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HUMANKIND IS OUT NOW

If you could re-write the narrative of human history, what story would you shape?

Sydney, Australia – 18th August 2021: It’s been quite the journey since we announced HUMANKIND, the game of our dreams, and we’re thrilled to finally announce that it’s out now at Australian retailers! To celebrate the launch, we’ve prepared an exquisite live-action launch trailer that fully encapsulates our vision of the infinite possibilities you’ll encounter in HUMANKIND

Check out the trailer here:

To thank our players for their support and great feedback during development, we have also prepared an Early Adopters’ bonus offer available for one week after launch, until 24th August! 

And while it may be release day, it’s also just the beginning: we intend to fully support the game for years to come and will be continuing to listen to our players, who have helped us to make this the game that it is! Keep an eye on our TwitterFacebookInstagram and YouTube channels for more details about future updates and events.

MARVEL’S AVENGERS EXPANSION: BLACK PANTHER – WAR FOR WAKANDA NOW AVAILABLE

MARVEL’S AVENGERS EXPANSION: BLACK PANTHER – WAR FOR WAKANDA NOW AVAILABLE

Free Update for Owners of Marvel’s Avengers Adds New Hero, Villains, Enemies, and More

SYDNEY, (August 18, 2021) – Today, SQUARE ENIX® announced that Marvel’s Avengers Expansion: Black Panther – War for Wakanda is now available as a free update to all owners of the core game. In addition to adding Black Panther, the ninth playable Super Hero for the game, the War for Wakanda Expansion also brings with it two new villains, a brand-new environment to explore, new enemies, the Birnin Zana Outpost, new solo or multiplayer Drop Zone and Threat Sector missions and more, adding the most content to Marvel’s Avengers since the game’s launch.

“The War for Wakanda Expansion is the biggest and best update we’ve ever made to Marvel’s Avengers,” said Scot Amos, Co-Head of Studio at Crystal Dynamics. “We’re proud to be able to deliver all this new content for free for everyone who owns the game. Combined with the new features we’ve added and improvements we’ve made since launch, there’s never been a better time to be a Marvel’s Avengers player.”

A Marvel’s Avengers WAR TABLE dedicated to the War for Wakanda Expansion premiered on August 16th as part of the launch celebration for the Expansion and offered an extensive look at what players can expect from the War for Wakanda.

Watch the Marvel’s Avengers WAR TABLE for the War for Wakanda Expansion here.

The War for Wakanda Expansion adds to a game already packed with content, continuing the story begun at launch with the ‘Reassemble’ story campaign, and continued through the ongoing Avengers Initiative content. Marvel’s Avengers now offers several campaigns, nine playable heroes, and endless multiplayer co-op action for up to four players.

About Marvel’s Avengers Expansion: Black Panther – War for Wakanda

The story of the free War for Wakanda Expansion revolves around King T’Challa, the Black Panther, devoted protector and current ruler of Wakanda. When arch-villain Klaw’s forces threaten Wakanda’s safety, T’Challa must take the fight right to them to defend everything and everyone he holds dear. Blindsided by a betrayal and the resulting tragedy, T’Challa finds it difficult to entrust his duty to anyone else, even his sister Shuri, while also confronting those who wish to do Wakanda harm.

Players will experience the game’s story and additional missions in the ongoing Avengers Initiative in the lush jungles of Wakanda, an entirely new environment and sole location of the world’s Vibranium – the most precious resource in the world. They’ll also get to explore the Royal Palace that overlooks Birnin Zana, known as “The Golden City,” in a new Outpost that contains Shuri’s laboratory, Zawavari’s chambers, and the Wakandan War Room.

About Marvel’s Avengers

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

The narrative of Marvel’s Avengers continues to expand over time with the addition of new stories featuring new heroes, villains, mission types, regions, items, and more delivered to players at no additional cost once they own the core game, such as the recently released Operations, Kate Bishop – Taking AIM and Hawkeye – Future Imperfect. These stories move the entire Marvel’s Avengers narrative world forward on a multi-year arc, and all new missions are accessible to the entire roster of playable heroes.


