XSEED Games Partners with Cygames to Launch the Story-Based Reimagining of the Hit Strategic Multiplayer Mobile/PC Card Battle Game in North America

TORRANCE, Calif. – Mar. 30, 2021 – XSEED Games, the independent-minded publishing brand of Marvelous USA, Inc., today announced that they will publish Shadowverse: Champion’s Battle on the Nintendo Switch™ system in North America this summer. Based on the anime adaptation of Cygames’ hit strategic multiplayer mobile/PC card battle game Shadowverse, Shadowverse: Champion’s Battle brings the deep deck building mechanics to a new platform and delivers them with a fresh narrative experience perfect for both new and experienced players. The game will be available digitally and at retail, and all versions come with a special promo code granting 2 alternate art cards (3 cards each), 10 seer’s globes, and cosmetic items redeemable in the mobile or PC version of Shadowverse.

Shadowverse: Champion’s Battle is a reimagined version of the strategic multiplayer mobile/PC card battle game for the consumer platform. As players progress the game, they can collect new cards to build more powerful decks. The game can be experienced solo, or players can head online for multiplayer matches to test complex new strategies against others. It will also feature a Battle Pass system with cosmetic leader skin rewards and other in-game bonuses unlockable by completing missions such as winning online matches. The Switch™ release also adds deluxe battle animations for a more immersive experience.

In Shadowverse: Champion’s Battle, players take the role of a transfer student to Tensei Academy, where they are quickly introduced to the Shadowverse card game by their classmate, Hiro Ryugasaki. The new friends team up with Shadowverse club president (and only member) Rei on a quest to master the popular card battle game and restore the club to its former glory by winning the national championship. Throughout their adventures, players will be able to explore unique locations around the school and surrounding town, where events and encounters await in the least expected places. Team up with new friends, battle to become the national champions, and save the Shadowverse Club for future generations!

Developed by Cygames and published by XSEED Games in North America on the Nintendo Switch™ system, Shadowverse: Champion’s Battle will release in summer 2021. More information about the retail and digital versions of the title, including physical pre-orders, will be announced at a later date. The title has been rated “T for Teen” on the Nintendo Switch™ by the ESRB.

More information about XSEED Games’ products can be found at www.xseedgames.com. Fans can also follow XSEED Games on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Twitch, get in depth info from their developer blog, 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.

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Coming to PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch later in 2021

Moscow, Russia (30 March 2021) – Buka Entertainment and LUDUS FUTURE are pleased to announce that Demon Skin is coming to PC on 13 April, followed by releases on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch later this year.
 
A brutal 2D hack-and-slash game with a challenging combat system, Demon Skin plunges you into a harsh dark fantasy world to test your will and your skills against deadly environments and towering foes. Do you have what it takes to survive?

Accept a position amongst the Order of Wanderers and become an axe-tossing, realm-crossing, boss-bossing brute locked in battle with hordes of demons and their sinister masters. A war god in all but name, as a Wanderer you must parry incoming strikes, dodge traps and out-sprint annihilation in hostile worlds. Stay on the front foot by targeting chinks in enemy armour via an intuitive combat stance system, then pillage demon corpses for weapons to unleash devastating new combos.

The story of Demon Skin’s creation is almost as hardcore as the journey facing its Wanderer protagonist. Project lead Denis Listov first came up with the game’s plan back in 2014, and with no prior development experience to brandish he taught himself programming, visual design and animations in his free time. Since then Listov has faced off against numerous development foes: transitioning from 2D visuals to 3D models, switching game engines, rebrandings, claiming the long-lost treasure of Investor Funding only to see that gleaming chalice slip out of reach, and even the setback of injury from a motion capture session.

“Everyone told me that if I want to do something right, I have to learn how to do it by myself. That to create a game I’d have to master programming, animation and other stuff as well. Not to mention other development tasks that needed to be done. Sure, I could have started with something less complicated, but this game was the only thing I could think about!” said Denis Listov, lead game designer at LUDUS FUTURE.

