6th October 2021: Your voices have been heard, and a long-kept secret is out. The long-awaited, much-anticipated Alan Wake Remastered – the complete Alan Wake experience is now available at Australian retailers.
Featuring both story expansions ‘The Signal’ and ‘The Writer’ and a brand new developer commentary, Alan Wake Remastered is releasing on Xbox One, Xbox Series X and for the first time ever – PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 with full DualSense support. The path has been long and shrouded in darkness, but the road ahead lies written. Dwellers of Bright Falls, veterans of the light, thrill-seekers of the future – this is for you.
Check out the launch trailer here.
The Remedy team and their collaborators over at d3t have been working hard to make the legacy of Alan Wake fit for a new generation. Those of you who are looking to revisit the quaint town of Bright Falls to experience a tale close to your heart, do not fret – Alan Wake Remastered will not alter what’s held dear by so many of you. We know that rewriting history has its consequences, and just like you, we’re not looking to bring the Dark Presence our way prematurely. Instead, Alan Wake Remastered brings back what you know and love in an elevated state, to give fans and those new to the tale alike a chance to experience Alan Wake in a new light.
Alan Wake Remastered includes the main game as well as its two separate story expansions – ‘The Signal’ and ‘The Writer’, all rendered in all-new 4K visuals. The game’s cutscenes, quirky cast of characters and majestic Pacific Northwest vistas have all been enhanced for a visual impact that matches its unnerving atmosphere. The tense, episodic story is packed with unexpected twists, heart-stopping cliff hangers and jaw-dropping, intense bursts of combat where it takes more than bullets to banish the darkness that lies ahead.
Alan Wake Remastered is now available at Australian retailers on Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.
Make sure to join the passionate community yourself to keep up with the latest Alan Wake news on Facebook and Twitter.
Of the many series that Ubisoft handles, Far Cry has often had the biggest swings in focus throughout the years. Mainline entries have seen players tackle military leaders, drug lords, cult leaders, and more while the series’ spin-offs have taken us back to the stone-age and the cybernetic neon filled future. Throughout all of these entries the titles have always tried to strike a balance between survival and chaotic fun to various degrees of success. Now with Far Cry 6, Ubisoft has once again taken a slightly different approach to telling the player’s story against a dictator’s regime. The question is, have these various adjustments been for the better?
Story
This time around players will find themselves in Yara, a tropical paradise that has found itself caught in endless turmoil as its current dictator, President Anton Castillo now rules the islands with an iron fist. Castillo wishes to see Yara reach its former glory and has discovered a way to do such a thing, a miracle drug for treating cancer by the name of Viviro grown from modified tobacco plants. Although this may seem like something great for humanity, it is the exact opposite for the people of Yara as the production of Viviro is near deadly for those growing it and Castillo has enforced a strict military draft on any able bodied people or face enslavement and most likely, death through incredibly torturous means.
Players take on the role of Dani Rojas (who can be either male or female at the player’s choosing) who is an orphan that is looking to escape to America on the next boat out of Yara to avoid being drafted into the military. Upon a chaotic opening that results in horrific events unfolding right before her eyes, Dani chooses to step onto the path of revolution and join the Libertard guerilla movement.
The horrible nature of what is happening in Yara is visible almost everywhere the player looks when traveling through what should be a picturesque island, be it a zoo where dissodents are tortured and fed to the animals, a metal smithing plant where writhing bodies are entombed in molten steel, and more. Far Cry 6 isn’t afraid to show players the horrors that Castillo has visited upon his people in his quest for a “True Yara” and while these environmental clues alone are disturbing, there are plenty of other side-quests and main elements that explore these elements even further, perhaps the furthest the series has gone so far.
Though the themes presented in Far Cry 6 are incredibly dark, that doesn’t mean that the game isn’t afraid to let players have fun and enjoy some ridiculous moments from time to time with Yaran stories and side-quests featuring plenty of humorous moments. There are still a number of more mystical elements scattered throughout Yara as well though they do appear in a far smaller number than anything found in recent entries. The aforementioned levity is helped by the fact that Far Cry 6’s cast of characters is far stronger than what many have come to expect from the series as it’s charismatic villain isn’t the only strength it has going for it.
Instead Far Cry 6 now features a great cast of colorful allies that will help Dani in her fight to free Yara. These range from the eccentric Legends of ’67, the risk taking Maximas Mantanzas, vengeful Monteros, and more. These characters often join Dani in direct story missions and have far more dialogue than most other allies and it also helps that Dani herself is actually treated like a proper character this time around. Gone is the silent protagonist or simplistic hero, instead Dani now has a character path of their own that develops throughout the game and the story is all the better for it. That isn’t to say that Giancarlo Esposito’s portrayal of President Anton Castillo is bad by any means, in fact bringing in such a talented actor to handle the villain this time around has made the character’s unfortunately rather small appearances still feel incredibly impactful as a result.
