ANIME RPG BLUE ARCHIVE MAIN STORY EXPANDS TO INCLUDE “RETROMANIA,” CHAPTER 1 OF VOLUME 2, “CLOCKWORK FLOWER PAVANE”

The latest update brings new characters, raid content, events, bosses and limited-time rewards

SEOUL – Nov. 15, 2021 – Fans of hit mobile anime RPG Blue Archive can now enjoy the highly anticipated main story expansion featuring Chapter 1 “Retromania” of Volume 2 “Clockwork Flower Pavane.” The update allows players to explore the Game Development Department of the Millennium Science School, introducing twin sisters Midori and Momoi and a ton of all-new content.

Utilizing the unique capabilities of the twins, players can attack up to five enemies at once with Midori’s lethal EX Skill or catch them with a surprise fan attack using Momoi’s special attack. However, the twin’s true power lies in their teamwork and, when placed in the same unit, their Ex Skill and Sub Skill are buffered, creating a formidable synergy effect.

In celebration of the main story update, all new missions, areas, and reward campaigns are also now available. During the mission event, “Daily Quest with the Game Development Department,” players can obtain Skill Growth Materials, Artifacts, Enhancement Stones, Video Game Magazines, and more. Players can also now explore Area 13 and find T5 equipment and growth material to further enhance their combat power.

A fearsome new raid boss, Chesed also lies in wait in Total Assault. With deadly drones and self-destructing automata at hand, Chesed provides players unique challenges.

In addition, the Double Drop Campaign in Bounty and Commissions are now available, allowing users to earn Activity Reports, Credits, and the materials needed to level up skills and equipment.

Publisher Nexon is offering 1,200 Pyroxenes and 80 AP to players who log in now through Tuesday, Dec. 21^st.

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 more information 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://m.nexon.com/forum/551

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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SHODAN IS BACK

Prime Matter & Nightdive Studios partner up for next year’s global multi-platform launch of the highly anticipated sci-fi action adventure System Shock

Sydney, Australia, 15 December 2021 – Prime Matter and Nightdive Studios are partnering up for the release of the classic sci-fi action-adventure System Shock; Nightdive Studios’ remake of the critically acclaimed first-person immersive video game.

Set on an abandoned space station, players have to survive a hostile environment and overcome SHODAN (Sentient Hyper-Optimised Data Access Network), a malevolent AI hellbent on humanity’s destruction.

The new System Shock is a fully-fledged remake of the ground-breaking 1994 original, pairing its beloved core gameplay with all-new HD visuals, updated controls, an overhauled interface and remastered sounds & music.

The global publishing and distribution agreement will bring System Shock to PC and consoles next year.

“System Shock has been a true labour of love and our goal has always been to deliver a game that is as close to perfect as we can make it,” said Stephen Kick, Founder and CEO of Nightdive Studios. “We’re excited to partner with Prime Matter to achieve that goal and see this as an important step in the growth of Nightdive Studios. It will allow us to offer System Shock to fans all over the world, both in digital and physical goods formats, as well as fully honour our commitments to our fans and, in particular, to our thousands of supporters on Kickstarter, without whom this game would have never been possible.”

Nightdive Studios has worked closely with many of the members of the original System Shock team, including the voice of rogue AI SHODAN — Terri Brosius — to ensure that the remake honours the legacy of the title to the utmost degree. The game’s setting, Citadel Station, is bigger and more terrifying than ever with all-new areas, traps, puzzles and secrets to uncover.

System Shock is available to pre-order for PC and Linux via Steam, GOG and the Epic Game Store; the previously released playable demo can be found on the respective storefronts.

Official home page: www.systemshock.com

Store Pages:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/482400/System_Shock/
www.gog.com/game/system_shock
www.epicgames.com/store/p/system-shock

About Nightdive Studios
Based in Vancouver, Washington, Nightdive Studios is a team of industry veterans committed to restoring the classic PC game titles of the past and making them accessible to a new generation of gamers. Hit titles from Nightdive Studios include Doom 64, Blood: Fresh Supply, System Shock 2, System Shock Enhanced Edition, Turok, Turok 2: Seeds of Evil and Shadow Man Remastered.

About Prime Matter
Headquartered in Munich, Prime Matter is a premium gaming label dedicated to delivering a range of immersive and diverse games from amazing gaming development talent all around the globe.

Working across projects of all styles, scopes and sizes, from distribution, to publishing, from ambitious indies taking their first step that need full support without compromising their dream, to larger established studios searching that next step in the global market and building of brands.

