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MARVEL’S AVENGERS UPDATE ADDS NEW KLAW RAID AND PLAYSTATION-EXCLUSIVE HERO SPIDER-MAN ON NOVEMBER 30th

Philip Federico
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Free Update for Owners of Marvel’s Avengers Also Brings Increase to Power-Level Cap and New Shipments System

London, UK (November 4, 2021) – Today, SQUARE ENIX LTD. announced that Marvel’s Avengers patch 2.2 will launch on November 30th, bringing with it an entirely new four-player Raid to take on the villain Klaw as well as a new Hero exclusive to PlayStation, Spider-Man.
 
In addition to the Raid and Hero, the update brings with it several new and improved systems, including:
 

  • Shipments – The Shipments feature provides an entirely new path to earn coveted cosmetics, resources, and other items strictly through gameplay, a highly requested option from the Marvel’s Avengers community. Each Shipment costs 500 Units (the currency earned while playing the game) and pulls from a collection of nearly 250 possible items, with a small chance of rewarding a premium Outfit unavailable via any other means of acquisition. But luck isn’t required to get the Outfit; players will automatically receive it after claiming 100 Shipments.
  • Power-Level Increase – The maximum Power Level achievable will increase from 150 to 175. Acquiring the best gear requires players to complete the game’s toughest challenge: the new four-player Klaw Raid: Discordant Sound.
  • Gear Upgrading – Players will be able to recycle gear of a higher power level to upgrade their current gear to match the higher-power level of the consumed item, with few exceptions.

The November 30th update adds to a game already packed with content, bringing new features and continuing the game’s story through the ongoing Avengers Initiative. Marvel’s Avengers now offers several campaigns, nine playable heroes (ten on PlayStation platforms), and endless multiplayer co-op action for up to four players.

About the New Raid: Discordant Sound
Raids in Marvel’s Avengers are one of the truest tests of end-game teamwork. They require advanced tactics and the full cooperation of a four-player team equipped with the highest-end gear.

Following the events of the War for Wakanda Expansion, the sonic monster Klaw has returned to the Vibranium Mound to destroy Wakanda. Black Panther and the Avengers must stop him before he can succeed!

About Spider-Man and the With Great Power Hero Event
The legendary web slinger Spider-Man will come exclusively to PlayStation players in the November 30th update along with the Spider-Man: With Great Power Hero Event. Spider-Man’s high-flying acrobatics bring an entirely new way to experience the game either solo or with friends, and his unique movement and combat abilities are sure to be a great addition to any Strike Team taking on missions in the Avengers Initiative.

Players will experience Spider-Man’s story through unlockable challenges woven throughout the Avengers Initiative. Peter Parker learns of a deadly new threat and must partner with the Avengers to stop AIM from acquiring technology that could make their synthoid army unstoppable. Insistent on keeping his identity hidden, Parker forms a tentative friendship with Ms. Marvel and Black Widow and must struggle with the new dynamics of working with a team. Will he join up full time with the Avengers, or stay independent in his fight against AIM?

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

Marvel’s Avengers continues to expand over time with the addition of new features, mission types, regions, items, and more delivered to players at no additional cost for players who own the core game.

Marvel’s Avengers is currently available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Game Pass, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam, and Stadia and is rated PEGI 16.

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

Related Links
Official Homepage: www.playavengers.com
Official Twitter: @PlayAvengers
Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlayAvengersGame/
Official YouTube: http://youtube.com/PlayAvengers
#PlayAvengers #Reassemble #EmbraceYourPowers

About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media. For more information visit marvel.com. © 2021 MARVEL

About Crystal Dynamics
Crystal Dynamics® has developed and published more than 30 award-winning titles during its 29-year adventure. Some of the company’s beloved franchises include Gex®, Legacy of Kain® and most recently, TOMB RAIDER® which has sold more than 85 million copies worldwide. With over 20 video game titles released and hundreds of awards, the heroine Lara Croft® has been a cultural icon for more than 25 years and has made an indelible mark on virtually every facet of entertainment. In addition to their headquarters in Redwood City, CA, Crystal Dynamics has two additional studios: Crystal Northwest™ in Bellevue, WA, and Crystal Southwest™ in Austin, TX.

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

About Eidos-Montréal
Established in 2007, Eidos-Montréal™ is a premiere developer of interactive entertainment based on new intellectual properties and beloved franchises including the acclaimed Tomb Raider® and Deus Ex® series. Renowned as master storytellers, the studio builds immersive worlds and adventures that create lasting memories for players across the globe. Eidos-Montréal crafts its multiple interactive projects with close-knit teams in a hybrid work environment, keeping their focus on creativity and technological innovation.
Eidos-Montréal and its network of studios, Eidos-Sherbrooke™ and Eidos-Shanghai™, are part of the Square Enix® group of companies. More information on Eidos-Montréal can be found at https://eidosmontreal.com.

About Square Enix Ltd.
Square Enix Ltd. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX®, EIDOS® and TAITO® branded entertainment content in Europe and other PAL territories as part of the Square Enix group of companies. Square Enix Ltd. also has a global network of leading development studios such as Crystal Dynamics® and Eidos Montréal®. The Square Enix group of companies boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 164 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 83 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 85 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix Ltd. is a London-based, wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.

