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Alan Wake Remastered Review

Dustin Spencer
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Alan Wake Remastered Review

Alan Wake Remastered

Developer: Remedy
Publisher: Epic Games
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Playstation 4 (Reviewed), Playstation 5, Xbox One S|X
Release Date: Available Now
Price: $29.99 – Available Here | $49.95 – Available Here

Overview

It’s hard to believe that Alan Wake was released over a decade ago. This narrative-driven horror title is now thought of one of the pinnacle experiences for the genre, opening doors for new mechanics and ideas that we continue to see. Alan Wake Remastered looks to give us a taste of the original all over again, with improved visuals and cutscenes. Does this writer still have his touch, or should this thriller have been left in darkness? Let’s find out. 

Story

Whether you are new or have played this title countless times, Alan Wake continues to show why it was host to such critical acclaim long ago. The story features Alan headed to a cabin in the woods to gain inspiration for his newest novel. After a bit of bickering with his wife Alice, reality begins to shift with fiction as she is kidnapped, leaving her torn spouse to hunt for answers in a secluded area, armed with a gun and a flashlight. A dark enemy known as “The Taken” emerges, adding a layer of supernatural darkness to an already eerie setting, only to further complicate the path for our protagonist. 

In a way, Alan Wake plays kind of like an interactive movie, despite being a fully fleshed out action game at heart. This is due to the way the story is told, as simple progression expands the plot before you, giving further reason to explore Bright Falls. It’s been a good while since I played through Alan Wake, and I found myself becoming immersed all over again this time around. While not much changes other than the inclusion of the 2 DLC stories, the original experience is still gripping and exciting until those credits roll in this remastered release. 

Gameplay 

It’s hard to describe the exact genre Alan Wake falls into. At its core, it feels like a standard third-person action romp, and it still plays well enough outside of a few minor flaws that have been carried over, such as a sometimes-cumbersome camera and aim that can be a bit questionable at times. Outside of that, we have a gimmick at work that revolves around light and darkness, as Alan can only take out The Taken when they’re in the light, and must find batteries to keep his little flashlight going. This gimmickry on paper sounds silly, but still works well, adding intensity to what is already exciting gameplay.  

Exploration also makes up a hefty part of the experience, as Alan must find pages and clues to find Alice, opening up the world slowly as you follow a fairly linear path. There are other weapons such as flashbangs, flares, and other light-based fare, but this is a title that doesn’t really let the player upgrade mechanics. Instead, the new types of enemies appear, where the player finds new ways to use the same toolset to take out the new evil encountered. This is a “remastered” version, so there may have been opportunities to add more – and in some ways, that leaves the experience feeling lacking. Sure, this is a fantastic game, but Remedy also published American Nightmare and Control since, so it is a shame not to see more of what the developer have offered since intertwined into this old spectacle.  

Don’t get me wrong, Alan Wake was great and still is. I don’t have any qualms about the main game, but I did expect to see a little more than a few Easter eggs delivered for fans who are still eager for more after all these years. Either way, you still have a full experience here with a lot of replay-ability, but may want to boot up your PC or older device to go back and get some extra content, such as that awesome survival mode from American Nightmare that truly took advantage of all of the mechanics here. 

Visuals 

The visuals are superb in Alan Wake Remastered. With new cutscenes that look fantastic on updated platforms, the story feels new again. Minor details from the past pop out like never before, showing the time and care Remedy put into this version. Animations also feel more polished and clean this time around. I always get nervous with any horror game getting a remaster as a lot of the “cleaning up” graphically tends to take away atmosphere that the original presented. Thankfully, that is not the case here as this new coat of paint does nothing but enhance the ambience and suspense.  

Audio 

The soundtrack for Alan Wake has been preserved, featuring all the licenses of past music that gave the game a personality. The voice acting is also impressive, with a cast delivering lines that help carry the new and improved cutscenes. Sure, there is some cheesey aspects that are still there, but like any good horror- those do nothing but add to that familiar feel that returning players are sure to love all over again. 

Overall 

Alan Wake Remastered is a great way to revisit a modern classic. With enhanced graphics, it looks better than ever – despite the lack of new content. If you have yet to play Remedy’s masterpiece from yesterday, this is the way to do it and the plot still manages to be gripping and memorable until that very last chapter. Hopefully, this will lead to more of our favorite writer, but for now – there is yet another great horror title on modern platforms, worthy of a trip to Bright Falls for all willing to visit.

