sonic the Hedgehog series, Sonic Prime, maintaining JAKKS as one of the franchise’s global merchandise partners. Under this partnership, JAKKS will produce action figures, playsets, vehicles, plush and other collectibles associated with the upcoming new show. Additionally, JAKKS also named Disguise, Inc. as its official costume and costume accessory partner with distribution rights across the globe. JAKKS and Disguise will design, manufacture, market and sell Sonic Prime-branded product lines worldwide commencing in 2023. As previously announced, the new Sonic Prime series, produced in partnership with WildBrain, is set to launch worldwide on Netflix in 2022 drawing upon the keystones of the brand and features the “Blue Blur” of video game fame in a high-octane adventure where the fate of a strange new metaverse rests in his gloved hands.

“SEGA has done a tremendous job telling the story of Sonic through a multitude of medium forums,” said Craig Drobis, Senior Vice President of Marketing at JAKKS Pacific, Inc. “In addition to the high-octane video games they continue to release and the Sonic Movie 2 coming next year, Sonic Prime’s premiere on Netflix in 2022 will keep fans engaged with the property and give JAKKS a whole new Sonic multiverse to explore through toys and costumes. Our customers are not just kids, but also collectors, and this brand consistently hits the mark with retailers and fans year after year. 

“JAKKS has consistently captured Sonic’s signature persona, and we’re thrilled to have them on board for another partnership,” said Michael Cisneros, Senior Manager of Licensing at SEGA of America, Inc. “Sonic Prime will feature everyone’s favorite hedgehog setting out on a new adventure, so we’re looking forward to providing innovative products to audiences everywhere that will bring the iconic character to life.”

JAKKS Pacific, Inc. is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of toys and consumer products sold throughout the world, with its headquarters in Santa Monica, California. JAKKS Pacific manages a broad portfolio of licensed and owned I.P. brands and products. These product lines include best sellers such as Sonic the Hedgehog action figures, plush and playsets. All products are available online or in retail stores nationwide.

Owned by JAKKS Pacific, Inc (NASDAQ: JAKK), Disguise is a seasoned name in the costume and dress-up category, with 34 years of experience in the design and manufacturing industry and licensor relationships spanning decades. Disguise is a world leader in development of inventive and cutting-edge products with distribution across the world. Sonic the Hedgehog costumes and accessories will be available across the globe in 2023.

About SEGA of America, Inc:

SEGA of America, Inc. is the American arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA CORPORATION, a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.

About JAKKS Pacific, Inc.:

JAKKS Pacific, Inc. is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of toys and consumer products sold throughout the world, with its headquarters in Santa Monica, California. JAKKS Pacific’s popular proprietary brands include Fly Wheels™, Kitten Catfe™, Perfectly Cute™, ReDo™ Skateboard Co, X-Power™, Disguise®, Moose Mountain®, Maui®, Kids Only!®; a wide range of entertainment-inspired products featuring premier licensed properties; and C’est Moi™, a new generation of clean beauty. Through JAKKS Cares, the company’s commitment to philanthropy, JAKKS is helping to make a positive impact on the lives of children.

©2021 JAKKS Pacific, Inc. All rights reserved

About Disguise, Inc.:

Since 1987, Disguise has been a global leader in the costume and dress up industry creating innovative and trend setting costumes and accessories for the largest U.S. and international retailers, specialty and pop up stores. Based in San Diego, Disguise designs and manufactures millions of products each year for the hottest licensed brands in movies, television and video games for the U.S. and international markets. With new styles for every day dress up or occasions including Halloween, Book Day, Carnival and Purim, Disguise brings smiles and creates memories for kids and adults alike. 

Disguise is a trademark of Disguise, Inc.

About WildBrain Ltd.:

At WildBrain we inspire imaginations to run wild, engaging kids and families everywhere with great content across all media. With approximately 13,000 half-hours of filmed entertainment in our library – one of the world’s most extensive – we are home to such brands as Peanuts, Teletubbies, Strawberry Shortcake, Yo Gabba!, Caillou, Inspector Gadget, Johnny Test and Degrassi. At our 75,000-square-foot state-of-the-art animation studio in Vancouver, BC, we produce such fan-favourite series as The Snoopy Show, Snoopy in Space, Chip & Potato, Carmen Sandiego, Go, Dog. Go! and more. Our shows are enjoyed worldwide in more than 150 countries on over 500 streaming platforms and telecasters, and our AVOD business – WildBrain Spark – offers one of the largest networks of kids’ channels on YouTube, garnering billions of views per month from over 245 million subscribers. Through our leading agency, WildBrain CPLG, we also license consumer products and location-based entertainment in every major territory for our own properties as well as for our clients and content partners. Our television group owns and operates four family entertainment channels that are among the most viewed in Canada. WildBrain is headquartered in Canada with offices worldwide and trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: WILD).