Prime Matter looks to lead through creativity, expression and passion, with games that will grip and enchant with enthralling story-telling, winning an audience with its incredible moments and larger-than-life experiences.

Celebrate the holiday season by claiming legendary skins and other rewards

Sydney, Australia, 15 December 2021  – Hunters that spend their dark, cold winter in the bayou can claim a sack full of rewards as part of the new Winter Solstice live event launching this Thursday, 16 December 2021.

Hunt: Showdown maps will feature Solstice Tributes until Wednesday, 5 January 2022; players should destroy these to gather event points.

As with previous events, investigating clues, rifts and looting hunter corpses will also add to the points haul. Event boosters – called Chary’s Contracts – will be available to aid event point collection and Dark Sight range.

The event’s ultimate prize, which was revealed in a dev stream overnight, will be available to those who earn 10,000 points, while Legendary Weapons:  The Winfield 1873 Swift ‘Mountain King’, cavalry sabre ‘Corvus’ and quad Derringer ‘Evergreen’,  along with the legendary consumable fire bomb ‘Spirit of Yule’, are also up for grabs.

Check out the Winter Solstice event trailer below.

To help Hunt: Showdown players get even more into the holiday spirit, the next DLC “The Lawless” will be available on Steam from Tuesday 14 December and on consoles from Thursday 16 December; featuring the Legendary Hunter ‘The Gunslinger’ and Legendary Weapons Winfield M1873 Aperture ‘The Accomplice’ and the Scottfield Revolver ‘Felon’s Six’.

The Winter Solstice rewards include:

• Legendary Throwing Axe ‘Calling Bird’
• Legendary Quad Derringer ‘Evergreen’
• Legendary Fire Bomb ‘Spirit of Yule’
• Legendary Winfield 1873 Swift ‘Mountain King’
• Legendary Cavalry Sabre ‘Corvus’

Those looking for a soundtrack to their Winter Solstice hunting can now download Port Sulphur Band’s new album, The Sinners Songbook!


Hunt Showdown Soundtrack:
·   Apple Music
·   YouTube
·   Spotify
·   Amazon Music

About Hunt: Showdown

Hunt: Showdown is a competitive first-person bounty hunting game that packs the thrill of survival games into a match-based format. Set in Louisiana in 1895, the game boasts a mixture of PvP and PvE elements that creates a uniquely tense experience. It’s not just the creatures who are a threat —it’s every Hunter on the map. In the classic game mode, a match of Hunt pits 12 players — playing solo or in teams of two or teams of three — against each other as they race to take out gruesome beasts for a bounty they must collect and get off the map, while Hunt’s quickplay mode offers a shorter match for solo players to scavenge for weapons as they compete for a diminishing pool of bounty. The higher the risk, the higher the reward–but a single mistake could cost everything. Hunt is available now on Steam. For more information, visit www.huntshowdown.com.

About Crytek

Crytek is an independent videogame developer, publisher, and technology provider dedicated to pushing the boundaries of gaming with its cutting-edge 3D game development solution CRYENGINE. With headquarters in Frankfurt am Main (Germany) and studios in Kiev (Ukraine), and Istanbul (Turkey), Crytek has created multiple award-winning titles, including the original Far Cry, the Crysis series, Ryse: Son of Rome, Warface, The Climb, Robinson: The Journey and Hunt: Showdown. Crytek delivers fun and innovative gaming experiences for PC, consoles, and VR and continues to grow its reach in the games-as-a-service market. Every Crytek game is created with CRYENGINE, which can be used by anyone to create games. For more information visit www.crytek.com and www.cryengine.com.

About Prime Matter

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

Agent Intercept Brings Over-the-Top Espionage Driving Action to Consoles in Q1 2022

Transform a Souped-Up Spy Car into Planes, Boats, and More While Saving the World

WELLINGTON, NZ – 15 December 2021 – Agent Intercept,the over-the-top driving arcade action game with a transforming spy vehicle from developer PikPok, sends an encrypted signal containing a Q1 2022 launch window on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One.

Get behind the wheel of the Sceptre, a souped-up vehicle capable of transforming at a moment’s notice. Track down the masterminds behind CLAW, an evil criminal organization, by drifting around corners in exotic locations before taking to the skies with a quick switch to Aerial mode. Avoid enemy fire on the open seas with a speedboat transformation, or race toward mountain fortresses in off-road Sled Mode.

Progress through stages set in breathtaking environments as the only Agent capable of handling the Sceptre and stopping CLAW’s evil plans. Avoid hazards and enemy vehicles while drifting, boosting, and launching over trains to rack up a high score. Unleash an array of spy gadgets at enemies to clear the path forward and complete additional challenges in each stage to earn enough intel points to unlock the next mission.

