New-York, Tuesday April 13, 2021 – H&M is thrilled to announce a partnership with Maisie Williams to lead a worldwide initiative towards a more sustainable fashion future. In a major effort towards meeting the goal of only using recycled or other sustainably sourced materials by 2030, Williams will join H&M throughout the year to drive change in fashion in the virtual world and real life. Encouraging the reuse, remaking and recycling of unwanted garments in a united effort to close the loop in fashion.

”I am excited to finally share the news of my partnership with H&M as Global Sustainability Ambassador and  cannot wait for you all to see what we have been working on. In this role, I will be working closely with experts within H&M to drive sustainability initiatives and shape the path towards an accessible and circular  fashion future. The long term goal is to use 100 percent recycled or other sustainably sourced materials for  textiles across the full H&M Group brands by 2030. It’s time to take action and create more viable production  circuits in fashion to protect our planet for the next generation”, says Maisie Williams.

Introducing Maisie Williams digital twin
Throughout 2021, H&M and the actor and filmmaker, who’s also an active voice for female empowerment, environmentalism and diversity, will embark on several initiatives around circularity. An exciting piece of the partnership is the introduction of Maisie Williams digital twin -Avatar Maisie. The lifelike avatar was painstakingly created by 3D animators at Goodbye Kansas Studio and will make her debut in a launch film. Avatar Maisie and real-life Maisie will make several appearances throughout the year, engaging with H&M customers and inspiring action, sometimes together, other times on their own.

The first ever Animal Crossing: New Horizons clothing recycling station
The first joint action is the launch of H&M Looop Island in Nintendo’s hugely popular game Animal Crossing: New Horizons on 13 April. Named after H&M’s recently launched garment recycling machine, which takes old clothes and recycles them into new ones, H&M Looop Island has been completely designed with a sustainable theme. Players can explore the island and recycle their game outfits into new ones in the first ever Animal Crossing: New Horizons clothing recycling station the Looop machine.

“Being part of this initiative together with Maisie Williams to drive for change within the fashion industry by encouraging our customers and fans to reuse, remake and recycle unwanted garments, is something we at H&M are very ambitious about. We’ve employed the creative spaces found in Animal Crossing: New Horizons as an exciting way to create a unique showcase of our vision.The future of fashion needs to look different, and we want to be a part of this solution” says Pascal Brun, Global Sustainability Manager H&M.

Maisie Williams and H&M to meet with the gaming community
On 13 April, gamers from all over the world will be able to meet Maisie— herself an avid Animal Crossing player – at Looop Island, together with Pascal Brun, Global Sustainability Manager at H&M. Players visiting the island can learn more about recycling, interact with H&M and share their thoughts about circular fashion by leaving a note on the H&M Looop Island notice board.

About H&M  H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB (publ) was founded in Sweden in 1947 and is quoted on Nasdaq Stockholm. H&M’s business idea is to offer fashion and quality at the best price in a sustainable way. In addition to H&M, the group includes the brands COS, Monki, Weekday, & Other Stories, H&M HOME and ARKET as well as Afound. The H&M group has 52 online markets and more than 5,000 stores in 74 markets including franchise markets. In 2019, net sales were SEK 233 billion. The number of employees amounts to more than 179,000. For further information, visit hmgroup.com.

© 2020 Nintendo. Animal Crossing and Nintendo Switch are trademarks of Nintendo.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, WEDNESDAY 14 APRIL 22:00 AEST: A new trailer, lifting the lid on the events surrounding the siege of Edring – as told in the forthcoming survival management strategy gameSiege Survival: Gloria Victis – has gone live.

Narrated by John Cavanagh it tells the story of how a small band of civilians, trapped by a besieging army in the small keep of the city. They are helping to supply and support the last remaining troops holding back the enemy while desperately awaiting the arrival of a relief force to end their suffering. You can watch the trailer here https://youtu.be/7GxCq-CSpOU

In addition to the trailer, the developers have put together some narrated gameplay footage. You can watch it here

Siege Survival: Gloria Victis is set in the same medieval world as Gloria Victis MMORPG – the gritty realism focussed MMO of warring factions that has brought critical acclaim from hundreds of thousands of players across the globe.

In Siege Survival, your country has been invaded by ferocious warriors from the north and your city is now under a brutal siege. In your hands lies the fate of a small group of civilians who are trapped in the last remaining stronghold and are hanging on for dear life. Although you don’t participate in the fighting directly, their survival and that of the entire city is left to you as they try to support and supply the remaining soldiers who defend the walls on what little resources you can manage.

