Hinwil, 28th May 2021 – Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN F1 Esports Team have unveiled Filip Prešnajder and Thijmen Schutte as the two latest additions to their roster for the 2021 season. The highly rated duo join Simon Weigang to launch Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN F1 Esports Team’s campaign for the 2021 F1 Esports Championship title.
18-year-old Slovak, Prešnajder joins from Ferrari, where he competed in his debut season after being selected as the first pick out of the 237,000 entries in last season’s F1 Esports Pro Draft. Dutchman Schutte, an up-and-coming talent making his F1 Esports debut in 2021, will also contribute to a youthful and skilled squad.
Filip Prešnajder: “I feel very privileged to be joining forces with Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN F1 Esports Team, one of the best teams in the business for the upcoming F1 Esports season. I am really thankful to them for putting their trust into me and I will do my best to repay them with the best possible results on track.”
Thijmen Schutte: “This is my first season with an F1 Esports team and I’m really looking forward to the challenge against the very best sim racers in the world. It’s an honour to join a team with such a rich history in the competition and I can’t wait to get started.”
Jamie MacLaurin, Team Principal Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN F1 Esports Team: “We have followed Filip and Thijmen’s development closely over the past few months and have been really impressed by their pace and temperament off track. They are really exciting talents, and we look forward to working with them over the course of 2021 and beyond.”
About Sauber Group of Companies: The Sauber Group of Companies is composed of three operational entities: Sauber Motorsport AG, which operates and manages the Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN Formula One team; Sauber Engineering AG, which focuses on prototype development and additive manufacturing; and Sauber Aerodynamik AG, which conducts full and model-scale testing in the factory’s state-of-the-art wind tunnel and creates ground-breaking innovations in the field of aerodynamics. The companies collaborate closely and share know-how to apply the expertise of more than 500 dedicated individuals at the headquarter in Hinwil, Switzerland, to all internal and external projects. Since its founding in 1970, the passion for racing has been at the heart of Sauber.
For more than 50 years, the innovative Swiss company has been setting standards in the design, development and construction of race cars for various championship series, such as Formula One, DTM, and WEC. Following its own Formula One debut in 1993, Sauber Motorsport AG has established one of the few traditional and privately held teams in the sport. After 25 years of competition in Formula One, the company launched a long-term partnership with Alfa Romeo in 2018 and enters the 2021 championship under the new team name Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN.
OUTRAGEOUS COUCH CO-OP VERY VERY VALET IS SKIDDING INTO AUSTRALIAN RETAILERS
Sydney, Australia – 28th May 2021: From video game publisher Nighthawk Interactive and developer Toyful Games, Very Very Valet is now available on Nintendo Switch at Australian retailers, bringing up to four players together to take control of a chaotic valet station. Players must team up to tackle a severe parking shortage and the chaos that ensues.
Check out the launch trailer here
Co-op gaming fans will experience an all-new quest as one to four players take control of an “elite” team of puppet valets, working together to overcome any and all valet-related challenges. Teams will need to get creative and utilise a “just park it anywhere” mentality to save the world from a severe parking crisis.
The frenzied gameplay in Very Very Valet features:
Madcap Couch Co-op – Valet alone or with up to three other players to solve a severe parking shortage. Help each other and hitch a ride, or cause chaos by launching fellow valets across the map.
No License Required – Accessible driving controls allow anyone to quickly become a valet, with plenty of hidden techniques to master and corner the valet market.
The World is Your Parking Lot – Players can show off their car corralling skills in over 20 unique levels spanning locations and scenarios such as city streets, cliffsides, bowling alleys, airports and even trainyards.
Become a Very Very Valet – When joining this elite squad, players are ready to accept the challenge and navigate through any parking obstacles that get in their way.
Very Very Valet is now available at Australian retailers on Nintendo Switch.
For more information visit www.veryveryvalet.com, or follow along on Twitter (@toyful_games). #veryveryvalet
About Nighthawk Interactive Built by a team of industry veterans, Nighthawk Interactive aims to combine their proven experience with the ever-changing needs of modern game development. With a strong focus on publishing, co-publishing, and retail distribution, Nighthawk has built strong partnerships with some of the biggest brands in entertainment, along with many talented independent developers to deliver great experiences to gamers around the world. For more information about Nighthawk, visit www.NighthawkInteractive.com, and follow us on Twitter at (@NH_Interactive).