Master the Sceptre’s transformations to take down imposing bosses including attack helicopters, AI-controlled jets, orbital satellite’s and nuclear submarines. Launch missiles, drop mines and reach impossible speeds to save the world from the clutches of CLAW with enough style to make even the most seasoned spy raise their eyebrows and lift their highball glass in recognition.

Compete against other Agent Intercept players in Score Attack mode, with various additional challenges and leaderboards to conquer. Pull off the perfect drift around every corner to achieve a top Time Trial mode placement, flex precise aim in Target Practice mode, or show off your mastery of the Sceptre by racking up huge scores in Highscore Chase mode. In Agent Intercept, the action is always cranked up to 11 because sometimes a spy needs to make an extremely explosive entrance.

“We are thrilled to bring Agent Intercept to consoles in Q1 2022,” said Mario Wynands, CEO, PikPok. “Our unique take on classic spy fiction is full of high-speed chases, transforming cars packing missile launchers, and action-packed sequences that would make the most infamous spy envious. We can’t wait to recruit new Agents on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One next year”

Agent Intercept will arrive on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in Q1 2022 for $19.99 with English, Arabic, Chinese (Traditional & Simplified), Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malaysian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Spanish (Latin America), Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Vietnamese-language support.

For more information, visit the PikPok official website, Agent Intercept Facebook page and follow PikPok on Twitter and Instagram.

About PikPok

PikPok is a Wellington, New Zealand-based video game developer and publisher of great games across mobile, tablet and desktop. With a portfolio of original, licensed, and third party developed properties, PikPok delivers games that appeal to all players with pick-up-and-play gameplay, high-quality art, and immersive audio design which provide rich game experiences. PikPok has released successful original games including Rival Stars® Horse Racing, Agent Intercept™, Into the Dead® 2, Flick Kick® Football Legends and Shatter™.

For more on PikPok, visit the official website.

Assassin’s Creed Crossover Stories Featuring Eivor and Kassandra Available Today

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – Today, Ubisoft announced that Assassin’s Creed Crossover Stories featuring Eivor and Kassandra are available now. Both stories are available for free for owners of the respective base games, with one story featuring Eivor and Kassandra available in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and one story featuring Kassandra or Alexios available in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.

Assassin’s Creed Crossover Stories is the first cross-game project on the franchise, led by Ubisoft Quebec in close collaboration with Ubisoft Montreal. The content aims at answering the question “What happens when two Assassin’s Creed heroes meet?”, allowing fans to deepen their experience in the franchise and exploring the ties between the heroes of the two games, and featuring new environments to explore as well as a rich storyline.

For the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla crossover story, A Fated Encounter, players must have reached Settlement Level 4 and completed the quest “A Wise Friend,” where Eivor helps Valka establish herself in Ravensthorpe.

For the Assassin’s Creed Odyssey crossover story, Those Who Are Treasured, players will need to have completed Chapter 1 and reached Megaris to access the content, but it’s recommended that players finish the main game’s three story arcs (Family, Cult of Kosmos and Mythology) to avoid spoilers.

As part of Ubisoft’s 35^th Anniversary celebrations, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey will be available to play for free for a limited time from December 16 to December 19 on PlayStation^®4, Xbox One, Stadia, and Windows PC through the Ubisoft Store. During this time, fans will be able to purchase Assassin’s Creed Odyssey at discounts up to 75% off and keep their progression from the weekend. For more details, please visit: https://www.ubisoft.com/ubi35

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

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

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About Assassin’s Creed

Since it first launched in 2007, the Assassin’s Creed series has sold more than 155 million games worldwide. The franchise is now established as one of the best-selling series in video game history. Recognized for having some of the richest, most engrossing storytelling in the industry, Assassin’s Creed transcends video games, branching out into numerous other entertainment media.

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.

Coming Soon to Xbox Game Pass: Mortal Kombat 11, The Gunk, Broken Age, and More

We’re closing out the year with more games (please act surprised). It’s been an incredible year for Game Pass and I’d love to hear what your favourite moments were or your favourite Game Pass games you played on Twitter over at @XboxGamePass. For now, let’s seal the deal on 2021 and check what’s coming soon!

Coming Soon

Among Us (Cloud) ID@Xbox – December 15
Coming soon to Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) with Game Pass Ultimate! Play with 4-15 players online or via local Wi-Fi as you attempt to prepare your spaceship for departure. But beware, as one or more random players among the crew are Impostors bent on killing everyone!