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

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Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water Review

Travis Bruno
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Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water Review

Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water

Developer: Koei Tecmo
Publisher: Koei Tecmo
Platforms: Xbox Series X (Reviewed), Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC, Switch
Release Date: Available Now
Price: $39.99 – Available Here

Overview

Of the many classic video game horror series, Fatal Frame has been the quietest in recent years with its most recent entry arriving seven years ago on a platform that ultimately didn’t pan out too well and the one before that never even seeing Western shores. With so few horror fans actually having a chance to see what Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water had to offer, Koei Tecmo is celebrating the series’ twentieth anniversary with an enhanced release of the game on the current generation of consoles. So now that this previous Wii U exclusive is available on multiple platforms, is this horror game worth revisiting?

Story

Based around the fictional setting of Mt. Hikami, Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water focuses on the journey of three characters who must uncover the mysteries that surround the mountain which is obviously based around Japan’s infamous Aokigahara forest. The mountain was once host to a sect of famous shrine maidens but has since become an accursed place that draws in those who wish to take their own lives and even force those who venture into the mountain to meet their end should they try and resist.

The three playable characters this time around are Yuri Kozukata, Miu Hinasaki and Ren Hojo, with Yuri being the default main character and the other two’s storylines revolving around her. Each of their stories are intertwined as they find themselves drawn to Mt. Hikami’s horrific past in some form and it is up to the player to help uncover why exactly they are drawn to this place and possibly save their lives in the process. Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water finds itself in a rather odd place where the concept of a haunted suicide mountain is makes for an interesting premise, especially one that involves eliminating ghosts with a special camera, and has an interesting enough reason for the cast of characters to risk their lives, but still falls rather flat in the end.

Whereas the setting and surrounding story are fleshed out through collectible text that players can uncover, as well as through “Fatal Glances” from certain defeated ghosts that can be missed entirely and there are a couple of different endings for each character, the problem with Maiden of Black Water is two-fold. The writing of the storylines themselves are not only fairly predictable partway through the game but the storylines themselves aren’t entirely special, especially in regards to the Fatal Frame series as a whole. 

To make matters worse, the line delivery of the characters is flat out terrible with nearly every dramatic scene featuring the most wooden acting imaginable. This leads to a storyline that, while unique enough in its own right as stories like this are rarely seen in Western horror, doesn’t live up to its potential despite offering plenty of tension and more than a few scares through most of the game.

Gameplay

The key element that sets Fatal Frame apart from every other horror game is the camera based combat system and that remains as core of an aspect in Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water as ever. Every playable character in the game will have their own “Camera Obscura” that is capable of not only taking pictures of various ghastly ghosts, malicious spirits, and lingering souls but also bringing vanished items back to reality from time to time. 

With the Wii U version in the rear-view mirror the Xbox version of the game instead focuses on using the shoulder buttons to rotate the camera’s viewfinder to best target a ghost’s various weak spots or group multiple enemies together for the best possible shot. These photos are handled incredibly well with players being able to use a variety of different film types to deal extra damage or reload quicker and even utilize spiritual energy to trigger special “shots” that can stun ghosts, heal the player, deal extra damage, and more. Whenever a ghost is attempting to attack the player they can trigger a “Fatal Frame” dealing massive damage and providing them with a short window of rapid shots or simply dodge out of the way though the dodge mechanic is a bit rough.

One thing that is worth mentioning is that outside of actually taking on ghosts, almost everything in Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water is fairly slow by nature. All three characters have a slow walking speed and an only slightly faster jog. While this slow speed is intentional as many locations are fairly small and the developers likely didn’t want players to run past a jump scare or enemy encounter, the fact that even item pickups suffer from being incredibly slow is more than a bit annoying. Once again, this is an intentional design as players need to keep an eye out for phantasmal hands that can grab and damage a character trying to pick up an item but after dealing with hundreds of items over the course of the game, these simply became more frustrating than actually scary.

As players take down ghosts with their camera and take snapshots of supernatural events they will earn points that can, in turn, be used to purchase consumable items, upgrades to the camera that will improve its damage, range, reload time, and spiritual absorption, and of course costumes and accessories. Given the wide range of upgrades available and the fact that levels are given a letter grade, players are encouraged to play through a previous stage multiple times though whether they will actually want to do this is questionable.

This is primarily due to the fact that quite a few areas in Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water are re-used excessively. While it is understandable that a certain home location is often revisited, the fourth time players travel the same exact paths, often finding items in the same exact locations, can become rather annoying. Even adding a number of new ghosts or encounters in these repetitive areas does little other than prove just how much of a slog some of these levels can be when bogged down with extra ghost encounters.

Newly added to Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water is a special Snap Mode that allows players to create their own little dioramas using the in-game environment as well as any number of character and enemy models that they wish. This Snap Mode is rather in-depth and can be fun to use considering the ridiculous designs that players can put together but don’t expect too much else in the form of new content from the original version outside of some replaced costumes.

Visuals & Audio

With Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water making the jump to modern platforms the title has seen a fairly solid boost to its character models and the impressive designs of the various ghosts that they will encounter, though little has been done to make characters’ face models have any changing expressions from scene to scene. The best improvements come with the way the environments now feel more foreboding and moodier than before, really helping set the stage for the various frights that will happen as players travel through each level. Of course, being a Fatal Frame game, the fan service remains at a fairly high level with players being able to unlock a variety of skimpy costumes that all can become see-through depending on how wet a character gets while exploring the damp mountainside. 