About Toyful GamesA team of two longtime collaborators focused on creating unique, expressive, and accessible games. Toyful’s first release is Very Very Valet, a couch co-op game about picking up and dropping off cars in increasingly chaotic situations. Find more information about Toyful and Very Very Valet at www.toyful.games and follow them on Twitter (@toyful_games)
Get Triple Rewards All Week Long, a GTA$100K Bonus for Completing Any New Stunt Race, and More
Buckle up, strap in, and put your helmet on — there’s eight new Stunt Races making their way to GTA Online this week. Whether you prefer to be a part of a blur of tuned-up sports cars rocketing past on the freeway, motorbikes hurtling around the Palmer-Taylor Power Station at full tilt, or supercars pushing the physical envelope in gravity-defying courses, these brand-new tracks have a little bit of something for the adrenaline junkie lurking within all of us.
Sun, Sea, and Chicanes
Experience the majesty of nature as it hurtles by your window in the kind of nauseating blur that’s sure to leave a smile on your face and your dinner on the dashboard. Stunt race for classic sports cars.
A Tight Spot
Does the crushing stress of the modern world leave you feeling like the walls are closing in? Prove once and for all that it’s not just in your head when your scalp gets violently sanded by the asphalt above. Claustrophobics need not apply. Stunt race for motorcycles.
Bridge Too Far
Between the mayhem and carnage of a track packed with the kind of lunatics who take a swig of Terroil while filling up their tank, is there a better time to truly appreciate the structural integrity of the La Puerta Freeway? No. There’s not. Stunt race for sports cars.
Cluster Struck
Inspired by postmodern nonlinear French architecture, this is what you get when you feed your architect nothing but Deludamol and Blêuter’d then watch as he flatlines into the scale model. In other words, a work of genius, and one hell of a stunt race for muscle cars.
Vicious Spiral
How much G-force is too much G-force, and wouldn’t you like to know first-hand? If you answered, “there’s no such thing” and “hell yeah” then you’re the ideal participant to run in this phase two clinical trial. You can rest assured the scientific findings will be greatly appreciated when they scoop you out the driver’s seat. Stunt race for supercars.
Canyon Fodder
After an expensive lobbying campaign, the race organizers have managed to exempt this race from the yearly San Andreas road-fatality statistics. Because if you decide a big ass truck should take on aerobatics, you get what’s coming to you. Stunt race for off-road vehicles.
Smoke Up Your Asphalt
In an effort to distract the health and safety board from endemic violations, the Palmer-Taylor Power Station has agreed to host a tribute to the power and beauty of fossil fuels. The advice? Ride this race like it’s your last, because if the jumps don’t get you the noxious fumes will. Stunt race for motorcycles.
City Limits
Clear your throat, loosen your tie, and inform the AGM that you will finish strategizing as you hit G-force. It’s time to take business outside. Is anyone taking notes? Stunt race for supercars.
Completing any new Stunt Race between now and June 2nd will net you a GTA$100,000 bonus and the Canis American Legend T-Shirt, both of which will be awarded within 72 hours after logging in on June 7th. And all Stunt Race competitors can expect a healthy payday in any new or classic Stunt Race — to the tune of 3X GTA$ and RP — all week long.
3X GTA$ and RP on Motor Wars Continues As a monthlong celebration of chaos and carnage draws to a close, make sure to take part in the ultimate fight to the finish as Motor Wars continues to pay out 3X GTA$ and RP for the next seven days.
2X GTA$ and RP on Simeon Missions Simeon Yetarian has been called many things, most of them unsavory, but one thing he is for sure is enterprising. If the mogul of Premium Deluxe Motorsport contacts you for help with a couple recoupments and repossessions, take him up on his offer — he’s paying out 2X GTA$ and RP to all takers on Missions and Premium Deluxe Repo Work.
Free This Week
This week, GTA Online rewards all players with a free Wine Coil Cap to help you signal to all your friends that your carbon footprint a fraction of your neighbor’s.
And in acknowledgement of those who go above and beyond to reach greatness, all players Rank 100 and above will receive the rare Hunting Camo livery with which to wrap up their Mammoth Avenger — for free (available within 72 hours of logging in after June 7th). Need to acquire an Avenger to enjoy this perk? You’re in luck as it is 35% off this week at Warstock Cache & Carry, as are its Weapons Workshop and Weaponized Vehicle Workshop upgrades.
Plus, light up the sky, or an unsuspecting populace —pick up a Firework Launcher and its ammunition in the off-season, free of charge until June 2nd.
On the Podium: The Truffade Nero Custom Celebrate your latest victory by stopping by the lobby of The Diamond Casino & Resort and give the Lucky Wheel a spin to walk away with GTA$, RP, clothing, snacks, and all sorts of mystery prizes. This week’s top reward on the podium is the Truffade Nero Custom, a tweaked-out hypercar geared specifically toward the high-end tune-up crowd. Give it a test drive before swinging by Benny’s to see what this baby can really do.
Discounts
Those thinking of taking things a little further underground can take 40% off the cost of all Facilities and their Upgrades and Modifications this week, not to mention the same discount applies to a range of top-of-the-line vehicles, both weaponized and not.
