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.

Fight epic battles with aliens, explore the farthest corners of the universe, build a trading empire, and expand your space fleet in Space Commander: War and Trade – now available on Nintendo Switch.

Three career paths to choose from (trader, mercenary, or mobster), countless ways to expand and customize your space fleet (consisting of fighters, bombers, and transporters), endless space to explore, alien species to exterminate, and a trading empire to build. All that and more awaits those who have the guts to take on the challenge.

Get the game from Nintendo eShop (https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/space-commander-war-and-trade-switch/) today for 9.99 USD/EUR.

ABOUT SPACE COMMANDER: WAR AND TRADE

Dive into the ultimate single-player space sim in this sandbox RPG experience with multiple career paths, engaging gameplay mechanics, diversified missions, and exciting space battles.

Your value as a space commander will be determined by your fleet. For it to meet your needs and inspire respect among competitors, you’ll need money. The more money you earn, the better (and bigger!) a space fleet you’ll be able to build, consisting of fast and maneuverable fighters, heavy bombers, and large transporters. All can be built according to your needs and customized to reflect your play style.

Making the right choices will be crucial to ensuring the success of your missions. Aside from choosing the best ship for the job, you’ll need to manage resource usage, choose the best trading or smuggling routes, and even buy your own space stations that will allow you to explore the furthest corners of the galaxy.

BECOME THE BEST SPACE COMMANDER OUT THERE:

• Buy fighters, bombers, and transporters, customize them according to your needs, and build the biggest space fleet around.
• Pursue a mercenary, trader, or mobster career depending on your personal preferences and play style.
• Explore the furthest corners of the galaxy thanks to the in-game expanse module generating countless star systems waiting for your discovery.
• Get involved in a corporate war or fight aliens in multiple, diversified campaign scenarios.

Space Commander: War and Trade was developed by Home Net Games and published on Switch by 7levels. The game is now available on Nintendo eShop, where you can get it for only 9.99 USD/EUR.

For more information about the game, please visit the publisher’s website or Facebook.

About Home Net Games
Home Net Games started out in 2014 as a one-man studio established by Mirosław Dymek, one of the most experienced Polish game developers. His portfolio includes the acclaimed strategy game series Earth 21XX, the best-selling Two Worlds, and dozens of other titles. Home Net Games’ debut was Zombie Defense, downloaded on Android alone over 12 million times. Home Net Games’ next release, The Pirate: Caribbean Hunt, came as a natural consequence of Mirek’s passion for the sea and sailing. The Pirate quickly won the hearts of players worldwide and can currently boast over 8 million installations on all platforms. The success of both games allowed the studio to hire more specialists experienced in their respective areas and start working on more ambitious projects. https://homenetgames.com/

About 7Levels
7Levels is a Polish indie game developer founded in 2014 and based in Cracow, Poland. Our main goal is to create high-quality games with Nintendo fans in mind. However, we don’t focus solely on our own projects – we help other studios publish and promote their titles on Nintendo consoles. http://www.7lvls.com/

RAD JOINS KATAMARI DAMACY REROLL ON AMAZON LUNA FROM BANDAI NAMCO ENTERTAINMENT AMERICA INC.

RAD™ is now availableon Amazon Luna through the Luna+ channel. Luna leverages Cloud Direct technology to enable you to pick up and play games on devices you already own. It joins Katamari Damacy REROLL from BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc., which is also currently available through the Luna+ channel.

Developed by Double Fine Productions, RAD takes players take on the role of a teenage protagonist who must venture into the Fallow — an ever-changing toxic wasteland filled with unknown and unspeakable creatures. It’s here that they’ll find the solution to heal the world, and transform the cracked, barren landscape into a lush source of new life. But humanity’s future comes at great personal cost, as the deeper they journey into unknown lands, the more they will expose themselves to gnarly toxins that will wreak havoc on their fragile human form.

More information about Luna can be found at the following address: https://amazon.com/luna

Players can grab discounts of up to 90% for a selection of Team17 published titles on Steam from today.

