New Reaper Job, Male Viera Race, New Oceanian Data Center and Collector’s Edition Details Revealed Alongside Full Cinematic Trailer

LONDON (15^th May, 2021) – SQUARE ENIX® announced today that Endwalker™, the fourth expansion for its critically acclaimed MMO, FINAL FANTASY XIV Online, will launch on 23^rd November, 2021 and is now available for pre-order. Producer & Director Naoki Yoshida revealed the release date, alongside new information about upcoming content in the expansion, during the opening keynote address at the Digital Fan Festival 2021.

The full cinematic Endwalker trailer also debuted during the digital event, which includes a new theme song composed by Masayoshi Soken with vocals by Sam Carter from the chart-topping band Architects.

The trailer is available here

The second job that will be introduced with Endwalker is the ‘reaper’—a scythe-wielding melee DPS job who summon avatars while fighting in close-quarter combat. A first look at the reaper in action can be seen here

Additionally, male Viera will be added as a new playable race, joining the existing female Viera. The male Viera reveal trailer is available here:

 The Newly Announced Reaper Job and Male Viera Playable Race

An outline of all Endwalker content reveals from the keynote address can be found below:

• New Job: Reaper
• New Playable Race: Male Viera
• New City: Old Sharlayan – a trailer can be viewed here:

• Travel to Expansive New Areas: Labyrinthos and Mare Lamentorum – trailers can be viewed here:

• New Threats to Overcome: The Magus Sisters
• New Alliance Raid Series: “Myths of the Realm”
• A New Data Center: Oceania

Additional trailers revealed during the Digital Fan Festival 2021 include:

New Area “Thavnair”

New Town “Radz-at-Han”

Dungeon Crawl

Explore Many New Towns and Areas, Including Old Sharlayan and Thavnair

A comprehensive list of content announced for Endwalker, including information from the FINAL FANTASY XIV Announcement Showcase held in February, is available here: https://sqex.to/xiZAF

The FINAL FANTASY XIV: Endwalker Collector’s Edition

Finally, SQUARE ENIX revealed details of the FINAL FANTASY XIV: Endwalker Collector’s Edition, which will be available for pre-order on the SQUARE ENIX Store from 12pm BST on Saturday 15^th May: https://sqex.to/AO7kw

The FINAL FANTASY XIV: Endwalker Collector’s Edition is a bundle containing a copy of the FINAL FANTASY XIV: Endwalker Digital Collector’s Edition for Windows® and Mac, and the physical Collector’s Box.

For PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, and Steam players, the Collector’s Box will be available to order as a standalone product. The Endwalker Collector’s Box includes the physical goods listed below—the box does not include a copy of Endwalker, in-game bonus items, or pre-order bonuses:

• Endwalker Special Art Box – A unique glossy white-inlaid box that features an illustration of Hydaelyn and Zodiark by artist Yoshitaka Amano.
• Expertly Crafted Paladin Figure – An impressive high-quality figure that showcases the Warrior of Light as a paladin using Passage of Arms to shield allies from harm. Including the base, the figure measures approximately W 6.10″ x D 8.46″ x H 7.28″ (W 15.5cm x D 21.5cm x H 18.5cm).
• Art Collection & Frame Set – A collection of ten B5-sized (approx. 7.2″ x 10.1″ / 18.2cm x 25.7cm) art prints featuring key visuals from throughout the history of FINAL FANTASY XIV, from version 1.0 through Endwalker. The set also includes a frame so you can showcase your favorite image.
• Azem Pin – A pin created to mimic the appearance of Azem’s crystal. Designed to fit in the palm of your hand at approximately 1″ x 1.2″ (2.5cm x 3.0cm).
• Loporrit Mini Plush – A mini plush version of a Loporrit. The plush is approximately 6.5″ tall (16.5cm).

Additionally, the FINAL FANTASY XIV: Endwalker Digital Collector’s Edition is now available for pre-order from participating retailers, and includes the following in-game bonus items:

• In-game Item: Arion Mount – A new mount designed to complement paladin, the signature job of Endwalker. A trailer for the mount can be viewed here:

• In–game Item: Wind-up Porom Minion – Porom, one of the young twins who joins your party in FINAL FANTASY IV, arrives as a minion you can share new adventures with.
• In-game Item: Death Scythe: Reaper Weapon – The Death Scythe from FINAL FANTASY XI makes its appearance in FINAL FANTASY XIV as a reaper-exclusive weapon.