Cars:
Pegassi Infernus Classic— 40% off Överflöd Imorgon — 40% off Bravado Gauntlet Classic Custom — 40% off Grotti X80 Proto — 40% off
Special and Weaponized Vehicles:
Declasse Scramjet — 35% off Mammoth Thruster — 40% off Coil Rocket Voltic — 40% off HVY Chernobog — 40% off Brute RCV — 40% off Mammoth Hydra — 40% off TM-02 Khanjali — 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$200K just for playing any time this week.
In addition, Prime Gaming members receive exclusive discounts, including 60% off the Maxwell Vagrant buggy, 80% off both the Karin Sultan Classic sedan and the hulking Mammoth Patriot Stretch limousine.
To ensure access to future benefits, make sure to visit Prime Gaming and sign up.
Announcing new console experiences, Sonic Colours: Ultimate, further details on Netflix’s Sonic Prime, mobile news, musical events and much more!
Sydney, Australia – 28th May 2021: Today, in honour of Sonic the Hedgehog’s 30th anniversary, SEGA hosted the first-ever “Sonic Central” livestream event, broadcasted on the official Sonic the HedgehogYouTube and Twitch channels. During the celebratory event, SEGA revealed a plethora of upcoming entertainment experiences starring the Blue Blur himself. The stream kicked off with the creators of the upcoming Netflix animated series Sonic Prime. While no celebration would be complete without a little music, SEGA unveiled that they will be celebrating Sonic’s 30th anniversary with a live orchestra event on 23rd June featuring music from Sonic games over the last 30 years with a special preview coming during Geoff Keighley’s Summer Game Fest Kickoff Live! on 10th June, with special guest performances by Crush 40 and Tomoya Ohtani.
Following the opening segment, SEGA jumped into the medium where it all began, with a slew of supersonic gaming-related announcements bringing the Blue Blur to the following console, PC, and mobile experiences this year:
Sonic Colours: Ultimate & Sonic Colours: Rise of the Wisps: SEGA revealed Sonic Colours: Ultimate, an adrenaline-pumping remaster of the beloved 2010 platformer, Sonic Colours, alongside a colourful debut trailer above. Sonic Colours: Ultimate is set to release on PlayStation®4, Microsoft Xbox® One and Nintendo Switch™, on 7th September 2021. Fans can pre-order Sonic Colours: Ultimate at Australian retailers to receive the exclusive “Baby Sonic” keychain and other bonus items. In addition, SEGA unveiled a teaser to the two-part animation series, Sonic Colours: Rise of the Wisps, the first short-form animation featuring full dialogue and a voice cast including the return of legendary Sonic voice actor, Roger Craig Smith.
Sonic Origins: SEGA is working on a new compiled series that includes Sonic the Hedgehog 1, 2, Sonic 3 & Knuckles as well as Sonic CD. Fans who are looking for a nostalgic gameplay experience can check out these classic hits for some non-stop Sonic action and fresh content, with more information coming soon.
NewSonic Team Game: Get ready to take on a new journey in the next flagship Sonic title from Sonic Team, the team that brought you Sonic Generations and Sonic Forces.
Tokyo 2020: Sonic is headed to the Olympic Games! Dress up your Avatar as Sonic and compete in 18 fun-filled Olympic events in Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 – The Official VideoGame™, coming to all platforms on 22nd June and available for pre-order [insert link] today.
Platform Expansions: This year Sonic is more available than ever with Sonic Mania and Team Sonic Racing now available on Amazon Luna. In addition, on June 1st – Sonic Forces, Team Sonic Racing and Sonic Mania Are coming to PlayStation Now! And later in the month on June 24th Sonic Mania will be available on the Epic Game Store.
Mobile Game Special Events: Sonic Forces: Speed Battle mobile will get a very special character, allowing players to harness the power of Chaos Emeralds and blast into battle as Super Sonic, with private races coming later this year as part of a limited-time event. In Sonic Dash, players can sail into a special pirate-themed party and unlock Pirate Sonic and Captain Shadow, collecting other prizes along the way. Sonic Racing is bringing in the classic feel, with classic characters, cars and three new tracks in a classic zone, along with some old school remixes. Finally, this October, prepare for a fright as the Warehog bounds into Sonic Forces and Sonic Dash. Look out for his arrival around Halloween and Unleash your power!
Additionally, to celebrate the 30th Anniversary, Sonic will be making a few special cameos in several other games, including:
Two Point Hospital: Build up a hospital from nothing to a masterpiece, this time complete with exclusive Sonic in-game items, character customisation options and hospital decor. Swap staff outfits to celebrate Sonic’s 30th, with items available in-game for free on 22nd July.
