Marvel’s First Open-World Action RPG Arriving This Summer on iOS and Android

Tune-in to Marvel’s Livestream Tonight at 5:00 PM PST for Latest Looks at the Game

LOS ANGELES – JULY 27, 2021 – Global mobile game publisher Netmarble Corp. and Marvel Entertainment have announced MARVEL Future Revolution will launch globally on August 25 for iOS and Android devices as a free-to-play Open-World Action RPG. Global pre-registration is now open via the App Store and Google Play, where players can receive a “Pre-Registration Costume Gift Box” that will grant a full costume set of in-game cosmetic items for one of MARVEL Future Revolution’s starting Super Heroes.

Fans can tune into to get the latest info on the game today at 5:00 p.m. PDT via Marvel’s YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and Twitch accounts.

MARVEL Future Revolution begins when numerous Earths from across the Multiverse converge to form an entirely new ‘Primary Earth’ filled with many missions across unique zones: the high-tech New Stark City, the dangerous Hydra Empire, the wild and rugged Sakaar, and many more. As agents of the newly formed ‘Omega Flight’ Super Hero team, players will work together to battle an onslaught of Super Villains and defend the ‘Primary Earth’ from a never-ending series of threats.

Eight playable Super Heroes, consisting of Black Widow, Captain America, Captain Marvel, Doctor Strange, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Star-Lord, and Storm, will be outfitted in an extensive collection of iconic costumes from throughout the Marvel Universe, with a tremendous selection of more than 400 million costume combinations per hero from which to choose. This is Marvel’s first Open-World mobile game, exploring a completely original storyline inspired by decades of Marvel storytelling, featuring a variety of fan-favorite characters from Marvel lore.

Developed by Netmarble Monster, MARVEL Future Revolution is the second collaboration between Netmarble and Marvel Entertainment, and a successor to the long-running hit mobile game MARVEL Future Fight, enjoyed by more than 120 million people worldwide.  
 
MARVEL Future Revolution  will be available via the App Store and Google Play as a free-to-play game later this year. Pledge to join the ’Omega Flight’ now to receive a variety of rewards at launch.

For the latest news on MARVEL Future Revolution, please visit the official website (https://marvelfuturerevolution.com) and follow #MARVELFutureRevolution across all social channels:

• Facebook: Marvel Future Revolution
• Twitter: MarvelFutureRev
• Instagram: marvelfuturerevolution
• YouTube: Marvel Future Revolution

ABOUT MARVEL Future Revolution
MARVEL Future Revolution is Marvel’s first Open World action RPG for mobile devices, featuring AAA-quality, 3D graphics in an original, high-stakes, adventure-driven storyline by well-known Marvel writer Marc Sumerak (Spider-Man, the Avengers and more). After numerous Earths converge in the multiverse to form an entirely new ‘Primary Earth’, players will join the newly formed ‘Omega Flight’ Super Hero team to serve as the last line of defense against a never-ending series of threats and nefarious Super Villains. With eight playable characters outfitted in iconic costumes from throughout the Marvel Universe, along with more than 400 million costume combinations per hero to choose from, players can meticulously personalize their ideal Super Heroes look while exploring archetypal locations in an Open World of massive proportions. For more information and to join the MARVEL Future Revolution movement, please visit: https://marvelfuturerevolution.com/
 
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 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
 
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.
 

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Thirdverse Reveals Final Teaser Video for SWORDS of GARGANTUA Tesseract Abyss 2 Expansion Coming August 5

TOKYO – July 27, 2021 – Thirdverse released a new and final teaser trailer for its upcoming adventure mode expansion, Tesseract Abyss 2, in renowned VR sword-action game SWORDS of GARGANTUA. The video features a sneak peek at the massive battles awaiting players, as well as a final, almost complete reveal of the new boss, Galossus. Starting from August 5, players around the world will be able to access the new expansion by downloading from Steam, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, or VIVEPORT Stores.

Watch the Tesseract Abyss 2 teaser trailer here

Tesseract Abyss 2 will offer new enemies, new weapons, and more challenging and strategic battles that will put even the most seasoned warriors to the test. While traversing through newly designed battles, players (single or multiplayer) will also face off with a massive new foe, Galossus.