The Arion Mount and Death Scythe Digital Collector’s Edition In-Game Items

Players who pre-order FINAL FANTASY XIV: Endwalker from participating retailers will be eligible to receive the following pre-order bonuses:

• Early Access – Early access is tentatively scheduled to begin on Friday, 19^th November, 2021 at 9am (GMT) and will allow users the ability to play Endwalker before the official release.
• In-game Item: Menphina Earring – A gorgeous earring with a design that draws inspiration from the moon. This useful earring features attributes that will vary according to the user’s class/job and current level when equipped and grants a 30% increase in EXP up to level 80 when worn.
• In-game Item: Wind-up Palom Minion – Palom, one of the young twins who joins your party in FINAL FANTASY IV, arrives as a minion you can share new adventures with.

Pre-order bonus codes will be delivered upon pre-ordering Endwalker and can be redeemed immediately. Thanks to the in-game items being delivered ahead of launch, anyone pre-ordering Endwalker will be able to use their Menphina Earring to catch-up to level 80 before the expansion releases on 23^rd  November.

With over 22 million total registered players and a new expansion on the way, there has never been a better time for newcomers to begin their adventures in the critically acclaimed FINAL FANTASY XIV Online saga. The recently expanded Free Trial now includes all content from A Realm Reborn and the Heavensward™ expansion (and updates through Patch 3.56), as well as an additional playable race (Au Ra), and three additional playable jobs (Dark Knight, Astrologian, and Machinist). Free Trial players can enjoy hundreds of hours of award-winning gameplay and story experiences equivalent to two full FINAL FANTASY titles, without limit on playtime.
 
Related Links

Endwalker Teaser Site: http://eu.finalfantasyxiv.com/endwalker/
SQUARE ENIX® Press Site: https://www.square-enix-press.com/
The Lodestone®: http://eu.finalfantasyxiv.com
Official Facebook®: https://www.facebook.com/FinalFantasyXIV
Official Twitter®: @FF_XIV_EN
Official Instagram®: @ffxiv
#FFXIV

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.

FINAL FANTASY XIV © 2010 – 2021 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved.

FINAL FANTASY XIV: ENDWALKER © 2021 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.  All Rights Reserved.

LOGO ILLUSTRATION: ©2021 YOSHITAKA AMANO

ENDWALKER, SHADOWBRINGERS, the FINAL FANTASY XIV logo, CRYSTAL DYNAMICS, DRAGON QUEST, EIDOS, EIDOS MONTREAL, EORZEA, FINAL FANTASY, the FINAL FANTASY logo, THE LODESTONE, SPACE INVADERS, SQUARE ENIX, the SQUARE ENIX logo, TAITO and TOMB RAIDER are registered trademarks or trademarks of the Square Enix group of companies. PlayStation” and the “PS” Family logo are registered trademarks and “PS4” and “PS5” are trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners.

###

Ultimate Fishing Simulator 2, the new sequel to the bestselling fishing game, will debut in Early Access for PC in the second part of 2021 – announced Ultimate Games S.A. The developers are preparing many improvements and novelties. A free demo is now available on Steam. In 2022 Ultimate Fishing Simulator 2 will be released on consoles: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch. A VR edition will also be developed.

Ultimate Fishing Simulator 2 is being developed by the Polish studio MasterCode and will be published by Ultimate Games S.A.

The first instalment of Ultimate Fishing Simulator made its debut on PC in 2018, and was followed by a VR and console edition. It’s currently the highest rated simulator in its category – 88% of the game’s Steam reviews are positive and it holds a Metascore of 70/100. As the publisher informs, the PC version of Ultimate Fishing Simulator alone has sold more than 210 thousand copies, while the number of sold DLCs exceeded 270 thousand.

“Our goal is to set new standards when it comes to fishing simulators. Work on Ultimate Fishing Simulator 2 has already suffered some delays, which is simply due to the fact that we want to deliver the game in the highest possible quality. The new instalment will significantly differ from the first one. We are preparing many different improvements and completely new elements. In a nutshell – Ultimate Fishing Simulator 2 includes, among others, vastly improved graphics, additional third person perspective mode (TPP), as well as new dynamic water and fish AI systems” – said Rafał Jelonek, COO at Ultimate Games S.A.