Marvel’s Avengers is currently available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Stadia.

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

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

About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media. For more information visit marvel.com. © 2021 MARVEL
 
About Crystal Dynamics
Crystal Dynamics® has developed and published more than 30 award-winning titles during its 29-year adventure. Some of the company’s beloved franchises include Gex®, Legacy of Kain® and most recently, TOMB RAIDER® which has sold more than 84 million copies worldwide. With over 20 video game titles released and hundreds of awards, the heroine Lara Croft® has been a cultural icon for more than 25 years and has made an indelible mark on virtually every facet of entertainment. In addition to their headquarters in Redwood City, CA, Crystal Dynamics has two additional studios: Crystal Northwest™ in Bellevue, WA, and Crystal Southwest™ in Austin, TX.For more information on Crystal Dynamics, please visit http://www.crystald.com/, their Twitter account, Facebook page, or their LinkedIn page.

 
About Eidos-Montréal
Eidos-Montréal™ (a Square Enix® studio) is focused on creating immersive and captivating experiences. For the last decade, the development teams at Eidos-Montréal have orchestrated the successful reboot of the DEUS EX® series (Deus Ex: Human Revolution®, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided®), released the latest entry in the THIEF® franchise, and have also played a key role in the development of the award-winning TOMB RAIDER® series.
 
For more information on the studio, please visit https://eidosmontreal.com/ and find us on TwitterInstagramFacebook and LinkedIn.
 
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 163 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 83 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 84 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix Ltd. is a London-based, wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.

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

Developed by Crystal Dynamics and Eidos Montréal. Development support provided by Nixxes. All rights reserved.

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

The Latest in Red Dead Online: Double Rewards on Camp and Homestead Robberies, Free Emotes, Care Package and More

Double Rewards for Skilled Thieves on Camp and Homestead Robberies

Plus Quick Draw Club Benefits, and More

Living on the fringe of society is dangerous, but the criminal lifestyle certainly has additional perks. Where most folk eke out a living toiling for their employers, some are inclined to simply take what they want, when they want it. Rob any Camp or Homestead this week in Clearing House or Dirty Money, Dirty Deeds — either during a Blood Money mission or while freely roaming the frontier — to earn 2X RDO$ and XP.

Pay a visit to Sean Macguire, Joe, James Langton, or Anthony Foreman for information on vulnerable targets scattered across the five states. What’s more, successfully completing one of these robberies will earn you an Offer for 30% off a Revolver within 72 hours.

Free Roam Mission Bonus

Visit any Free Roam Mission contact on your travels and complete any Free Roam Mission to land a Reward for a select pair of Gloves up to Rank 15, also awarded within 72 hours.

Quick Draw Club Benefits

Owners of The Quick Draw Club No. 1 who purchase the second installment by August 23 will receive RDO$300 and 2,000 Character XP. Each installment of The Quick Draw Club costs 25 Gold Bars and gives you access to 25 ranks of Rewards.

Earn 25 Gold Bars back for each pass by completing all 25 Ranks. Plus, purchase all four installments of The Quick Draw Club to get a Reward for The Halloween Pass 2 for free. 

Free Emote for Players on Both Ends of The Honor Scale

Regardless of whether you choose the high road or the low, there are benefits for hardened veterans. Players Ranked 100 and up who dip into Low Honor during the next seven days will unlock the You vs Me Emote within 72 hours to let their foes know what’s what. Rank 100+ players who begin this week with High Honor and maintain it through August 23 will unlock the Jovial Laugh Emote within 72 hours of logging in after August 24, perfect for lightening the mood around camp.

Special Care Package

To keep you in fine shape for all your misdeeds, playing at any point this week will get you 3 Potent Health Cures and 3 Special Miracle Tonics, available at the Post Office or in your Camp Lockbox within 72 hours.