KEY FEATURES

• Sophisticated combat system. Improve your skills by mastering various stances for lightning-fast parrying and inflicting maximum damage with spectacular finishing moves! Keep an eye on the level of stamina and other indicators of the character’s physical condition – all these features directly affect the outcome of the battle.
• An extensive skill tree. Gain experience to learn new combos and enhance health, stamina, and attack power.
• Dozens of enemy types. From skeletons, zombies, and spiders to werewolves, lizards, and golems – fighting each of them requires a different approach.
• Huge arsenal for killing monsters. There are more than 30 types of edged and blunt weapons at your disposal and each type is only effective against a certain type of enemies. You can even destroy enemies with your bare hands – it’s not as effective but still a lot of fun.
• Secrets and artifacts. Some rare and ancient artifact weapons are hidden in the secret places of the game world. Find it to unlock the impressive super skills after achieving a certain level.
• A demon on the outside, a demon within. Collect shards of Crystal and become even stronger, build up your bone armour and turn into a fearsome demon.
• Gloomy landscapes in the spirit of dark fantasy. From the icy wastelands and deep dungeons to the twilight forests and abodes of the undead. This cruel world lives a life of its own, but terrifying creatures that inhabit it are not always hostile. On your way, you will not only meet enemies but also powerful allies.

Demon Skin will be available on PC on 13 April, and is coming to PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch later in 2021.

Add Demon Skin to your Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1522140/Demon_Skin/

About Buka Entertainment
Buka Entertainment, based in Moscow, publishes, distributes and develops computer and video games for all platforms since 1993. Today Buka is one of the biggest Russian PC games publishers, localizers, console video games distributors, and digital distributors in the country. Buka publishes thoughtfully crafted games and software, distributing them throughout Russia and CIS alongside partnerships with Microsoft, Valve, Square Enix, Koch Media and other leading publishers.
 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Buka_Ent_Games
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BUKAEnt/

About LUDUS FUTURE
The LUDUS FUTURE team was created in 2019. It brought together several enthusiastic developers with prior experience in game development. Their main goal is to implement original ideas and gameplay experiments in games. Demon Skin game is their first project in which they put all their skills and souls.

Truck Anywhere When SnowRunner Comes to Nintendo Switch on May 18

PARIS — March 30, 2021 — SnowRunner, the blockbuster off-road trucking game from Focus Home Interactive and Saber Interactive, is gearing up to break into new frontiers with the reveal it will launch on Nintendo Switch on May 18. Experience realistic physics, authentic vehicles with tons of automotive might, and hours of exciting challenges featuring mud, snow, water and more!

SnowRunner will be available on Switch with the same content featured in the PC, Xbox One and PlayStation®4 versions of the game. Drive stunningly recreated vehicles from brands like Ford, Chevrolet and Freightliner as you leave your mark on an untamed open world. Be prepared to overcome torrential waters, mud, snow and frozen lakes as you take on perilous contracts and missions like hauling, logging, towing, repairing and more. Expand and customize your fleet with a host of upgrades and accessories like exhaust snorkels for heavy waters or chain tires to battle the snow.

SnowRunner is currently available on PC via the Epic Games Store, Xbox One and PlayStation®4. For more information, visit www.focus-home.com/en-us/games/snowrunner.

Out now on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC, Stadia and MAC

30 March 2021 (London, UK): ZA/UM has today announced that Disco Elysium – The Final Cut – the definitive edition of the multi award-winning smash hit RPG – is available to purchase now via digital download on the PlayStation Store, Steam, GOG, Epic Store, the App Store and Google Stadia. 

The Final Cut is available at no extra cost to all current owners of Disco Elysium.Disco Elysium – The Final Cut brings the residents of Revachol to vibrant life with the inclusion of one million professionally voice actedwords by actors from all over the world, as well as adding brand new political vision quests. Explore unseen areas, encounter an expanded cast of memorable citizens, and leave an even bigger mark on the world, all with ‘quality of life’ gameplay enhancements and addedreplayability.

About Disco Elysium

Disco Elysium is a ground-breaking, BAFTA award winning open world role playinggame with an insane amount of choice and consequence.You’re a detective with a unique skill system at your disposal and a whole city block to carve your path across. Interrogate unforgettable characters, crack murders or take bribes. Become a hero or an absolute disaster of a human being.