MasterCode is also preparing many other novelties. The creators are promising, for example, a new version of the underwater camera with hook and fish close-ups, the possibility to fish in a given fishery during different seasons and a special fish routines system based, among others, on the time of the day. For example, the behaviour of a given species of fish during the feeding time will be different from their routines during the resting time.

As the creators indicate, Ultimate Fishing Simulator 2 is a significant step towards an even more faithful representation of the reality of fishing.

“When creating Ultimate Fishing Simulator 2 we did not concentrate solely on avid fishing enthusiasts. We are working on two game modes – one of them will be simplified and aimed at new players, including those who have not had any contact with fishing before” – added Rafał Jelonek.

A free demo of the simulator is now available on Steam and it will give the players the possibility to check out one of the fisheries, the American Jackson National Park – Snake River. The developers have explained that the location was created with river fishing in mind, and in the demo version the fishery offers some of the content planned for the full version of the game.

Ultimate Fishing Simulator 2 – features:

• a new instalment of the top-rated fishing game of recent years;
• numerous improvements and features;
• diverse fisheries modelled on real locations;
• maps with different seasons;
• various fishing techniques (spinning, float, ground and fly fishing, sea, ice and beach fishing);
• several dozen types of fish;
• new dynamic water and fish AI systems;
• FPP or TPP view;
• boats, skills, trophies;
• extended multiplayer mode;
• licensed fishing equipment (such as Sakura).

The new simulator will be released on PC in the second half of 2021 – it will debut in Steam Early Access, which is planned to last around half a year. After the final release the developers will concentrate on creating DLCs. In 2022 Ultimate Fishing Simulator 2 is scheduled to premiere on VR systems and consoles: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch.

Ultimate Fishing Simulator 2 (Steam):
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1136380/Ultimate_Fishing_Simulator_2

Basic information:

title: Ultimate Fishing Simulator 2
genre: fishing, simulation, sports, casual
producer: MasterCode
publisher: Ultimate Games S.A.
language: English, Polish, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, Turkish
release date: 2^nd part of 2021 (Steam Early Access), 2022 (PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, VR systems)

Minimum technical requirements:

operating system: Windows 7 (64-bit) or newer
processor: Core i3-6100 or equivalent
memory: 6 GB RAM
graphics card: GeForce GTX 750 or equivalent
DirectX: Version 11
storage: 12 GB of available space
sound card: DirectX compatible

New Employee-Focused Customizable Work Model Adapts to Meet the Evolving Landscape of Game Development

ROSWELL, Ga. – May 14, 2021 – Tripwire Interactive, developers of the Killing Floor, Red Orchestra, Rising Storm and Maneater franchises, and Tripwire Presents, the publishing division that focuses on releasing  great games from other independent studios, including Chivalry 2, Espire 1: VR Operative and Road Redemption, today announced the implementation of their innovative and exciting Next Gen Work Model, a new hybrid work plan that will allow all members of the studio full flexibility in designating the balance between in-office and remote work. Starting immediately, the Next Gen Work Model will allow Tripwire employees to create their own individual plan with the option to work hybrid in-office and remote in any variation of their choosing, fully remote, or fully in-office. By offering fully customizable hybrid, in-office and remote work opportunities, employees at Tripwire can choose to create a work plan of their own that best suits their personal and professional needs.

As they adapted to the physical restrictions of the recent pandemic, Tripwire discovered there were great benefits to offering remote work yet found that many employees shared they were missing the benefits of on-site work. Based on this, Tripwire is taking the opportunity to formalize a new permanent, flexible work model that offers the choice of hybrid in-person and remote work plans, breaking the limitations of physical location and broadening the pool of prospective creative talent available to the studio. Tripwire believes this new approach will not only foster a more productive and creative environment amongst their teams, but will also add a layer of diversity to their staff that solely in-office work does not as easily afford. Tripwire gathered and utilized direct employee feedback while creating the Next Gen Work Model in an effort to strike a balance between creative efficiency and personal work-life balance; both of which were essential aspects in the studio leadership’s decision to implement the employee-first work model company-wide.