Discounts

Don’t get caught short out in the wilderness — make sure you’re well stocked. Take advantage of these discounts from vendors of all sorts across the frontier:

  • 50% off all Consumables at the Doctor
    • 30% off all Multi Class Horses
    • 30% off the Fast Travel Post
    • 30% off all Throwable Weapons
    • 30% off all Bandanas
    • 30% off all Cosmetic Role Items from Madam Nazar

Prime Gaming Benefits

Red Dead Online players who connect their Rockstar Games Social Club account to Prime Gaming before August 30 will receive a Reward for a free Hat up to Rank 15, as well as Offers for 50% off the Rolling Block Rifle and 30% off select Camp Equipment from Wilderness Outfitters.

Check Rockstar Support for details and limitations.

Coming Soon to Xbox Game Pass: Psychonauts 2, Humankind, Twelve Minutes, and More

Coming Soon to Xbox Game Pass: Psychonauts 2, Humankind, Twelve Minutes, and More

by Megan Spurr, Community Lead, Xbox Game Pass

You probably saw this coming, but there are lots of Xbox Game Pass games on the way. Last week we announced Humankind is coming to PC on day one… and today that day has arrived! Looking ahead, we’re excited to explore the bizarre, twisted, and trippy mental worlds of Psychonauts 2 and solve the mystery of the time loop in Twelve Minutes on day one. Those barely scratch the surface for what’s on the horizon, so let’s jump right in and check out all the games coming soon!

Available Today

Humankind (PC)
Available on day one with Xbox Game Pass for PC, Humankind is a historical strategy game where you’ll be re-writing the entire narrative of human history. Combine up to 60 different cultures to create your own civilization and lead your people from the Ancient to the Modern Age.

Coming Soon

Recompile (Console [Xbox Series X|S Only], and PC) ID@Xbox – August 19
Available with Xbox Game Pass on day one! This atmospheric, Metroidvania-inspired hacking adventure lets you take control of a semi-sapient program struggling against deletion. In the sprawling 3D world of the Mainframe, Recompile features intense combat, tight 3D platforming, super-powered abilities, and an environmental logic-based hacking mechanic.

Train Sim World 2 (Console, and PC) – August 19
Drive high-speed German rail as you push the throttle in the famous DB ICE 3M out of Köln. Take on the challenge of long freight across Sand Patch Grade using the raw power of the CSX AC4400CW. Master the world-famous London Underground on the Bakerloo Line. All official licenses, all authentically recreated. You’re in the cab and in control.

Twelve Minutes (Console, and PC) ID@Xbox – August 19
Available with Xbox Game Pass on day one, Twelve Minutes is an interactive thriller about a man trapped in a time loop. Find a way to use the knowledge of what’s coming to change the outcome and break the loop. Featuring the voice acting talents of James McAvoy, Daisy Ridley, and Willem Dafoe.

Psychonauts 2 (Console, and PC) – August 25
From Xbox Game Studios and Double Fine Productions, Psychonauts 2 will be available day one with Xbox Game Pass! Combining quirky missions and mysterious conspiracies, Psychonauts 2 is a platform-adventure game with cinematic style and tons of customizable psychic powers, serving up danger, excitement, and laughs in equal measure as players guide Raz on a journey through the minds of friends and foes on a quest to defeat a murderous psychic villain. Xbox Game Pass members can pre-install today to be ready to play on day one, August 25.

Myst (Console, and PC) ID@Xbox – August 26
Available with Xbox Game Pass on day one! Welcome to Myst: the starkly beautiful island, eerily tinged with mystery and shrouded in intrigue. Explore the deeper connections and uncover a story of ruthless family betrayal.

In Case You Missed It

Boyfriend Dungeon (Console, and PC) ID@Xbox – Available now
We all love swords in RPGs… but what about kissing them? Romance your weapons in Boyfriend Dungeon today with Xbox Game Pass! Seven “bae blades” each have different combat styles in the dungeon, different tastes in gifts, and a unique series of dates. Find your duelmate!