It is worth noting that although there are some twists here and there, most of the actual plot developments for Far Cry 6 are a bit predictable so the story relies heavily on its setting and characters and thankfully still holds up incredibly well, despite the fact that things don’t wrap up quite as well as one may hope considering what is being tackled here which may leave players a bit disappointed even as they continue to clean up side missions and the countless other side activities that are scattered throughout Yara.
Gameplay
As usual with a Far Cry title, Far Cry 6 gives players a small, at least relative to the whole map, starting area that serves as a tutorial for the game’s many open world activities and a slow introduction to the various combat mechanics. Once players complete the story missions limiting them to this island nearly every element of the world opens up to them with three main missions designating the various camps of rebel guerillas that players will be able to meet up with at any time and take on various missions from. Exploration is handled simply enough with players able to run, climb, parachute (eventually with a wingsuit), and ride horses while of course driving and flying though it is worth noting that the handling of vehicles is a bit floaty this time around compared to the previous entry.
These camps are placed in different, mostly distinct, regions of Yara that all have a number of different side activities to take part in, ranging from taking down enemy Checkpoints and Bases that can then be served as fast travel points, anti-aircraft batteries to destroy, numerous races, treasure hunts that involve solving puzzles, rooster fighting, fishing, and more. Many of these activities aren’t exclusive to any specific region so players are immediately encouraged to head any direction they prefer. It is interesting to note that instead of climbing towers, players now hear about enemy and side activity locations from other guerilla fighters or flyers scattered around the map. That being said, there are various “levels” for each area that designate the strength of enemy forces per region and while the starting area for each of these three groups is low, the closer players get to Castillo’s primary city the more dangerous things become.
Combat in Far Cry 6 remains as solid as ever though there are a number of caveats this time around that may be a bit hit and miss for some players. Players can still take advantage of some solid first person shooting and stealth mechanics that give them a large number of ways to tackle most problems. Feel like taking that base over? Players can roll in their with a tank and blow up everything that moves, or mark enemy locations with Dani’s cellphone and sneak in stealthily eliminating enemies one at a time and everything in-between. There is no right way to really take on most of the open challenges in Far Cry 6 and even most story missions give some wriggle room to work with.
Doing things the player’s way is at the center of Far Cry 6 and as a result it offers the most customization in the series so far. Not only can players locate countless weapons from crates in the open world, including some special harder to obtain weapons, as well as purchase them from NPCs but powerful improvised weaponry also comes into play here. “Resolver” weapons and “Supremo” backpacks serve as modified weaponry that all have unique properties that make them uniquely suited for many circumstances while the Supremo’s are rechargable super styled attacks that vary depending on what the player has equipped. These can vary from launching a missile barrage at a target, creating a massive blast of fire that shoots Dani skyward, to even being a self-revive kit should she fall in combat. That being said, this focus on customization has come with its share of downsides and part of this comes into play with the way weapon damage and healing is handled.
Although a “headshot is always a headshot” and stealth takedowns can still instantly eliminate enemies, now foes will have various types of ammunition that they have immunities to such as soft target, armor piercing, explosive, etc. and at the same time they will also be able to deal various types of damage to the player at the same time. While players can grow stronger and a bit more resistant as they level, there are no longer skills of any kind that can be unlocked and often players are limited to only one slow recharging heal at a time, with additional healing requiring a Supremo mod slot, of which there are only two customizable available, for syringes. Instead players are meant to mitigate damage and deal extra damage by managing what they have equipped at any given moment.
This means swapping out headgear, gloves, bodywear, lowerwear, etc. that can provide extra resistance to certain types of damage and weaponry that is meant to deal certain types of damage to foes. This also means that various skills, such as the ability to use an enemy’s sidearm after a takedown, can now only be used if a player has that piece of equipment equipped. Having to try and do this for multiple fights often becomes too much of a hassle as there is no way to favorite equipment sets and as a result it often becomes easier to simply aim for the head whenever possible or focus on explosives.
Fighting alongside the player can often be an “Amigo” of their choosing though this time around players can only bring one with them at a time and they all happen to be animals. The Amigos in Far Cry 6 each have their unique uses, some more than others, and often feel like they still bring a lot to a firefight, especially when used correctly. Of course if players want to fight alongside another human the option is there for them to either bring someone or join someone in co-op mode which works quite well and there are even some co-op missions that players can choose to take on as well though the rewards for these are mostly cosmetic.