Coming Soon to Xbox Game Pass: Mass Effect Legendary Edition, The Anacrusis (Game Preview), Spelunky 2, and More

Welcome to 2022! We’ve got some awesome games coming soon — and even some available today — so let’s kick off the new year and find that next great game to add to your download queue or to play via the cloud!

Available Today

Gorogoa (Cloud, Console, and PC) ID@Xbox
Winner of Debut Game at the BAFTA Games Awards, Gorogoa is an elegant evolution of the puzzle genre, told through a beautifully hand-drawn story designed and illustrated by Jason Roberts.

Olija (Cloud, Console, and PC) ID@Xbox
Olija is a game about Faraday’s quest, a man shipwrecked then trapped in the mysterious country of Terraphage. Armed with a legendary harpoon, he and other castaways try to leave this hostile country to return to their homelands.

The Pedestrian (Cloud, Console, and PC) ID@Xbox
The Pedestrian is a 2.5D side-scrolling puzzle platformer set in a dynamic world with stunning graphics and challenging puzzles, where you will rearrange and reconnect public signs to explore and advance through each engaging environment.

Coming Soon

Embr (Cloud, Console, and PC) ID@Xbox – January 6
Fight fires with friends for profit in this unpredictable and frantic multiplayer game. Team up with friends, take on daily challenges and climb to the top of the corporate firefighting ladder. More than one way to become a hero!

Mass Effect Legendary Edition (Console and PC) EA Play – January 6
The Mass Effect Legendary Edition is coming to PC Game Pass and Ultimate with EA Play! The Legendary Edition includes single-player base content and over 40 DLC from the highly acclaimed Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, and Mass Effect 3 games, including promo weapons, armors, and packs – remastered and optimized for 4K Ultra HD.

Outer Wilds (Cloud, Console, and PC) ID@Xbox – January 6
Explore for the sake of your curiosity with a hand-crafted solar system filled with secrets to discover and perils to avoid while exploring space. Players are given a variety of tools to aid in space-backpacking, including their own spaceship and jetpack; a surveyor probe for scouting and taking pictures; and a signalscope to track down audio signals and view landmarks from afar.

Spelunky 2 (Console and PC) ID@Xbox – January 13
This challenging roguelike platformer offers you immense freedom to carve your own path through its randomly-generated caves and ruins. Exercise your creativity and through your actions, tell a unique story each time you play. Uncover the secrets alone or with friends!

The Anacrusis (Game Preview)(Console and PC) ID@Xbox – January 13
Available on day one with Xbox Game Pass: The Anacrusis is a four-player, cooperative first-person shooter set aboard a massive starship stranded at the edge of explored space. Team up with your friends in an infinitely-replayable fight against alien hordes to unlock perks, weapons, and new ways to play that you can share with your team!

DLC / Game Updates

Minecraft New Year’s Celebration – Through January 17
Join the New Year’s celebration! Until January 17, Minecraft Marketplace will be filled with giveaways, a free YouTube Creator Skin Pack, and weekly free maps including the Caves & Cliffs Explorers map from Spark Universe and Mithey’s Howl of the Wild map. Let the blocky festivities begin!

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks

Apex Legends: RIG Helmet Weapon Charm – January 5
Show the competition what you’re made of with your new RIG Helmet Weapon Charm, brought to you by EA Play! Equip this to your favourite weapon and battle for glory, fame, and fortune in style.

Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis: January Member Monthly Bonus – January 5
Jump into the all new PSO2 New Genesis with some items to give you a hand! N-Half Scape Dolls (x5) to help revive you during intense battles, and Photon Chunks (x50) to strengthen weapons and units.

This is also your last chance to claim the Back 4 Blood Battle-Hardened Bundle, and the Halo Infinite Pass Tense MA40 AR Bundle before they leave! Go claim them now in the Perks gallery on your Xbox console, the Xbox App on your Windows PC, or the Xbox Game Pass mobile app.

Leaving January 15

The following games are leaving the Game Pass library soon, so be sure to jump back in and tie up any loose ends before they leave! Remember you can save up to 20% off your purchase of these games using your member discount.