Thursday, 13^th May 2021 – Team17 have today launched their publisher sale on Steam, offering discounts of up to 90% on almost their entire catalogue of games, and giving players access to a selection of demos. Running from 6PM BST (10AM PDT, 1PM EDT, 7PM CEST) 13^th May, until 6PM BST 17^th May, the sale includes titles such as Before We Leave, which is on a 25% launch discount, Narita Boy with 25% off, and Overcooked! All You Can Eat discounted by 20%. The sale launches alongside a selection of updates for several Team17 published titles, with Hammerting, Neon Abyss, and Crown Trick all receiving new content available from today.

New content burrows to the surface in Hammerting with the ‘Overworld Update’

The Overworld updatebrings a wealth of new content to the mountains of Mara, meaning various aspects of the Overworld will now be procedurally generated, including the different locations, roads, and factions found above ground. Adding a new depth to the Hammerting gameplay loop, players can now trade resources with various locations above ground, and the price of goods fluctuates dynamically based on how many items the location has previously been sold, meaning exploration is important for dwarves to get the best price for their hard-earned resources. Tweaks have also been made to the AI, audio, UI, and the crafting mechanics, along with bug fixes reported by the community.

The Overworld trailer has surfaced: 

The New Gods herald in fresh content for fast paced procedurally generated shooter Neon Abyss

The newest update brings a brand-new storyline to the ever-changing world of Neon Abyss, opening up Hades’ office for players to poke their nose – and their weapons – into, along with new interactable NPC’s. A new Easter Egg machine will also be available before players dive head first into the Abyss, consuming a new in game currency, and dishing out game tips and cheats to players at random.

Endless adventure awaits in ‘Requiem of the Elements’ the free new DLC, available now for Crown Trick

Players will once again venture into the labyrinth of the Nightmare Realm in Crown Trick with the Requiem of the Elements DLC. The new content introduces an endless game mode ‘Dungeons of the Deep’ that tests players’ ability to stay alive, providing a never-ending onslaught of randomly generated traps and enemies to face. The DLC includes new weapons, relics, familiars, skills, and achievements, with the OST also being available to download for free through Steam. 

To keep up to date with all the information on Team17 titles please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and join us on Discord.

About Warpzone Studios

Founded in 2016, Warpzone Studios is currently developing their first game, Hammerting. The company is made up of industry veterans, combining decades of experience to create deeply engaging strategy games. Hammerting © 2019 Warpzone Studios, Published under licence by TEAM17 Digital Limited.

About Veewo Games

Veewo Games is an award-winning, independent game development studio based in Xiamen, China. Since 2011 the studio has focused on developing fun, amazing visual effects on PCs, consoles and mobile games. In 2016-2017, the Super Phantom Cat series won consecutive awards for “Best of the App Store” and “Best of Google Play”. In 2018, Veewo Games began development of Neon Abyss, in development for console and PC platforms.

About NExT Studios

NExT Studios aims to make differentiated, high quality and reputable games via multiple approaches including but not limited to original idea incubation, advanced technology application as well as external collaboration. We experiment with new designs, create new experiences, research new technologies, work across platforms and game genres, to explore future possibilities in gaming as a unique media and keep pushing the boundaries.

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.

Use Spatial Logic to Drop a Glowing Orb Into a Black Hole by Tethering it to Colourful Shapes in a Perfect Mix of Challenge and Chill 

ST. CATHARINES, CANADA (Thursday, May 13, 2021) — Players looking for a soothing and engaging puzzle experience that balances perfectly between intellectual challenge and relaxing, pick up n’ play need look no further. Triversal, from Canadian independent developers Phantom Compass, is headed to Windows PC via Steam on July 13, 2021! In Triversal, players must use spatial logic and problem-solving skills to perfectly place a luminous orb over a black hole by connecting it to stretchy tethers. While this seems simple enough, the challenges ramp up with more complex levels, additional modifiers like flexible tethers, and tokens that can be used to purchase hints and receive bonuses. The calm but captivating gameplay is backed by a charming, tranquil soundtrack and presented in a gorgeous neon palette.