Ben 10: Power Trip (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 16
Evil Hex has cursed Europe – and only Ben 10 can stop him! Explore a 3D world filled with combat, puzzles, and secrets as you save the day.

Broken Age (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 16
Broken Age is a family friendly, hand-animated adventure game with an all-star cast, including Elijah Wood, Jack Black, and Masasa Moyo. Funded by a record-breaking crowdfunding campaign and designed by industry legend Tim Schafer, Broken Age is a timeless coming-of-age story.

Firewatch (Cloud, Console, and PC) ID@Xbox – December 16
Firewatch is a single-player, first-person mystery set in the Wyoming wilderness, where your only emotional lifeline is the person on the other end of a handheld radio. Perched high atop a mountain, it’s your job to look for smoke and keep the wilderness safe. You’ll explore a wild and unknown environment, facing questions and making choices that can build or destroy the only meaningful relationship you have.

The Gunk (Cloud, Console, and PC) ID@Xbox – December 16
Available on day one with Xbox Game Pass: The Gunk stars a duo of gritty space haulers, struggling to make a buck as they chance upon an untouched planet brimming with life. They’ve come to gather alien plants and other valuable resources, and it looks like they’ve hit the jackpot. Ultimate members can play The Gunk with Xbox Touch Controls on day one with Cloud Gaming, no controller needed!

Lake (Cloud, Console, and PC) ID@Xbox – December 16
It’s 1986 – Meredith Weiss takes a break from her career in the big city to deliver mail in her hometown. How will she experience two weeks in beautiful Providence Oaks, with its iconic lake and quirky community? And what will she do next? It’s up to you.

Mortal Kombat 11 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 16
Mortal Kombat 11 is the latest installment in the critically acclaimed franchise, providing a deeper and more personalized experience than ever before with an all-new Custom Character Variation System that gives players the creative control to customize versions of the entire character roster. Developed by award-winning NetherRealm Studios, Mortal Kombat 11 introduces a new cinematic story continuing the epic saga that is more than 25 years in the making.

PAW Patrol Mighty Pups Save Adventure Bay (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 16
A fallen meteor has given the pups mighty powers – and left Adventure Bay in a mighty mess. Now, it’s up to you and the Pups to use their powers, rescue skills and gadgets to make the town PAWsome again!

Race With Ryan (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 16
Take the wheel as Ryan and all your favourite Ryan’s World friends, including Combo Panda and Mo! Race your way to the top in Career Mode or speed past your friends in 2 – 4 players split-screen races, the fun keeps coming. Will you be first across the finish line?

Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth (Cloud, Console, and PC) ID@Xbox – December 16
Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth is a 2D action-exploration Metroidvania-style game developed under the close supervision of original creator Ryo Mizuno, depicting the previously unknown story of Deedlit and the events leading up to Record of Lodoss War: Diadem of the Covenant. Both fans of Record of Lodoss War and all-new players alike can fully enjoy this latest installment in the series.

Transformers: Battlegrounds (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 16
With Earth under invasion and Megatron, leader of the Decepticons, close to capturing The Allspark, Bumblebee and the Autobots need a new commander to help them restore peace to the universe – you

PC Game Pass at The Game Awards

If you didn’t catch Melissa McGamePass’ email on Twitter, we had some news drop at The Game Awards last week and shared four new games coming to PC Game Pass on day one! These titles join the already packed lineup of day one games coming to PC like Total War: Warhammer III, Redfall, A Plague Tale: Requiem, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl, and more. Check out the reveal with Dave, GaTa, and 100 Thieves and stay plugged in on Xbox Wire for more updates about these games in the future. For more information, check out The Game Awards recap on Xbox Wire.

Pigeon Simulator (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Play as the world’s most notorious birds and help them in their quests for revenge, love, and world domination. Poop on everyone. Destroy everything. Join the Pigeon Revolution!

Sniper Elite 5 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Yes, Sniper Elite 5 is real, and it’s joining our growing list of games coming on day one with Game Pass. Check out the reveal of Sniper Elite 5 on Xbox Wire!

Trek to Yomi (Cloud, Console, and PC)
As a vow to his dying Master, the young swordsman Hiroki is sworn to protect his town and the people he loves against all threats. Faced with tragedy and bound to duty, the lone samurai must voyage beyond life and death to confront himself and decide his path forward.

Unannounced game from Hugecalf Studios (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Hugecalf Studios unveiled a new game that will be coming on day one to Game Pass. Nothing more to say or see here but be on the lookout for more news from our friends at Hugecalf!