Visuals & Audio
It must be said that Ubisoft’s team has went all out in making sure that Yara feels like a breathtaking place to explore. The lush vegetation of the jungle and swamps is gorgeously detailed and even the more open areas and city locations still have a lot of life to them. It is also nice to note that a realistic looking weather as well as a day and night cycle come into play as players explore the land, offering some amazing looking locations. The character models in Far Cry 6 are as stellar as one could expect and players can even choose to cosmetically wear their favorite pieces of gear on Dani over something that may end up looking ridiculous instead.
The voice work for the cast is handled perfectly fine and while they may not be able to quite match the acting that Esposito can put into Castillo the rest of the voice actors fit their roles well enough. The soundtrack also happens to feature a wide variety of music with players eventually being able to unlock additional tracks as collectibles scattered throughout Yara.
Overall
Far Cry 6 gives players a strong cast of characters to work with that goes beyond just a charismatic villain for once and wraps them up with a mostly enjoyable, albeit a bit predictable, storyline. Offering the most customization available in the series so far truly gives players the chance to take on nearly any challenge however they want in some great gunplay but poor inventory management and removal of various skills does drag the action down a bit. That being said, this gorgeously designed island makes for a guerilla paradise with plenty of content to explore and blood to be spilled to see Yara free from tyranny.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
Tabletop Industry Reunites at PAX Unplugged 2021 in December, Badges On-Sale Soon
Cephalofair, R. Talsorian, AEG, XYZ Game Labs, KOSMOS, and More to Exhibit
PHILADELPHIA — 6 October 2021 —PAX Unplugged, the most attended tabletop gaming convention in the eastern U.S., returns to the Philadelphia Convention Center from 10 – 12 Dec. 2021. Badges go on-sale soon for the first in-person PAX Unplugged in two years, where attendees can experience new game demos, exciting tournaments, panels with industry giants, and more.
ReedPop and Penny Arcade will build on the successful return of PAX West over Labor Day weekend, where robust health and safety guidelines resulted in universal mask compliance and 93% of attendees showing proof of vaccination. PAX Unplugged 2021 will require all attendees to show proof of a complete COVID-19 vaccination series and abide by stringent masking requirements. For more information, please see the official health and safety guidelines.
Hundreds of game publishers, independent creators, and vendors will showcase their wares in Philadelphia, PA, including many of the biggest names in board games, role playing games, miniatures, and card games. Go hands-on with the latest from Cephalofair, creators of the wildly popular tactical phenomenon Gloomhaven. Hang out with R. Talsorian Games, makers of the Cyberpunk role-playing universe and The Witcher Pen & Paper RPG. Experience live demos from CGE, publishers of Codenames, Galaxy Trucker,and Sanctum.
Explore a massive show floor populated by Bézier Games, KOSMOS, Rock Manor Games, Lone Shark Games, Mage Hand Press, Devir Games, Chaosium Inc., Leder Games, Wyrmwood, and many more. Witness panels hosted by acclaimed designers, content creators, and fan-favorite personalities. Safely make new friends and reminisce with party members in the freeplay area, with hundreds of titles at your fingertips.
“Boardgames are, among other things, about being together,” said Jerry Holkins, co-founder, Penny Arcade. “With our safety protocols in place for PAX Unplugged, it’s time to dust off those Legacy games we got halfway through in 2019.”
Three-day badges for PAX Unplugged 2021 go on-sale soon for $75, while individual Friday, Saturday, and Sunday badges will go for $35 each.
PAX, or Penny Arcade Expo, is a festival for gamers to celebrate gaming culture. First held in Seattle in 2004, PAX has nearly doubled in size each successive year, with PAX Prime 2014 selling out of tickets in a matter of minutes. Connecting the world’s leading game publishers with their most avid and influential fans, PAX expanded with a second show in Boston in 2010, and a third in San Antonio in 2015, making it the three largest gaming shows in North America. The first international PAX was held in Melbourne, Australia in 2013. In 2017, Penny Arcade established PAX Unplugged, its first tabletop focused show, held in Philadelphia.