The basic concept behind Triversal is simple — to progress to the next level, players must get a glowing token to sit firmly above a black hole. To do this, players will attach “tethers” to the token — flexible streams of light that pull it in one direction. Finding the right sequence of tethers to get that orb exactly where it needs to go is where the challenge begins. What begins with a gentle learning curve becomes progressively more difficult, as more and more tether anchors appear on screen, along with bonus coins that can be used to purchase helpful items, modifiers, and even more flexible nodes that move when connections are made. For streamers that would like to invite their audience to join in on the fun, there’s the super handy “Streamer Assist feature” that allows viewers to chime in and offer helpful tips with an on-screen overlay.

“We designed Triversal to be a chill pick up n’ play puzzle game,” said  Tony Walsh, Company Director, Phantom Compass. “It’s a relaxing but challenging experience that doesn’t require a huge time commitment and can be played on the go or in between tasks, but still contains a level of depth and polish that make it stand out from the crowd.”

Check out the trailer here:

For a deeper dive into Triversal, watch the “Explainer” video and a detailed description of the “Streamer Assist” feature here:

Key Features:

• A Relaxing Challenge: Triversal is the perfect game to stimulate the mind without overwhelming it, providing a fun challenge wrapped in a soothing, colourful package 
• Play How You Want to Play: Triversal can be played with full-controller support, mouse, + keyboard (with Streamer Assist enabled), touch, and is also compatible with remote play on tv, phone, or tablet 
• Elegant Simplicity: Tether the glowing orb to the colorful shape, ensure it lands in the correct spot, and move on to the next level! A simple concept with surprising depth, Triversal offers a perfect balance for people seeking an engaging experience that isn’t overly complex 
• Multiple Modes: Puzzle Pack, Daily Puzzle, Endurance, and Sandbox modes allow players to dictate exactly what kind of experience they prefer 
• Need a Hand?: There’s nothing more embarrassing than streaming a game and getting stuck, so Phantom Compass has added the “Streamer Assist feature”, an optional overlay that adds numbered labels to the puzzles, allowing viewers to play along in chat by suggesting solutions

Phantom Compass will release Triversal for Windows PC via Steam on July 13, 2021, for $11.99 USD. Through May 31, a  Steam Playtest for Triversal will be available, allowing players to try it for free.

Stay up to date on all things Triversal and Phantom Compass by following them on Twitter and Facebook for regular updates and news!

About Phantom Compass
 
Phantom Compass is an award-winning independent game studio managed by industry veterans. Founded in 2008 and operating remotelyPhantom Compass is best known for its acclaimed 2014 pinball role-playing game Rollers of The Realm. As a passionate team of developers, the studio creates original video games, and provides game design and development services to many teams and clients in other industries. 
 
The studio comprises experienced AAA veterans, up-and-coming developers and a cadre of allies and friends from the freelance world, scaling up or down depending on project size. In addition to its current slate of games shipping in 2021 and 2022, Phantom Compass is currently working on two new products for 2023 and beyond: Auto Age: Arena, a fast-paced online car combat game, and Friendly Skies, a cozy exploration game for friends and families.
 

###

Atari® Partners with Hello There Games and Chain Games to Bring Rhythm-Action Game Beat Legend: AVICII to the Blockchain-Based Esports Platform 

• Published by Atari and Developed by Swedish Studio Hello There Games, Beat Legend: AVICII is Available in the App Stores on both iOS and Android devices
• With Chain Games, a New Mode is Made Available Where Players Can Compete Head-to-Head in PvP and Esports Tournaments to Win Cash Prizes and Crypto Rewards

NEW YORK, NY (May 13, 2021) – Atari® — one of the world’s most iconic consumer brands and entertainment producers — today announced a new agreement with gaming ecosystem Chain Games and award-winning Swedish game studio Hello There Games to bring the hit mobile rhythm-action game Beat Legend: AVICII™ to the blockchain-based Chain Games Esports platform. Beat Legend: AVICII will add competitive online Player-versus-Player (PvP) gameplay suited for esports competitions. Atari and Chain Games had previously agreed to support their respective tokens, with Atari integrating the CHAIN Token ($CHAIN) across its library of Atari Crypto Casino titles, and Chain Games integrating the Atari Token into the Chain Game ecosystem.