In Case You Missed It

Serious Sam 4 (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) ID@Xbox – Available now
Humanity is under siege as the full force of Mental’s hordes spread across the world, ravaging what remains of a broken and beaten civilization. The last remaining resistance to the invasion is the Earth Defense Force led by Sam “Serious” Stone and his heavily armed squad of misfit commandos. The classic Serious Sam formula is revamped by putting an unstoppable arsenal up against an unimaginable number of enemies.

Townscaper (Cloud, Console, and PC) ID@Xbox – Available now
Build quaint island towns with curvy streets, soaring cathedrals, or sky cities on stilts. Just plenty of building and plenty of beauty. Townscaper is a meditative toy. Pick colours from the palette, plop down coloured houseblocks, and Townscaper will turn those blocks into the ocean-town on your dreams!

DLC / Game Updates

Ark: Survival Evolved – Free Lost Island Map – Available now
Explore the soaring heights and hidden depths of Ark’s newest official community map, featuring three new creatures for you to tame! Lost Island boasts 150 square kilometers of new biomes, new challenges, and mysterious ruins. Discover jungle valleys fed by giant waterfalls, build a treehouse high in the forest canopies, or spelunk uncharted cave systems in search of treasure… There’s something here for everyone!

Minecraft Dungeons: Cloudy Climb (Seasonal Adventures, Season 1) – Available now
Rise to the challenge as Minecraft Dungeons enters its first Seasonal Adventure: Cloudy Climb. Discover an all-new progression system and unlock seasonal rewards through time-limited challenges or investigate the mysterious Tower– a soaring structure that puts your skill to the test. Are you strong enough to reach the top?

The Elder Scrolls Online: New Life Festival Event – Available through January 4
Earn winter-themed rewards by completing daily quests during The Elder Scrolls Online in-game holiday event. Happening December 16th through January 4th.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks

Gear up for the Holidays with Perks from Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, including new content from Rogue Company, Gems of War, Vigor, and Super Animal Royale. Don’t forget to claim all these Perks and more in the Perks gallery on your Xbox console, Xbox App on Windows PCs, and the Xbox Game Pass mobile app.

Halo Infinite Multiplayer: ‘Pass Tense’ MA40 AR Bundle – Available now
Customize your multiplayer arsenal with the exclusive ‘Pass Tense’ MA40 Assault Rifle coating, four 2XP Boosts, and four Challenge Swaps! This Perk requires Halo Infinite Multiplayer to use, available free on Xbox, PC, and with Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Rogue Company – Season Four Perk Pack – December 14
Are you ready to go Rogue in Season Four? Get an Xbox exclusive outfit for Ronin along with 20K Battle Pass XP. Xbox Game Pass members can claim this pack of Rogue Company content for free! This Perk content requires Rogue Company to use.

Gems of War – Borealis Winter Bundle – December 14
Recruit the ice dragon, Borealis, and add the legendary swords, Fire and Ice, to your arsenal this winter. Also receive additional upgrade materials. This Perk content requires Gems of War to use. Unlock your hero’s new freezing powers today!

Vigor: Make it Rain Bundle – December 16
Jump into Vigor and make it rain! Get instant access to a unique uniform and a sling bag, free with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks! Claim your pack today, equip yourself with deadly weapons and head into the Outlands fully armed. This Perk content requires Vigor to use.

Super Animal Royal: Xbox Exclusive Perks Bundle – December 16
Take your animal apparel to the next level with the stylish Green & Black Hoodie. Fight foes with two new rifle skins and the sleek Green Cybersword. This content requires Super Animal Royale to use.

Xbox Touch Controls Coming to 10 More Games

Ultimate members, we’re adding Xbox Touch Controls to 10 more games, nine of which are ready to play from the cloud today! Check out our growing collection of over 100 touch-enabled games with cloud gaming 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 & tablets.

• Astria Ascending
• Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling
• Dicey Dungeons
• Fae Tactics
• I Am Fish
• One Step From Eden
• Ring of Pain
• Sable
• The Gunk – Coming soon

Leaving December 31

The following games are leaving the Game Pass library soon, so be sure to jump back in before they go! As always, remember to use your membership discount to save up to 20% on your purchase to keep these games in your library.

• Pro Evolution Soccer 2021 (Cloud and Console)
• The Little Acre (Cloud and Console)
• Yakuza 0 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Yakuza Kiwami 1 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Yakuza Kiwami 2 (Cloud, Console, and PC)

My brain is struggling to accept the fact that 2022 is right around the corner. While I come to grips with 2022 being a thing, take a moment to follow us on Twitter at @XboxGamePassPC and @XboxGamePass to get a heads up when games are added to the library. Don’t forget to let your friends know they can get 3 months of PC Game Pass for $1 to put more mileage on their mechanical keyboard. See you next year!