There is a launch week discount of 20% for Disco Elysium – The Final Cut on every platform and is available to purchase for £27.99 / $31.99 / €31.99 on:

PlayStation Store: https://www.playstation.com/en-us/games/disco-elysium/
Google Stadia: https://stadia.google.com/games
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium
GOG: https://www.gog.com/game/disco_elysium
Epic Store: https://www.epicgames.com/store/en-US/p/disco-elysiumApple Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/disco-elysium/id1508191454?mt=12
ZA/UM / ATELIER is now sold out of the limited-edition Kim Aerostatic Jacket and Lilik-Hiriadi Death Cloak. Sign up for the next drop arriving later this Spring 2021.

To keep up with ZA/UM / ATELIER:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/atelierZAUM

To keep up with all Disco Elysium news:

Discord: discord.gg/discoelysium
Facebook: facebook.com/zaumstudio
Twitter: twitter.com/studioZAUM
Instagram: instagram.com/zaumstudio/
Website: discoelysium.com

Developer & Publisher: ZA/UM

Planet Zoo: Southeast Asia Animal Pack + Update 1.5 – Out Now!

Hey there, Planet Zoo fans! Grab onto something sturdy and steady yourself, because the incredible Southeast Asia Animal Pack is available to purchase right now. Containing eight amazing animals your guests will go wild for, alongside one timed scenario set in a never-before-seen location, you can expand your zoo and tackle all-new challenges today.

The Southeast Asia Animal Pack features the most additions in Planet Zoo to date, all of them native to the majestic continent of Southeast Asia. From solitary tree-dwellers to social roamers, you’ve got plenty of choice. Take the clouded leopard, a beautiful arboreal cat rarely seen in its natural environment. Or the playful sun bear, a diminutive bear species happiest when climbing.

The full list of animals in the Southeast Asia Animal Pack includes the clouded leopard, sun bear, proboscis monkey, Ussuri dhole, Malayan tapir, North Sulawesi babirusa, binturong, and giant leaf insect. Build them wonderful habitats, dedicate time to meeting their needs, and help them live their best lives amongst ideal surroundings.

The pack also features a timed scenario set in Perak, Malaysia. Here you’ll take on the challenge of developing a stunning zoo amidst more tropical surroundings – the perfect showcase for Planet Zoo animals new and old. Try and get a gold star!

And that’s not all. The Southeast Asia Animal Pack launches alongside a free update. Update 1.5, also out now for all Planet Zoo players, introduces a range of useful features and improvements, including multiple zoo entrances for increased footfall, video billboards to help direct guests, the ability to change the volume and colour of water, and its own timed scenario. This one invites you to Bernie’s country park, Goodwin House, to try your hand turning it into a world-class zoo.

Wrext-Gen: Wreckfest coming to PS5 on June 1st 2021!

Sydney, Australia, March 30^th,  2021 – The critically acclaimed demolition racer Wreckfest is ready to wreck on PlayStation®5 starting June 1st, 2021!

The PlayStation®5 version offers the best Wreckfest experience on consoles ever and takes full advantage of the PlayStation®5’s hardware power. Not only does the new version offer enhanced visuals such as dynamic dirt on vehicles, better textures, and improved visual effects. Additionally, it also runs with a wonderful 4K resolution at a smooth 60 frames per second. The multiplayer features 24 players now, for even more intense carnage on the race tracks.

Here is an overview of the added enhancements:

• Dynamic dirt on vehicles
• Improved shadows, particles, and environment lighting
• Higher resolution textures
• Increased amount of foliage
• Godrays
• New visual effects for skidmarks
• DualSense haptic effects
• Much faster loading times

Wreckfest is coming to PS5™ on June 1st, 2021, and will be available both digitally and at retail.

Owners of Wreckfest on PS4™ can upgrade to the enhanced version on PS5™ for €9.99 (local pricing to be confirmed).

About Wreckfest
Expect epic crashes, neck-to-neck fights over the finish line and brand-new ways for metal to bend – These are the once-in-a-lifetime moments that can only be achieved in Wreckfest, with its true-to-life physics simulation crafted by legendary developer Bugbear, who also brought you FlatOut 1, 2 and Ultimate Carnage. Burn rubber and shred metal in the ultimate driving playground!