But there are more ways to celebrate! SEGA revealed a lineup of commemorative merchandise to celebrate the 30th anniversary that Sonic fans can cherish for years to come.
Licensed Products: SEGA will be collaborating with a robust list of partners throughout the year to create brand new Sonic products, including exciting items like a Giant Eggman Robot playset from JAKKS Pacific Inc., a full-colour hardcover Sonic encyclopedia from Dark Horse and more. As part of Sonic’s 30th celebration, IDW will release a special super-sized 80-page comic book featuring three tales of colourful heroes and dastardly villains. Commemorative 30th Anniversary gold and silver coins will also be available this year from APMEX.
To stay current on Sonic the Hedgehog news, follow Sonic on Twitter and Instagram, like him on Facebook, and subscribe to the Twitch channel and the YouTube channel. For more information, please visit www.sonicthehedgehog.com or visit the 30th anniversary site at www.sonic30th.com.
First video game inspired by the Universal Pictures and Dreamworks animation action-packed Netflix original series set to provide fans with heart-pounding six player online multiplayer racing action
Put the pedal to the metal as Outright Games, the leading publisher of family- friendly interactive entertainment, and Universal Games and Digital Platforms today announced Fast & Furious: Spy Racers Rise of SH1FT3R, the first video game inspired by the popular Netflix original series. Developed by 3D Clouds, this brand-new action racing game reunites voice talent from the series, across full-throttle online multiplayer races, and releases this November on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One and PC Digital.
Check out the full game announcement trailer here
Inspired by the Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation series Fast & Furious: Spy Racers, Fast & Furious: Spy Racers Rise of SH1FT3R brings the intense action from the show to consoles and PC for a thrilling, globe-trotting, racing tournament. Featuring show-stopping tracks set in five incredible locations including Los Angeles, Rio de Janeiro and the Sahara Desert, the game allows players to use high-tech spy gear to gain the upper hand in the game’s story mode and features online and split-screen multiplayer races for up to six players,
The elite criminal racing gang, SH1FT3R, returns in the game and it’s up to the Spy Racers team to stop them from winning the ultimate cutting-edge vehicle that will cause chaos in the wrong hands. Players will go undercover and race as their favorite characters, including Tony Toretto, Echo, Cisco, Layla Gray, or even race as the notorious SH1FT3R gang including Shashi Dar, Moray, Rafaela Moreno, and more. Fans can use spy weapons to speed through secret shortcuts and personalize customizable cars with a range of skins.
Key features:
SH1FT3R IS BACK – Race as fan-favorite Spy Racers characters, including Tony Toretto, Echo, Cisco, Layla Gray, or even race as the notorious SH1FT3R gang during multiplayer mode. Use innovative gadgets to gain the upper hand and tear up the tracks in a globe-trotting tournament in story mode, couch co-op, or online multiplayer.
COUCH CO-OP AND MULTIPLAYER – The Spy Racers must show the whole world they’re the fastest, coolest, and most talented racers! Customize vehicles with unlockable skins and race against online opponents, AI-controlled drivers, and friends with couch co-op and online multiplayer.
FIGHT TO THE FINISH LINE – It takes more than speed to win this racing challenge. Armed with 15 spy gear weapons inspired by the Netflix original series, the Spy Racers need to blast past rivals to earn victory.
“We’re thrilled to be continuing our partnership with Universal Games and Digital Platforms to bring Fast & Furious: Spy Racers Rise of SH1FT3R to consoles and PC this year,” said Terry Malham, CEO of Outright Games. “We’re huge fans of the series and how it builds on the incredible legacy of the film saga and brings amazing characters and incredible action to a whole new audience. We hope the game can bring the same level of fun and excitement to players, whether they’re playing solo or taking on family and friends in multiplayer.’’
“Fast & Furious continues to be a global powerhouse franchise, expanding to include toys and the animated series,” said Jim Molinets, SVP of Production, Universal Games and Digital Platforms. “With Fast & Furious: Spy Racers Rise of SH1FT3R, we will offer an authentic experience that combines intense racing and slick gadgets with high-speed action.”
Fast & Furious: Spy Racers began airing on Netflix in 2019 is executive produced by Vin Diesel, Chris Morgan, Neal H. Moritz, Tim Hedrick and Bret Haaland. The series follows Tony Toretto and a team of teenage street racers who are hired to infiltrate an elite racing league, which is serving as a cover for a criminal organization that is intent on world domination. Season four of Fast & Furious: Spy Racers Mexico is streaming now on Netflix. The latest chapter in the Fast & Furious saga – F9 – is slated for release this summer.
Fast & Furious: Spy Racers Rise of SH1FT3R releases for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One and PC Digital this November.