Earlier it was mentioned that part of the problem with Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water‘s storyline was the incredibly poor voice acting that every character in the game has been given and unfortunately that remains true regardless of whether players choose to use either the English dub or the original Japanese voice track. Even the ghostly wails of defeated ghosts quickly become repetitive in nature and don’t even appear to match half of the time. The soundtrack thankfully is fittingly spooky and the atmospheric sounds of the game really help add some extra tension to exploring each stage.

Overall

The revival of Fatal Frame is a welcome one as its unique style of gameplay and different approach to horror has always made it stand apart from other games in the genre. Unfortunately its solid camera based action is hindered by an underutilized storyline and incredibly repetitive environments that even plenty of fan-service can’t help. 

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

Moonglow Bay Review

Jamie Laike Tsui
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Moonglow Bay Review

Moonglow Bay

Developer: Bunnyhug
Publisher: Coatsink
Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC (Reviewed)
Release Date: 26 October 2021
Price:  $24.99 USD/$35.95 AUD – Available Here

Video Review

Overview

Moonglow Bay is a casual fishing, cooking, and life sim from indie developer Bunnyhug. The game follows the player’s journey to save a town that is steps away from death. To bring the town back to its former glory, player will cook delicious meals to sell at the local vending machines using fish they catch from the local waters to entice people back into Moonglow Bay.

Story

Moonglow Bay is set in Eastern Canada in the 1980s, just days after our hero’s missing partner is declared legally dead. Their adult daughter returns home to help her parent through their grief. This is a huge unexplored potential for emotional depth in Moonglow Bay. It would have been nice for the writers to work through the journey of grief beyond a quick clean up and rebuilding life.

Getting to know the townsfolk is a big part of Moonglow Bay’s gameplay mechanics. Creating compelling dialogue is vital to keep players engaged. The writers do a good job, though more content would have been nice. Players will have long term interaction with both major and minor NPCs. Minor characters will provide fish names to add to the player’s journal. Major NPCs will share their stories and help drive the narrative forward. It’s just a disappointment that there is only enough content for several days as a longer-term relationships would have filled out the game.

Gameplay

Moonglow Bay is a casual game that mixes Harvest Moon and its descendants, Overcooked, and the River King franchise. The core gameplay loop is going to sea to gather seafood, bring the catch to the kitchen to prepare food, and selling the food in the local vending machines. It’s a slow-paced game that’s perfect for relaxing.

The fishing mechanics is on the simple side, more along the lines of an arcade fishing game than a full-blown sim. The upgrade system isn’t a true upgrade system, but rather offers new equipment designed to compliment a player’s fishing style. Bunnyhug makes a smart decision to augment the fishing by offering players more way to catch seafood with nets and lobster traps. There is a large variety of fish to catch. It’s nice to see the game encouraging players to be more conscious about their fishing by requiring players to use different combinations of equipment and locations to catch them all.

Sailing is a pleasant experience. Like the rest of the game, the ship controls are perfect for a casual game. The ship can turn on a dime, allowing players to get the perfect position to pull up to pools of fish without spooking them away. The game does have some wind that affects the boat’s handling. It tends to be pretty mild. It’s designed to help players move faster towards a direction than an actual danger that would push boats into deathly hazards.

 Complimenting the large number of seafood is the number of recipes in the game. I really like the attention to detail, as many recipes follow roughly the same steps to cook the actual dish. The actual cooking involves small skill based minigames. Each cooking action will always use the same minigame, like the Overcooked series. If a player fails a minigame, it will impact the value of the dish. The penalty for a less than perfect dish isn’t very punishing, which helps the relaxed, casual pace of the game.

Moonglow Bay’s biggest problem are the endless quality of life issues. The game is buggy. Some of them range to mild annoyances, like nets getting caught on edges, to more serious game breaking bugs that requires a save and a load to at least partially undo the damage.

The save system is the biggest problem. To start with, there is no auto-save which is unacceptable considering a player must sleep after certain number of hours. It’s incredibly easy to forget to save manually considering how quicky a player can get caught up between fishing and cooking.

The map is awkward to use. There are no clear objective markers to tell player what quest objective is at that location. To get any further information, players need to back out of the map, open the system menu, and flip to a new tab to get to the quest log. The fact the quest log is tucked behind the system menu makes the whole experience all the weirder. A more logical approach would be to separate the system menu on its own, group all the in-game journals together, and better integrate the map and quest log so entries will link to each other.

The quest log could have more information. While errands and main quests are tracked, there are a lot of minor NPCs who will request specific dishes one time. I ended up having to jot down the name, description, and the requested dish on a separate piece of paper just to know what to cook and who to give it to.

Movement on the map is a bit tricky. There are very strict places on the map where players can move from one elevation to the other. It forces players to do some long, unnecessary detours. The most frustrating parts of the map are the areas connecting the beach to other locations. Some areas are short enough to cross, while others are too high to traverse even though it visually looks only slightly higher.

Visuals

Moonglow Bay has a pleasant voxel style. The colours are bright and joyful, matching the game’s tone well. I like how the art team differentiated major and minor NPCs based on the level of complexity of the character; however, the art team would have benefited by putting the same level of effort into the different areas on the map. The zones in the ice and regular biomes are practically indistinguishable.