“By allowing flexible hybrid on-site/remote work plans we’re providing the best of both worlds with the collaborative and relational benefits of in-office work and the quality-of-life benefits of remote work,” said Tripwire CEO John Gibson. “With offering these flexible hybrid, full time remote, and full time on-site work options we’re serving the desires and needs of next generation teams.”

Tripwire will retain their physical headquarters in Roswell, Georgia as their base of operations and as an available office for employees who chose to work in an in-person capacity. The Next Gen Work Model will be available to both existing and new employees.

Tripwire continues to grow and is currently accepting applications for a variety of positions. For more details on available job openings, please visit https://tripwireinteractive.com/#/careers.  

For more information on Tripwire Interactive please visit their official website and follow them on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

About Tripwire Interactive

Formed in 2005 as a humble independent developer founded by gamers who found success in the video game modding community, Tripwire Interactive has developed and self-published multiple critically acclaimed titles in the wildly popular Killing Floor and Rising Storm franchises, which have collectively sold over 20 million units to date. The studio’s latest project, Maneater, breaks new ground in the popular action RPG genre and finds players taking on the role of a deadly shark with the uncanny ability to evolve as it feeds.

Since then, Tripwire Interactive has expanded its business with the publishing division, Tripwire Presents, turning its experience and resources to include publishing titles spanning multiple platforms and genres from other talented independent studios. Tripwire Presents aims to help like-minded independent studios bring their titles to market, including Chivalry 2 developed by Torn Banner Studios, Espire 1: VR Operative developed by Digital Lode, and Road Redemption developed by EQ Games and Pixel Dash Studios. All product titles, publisher names, trademarks, artwork and associated imagery are trademarks, registered trademarks and/or copyright material of the respective owners. All rights reserved.

FLIP BURGERS, CHOP VEGGIES, AND TWIRL PIZZA DOUGH IN SPECIALLY THEMED RESTAURANTS ONLINE OR ACROSS 80 SINGLE-PLAYER LEVELS

New-York, May 13, 2021— Developer Flat Hill Games has announced that delicious virtual reality cooking game Clash of Chefs VR will exit Early Access and launch for the original Oculus Quest and Oculus Quest 2 headsets this summer alongside other Steam VR-compatible devices including Oculus Rift, Valve Index, HTC Vive, and Windows Mixed Reality. Clash of Chefs VR allows foodies to play with their meals like never before, challenging them to prepare American, Italian, and Japanese recipes as quickly as possible to defeat online or asynchronous multiplayer opponents and climb the leaderboard. In addition, fans can ripen their skills across 80 different single-player levels.

The final, complete version of the game will include content currently unavailable in the Early Access version, such as a new themed restaurant, achievements, customization features, and more.

Watch the tomatoes, lettuce, and mozzarella fly in today’s trailer:

“Oculus Quest’s catalog is hyper-curated to ensure a high degree of player satisfaction and great return on investment for developers,” says Adrian Djura, CEO and Founder of Flat Hill Games. “We’re proud that our virtual food frenzy, Clash of Chefs VR, will soon be featured among other quality titles on the headset’s platform.”

As players begin mastering the culinary arts, customers will demand increasingly complex dishes. Fans must carefully measure bacon on burgers, beans in burritos, shredded cheese in pasta bowls, and noodles in ramen if they hope to earn a top spot on the leaderboard and become one of the world’s best virtual chefs. Of course, players are welcome to smash plates over a waiter’s head or toss ingredients in their opponent’s face whenever they want to spice up the food fight.

Clash of Chefs VR exits Early Access and launches for Oculus Quest and Steam VR headsets this summer. To keep up to date with the latest information on the title, please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, subscribe to our YouTube channel, join our Discord channel, visit our website, and wishlist the game on Steam.

About Flat Hill Games
Founded in June 2018 by a group of industry veterans, Flat Hill Games is an independent studio passionate about virtual reality. The company’s first game, Clash of Chefs VR, is now available as an Early Access title on Steam. Clash of Chefs VR will launch for Oculus Quest and Steam VR headsets this summer.