Circadian City Reimagines Life with Major Update

ISTANBUL – Dec. 15, 2021 – Circadian City, the 24/7 life sim about building relationships in the day and developing personality in surreal dreams at night from publisher Way Down Deep and developer Nowhere Studios, re-awakens today for its second major update on Windows PC via Steam Early Access. The Circadian City v0.8 update introduces a new biome, questlines, full mouse support alongside player-character archetypes, a social interaction wheel, and more.

Spend each day forming friendships, deepening bonds, and exploring the big city. Build and maintain relationships with fellow residents who share the same passions. Head to the library, join clubs, or pass the hours searching for exciting new opportunities. 

Enter the Dreamworld after a busy day to explore a land filled with mysterious creatures reflecting experiences from the previous day. Equip items unlocked from close relationships during the waking hours and overcome challenges while foraging, growing crafting materials, and building personality traits. The v0.8 update introduces an ice biome with new NPCs, questlines, and ice as a crafting resource. Use ice at the Dreamworld’s new Juice Bar to create stress-reducing smoothies for a delicious — and useful — boost.

Experiment with two new player-character archetypes, The Impatient and The Creative, each with different bonuses and shortcomings. The Impatient benefits from an increased walk speed and doesn’t need to cook food to consume it, but suffers from low concentration when visiting the Dreamworld. Creatives level up more quickly in skills like painting with increased Dreamworld resources to boot, but suffer from a lower motivation and happiness stat.

In addition to the new biome and NPCs, Circadian City’s latest update adds a wealth of UI changes, including mouse support and an interaction wheel. The interaction wheel highlights useable items in a players’ inventory, showing what’s available to use on different machines for a streamlined experience. Also added in v0.8 are NPC pathfinding improvements, and updates to lighting and fog systems.

“The v0.8 update has been a long time coming,” said Burak Tezateser, Founder & Designer, Nowhere Studios. “The update’s UI overhaul, new biome, and other additions are the next step in allowing us to create a breathing and inviting world to explore.”

To learn more, visit the Circadian City website, follow @CircadianCity on Twitter and its official Facebook page.

About Way Down Deep

This boutique Texas publisher aims to bring to life non-violent games set in the real world based on love and life experiences.

About Nowhere Studios

Based out of Istanbul, Nowhere Studios is a diverse team of developers looking to change the world’s perception of games by creating stories conveying positive messages that can bring people together around a peaceful and inclusive culture.

The Hit Open-World RPG Sands of Salzaar Officially Launches on Steam

Brave the depths of the desert and experience new gameplay, revamped systems and more, available for 40% off for a limited time

SHANGHAI — Dec. 16, 2021 — XD and Han-Squirrel Studio have officially released Sands of Salzaar, the open-world indie RPG featuring large- and small-scale real-time strategy action, on Steam. This international hit with “Very Positive” (~87%) ratings since it debuted on Steam Early Access last year is available for $14.99, with a special 40% launch discount for two weeks.

Sands of Salzaar lets you lead mighty armies into epic battles while rising over a fantasy world of sprawling dunes to create your own legend, from lonesome hero to ruthless warlord. The Old Empire has fallen, leaving rival tribes to compete for control of a vast desert kingdom in an engaging story brought to life with unique hand-drawn visuals.

Customize your hero as a warrior, sorcerer, beastmaster and more, then dive into the narrative-driven open world of Story mode and the new free-to-explore Sandbox mode. Meet a variety of characters, trade across borders, unlock unique talents and establish your own city and force… Every playthrough offers new challenges and experiences that reflect the decisions you make.

Sands of Salzaar’sgameplay blends grand battles and strategy across massive sieges, dungeon combat and small-scale battles. Recruit and train your forces with new features like hero-exclusive command skills and a fresh system to upgrade units, then prepare to take down a wide range of AI troops and bosses to acquire new land, resources and even capture legendary beasts.

In addition to declaring war, players can choose to make peace and team up with rival factions utilizing diplomacy tactics. Sands of Salzaar’s1.0 launch adds AI rebellions, tribal titles and a new Favor system between NPCs, making social relations across the land as well as within your own faction more diverse and dynamic. 1.0 also delivers reworkings of character skills and arms units across the board, an all-new UI experience, bonus side quests, mod support and a wide variety of other improvements.

For more from the Sands of Salzaar community, join the discussion on XD’s Discord server.