• Desperados III (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Ghost of a Tale (PC)
• Kingdom Hearts III (Console)
• Mount & Blade: Warband (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Pandemic (Console and PC)
• Yiik: A Postmodern RPG (PC)

Lastly, PUBG: Battlegrounds will be leaving the Xbox Game Pass library on January 10 and will become free-to-play starting January 12. Learn more here!

Before I run away and start spending my time in the character creator for FemShep in my Mass Effect playthrough, be sure to follow us on Twitter @XboxGamePassPC and @XboxGamePass for updates when these games are available (and of course stick around for the memes). Catch you next time!

Global Publisher Reveals Exclusive Global Marketing Partnership with Intel for the Critically Acclaimed Masterpiece from Hideo Kojima

CALABASAS, Calif – January 4, 2022 – 505 Games, global publisher of the PC version of Hideo Kojima’s genre-defying DEATH STRANDING in partnership with KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS, revealed today at the CES 2022 trade show it will also publish the DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR’S CUT. DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR’S CUT on PC will launch simultaneously on both the Epic Games Store and Steam in spring 2022.

DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR’S CUT is the definitive DEATH STRANDING experience, expanded for PC, and will, for the first time, incorporate Intel’s new Xe Super Sampling (XeSS) graphics technology for an enhanced experience for PC players. XeSS uses machine learning to enable players to explore the unique environment of DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR’S CUT in high graphical detail along with elevated performance. 

Neil Ralley, President of 505 Games said “We’re delighted to announce our partnership with Intel for DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR’S CUT on PC. DEATH STRANDING has been a hugely popular game with PC players and we’re excited to see how Intel’s new XeSS technology will enhance player experiences for DIRECTOR’S CUT.”

DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR’S CUT on PC includes HIGH FRAME RATE, PHOTO MODE and ULTRA-WIDE MONITOR SUPPORT. DIRECTOR’S CUT also includes cross-over content from Valve Corporation’s HALF-LIFE series and CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077.

Developed by Kojima Productions, DEATH STRANDING was one of the most anticipated projects of the last decade. Starring Norman Reedus as Sam Bridges, the game takes place in the near future, where mysterious explosions have rocked the planet, setting off a series of supernatural events known as the Death Stranding. With spectral creatures plaguing the landscape, and the planet on the verge of a mass extinction, it’s up to Sam to journey across the ravaged wasteland to save mankind from impending annihilation.

The groundbreaking experience from legendary game creator Hideo Kojima also features the acting and voice talents of Mads Mikkelsen and Léa Seydoux.

Players can wish-list DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR’S CUT now for PC from Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1850570/

For more information about DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR’S CUT onPC, please visit the PC DEATH STRANDING website: https://505games.com/games/death-stranding

About 505 Games

505 Games, a Digital Bros’ subsidiary, is a global publisher focused on offering a broad selection of video games for players of all ages and skill levels. The company publishes and distributes premium and free-to-play games on console and PC platforms as well as mobile devices.

Publishing highlights include DEATH STRANDING (PC), Control, Assetto Corsa Competizione, Ghostrunner, Gems of War, Journey to the Savage Planet, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, and Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons.

505 Games has offices in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia, China and Japan. For more information on 505 Games and its products please visit 505games.com

About HIDEO KOJIMA / KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS

Hideo Kojima is a world-renowned game creator and auteur known for pushing the boundaries of the video game medium. Widely considered the father of the stealth genre, he is also credited with innovating both story-telling and cinematic presentation in video games at large. 

On December 16th, 2015 Hideo Kojima established his own studio called KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS, under the banner of “From Sapiens to Ludens”. On November 8th, 2019, the studio released its first title, DEATH STRANDING, starring Norman Reedus, Mads Mikkelsen, Léa Seydoux and Lyndsay Wagner for PlayStation® 4, PC and DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR’S CUT was released for the PlayStation® 5. 

Since its release, DEATH STRANDING has received numerous game awards and achieved worldwide acclaim. 

In 2020, Hideo Kojima received the BAFTA® Fellowship, the highest accolade bestowed by BAFTA® upon an individual in recognition of exceptional contribution to film, games or television. 

For more information, please visit: www.kojimaproductions.jp

© 2022 Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. / KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS Co., Ltd. / HIDEO KOJIMA. PC version published by 505 Games. 505 Games and the 505 Games logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of 505 Games SpA or its affiliates in the U.S. and/or other countries. DEATH STRANDING is a trademark of Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC. 505 Games and the 505 Games logo are registered trademarks of 505 Games S.P.A. Appearance in this game does not imply sponsorship or endorsement.