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

Diablo 2 Resurrected Review

Claudio Meira
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Diablo 2 Resurrected Review

Diablo 2 Resurrected

Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
Publisher: Activision
Platforms: PC (Reviewed), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Switch
Release Date: 23 September 2021
Price: US$54.99- Available Here

Overview

Diablo is a very popular and known series. The first Diablo title was released for PC in 1997. Diablo 2 was released three years later, in 2000. The “Lord of Destruction” expansion launched in the following year. Diablo 2 is the only main iteration of the series that doesn’t have a console version. That was until now, as Diablo 2 Resurrected has versions for every modern console available alongside the PC version. It features cross-play between all the platforms, that means you can play on PC for example and later continue your progress on any other platform if you wish. Diablo 2 Resurrected is a remake of the original Diablo 2 with the “Lord of Destruction” expansion already included. Gameplay purists need not worry as only the technical aspects of the game were remade. The graphics received a major overhaul and are now entirely in 3D. The sound was remastered to fit current technology although it remains mostly the same. This remake is an unusual one as it doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel like so many remakes tend to do. Instead, what we have here is mostly the same game but with a new coat of paint and some minor QoL features to make it more enjoyable and accessible.

Story

The story of Diablo 2 Resurrected occurs right after the events of the original Diablo. After finally defeating the Lord of Terror, one last task was required: sealing Diablo’s soul. Who better to bear this last burden than the hero himself? He takes the soulstone out of Diablo’s forehead and attaches it to his own head. Unfortunately, this leads to Diablo now possessing the hero’s body. Now under Diablo’s influence, the hero little by little loses his sanity; a voice inside his head urges him: “Go east. There, you’ll find salvation”. The hero’s efforts to resist Diablo’s influence are in vain. Now known as the “Dark Wanderer,” he leaves only death and destruction in his wake. Assuming the role of a new hero, the player must chase the Dark Wanderer. With the intention of putting an end to the terror once and for all, the new hero also heads east.

Gameplay

Diablo 2 Resurrected is a 3D action RPG with an isometric view. Its focus is much more on fast-paced action than what you’d expect from an RPG game. It reminds me of arcade action games that are much older than Diablo itself. It’s still primarily an RPG, so all the conventions set by the genre are present. Since Diablo 2 Resurrected comes with the “Lord of Destruction” expansion, the player can choose between seven different classes; the assassin and the druid join the rest of the cast. “Lord of Destruction” also features an additional chapter.

The foundation for the gameplay consists of dungeon crawling, combat, and loot collecting. Dungeon exploration is fast as is the combat. Enemies will appear in droves. Dispatching them using powerful skills and seeing the fireworks go off as the bodies of demons and zombies pile up is very satisfying.

Each class in the game comes with its own set of skills and equipment that only that particular class can use. You have two sets of skills that you can develop: one is your base stats such as strength, stamina, etc., and the other set is the class’s particular skills such as the druid’s shapeshifting abilities. The character’s skill trees are simple enough and don’t get in the way if you’re not experienced with this type of game. Regardless of what class you choose, the main story and quests don’t change. Even then, the classes diverge so much in what they’re able to do and the style of their gameplay that every run with a different character will feel unique. The online mode also contributes a lot to the game’s replayability allowing up to 8 players to join in coop or PvP.

If there’s something I don’t particularly like about Diablo and its clones, it’s how the loot is handled: there are tons of different items, and as you kill enemies, the items keep popping up outright flooding the screen. Many times it’ll be the same item with a different trait such as “crude” axe, “cracked” axe… you get the idea. They’re the same item visually but will have some minor stats differences. There are also “unidentified” items with different levels of rarity, and unless you use an identifying item on them or have one of the NPCs in town identify them for you, it’s impossible to know their true nature. Meanwhile, the items will occupy a large amount of your already limited inventory forcing you to go back and forth between a dungeon and the encampment to get them identified and/or stashed which isn’t the most fun of tasks. Thankfully, besides your own stash, you now have four more stashes that are shared between your characters thus alleviating this problem a bit; you won’t need to create additional characters to only serve as a “mule” anymore. Having more stashes is a very welcome little tweak since it doesn’t change the basic gameplay dynamics too much. In fact, the biggest “change” in gameplay is that it’s now possible to use a controller on the PC version. I used a Dualshock 4, and as awkward as it may seem on paper, it works wonderfully; as soon as you press a button while in-game, it changes its configuration to accommodate for the controller. Even button prompts will reflect your controller of choice. You’re able to bind skills to whatever button you feel is the most appropriate.

Visuals

Diablo 2 Resurrected has gone through a complete graphic overhaul. The original game was made in 2D using an isometric view to give the illusion of a 3D game. The graphics in Diablo 2 Resurrected were remade to be more aligned with modern tendencies. They’re now completely in 3D with remade models, effects, and textures. There is also support for 4K resolution. Since the player can change between old and new graphics with the press of a button, it’s notable how the graphics were faithfully recreated; by changing between new and old graphics, you can see that in both versions almost everything is in the same place with the exception of a few details that are exclusive to Diablo 2 Resurrected. The game’s levels are procedurally generated like in a rogue-like game. What the levels lack in visual variety is compensated with how fun they are to traverse due to the fast and simple nature of the game.