About ReedPop
ReedPop is a boutique group within Reed Exhibitions – the world’s leading event organizer. Launched in 2006, the group has become the number one producer of pop culture events across the globe as well as a full-service digital content provider and media company. Delivering once-in-a-lifetime fan experiences curated specifically for localized audiences, ReedPop currently features events in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, India, Africa, and Australia, including: New York Comic Con (NYCC), Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2), PAX West, East, South, and Australia, Emerald City Comic Con (ECCC), MCM Comic Con, BookCon, Oz Comic Con, EGX, Comic Con India, Comic Con Paris, Comic Con Seoul, Comic Con Africa, Star Wars Celebration, and ComplexCon. ReedPop also runs and operates Gamer Network and its portfolio of leading gaming websites including Eurogamer, RockPaperShotgun, and GamesIndustry.biz. The staff at ReedPop are a fan-based, globally focused group of professionals that are uniquely qualified to build and serve the communities with whom they share a common passion.
About Penny Arcade
Penny Arcade has been the world’s most popular webcomic for over 20 years, with over 3.5 million readers. Started in 1998 in the living room of Mike Krahulik & Jerry Holkins, it has grown into a media empire encompassing multiple beloved properties such as Lookouts, Automata, and beloved D&D live-play series Acquisitions Incorporated. Penny Arcade was responsible for the creation of Child’s Play, a gaming charity that has raised over $45 million dollars for children across the world. They are also the founders of PAX, the number one consumer gaming festival in North America, with hundreds of thousands of loyal visitors every year.
SAN DIEGO – October 5, 2021 – Psyonix, the San Diego video game developer, in collaboration with Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) and Aston Martin, announced that 007’s Aston Martin Valhalla will be available in Rocket League beginning October 7, on all platforms!
007’s Aston Martin Valhalla, the first hybrid car in Rocket League, will be available in the Item Shop for 1100 Credits and will come with 007’s Aston Martin Valhalla Engine Audio, 007’s Aston Martin Valhalla Wheels, and a Reel Life Decal specific to Valhalla.
In addition to the Valhalla, the Bond 007 Collection will be available in the Item Shop at the same time for 2000 Credits and will feature 007’s Aston Martin DB5 and 007’s Aston Martin Valhalla. 007’s Aston Martin Valhalla and the Bond 007 Collection will be available from October 7 until October 13. There will also be three new in-game Challenges players can complete to unlock the 007’s Aston Martin DB5 Player Banner, Agent 007 Avatar Border, and the 00 Agent Player Title.
Lastly, Rocket League community members will celebrate the return of James Bond by facing off in the Agents Vs. Villains event which can be viewed live on the Rocket LeagueTwitch channel on October 8. More information will be revealed on the Rocket LeagueTwitter account at a later date.
To learn more about 007’s Aston Martin Valhalla and the Bond 007 Collection, please read the latest blog post HERE.
If you or a member of your team is interested in a code for 007’s Aston Martin Valhalla please let us know and we will send you a code when it becomes available in the game on October 7. ABOUT ROCKET LEAGUE Winner or nominee of more than 150 “Game of the Year” awards, Rocket League is one of the most critically-acclaimed sports games of our generation. Rocket League is a high-powered hybrid of arcade-style soccer and vehicular mayhem with easy-to-understand controls and fluid, physics-driven competition. Available on Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on Epic Games Store, Rocket League includes nearly endless customization possibilities, a fully-featured offline season mode, multiple game types, casual and competitive online matches, and special “Mutators” that let you change the rules entirely.
To learn more about Rocket League, please visit www.RocketLeague.com, “Like” it on Facebook, and follow it on Twitter @RocketLeague for all the latest developer updates and news.
ABOUT PSYONIX™ Based in San Diego, CA, Psyonix is a critically-acclaimed video game developer and a leading expert in Unreal Engine technology. For more than 15 years, the studio has been a driving force behind some of the most successful games in the industry, including Gears of War, Mass Effect 3, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, Bulletstorm, Unreal Tournament III, Unreal Tournament 2004, and the award-winning Sports-Action hit, Rocket League®. Psyonix joined the Epic Games family in 2019.
About Metro Goldwyn Mayer Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) is a leading entertainment company focused on the production and global distribution of film and television content across all platforms. The company owns one of the world’s deepest libraries of premium film and television content as well as the premium pay television network EPIX, which is available throughout the U.S. via cable, satellite, telco, and digital distributors. In addition, MGM has investments in numerous other television channels, digital platforms, interactive ventures, and is producing premium short-form content for distribution. For more information, visit www.mgm.com.
Battle your friends in the ultimate Nickelodeon platform fighting game, power-packed with your favorite Nickelodeon All-Star characters for extreme multiplayer action!
MINNEAPOLIS — Oct. 5, 2021 — Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl, the new platform fighting video game featuring a ton of Nickelodeon’s most iconic characters, is now available for PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation®4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam for $49.99. Battle in online and local multiplayer for up to four players — or on your own against the AI — with a huge assortment of fighters on 20 wild levels inspired by Nickelodeon’s greatest franchises!