There are three core elements to the game:

• Crafting & resource management: You need better weapons, a roof over your head, hot food and all the other trappings that just existing entail; and the only way you’ll get these is if you and your team craft them. But resources are scarce and you’ll need to manage them wisely to make it through in one piece.

• Scavenging: Venturing out from the safety of your keep, you have to explore the ransacked city at night to collect raw materials, abandoned goods and weapons that you need to survive and hold out long enough for the reinforcements to arrive. Unlock new routes to various districts of the city, recruit more survivors and avoid enemy soldiers patrolling at night. If you don’t make it back by dawn, you’re as good as dead.

• Surviving the siege: Defending what’s left of your city are a few tired troops in dire need of arrows, weapons and armour; along with treatment for the wounded. You need to keep this squad supplied and supported in every way possible ahead of their battles every few days; otherwise the enemy will storm the keep.

All this is woven into a grim narrative with numerous moral dilemmas, forcing the player to regularly make tough decisions as they scavenge the city of Edring and desperately try to save it and themselves from impending doom. Sustain the troops or keep the civilians alive? Only the player can decide.

Siege Survival: Gloria Victis will be published on Koch Media’s Ravenscourt label: www.ravenscourt.games

About Black Eye Games

Founded in 2012, Black Eye Games are a team of developers based in Lublin in Poland, releasing their first title – the MMORPG Gloria Victis – in June 2016. Originally created remotely and “after hours” by an independent team of 7 developers with no initial budget, the game sold hundreds of thousands of copies since launch and has continued to expand its community and player base year after year.

About Koch Media

The Koch Media Group is a global developer, publisher and distributor of video games, VR games, gaming hardware and merchandise.

The group’s publishing activities, marketing and distribution extend throughout Europe, America, Australia and Asia. Koch Media has more than 25 years of experience in the digital media business and has risen to become a leading global publishing partner. The Koch Media Group runs a multi-label strategy with fully owned publishing units such as Deep Silver, Milestone, Vertigo Games and Ravenscourt which publish games for consoles, PC and VR platforms across all physical and digital channels.

Additionally, as global publishing partner Koch Media has formed long-term multi-national publishing collaborations with numerous game publishers including Bethesda, Capcom, Codemasters, Konami, Koei Tecmo, Sega, Square Enix, Warner Bros and many others. With its parent company in Höfen, Austria, and the Publishing HQ in Munich, Germany, Koch Media owns local publishing companies in Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Australia, the United States as well as Japan and Hong Kong.

The Koch Media Group owns seven game development studios: Deep Silver Volition (Champaign, IL / USA), Deep Silver Dambuster Studios (Nottingham / UK), Deep Silver Fishlabs (Hamburg / Germany), Warhorse Studios (Prague / Czech Republic), Milestone (Milan / Italy), Voxler (Paris / France) and Vertigo Games (Rotterdam /The Netherlands). Additionally, the Koch Media Group collaborates with numerous independent development studios around the world.  

Part of the Koch Media Group is also Koch Films, a European independent film distributor with business primarily in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Italy as a cinema, TV, online and Home Entertainment distributor. The Koch Media Group also owns Gaya Entertainment, a leading video game merchandise company in Munich, Germany, and the Quality Assurance Facility in Olomouc, Czech Republic.

Find Adventure on the Fringes of the Frontier

Reap the Benefits of Bonuses on Free Roam Missions and Events, Earn Prizes for Ranking Up and More

The frontier is a cold, unloving place, but there is solace to be found in the kindness and charity of those we find on the roadsides and rest stops of the frontier. Completing any Free Roam Mission — denoted on your map by an orange icon — over the course of the next week will earn you twice the usual XP.

Taking part in any Free Roam Event will also reward you with double XP through April 19th. Keep an eye out for invites at the top left of your screen to take part in an assortment of competitive and co-operative challenges, including King of the Castle, Fool’s Gold, Cold Dead Hands, and more.

40% Bonus RDO$/XP Payouts in Free Roam Missions for Posses
If you’re the type to roll up with a crew of like-minded brigands in tow, you’ll be pleased to learn that completing Free Roam Missions with the help of a Posse will receive an additional 40% RDO$ and XP bonus on top of the usual 10% Posse bonus.

Gain Ranks, Earn Prizes
Persistence and determination are their own rewards, but a little extra motivation never hurt. Players who rank up between now and April 19th will:

• Gain one Rank and get the Bluewater Marsh Treasure Map
• Gain three Ranks and get the North Ridgewood Treasure Map and a free Ability Card
• Gain six Ranks and get the lake Isabella Treasure Map, two free Ability Cards, and RDO$150

Free for All
Make your way around the map with confidence and speed — Fast Travel is free this week. Barbers, meanwhile, are offering all of their services — hair, makeup, and cosmetic dentistry — at no cost, for the next seven days.