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About BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe S.A.S. BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe S.A.S., part of BANDAI NAMCO Holdings Inc., is a leading global publisher and developer of interactive entertainment for all major video game consoles, iOS, Android, and online platforms. The company is known for creating and publishing many of the industry’s top video game franchises including PAC-MAN™, GALAGA™, TEKKEN™, SOULCALIBUR™, ACE COMBAT™ and DARK SOULS™. BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe is the premier publisher for anime-based video games including NARUTO SHIPPUDEN™, DRAGON BALL™, and ONE PIECE™.
Over the course of nine films that have stoked passion in an ever-expanding audience and have earned nearly $6 billion at the worldwide box office, Universal Pictures’ record-smashing, homegrown Fast & Furious Saga has become the studio’s most-profitable and longest-running franchise. Across social media platforms, the fan following for the movies and cast has grown into the biggest of any active franchise. On the heels of The Fate of the Furious, which debuted in theaters as the biggest global opening of all time, the blockbuster franchise has expanded to a multitude of offerings – from toys and video games to an all-new animated series and successfully launched spin-off franchise. F9, the ninth chapter in the Fast & Furious saga, hits U.S. theaters June 2021.
About Universal Games and Digital Platforms
Universal’s Games and Digital Platforms group leverages the vast portfolio of IP and characters from NBCUniversal. The Games and Digital Platforms group is a business unit of Universal Brand Development, which is chartered with globally expanding the company’s intellectual properties, franchises, characters and stories through innovative physical and digital products, content and consumer experiences. The company’s extensive portfolio includes properties created by Universal Pictures, Illumination, DreamWorks Animation, and NBC Universal Television and Streaming. Universal Brand Development is part of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.www.universalbranddevelopment.com
About Outright Games:
Outright Games is a global video games publisher with a focus on quality family entertainment to a worldwide audience. Founded in 2016, Outright Games has established its place in the market delivering engaging interactive games of beloved entertainment licenses globally. Outright Games brings stories and characters to life with titles including favourites such as Jumanji: The Video Game with Sony Pictures, Paw Patrol: On a Roll with Nickelodeon, Ben 10 with Cartoon Network, and Dragons: Dawn of New Risers with NBC Universal. With an Outright Games title there will be fun for all the family to enjoy. For more information please visit: www.outrightgames.com
For some years 3DClouds has specialized in creating video games thanks to a team of veterans from the industry, with experience in Microsoft, Milestone and Ubisoft, and a team of young and enthusiastic talents. 3DClouds debut videogame All-Star Fruit Racing released in 2018 was a kart racer available on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Switch. The following year 2019 turned out to be a very big year for 3DClouds with three separate titles released. Xenon Racer our second game was released in the spring showcasing another example of design innovation within the racing video games genre. In November “Race With Ryan” a second kart racing game was released which we developed for the most famous youtuber channel in the world, Ryan’s Toy Reviews. Closing out on a busy 2019 we also released CARRUMBLE, a completely new take on the brawler genre. 2021 will mark the release of the highly anticipated pirate game King of Seas, an action role playing game set in a procedural pirate world.
Sonic Colours returns this spring delivering a vibrant new high-speed gaming experience for Sonic fans of all generations
Sydney, Australia – 28th May 2021: Sonic fans, get ready to Colour the Universe! As part of Sonic Central, SEGA® unveiled Sonic Colours: Ultimate™, an adrenaline-pumping upgrade on the iconic 2010 platformer,Sonic Colours. Developed by the award-winning studio, Blind Squirrel Entertainment, Sonic Colours: Ultimatebrings a fresh hue to the celebrated game with stunning visuals, additional features, a new mode, and improved gameplay enhancements, providing players the ultimate Sonic experience. Sonic Colours: Ultimate is set to release on 7th September 2021 on PlayStation®4, Xbox consoles and Nintendo Switch™. For a limited time, Sonic fans can pre-order the Sonic Colours: Ultimate physical edition and get an exclusive baby Sonic keychain.
To celebrate the news, SEGA has released an action-packed new trailer providing fans a glimpse into the bright, 4K, intergalactic adventure.
Watch Sonic’s most colourful speed-run yet
Join Sonic in the high-speed adventure of a lifetime! The evil Dr. Eggman has built a gigantic interstellar amusement park bursting with incredible rides and colourful attractions – but he is powering it with a captured alien race called “Wisps.” Use Sonic’s lightning speed to free the Wisps and learn the secrets of their amazing powers as you explore six unique colourful worlds, each filled with dangerous enemies and hurdles to overcome. Sonic will be tested on this exciting journey to free the Wisps, whose mystical powers can be harnessed to grant special abilities – and with their help, and yours, it is a test he’ll pass with flying Colours! Now with stunning upscaled visuals, additional features, a new game mode, and enhanced gameplay – it is the Ultimate Sonic Colours experience.