Developed in conjunction with Ludosity and Fair Play Labs, Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl is the ultimate Nickelodeon fighting game fans have been waiting for! Choose your fighter from a colorful roster of Nickelodeon’s wide array of beloved franchises, including SpongeBob SquarePants, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Hey Arnold!, Invader Zim, Danny Phantom, The Loud House, Aaahh!!!Real Monsters, Rugrats, and more. Then dive into the action and use your hard-hitting skills to knock your foes off of each chaotic level to win!
KEY FEATURES
All-Star Cast of Nickelodeon Fighters: Choose from 20 fan-favorite characters at launch from across the Nickelodeon cartoon universe and watch them duke it out for bragging rights!
Nickelodeon-themed Levels: Battle across a variety of stages inspired by Nickelodeon’s iconic universes, including SpongeBob SquarePants’ Jellyfish Fields, TMNT’s Technodrome, and more!
Master Your Favorite Heroes’ Abilities: Each character delivers a unique move-set and playstyle to explore as you fight to send your foes flying off the level to win.
Single-player & Multiplayer Game Modes: Challenge your skills against the AI, or face off in competitive online and local multiplayer for up to four players.
Discover Bonus Content: Unlock advanced moves unique to each character’s personality and more in the in-game Gallery!
Starting today, you can watch some of esports’ top competitive champions battle it out in a special week-long tournament to celebrate Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl’s release. The Nicktoon Throwdown Invitational features exciting exhibition matches, in-depth commentary from the game’s developers, and more. The action kicks off today on Nickelodeon’s official Twitch channel at 5 p.m. ET|2 p.m. PT and runs every day through to the finals on October 9.
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl is published by GameMill Entertainment. For more information, visit www.NickelodeonAllStarBrawl.com.
About Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon, now in its 42nd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The brand includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, location-based experiences, publishing and feature films. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of ViacomCBS Inc. (Nasdaq: VIACA, VIAC).
About Ludosity
Ludosity is a creative studio from scenic West Gothia, Sweden. Our team of 13 have been putting out highly acclaimed games on PC and consoles since 2008, such as the Ittle Dew series and Slap City. Our games combine humor with solid mechanics and great character design. For more information, visit www.ludosity.com, or join us on Discord and Twitter.
About Fair Play Labs
We are a seasoned game development studio located in Costa Rica. Our main focus is to create fun and entertaining games that amuse and challenge gamers of all ages. www.fairplaylabs.com
About GameMill Entertainment
GameMill Entertainment, located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a third-party publisher of console and mobile games for passionate fans around the world. Development platforms include PC, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft consoles including the Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, Sony consoles including the PlayStation®5 and PlayStation®4, and mobile devices. With development across the globe, GameMill is a source of entertaining and fun games for all ages. For more information, visit https://gamemill.com, as well as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram.
A Metroidvania boomer shooter inspired by Lobo and XIII, with loads of blood, gore, Easter eggs, and Duke’s dark humor, is coming to Kickstarter on November 9th this year. Support the game to help bring it to PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and PlayStation.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 5th, Warsaw, Poland.
The love of retro shooters is strong in this one, so if you share a passion for games like Duke Nukem with Cobble Games developers, then help them bring Chains of Fury to life. You’ll be able to support it on Kickstarter on November 9th this year to later crush the walls standing in your way, discover all the secrets, Easter eggs, and pop culture references, enjoy the game’s dark humor, and, of course, play with loads of guns. All on your favorite gaming platform.
KNOCK, KNOCK! WHO’S THERE? MY BOOT IN YOUR FACE, SCUMBAG!
Chains of Fury is a bloody, fast-paced, retro looter-shooter where you have only one goal – spread bloody mayhem among the alien scumbags. Stuck looking for an exit? Blow up a wall and then shoot the suckers behind it. No limitations, just adrenaline rushing in your veins and one question ringing in your ears – are you ready to put Duke himself to shame?
IT’S TIME TO KICK SOME SERIOUS ASS!
Destructible walls. Bash, jump, demolish, and cause mayhem in six different worlds filled with destructible environmental elements. Forget about keys or lockpicks – tear apart and crush obstacles instead.
Hidden secrets. Loads of Easter eggs and secrets are waiting to be found.
Retro-inspired. Experience the bloody retro vibe you remember from 90’s classics like Duke Nukem, Quake, Unreal Tournament, and Doom, but in a modern shooter.
Comic book visual style. Dive into a game world that looks and feels just like a comic book.