SWORDS of GARGANTUA is a VR sword-action game you can experience in single-player mode or online co-op with up to 3 other players on Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, HTC Vive, HTC VIVE COSMOS, Valve Index and Windows Mixed Reality devices. Players make use of various weapons and abilities to take on difficult battles along their journey. A wide variety of weapons are available, including one and two-handed swords, axes, maces, boomerangs, shields, and more. While in-game, players can use voice chat to communicate with fellow warriors while taking on enemies.

Play SWORDS of GARGANTUA on the following platforms:
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/895200/Swords_of_Gargantua/
Oculus Rift: https://www.oculus.com/experiences/rift/2001971263187898
Oculus Quest: https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/3064046640291676/
VIVEPORT: https://www.viveport.com/apps/bb242289-9aca-4b5c-8f93-f3a6a51de1b3

Follow SWORDS of GARGANTUA:
Discord: https://discord.gg/UcfNVU3
Official Website: http://www.gargantuavr.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GargantuaVR
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gargantuavr/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GargantuaVR/

About Thirdverse Inc.
Founded in 2020, Thirdverse Inc. (formerly Yomuneco, Inc.) is a virtual reality game development, distribution and management company based out of Tokyo, Japan. In 2019, the studio released the world’s first VR multiplayer sword-fighting action game, SWORDS of GARGANTUA. Thirdverse is also currently promoting the “Thirdverse Plan”, aiming to create a “Third Space” in the virtual metaverse. For more information visit https://www.thirdverse.io/.

Go out on patrol in nine more languages!

Duesseldorf/Germany, July 27, 2021 – Since its release on June 17, 2021 Police Simulator: Patrol Officers by Aesir Interactive und astragon Entertainment has already gotten lots of positive feedback from the player community, accompanied by many great ideas and suggestions for future content. One of the most fervently asked for features: More languages! A wish, that the developer team is more than happy to grant with today’s new update! While the voice-overs will remain in English to suit the game’s US American setting, virtual cops can now also go on patrol in French, Italian, Spanish, Turkish, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Korean and Japanese with localized UIs and subtitles!

Police Simulator: Patrol Officers which is still in early access on Steam™, will be regularly expanded by updates that will add interesting gameplay features, new tasks and districts. The last Background Check update brought in a completely new district, Downtown, with five more neighborhoods, the Gladiator 6 SUV as the game’s second police car, and a police computer which can be used to query background information on suspicious persons or vehicles.

Fans of the game will be able to subject upcoming content expansions to extensive beta tests on Steam™ before their final release, and thus help directly with their development and refinement. Information on exactly how the beta test works, and what players have to do to take part, can be found here. The official Police Simulator: Patrol Officers Roadmap offers a precise overview of all upcoming content.

Police Simulator: Patrol Officers is available for PC via Steam™ and the official astragon homepage for 19.99 Euro/USD 24.99/17.99 GBP (RSP). The game is supported by a game-grant of the German funding body FilmFernsehFonds Bayern.

More Information:

Steam™:  https://store.steampowered.com/app/997010/Police_Simulator_Patrol_Officers/
Homepage: www.patrol-officers.de
Roadmap: http://roadmap.patrol-officers.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PolSimulator
Instagram: https://instagram.com/PoliceSimulator
Facebook: https://facebook.com/PoliceSimulator

Unreal, Unreal Engine, the circle-U logo and the Powered by the Unreal Engine logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Epic Games, Inc. in the United States and elsewhere. All titles, content, publisher names, trademarks, artwork, and associated imagery are trademarks and/or copyright material of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

About astragon Entertainment GmbH 

astragon Entertainment (founded on July 25, 2000 in Hagen/Germany, since 2019 based in Duesseldorf/Germany) is one of the leading independent German games publishers. The focus of the diverse product portfolio of our company, lies on high-quality technical simulation games such as Construction Simulator, or Bus Simulator, but also many other exciting games such as Police Simulator: Patrol Officers or Drone Swarm. The distribution of high-quality licensed and distribution products such as Farming Simulator, Transport Fever 2 and SnowRunner complete our attractive product range. astragon games are available world-wide on many different platforms such as consoles, smartphones, tablets, and PC. Find more information at: http://www.astragon.de/en/. 

About Aesir Interactive  

Aesir Interactive is a German development studio based in Munich, Bavaria. Over 35 passionate designers, artists and programmers lay the foundation for engaging games and innovative interactive applications. As a leading Unreal Engine developer, Aesir established a formidable tech-stack and workflow for smooth continuous development and integration, creating lively and beautiful worlds for passionate gamers across the globe on all major consoles and PC.  