Audio

The audio also does a great job contributing to Moonglow Bay’s relaxed pace. The music is mostly a calm, almost meditative experience with its subtle ambient music. The sound effects are simple, but effective. The cooking sound effects are good, but I would have preferred to see a few more ambient noises of the kitchen as it gets a bit too quiet at times.

Overall

Moonglow Bay fills an empty niche in the casual life sim genre overflowing with farming games. The gameplay loop is addictive; I found myself booting up and soon discovering a few hours had passed. On the other hand, the poor quality of life issues hamstrings the game. Most of the issues can be solved with some time, but I think Moonglow Bay could have benefited from a short stint in an early access program or a closed beta. In its current state, Moonglow Bay is a good game, but more testing before launch could have turned it into a great game. Now, we just wait to see if the developers are able and willing to spend the resources to polish Moonglow Bay to a shine.

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

Heist Month in GTA Online: Double Rewards on all Original Heists, GTA$500K Bonus, and More

Philip Federico
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Heist Month Kicks Off with Double Rewards on all Five Original Heists – Plus, Go-Karts Land in the Race Creator, Motor Wars Returns, Bonuses on Auto Shop Deliveries, and More

It’s the perfect time of year to plot, scheme, and knock over a high-value target for double payouts. The next four weeks mark a celebration of GTA Online’s Heists, kicking off with the scores that started it all.

Visit the Planning Board in your High-End Apartment to get cracking. Everyone will earn Double Rewards on the entire original crop of Heists released in GTA Online — The Fleeca Job, Prison Break, Humane Labs Raid, Series A Funding, and The Pacific Standard Job.

In addition to bolstered payouts, completing all the Heist Finales for Prison Break, Humane Labs Raid, Series A Funding, and The Pacific Standard Job this week will get you an additional lump-sum payment of GTA$500K, deposited to your Maze Bank account by November 14.

Those who complete The Fleeca Job will net the Fleeca Circuit livery for the Übermacht Cypher within 72 hours of login after November 15 — more on how you can get your hands on that ride below.

The Dinka Veto Classic and Modern Now Available in the Race Creator

Have you been itching for a way to make racing in Los Santos even more dangerous and less regulated? The Race Creator now allows you to build, test, and publish your own Jobs using the miniscule Dinka Veto Classic and Modern go-karts.

Make your wildest karting dreams a reality by crafting a tight circuit weaving through the streets of Downtown Los Santos, masterminding a sprawling multi-terrain experience through the Tataviam Mountains or whatever else your twisted mind can conjure.

Motor Wars, Drop Zone, Entourage, and Special Vehicle Races Return

Suit up and get ready for a hot drop as Motor Wars returns to the fray in GTA Online, paying out Double GTA$ and RP. Parachute out of a hovering chopper and scramble for weaponry; you’ll be landing with little else but the ‘chute on your back and the bare essentials. Pick your landing wisely and then make for high ground, duck behind cover, and fire at will.

Also returning this week — clamber into the Drop Zone and defend it for your life, safely escort (or execute) a vulnerable Target in Entourage, and take from the track to the skies in Deluxo Special Vehicle Races.

2X GTA$ on Auto Shop Client Jobs and Exotic Exports

It’s important to maintain a legitimate front. Take your Auto Shop for example: don’t get so caught up taking down The Union Depository that you forget to check in on new Auto Shop Deliveries and Exotic Exports.

Both are paying out double the usual GTA$, so make sure to shift the right vehicles from A to B in as pristine a condition as possible.

Free Karin Tee for All GTA Online Players

If you’re the type to salivate over catalogues of retro Japanese hatchbacks, you’ll be pleased to hear that all GTA Online players this week will receive the Karin Tee, free of charge.

This Week’s LS Car Meet Prize Ride, Test Track, and Podium Vehicles

LS Car Meet members who manage to place in the Top 4 in an LS Car Meet Series Race for 6 days in a row will earn themselves an Übermacht Cypher to spiff up as they see fit.

If all that talk about cars has you reaching for your iFruit to peruse the latest models on the market, try out the Annis ZR350, Karin Futo GTX, and Karin Previon on the Car Meet’s Test Track. See how the cars handle on their own or you can test their specs out in a friendly Scramble or a Time Trial.

Plus, head over to The Diamond Casino & Resort to give the Lucky Wheel a spin. You’re more than likely to walk away with GTA$, RP, clothing, snacks, or even a mystery prize. This week’s big winners receive a new Lampadati Casco, an automotive throwback to a bygone era of engineering. Ask any warm-blooded Italian about the Casco and they’re liable to start throwing all sorts of complex hand gestures at you over an evening time espresso doppio.

Discounts:

Don’t be afraid of the dark — visit Ammu-Nation to pick up a pair of Night Vision Goggles or try on the Night Vision Masks available at Vespucci Movie Masks, both free this week.

Get involved in this week’s Heists bonuses by investing in your real-estate portfolio: both High-End Apartments and their Renovations and Modifications are 40% off.

You’ll need to stock up before you take down any of the Heist targets, that’s why Body Armor is 50% off and all Weapons are 30% off at all Ammu-Nation locations. In addition to the protection and firepower, there are a range of discounted vehicles and aircraft, including the armored Karin Kuruma, available on sale this week. See below for the complete list.