Dark humor. Forget the pompous pep-talk protagonists that modern shooters deliver these days and enjoy punchlines that will remind you of the times when FPS games made you smile.
Split-screen multiplayer. Play with your friends or against your foes.
Guns, guns, and more guns! Lots of crazy weapons at your disposal, from shotguns and machine guns to a grappling hook, shrink ray, and more.
Chains of Fury is being developed by Cobble Games and will launch its Kickstarter campaign on November 9th this year. The game is coming to PC first, and later to Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and PlayStation thanks to Gaming Factory.
More information about the game can be found on the official website, Steam, the publisher’s website, and Facebook.
About Cobble Games
Cobble Games is a small independent game studio trying to survive in the dangerous waters of the game industry. The team used to work mostly as an outsourcing partner of bigger studios. Now, with the help of publishers, they aim to deliver their own games. The developers can’t compete with bigger studios, so they have to make sure that their games are as juicy and unique as possible. https://cobble.games/
About Gaming Factory
Gaming Factory is a producer and publisher of PC and console games. Among the company’s main objectives are producing and publishing its own titles for consoles and PC and supporting independent development teams. https://gamingfactory.pl/
Final Chapter in KINGDOM HEARTS DARK ROAD Mobile Game Launching this Winter
LONDON (5th October, 2021) – In the lead up to the 20th anniversary of KINGDOM HEARTS in 2022, SQUARE ENIX® and Disney today announced that cloud versions of the 10 magical KINGDOM HEARTS titles will make their long-awaited debut on Nintendo Switch as three standalone cloud releases. The streaming versions of KINGDOM HEARTS, the best-selling action RPG series will be available to purchase individually and as the all-in-one KINGDOM HEARTS INTEGRUM MASTERPIECE for Cloud collection.
The notable KINGDOM HEARTS franchise was first released in 2002 by SQUARE ENIX, and led by legendary game director Tetsuya Nomura, thus launching the longstanding collaboration between SQUARE ENIX and Disney. Since then, over 35 million copies have shipped worldwide. Nintendo Switch players, who have eagerly awaited the arrival of the series’ back catalogue on the platform will be able to join Sora, Donald, Goofy, and many other Disney characters on adventures through the “Dark Seeker Saga,” spanning from the original KINGDOM HEARTS to the critically acclaimed KINGDOM HEARTS III + Re Mind (DLC).
Additionally, the entire story of the popular mobile title, KINGDOM HEARTS Union χ [Cross], is available for players to relive or experience for the first time in theater mode through the offline version of the app. The final chapter of the spinoff story, KINGDOM HEARTS DARK ROAD, will also be released this winter. The KINGDOM HEARTS Uχ Dark Road app has surpassed 10 million downloads, and soon players around the world can look forward to experiencing the long-awaited conclusion to this prequel story.
It was also announced today that a KINGDOM HEARTS 20th Anniversary Event will be held, with further details to follow. Fans also got a first look at new 20th Anniversary merchandise items coming in 2022.
To view the KINGDOM HEARTS 20th AnniversaryAnnounce Trailer, recapping all of the announcements made today, visit here:
The KINGDOM HEARTS series cloud version games will be available on the Nintendo Switch. The KINGDOM HEARTS Uχ Dark Road app is currently available for iOS and Android devices. For more information, visit: www.kingdomhearts.com
KINGDOM HEARTS is a series of role-playing games created through the collaboration of Disney and Square Enix. Since the first KINGDOM HEARTS was released in March 2002 for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the series has expanded with several additional entries. The series will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2022 and has shipped over 35 million units worldwide. Since the launch of KINGDOM HEARTS III in 2019, the critically acclaimed RPG has shipped more than five million units globally, both physically and digitally, making it the fastest selling game in the history of the series. Most recently in 2020, the rhythm-action-adventure KINGDOM HEARTSMelody of Memory released on the Nintendo Switch System, PlayStation®4 system, Xbox One family of devices, including Xbox One X, and PC via the Epic Games Store, allowing fans to experience the series’ beautiful soundtracks like never before.
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.
Digital Confectioners Boosts Social Play in Latest Update as Multiplayer Deception Game Prepares to Set Sail
CHRISTCHURCH, NZ – Oct. 5, 2021 – Digital Confectioners, an independent PC and console games studio, announced today that Dread Hunger, its multiplayer game of survival and betrayal where players undertake a deadly voyage, will launch November 10 on Steam for PC. In preparation for the global rollout, the game received a new update that highlights a more social player experience.