Psychonauts Available Now with Xbox Game Pass

by James Spafford, Communication Manager, Double Fine Productions

Earlier this month, we announced that the original Psychonauts would be coming soon to Xbox Game Pass, and today we’re excited to share that Psychonauts is available now with Xbox Game Pass for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows 10 PC. Psychonauts is a psychic-comedy adventure from the mind of Tim Schafer and brought to life by the strange game-wizards at Double Fine Productions. The game follows the story of a young psychic acrobat named Razputin, where you explore the fantastic realm of the inner mind – join the Psychonauts!

Originally released in 2005, Psychonauts has resonated with fans of all ages for nearly two decades thanks to its mixture of comedic storytelling and inventive level-design. As Raz expands his psychic abilities, he must leap into the minds of those around him and explore levels based on their personalities and neuroses. A happy-go-lucky Psychonaut agent’s mind is a constant dance party with secrets lurking in the unlit corners; the mind of a conspiracy theorist is full of twisting roads and pathways that loop in every direction imaginable. Combined with sharp wit and a cast of memorable characters, every step forward in Psychonauts is a step into the unknown and wonderful world of our minds.

Double Fine Productions is immensely pleased to bring Psychonauts to Xbox Game Pass, allowing diehard fans and new players alike to experience the classic that started everything ahead of the release of Psychonauts 2 later this year. Keep an eye on the studio’s Twitter for more information on a “book club” style series of streams that span an entire playthrough of the game and feature guests who worked on it back in the “old days.”

Earn Double Rewards on Special Vehicle Work Plus Bonuses on Target Assault Races, Business Battles, and More

You’ve established an underground sanctuary for illicit weapons trafficking, utilized advantageous bonuses to maximize your R&D capabilities, and unleashed a fleet of weaponized terrors on the streets of Southern San Andreas. Now transition smoothly from the war room to the board room this week with double rewards on Special Vehicle Work, as well as discounts on Executive Offices and their customizations.

Plus, embrace the unholy matrimony of military weaponry and high-octane racing with triple rewards on Target Assault Races.

2X GTA$ and RP on Special Vehicle Work

There are other ways for gunners and drivers to team up and earn a living: Special Vehicle Work provides the perfect opportunity to not only showcase your skills moving rare and modified vehicles, but also rake in double rewards. CEOs can launch Special Vehicle Work from the computer at their Executive Office.

3X GTA$ and RP on Target Assault Races

The camaraderie between a good driver and gunner can be borderline telepathic: speeding through checkpoints, cutting down targets with ruthless efficiency. Nowhere is their relationship on better display than in Target Assault Races, all of which are paying out tripled rewards to all comers, all week long.

2X GTA$ and RP on Business Battles

Keep an eye out for Business Battles firing off regularly in your session and for precious cargo on the highways and byways of Los Santos — you’ll earn double the usual GTA$ and RP for stealing, intercepting, assassinating, and all other manners of unsavory behaviors this week.

Triple Rewards on Motor Wars for the Rest of May

Jump out the cargo hold, find a vehicle (and a weapon, if you’re lucky), fight for your life, and earn triple GTA$ and RP for competing in Motor Wars this month.

Play This Week to Claim Your Free White Vom Feuer Hoodie

Don’t look now, but you’ve got a spot on your shirt — feel free to cover it up with the White Vom Feuer Hoodie, yours free for logging into GTA Online anytime this week.

Galaxy Livery for Rank 100+ Players

As part of our continuing celebration of the most dedicated members of the community, all GTA Online players Rank 100 and above will receive a free Galaxy Livery for their Anti-Aircraft Trailer (available within 72 hours of logging in after May 24th). Blow ‘em out of the sky — with style.

On the Podium this Week: The Declasse Drift Yosemite
After a long day of felonious activity, stop by The Diamond Casino & Resort to unwind. Saunter over to the Lucky Wheel, for example, and give it a spin to walk away with GTA$, RP, clothing, snacks, and all sorts of mystery rewards. This week’s top prize on the podium is the Declasse Drift Yosemite, a tricked-up pick-up that practically runs on crude, unrefined intimidation.

Discounts

Looking to put that white collar on and make some morally questionable power plays in sky-high conference rooms? Snap up an Executive Office and customize it to your exacting specifications — you will save 50% on the brick and mortar and all its upgrades, modifications, and renovations if you do it this week.