The diverse members of Aesir come from all over the world, yet they share a common path – Crafting memorable experiences through elegance, discipline, and excellence. For more information, visit aesir-interactive.com. 

About FilmFernsehFonds Bayern 

FFF Bayern provides funding for story and project development, the production of feature and television films, international co-productions for feature films or high-end series, (web)-serial and virtual reality formats, distribution and sales, cinemas as well as games. Besides its funding activities, FFF Bayern is also involved in extensive consulting and information services for the film, television, and games industry. Shareholders of FFF Bayern are the Free State of Bavaria, the Bavarian regulatory authority for new media (BLM), Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR), Zweites DeutschesFernsehen (ZDF), Seven.One Entertainment Group, RTL Television and Sky Deutschland Fernsehen. For more information, visit www.fff-bayern.de

Black Matter’s epic strategic online shooter launches out of Early Access on PC and opens up the horrors of the Eastern Front and debuting Soviet forces.

Tuesday, 27^th July 2021 – Team17 and Black Matter have today announced the full Steam launch of World War II strategic squad shooter, Hell Let Loose. Featuring relentless 50 vs. 50 gameplay and set across 11 maps that authentically depict some of the most important and notorious battles on both the Western and Eastern Fronts of the war, including Utah and Omaha beaches, Carentan, and Stalingrad, Hell Let Loose brings the horrors of the front line warfare to its fullest. Initially launched on Steam Early Access in June 2019, today’s launch includes the introduction of Update 10, which debuts the Eastern Front. This free update adds two additional maps – Kursk and Stalingrad – more than 20 new weapons and gadgets, four new vehicles, and Soviet forces into the game.

Each of the new and expansive maps, from the yellowing grasslands on the Russian Steppe in Kursk to Stalingrad’s obliterated urban wasteland, provide gameplay experiences that contrast not only to each other but also to the previously released environments of the Western Front. The new maps provide newcomers and Hell Let Loose’s establishedpassionate community of over a million players with the opportunities to craft new strategies and challenges to overcome.

Hell Let Loose key features

• The brutality of the War in Europe: Hell Let Loose portrays the battles of the Western and Eastern Fronts across two distinct modes, Offensive and Warfare.
• Authentic strategic gameplay: Each side of 50 players is broken down into armour, infantry, and recon, led by officers with a direct line to an overall player-commander directing the flow of the game.
• Unique metagame: Extended battles entrench participants in the tidal-like motion of the frontline that builds up Hell Let Loose’s real-time strategy inspired metagame.
• Playing a Part: Fourteen roles are available for players to experience, from engineers and snipers, commanders and tank crewmen, medics and support; all play a part in the war effort.

Max Rea, Studio Head and Lead Designer, Black Matter:

“After two years in Steam Early Access that’s seen 10 major content updates and overhauls & improvements to every major system imaginable, it is hugely exciting to finally launch Hell Let Loose on PC. The journey to date has seen our passionate playerbase explode, and we’re looking forward to welcoming new commanders, officers, and soldiers onto the theatres of war on both fronts of the War in Europe. Today doesn’t mark the end of the road however; it’s merely the end of the beginning. We have big plans to continue building Hell Let Loose as an evergreen title for years to come, and we look forward to bringing this authentic World War II experience to new generation consoles later this year.”

Chris Coales, Producer, Team17:

“It’s been an incredible journey for Hell Let Loose, which makes today’s launch so highly memorable for everybody who’s worked on it. Black Matter’s strong vision for their debut title has steered the project throughout, as it’s been built up and expanded upon to become one of the most authentic and immersive shooters available on PC. The attention to detail and the amount of care and respect shown towards the real-world horrors of war during the development of the game has been extremely high. Black Matter continues to be an awesome partner for Team17, we’re excited about the future that lies ahead for the team, and for their extraordinary title.”

To keep up to date with all the information on Hell Let Loose please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and join us on the official Discord server.

About Black Matter
Black Matter is an independent studio founded in 2015 to support the development of the debut title Hell Let Loose. Made up of an international team of selected artists and programmers, Black Matter is focused on creating beautiful worlds ruled by emergent, player-driven game design.