About XD

XD is a game developer and global publisher. Since founding in 2011, XD has been on a mission to “Impact Each and Every Gamer by Promoting the Spirit of Craftsmanship.” With an extensive portfolio of award-winning indies such as ICEY, To The Moon, Eastward, Human: Fall Flat and Terraria Mobile, and the operation of TapTap — a mobile gaming community and platform celebrated by 70 million registered users — XD is dedicated to the highest content quality in the gaming industry.

Official English Investor Relations Site: ir.xd.com/en

Official English Twitter: https://twitter.com/XD_EN_Official

About Han-Squirrel Studio

Han-Squirrel Studio is a Chinese game developer team devoted to crafting unique games based on ancient martial arts and cultures. Through their ingenuity, many of the team’s titles have received immensely positive reception from Chinese indie RPG lovers and martial arts fans.

Official Site: https://hanjiasongshu.com

PAX East 2022 Badges On Sale Later Today

Join the Game Industry Reunion at PAX’s Return to Boston

Boston — 14 Dec. 2021 — PAX East 2022 badges go on sale later today at 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT, show organizers ReedPop and Penny Arcade announce. The East Coast’s most attended gaming event returns for an in-person show at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC) from Thursday, 21 April 2022 to Sunday, 24 April 2022.

Both single-day badges, for $62, and four-day badges for $235 will be available later today on the PAX East website. PAX East will return with a massive show floor featuring hundreds of publishers, developers, and vendors, to be announced in the coming months leading up to the show.

Additionally, attendees can expect a full weekend of panels, live shows from Penny Arcade, esports competitions in the PAX Arena and concerts featuring video game-inspired music. PAX East will also provide an opportunity for the community to come together with tournaments, tabletop lounges, and freeplay sections featuring PC, console, and retro games.

After canceling 2021’s show for the health and safety of the community, and successfully hosting safe events with Seattle’s PAX West and Philadelphia’s PAX Unplugged, PAX East will require mandatory proof of vaccination and face coverings for all attendees, exhibitors, and guests in the BCEC. Additional health and safety information will be shared on the PAX East website in the leadup to the event.

“With an incredible PAX Unplugged in the rearview, we turn our sights to Boston – wicked Boston, the site of a most powerful ritual,” said Jerry Holkins, co-founder of Penny Arcade and PAX. “After seeing the community safely come together in Seattle and Philadelphia, the stars are right. Rise, PAX East; Rise!”

Four-day PAX East 2022 badges are now on sale for $235, while individual Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday badges will go for $62 each.

Those interested in hosting a panel at PAX East can submit their ideas starting January 3. Media registration opens up today for interested journalists and content creators who wish to cover the show.

For badge purchasing, travel info, event schedules, FAQs, and more, check out the PAX East website, and follow PAX on Twitter, Facebook, Twitch, YouTube, and Instagram.

About PAX

PAX, or Penny Arcade Expo, is a festival for gamers to celebrate gaming culture. First held in Seattle in 2004, PAX has nearly doubled in size each successive year, with PAX Prime 2014 selling out of tickets in a matter of minutes. Connecting the world’s leading game publishers with their most avid and influential fans, PAX expanded with a second show in Boston in 2010, and a third in San Antonio in 2015, making it the three largest gaming shows in North America. The first international PAX was held in Melbourne, Australia in 2013. In 2017, Penny Arcade established PAX Unplugged, its first tabletop focused show, held in Philadelphia.

About ReedPop

ReedPop is a boutique group within Reed Exhibitions – the world’s leading event organizer. Launched in 2006, the group has become the number one producer of pop culture events across the globe as well as a full-service digital content provider and media company. Delivering once-in-a-lifetime fan experiences curated specifically for localized audiences, ReedPop currently features events in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, India, Africa, and Australia, including: New York Comic Con (NYCC), Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2), PAX West, East, South, and Australia, Emerald City Comic Con (ECCC), MCM Comic Con, BookCon, Oz Comic Con, EGX, Comic Con India, Comic Con Paris, Comic Con Seoul, Comic Con Africa, Star Wars Celebration, and ComplexCon. ReedPop also runs and operates Gamer Network and its portfolio of leading gaming websites including Eurogamer, RockPaperShotgun, and GamesIndustry.biz. The staff at ReedPop are a fan-based, globally focused group of professionals that are uniquely qualified to build and serve the communities with whom they share a common passion.