Returning Time-Limited Clothing Added to the Catalogue
The Wheeler, Rawson & Co. Catalogue welcomes a returning selection of clothing items, available for a limited time only. Make sure to crack the Catalogue open to peruse the selection and pay your local Tailor a visit to try things on for size. See below for the complete list.

• Carbow Double Bandolier
• Fernwater Coat
• Torranca Coat (available in select colors)
• Folwell Hat
• Griffith Chaps (available in select colors)
• Porter Jacket

Discounts
Don’t break the piggy-bank just yet — there are myriad discounts on offer this week from several of the frontier’s venerable merchants.

Gunsmiths are offering a blanket 30% off all Shotguns, Repeaters and Gun Belts.

Tailors, meanwhile, have knocked 30% off the retail cost of all Pants, Skirts and Boots.

Stables are offering 40% off all Stable Slots, Horse Tonics, Horse Food, plus War and Work Horse breeds.

Prime Gaming Benefits
Red Dead Online players who connect their Rockstar Games Social Club account to Prime Gaming will receive Rewards for:

• A free Bounty Hunter License
• An Award for the Trimmed Amethyst Bounty Wagon Livery

In addition, players who connect to Prime Gaming before May 10th will receive Offers and Rewards for a free Varmint Rifle, 30% off the Hunting Wagon and 50 free Trader Goods.

—
Check Rockstar Support for details and limitations.

Taking the Fight Forward – World of Tanks Announces Modern Armor for Xbox and PlayStation

From the M1A2 Abrams to the Soviet T-72BM, players can expect new tanks and contemporary combat in Modern Armor 

For the very first time in the series’ history, World of Tanks will be bringing modern tanks to the battlefield – introducing a new way to play for over 21 million tankers! With the announcement of the Modern Armor update, the Wargaming Chicago-Baltimore team is excited to bring much-anticipated, console-exclusive combat that will test even the most hardened players.

The Modern Armor content unlocks on April 27^th with the premiere update of the series and is cross-playable on PlayStation®4 & 5 and on Xbox One, Xbox Series S & X. 

Modern Armor will throw players into brand-new Eras that will exist alongside the legendary WWII-focused version of World of Tanks. Players can enter the battlefield in some of the 20^th century superpowers’ most iconic modern tanks, like the American M1A2 Abrams and the Soviet T-72BM. Tankers can re-write history as they fight for tactical supremacy on the battlefield, taking on their foes alone or working with teammates to emerge victorious.

TJ Wagner, Creative Director for World of Tanks Console said: “We are excited to premiere modern tanks within the global phenomena that is World of Tanks. Our passionate players will finally be able to get their hands on some of the most popular tanks of the modern era. Everyone in the studio worked hard to deliver the largest update to World of Tanks to date in an exciting new cross-console experience with Modern Armor!”.

Stay tuned for more information on new tanks, maps, content, and more as the game hits on April 27^th.

About World of Tanks: Modern Armor

World of Tanks: Modern Armor is a team-based massively multiplayer online action game dedicated to armored combat from two different eras. Players immerse themselves in fierce 15-v-15 tank combat with opponents from around the world, fight it out on a rotation of more than 90 different maps, and take command of their preferred vehicle out of over 800 tanks from 11 different nations from the 20^th and 21^st century.

World of Tanks Console is played by more than 21 million players worldwide and is available on PlayStation®4 & 5 and on Xbox One, Xbox Series S & X. World of Tanks Console can be downloaded for free by all PlayStation Network and Xbox Live account holders, with stunning 4K resolution and HDR support on PlayStation®4 Pro, PlayStation 5, Xbox One X, Xbox Series S & Xbox Series X.  Its latest expansion Modern Armor will be released in April 2021 for free and adding – for the very first time across the World of Tanks franchise and exclusive for Consoles – modern tanks in a separate additional era.

Official website: http://console.worldoftanks.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 5,500 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: wargaming.com

PS5™ Release Brings Framerate Improvements, Faster Load Times, 4K Resolution Support, DualSense Haptic Feedback, New Trophies, and 3D Audio Support

SQUARE ENIX® is setting the stage for the next major adventure in FINAL FANTASY® XIV Online with today’s release of Patch 5.5. The update, titled Death Unto Dawn, brings with it climactic new story content set to lead directly into upcoming fourth expansion Endwalker™, alongside the highly-anticipated third chapter of YoRHa: Dark Apocalypse—the NieR-inspired alliance raid featuring the work of guest creators Yosuke Saito and YOKO TARO. The patch also brings an abundance of battle content, system updates, and more.