Vehicles:

  • Mammoth Hydra – 40% off
  • Buckingham Valkyrie – 40% off
  • Savage – 40% off
  • HVY Insurgent Pick-up – 40% off
  • HVY Insurgent – 40% off
  • JoBuilt Velum 5-Seater – 40% off
  • Karin Technical – 40% off
  • Karin Kuruma (Armored) – 40% off

PRIME GAMING BONUSES AND BENEFITS

GTA Online players who successfully connect their Rockstar Games Social Club account with Prime Gaming will get GTA$100K just for playing anytime this week.

Prime Gaming members can receive the LCC Sanctus for free by visiting the Southern San Andreas Super Autos site. Plus, take advantage of exclusive discounts, including 70% off the Western Company Besra and Truffade Z-Type through November 17.

To ensure access to future benefits, make sure to visit Prime Gaming and sign up.

Check Rockstar Support for details and limitations.

TUNE IN NOVEMBER 8 FOR TOM CLANCY’S RAINBOW SIX SWEDEN MAJOR

Philip Federico
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The Six Sweden Major brings together 16 of the world’s best teams across Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia-Pacific

SYNDEY, AUSTRALIA — November 5, 2021 — Today, Ubisoft announced that Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Sweden Major will take place from November 8 to November 14, 2021, at Gasklockorna in Gävle, Sweden. The best teams from all four Rainbow Six Esports regional leagues will compete in a LAN environment for the title, and a final chance to earn points in the Global Standings in the race towards a qualification at the Six Invitational 2022.

With the health and safety of our pro players, fans, staff, and partners as our first priority, the event will be organised following strict sanitary measures and will not be open to any on-site audience.  

Following an action-packed Group Stage phase running from November 8 to 10, the top eight teams will then face off during the Playoffs from November 12 to 13, with the best 2 teams reaching the Grand Final on November 14.

  • November 8 – 10: Group Stage
  • November 12 – 13: Playoffs
  • November 14: Grand Final

Hosted by Ghassan ‘Milosh’ Finge alongside a slew of talented casters and analysts including Tim ‘AceOfPyrite’ Leaver and Parker ‘Interro’ MacKay, the Sweden Major will also welcome some of the key personalities of Rainbow Six Siege to its talent crew for the event, such as two-time Six Invitational winner Niclas ‘Pengu’ Mouritzen.

The competition will feature the following 16 teams:

From the Asia-Pacific League:

  • SANDBOX GAMING
  • Invictus Gaming International
  • Chiefs Esports Club
  • DWG KIA

From the European League:

  • Team BDS
  • Team Empire
  • Team Vitality
  • Rogue

From the Latin-American League:

  • FURIA Esports
  • Team oNe Esports
  • FaZe Clan
  • Ninjas in Pyjamas

From the North American League:

  • Spacestation Gaming
  • Oxygen Esports
  • Susquehanna Soniqs
  • DarkZero Esports

More details about the Six Sweden Major such as competitive format details, schedules, participating teams, health and safety measures, Twitch Drops and more, are available in the Event Guide:  https://rainbow6.com/SwedenMajor2021

For more information about Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Esports, please visit http://www.rainbow6.com/esports and follow us at https://twitter.com/R6esports and https://instagram.com/R6esports.

About the Rainbow Six Esports Global Program
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege’s Esports includes 4 main regions, Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. All four regions run in parallel their own dedicated regional leagues, all feeding into one unique and global race towards a qualification for the Six Invitational, the pinnacle of the Rainbow Six Siege competitive year. As teams across the four regions face off in regional and global competitions, featuring 3 Majors and regional leagues, they will be ranked based on an in-depth point system that rewards sustained performance. Each competitive Season runs for nearly a year, from March through the following February. Each Season will be divided into 4 quarters. The first three quarters correspond to the 3 “Stages” of the regional leagues and conclude with a Six Major bringing together 16 of the world’s best teams – four per region across the four regions. Each stage awards prize money and points for the Global Standings. The Global Standings determine the sixteen teams earning a spot to the annual Six Invitational. Following the 3 stages, the last quarter of the season will be dedicated to regional finals and relegations. The season will then conclude with the Six Invitational that will crown the world’s best team. Four additional teams will also have a chance to qualify for the Six Invitational through Regional Open Qualifiers, making the Six invitational a 20-team competition.

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, mobile phones, tablets and PCs. For the 2020-21 fiscal year, Ubisoft generated net bookings of €2,241 million. To learn more, please visit: http://www.ubisoftgroup.com. 

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

MARVEL’S AVENGERS UPDATE ADDS NEW KLAW RAID AND PLAYSTATION-EXCLUSIVE HERO SPIDER-MAN ON NOVEMBER 30th ​​​​​​​

Philip Federico
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Free Update for Owners of Marvel’s Avengers Also Brings Increase to Power-Level Cap and New Shipments System

SYDNEY (November 5, 2021) – Today, SQUARE ENIX® announced that Marvel’s Avengers patch 2.2 will launch on November 30th, bringing with it an entirely new four-player Raid to take on the villain Klaw as well as a new Hero exclusive to PlayStation, Spider-Man.
 