About Penny Arcade

Penny Arcade has been the world’s most popular webcomic for over 20 years, with over 3.5 million readers. Started in 1998 in the living room of Mike Krahulik & Jerry Holkins, it has grown into a media empire encompassing multiple beloved properties such as Lookouts, Automata, and beloved D&D live-play series Acquisitions Incorporated. Penny Arcade was responsible for the creation of Child’s Play, a gaming charity that has raised over $45 million dollars for children across the world. They are also the founders of PAX, the number one consumer gaming festival in North America, with hundreds of thousands of loyal visitors every year.

Asteroids™: Recharged Explodes onto Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, PC, VCS Today

1980’s Arcade Classic Hyperspace Warps into the 21st Century with a Modern Touch

NEW YORK — Dec 14, 2021 — Asteroids: Recharged, the modern co-op revival of the definitive arcade shooter from Atari®, made in collaboration with developers Adamvision Studios and SneakyBox Studios, blasts onto the scene and is now available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and 4, Xbox Series X|S and One, Atari VCS, and PC for Steam and Epic Games Store.

Asteroids: Recharged is the latest Atari title to receive a modern refresh, following behind Centipede: Recharged and Black Widow: Recharged, and preceding 2022’s Breakout: Recharged. Known for its zero-gravity controls and surprise alien invasions, the highly influential 1979 space shooter Asteroids was arguably the original arcade high-score hunting ground, with the first high score leaderboard with the ability to enter one’s initials. 

Return to the roots of 1980’s top-grossing arcade game and Atari 2600 best seller while piloting through giant asteroids. Blast rocks into pieces and take down aliens to earn high scores with just one life on the global leaderboards. Play solo or with a friend in couch co-op, perfect for Steam Remote Play and PlayStation Share Play. Test rock-smashing skills in more than two dozen Challenges introducing tricky scenarios testing even Asteroids masters.

While staying true to the original “thrust forward and shoot” play style, Asteroids: Recharged ups the intensity with new powerups such as Side Shots, Rapid Fire, Mega Lasers, and a handy reflector in case a flying saucer sneaks its way into play. And if space gets too crowded, use the ultimate risk-reward “hyperspace” button to teleport to a random spot on screen.

Asteroids: Recharged doesn’t just stand in the shadow of the past, but defines its own style with new vibrant visuals. Gameplay takes full advantage of modern widescreen displays with support for high refresh rates on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, all complemented by a modern upbeat synthwave soundtrack from award-winning composer Megan McDuffee. 

“The simplicity of Asteroids is what makes it easy to learn, yet difficult to master,” said Wade Rosen, CEO, Atari. “We’re looking forward to bringing the old-school arcade action of the classic to a new audience with Asteroids: Recharged, as well as giving veterans to showcase their skills. It’s just like riding a bike, right?”

Asteroids: Recharged is now available on the Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Steam and Epic Games Store for Windows PC, and the Atari VCS for $9.99. The Atari VCS versions each feature exclusive content and are optimized to work with the new Atari Wireless Classic Joystick. 

Asteroids: Recharged supports English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Korean, and simplified and traditional Chinese language text.

For more information onAtari, please visit their official website, follow @Atari on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

About Atari

Atari is an interactive entertainment company. As an iconic brand that transcends generations and audiences, the company is globally recognized for its multi-platform, interactive entertainment and licensed products. Atari owns and/or manages a portfolio of more than 200 games and franchises, including world-renowned brands like Asteroids®, Black Widow™, Breakout®, Centipede®, Missile Command®, Pong®, and RollerCoaster Tycoon®. Atari has offices in New York and Paris. Visit us online at www.Atari.com. ©2021 Atari Interactive, Inc. All rights reserved. Atari wordmark and logo are trademarks owned by Atari Interactive, Inc.

To stay up-to-date on all things Atari and retro-pop-culture, follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Google Play is a trademark of Google LLC.

About Adamvision Studios

Adamvision Studios is a one-person development studio owned by Adam Nickerson and based in British Columbia, Canada. Adamvision Studios has created arcade hits like Bit Blaster, Ding Dong XL, Orbt XL, and Atari’s Missile Command: Recharged. Adamvision Studios’ games have been featured on Apple’s App Store ‘App of the Day’, Google Play’s ‘Indie Corner’, as well as the front page of Steam and top-selling charts on Nintendo Switch. Learn more at www.AdamvisionStudios.com.

About SneakyBox

SneakyBox is a development studio focusing on games, VR/AR products, and interactive engineering solutions. Since 2012 the company has been steadily growing and gaining expert knowledge in various scale and type projects: in-house games production, full game development services, including porting to all major platforms, virtual and augmented reality experiences, and interactive solutions for complex engineering projects. SneakyBox currently has more than 40 people working on various different projects. More information about the studio at http://sneakybox-studios.com.