The Patch 5.5 trailer is available to view here:

Today also marks the start of open beta for the PlayStation®5 console version of FINAL FANTASY XIV Online. Players can look forward to a range of new features and additions, including framerate improvements, faster load times, 4K resolution support, DualSense haptic feedback, new trophies, and 3D audio support.

Users with a PlayStation 4 license registered to their account can upgrade to the PS5 Upgrade Edition at no extra cost at the start of the open beta period, while new players can experience the game on the PlayStation 5 via the Free Trial version. The full PlayStation 5 version will be available for purchase following the conclusion of the open beta.

A trailer for the PlayStation 5 version of the game can be seen here: 

Further details on Patch 5.5 content are outlined below:

●     New Main Scenario Quests – Prospects of peace may soon fall to ruin, as Fandaniel and the Telophoroi scheme to recreate the Final Days, and ominous towers rise in all corners of the realm. With the servants of chaos amassing at every turn, will the Scions uncover their plot before it is too late?

●     New Alliance Raid: The Tower at Paradigm’s Breach – The white-garbed 2P’s discovery was the first domino to fall in a series of conflicts that have only escalated since the arrival of the black-shrouded 2B, the pattern they form growing ever more complex. The time of revelation may be at hand, but is this tale one of hope…or despair?

●     “Sorrow of Werlyt” Questline Finale – With adamantine armour and a beating, blood red core, the Diamond Weapon is the culmination of countless sacrifices and untold suffering. When the ultimate triumph of the VIIth Legion’s monstrous Weapon project descends upon Werlyt, who will be saved, and who shall fall?

●     New Trial: The Cloud Deck – The advent of the Empire’s final and most fatal Weapon sees Gaius and the Warrior of Light take to the skies aboard Cid’s latest creation. Players can face off against the fearsome Diamond Weapon in this latest trial, which will be available in both Normal and Extreme difficulties.

●     New Dungeon: Paglth’an – Players can tackle this new story dungeon alongside fellow adventurers or a party of non-player characters via Trust System compatibility.

●     “Save the Queen” Questline Update – This latest update includes a new field area, “Zadnor,” an increased resistance rank cap, final enhancement of resistance weapons and more.

●     New Unreal Trial – The next powered-up primal, Leviathan, has returned from A Realm Reborn to terrorise level 80 heroes, providing them with a hefty challenge and chances at unique rewards.

●     Crafter Updates – High-level crafters can look forward to new content in Patch 5.5 that will earn them special achievements and unique crafting tools.

●     Ishgard Restoration Update – As a new age dawns in Ishgard, luminaries from across Eorzea have been invited to the Firmament to take part in a ceremony commemorating this momentous occasion. Players can obtain rewards by participating in gatherer- and crafter-focused events which will occur during these periodic celebrations.

●     “Explorer Mode” Update – The Explorer Mode feature will be expanded to include level 70 dungeons. Explorer Mode allows players to explore dungeons free from danger to capture striking and fun screenshots while enabling the use of mounts and minions. Players will also now be able to use performance actions while in dungeons, such as playing musical instruments.

●     New Game+ Updates – Relive even more past adventures in Patch 5.5 with the addition of Eden, the Sorrow of Werlyt, and other Tales from the Shadows. Main scenario quests from Patch 5.4 to Patch 5.55 and YoRHa: Dark Apocalypse are also coming to New Game+ in Patch 5.55.

●     New Custom Deliveries – House Durendaire is considered the foremost of the noble houses of Ishgard, and Count Charlemend stands at its head. Thus, when such a dignitary is seen skulking about the Firmament, it could scarcely go unnoticed. What manner of surreptitious business could have brought the man to the newly rebuilt district?

●     Performance Action Updates – A new instrument will be added with Patch 5.55.

●     Job Adjustments for PvE and PvP Actions, New Mounts, Minions and more.

Further details about the upcoming Digital Fan Festival on 15^th – 16^th May were also revealed. On 15^th May, fans can expect an exciting keynote filled with new information on Endwalker, a developer panel, and a piano concert. 16^th May’s events will also provide enjoyable content for fans, with a Letter from the Producer LIVE and a concert from THE PRIMALS. For more information on the Digital Fan Festival 2021, visit the official website here: https://fanfest.finalfantasyxiv.com/2021/eu/

The recently announced fourth expansion pack of the FINAL FANTASY XIV Online saga, Endwalker, is scheduled to release fall 2021 for PC, Mac, the PlayStation®5 system, and the PlayStation®4 system. Endwalker is the culmination of the Hydaelyn and Zodiark story, in which Warriors of Light will encounter an even greater calamity than ever before, and will bring an abundance of new content, including multiple new jobs, an increased level cap, vast new areas, adjustments to the battle system, as well as a variety of new battle, crafter, and gatherer content.