The overall dark atmosphere and ambiance were also preserved. Thanks to better lighting tech, Diablo 2 Resurrected is not as dark as the original since its light sources reflect their light in a more natural way. It’s still one of the darkest games I’ve played and that contributes to its themes of horror and demons immensely. Characters look detailed and overall have good and natural animations. I personally like how the graphics and level design are the same in this version compared to the original since I’ve never played Diablo 2 seriously before.

Audio

The new audio sounds much better due to the remastering it went through. Blizzard decided to be a lot more conservative in this department. Most of the sound effects are the exact same as the original Diablo 2. The soundtrack was also mostly untouched as none of the original compositions were changed. The music in the game has a generally serious and melancholic tone to it even when in villages or the wilderness. When exploring dungeons, the soundtrack changes to reflect what you’re up against with tense and even fear-inducing music and sound effects.

Overall

Blizzard decided to play it safe with Diablo 2 Resurrected by leaving its gameplay untouched. This approach works because a lot of people were unable to experience Diablo 2 up until now. I’m one of those people. The lack of control options was definitely a major issue for me. I never liked being glued to the monitor when I played Counter Strike back in the ’00s. I finally can see why Diablo 2 is still regarded as a classic; it stood the test of time with fun and engaging gameplay.

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

Crysis Remastered Trilogy Is Out Now

Philip Federico
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Three iconic Crysis games, remastered to perform beautifully on PC and consoles, make up this great all-in-one collection!

FRANKFURT, Germany – Oct. 15, 2021 – Crytek is delighted to announce that Crysis Remastered Trilogy, featuring the single-player remasters of Crysis, Crysis 2, and Crysis 3, launches today. Each legendary game in this excellent-value, all-in-one collection has been optimized and enhanced to play faster and better than ever before. Following the launch of Crysis Remastered last year, gamers can also buy Crysis 2 Remastered and Crysis 3 Remastered individually.

Crysis Remastered Trilogy features all the series’ famous action-packed gameplay and thrilling battles in sandbox levels updated with improved lighting and visually enhanced characters, weapons, and environments, plus high-definition textures for crystal-clear images. The remasters are optimized towards PC and next-generation consoles for substantial performance gains. For instance, the original games played at an average 720p resolution and up to 30 FPS; the remasters for PC, Xbox Series X, and PlayStation®5 play between 1080p and 4K at up to 60 FPS for beautiful, crisp gameplay.

Crysis Remastered Trilogy Launch Details

Crysis Remastered Trilogy is available for PlayStation®5 and PlayStation®4 from the PlayStation®Store,  Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One from the Microsoft Store, Nintendo Switch from the Nintendo eShop, and PC from the Epic Games Store, priced at USD 49.99|EUR 49.99.

Gamers can buy physical copies of Crysis Remastered Trilogy at retail for Xbox and PlayStation platforms, including an exclusive art card.

Crysis 2 Remastered & Crysis 3 Remastered Launch Details

Crysis 2 Remastered and Crysis 3 Remastered are also available for individual purchase on the Epic Games Store, PlayStation®Store, Microsoft Store, and Nintendo Switch eShop for USD 29.99|EUR 29.99 each.

A physical retail release for Crysis 2 Remastered and Crysis 3 Remastered on Nintendo Switch will follow.

Crysis Remastered Trilogy includes:

Crysis Remastered

A simple rescue mission turns into an all-out war as alien invaders swarm over the Lingshan Islands. Playing as super-soldier Nomad, you are armed with a powerful Nanosuit equipped with Speed, Strength, Armor, and Cloaking abilities. Use a vast arsenal of modular weaponry and adapt your tactics and gear to dominate enemies in an enormous sandbox world.

Crysis 2 Remastered

Aliens have returned to a world ravaged by climate disasters. As the invaders lay waste to New York and begin an assault that threatens the total annihilation of humankind, only you have the technology to lead the fight back. Equipped with the upgraded Nanosuit 2.0, customize your suit and weapons in real-time and unlock powerful abilities in the battle for humanity’s survival.

Crysis 3 Remastered

New York City has been transformed into a sprawling urban rainforest sheltered by a giant nanodome. Fight through seven distinct districts against human and alien forces, using the Nanosuit’s superior technology to deploy brute force or opting for stealth to achieve your goals. Equipped with a deadly Predator Bow, there’s no wrong way to save the world.

For more information, please visit www.crysis.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, 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.

Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN F1 Esports battles to the points in season opener

Philip Federico
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Hinwil, 15 October 2021 – Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN F1 Esports brought home points in the first week of action for the 2021 F1 Esports Series, with Filip Prešnajder and Simon Weigang adding their names to the scoreboard after the first three races of the new season.

With races taking place in Bahrain, China and Austria, the Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN team approached the event confident in its ability to put up a fight, albeit with the knowledge that this year’s field is the most competitive in the history of the F1 Esports Series.