About Team17 Group plc Founded in 1990, Team17 Group plc is a leading developer, video games label, and creative partner for developers around the world. Floated on AIM in 2018, Team17, with its extensive portfolio of over 100 titles, embodies the spirit of independent games. In addition to the award-winning Overcooked!, Yoku’s Island Express, and the iconic Worms, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2020, Team17 has helped bring critically acclaimed titles including Hell Let Loose, Moving Out, Golf With Your Friends, Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair, Blasphemous, and The Escapists to gamers everywhere.

Stunning Visuals and an All-New Storyline Showcased in a Non-Stop Action Thriller!

Check out our review here! Samurai Warriors 5 Review

Hertfordshire, 27^th July 2021 – KOEI TECMO Europe and developer Omega Force are honoured to announce the release of SAMURAI WARRIORS 5, an epic historical drama that introduces a re-imagined experience to the iconic franchise – from the visuals to the storyline – opening the curtain to an all-new SAMURAI WARRIORS adventure. The electrifying 1 vs. 1,000 tactical action game is available today for the Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®4 Computer Entertainment System (playable on PlayStation®5 via Backward Compatibility), the Xbox One consoles (playable on Xbox Series X|S via Backward Compatibility), and Windows PC via Steam®. An action-packed new trailer was also released to celebrate the game’s launch, highlighting the vibrant new art style and exhilarating action sequences.

“The original SAMURAI WARRIORS was released 17 years ago, and it’s amazing for me to see the transformation of the series from its roots all the way up to the incredible SAMURAI WARRIORS 5,” says Producer, President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of KOEI TECMO Games, Hisashi Koinuma, who has spearheaded the franchise’s development from day one. “I hope everyone is ready to experience SAMURAI WARRIORS like never before!”

SAMURAI WARRIORS 5 takes place after the end of the Ōnin War, during the Sengoku period, and tells the story of two of the most preeminent military commanders of this period – Nobunaga Oda, and Mitsuhide Akechi. This title includes various eras from this period, including the younger years of Nobunaga, when he was known as “Owari’s Great Fool,” and the period of turmoil and upheaval leading to the Honnō-ji Incident.

All of the game’s character designs have been completely redesigned and re-imagined to help fit the storyline’s Sengoku time period. In total, SAMURAI WARRIORS 5 features 27 main playable characters and 10 additional side characters, including both new and returning warriors, from Ieyasu Tokugawa and Hideyoshi Hashiba to Nō, and Yoshimoto Imagawa.

In addition, all-new Musou actions have been added to the series – including newly designed Musou Frenzy Attacks and all-new Ultimate Skills – elevating the thrill of blowing away hordes of enemy soldiers in exhilarating fashion. These actions are displayed in a vibrant new Japanese ink painting art style, elegantly evolving the SAMURAI WARRIORS series to showcase the Sengoku period in stunning fashion as the intertwining stories of Nobunaga and Mitsuhide unravel on screen like a Sengoku period picture scroll.

Post launch, SAMURAI WARRIORS 5 will reveal two waves of DLC content that will be available separately or through a Season Pass in August. DLC Wave 1 includes three new action-packed scenarios, three additional horses, and two weapon sets. DLC Wave 2 adds three more heroic scenarios, three more horses, and three new sets of weapons. 

For more information on SAMURAI WARRIORS 5 and a more detailed look at the coming DLC, check out the official site, ‘Like’ us on www.facebook.com/koeitecmogames, and Follow us on Instagram and on Twitter @koeitecmoeurope.

ABOUT KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD.

KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD. is a publisher of interactive entertainment software for current generation consoles, handhelds and digital download content based in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, UK. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of KOEI TECMO HOLDINGS CO., LTD., headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. KOEI TECMO’s best known for their signature ‘one versus thousands’ Warriors series, the fan-favourite Ninja Gaiden and fighting entertainment title Dead or Alive. Through collaboration with strong existing franchises, such as A.O.T. Wings of Freedom (Attack on Titan), has brought fan-favourite shows to life in video game form. The company’s desire for innovation and diversity has seen the creation of the critically acclaimed dark-samurai action title Nioh, which takes on new and unique gameplay styles. The company’s acquisition of GUST, developer of a variety of heart-warming titles, has seen their flagship Atelier series span generations of consoles and fans alike. More information about KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD and its products can be found at www.koeitecmoeurope.com

SAMURAI WARRIORS 5 ©KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD. All rights reserved. SAMURAI WARRIORS 5 is a trademark or registered trademark of KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD. The KT logo is a registered trademark of KOEI TECMO HOLDINGS CO., LTD.