Released on mobile platforms in July 2020, Beat Legend: AVICII is a rhythm-action game inspired by the fantastical musical experiences of the late producer, performer, and songwriter Tim “Avicii” Bergling and features 15 of the artist’s biggest hits. Beat Legend: AVICII and supports the Tim Bergling Foundation by donating the game’s music royalties to the organization. The charity, founded by the parents of Tim Bergling (also known as Avicii) in 2019, has a mission to advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

By making an all-new version of Beat Legend: AVICII available on the non-custodial, decentralized Chain Games platform, players can compete in bracketed tournaments or one-on-one matches to climb the leaderboard while winning cash prizes and crypto rewards. 

“Our team is thrilled to see our strategic partnership with Chain Games elevate the user experience of one of Atari’s latest and greatest games: Beat Legend: AVICII,” said Jean-Marcel Nicolai, Head of Atari Games. 

“We are excited to expand our partnership with Atari, one of the most recognized consumer brands in the video game and entertainment space, and are honored to continue to support Avicii’s legacy,” said Adam Barlam, CEO & Founder of Chain Games.

“Beat Legend: AVICII is inspired by the artist’s love of music, his charisma, his creativity, and his compassion,” said Frédéric Chesnais, Head of Atari Blockchain and Licensing. “It is important to Hello There Games, and to our partners, that this venture honors Avicii by directly benefiting the Tim Bergling Foundation.”

Chain Games is an evolution in Web 3.0 blockchain gaming, combining smart contract-based contests with state-of-the-art gameplay. The Chain Games platform includes proprietary systems such as SmartContests™, an industry-first contract-based competition system where players can compete in games of skill to earn winnings, and SmartStaking™, which allows non-players to earn on any game played on the Chain network passively. Chain Games’ products are fully ERC-20 and Ethereum compatible.

Atari Chain Ltd. is a subsidiary of Atari SA, created to lead the development of ongoing projects in the field of cryptocurrencies in entertainment-based industries. The Atari Token is issued by Atari Chain, Ltd (Gibraltar), a company equally owned by Atari and the ICICB Group.

For more information on Atari Chain, please join the Atari Telegram at https://t.me/AtariTokenOfficial and visit atarichain.com.

###

About Atari / Atari Chain

Atari, composed of Atari SA and its subsidiaries, is a global interactive entertainment and multiplatform licensing group. The true innovator of the video game, founded in 1972, Atari owns and/or manages a portfolio of more than 200 games and franchises, including globally known brands such as Asteroids®, Centipede®, Missile Command®, and Pong®. From this important portfolio of intellectual properties, Atari delivers attractive online games for smartphones, tablets, and other connected devices. Atari also develops and distributes interactive entertainment for Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo game consoles. Atari also leverages its brand and franchises with licensing agreements through other media, derivative products and publishing. Atari Chain is a 50%-subsidiary of Atari, SA, co-owned by Atari and ICICB Group, and is operating the Atari Token.

Join the conversation! Stay up-to-date on the latest news & updates by following us on Social Media:

About Chain Games

Chain Games™is an evolution in Web 3.0 blockchain gaming combining smart contract-based contests with state-of-the-art gameplay.  Chain Games is committed to transitioning the blockchain gaming industry into the modern gaming era. Chain Games is an Estonian Private Limited Liability Company. 

Martina Mondadori Partnered With Sulake To Judge Finalists

Helsinki Finland, May 13th 2021 – Virtual and social games developer Sulake has today announced the conclusion of Habbo’s Spring Fashion Contest, declaring the winner of the seasonal festival as -Push, from Chile! The competition saw participants design a new garment to be sold in-game, with all proceedings made by item sales going to a charity of the winner’s choice. Teaming up with famous interior designer Martina Mondadori, Sulake is also proud to announce that, after deciding with the winner, they will donate the proceedings to Save the Children International.