Weigang and Thijmen Schütte, the chosen line-up for the opening race, qualified in P18 and P16 respectively after some small mistakes in the tight session hampered their progress to Q2. Starting on mediums, they made good progress before an early stop to go for soft tyres and a chance to push on an aggressive strategy. Weigang climbed up to P10, but late pressure from his rivals saw him slip down to 12th. An incident with a Haas caused minor damage to Schütte, who had to pit and crossed the line in P18.

There was more pace to be found in the second event in Shanghai, with Weigang only missing out on Q3 by 0.005s and Prešnajder, on his debut for the team, only settling for 18th after a mistake on his best run. The Slovak was to find redemption in the race, delivering a near-perfect performance over the 20 laps of the race and executing his strategy well. Prešnajder was able to overtake Haas’s Sebastian Job on the last lap to claim P10 and, with it, the final point of the race, opening his and the team’s tally for the season. Weigang, who had been in P9 after a good start, was the unfortunate victim of a race incident when he collided with a car facing the wrong way: after pitting for repairs, he could only finish 19th.

As Thursday came, more qualifying woes hit Prešnajder, who saw his best laps invalidated and could not escape Q1. Weigang, on the other hand, fulfilled his potential and secured P7 on the grid. He would then maintain this position in the race, despite pressure from Brendon Leigh’s Ferrari, bringing six points to the team. Prešnajder delivered a Driver of the Day performance to climb from P20 to P14 – no points but a confidence boost going into the remainder of the season.

The seven points collected place Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN F1 Esports in eighth place in the championship. On the 27th and 28th October, the drivers will return to action with races in Silverstone, Monza and Spa-Francorchamps. In the meantime be sure to follow @sauberesports on socials to keep up to date with what the guys do in between races to prepare, as well as some exclusive behind the scenes videos.

About Sauber Group of Companies:
The Sauber Group of Companies is composed of two operational entities: Sauber Motorsport AG, which operates and manages the Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN Formula One team; and Sauber Engineering AG, which focuses on third-party business in the areas of prototype development and additive manufacturing, in addition to full and model-scale testing in the factory’s state-of-the-art wind tunnel and ground-breaking innovation in the field of aerodynamics. The companies collaborate closely and share know-how to apply the expertise of more than 500 dedicated individuals at the headquarter in Hinwil, Switzerland, to all internal and external projects. Since its founding in 1970, the passion for racing has been at the heart of Sauber.

For more than 50 years, the innovative Swiss company has been setting standards in the design, development and construction of race cars for various championship series, such as Formula One, DTM, and WEC. Following its own Formula One debut in 1993, Sauber Motorsport AG has established one of the few traditional and privately held teams in the sport. After 25 years of competition in Formula One, the company launched a long-term partnership with Alfa Romeo in 2018 and enters the 2021 championship under the team name Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN.

The Latest in GTA Online: Free GTAIII Anniversary In-Game Tee, Triple Rewards in Sumo, Double Rewards in Gerald Contact Missions, Discounts, and More

Philip Federico
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Earn Triple Rewards on Sumo and Celebrate the GTAIII Anniversary with an In-Game Tee – Plus 2X GTA$ and RP on Special Vehicle Work and Gerald Contact Missions, and More

Sumo is all about knowing your own strengths, your opponents’ weaknesses, and using both to your advantage in a battle of brains and brawn. Stay focused, and yeet your enemies into oblivion to the tune of Triple Rewards, all week long.

Get the Rockstar Games Typeface Tee
Playing GTA Online at any point between now and October 20 will earn you the Rockstar Games Typeface Tee — the first in a collection of special commemorative clothing and liveries celebrating the 20th anniversary of Grand Theft Auto III.

2X GTA$ and RP on Special Vehicle Work and Earn Bonus GTA$ on Daily Objectives
Executives looking to line their pockets can use the SecuroServ computer terminal in their Office to launch Special Vehicle Work Missions, all of which are paying out Double Rewards.

In your travels, remember to check your Interaction Menu for the latest Daily Objectives and make sure to complete them when you can. Complete all three Daily Objectives for an additional 50% GTA$ payout this week.

2X GTA$ and RP on Gerald’s Last Play and Gerald Contact Missions
Pay Gerald a visit this week or give him a call on your iFruit; helping Gerald and the Families out on a Contact Mission will earn you 2X GTA$ and RP for your trouble.

Car Meet Prize Ride and Challenge
LS Car Meet members who place in the Top 3 in 6 different LS Car Meet Series races over the course of the next week will get the keys to a Vapid Dominator ASP in return for their tenacity and razor-sharp reflexes.

Test Track Vehicles
Once you’ve visited the merch truck and gotten a new tattoo, maybe you should traipse over to the Car Meet’s Test Track and give the Karin Sultan RS Classic, Übermacht Cypher, and Annis ZR350 a spin before you commit to purchase. See how they fare in a Scramble, a Time Trial, or just race it between the columns and get an idea for how they handle.