Library of Ruina (Console, and PC) ID@Xbox – Available now
In Library of Ruina, you will be witness to the stories of Angela, the Sephirot, and Roland following the ending of Lobotomy Corporation. Invite different guests to acquire various books, then utilize them accordingly. How you make use of your collection to grow the library is up to you. A good book will allow you to invite new guests with greater secrets. Amass a collection of books and explore the secrets of the City.

DLC / Game Updates

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Dawn of the Dukes (PC) – Available now
Xbox Game Pass members save 25%! Welcome to Dawn of the Dukes, the second new official expansion to Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition. Challenge friends with two additional civilizations as well as new units and technologies. Battle your way across Central and Eastern Europe with three new campaigns, overwhelming your opponents with sheer military might and economic productivity or with highly disciplined and technologically innovative armies!

Black Desert: Corsair Awakening Update – Available now
The summer’s favourite class in Black Desert now has a new look, new skills, and new weapons. Corsair, the pirate with the oceanic skills of a powerful mermaid, has now been awakened! Adventurers can now enjoy a new weapon, Patraca, and get help from a band of otters. Let’s catch some waves together!

Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice Xbox Series X|S Optimized Update – Available now
Winner of 5 BAFTA game awards, relive Senua’s journey in Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice and experience her world through new eyes, with enriched visuals, DirectX Raytracing, resolution mode and more. Available now on Xbox Series X|S. Learn more here!!

Minecraft: Major League Baseball Home Run Derby DLC – Available now
Batter up! Join your favourite Major League Baseballteam and swing for the fences in a fast-paced home run competition. Pick from all 30 MLB teams and test your reflexes and accuracy in every MLB ballpark, faithfully re-created in Minecraft. Xbox Game Pass members save 10%!

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks

It’s time to play ball! Catch these Perks today, including new free content for MLB The Show 21, and more! Claim them now on your Xbox console, Xbox App for Windows 10 PC, or the Xbox Game Pass mobile app for iOS and Android.

MLB The Show 21: Summer Bundle – Available now
Own Your Rivals. Own the Show. Pick up the Summer Bundle to boost your team with The Show Packs, Stubs and more today.

The Sims 4: Kids Room Stuff – Available now
Spark the imagination of Sims with new items to personalize kids’ bedrooms in The Sims 4 Kids Room Stuff Pack Perk offered via EA Play.

Splitgate: Xtreme Perk Pack – Available now
Gear up for action with fresh exclusive content! Unlock the Xtreme character skin, weapon skins, and banner for free with this Splitgate Perk Pack.

Leaving August 31

The following games are leaving the Xbox Game Pass library on August 31, so be sure to dive back in or pick up where you left off ASAP! This is also your reminder that you can use your membership discount to save up to 20% off if you want to keep these games in your library!

  • Blair Witch (Console, and PC)
  • Double Kick Heroes (Console, and PC)
  • NBA 2K21 (Console)
  • Stranger Things 3: The Game (Console, and PC)

The hits just keep coming (to Xbox Game Pass)! There’s a lot to look forward to, so be sure to stay plugged into @XboxGamePass and @XboxGamePassPC on Twitter for updates when these games are ready to play. Alternatively, you can use the Xbox Game Pass mobile app to get notifications when new games are playable. Catch you next time!

Guardians of Hyelore Unleashes Tactical Tug of War on PC Sept. 29, 2021

Guardians of Hyelore Unleashes Tactical Tug of War on PC Sept. 29, 2021

TORONTO — Aug. 17, 2021 — Guardians of Hyelore, the tug-of-war fantasy battler from developer Megaglope Studios and publisher Freedom Games, sets to defend Windows PC and topple opposing armies’ towers on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021 via Steam and the Epic Games Store.

The realm of Hyelore was overrun with invaders. Then just at the moment when all seemed lost, a brave army rode to its defense. Swearing to free the land of those that would despoil it, this warband of heroes now travels far and wide, protecting the people from the forces of evil. 