“PlayStation”, “PS5”, and “PS4” are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.

Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox One X, Xbox Live, the Xbox logos, and/or other Microsoft products referenced herein are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

Nintendo Switch is a trademark of Nintendo.

©2021 Valve Corporation. Steam and the Steam logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Valve Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.

Video game publisher All in! Games and development studio Dreamplant are happy to share that Arboria, the first 3D action rogue-lite with souls-like combat, recently received a new trailer. The game is available in Early Access on Steam and will be fully released later this summer.

The dark fantasy game’s tenth update introduces new features and mechanics that make playing an even more enjoyable experience. A major gameplay change, Elemental Overcharge, allows players to deal more than one type of elemental damage now and there’s a new tier for weapons, Unique Symbionts—monsters won’t even know what hit them. In addition, more Godz Tests have been added offering new challenges to test a player’s skills even further, as well as a new Bonfire Event at which players can listen to stories of fallen heroes. For the full rundown of the new features added, read the developer blog post on Steam.

Major game features:

• Descend into Durnar—explore procedurally generated dungeons and make sure the greatest threat you find there is yourself
• Use a range of Symbiotic Weapons and Bio-Mutations—gotta find them all
• Unlock new traits and mutate to become stronger—power up future warriors, even if your severed head will only watch them from a jar at the graveyard
• Face a gazillion unique enemies and bosses—Durnar is dark and full of terrors

Arboria puts you in the role of a Yotunz warrior who must descend into the ever-changing dungeons of Durnar to collect Veri and heal The Father Tree. Fight the creepy monsters that hide around every corner with Symbiotic Weapons, please the Godz, and restore the power of your tribe.

BATTLE THROUGH THE REAPERS’ GAME TODAY WITH THE LAUNCH OF NEO: THE WORLD ENDS WITH YOU

The Highly Anticipated Follow-up to ‘The World Ends with You’ Now Available on PlayStation®4 and Nintendo Switch™

LONDON (July 27, 2021) – NEO: The World Ends with You, the action role-playing game developed by SQUARE ENIX®, is available worldwide for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Nintendo Switch™ system.

NEO: The World Ends with You transports players to the bustling streets of Shibuya, as they step into the shoes of protagonist Rindo and take part in the life-or-death battle for survival known as the “Reapers’ Game.” Rindo is joined by many stylish and memorable characters, who together explore the heart of Tokyo to uncover the mysteries behind this sinister game.

NEO: The World Ends with You is now available for the PlayStation®4 and Nintendo Switch™ system, with a PC version of the game to arrive on the Epic Games Store later this winter ^(ANZ).

Official NEO: The World Ends with You Website: https://square-enix-games.com/neotwewy

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 161 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 82 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 82 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

# # #

© 2021 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved.

CHARACTER DESIGN: TETSUYA NOMURA & GEN KOBAYASHI & MIKI YAMASHITA

The World Ends with You, the NEO: The World Ends with You logo, CRYSTAL DYNAMICS, DRAGON QUEST, EIDOS, EIDOS MONTREAL, SPACE INVADERS, SQUARE ENIX, the SQUARE ENIX logo, TAITO and TOMB RAIDER are registered trademarks or trademarks of the Square Enix group of companies. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners.

Mattel and Milestone Reveal Massive Garage of Rides in Upcoming Hot Wheels Unleashed™

Legendary vehicles such as Party Wagon, Snoopy, K.I.T.T. and the Back to the Future Time Machine join the race, along with cars from Audi, Honda, Koenigsegg, Ford and many others!

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. and MILAN, Italy / SYDNEY, Australia – July 27, 2021–Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) and Milestone, a leading global racing game developer, today unveiled a massive garage of cars that will be available at launch in Hot Wheels Unleashed™. Featuring66 vehicles, including Hot Wheels® most celebrated original designs over the brand’s 53-year history, the lineup also includes cars that have become icons of automotive pop culture, such as Party Wagon from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Snoopy from Peanuts, K.I.T.T. from NBC’s Knight Rider and the Time Machine from Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment’s Back to the Future.