In addition to the Raid and Hero, the update brings with it several new and improved systems, including:

  • Shipments – The Shipments feature provides an entirely new path to earn coveted cosmetics, resources, and other items strictly through gameplay, a highly requested option from the Marvel’s Avengers community. Each Shipment costs 500 Units (the currency earned while playing the game) and pulls from a collection of nearly 250 possible items, with a small chance of rewarding a premium Outfit unavailable via any other means of acquisition. But luck isn’t required to get the Outfit; players will automatically receive it after claiming 100 Shipments.
  • Power-Level Increase – The maximum Power Level achievable will increase from 150 to 175. Acquiring the best gear requires players to complete the game’s toughest challenge: the new four-player Klaw Raid: Discordant Sound.
  • Gear Upgrading – Players will be able to recycle gear of a higher power level to upgrade their current gear to match the higher-power level of the consumed item, with few exceptions.

 
The November 30th update adds to a game already packed with content, bringing new features and continuing the game’s story through the ongoing Avengers Initiative. Marvel’s Avengers now offers several campaigns, nine playable heroes (ten on PlayStation platforms), and endless multiplayer co-op action for up to four players.
 
About the New Raid: Discordant Sound
Raids in Marvel’s Avengers are one of the truest tests of end-game teamwork. They require advanced tactics and the full cooperation of a four-player team equipped with the highest-end gear.
 
Following the events of the War for Wakanda Expansion, the sonic monster Klaw has returned to the Vibranium Mound to destroy Wakanda. Black Panther and the Avengers must stop him before he can succeed!
 
About Spider-Man and the With Great Power Hero Event
The legendary web slinger Spider-Man will come exclusively to PlayStation players in the November 30th update along with the Spider-Man: With Great Power Hero Event. Spider-Man’s high-flying acrobatics bring an entirely new way to experience the game either solo or with friends, and his unique movement and combat abilities are sure to be a great addition to any Strike Team taking on missions in the Avengers Initiative.
 
Players will experience Spider-Man’s story through unlockable challenges woven throughout the Avengers Initiative. Peter Parker learns of a deadly new threat and must partner with the Avengers to stop AIM from acquiring technology that could make their synthoid army unstoppable. Insistent on keeping his identity hidden, Parker forms a tentative friendship with Ms. Marvel and Black Widow and must struggle with the new dynamics of working with a team. Will he join up full time with the Avengers, or stay independent in his fight against AIM?
 
About Marvel’s Avengers
Marvel’s Avengers offers players a truly rich experience and combines the single player focused Reassemble story campaign with the ongoing Avengers Initiative’s missions, which take the Avengers around the world and beyond. Each mission in the Reassemble campaign is designed to showcase one or more hero’s unique abilities, while the Avengers Initiative missions can be played solo with your own custom AI team or with a group of up to four players* as any Hero in the player’s roster.
 
Marvel’s Avengers continues to expand over time with the addition of new features, mission types, regions, items, and more delivered to players at no additional cost for players who own the core game.

Marvel’s Avengers is currently available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Game Pass, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam, and Stadia.
 
*Internet connection required. Your platform’s online multiplayer requirements will apply.

Related Links
Official Homepage: www.playavengers.com
Official Twitter: @PlayAvengers
Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlayAvengersGame/
Official YouTube: http://youtube.com/PlayAvengers
#PlayAvengers #Reassemble #EmbraceYourPowers

About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media. For more information visit marvel.com. © 2021 MARVEL

About Crystal Dynamics
Crystal Dynamics® has developed and published more than 30 award-winning titles during its 29-year adventure. Some of the company’s beloved franchises include Gex®, Legacy of Kain® and most recently, TOMB RAIDER® which has sold more than 85 million copies worldwide. With over 20 video game titles released and hundreds of awards, the heroine Lara Croft® has been a cultural icon for more than 25 years and has made an indelible mark on virtually every facet of entertainment. In addition to their headquarters in Redwood City, CA, Crystal Dynamics has two additional studios: Crystal Northwest™ in Bellevue, WA, and Crystal Southwest™ in Austin, TX.
 
For more information on Crystal Dynamics, please visit http://www.crystald.com/, their Twitter account, Facebook page, or their LinkedIn page.

About Eidos-Montréal
Established in 2007, Eidos-Montréal™ is a premiere developer of interactive entertainment based on new intellectual properties and beloved franchises including the acclaimed Tomb Raider® and Deus Ex® series. Renowned as master storytellers, the studio builds immersive worlds and adventures that create lasting memories for players across the globe. Eidos-Montréal crafts its multiple interactive projects with close-knit teams in a hybrid work environment, keeping their focus on creativity and technological innovation.
Eidos-Montréal and its network of studios, Eidos-Sherbrooke™ and Eidos-Shanghai™, are part of the Square Enix® group of companies. More information on Eidos-Montréal can be found at https://eidosmontreal.com.

About Square Enix, Inc.
Square Enix, Inc. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX®, EIDOS® and TAITO® branded entertainment content throughout the Americas as part of the Square Enix group of companies. Square Enix, Inc. is affiliated with a global network of leading development studios such as Crystal Dynamics® and Eidos Montréal™. The Square Enix group of companies boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 164 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 83 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 85 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix, Inc. is a U.S.-based, wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.
More information on Square Enix, Inc. can be found at https://square-enix-games.comDeveloped by Crystal Dynamics and Eidos Montréal. Development support provided by Nixxes. All rights reserved.