FINAL FANTASY XIV: Endwalker’s teaser trailer can be found here:

Visit the official FINAL FANTASY XIV: Endwalker site here: http://eu.finalfantasyxiv.com/endwalker/

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.

Embark on the Ultimate Space Fantasy in Call of the Tempestarii, Available Today on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, PS5, PS4, and Nintendo Switch

LONDON, ONTARIO – April 13, 2021 – Debuting on Microsoft’s next-generation Xbox Series X|S and due on all other platforms today, Digital Extremes’ robust new Warframe®Call of the Tempestarii update puts players at the helm of a colossal new Railjack experience for the ultimate space fantasy. Available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, PS5™, PS4™, and Nintendo Switch™, console players gain access to Corpus Proxima & The New Railjack while all players will receive the ghostly, quest-driven Call of the Tempestarii for free.

• Watch all three trailers!

Call of the Tempestarii Launch Trailer:

Xbox Series X|S Trailer:

Sevagoth Profile Trailer: 

“When we launch Call of the Tempestarii on all platforms today, we’ll reach a new defining moment for Warframe,” said COO Sheldon Carter. “Yes, we’ll take that very big second step into the next generation on Xbox Series X|S, but what’s really driving this new content is the new Railjack. Railjack is maturing, growing more robust and becoming the dynamic space adventure we originally imagined it would become.”

Heed The Call of the Tempestarii and Discover Sevagoth
Call of the Tempestarii steers players’ down an eerie path of unfulfilled prophecies and ghostly disturbances in an all new lore-based quest. Heeding a strange beacon call, Railjack AI Cephalon Cy charts a course through harrowing Void Storms and new Corpus boss battles to unveil a haunting story introducing the specter of death, Sevagoth. Completing this Quest sets the stage for even bigger battles later this year.

The powerful 46th Warframe blends heavy damage and team support characteristics into a magnificent reaper form. Sevagoth’s Abilities Reap, Sow, and Gloom contribute to a unique “death well” meter, building to launch Sevagoth’s second form, the fierce all-melee Shadow. Sevagoth’s spectral Shadow glides across the battlefield reaping souls, bearing extended, sharpened talons that slash and tear enemies asunder. Beware the Reaper!

Build, Board and Battle 
With this retrofitted Railjack update, console players get to experience Corpus Proxima&The New Railjack for the first time. Every aspect has been redesigned to embody the core Warframe experience. With our players’ feedback in mind to improve the Railjack experience, this update was renovated and simplified to produce less grind and less reliance on matchmaking, giving Tenno ample opportunities to more easily engage in epic spaceship battles, slingshot into enemy ships, and collect, fight and explore.

Railjack missions now combine Warframe’s fluid parkour combat with epic space battles. Ramped up core reward loops — such as hunting and collecting valuable Arcanes in Void Storms — unlock hard-to-get Warframes and Warframe Primes, such as Ash Prime! Re-worked, improved Command Intrinsics and Avionics Systems, and a hire-able NPC AI crew give battle-ready Tenno more control, more gametime, and less waiting around. NPC crews can be recruited, leveled up, and customized for improved single-player missions. Two new game modes “Volatile” and “Orphix”, plus ultra-powerful mech gameplay, round out a new robust, satisfying experience.

Experience Next-Generation Warframe
By launching Call of the Tempestarii on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox players instantly get access to Warframe’s all new story, new Warframe, and new gameplay in impressive next-gen visual and audio fidelity. Warframe’s significantly improved loading times hurl Tenno seamlessly into the action complete with impressive 4K resolution and 60fps and offers cross-system play on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.

Our new rendering engine dials up dynamic real-time lighting and volumetric shadows for a true next-generation experience. And our recently implemented sound system provides greater sonic depth, a broader variety of spaces, and more audio detail.

Xbox Game Pass
Warframe’s next-generation arrival means that all players who own an Xbox Game Pass can access the generous Warframe®: Excalibur Jade Bundle. This bundle, which retails for $19.99 for players without an Xbox Game Pass, features an Excalibur Jade Skin, Excalibur Jade Noggle, Tonkor Jade Skin (includes Tonkor grenade launcher), Liset Jade Skin, Jade Daedalus Armor, Capala Jade Sigil, and a 7-Day Affinity Booster. Grab it now!

To keep up with the latest updates, be sure to follow Warframe on Twitch, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Download Warframe on Steam PC, Epic Games Store, PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Nintendo™ Switch. 