Prepare for battle by recruiting a fighting force of knights, archers, mages, and other champions. Cut through waves of enemies in a tug-of-war to bring down the enemy keeps. Strategically deploy units, sending shield-bearers to the front lines to buy sharpshooters time to dispatch their targets from afar while clerics heal the wounded and conjurers cast magical spells.

Manage resources, such as when to send upgradeable Guardian characters into the fray to utilize their powerful abilities to turn the tide of battle. Spend the spoils of war, allocating the plunder acquired from each new clash to conscript more sellswords and purchase items. Learn new Talents to unlock permanent perks before pushing on to the next skirmish in a 35-stage campaign and the endless Arena Mode, where unending hordes and imposing bosses await. 

Guardians of Hyelore is a dynamic fusion of action and strategy where generals must balance recruiting, upgrading, and commanding troops,” said Ivan Babona-Pilipos, Founder, Megaglope Studios. “Managing to overcome the odds and push deep into enemy territory is such a joy and I couldn’t be more proud to share the experience with everyone when we release it on PC next month.”

A demo for Guardians of Hyelore will be playable during Gamescom 2021 ahead of the game’s Sept. 29, 2021 launch on Windows PC. The title will be available for $19.99 via Steam and the Epic Games Store with support for English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, and Simplified Chinese language options.

For more information on Guardians of Hyelore, please visit the game’s Steam Page and check out Megaglope Studios on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

About Freedom Games

Freedom Games is a publisher dedicated to offering best-in-class services to partners and providing players worldwide with unique and memorable experiences. With over 50 years of combined industry experience at the executive level, Freedom Games seeks to leverage its expertise to facilitate great games and even better publishing experiences.

To learn more, check out the official Freedom Games website.

About Megaglope Studios

Megalope Studios is a Toronto-based independent game developer run by solo creator Ivan Babona-Pilipos. Fueled by passion and a love for technology, Megalope is releasing its first project, the action-packed tower defense RPG Guardians of Hyelore on Steam in 2021.

To learn more, visit the official Megaglope Studios website.

Audiophile Gaming Headset VZR Model One Now Available

Audiophile Gaming Headset VZR Model One Now Available

Shipping Today to Customers in the United States, Worldwide Sales Begin Later This Year

SEATTLE — August 17, 2021 — VZR, a new audio products company founded by Apple’s former lead acoustics engineer, Vic Tiscareno, and veterans of the AAA video game and sound industries, announces that the VZR Model One audiophile gaming headset is available and shipping to customers in the United States starting today, with a wider release to more countries later in 2021.

The VZR Model One was created to grant gamers, music-aficionados and audio engineers an unparalleled aural experience achieved via patented CrossWaveTM technology. This innovation in headphone design acoustically reshapes audio waves before they reach the ear, creating a spacious, natural sound more like hi-fi speakers than other headphones.

Through technology innovations and an expertise in acoustic tuning from Tiscareno’s 30+ years in audio, the VZR Model One delivers winning sound for games and a high-fidelity music experience in the same headset. Competitive players can discern those critical sounds like footsteps and shot positioning that they need to get an edge, then pick up details other headsets kept hidden when listening to their favorite songs.

Unlike traditional audiophile headphones, the VZR Model One comes equipped with a microphone that provides high-quality sound with acoustic noise-canceling technology. Users can detach the boom mic when not on calls or chatting with the squad, but stay ready to chat on a moment’s notice with a secondary in-line mic with mute switch. The headset also comes with an extension cable, 3.5mm headphone and mic splitter, 6.3mm adapter, and carrying case.

Enjoy the Model One’s stellar sound on any device with a headphone jack, whether it be a system’s on-board audio, controller, or smartphone, thanks to the headset’s low-impedance, high-sensitivity design. Meanwhile, the low-distortion acoustic design means that listeners looking to utilize specialty DACs and headphone amps can take advantage of their equipment to get even more amazing sound out of the headset.