For those players looking to get behind the wheel of their favourite vehicles found on today’s city streets and racetracks, die-cast favourites will be featured from OEMs representing the past, present and future of car culture. From classic rides such as the ’32 Ford ‘Deuce’ and ’69 Dodge Charger to modern favourites including the Audi R8 Spyder and Honda S2000, plus hypercars packed with future tech such as the 2020 Koenigsegg Jesko, there is truly a ride for everyone.

Additional vehicles will be made available by playing Hot Wheels Unleashed™ in all the different game modes. Hot Wheels Unleashed™ launches globally on Sept. 30, 2021 on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One X, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC (Steam and Epic Games Store).

In addition to Hot Wheels® originals like Boneshaker and Twin Mill, below are some of the list of cars fans can drive to their heart’s content:

ENTERTAINMENT:

• Party Wagon
• Snoopy
• K.I.T.T.
• Back to the Future Time Machine
• Batmobile

OEMs:

• Audi R8 Spyder
• Audi Sport Quattro
• ’55 Chevy
• Copo Camaro
• ’71 El Camino
• ’69 Dodge Charger Daytona
• RAM 1500 Rebel
• FIAT 500
• ’32 Ford
• 1956 Ford Truck
• 2018 Ford Mustang GT
• Humvee®
• Honda S2000
• 2020 Koenigsegg Jesko
• Mini Cooper S Challenge

Hot Wheels Unleashed™ players will be able to upgrade vehicles using the in-game Rarity System. With the Rarity System, players will be able to collect and dismantle in-game vehicles in order to improve how their vehicles perform. Some upgrades can only be discovered in different and secret ways.

As the #1 selling toy in the world, Hot Wheels is the global category leader in toy vehicles. For the last fifty plus years, Hot Wheels has proven its influence on car culture with legendary design and epic performance. Today, Hot Wheels has become a global powerhouse franchise, with live and virtual events on almost every continent, highly sought-after consumer products and top-tier collaborations, a #1-rated content channel on YouTube, and more. While 16.5 Hot Wheels are sold every second and over 8 billion cars have been sold to date, the brand continues to expand its presence in digital gaming, with success across mobile, console and PC platforms.

For more information and where to pre-order, visit hotwheelsunleashed.com. Drivers can also join the #HotWheelsUnleashed conversation online at Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.

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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.

About Milestone

Founded in Milan in 1996, Milestone S.r.l. is one of the leading and longest established racing game developers in the world.  The 20+ people team is responsible for hit series like MotoGP™, MXGP and Monster Energy Supercross – The Official Videogame, as well as RIDE and Gravel, Milestone’s own IPs. For more information, please visit www.milestone.it

HOT WHEELS UNLEASHED™ © 2021. Published and Developed by Milestone S.r.l. All rights reserved. HOT WHEELS™ and associated trademarks and trade dress are owned by, and used under license from, Mattel. ©2021 Mattel. All manufacturers, accessory suppliers, names, tracks, sponsors, brands and associated imagery featured in this game are trademarks and/or copyrighted materials of their respective owners.

From a Living Desert to a Volcano’s Peak: Exploring Forza Horizon 5’s Biomes and Seasons

by Will Tuttle, Xbox Wire Editor in Chief

While there’s no denying that flashy supercars and built-for-fun off-road vehicles are the stars of the show in the Forza Horizon series, it’s the widely varied, based-on-real-life environments that really make the games shine. Whether it’s kicking up dust while blasting across the Australian Outback in Forza Horizon 3 or leaving a swirling trail of leaves through the English countryside on a crisp autumn day in Forza Horizon 4, we’ve all got great memories of exploring the vibrant worlds created by the developers at Playground Games. With Forza Horizon 5, the team has their sights set on the most diverse locale yet: Mexico.

“We knew from the beginning that we wanted this to be the biggest Forza Horizon yet. However, if we wanted to be the biggest, then we felt we also needed to offer the most diversity and contrast as well,” says Mike Brown, Creative Director of Forza Horizon at Playground Games. “Mexico is almost like the whole world in one country: snowy peaks, tropical jungles, epic canyons, beautiful beaches, ancient architecture, and modern cities. When you add on Mexico’s incredible culture – the music, the art, the history, the people – there is no more exciting location for the Horizon Festival.” 