ABOUT DIGITAL EXTREMES
Founded in 1993 by James Schmalz, Digital Extremes ranks as one of the world’s top independent video game development studios. Originating with the co-creation of Epic Games’ multi-million unit selling Unreal® franchise including Unreal and Unreal Tournament, Digital Extremes went on to develop Dark Sector®, BioShock® for the PlayStation®3, the BioShock 2 multiplayer campaign, and The Darkness® II. The studio has reached its greatest critical and commercial success with the free-to-play action game, Warframe®, boasting a global community of 60+ million registered players on PC, PS5™, PS4™, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch™, and soon on Xbox Series X|S. For more information about Digital Extremes, visit www.digitalextremes.com. To sign up for Warframe, visit www.warframe.com.
# # #

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE – VOICE CAST AND GAMEPLAY DETAILS REVEALED

Learn More About Yuffie and New Characters in ‘FF7R Episode INTERmission’

SYDNEY (April 14, 2021) – SQUARE ENIX Ltd., today revealed exciting new details for FINAL FANTASY® VII REMAKE INTERGRADE, the enhanced and expanded version of the critically acclaimed and award-winning FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE on the PlayStation®5 (PS5™) console. The team revealed the official title for the new episode featuring Yuffie is FF7R EPISODE INTERmission, and they introduced new information on main character Yuffie Kisaragi, as well as the talented English voice cast behind the new characters for this new episode.

Players can look forward to utilizing Yuffie’s signature battle style in combat as she undertakes a mission to steal the Shinra Electric Power Company’s most powerful materia. Together with Avalanche HQ’s support, they cross behind enemy lines to reclaim their homeland’s former glory and exact revenge long in the making., Yuffie shines in both close and long-range combat. As a member of Wutai’s elite corps of ninja operatives, she has a unique play style which allows her to throw her iconic massive throwing star at enemies. During that time, she is able to attack with long-range ninjutsu that can be augmented with her Elemental Ninjutsu ability, which can change its affinity to fire, ice, lightning or wind.

Another of Yuffie’s abilities, “Banishment,” unleashes an attack that does more damage based on how much ATB was spent before it. Similar to the ninjutsu attacks when she uses her throwing star, its elemental affinity can be changed with Elemental Ninjutsu.

Yuffie can also use “Windstorm,” which creates a damaging gust of wind that damages nearby enemies and launches them towards her. Players can look forward to learning even more about Yuffie’s specialized ninja fighting style and enjoy an expanded gameplay experience featuring multiple new combat and gameplay additions for FF7R EPISODE INTERmission.

Alongside Yuffie and Sonon, additional characters were introduced for FF7R EPISODE INTERmission, including Zhijie, a Wutain who acts as the point of contact between the new Wutaian government and Avalanche HQ, members of Avalanche HQ—Nayo, Billy Bob, and Polk, and Weiss, the sadistic ruler of Shinra’s top-secret underground research center Deepground.

SQUARE ENIX also announced the talented English voice cast behind these new characters in FF7R EPISODE INTERmission, including:

• Yuffie Kisaragi, voiced by Suzie Yeung
• Sonon Kusakabe, voiced by Aleks Le
• Weiss, voiced by Daman Mills
• Zhijie, voiced by Griffin Puatu
• Nayo, voiced by Ashley Boettcher
• Billy Bob, voiced by David Goldstein
• Polk, voiced by Daniel Amerman

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE takes advantage of the latest generation hardware and includes a wealth of graphical, gameplay and system enhancements for the PS5. Players who have purchased FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE for the PlayStation®4 console will be able to download a free PS5 enhancement update* that will include all the next-gen visual and gameplay enhancements detailed above at no extra cost when playing on a PS5 console, and can purchase the new episode featuring Yuffie, FF7R EPISODE INTERmission, as a standalone download from the PlayStation®Store. Owners of the disc version of FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE on PS4 will require a PS5 console with disc drive in order to take advantage of this digital upgrade.

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE is available to pre-order now from local and online retailers.For users who download the free FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE PlayStation 5 enhancement update, the new episode featuring Yuffie, titled FF7R EPISODE INTERmission, will be available as a separate purchase on the PlayStation®Store starting June 10, 2021.

*If you already own FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE for the PS4 (physical or digital version) and own a PS5, you can download the FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE free PS5 enhancement update. Please note the PS4 version of FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE available to PlayStation Plus members is not eligible for the PS5 digital version upgrade. This update does not include the new episode featuring Yuffie. The new episode featuring Yuffie can be purchased separately. An internet connection is required to obtain the free PS5 enhancement update. However, if you have purchased FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE (physical edition) for PS4 and own the PS5 digital edition (the model without a disc drive), then you are not eligible to download the upgrade.