Dread Hunger advances the social deception genre by immersing players in an 1850s Arctic exploration voyage where eight player-controlled Explorers depend on each other for survival—but two of them are Thralls determined to sabotage the mission!
The game mixes action-adventure gameplay in an icy Unreal® Engine world with roleplaying and social deception over voice chat. This unique combination continues to attract game content creators and players alike, with millions of video views and an 87% positive user review score during Early Access.
The new Dread Hunger “Bad Medicine” update strengthens social gameplay while deemphasizing player vs. player combat. It also adds the powerful new Armory team objective, a new model for the Doctor, and other content, as seen in today’s video:
“We’ve been listening closely to player feedback over the last few months, and one thing that kept coming up was a consensus that the game was a ‘PvP game with Social Deduction elements,’” said Alex Quick, Creative Director of the Dread Hunger Team.
“To many of our players, the most rewarding and unique aspect of Dread Hunger is the shock of an unexpected poisoning, or the subtle manipulation of a masterful liar that leads to distrust (and mutiny!) aboard the ship. With this update we are striving to bring those elements to the forefront, and make Dread Hunger more of a ‘Social Deduction game with PvP elements.’”
It’s up to each player in Dread Hunger to bring life to their chosen character through voice chat while completing objectives. The six Explorers must work together to gather resources to power the steam-powered sailing ship towards its destination while contending with the harsh climate.
Meanwhile, Thralls plot to poison food, massacre crewmembers, blow holes in the ship, and invoke dark magic to undermine the mission—all while pretending to be loyal Explorers. Starvation, wolves, cannibal attacks, and other gruesome fates abound, and any misplaced trust can quickly lead to a knife in the back. When food is sparse, fellow crewmates appear more and more appetizing.
Game Key Features
Survive the Arctic: Build fires to stay warm, fend off predators, and hunt for food to stay alive in the unforgiving Canadian Arctic
Betray Your Friends: Feed them tainted food, lure animals to attack them, hex them with blood magic, or if all else fails… shoot them in the back and blame someone else
Roleplay Your Character: Add flavor and personality to your character by using integrated voice chat and your in-game actions. Play as the Captain, Navigator, Cook, Doctor, Chaplain, Royal Marine, Hunter, or Engineer, all equipped with a unique starting kit and passive ability.
You Are What You Eat: In the Arctic, you must make grim choices to stay fed; butcher bodies and use the pieces as weapons—or food
Captain a Ship: Steer a 19th century warship around (or into) icebergs and find coal for the ever-hungry boiler to keep the ship moving… or blow it up
Brave a Perilous World: Plan around a full day and night cycle while trying to outrun a massive blizzard that looms over the expedition
New Armory Secondary Crew Objective: The Armory can provide powerful weapons to Explorers or Thralls, depending on who manages to unlock it first
Dread Hunger, scheduled to release for $29.99 / £23.79 / €24.99 on PC via Steam November 10, is developed by the Dread Hunger Team and published by Digital Confectioners. The developers are exploring options to bring the game to other platforms following its PC launch.
About Digital Confectioners
Digital Confectioners is a New Zealand-based studio creating high quality service-based games for PC and console. Its highly anticipated multiplayer deception adventure, Dread Hunger, is scheduled to launch on PC via Steam November 10, 2021. Dread Hunger has caught the attention of players and streamers during its Early Access campaign, with millions of video views and an 87% user rating. For more information, visit digitalconfectioners.com.
Get a sneak peak at 17-BIT’s mystical VR survival adventure ahead of its October 7th launch
Kyoto, Japan, October 5th 2021 – Japanese gaming documentary studio Archipel has released an all new video showcasing renowned illustrator Katsuya Terada’s contributions to 17-BIT’s upcoming primitive VR survival adventure Song in the Smoke. This follows Archipel’s previous Song in the Smoke documentary, The Call of Nature, which focused on creative director Jake Kazdal’s inspirations from Kyoto’s lush wilderness.
Katsuya Terada is best known for his illustrations for The Legend of Zelda, A Link to the Past, Link’s Awakening, Blood: The Last Vampire, and The Monkey King. With Song in the Smoke, Terada creates a primordial wilderness unlike any other. Part survival game and part mysterious adventure, Song in the Smoke’s fantastical creatures and stylized scenery lend an eerie, otherworldly tone to an experience that’s both action-packed and intimate.
“Terada’s work has always evoked a sense of wonder and mystique to me,” said 17-BIT founder and creative lead Jake Kazdal. “It feels rough and beautiful, imaginative and timeless. I knew he’d be the perfect fit for the eerie, enchanting primitive vibe we were going for with Song in the Smoke, and he completely blew us away!”