Features:
Sonic Speed and Non-Stop Action –
Accelerate to adrenaline-pumping super speed, zoom across challenging worlds, and manoeuvre through hazardous obstacles. Time your attacks perfectly to charge your boost and reach Super Sonic speeds.
Interstellar Amusement Park –
Explore and adventure through immersive environments, like a Sweet Mountain filled with delightful sweets or an Aquarium Park filled with sea life and countless pools – all cantered around a mysterious astro-amusement park.
Wisp Power-ups –
Transform Sonic by harnessing the magnificent alien power of Wisps to defeat enemies and discover the secrets of the interstellar amusement park. Pass through solid objects and discover alternate paths using the new Jade Ghost Wisp.
Better Than Ever –
Available on PlayStation 4, Xbox consoles and Switch and now more colourful than ever with enhanced visuals and graphics, refined controls, and many more gameplay upgrades. The game is also playable on PlayStation®5 via backwards compatibility and Xbox Series X|S.
‘Rival Rush’ Mode –
Put your skills to the test and go head-to-head with Metal Sonic. Outrun Metal Sonic to unlock rewards!
Sonic Colours: Ultimate is available to pre-order at Australian retailers.
To stay current on Sonic the Hedgehog news, follow Sonic on Twitter and Instagram, like him on Facebook, and subscribe to the Twitch channel and the YouTube channel. Also, don’t forget to visit the SEGA e-shop at shop.sega.com for new and exclusive products for the ultimate SEGA fan.
SEGA® of America, Inc. is the American arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA CORPORATION, a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. SEGA of America’s website is located at www.sega.com.
Highly-Anticipated DRAGON QUEST XII, the Latest Entry to the Beloved Franchise Announced with a Global Simultaneous Release
LONDON (May 27, 2021)– In honour of the 35th anniversary of the beloved DRAGON QUEST® series, SQUARE ENIX® announced four new titles during a celebratory livestream event. Western fans can look forward to the newly announced DRAGON QUEST XII™,DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake™, and DRAGON QUEST TREASURES™. Additionally, for the first time ever in DRAGON QUEST history, these three titles, which are all currently in the early stages of development, will have global simultaneous releases. For the mobile gamers, the livestream introduced a new mobile puzzle game titled DRAGON QUEST KESHI KESHI™ (Final Name TBC).
Following the massive hit of the critically acclaimed DRAGON QUEST XI®: Echoes of an Elusive Age™ and DRAGON QUEST XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition, together the titles surpassedover 6.5 million copies worldwide, DRAGON QUEST XII is the newly announced mainline entry in the series.
DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake
In this latest visual iteration of DRAGON QUEST III, long-time fans and newcomers will be invited to experience this HD-2D version of DRAGON QUEST III that provides a unique three-dimensional feel by adding 3D effects to pixel-based backgrounds. DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake is planned for release on console.
DRAGON QUEST TREASURES
A completely new spinoff from the DRAGON QUEST series, DRAGON QUEST TREASURES explores the childhood of the siblings Mia and Erik from DRAGON QUEST XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age. As Mia and Erik, players will embark on an RPG treasure hunting adventure in another world before the events of DRAGON QUEST XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age.
DRAGON QUEST KESHI KESHI (Final Name TBC)
Developed with NHN PlayArt, this title is a free-to-play mobile puzzle game for iOS and Android devices that will feature popular DRAGON QUEST series characters, monsters and items as erasers which are used to erase graffiti in the game.
DRAGON QUEST series creator and game designer Yuji Horii shared his gratitude to fans for their continued support of the franchise over the past 35 years: “I’d like to thank the fans who have always loved the DRAGON QUEST series and who have continued to support it throughout the years, along with the new players who are just beginning their journey in the world of DRAGON QUEST. I hope we can continue to celebrate the series for another 35 years to come!”
To celebrate these announcements and the 35th anniversary, players of the popular mobile tactical RPG DRAGON QUEST TACT will be treated to various in-game events and exciting rewards:
DQ Day Celebratory Quest: Players will receive 1,000 Gems by completing this limited-time quest, available until June 6.
DQ Day Celebratory Special SP Scout Red and Blue: Players who login now until June 6 will receive 3,500 Gems. Players who login now until June 10 will also receive SP Scout Tickets, enabling them to scout beloved DRAGON QUEST monsters, such as Dragonlord (True Form), Zoma and more, from two limited-time banners.
More information regarding platforms and release windows for DRAGON QUEST XII, DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake, and DRAGON QUEST TREASURES will be announced at a later time.