The Playground Games team has broken down Forza Horizon 5’s Mexico into 11 distinct and unique biomes, each of which was painstakingly researched and recreated by the team. “Our team collects reference from the location and creates concept images that highlight the beauty and unique detail for each biome. We employ techniques such as photogrammetry to recreate the environment with precision accuracy,” says Don Arceta, Art Director for Forza Horizon 5 at Playground Games. “And we bring the beauty of the world in, through the sights and sounds you’ll find throughout every area. The goal of the artistic process is to make it feel like you’re really there.”

Seasons will also be returning to Forza Horizon 5, adding a new layer of diversity and complexity to the experience than previous Forza Horizon games. What’s more, each of the 11 unique biomes will transition though the seasons differently. As an example, spring means the rainy season in the jungles and farmland of Mexico, while summer could bring intense tropical thunderstorms along the coasts. Forza Horizon 5 seasons ensure Mexico is constantly evolving, encouraging players to explore the world in full each time the seasons change.

But what about the biomes themselves? Spread out over a map that’s about one-and-a-half times the size of Forza Horizon 4’s, the 11 biomes represent the most diverse map a Forza Horizon game has ever delivered. Let’s take a closer look:

Canyon

You might recognize this as the biome that was shown in the Forza Horizon 5 reveal trailer in June. It’s filled with rock formations patterned with unique striations, many of which erode into hoodoos that are only found in the canyon. Fun fact: each of the biomes have unique audio and the canyon has more echoes than any of the others.

Tropical Coast

This might be what you think of when you imagine a tropical Mexican vacation. Filled with palm trees, seagulls, white sand beaches and calm waters, it feels a lot like a postcard come to life. At least that’s the case until you reach storm season, which completely changes how you need to navigate it. Watch out for flying palm trees!

Farmland

Unlike the flatter or drier farmland found in some of the previous Forza Horizon games, these rolling hills are filled with lush vegetation, fruit-bearing trees, and wide, shallow rivers. You’ll have plenty of fences to smash through and picturesque homesteads to explore while you’re cruising through here.

Arid Hills

As you might suspect given the name, this biome is full of dry grasses on rolling hills and plains, providing plenty of open spaces to drive across if you feel like off-roading. One of the coolest features in this biome is a lake that actually dries up in the winter season, opening up shortcuts via fast passages and secret areas.

Jungle

Filled with lush, dense vegetation and towering trees that let beautiful rays of sun through the canopy, this biome also sports some impressive waterfalls and winding rivers. There are also a number of hidden temples in this area, all of which are based on real locations in Mexico.

Living Desert

In a first for the Forza Horizon series, Forza Horizon 5 features a cactus desert that’s full of towering saguaros. There are also a number of rock formations and rock piles that are unique to the area. As the name implies, it’s full of life and features plenty of flowers and wildlife.

Rocky Coast

While the tropical coast features lots of trees and vegetation, this one has a completely different vibe. Since there aren’t many trees, you’ll get a full view of the ocean and some excellent views of the sun setting at the end of the day. As a bonus to all you golfers out there, you can even take a spin around (read: through) a golf course.

Sand Desert

Full of towering sand dunes, this biome is perfect for cruising around in a buggy and carving into the sand. If you don’t feel like getting sand between your toes, many of the roads in this area feature long straightaways so there are plenty of opportunities to see how fast your favourite ride really goes.

Swamp

Although a swamp might not sound like the best place for a race, this biome’s shallow waters are a great place for it.   The swamp also features a lot of mangrove trees that sport very thick, interconnected roots. You can actually smash through these during races, changing the route depending on whether or not your car can handle it.

Urban City of Guanajuato

Like a number of cities in Mexico, there’s a good deal of amazing architecture and vibrant colours everywhere you look. Unlike a lot of cities, however, it features a lot of rolling hills and tunnels, making for some really fun race routes. As with the Canyon, you’ll hear plenty of echoes bouncing around the city’s tight roadways.

Volcano

In another first for the Forza Horizon series, this massive mountain is situated right next to the Living Desert. It’s a very high-altitude volcano, so driving to the top is a unique experience that rewards players by seeing way off into the horizon. This is also the only place in the game that you’ll encounter snow, so be sure to pack an extra jacket.

We hope you enjoyed this in-depth look at the diverse biomes you’ll encounter in Forza Horizon 5. This is the largest, most diverse open world ever in a Forza Horizon game, with a vibrant, ever-evolving landscape and limitless driving action in hundreds of the world’s greatest cars.

You can explore Mexico beginning on November 9, when Forza Horizon 5 releases for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC on Windows and Steam, and Xbox Game Pass including console and PC.