• Awesome Cars – Old, banged-up, patched-together cars that simply ooze style! From old American heavy-hitters to agile Europeans and fun Asians, you won’t find anything like this in other games.
• Meaningful Customisation – Change not only the look of your cars but also upgrade their body armour.
• Multiplayer – Wreck your friends online and take racing to the limit while chasing for demolition dominance!

Wreckfest Website

Notes for Editors:

About THQ Nordic

The THQ Nordic official boiler plate can be found here: https://thqnordic.com/company/about

THQ Nordic Website

About Bugbear Entertainment
Bugbear Entertainment is a game studio specializing in action driving. The company has been developing car games for sixteen years, starting with Rally Trophy (2001, PC). With over a decade of development under its belt, Bugbear Entertainment has successfully redefined the genre of action racing and is best known for the critically acclaimed demolition racing series FlatOut (2004-2007, PC, PS2™, Xbox, Xbox 360) and street racing title Ridge Racer Unbounded (2013, PC, PS3™, Xbox 360).

Bugbear Entertainment Website

Historic Sci-fi Legend to make Gaming Debut, in John Carter: Warlord of Mars

Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Classic Character Brought to Life in a Kickstarter campaign starting 19th April.

Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc., today announces they are working with FNCPR to develop and publish the Video Game entitled John Carter: Warlord of Mars.

Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc., manages and licenses the creative works of novelist Edgar Rice Burroughs – including Tarzan of the Apes® and John Carter of Mars®. FNCPR Ltd. has acquired the license to develop and publish the John Carter: Warlord of Mars game. 

Through this cooperation, the grandfather of science fiction meets state-of-the-art gaming technology in an all-action, first-person adventure video game, bringing the world’s oldest interplanetary warrior to life across PC and Console platforms. 

John Carter is the planet-hopping hero that was conceived over 100 years ago by genre-defining writer, Burroughs. As well as being the central character in 11 novels since 1912, he has featured in various comic book incarnations, table-top games and a feature film, spanning several decades. Carter’s adventures have left a lasting cultural legacy, inspiring writers and scientists like Ray Bradbury, Jerry Siegal and Carl Sagan. He also profoundly influenced series like Flash Gordon and blockbusters like George Lucas’ Star Wars and James Cameron’s Avatar. Gamers now have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Burroughs’ epic fantasy world.

The Creative work on the game is well underway, and Tanglewood Games have been appointed by FNCPR as the lead developer for the project.

The voice cast includes two BAFTA winners. David Elliott takes the lead role of Carter, Brian Bovell as Tars Tarkas, and Kezia Burrows playing the Princess of Mars, Dejah Thoris.  

Starting in 1945 at the end of WWII, the gameplay will centre on the soldier John Carter, working on a mission to find Hitler’s secret projects general, Hans Kammler. Kammler is experimenting with a new technology that ultimately transports John Carter to Mars, known to its inhabitants as ‘Barsoom‘.

This echoes the dimension-shifting narrative of the original novels and comics, in which the American Civil War veteran dramatically found himself transcending worlds and fighting for the inhabitants of Mars.

James Sullos, President of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc., said: 

“One might wonder what Mr. Burroughs, over a century after he first inked the names John Carter, Dejah Thoris, and Tars Tarkas to the page, would have thought to see his characters spring to life in a video game – what in his day would have itself been considered the stuff of science fiction. 

I’d like to think he would be pleased not only to see fans of John Carter play the game and step into his wondrous world of Barsoom, but also to at last set foot on the dying planet himself, with sword in hand, and have the visceral experience of being able to play one of his own heroes in the game. Doubtless, he would have been thrilled to see his immortal swordsman and the rich setting of Barsoom come alive in the John Carter: Warlord of Mars video game, exposing his creations to a whole new generation of fans.”

Frazer Nash, from FNCPR, who are publishing the game, said: 

 “In many ways, John Carter is the original fantasy action hero, thrilling readers and fans well before the likes of Flash Gordon, Superman and Luke Skywalker. Most superheroes have already made their transition into the gaming world; it is high time that John Carter makes his debut.  