This Week on the Podium: The Dewbauchee Specter
Pay the lobby of The Diamond Casino & Resort a visit anytime this week to see and be seen, but also to give the Lucky Wheel a spin. You’ll walk away with either GTA$, RP, clothing, snacks, or mystery prizes of all shapes and sizes. This week on the podium is the Dewbauchee Specter, a car most will only see as a blur blowing by them on the freeway.

Discounts
Cars can do so much more than just drive — with a little extra tender love and care you can make them jump. Visit Benny’s anytime this week to give your beloved chariot a makeover with 50% off all Hydraulics. You can also take 30% off the retail price of the Declasse Moonbeam and Albany Primo, as well as their Benny’s custom vehicle upgrades.

All Garages are 40% off for the next seven days, while the following vehicles can be acquired with substantial savings:

  • Vapid Slamtruck – 30% off
  • JoBuilt Hauler Custom – 30% off
  • Lampadati Casco – 40% off
  • Yosemite Rancher – 30% off
  • Vapid Clique – 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 also take advantage of exclusive discounts, including 35% off the Dinka RT3000 and 65% off the Lampadati Casco through October 20.

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

Check Rockstar Support for details and limitations.

PGA TOUR 2K21 Baller Edition Teeing Off this October

Philip Federico
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Deluxe new edition features hit golf game and bonus packs delivering loads of content in single offering

Sydney, Australia – October 15, 2021 – Players who missed their tee times have another opportunity to join their crews – alongside legions of other players around the globe* – on the back nine with the PGA TOUR® 2K21 Baller Edition. Packed full of bonus content and dripping with swag, this new edition of the critically acclaimed golf video game experience from HB Studios is currently available worldwide in digital format for the PlayStation®4 console, Xbox One consoles, including the Xbox One X, and Windows PC via Steam.

PGA TOUR 2K21 Baller Edition includes the base game, all previously released DLC courses and game modes, an assortment of the hottest gear from Clubhouse Pass Season One, holiday gear, novelty putters, and the Golden Touch Pack featuring a gold putter and driver. The Baller Edition also features the 2K/adidas CODECHAOS MyPLAYER Pack featuring adidas CODECHAOS BOA® golf shoes and custom 2K/adidas gear, including a sport performance polo, Ultimate365 pants, and tour hat, designed by adidas Golf exclusively for PGA TOUR 2K21. The content included offers a significant value, available for an MSRP of $122.95**. For players who already own the base game and would like to enjoy all the Baller Edition bonus content, the Baller Pack will be available for an MSRP of $37.95. The PUMA Swag Pack and Callaway Club Drop Pack, featuring brand-specific clothes and gear, will also be available for an MSRP of $14.95 each.

In addition to the PGA TOUR 2K21 Baller Edition, both new and existing PGA TOUR 2K21 players will enjoy new monthly multiplayer playlist courses*** created in the PGA TOUR 2K21 Course Designer by a group of international content creators, including Americans VctryLnSprts and Mattf27, Canadians Crazycanuck1985 and Arctic Fury, b101design from the United Kingdom, and New Zealander Energ1zer.

The themes for upcoming custom multiplayer playlist courses include:

  • “Long Game, Short Game” for November – challenging players to use their full array of skills and execute long drives, crisp wedge work, and precision putts;
  • “Winter” for December – celebrating the season with chilly destinations and frosty design elements;
  • “New Year, New Challenge” for January – requiring a high degree of skill and technical prowess for designers and players alike;
  • “Lunar New Year (Tiger/Water)” for February – incorporating a focus on water and Asian themes and locations.

The most realistic golf video game experience to date, the PGA TOUR 2K21 Baller Edition includes a roster of 12 officially licensed pro players, including cover athlete Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, Bryson DeChambeau, Billy Horschel, Ian Poulter, Tony Finau, Sergio Garcia and more. In addition to tens of thousands of custom courses created by the PGA TOUR 2K21 online community, players take on 17 licensed PGA TOUR courses, including East Lake Golf Club, TPC Scottsdale, Detroit Golf Club, Bay Hill Club & Lodge, TPC Sawgrass and more, each of which was scanned using cutting-edge technology to bring the fairways, greens, bunkers, trees, lakes, and ponds to life. PGA TOUR 2K21 Baller Edition also features the hottest gear and clothing brands, including adidas, Under Armour, PUMA Golf, Polo Ralph Lauren, Mizuno Golf, Malbon Golf, Callaway Golf, Bridgestone Golf, TaylorMade Golf, Goodr, TravisMathew, and more.

PGA TOUR 2K21 Baller Edition is rated G by the OFLC. For more information on PGA TOUR 2K21 Baller Edition and 2K, visit PGATOUR2K21.com, become a fan on Facebook, follow the game on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #PGATOUR2K21 or subscribe on YouTube.

*PGA TOUR 2K21 has sold-in more than 2.5 million units globally since launch.

** AUD dollar value.

***PGA TOUR 2K21 and online access required to play multiplayer content.

****Baller Edition and Baller Pack do not include Titleist, FootJoy, or NBA team logo items. Some items may only be unlocked by achieving in-game objectives. No additional purchase necessary.