Throughout April, Habbo players sent in a total of 917 entries of their creative pixel art clothing designs in an attempt to win limited edition badges, Habbo Club and Builders Club memberships, credits and VIP bundles. As well as being judged by an expert jury, the Habbo community also voted for their favourites to help decide the competition’s winner. In addition to creating and owning their own fashionable item which will be sold to players in-game, Sulake gave the decision for the winner to choose which charity the proceedings will go to. Sulake is now in the process of developing the design into an in-game item, and donating the money to Save the Children International after agreement with the winner, -Push.

To help judge the competition, Martina Mondadori offered a refined and experienced design acumen to the jury. Part of the board of directors of Arnoldo Mondadori Editore publishing group, in 2014 she established the renowned magazine Cabana, which focuses on Timeless Interiors and Decorative Arts. With an eye for design and innovation, Martina was excited to spotlight the level of talent submitted in Habbo’s Spring Fashion Contest 2021.

“It was a pleasure to be a part of the Habbo Spring Fashion Contest jury!” said Martina Mondadori, Editor-in-Chief of Cabana Magazine. “The standard of the submissions was really impressive. It was wonderful to celebrate the creativity and imagination of the online Habbo community. Well done to -Push for winning, and I hope everyone enjoyed taking part in this competition!”

“We were incredibly excited about bringing the Spring Fashion contest to the Habbo community,” said Sulake CEO Vaitteri Karu. “Receiving over 900 high quality designs was unbelievable and we are glad that we reran the popular fashion design contest, which has been carried out several times in the past. We look forward to hosting other design competitions in the future!”

The fashion competition was part of a seasonal campaign during which Habbo players participated in fashion school events via different games in Habbo, including fashion related quizzes, dress up games, and fashion show preparations. Debuting in 2016, Habbo Fashion Month is extremely popular with the community due to the number of unique clothing items and accessories that are released.

About Martina Mondadori
Martina Mondadori was born in Milan in 1981. She represents the fourth generation of the Mondadori daily and is part of the board of directors of Arnoldo Mondadori Editore publishing group. She graduated in 2005 “Magna cum laude” in Philosophy at the University of Milan.

In 2014 she started Cabana, a magazine focusing on Timeless Interiors and Decorative Arts. She is Cabana’s Editor in Chief and creative director for the Homeware and tabletop collections which appeared on 1stdibs and as the first Home Trunkshow on Moda Operandi. Martina is also European Editor at Large for Town and Country US. She became the curator for Design at Large in Basel in June 2016 as part of the Design Miami Fair. 2017 saw her first book published in the US, “Renzo Mongiardino: A Painterly Vision” by Rizzoli followed by Cabana Anthology in 2018.

About Habbo & Sulake
Sulake is a social entertainment company focused on providing a safe and fun online service for self-expression through its games, Habbo and Hotel Hideaway. Sulake was founded in 2000 by a small team of passionate people and now after 20 years, Habbo is still one of the largest virtual communities in the world, reaching players all over the world each month. With paying customers in over 115 countries and over 850,000 active users a month, Habbo continues to be a hugely popular and globally recognised brand.

Sulake’s mission is to enable its users to meet new people, make friends and give them a place to create and share their user-generated content in fun virtual surroundings. Sulake is a leader in ensuring online safety for children and was acquired in 2020 by Dutch media and technology company Azerion. www.sulake.com

The Longest Night of Museums will feature 15 naval museums from all over the world in a 17-hour stream packed with virtual tours, historical quizzes, and attractive prizes

AUSTIN, TX (May 13, 2021) – Wargaming, developer and publisher of the widely popular, free to play naval combat game World of Warships (WoWS) is pleased to reveal the Longest Night of Museums. The global showcase will feature 15 different historical naval museums from around the globe. Join virtual museum tours and live Q&As with the historians on International Museum Day, May 18, 2021 with over 17 hours of content available to watch for free starting at 3:40 a.m. EDT. The Longest Night of Museums will be streamed live on World of Warships and World of Warships: Legends YouTube and Twitch channels and on Steam. 