“The action follows Carter as he meets the weird and wonderful natives of Barsoom, acclimatising himself to Martian gravity, the local customs and Martian languages. His mission includes meeting the mighty Thark warrior, Tars Tarkas, fighting with giant ape-like monsters and falling in love with the beautiful Princess of Mars, Dejah Thoris. It’s over a century since these characters were created, and we’re excited to find a new way of bringing them to life.”  

The Creative work on the game is well underway and, Tanglewood Games, a dedicated team of Unreal experts, have been appointed by FNCPR as the lead developer for the project. The next step in the process will be launching a Kickstarter crowdfunding initiative to fund the next stage of development. This will be launched on 19th April 2021. To find out more, sign up today http://jcwom.com/

With a deep and epic back catalogue of material to draw on, the longer-term character and game development options are boundless. 

Find out more at http://jcwom.com/

About Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc:

From its Tarzana, California headquarters, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc., administers the intellectual property of American author Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875–1950), one of the twentieth century’s most prolific and enduring writers. Mr. Burroughs’ 80+ novels and 40+ short stories have been adapted into 61 feature films and 249 television episodes, and are featured in comic books, video games, apparel, and other merchandise. Through worldwide ownership of copyrights and trademarks, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc., has overseen every adaptation of his literary works in film, television, radio publishing, and theatrical stage productions. The company, which licenses the copyrights and trademarks of Mr. Burroughs’ fictional heroes, including Tarzan of the Apes®, John Carter of Mars®, Carson Napier™ of Venus, and many more, is owned by his heirs and operates from offices the author built in 1927 on the site of his former Tarzana ranch in the San Fernando Valley.

About FNCPR:

27+ years involved in all aspects of video gaming and its growth. The company has worked on some of the biggest games in the industry, World of Tanks, World of Warships, Medieval Dynasty, Skyforge, Armored Warfare, Warface, Conqueror Blade, Blizzard (Diablo II, Warcraft III and Starcraft Ghosts), Sierra (Homeworld and Homeworld II, Halflife and Halflife II), Fox (No-one Lives Forever II, Simpsons and Buffy), Black Label (Lord of the Rings and The Thing) and NDA (Die Hard Vendetta and Judge Dredd v. Death).

About Tanglewood games:

Tanglewood Games is a specialist UE Development studio with a dedicated team of Unreal experts and veterans of some of the biggest Unreal Engine titles to date, including Fortnite, Sea of Thieves, Paragon and Fractured Veil.

About the cast:

DAVID ELLIOT

Born on 27th July 1981, in Edinburgh, Scotland. He won the BAFTA Scotland Award for Best Actor in the film ‘Kajaki’, beating Robert Carlyle and David Tennant to the prize.

David started his acting career on stage, going on to tour all over the UK with multi-award-winning shows such as ‘Decky Does a Bronco’ and ‘Hangover’, which he also wrote and directed to rave reviews. 

His breakthrough leading role was in the war film ‘Kajaki’ (‘Kilo Two Bravo’), which led to him winning a BAFTA award for his role as real-life war hero Cpl Mark Wright.

Other leading man roles include Jackie van Beek’s New Zealand-based relationship drama ‘The Inland Road‘, which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival.

He is most recently known as Jonesy in Sky One’s number one hit show ‘Bulletproof ‘. Alongside acting David also continues to write and direct.

KEZIA BURROWS

Kezia trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, is a BAFTA member and an Open Door People buddy.

She has recently been nominated for Best Lead Actress in the feature film Nobody Girl at the North Europe International Film Festival: London Edition, and seen with Tony Jordan as a lead in his BBC TV series CRASH. 

Kezia has done some great work in games, and the computer game OBSERVATION, where Kezia voices lead Dr. Emma Fisher, won BAFTA’s Best British Game 2020 and BAFTA Scotland’s Best Game.

She also performed in the all-star cast video game Squadron 42 / Star Citizen, including Gary Oldman and Mark Hamill. 

BRIAN BOVELL

Born in October 1959, Brian is a veteran of stage and screen.