DRAGON QUEST is a legendary series of role-playing games created by Yuji Horii and beloved by millions in Japan and worldwide. Since the release of the first DRAGON QUEST in 1986 – the game made its debut in the US in 1989 as DRAGON WARRIOR – the critically acclaimed series has shipped more than 82 million units worldwide, spanning 11 main-series titles, many spin-off games, as well as films, anime, novels, manga, merchandise and more. Celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, the wildly popular DRAGON QUEST franchise holds various Guinness World Records including the “Longest-Running Japanese RPG Series.”
The visionaries behind the series, Creator and Game Designer Yuji Horii, Character Designer Akira Toriyama (creator of Dragon Ball) and composer Koichi Sugiyama, continue to enchant newcomers and longtime fans with new entries in the franchise comprised of charming visuals, sprawling worlds and enthralling storylines. The latest installment, DRAGON QUEST XI S: Echoes of An Elusive Age, was released to critical acclaim winning the Metacritic Must-Play game award, and becoming Metacritic’s “#2 Best Switch Game of 2019” and “#3 Best PS4 Game of 2020,” and has shipped over 6.5 million units globally to date.
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.
DRAGON QUEST III HD Remaster, DRAGON QUEST XII, DRAGON QUEST TREASURES, DRAGON QUEST KESHI KESHI, CRYSTAL DYNAMICS, DRAGON QUEST, EIDOS, EIDOS MONTREAL, FINAL FANTASY, 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.
Winterfest by MomoCon Welcomes Back Pop Culture Fans December 18-19, 2021
Atlanta Celebration to Return in Full Form at MomoCon 2022
ATLANTA, GA — May 27, 2021 —Winterfest by MomoCon, a two-day celebration of gaming, film, and animation, welcomes back the Southeastern United States’ pop culture community to the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta from Saturday – Sunday, December 18-19, 2021. Winterfest will provide a taste of what Momocon fans have missed the last two years, before the return of the main event in 2022.
Attendees can join panels and meet-and-greets with Billy West (Futurama, Space Jam) and other surprise voice actors from famous franchises this December. Winterfest by MomoCon’s exhibitors will also include game developers, the hottest pop culture merchandise, and more.
MomoCon will reveal its final form and make its full return to Atlanta on May 26-29, 2022, bringing voice actor Fred Tatasciore (Futurama, Mortal Kombat X, Bugsnax), Stranglehold Wrestling’s four days of wrestling featuring WWE star Kurt Angle, new announcements from AAA and indie game developers, the return of vendors and arcade games, and more. Additional details regarding the 2022 event will be announced in the coming months.
The last in-person event, MomoCon 2019, was the most attended event in the show’s history, bringing together more than 39,000 fans. Featuring star guests Goichi “Suda51” Suda announcing the release of Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes, Kenji Kamiyama, director of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, and Shinji Aramaki, co-director with Kamiyama on the upcoming Blade Runner – Black Lotus, discussing past and upcoming projects, panels with Aksys Games, Inti Creates, Supergiant Games, and much more.
“After almost two years of being away, it’s great to bring the MomoCon community back to an in-person event,” said Chris Stuckey, Co-Chair, MomoCon. “Winterfest by MomoCon is a smaller scale event with the same flair as the original MomoCon events–fans can expect the same level of quality, energy and fun they’ve come to experience all these years, and we sure won’t disappoint them after staying in for so long!”
Winterfest by MomoCon welcomes fans of pop culture, gaming, and animation back to Atlanta, Georgia, on December 18-19, 2021, with the full event returning in May 2022. Tickets are available for purchase now.
Founded in 2004 by Jessica Merriman and Chris Stuckey, then students at Georgia Tech, MomoCon has grown from a 700 person on-campus event to the largest event in the southeast United States for fans of video games, animation, cosplay, comics, and tabletop games.
EMBARK ON A CHOICE-BASED ADVENTURE THOUGH IDYLLIC JAPAN AND MAKE DREAMS REALITY BEFORE DAY’S END
Tokyo, Japan, May 27, 2021 — Developer GameTomo has announced its vibrant narrative adventure game Sumire is now available for Switch and PC via Steam for $14.99. Both versions will be on sale with a 10% discount until June 3rd, along with an art book and original soundtrack bundle on Steam for 20% off.
Set in a picturesque Japanese village, the title, featured in Nintendo Japan’s Indie World, follows a disenchanted girl named Sumire who must embark on a one-day journey to see the spirit of her grandmother again. As Sumire encounters mischievous guides, magical forest creatures, and quirky townspeople, players will make irreversible choices that unlock one of multiple endings when the day’s sky fades from twilight blue to evening violet.
Admire Sumire’s beautifully rendered canvas with today’s launch trailer:
“Sumire is a game about choice and regret. As the morning gradually unfurls into afternoon and night, our protagonist will come to terms with decisions she’s made that have affected her life and the lives of those around her,” says Michael Ely, Director at GameTomo. “We’re excited to witness players interpret Sumire’s journey in their own way, transforming a life unlived into a dream come true.”