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

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

About Take-Two Interactive Software

Headquartered in New York City, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is a leading developer, publisher, and marketer of interactive entertainment for consumers around the globe. We develop and publish products principally through Rockstar Games, 2K, Private Division, and T2 Mobile Games. Our products are designed for console systems and personal computers, including smartphones and tablets, and are delivered through physical retail, digital download, online platforms, and cloud streaming services. The Company’s common stock is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol TTWO. For more corporate and product information please visit our website at www.take2games.com.

About 2K

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

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The statements contained herein which are not historical facts are considered forward-looking statements under federal securities laws and may be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “projects,” “seeks,” “should,” “will,” or words of similar meaning and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the outlook for the Company’s future business and financial performance. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs of our management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to them, which are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may vary materially from these forward-looking statements based on a variety of risks and uncertainties including: the uncertainty of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and measures taken in response thereto; the effect that measures taken to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic have on our operations, including our ability to timely deliver our titles and other products, and on the operations of our counterparties, including retailers and distributors; the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on both consumer demand and the discretionary spending patterns of our customers as the situation with the pandemic continues to evolve; our ability to successfully integrate Dynamixyz’s operations and employees; the risks of conducting business internationally; the impact of reductions in interest rates by the Federal Reserve and other central banks, including on our short-term investment portfolio; the impact of potential inflation; volatility in foreign currency exchange rates; our dependence on key management and product development personnel; our dependence on our NBA 2K and Grand Theft Auto products and our ability to develop other hit titles; our ability to leverage opportunities on PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X|S; the timely release and significant market acceptance of our games; the ability to maintain acceptable pricing levels on our games; and risks associated with international operations.

Other important factors and information are contained in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the risks summarized in the section entitled “Risk Factors,” the Company’s most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and the Company’s other periodic filings with the SEC, which can be accessed at www.take2games.com. All forward-looking statements are qualified by these cautionary statements and apply only as of the date they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

# # #

Hear The Call of Yara in UNO®, Launching Today from Mattel and Ubisoft with New Game Mode

Philip Federico
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0

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — October 15, 2021 — Today, Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) and Ubisoft announced that The Call of Yara, the latest DLC for the popular UNO video game is now available globally. Inspired by the tropical paradise island Yara, The Call of Yara DLC will add a thrilling twist to the classic UNO game experience with new features and a game mode.

Click below image to watch trailer on YouTube

The Call of Yara is now available to purchase individually on PlayStation®4, Playstation®5, Xbox One consoles, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch™ system, Windows PC, and Stadia for $7.49AUD. The Call of Yara will be playable on PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X | S through backward compatibility.

In The Call of Yara, players can experience the UNO game in an immersive environment with a vibrant Yara-inspired board and menu, exclusive themed-cards, and immersive audio soundtrack. After drawing seven cards and 300 Pesos at the beginning of each game, players collect 100 Pesos at the beginning of every turn they can spend to hire the services of Libertad legends. Each character affects the gameplay differently, so players must spend their Pesos strategically to unlock the below services:

  • Dani Rojas:
    • For 500 Pesos: Pick one player to draw one to six cards.
    • For 800 Pesos: All other players draw one to six cards.
  • Philly Barzaga:
    • For 600 Pesos: Combine four colors to create a Wild card to play instantly.
    • For 1000 Pesos: Combine four colors to create a Wild +4 card to play instantly.
  • Juan Cortez:
    • For 600 Pesos: Discard one to three cards.
    • For 1300 Pesos: Discard four to six cards.
  • Lucky Mama:
    • For 200 Pesos: Prevent one player from calling for a service next turn.
    • For 400 Pesos: Prevent all other players from calling for a service next turn.

In addition, The Call of Yara introduces a brand-new card to UNO: The Guerrilla Recorder card. When this risky card is played, each player’s wallet is randomly affected – they may gain hundreds of Pesos to hire the services of Guerrilla legends or lose them all.

For more information about the UNO video game, please visit ubisoft.com/en-AU/game/uno.

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

About Mattel

Mattel is a leading global toy company and owner of one of the strongest catalogs of children’s and family entertainment franchises in the world. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain, and develop children through play. We engage consumers through our portfolio of iconic brands, including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, Fisher-Price®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends®, UNO®, and MEGA®, as well as other popular intellectual properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include film and television content, gaming, music, and live events. We operate in 35 locations and our products are available in more than 150 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering children to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. Visit us online at mattel.com. 

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: www.ubisoftgroup.com.

UNO® and associated trademarks and trade dress are owned by and used under license from Mattel. © 2021 Mattel.

Game software © 2021 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Far Cry, Ubisoft and the Ubisoft logo are registered or unregistered trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the US and/or other countries.