“The VZR Model One is the culmination of years of design and decades of experience to create the audiophile gaming headset the world needed,” said Vic Tiscareno, Founder, VZR. “But I promise you, this is just the beginning for VZR as we look to radically improve the audio experience of gamers, music lovers and audio pros around the world. Stay tuned.”

The VZR Model One is now available from the official VZR website for $349 and ships immediately. For more information on VZR, including critical acclaim and real-world reviews, visit the official website and follow VZR on Twitter

About VZR

VZR was founded in 2014 by veterans of Apple, THX, SRS Labs, Samsung Design Lab, and THQ. Composed of experts in the field of audio engineering and acoustic design who are fans of gaming and high-quality sound, the company sets out to bring winning sound to everyone. By utilizing decades of expertise in both hardware audio electronics and sound design to create state-of-the-art designs, VZR’s products meet the needs of competitive gamers and music fans without compromise.

Third Annual Season of Pride Sets New Fundraising, Viewership Records

Third Annual Season of Pride Sets New Fundraising, Viewership Records

Gamers Rise Up to Spread Love to LGBTQIA+ and Diversity Charities

SAN FRANCISCO – August 17, 2021 – Season of Pride 2021, the third-annual month-long celebration of LGBTQIA+ diversity in games, set new fundraising and viewership records through Twitch streams, raising more than $29,500 for eight charities thanks in part to more than 2.2 million views combining for more than 21 years of viewership.

Season of Pride, formerly known as Summer of Pride but renamed since Pride is not and should not be limited to one particular time of year, achieved more than 186,000 hours of viewership from more than 70+ LGBTQIA+ Twitch streamers around the world. Titles featured during the event included AAA releases like Dead by Daylight and The Sims 4 as well as beloved indie offerings like Sayonara Wild Hearts, Kitty Powers’ Love Life, and many more.

“Working on behalf of Behaviour with Cade and Season of Pride was a truly lovely experience,” said Mae Morrison, Influencer Manager, Behaviour Interactive, developers of Dead by Daylight. “We had a lot of laughs, raised some money for amazing causes and it was great to partner with an organization that uplifts queer voices all year round.”

The event organized by MidBoss, creator of inclusive cyberpunk adventures 2064: Read Only Memories and upcoming Read Only Memories: NEURODIVER, generated $29,534 in donations for eight LGBTQIA+ and diversity-focused charities from direct donations and game purchases. Beneficiaries include Trans Lifeline, The Trevor Project, and GaymerX, with Mermaids, Minus18, Black Girls Code, Girls Who Code, and Women in Games International joining mid-event.

“Season of Pride bolsters everything we do at Trans Lifeline, it spreads awareness about our services, it lets trans people see that they are supported by a wonderful community of content creators, and it provides vital funding for our work,” said Bri Barnett, Director of Advancement, Trans Lifeline. “The communities on Twitch fund over 15% of our budget annually, it’s impossible to overstate the impact of these events.”

“Our 3rd annual Season of Pride event was a smash! We’re so proud of what we’ve done this year and every year,” said Cade Peterson, CEO, MidBoss. “It continues to grow and touch hearts and minds of gaymers everywhere, all while bringing together so many amazing people to fundraise for some very deserving charities doing great work to make the world a better place for underserved minorities while promoting positive LGBTQIA+ characters and stories.”

For more information, visit the MidBoss website and follow @MidBoss on Twitter.

About MidBoss

Based out of San Francisco (although not the Neo kind), MidBoss aims to make the world better, safer and more inclusive for marginalized people, especially those across the gender and sexuality spectrum, by creating cool experiences through games and other forms of media which diversify representation, as well as becoming a platform for queer content around the world.

MidBoss expanded on the world it created in 2064: Read Only Memories with a Read Only Memories comic series in late 2019. The studio is also responsible for the creation and curation of Season of Pride, an annual month-long celebration of diversity in games featuring titles with good LGBTQIA+ representation and an array of queer and POC content creators.

To learn more about the studio visit the MidBoss website, Twitter, and blog.