Sumire will be able to accept or refuse requests from a variety of characters along her trip. The words spoken or actions taken during these meetings will grant players positive or negative karma, which in turn determine how the day ends. Fans should mull over their choices wisely, as Sumire may not come across the same opportunity twice.
Sumire Key Features
• Make a wish come true by completing a series of quests before night falls • Experience a world where magic replaces the mundane • Sumire’s adventure takes place over the course of a single day • Unlock multiple endings determined by words, actions, and karma • Explore a small town, forest shrines, and more, all rendered in an artistic watercolor style • A relaxing original soundtrack, created by Japanese duo TOW, changes with the day’s events • Discover collectibles, bonus items, tests of skill, and hidden challenges
Sumire is now available for Switch and PC via Steam for $14.99 with a 10% discount until June 3rd. The game’s soundtrack and artbook are also respectively available on Steam for $5.99 and $3.99 or for $19.97 as a bundle with the game.
About GameTomo GameTomo is an indie game company based in Tokyo that works with studios around the world to develop, localize, and publish titles for the Japanese market. The firm has worked on such preeminent indie games as Cuphead, Superhot, and Lost Ember and is currently working on Nimbus Infinity, the high-speed mech action follow-up to 2017’s Project Nimbus. GameTomo’s newest release, story-driven adventure Sumire, is now available for Switch and PC via Steam.
SEE WHO IS STRONGER IN THIS BURNINGDREAM MATCH UPDATE, AS SPECIAL SIGNATURE KYO AND IORI ARRIVE IN THE KING OF FIGHTERS ALLSTAR
LOS ANGELES – MAY 27, 2021 – Two of The King of Fighters’ iconic fighters, Kyo Kusanagi and Iori Yagami, grow even stronger as both characters officially receive Special Signature variants in today’s update for Netmarble’s popular mobile action role-playing game (RPG) THE KING OF FIGHTERS ALLSTAR alongside other in-game updates and enhancements.
As a Yellow Element Attack-type fighter, Special Signature Kyo can deal powerful DMG with extra Starlight DMG with his Finisher Skill, while increasing ATK of Signature Fighters at the cost of lowered HP.
Special Signature Iori is s a Purple Element Balance-type Fighter that also delivers powerful DMG and extra Burn DMG with his Finisher Skill, and can increases the ATK and Power Charge Rate of Signature Fighters. Special Battle and Option Cards themed after these new fighters are also now available to collect.
This month’s update also introduces many in-game activities for players to enjoy, including:
New Guild Raid: Geese Howard– A new Geese Howard Guild Raid Boss, where different Metas are required for each difficulty level, is now available to challenge. Players can earn Mystery Box rewards, including Memory, Plus Imprint Stone, Skill Level Up Cards along with other items, by surpassing in-game Total DMG records
Rush Dungeon: Burning Dream Match (5/27 ~ 6/9) – Players can enjoyKyo & Iori’s Dream Match story in this new Rush Dungeon. Rewards up for collection include Rubies, Enhancement Hammers, and Gold, along with Element Fest Memory Selection Boxes and Plus Imprint Stone Mystery Boxes via the Exchange Shop.
SS Awakening Event: Players can collect Special Signature Imprint Stone Selection Boxes, Elite Enhancement Hammers and Rubies, by awakening SS Kyo and SS Iori
Carnival Event (5/27 ~ 6/2) – Players will have the chanceto earn points by summoning fighters, combining memories and exchanging dimensional invitations to gain rewards at certain thresholds, including Rare Enhancement Hammers, Plus Imprint Stone and SS Memories
Super Mission (5/27 ~ 6/9) – 99 Whip, 99 Maxima and 99 K’ appear as selectable fighters. By clearing the missions, players will earn Element Gold Memories for their selected fighter
THE KING OF FIGHTERS ALLSTAR boasts fast-paced fighting action as players battle through waves of enemies, giant bosses, and rival fighter teams. The excitement is paired with cutting edge graphics, bold colors, and lightning-fast animations. In addition, this game features all of KOF’s classic fighters from ’94 to XIV, with more than 130 fighters available to collect, along with more to come with seasonal events, collaborations with popular IP such as TEKKEN 7, SAMURAI SHODOWN, Seven Knights, and more.
THE KING OF FIGHTERS ALLSTAR is available to download on Google Play and the App Store in more than 175 countries and comes with support for English, Taiwanese, Indonesian, Thai, Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese, Russian, and German languages.
For more information, please visit THE KING OF FIGHTERS ALLSTAR’s website. Also, please follow THE KING OF FIGHTERS ALLSTAR on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Discord, Reddit, and forum on Netmarble.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.