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

HyperX Signs TikTok Sensation Bella Poarch as Brand Ambassador and Microphone Campaign Spokesperson

Philip Federico
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HyperX Signs TikTok Sensation Bella Poarch as Brand Ambassador and Microphone Campaign Spokesperson

Sydney, Australia – Oct. 11, 2021 – HyperX, the gaming peripherals team at HP Inc. and brand leader in gaming and esports, today announced the signing of TikTok sensation Bella Poarch as a HyperX brand ambassador. As a celebrated TikTok star with over 81 million followers, Poarch’s introduction to the HyperX family includes starring in a HyperX microphone video campaign that debuts this spring. As Poarch’s Official Gaming Peripherals Partner, HyperX will be providing gaming headsets, keyboards, mice, mousepads, and microphones for her use, the same high quality products that are used by streamers, gamers and anyone with a passion for the good in gaming.

“I’m loving the opportunity to bring my style and passion for life and music to the HyperX family,” said Bella Poarch, TikTok star and HyperX ambassador. “I bring my love for people to be happy and healthy in everything they do and look forward to sharing this with HyperX fans, family and community.”

Aligning with HyperX’s goal to support all gamers and their individual journeys, Poarch will work with HyperX to tell unique stories around her love of gaming and passion in developing and performing music and streaming.

“A viral sensation on TikTok and a growing icon in gaming, we welcome Bella Poarch to the HyperX family,” said HyperX. “Poarch’s love for gaming and passion for streaming and storytelling are parallel to HyperX’s goal to embrace every gamer and the stories that make them who they are.”

As part of the HyperX family, Poarch will exclusively use HyperX headsets and microphone products and receive the HyperX Heroes treatment. She will also star in the upcoming Quadcast S campaign, which marks the first time a gaming peripherals brand has partnered with a world-class social media and recording artist to bring together the passion of music and gaming into a single metaverse.

Other stars that will join Poarch in the HyperX microphone campaign video include streamer HungryBox, esports stars FaZe Temperrr and Faxuty and basketball player Semi Ojeleye.

As a HyperX brand ambassador, Poarch joins a line-up of internationally recognised talent on the HyperX roster, including football player JuJu Smith-Schuster, basketball players Gordon Hayward and Ariel Powers, tennis player Daniil Medvedev, ice hockey player Filip Forsberg, international soccer player Dele Alli, professional race car driver Sage Karam, skateboarder Minna Stess, and more than 25 global streamers and influencers in the HyperX family.

About HyperX

For 18 years, HyperX’s mission has been to develop gaming solutions for every type of gamer and the company is consistently recognised for delivering products that provide superior comfort, aesthetics, performance, and reliability. Under the tagline of “WE’RE ALL GAMERS,” HyperX gaming headsets, keyboards, mice, USB microphones, and console accessories are the choice of everyday gamers as well as celebrity ambassadors, pro gamers, tech enthusiasts, and overclockers worldwide because they meet stringent product specifications and are built with best-in-class components.

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/hyperx

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hyperxanz    

About HP

HP Inc. creates technology that makes life better for everyone, everywhere. Through our product and service portfolio of personal systems, printers, and 3D printing solutions, we engineer experiences that amaze. More information about HP Inc. is available at http://www.hp.com.

About Bella Poarch

Poarch is the world’s fourth largest TikTok star1 (with over 81 million followers and counting), a Filipino-American U.S. Navy veteran, gaming icon, anime obsessive, lifelong singer, and rising songwriter. She currently holds the record for most likes on a TikTok video with an August 2020 post that has surpassed 52 million likes2. In May 2021, Poarch released her first single “Build A Bitch,” which was produced by Sub Urban, to commercial and critical acclaim.

1  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most-followed_TikTok_accounts as of Sept. 27, 2021.
2  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most-liked_TikTok_videos as of Sept. 27, 2021.

#  #  #

HyperX and the HyperX logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of HP Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.
All registered trademarks and trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Chasing Static Descends into Darkness Today on Steam

Philip Federico
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Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S Deliver Lo-Fi Horror in Q1 2022

BRISTOL, England — October 15, 2021 — Chasing Static, the retro psychological horror game from the twisted minds of developer Headware Games and publisher Ratalaika Games S.L., brings haunting revelations to Steam for Windows PC today with Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One editions terrorizing Q1 2022.

Chris Selwood stops for a brief respite at a roadside diner in rural North Wales amid a rain-soaked trip to the funeral for his estranged father. After enjoying a hot cup of coffee and conversation with the friendly waitress, Aneira, the night turns to terror after the power goes out and he finds her pinned to the ceiling by some unseen force. After passing out from shock, he awakens in the diner, now abandoned and fallen to ruin.

Chris must discover what happened to the waitress and why with the help of a journal full of strange notes from his father, all while avoiding the abominations now roaming the Welsh forests. In the process, he will uncover family secrets and government conspiracies that were never meant to be brought to light. 

Utilize a device to scour the haunted airwaves for the static-infused conversations of the restless dead, revealing further story elements and puzzle clues, designed from the ground up to be accessible through visual cues. Experience a haunting short story experience that pays homage to the golden era of survival horror with lo-fi, PlayStation 1-style visuals, combined with hi-fi sound design and professional voice acting.