Related Links:

Official Website: www.ffvii-remake.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/finalfantasyvii
Twitter: https://twitter.com/finalfantasyvii
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/finalfantasyvii/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/finalfantasy
#FinalFantasy #FF7R

About FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE

In FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE, players will be drawn into a world where the Shinra Electric Power Company, a shadowy corporation, controls the planet’s very life force. Cloud Strife, a former member of Shinra’s elite SOLDIER unit now turned mercenary, lends his aid to an anti-Shinra organization calling themselves Avalanche. The first game in the project is set in the city of Midgar, and is a fully standalone gaming experience designed for RPG players that crave unforgettable characters, a powerful story and the ability to choose their style of play with a battle system that merges thrilling real-time action with strategic, command-based combat.

About FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE is an enhanced and expanded version of the critically acclaimed and award-winning FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE for the PlayStation®5 console. FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE comes bundled with the brand-new episode featuring Yuffie as the main character, titled FF7R EPISODE INTERmission which introduces an exhilarating new story arc and numerous gameplay additions for players to enjoy. FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE further brings the re-imagining of the legendary game that redefined the RPG genre to life—with improved textures, lighting, background environments, visual optimization options, Photo Mode, and more.

About Square Enix Ltd.

Square Enix Ltd. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX®, EIDOS® and TAITO® branded entertainment content in Europe and other PAL territories as part of the Square Enix group of companies. Square Enix Ltd. also has a global network of leading development studios such as Crystal Dynamics® and Eidos Montréal®. The Square Enix group of companies boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over  161  million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 82 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 82 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix Ltd. is a London-based, wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.

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

KungFu Kickball Scores Steam Early Access Today

SYDNEY – 14 April 2021 – KungFu Kickball, the team-based sports platform fighter from publisher Blowfish Studios and developer WhaleFood Games, enters the digital arena today, launching on Steam Early Access for Windows PC and Mac. The full game is also coming to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One later this year.

Dive into an action-packed competitive experience fusing the combat of martial arts with the speed and finesse of sports. Tackle rival teams in pitched showdowns, running circles around defenders to boot a bouncing ball into a bell and hear the triumphant clang of victory. 

KungFu Kickball’s Early Access launch includes five detailed pixel-art arenas and five classes of fighters. Each character features a different playstyle, like the unpredictable Drunken Boxer, strong-footed Old Master, or the fleet-footed Assassin. Learn the ins and outs of each ability in a comprehensive training mode then compete in 1v1 or 2v2 online or local multiplayer matches. Emerge victorious to unlock a special secret character with awesome abilities!

With a jump, strike, and short-range teleportation dash, every martial athlete has the opportunity to ring the bell and win matches. KungFu Kickball’s minimalist control scheme emphasizes pick-up-and-play accessibility while still offering competitors the chance to showcase skills and quick reflexes at higher levels as they launch offensive flurries or make defensive stands. 

“KungFu Kickball captures the best aspects of combat arts with the appeal of competitive sports,” said Ben Lee, co-founder, Blowfish Studios. “We’re pleased to open our digital dojo and welcome new KungFu Kickball players today with the game’s Early Access launch on Steam!”

KungFu Kickball is now available on Steam Early Access for $19.99 / £15.99.99 / €17.99. It features English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Turkish, and Korean language support.

To learn more about KungFu Kickball, visit the official website, check out WhaleFood on Twitter and Facebook, and join the Blowfish Studios community on Twitter and Facebook.

About Blowfish Studios

Blowfish Studios is an award-winning independent game developer and publisher based in Sydney, Australia. We strive to release original multi-platform games, while also collaborating with developers from around the world. As developers first, we bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to any partnership. Our team provides development services to get the game release ready, porting to all major platforms, platform approval, marketing and promotion to the world.

To learn more about Blowfish Studios please visit the team’s website.

About WhaleFood Games

WhaleFood Games is a Brooklyn-based independent developer founded by designer Jonah Wallerstein, who aims to create fun games that are easy to learn but difficult to master. 

For more on WhaleFood Games, check out the studio’s website.

Ghostrunner Receives Free Modes, New Cosmetic DLC Today, Physical Switch Edition in Late June

Performance Mode for PS4 Pro and NVIDIA Reflex Support for PC

CALABASAS, Calif. — 13 April 2021 — Co-Publishers 505 Games & All In! Games alongside developers One More Level, 3D Realms, and Slipgate Ironworks™ today launch free game modes and the paid Metal Ox Pack for Ghostrunner, the first-person cyberpunk parkour action game. The company also unveiled a physical edition of Ghostrunner is in development for Nintendo Switch and will launch on 25 June in Europe and 29 June in the U.S.