As for street-level crime: don’t get caught lacking in a firefight — stock up by visiting the Weapons Workshop inside your Mobile Operations Center, Avenger, or any other upgrade compatible installation to refill your Mk II ammo, half off all week.

Once you’re stocked up, you might be in the market for a new vehicle. Think bigger, heavier, with machine-guns built right in. If that got you salivating, there’s a range of weaponized vehicles on sale, below.

Weaponized Vehicles:

Anti-Aircraft Trailer — 40% off
Benefactor Turreted Limo — 40% off
Jobuilt Phantom Wedge — 40% off
Karin Technical Aqua — 40% off
BF Dune FAV — 30% off
Vapid Caracara — 30% off
Bravado Gauntlet Hellfire — 30% off
HVY Menacer — 40% off

Prime Gaming Bonuses and Benefits

GTA Online players who successfully connect their Rockstar Games Social Club account with Prime Gaming will receive the Kosatka submarine’s Sonar Station for free, along with GTA$200,000 just for playing any time this week.

In addition, Prime Gaming members receive exclusive discounts, including 80% off the Ocelot Jugular and Enus Stafford, plus 35% off the Veto Modern go-kart.

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

Check Rockstar Support for details and limitations.

Celebrating 20 Years of Xbox

by Major Nelson

Do you remember where you were when you played your first Xbox game?

It may be hard to believe, but this year will mark the 20^th anniversary of Xbox. I’m proud to have been a member of Team Xbox for 17 of those 20 years!  The original Xbox console was released in North America on November 15, 2001, followed by many more launches all around the world including Japan, Australia, Europe, Latin America, China, and more! 

Twenty years ago, playing on Xbox meant hooking up your console with three (or more!) cables to a standard definition CRT TV.  You had to pre-order the hottest new games and stand in line at your favourite retail shop to pick them up. Games were played in 640×480 resolution, and you only had 8GB of storage and 64MB of memory to enjoy them with. And you either played alone or with a friend sitting next to you on the couch.

Two Decades of Gaming

The Xbox experience today, as shaped by you, is wildly different. You can now jump into your favourite games on your Xbox Series X|S console (imagine showing your past self a 4K HDR game!), on PC, or on mobile*. You and your friends can play with and against the more than 100 million players who log into Xbox every month from around the world. And there’s no more convincing every person in the group to go out and buy a big game. If you all have Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you can pick the destination from a variety of games in the catalogue and just start playing. We love this gaming future.

Thanks to game creators and players like you, we have a greater variety of games and diverse characters  – with more worlds to explore, stories to tell, heroes and villains to meet, and achievements to unlock – in the 7 thousand games that have been released across the Xbox platform. Do you remember unlocking your first Xbox achievement? To-date, you and the Xbox community together have racked up nearly 1 trillion total Gamerscore. Most importantly, you’ve worked together to change the face of gaming by welcoming players from all walks of life, everywhere in the world.

The Game That Started It All

This year not only commemorates 20 years of Xbox, but it also marks the 20th anniversary of the Halo franchise. That magical moment when the Master Chief first stepped on to a mysterious ringworld has long been a hallmark of the Xbox experience, and over the last 20 years, Halo has become deeply embedded into the Xbox DNA. We’re thrilled to celebrate this milestone, as well as the launch of Halo Infinite, with our players this Fall.

Celebrating Together

As we approach the 20-Year mark, it has never been clearer that the heart of Xbox is you. And we are excited to celebrate this milestone together. 

The celebration starts today and continues through November 15, 2021. 