ASSASSIN’S CREED^® VALHALLA’S NEXT MAJOR EXPANSION, THE SIEGE OF PARIS, RELEASES ON AUGUST 13

Players can enjoy Season 3 launching July 27, with more new content to enrich players’ Viking journey coming this summer

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – July 27, 2021 – Today, Ubisoft announced that Assassin’s Creed® Valhalla’s next major expansion, The Siege of Paris, will be available on August 13. In addition, Season 3, Sigrblot Season, features exclusive rewards and activities accessible to all players. The Sigrblot Festival is live this Thursday, July 29 for all players until August 19.

Watch ComDev video below:

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s second expansion, The Siege of Paris, will release on August 13. Set in Francia, this new adventure will set Eivor on a dangerous path full of gripping questlines across the Frankish countryside, towards one of the most infamous conquest battles in Viking history. Players will get their hands on new weapons, abilities, gear, and skills to take on new enemy types. The Siege of Paris will also mark the return of Infiltration Missions, directly inherited from long-time, fan-favorite Black Box Missions. Here, players will have the liberty to choose the best way to eliminate their designated target. The Siege of Paris will be available for all Season Pass** owners or as a separate purchase for $39.95 AUD ($49.95 NZD) by all owners of the main game.

Along with the Expansion 2, the “The Siege of Paris” music album will release on August 13th, giving all fans the chance to fully enjoy the complete soundtrack. From today, they can discover “Hásæti”, the first track of the album composed by Stephanie Economou. With this song, she wanted to evoke a sense of spirituality and depth in the music and vocals felt like the right avenue to explore. The lyrics are in Old Norse, with “Hásæti” translating to “Seat of Honor.” To listen the single below:

Starting Thursday, July 29, players can celebrate Summer in the time limited Sigrblot Festival, a traditional Viking festival celebrating the start of the Raiding season. Until August 19, various festive activities will be available in the Ravensthorpe settlement around the traditional bonfire, including:

• Flyting, Fight Tournament, and Dice Game mini-games
• Three new quests available
• Exclusive rewards including settlement decorations, customization items, and weapons. Notably, the one-handed sword Skrofnung can be acquired with Sigrblot tokens in the festival shop for a limited time before the festival ends

To experience the Sigrblot Festival, players must reach England and complete one of the first narrative arcs – either Grantebridgescire or Ledecestrescire – and have their settlement reach Level 2.

An additional update is planned for later this season and will bring a new River Raids map pack, with destinations scattered along the rivers of Francia and Ireland. With development led by Ubisoft Montreal**, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla offers players the captivating experience of playing as Eivor, a legendary Viking warrior, driven from Norway by endless wars and dwindling resources in ninth century AD. Players can relive the ruthless fighting style of Viking warriors with a revamped dual-wielding combat system and experience new gameplay features such as raids, assaults, and the settlement, as well as a revamped progression and gear upgrade system. Political alliances, combat decisions and dialogue choices can influence the world of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, so players must choose wisely to protect their clan’s home and their future.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is available on Xbox Series X | S, Xbox One consoles, PlayStation^®5, PlayStation^®4, the Epic Games Store and Ubisoft Store on Windows PC, as well as on Ubisoft’s subscription service, Ubisoft+.*

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

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

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* $19.95 per month. Cancel anytime. The Gold and Ultimate Editions will be available as part of a Ubisoft+ subscription.  More information at ubisoftplus.com.

**Associate Ubisoft studios are Sofia, Singapore, Montpellier, Barcelona, Kyiv, Bordeaux, Shanghai, Chengdu, Philippines, Quebec, Bucharest, Saguenay, Winnipeg and Pune. Additional help provided by external partner Sperasoft.

About Assassin’s Creed

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

About Ubisoft

Ubisoft is a leading creator, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and services, with a rich portfolio of world-renowned brands, including Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, For Honor, Just Dance, Watch Dogs, and Tom Clancy’s video game series including Ghost Recon®, Rainbow Six and The Division. The teams throughout Ubisoft’s worldwide network of studios and business offices are committed to delivering original and memorable gaming experiences across all popular platforms, including consoles, mobile phones, tablets and PCs. For the 2020-21 fiscal year, Ubisoft generated net bookings of €2,241 million. To learn more, please visit: http://www.ubisoftgroup.com.

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