The free updates launching today include Kill Run Mode, a game mode with strict time goals and Dharma Tower’sgreatest challenge. In Kill Run Mode, players slay enemies to add precious seconds to the timer, dash through sections as quickly as possible, and ascend to new heights on the leaderboards. Players can also capture their most stylish moments from a whole new perspective with Photo Mode. Break the fourth wall for the perfect angle and see Ghostrunner’s entrancing cyberpunk world like never before.

The Metal Ox Pack celebrates the Year of the Ox with four new swords and gloves modeled after Confucian principles and virtues. Benevolence. Justice. Rite. Integrity. 

Ongoing support for one of 2020’s breakout hits continues with free quality-of-life updates. On console, enjoy aim assist for the grappling hook, an adjustable field-of-view (FOV) slider, and the newly added, framerate-boosting Performance Mode on PS4 Pro. On PC, NVIDIA Reflex levels up the cyborg ninja experience, significantly reducing system latency with supported graphics cards.

Ghostrunner’s upcoming physical release on Nintendo Switch will include every update since last year’s digital launch, including performance and stability improvements, control refinements, and upgraded graphics.

In humanity’s last city, an augmented bodyguard fails his duty and loses everything. From the grim depths of Dharma Tower, the Ghostrunner must ascend a world that has already ended, past authoritarian legions that want him dead, to fight a ruler who defeated him once before. Master speed, agility, and violent reflexes only cybernetic enhancements can bestow. Wall-run, air dash, grapple, and defy time to survive a brutal world where a single hit means death.

The Metal Ox Pack is out now for $4.99 / €4.99 / £3.99 when purchased standalone. For a limited time, grab the Keymaster Bundle on Steam, including Ghostrunner, the Winter Pack, and the Metal Ox Pack, at a 10% discount.

Ghostrunner is available now on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Amazon Luna, and PC via Steam, the Epic Games Store, and GOG. Ghostrunner will come to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in 2021, with a free upgrade available for owners of the PS4 or Xbox One versions.

Ghostrunner is published by H2 Interactive for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 in Asia; H2 will communicate the Japanese release date soon.

For more information about Ghostrunner, including full language support, visit the official website.

Call of Duty: Mobile Gives Players A Tokyo Escape on Friday April 16 – Season 3 brings Samurai theme, New Maps, Modes and More! 

Experience the code of the Samurai this Friday as Call of Duty: Mobile Season 3: Tokyo Escape begins on April 16 at 5 p.m. PT. The most honorable players can slice and dice their way through this season’s new Multiplayer Mode, Swords & Stones, or battle it out on two new maps, Oasis and Coastal.

Players who are looking for more than a katana can earn two epic premier weapons: PP19 Bizon – Yokai (brand new) or the QXR – Scorching Sun, plus 50 tiers of rewards in this season’s battle pass, including Samurai-themed characters, weapons and more.

Here are some highlights coming to Android and iOS:

• New Maps – Two new multiplayer maps make their debut in Call of Duty: Mobile:
• Oasis – First introduced in Modern Warfare 3, Oasis takes place in an upscale desert hotel themed for the season.
• Coastal – A brand-new map designed for Call of Duty: Mobile and created specifically for the Search & Destroy mode.

• New Battle Royale Updates – Season 3 will also see the addition of a new operator skill and BR class.
• Operator Skill – Bull Charge – A riot shield skill that can be earned by reaching Tier 14 in the Season 3 battle pass.
• BR Class – Spotter – The new Battle Royale class will be available later in the season through its own featured event.

• New Multiplayer Modes
• “Night Mode 2.0” – Optimized versions of Night Mode launching for a limited time (April 22- 28)
• “Swords & Stones”– Available for a limited time (May 6-12), this mode goes back to basics allowing only melee weapons in a free-for-all contest.
• The new mode includes airdrops that change to the Shadow Blade skill, Molotov Cocktail Scorestreaks and more.

• Marquee Event – “Warrior’s Path,” a Samurai-themed event begins on April 29 and enables players to join either the Five Knights or the U.A.C. to complete daily tasks and earn rewards in either MP or BR mode. Winner takes all here, with the faction earning the most points at the end of the day taking control of a node on the map.

Players can also expect New Seasonal Challenges, Lucky Draws, Bundles and more available in the store once the Season begins.

Check out theTokyo Escape Battle Pass trailer here:

Assets for Season 3: Tokyo Escape may be downloaded here:

https://step-3.box.com/s/90r7y1ykk39ent6itfsdgotjz5do81nl

For more information about Season 3, head to the Activision Blog:

https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2021/04/Season-3-Tokyo-Escape