“Classic horror games from my youth seemed like a bygone age as I grew older, “said Nathan Hamley, Founder, Headware Games. “I’ve now been so inspired by the return of the original PlayStation’s aesthetic to create Chasing Static, a love letter to those masterful horror titles that kept me up at night. Here’s to having the younger generation get that experience.”

Chasing Static is now available on Steam for Windows PC, with English language voice acting and English, French, German, Spanish, Russian and Japanese text with additional language support to be confirmed. For more information on Chasing Static, please visit the game’s Steam Page and follow Headware Games on Twitter and Facebook. 

Chasing Static will release onNintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One in Q1 2022.

About Headware Games

Founded by solo developer Nathan Hamley of Bristol, England, Headware Games creates adventure games with a focus on accessibility and to experiment with interactive narrative. Chasing Static is the studio’s second title, after previously releasing Guard Duty, an innovative point-and-click adventure game played over two distinct eras of history.

For more information, please visit the Headware Games website and follow Headware Games on Twitter and Facebook.

About Ratalaika Games

Based out of Spain, Ratalaika Games is an indie developer and publisher of games for consoles and PC. Focused on helping other indie creators, the company offers console porting, localization, and promotion services to spread the word about smaller studios to gamers all over the world.

To learn more, visit the Ratalaika Games’ official website, like the Ratalaika Facebook page, and follow @RatalaikaGames on Twitter.

Despot’s Game: Dystopian Army Builder Unleashes Flailing Fighters into Chaos on Steam Early Access Today

Philip Federico
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ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — Oct. 14, 2021 — Despot’s Game: Dystopian Army Builder, the roguelike tactical auto-battler developed by Konfa Games and published by tinyBuild where commanders build their squad of puny humans into a legion of wizards, ninjas, and dozens of other heroes while leading them through a strange post-apocalyptic labyrinth, gears its pixel-art nude dudes for battle on Steam Early Access for Windows PC today.

Trapped in a massive maze-like complex with seemingly endless compartments, a frail group of humans robbed of both their memories and clothes band together for survival. However, these unfortunate souls aren’t alone–together, they must beat back killer robots, man-eating cabbages, vicious hellhounds, and other forces of destruction led by the nefarious d’Spot who runs the show.

These poor souls will need more than just their birthday suits if they want to live. Equip the unarmed masses with a variety of killing implements from flesh-ripping chainsaws and laser swords to ridiculous apparatuses including stale pretzels throwers, handy paddle-balls, and damage-soaking refrigerators.

A well-balanced army is necessary to forge the longest run, and the more unique weapons from the same class it holds, the more power ups they unlock. Diversify the cultist class to grant them the “Call of Cthulhu” to unleash greater damage and tricksters to dodge attacks with ease. Purchase mutations to provide fighters with thicker skin, obtain more bonus mana, increase attack speed, and more.

Party members all fight on their own, using their skills to turn the tide so long as they’re well-fed and positioned. It’s up to a cunning strategist to lead this motley crue by arranging meatbags humans for battle. Mages sporting a rabbit-in-a-hat and spirit masks can deal damage from afar just like shooters with their crossbows and plasma guns. Fighters will take the front lines with claws and Rocky’s boxing gloves to beat enemies while tanks protect units with tower shields and periodic tables.

Fret not, as new meat for the grinder is always available for the cheap price of two tokens, and can also double as food source for a hungry army if desperate times call for desperate measures. And when the end seems near… It’s time to face the ultimate challenge–the deadly end-game armies of other players!

“We can’t wait to see the crazy battles commanders will get into during Early Access,” said Nikolay Kuznetsov, Game Creator, Konfa Games. “From footballers knocking out some zombies and Excalibur swords cutting into robots, anything is possible in Despot’s Game. We’re ready for the chaos to begin!”

Despot’s Game: Dystopian Army Builder is available now on Steam Early Access for Windows PC for USD $14.99 / EUR €14.99. It supports English, Russian, Brazilian Portuguese, French, Italian, German, Spanish (Spain), Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese languages.

For more information, visit the official Despot’s Game website, follow @Despotism_3k and @tinyBuild on Twitter, like the game’s official Facebook page, and join the melees on Discord.

About Konfa Games

Based out of Russia, Konfa Games is an independent studio dedicated to bringing the funniest roguelike experiences to players around the world. Despot’s Game: Dystopian Army comes equipped with the same dark humor and pop culture references as its predecessor and the studio’s first title, Despotism 3k.

About tinyBuild

tinyBuild is a Seattle-based indie label behind the Hello Neighbor franchise and over 30 renowned titles, including Graveyard Keeper, SpeedRunners and Party Hard. With additional development offices in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Riga, Latvia, tinyBuild is rapidly building a portfolio of fun, high-quality games across multiple platforms.

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