• #Xbox20: This celebration is all about you, and we want to hear what Xbox means to you. Use #Xbox20 on social media to share your favourite Xbox moments, stories, friendships, prized possessions, achievements… anything! We’ll be asking loads of questions on Xbox social channels and spotlighting your answers through November 15, so keep an eye out.
• Check out the Xbox Gear Shop for the first wave of Xbox 20^th Anniversary official gear.
• Show off your Xbox and Halo love with free anniversary-themed wallpapers.
• Register today for Xbox FanFest to participate in 20^th Anniversary FanFest activities including exclusive sweepstakes, FanFest gear, and digital experiences.
• Personalize your Xbox experience: check out the new 20-Year gamerpic and “The Original” profile theme in your “Customize Profile” menu.  For Xbox Series X|S owners, “The Original” dynamic background is available in the Personalization menu. 
• Looking for something new to play? Check out this collection featuring some of the greatest games that have marked Xbox history. You can also find the game collection on your Xbox console by searching for “Xbox Anniversary” in the Store.
• Join us today at Twitch.tv/Xbox at 11am PT / 2pm ET to kick off the celebration with our livestreaming hosts as they reminisce about two decades of gaming while playing the game that started it all – Halo: Combat Evolved via the Halo: Master Chief Collection.
• We’ll keep the fun going through November with more announcements, activities, and ways to celebrate.  Visit xbox.com/20Years for up-to-date details on anniversary activities throughout the year.

We’ll have more fun to share as we get closer to the November 15^th anniversary date. Keep an eye out here on Xbox Wire or at xbox.com/20years for the latest updates.

Looking Ahead

Whether you have been an Xbox fan since day one or joined Xbox for the first time this week, we are humbled and excited to be a part of the Xbox community with you. As we reminisce together about the memories we’ve shared over 20 years, we also can’t help but be excited about what’s next for Xbox. Imagine what we will do together over the next 20 years! 

*Where available, requires Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

Developed by One More Level, Ghostrunner 2 will be available on PC, PS5 and XBOX Series X | S 

MILAN – May 13th, 2021– The international video game publisher 505 Games, a subsidiary of Digital Bros Group, which is listed on the STAR segment of Borsa Italiana, announces the agreement with One More Level for the development and the publication of the second version of the Ghostrunner video game on both PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X | S.

In the wake of the continuous success and the most recent acquisition of the video game’s intellectual property (IP), the Group doubles its investment for the creation of Ghostrunner 2, contributing with an initial budget of Euro 5 million. Ghostrunner is a brand with great potential, capable of contributing for a long time to the 505 Games product portfolio. 

For the production of Ghostrunner 2, 505 Games renews its collaboration with the Polish studio One More Level, the developers of the first version of the video game.

Ghostrunner is a first-person cyberpunk action video game set in a grim, dystopian future. Since its launch in October 2020, it has sold over 600,000 copies proving to be a very successful video game, appreciated by players all around the world. By the end of 2021, Ghostrunner will also be available on next-gen consoles.

“We are particularly excited about the future release of Ghostrunner 2. Together with One More Level, we have created a thrilling and engaging video game.” comments Raffaele Galante, co-CEO of Digital Bros with his brother Rami. “This new collaboration deepens 505 Games presence within the Polish videogame market, a reality now among the firsts in Europe for the development of video games, new projects and talents. We will continue to pay close attention to the Polish market to constantly improve and expand our product portfolio with video games capable of satisfying the tastes of the entire gaming community.”

For more information about Ghostrunner please visit www.ghostrunnergame.com. 

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

DIGITAL BROS GROUP

Listed on the Star segment of Borsa Italiana, Digital Bros Group is a global company that has been operating since 1989 as a developer, publisher and distributor of videogames through its brand 505 Games. The Group distributes its contents on both retail and digital channels. Digital Bros Group is active around the world through its own direct operations in Italy, United States, UK, France, Spain, Germany, China, Japan and Australia with approximately 250 employees. 

505 GAMES

505 Games, a Digital Bros’ subsidiary, is a global publisher focused on offering a broad selection of video games for players of all ages and skill levels. The company publishes and distributes premium and free-to-play games on console and PC platforms as well as mobile devices.

Publishing highlights include DEATH STRANDING (PC), Control, Assetto Corsa Competizione, Ghostrunner, Gems of War, Journey to the Savage Planet, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, and Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons.

505 Games has offices in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia, China and Japan.

For more information on 505 Games and its products please visit 505games.com.

ONE MORE LEVEL One More Level is a developer of games for personal computers and consoles. The Kraków-based studio, founded in 2014, has produced titles such as God’s Trigger and Ghostrunner. The firm’s team currently includes more than 30 highly qualified game development specialists. One More Level has been listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange’s NewConnect market since 2018. 