CRYSTAL DYNAMICS, the CRYSTAL DYNAMICS logo, CRYSTAL NORTHWEST, CRYSTAL SOUTHWEST, EIDOS, EIDOS-MONTRÉAL and the EIDOS-MONTRÉAL logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Square Enix Limited. SQUARE ENIX and the SQUARE ENIX logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. DEUS EX, DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION, DEUS EX: MANKIND DIVIDED, DRAGON QUEST, FINAL FANTASY, GEX, LARA CROFT, LEGACY OF KAIN, SPACE INVADERS, TAITO, THIEF, and TOMB RAIDER are registered trademarks or trademarks of the Square Enix group of companies. Nixxes and the Nixxes logo are trademarks of Nixxes Software BV. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. STEELBOOK is a trademark of Glud & Marstrand and is marketed globally by Scanavo.

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AR BATTLE GAME APP THE MONKEY KING: THE ADVENTURE BEGINS INSPIRED BY POPULAR CHINESE TALE NOWAVAILABLE IN AUSTRAILIA AND NEW ZEALAND

Philip Federico
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The Monkey King: The Adventure Begins introduces a modern twist on the classic Chinese legend with a first-of-its-kind augmented reality battle game, arriving globally this month

LOS ANGELES – Nov. 4, 2021 –The Monkey King: The Adventure Begins, an immersive and thrilling 3-D AR battle-adventure experience is officially available on iOS and Android devices in Australia and New Zealand. This first-of-its-kind mobile game is inspired by the classic Chinese tale, “Journey to The West,” which has spurred on countless novels, movie franchises, games and television series.

The team behind The Monkey King: The Adventure Begins produced the film “The Monkey King: Havoc in Heaven’s Palace,” which developed a fervent global following on Netflix. With the “Silver Edition,” the first of three installments to come, mobile and tablet users will engage in fearsome bloodless battles as they embark on a perilous quest to the legendary Five Finger Mountain.

The app’s immersive 360º 3-D AR mode includes several interactive features, including image recognition technology, allowing players to bring their fighters to life on any flat surface in their real-world environment. For on-the-go enjoyment, players can also experience The Monkey King: The Adventure Begins’ standard mode, which includes all the exciting content of the AR mode in a single-view 3-D format. With both versions, players can expect fast-paced action, four free-to-play levels and the choice to play as one of the four warriors from the classic tale: The Monkey King, Jade Emperor, Buffalo King and Rock Monster.

From producers Michael Wehrhahn and Robert Harris from MK Games, LLC, The Monkey King: The Adventure Begins is entering markets in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore today leading into its global release on Nov. 22. Fans can stay up to date on the latest The Monkey King: The Adventure Begins news on the official website.

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Red Solstice 2: Survivors Amps Up the War For Mars With Premium DLC Today on Steam

Philip Federico
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0

CALABASAS, Calif. – 4 November, 2021 – Red Solstice 2: Survivors, the sequel to the 2015 best-selling squad-based real-time tactical strategy RPG developed by Ironward and published by 505 Games, unleashes a new story campaign, pilotable destructive Exoskeletons, and gameplay mechanics in the Howell-Barrex Inc. paid DLC and Season Pass launching today.

The fall of Elysium Corporation created a power vacuum Howell-Barrex Inc. was happy to wield to its advantage. As the Strike Commander, follow the story of Edward Howell, General Barrex, and the IRON HAWKS in their campaign to fend off the STROL mutants invading Mars. Reign victorious solo or with up to seven friends wielding devastating new armaments across 11 new story missions, 28 side missions, and eight new maps.

Become a walking tank with the Universal Bipedal Armoured System (UBAS) Exoskeleton. Combine the UBAS with the new Engineer suit capable of bunkering up and creating new tactical options to transform into a harbinger of death. Upgrade both with a new tech tree, rain death with a new superweapon, and unlock a new degree of customization with the Headquarters system.

Coming on the heels of patch 1.8 (more information on patches is available on the Official Steam product page), Howell-Barrex Inc. marks the first of Red Solstice 2’s upcoming premium updates, with three more launching throughout 2022. Purchase the DLC standalone or as part of a Season Pass featuring three additional story campaigns launching next year. The next campaign, Condatis Corporation, introduces the formidable Psychic Suit and AI soldier groups called Platoons, Insurgents adds Weapon Modding, and M.E.R.C.S. adds drivable, upgradable vehicles. 

Howell-Barrex Inc. launches today on Steam for $10.99 standalone or $34.99 for the Season Pass, with both being 20% off during launch week. Red Solstice 2: Survivors is currently available on Steam at a 40% discount ending Friday, November 12th.

For more information about Red Solstice 2: Survivors, please visit www.theredsolstice.com, or follow the game on Twitter, Facebook and Discord server.

For more information about 505 Games and its products, please visit http://www.505games.com.

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 Ironward

Ironward is a Croatian game development studio launched in 2014 who have released two games set in The Red Solstice universe, and are currently working on developing the third title, Red Solstice 2: Survivors.

This small but dedicated team focuses on providing a unique gaming experience for their players by implementing new and creative gameplay mechanics.