Museums and historic sites have felt the brunt of the pandemic, and with travel and tourism still largely restricted, digital activities are vital for these organizations to maintain a connection with the public and continue to bring the world’s naval heritage to life. Longest Night of Museums brings together museums from around the world starting in Japan with Mikasa Historic Memorial Warship, traveling across Australia and Taiwan to Europe with a trip to the National Museum of the Royal Navy in the UK and Maritiman in Sweden, ending in North America with a visit to Pearl Harbor.

“We are excited to participate in World of Warships Longest Night of Museums.  This is a great way to showcase some of the most prestigious warships around the world to a global audience,” said Steve Banta, Executive Director of the USS Lexington Museum.  “We are proud to share an exclusive look at USS Lexington, which became known as the ‘Blue Ghost’ during her historic WWII service.”

During the livestream, viewers will be able to get live and exclusive virtual tours of these iconic historic sites, with in-depth Q&A with guides and historians from the museums. In addition, viewers will be able to take part in quizzes related to the featured museums and win World of Warships prizes. Twitch drops and Twitch containers will also be available for viewers.

Wargaming also partnered with Verizon who will present their brand-new Museum of Warships AR experience for the first time, and the History Channel who will present documentary content during the stream showcasing some of the biggest naval events in history.

“Naval museums around the world keep a wealth of knowledge and important lessons from history, which were unfortunately largely inaccessible for the past year. We at Wargaming know that each museum has a unique story to tell and we want to shed some light and bring them to our wide audience of history enthusiasts,” said Marko Valentic, Global Product PR Manager from Wargaming. “We’re thrilled that so many museums decided to join and celebrate International Museum Day with World of Warships and World of Warships: Legends.”

World of Warships has the largest collection of historically accurate ships available to play, and is proud to support the global community of museums and heritage sites. The game has over 400 ships available to play, most of them designed based on historical documents and actual blueprints from the first half of the 20th century. Since the launch of World of Warships in 2015 and World of Warships: Legends in 2019, 50 million player accounts have been recorded. 

The Longest Night of Museums takes place on May 18th from 03:40 a.m. EDT to 9:00 p.m. EDT. The event is completely free to watch. To watch the global tour visit: 

• WoWS YouTube
• WoWS Twitch
• Steam
• WoWSL YouTube
• WoWS Twitch

For more information and to view the full event timings visit here.

About World of Warships
World of Warships is a free, historical, online combat PC game from Wargaming. With its massive fleet of most iconic war vessels, including four different ship classes and strategically designed environment, World of Warships provides the ultimate naval warfare gaming experience, suitable for everyone. Thanks to its largest collection of historically accurate ships available to play, World of Warships prides itself as a digital ship museum and a focal point for naval history enthusiasts. New thematic content and innovative game modes are being added on a regular basis, providing a diverse and exciting gameplay to its broad player base. 

One franchise – multiple platforms 
After the successful launch of World of Warships on PC, its unique gameplay and design has been adapted to bring free massive naval battles to other platforms with World of Warships: Legends available on PlayStation and Xbox and World of Warships Blitz on iOS and Android mobile devices. Official website: http://www.worldofwarships.eu

About World of Warships: Legends
Experience epic naval action in World of Warships: Legends, a massively multiplayer online game where you can master the seas in history’s greatest warships! Recruit legendary commanders from maritime history, upgrade your vessels and stake your claim to naval supremacy with or against players around the world in thrilling and immersive battles.

World of Warships: Legends brings the online naval action loved by millions to home consoles for the very first time, alongside a host of content and features exclusive to the console experience.
Official website: https://wowslegends.com/

About Wargaming
Wargaming is an award-winning online game developer and publisher headquartered in Nicosia, Cyprus. Operating since 1998, Wargaming has grown to become one of the leaders in the gaming industry with 4500+ employees and offices spread all over the world. Over 200 million players enjoy Wargaming’s titles across all major gaming platforms. Their flagship products include the massively popular free-to-play hit World of Tanks and the strategic naval action game World of Warships. Official website: www.wargaming.com