Song in the Smoke utilizes VR to its full potential, allowing players to expertly identify threats with sound, sight, and smell. Use the world to your advantage, and stalk your prey from the tall grass. Intuitive VR controls let you line up the perfect shot with your bow, but be careful to listen out for the creatures that may be hunting you, or else you’ll have to fight for your life with clubs, sticks, or anything else you can get your hands on.
Get ready to craft, forage, hunt, and fight to survive when Song in the Smoke launches on October 7th for PlayStation VR, Oculus Quest and Oculus Rift platforms.
About 17-BIT Founded in 2009 as Haunted Temple Studios, 17-BIT began as a small Seattle studio composed of veterans from Sega Japan and EA Los Angeles. Since its inception, 17-BIT launched the turn-based tactics game Skulls of the Shogun, and the love letter to 1980s arcade shooters that was GALAK-Z. Now based in Kyoto, Japan, 17-BIT is developing its most ambitious title yet with the VR survival adventure Song in the Smoke, coming to PlayStation and Oculus in 2021.
About Oculus The Oculus team at Facebook Reality Labs lets people defy distance—connecting with each other and the world—through world-class VR hardware and software. The Oculus content team pursues the creation of best-in-class games, narrative experiences, and new VR use-cases like fitness, productivity, and travel. Oculus joins other teams at FRL dedicated to cutting-edge research, computer vision, haptics, social interaction, and more. Facebook Reality Labs is committed to driving the state of the art forward through relentless innovation.
Set sail with Billy and Friend-Ship in the new adventure platformer out now on PlayStation®4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch
LOS ANGELES — Oct. 5, 2021 — Manavoid Entertainment and Skybound Games have launched Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan today onPlayStation®4, Xbox One, PC via Steam and Nintendo Switch for $29.99. Join Billy and a colorful cast of characters in a wholesome, family-friendly and accessible 2.5D adventure platformer featuring RPG, creature-collecting, and puzzle elements. When the evil Leviathan drains the World of Imagination of its colors, it’s up to Billy and their crew to use the power of empathy and acceptance to make friends, discover new experiences, and help bring color back to the once-bright land!
Check out the first 30 minutes of gameplay for Rainbow Billy below:
“Rainbow Billy is a hopepunk, universal coming-of-age story that explores relatable themes like empathy, compassion, inclusion, and self-identity” said Chris Chancey, CEO and President at Manavoid Entertainment. “This has been such a deeply personal journey for us as a team to create, and we’re so excited to finally share it with people of all kinds around the world!”
Key Features:
Explore a World of Imagination: From dark caverns to remote islands on the stormy seas, discover a rich, wholesome world filled with treasure, friendship… and danger!
Fantastic Adventure with Relatable Themes: Restore color to a monochrome world and help your friends be their true selves in a story about empathy, courage and friendship.
Befriend & Collect Cute Creatures: Meet over 60 strange, lovable creatures and help them in non-violent encounters! Create your own unique team to save the day!
Solve Intricate Color Puzzles: Each world is filled with clever challenges and secrets that unlock new areas to explore!
Vibrant 2.5D Visual Style:Rainbow Billy’s art style blends the personality of modern 2D cartoon characters in an imaginative 3D world with an energetic soundtrack to match!
Open Accessibility: Adjust your experience with a range of accessibility features like color blindness support, a dyslexia-friendly font, single joystick controls and more!
Fish for Resources: Because who doesn’t love a fishing mini-game?!
Founded in 2014, ManaVoid Entertainment prides itself on producing video games that mix and match known genres, themes and mechanics to create new and innovative experiences with a twinge of nostalgia. Our latest game, Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan, was funded on Kickstarter early in development. Since then, we’ve won the Ubisoft Indie Series Grand Prize in 2019, received additional funding from the Canada Media Fund, and were selected in the Indie MegaBooth and nominated for Best of PAX East in 2020.
With over 20 people on the team, ManaVoid is composed of AAA veterans with past experience at Ubisoft, WB Games, Eidos-Square Enix and more, as well as talented developers hired straight out of Quebec’s many game development universities. We’re an equal opportunity employer and happy to have a diverse team working on a project driven by themes of inclusion! www.manavoid.com
About Skybound Games
Skybound Games is a division of Skybound Entertainment with the capabilities to produce, develop, and license video games. The team works closely with creators to expand their unique and exceptional IP to new platforms. The Skybound Games slate houses everything from indie projects to high-budget franchise titles, with recent games including Telltale’s The Walking Dead, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Before Your Eyes and The Big Con.