Cyberpunk Isometric RPG ‘Gamedec’ Launches Sept 16 – Add to Your Watch List Today!

Gamedec launches on PC on Sept. 16th… let’s get you all caught up, shall we?

Gamedec is a single-player non-combat cyberpunk isometric RPG. You are a game detective, who solves crimes inside virtual worlds. Use your wits to gather info from your witnesses and suspects, get to the bottom of deceptive schemes, save lives, and investigate the extraordinary relationships between virtual worlds and their inhabitants. The game continually adapts to your choices and never judges – You are the sum of your choices.

Funded in just 36 hours when it debuted on Kickstarter, Gamedec has had a lot of eyes on it right out of the gate. Why don’t we start with taking a look at the reveal trailer from Gamescom 2019 to get warmed up?

Looks pretty rad, right? 

Ok ok ok… now, we’re 2 years later and on the verge of Gamedec releasing worldwide. The finish line is near!

In the 2 years since that reveal trailer, the team at Anshar has been working tirelessly towards this moment. The plan is coming together, and the Date Reveal trailer provides even more information as to how Gamedec will engage players in this unique brand of detective work.

One of Gamedec’s biggest goals is to allow for high replayability due to each playthrough being entirely different from the one before it based on each decision impacting the game in its own way. How many ways can you branch the narrative? For our last look into Gamedec – for now – have a look at the Narrative Branching trailer from last month!

Gamedec General Features:

  • Interact with NPCs to gather intel and access different dialogue options depending on your choices, developed profession and acquired knowledge.
  • Visit numerous virtual worlds – from the deceitful farm-like environment, through dark-noir cyberpunk realities to fantasy-based realms.
  • Use your Codex and Deduction to unscramble facts and evidence to conclude the case. Find your own answer and respond accordingly to your own ethics, integrity or just a sense of poetic justice.
  • Shape your Character through actions that grant positive or negative effects – Determine how to you want to be perceived by the other by selecting traits, which correspond to your gameplay style. Develop your own Gamedec through your decisions, choices, and actions.
  • Meet various characters in both Realium and Virtualium that can be friendly, or hostile – depending on your decisions throughout the game.

Check out gameplay as well here:

About Anshar Studios

Craftmanship is our way. We follow the radical truthfulness philosophy to communicate and, as a result, bring impactful, first-party ideas to life and deliver perfected third-party projects. We have a skilled team, a well-crafted portfolio, and ambition to grow. We’re hungry to make good games, so one can wait for Gamedec or let us help to create one’s own game. Anshar Studios has also expanded the scope of our activities and offers services to many reputable companies in the video game industry. We have collaborated with clients such as Larian Studios, Bloober Team, Artifex Mundi, The Farm 51, Playway, and QLOC. The most recent Anshar first-party projects were Telefrag VR – a fast-paced PVP VR shooter, and Detached – a space exploration VR game. The studio is also involved in the development of a few undisclosed projects for a group of premium-tier customers.

New Game, New Name: Benjamin Rivers Inc. is Now BancyCo!

(August 17, 2021 — Toronto, Canada) After nine years designing and publishing video games as Benjamin Rivers Inc., the husband-and-wife team of Benjamin Rivers and Nancy Yeung announce their new studio, BancyCo.

Since 2012 the Toronto-based developers have released critically-acclaimed titles Home, Alone With You, and Worse Than Death on consoles, PC and the App Store. As BancyCo, they continue to focus on creating original IP while working with new development and publishing partners.

That’s why today, BancyCo also announces that it’s developing its fourth game. It’s lighthearted, colourful, and for the first time, spearheaded by Co-Founder and Producer Nancy Yeung.

BancyCo is creating its new original game in collaboration with developers from Laundry Bear — the talented Toronto studio who released A Mortician’s Tale and Speed Dating for Ghosts, and who have co-developed titles such as Celeste, Ooblets and Moonglow Bay.