Join the ‘Akiba Freedom Fighters’ to Defend Akihabara’s Otaku Culture on Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®4, and PC

TORRANCE, Calif. – May 13, 2021 – XSEED Games, the independent-minded publishing brand of Marvelous USA, Inc., today announced that AKIBA’S TRIP: Hellbound & Debriefed, will be launching in North America on July 20 for the Nintendo Switch™ system, PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, and Windows PC via Steam, GoG and The Humble Store by Humble Bundle. The “debriefing action RPG” where players must expose vampires to the sun, arrives with a physical Day 1 ‘10th Anniversary Edition’ currently available for pre-order for the PS4™ system and Nintendo Switch on theXSEED Games Store and participating retailers for a MSRP $49.99. The base game will be available digitally on all three platforms for $39.99, while digital deluxe editions are also available on PS4™ and PC for $49.99. The fully remastered version of the first AKIBA’S TRIP title, never before released in the West, is celebrating the 10th anniversary since its original 2011 release in Japan and will include dual Japanese and English audio options.

Return to an accurately modeled Akihabara circa 2011, Japan’s famous electric town, and explore the bustling streets and back alleys of this otaku paradise. But beware the seedy underworld lurking in the shadows! After finding his missing friend unconscious and bleeding in an alley, young otaku Nanashi is attacked by a sinister figure straight out of a horror manga and left to die. As he lays dying, a mysterious young lady offers him some of her blood, both saving his life and changing it forever.

Now a Shadow Soul, one of the very creatures that attacked him and his friend, he’s been imbued with superhuman strength and stamina…and a deadly weakness to sunlight. Caught up in a world of supernatural politics, Nanashi must contend with NIRO, a covert agency dedicated to hunting down paranormal threats, and the family of Shadow Souls, a group of inhuman monsters. It’s up to him and his friends, the self-styled ‘Akiba Freedom Fighters’ to preserve the peace of Akihabara and prevent an all-out war from tearing the town apart.

The ’10th Anniversary Edition’ includes:

• Retail edition of the game
• Custom box with exclusive art
• Softcover artbook with over 96 pages of illustrations, commemorative short story, and concept artwork from the AKIBA’S TRIP series
• Original Soundtrack of 47 songs on 2 CDs

The digital deluxe edition for PS4™ system includes:

• AKIBA’S TRIP: Hellbound & Debriefed game
• 47-track digital soundtrack
• Exclusive PS4™ system theme
• Set of 10 avatars

The digital deluxe edition for Steam includes:

• AKIBA’S TRIP: Hellbound & Debriefed game
• 47-track digital soundtrack
• Digital version of the 96-page artbook

Developed by ACQUIRE Corp. and to be published for the Nintendo Switch™ system and PS4™ system in North America and globally on Windows PC by XSEED Games, AKIBA’S TRIP: Hellbound & Debriefed will launch in North America on July 20. The title will be released in Europe by publisher Marvelous Europe on July 23, and in Japan by ACQUIRE Corp. as AKIBA’S TRIP: First Memory on May 20. The limited ‘10th Anniversary’ retail version of the game on the Nintendo Switch™ and PS4™ system is available for pre-order on theXSEED Games Store and participating retailers, and the base game will be available digitally on all platforms at launch priced at $39.99. The title has been rated “M for Mature” by theESRB for all platforms. More information can be found at the game’s official website: http://www.akibastrip.com/hellbound/.

More information about XSEED Games’ products can be found atwww.xseedgames.com. Fans can also follow XSEED Games onFacebook,Twitter,Instagram,Twitch, get in depth info from their localizationblog, and join the discussion on their Discord server at:http://discord.gg/XSEEDGames.

About XSEED Games

XSEED Games is the independent-minded publishing brand of Marvelous USA, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Marvelous Inc., which is a publicly traded company listed in the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Formed in 2004 and located in Torrance, California, XSEED Games publishes interactive entertainment content for PC and consoles from the Marvelous portfolio as well as from a wide variety of third-party partners. Whether it’s Marvelous properties such as STORY OF SEASONS (Bokujo Monogatari), SENRAN KAGURA, and Rune Factory, or third-party titles such as the Corpse Party and AKIBA’S TRIP series or Granblue Fantasy: Versus, XSEED Games has grown its reputation among gamers with its critically acclaimed localizations and commitment to fans, remaining ever dedicated to its “indie spirit, player-first” approach.