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WayForward and 13AM Games Unleash New Details for Dawn of the Monsters

Philip Federico
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It takes monsters to stop monsters in this titanic co-op beat-’em-up

Valencia, Calif. – November 4, 2021 – Independent game studio WayForward, in conjunction with developer 13AM Games, is thrilled to reveal ferocious new details about the upcoming giant-monster beat-’em-up, Dawn of the Monsters. Featuring four awe-inspiring playable behemoths and more than 35 missions, Dawn of the Monsters will deliver hours of city-smashing, kaiju-bashing, side-scrolling action for one or two players, and is scheduled to arrive on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC in the first half of 2022. A new trailer showing the game in action can be seen below

Developed by 13AM Games and published by WayForward, Dawn of the Monsters enlists players in DAWN (Defense Alliance Worldwide Network), an elite organization created to stop giant, invading beasts known as Nephilim. As members of DAWN, players will take control of four titans of their own, each offering unique moves and abilities: Megadon, the enormous fire-breathing lizard; colossal crustacean Ganira, capable of summoning minions; Aegis Prime, a giant superhero with incredible combo capabilities; and Tempest Galahad, a massive mech specializing in long-range electrical attacks.

Each playable monstrosity has a variety of Rage skills (including some that inflict elemental status damage), as well as meter-based Cataclysm Attacks and brutal Execution finishers. And when that isn’t enough, you can rip a building out of the ground and use it to pound the Nephilim into the dirt.

More than 35 missions will take players around the globe to fully destructible locations in Canada, Egypt, Japan, and beyond, where they’ll tear through enemy hordes, obliterate monster nests, battle gargantuan bosses, and earn DNA augments that can be used to power-up their stats and abilities.

The awesome action is supported by a team of all-star talent. In addition to the giant-monster enthusiasts at 13AM Games, the game features kaiju designs by legendary Godzilla character creator Shiji Nishikawa and acclaimed Godzilla comic book artist Matt Frank, as well as artwork by renowned illustrator EJ Su (Transformers, Rise of Ultraman) and a voice cast that includes AmaLee (Attack on Titan), Cristina Valenzuela (Shantae and the Seven Sirens, RWBY), Xander Mobus (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate), and Patrick Seitz (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure), among others. Dawn of the Monsters is set to arrive digitally on consoles and PC in the first half of 2022, with a physical edition for select platforms being offered by Limited Run Games. For the latest Dawn of the Monsters news, as well as information on other titles, please visit www.wayforward.com and www.13amgames.com.

Key Features

  • Four unique, monstrous playable characters: Megadon, Ganira, Aegis Prime, and Tempest Galahad
  • Earth-shattering monster-against-monster one- or two-player co-op beat-’em-up action
  • Fully destructible cities based on real-world locations
  • Brutal Rage abilities, devastating Cataclysm Attacks, and merciless finishing moves
  • Fierce bosses and dozens of different enemy types
  • Customize your monsters with DNA augments!

About WayForward

Based in Valencia, California, WayForward was founded in 1990 and has remained an independent game developer for more than 30 years. It is home to many talented individuals including programmers, environment artists, animators, modelers, illustrators, audio wizards, designers, and team leaders. With new avenues for distributing games directly to fans, they are finally able to make the games they have always wanted to.

About 3AM GAmes

13AM Games is an independent game studio based out of Toronto that crafts bold, stylish 2D games that challenge convention in order to surprise and delight. They started in 2014 and released their first game, Runbow, in 2015.

Rune Factory 4 Special lives its best life on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC with upgraded visuals and improved performance – launching 7th December!

Philip Federico
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0

Marvelous Europe Brings Critically Acclaimed Title to New Platforms with Free ‘Another Episode’ DLC

London, United Kingdom – 4th November 2021 – Marvelous Europe is excited to announce that the critically acclaimed remaster, Rune Factory 4 Special, will be released digitally on the PlayStation®4, Xbox One, and Windows PC via Steam on 7th December 2021.

Rune Factory 4 Special arrives on new platforms with improved resolution and performance, while bringing all the farming, life sim, and RPG adventuring the series is known for. In addition to the visual improvements, the PC, PS4™, and Xbox One versions of the game include the ‘Another Episode’ DLC at no additional cost. ‘Another Episode’ adds a series of illustrated storybook-style episodes narrated by the game’s 12 marriage candidates, and Selphia’s lovable guardian dragon Ventuswill, fully voiced in English and Japanese.

About Rune Factory 4 Special

Rune Factory 4 Special opens with a young man or woman falling from an airship and landing in the town of Selphia. Appointed as the local regent by mistake, the hero is charged with protecting the town and bettering the lives of its people. As the newly-appointed prince or princess, royal duties are fulfilled by issuing orders to help the town prosper, or by taking a more relaxed approach to governance by raising crops and helping townsfolk. Should some dungeon adventuring be on the day’s itinerary, a vast array of weapons along with magic can be crafted or bought for battle against dangerous foes—companions or friendly monsters can also join to aid the player during their travels. And, of course, there’s a huge cast of lovable townsfolk, including 12 potential suitors to woo and marry.

Developed by Marvelous Inc. and published by Marvelous Europe Limited, Rune Factory 4 Special will launch in Europe and Australia on 7th December 2021 for the PS4™ system, Xbox One, and globally on Windows PC via Steam and Windows Store. The title is available at launch digitally on all platforms, with the ‘Another Episode’ DLC included for free. This game has been rated PEGI 12, USK 6 and PG in Australia and New Zealand.

About Marvelous Europe
Founded in April 2012, Marvelous Europe Limited is the European arm of Marvelous Inc. a publicly listed entertainment company based in Tokyo. Marvelous is both a game developer and publisher with our popular PC and console titles including Story of Seasons and Rune Factory, in addition to third-party acquisitions such as Granblue Fantasy Versus and Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin.

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