The studio successfully acquired funding for the development of a prototype and is expecting to go into full production later this year. Release dates and platforms for the new game aren’t available just yet; players can get updates on Twitter and Instagram.

About BancyCo:

BancyCo is a Toronto-based, independent videogame studio founded by Benjamin Rivers and Nancy Yeung. We’ve developed and published critically acclaimed games for consoles, PC and iOS since 2012. Originally known as Benjamin Rivers Inc., the studio relaunched in 2021 as BancyCo to better reflect its core values as a mom-and-pop shop and its collaborations with other talented developers.

NETMARBLE ANNOUNCES FINANCIAL EARNINGS FOR SECOND QUARTER OF 2021

NETMARBLE ANNOUNCES FINANCIAL EARNINGS FOR SECOND QUARTER OF 2021

Launch of Major Titles Including ‘MARVEL Future Revolution’ in Second Half and Entry Into Mobile Social Casino Game Industry Anticipated to Further Solidify Netmarble’s Global Presence

LOS ANGELES – AUG. 17, 2021 –Netmarble Corp, a leading developer and publisher of mobile games, reported $516.5 million in revenue and $37.4 million in EBITDA during the second quarter of 2021. Overseas sales reached $379.9 million, accounting for 74% of total global sales.

Despite solid results from Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds’ June launch in key Asian countries, the increase in initial marketing costs put a significant drag on second quarter profitability. However, we expect the return on this investment to be positively reflected in our performance for the third and fourth quarters of 2021.” said Seungwon Lee, CEO of Netmarble. “Looking toward the next quarter and second half, we’re optimistic the launch of MARVEL Future Revolution in 240 countries on August 25 will fortify Netmarble’s competitive edge in the global gaming market, while the recent acquisition of SpinX Games, one of the fastest-growing companies in social casino gaming, will also play an integral role in the expansion of Netmarble’s casual game lineup.  Additionally, we have a strong slate of upcoming global launches for the remainder of the year, such as Seven Knights 2 (excluding Korea, China, and Vietnam) and BTS Dream: TinyTAN House (excluding China).”

Netmarble’s Q2 2021 financial results include:

  • Revenues were diversified across North America (36%), Korea (26%), Southeast Asia (12%), Europe (11%), Japan (10%), and other territories (5%).
  • Top performing titles from the second quarter feature original and partner games, including MARVEL Contest of Champions (13% of revenue earned) (Kabam), The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross (13%), Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds (12%), Lineage 2: Revolution (6%), Seven Knights2 (5%), Blade & Soul Revolution (5%), Harry Potter Hogwarts Mystery (5%) (Jam City), Cookie Jam (4%) (Jam City), MARVEL Future Fight (3%), and A3: STILL ALIVE (3%). Other Netmarble games contributed to 31% of revenue earned.
  • With Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds’ global launch across five regions in June, MMORPGs (32% of revenue generated) saw a 7% YoY increase, with the remainder of Netmable’s portfolio broken down into RPGs (32%), casual games (25%), and other game genres (11%).

A breakdown of the total financial earnings is below:

 4/1/21 – 6/30/21 actualsYoY ChangesQoQ Changes
Total Sales$516 million-15.8%+1.2%
EBITDA$37.4 million-61.8%-47.9%
Operating Profit$14.4 million-80.2%-70.1%
Net Profit$43.1 million-43.4%-22.1%

For details on Netmarble’s quarterly performance, and to listen to the earnings call, please visit the company’s Investor Relations page to learn more.

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About Netmarble Corporation

Established in Korea in 2000, Netmarble Corporation is a top developer and publisher pushing the boundaries of the mobile gaming experience with highly innovative games including Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds, Lineage 2: Revolution, The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross, Blade & Soul Revolution and MARVEL Future Fight. As a parent company of Kabam, and a major shareholder of Jam City and HYBE (formerly Big Hit Entertainment), Netmarble strives to entertain audiences around the world with a variety of mobile games based on its powerful franchises and collaborations with IP holders worldwide. More information can be found at http://company.netmarble.com