Whether you know him as The Bill’s DC Rob Thatcher or Jez in the popular comedy Gimme Gimme Gimme, you will have seen and heard him on TV for the past 40 years!

Brian’s big-screen credits include Jamie Johnson, Babylon, Love Actually, Strike and the critically acclaimed Secrets and Lies.

Copyrights:

© Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Trademarks John Carter®, John Carter of Mars®, Warlord of Mars®, Princess of Mars®, The Gods of Mars©, Dejah Thoris®, Tars Tarkas®, Woola™, Barsoom®, and Edgar Rice Burroughs® Owned by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. Associated logos, characters, names, and the distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks or registered trademarks of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. Used by Permission. Everything else is ©FNCPR or respective rights holder 2021.

CLASSIC MATCH THREE GAMEPLAY GOES MOBILE PVP WITH DUEL SUMMONERS

The casual blend of real-time tactical strategy and iconic Match Three mechanics is available now on iOS and Android devices

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – March 29, 2021 –The exploding PVP mobile game landscape just received a strong contender with the launch of Duel Summoners, the latest game from Dragon Chronicles creator Nyou Inc. Available now globally on the Apple App Store and Google Play store, Duel Summoners mashes the intense tactical strategy of well-balanced PVP gameplay with the casual brain stimulation of classic “Match Three” puzzles.

With the legendary Tournament of Summoners underway, Summoners from around the world come together to engage in furious battles hosted by the competition. Players can collect over 30 adorably designed Heroes and assemble teams of four in heated fights on a tide-turning puzzle board where the goal is to link three or more blocks of the same color to summon their desired Hero.

Battles in Duel Summoners are a tug-of-war between players as they solve matches that pull blocks and Heroes away from their opponents. Heroes then automatically attack enemy characters while chipping away at a player’s primary health bar. Each upgradeable Hero comes equipped with a unique skill that can completely shift a match with effects ranging from helpful buffs to vicious attacks.

Online PVP battles take center stage with Duel Summoners as players can join real-time matches with combatants around the world. The intuitive gameplay makes Duel Summoners a cinch to pick up and play, but the fast paced battles and added layer of strategy from building a sufficient team of Heroes adds the depth needed for an online community to grow and support the game.

“With Duel Summoners,We aim to satisfy both the strong tradition of competitive PVP mobile gaming and the need for simpler online gaming experiences that just about anyone can understand and enjoy pretty immediately,” said Jung Hwan Kim, CEO of Nyou Inc. “The iconic Match Three gameplay has turned out to be a perfect match for our mission to bring PVP to the masses.”

Get more Duel Summoners information at the official Facebook page.

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Begin Your Pioneering Adventure Today with STORY OF SEASONS: Pioneers of Olive Town on Nintendo Switch™

Available across Australia

Sydney, Australia – 29th March 2021 – Marvelous Europe Limited are today excited to announce that STORY OF SEASONS: Pioneers of Olive Town, the highly anticipated newest entry into the STORY OF SEASONS franchise, known in Japan as Bokujo Monogatari, is now available for the Nintendo Switch within Australia.

To celebrate the launch of STORY OF SEASONS: Pioneers of Olive Town Marvelous Europe Limited are proud to unveil the launch trailer which showcases the life of three different farmers and represents the numerous ways that people can enjoy the game.

The launch of STORY OF SEASONS: Pioneers of Olive Town helps celebrate 25 years of the Bokujo monogatari franchise in Japan, previously known as Harvest Moon in the west, with its fresh perspective on the farming and lifestyle simulation genre, while remaining true to the original experience that fans have enjoyed for more than two decades.

In STORY OF SEASONS: Pioneers of Olive Town players will enjoy a new world filled with exploration, romance, and of course farming, as you work to restore your grandfather’s land to its former glory. Players can also take a break from the life of a farmer to reshape the untamed wilderness, discover new animals and personalise their new home with a level of customisation never-before-seen in the series.

Developed by Marvelous Inc. and published by Marvelous Europe Limited in Europe and Australia STORY OF SEASONS: Pioneers of Olive Town is now available for the Nintendo Switch.

About Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town:
The brand-new entry in the STORY OF SEASONS franchise is putting down roots on the Nintendo Switch! This long-awaited entry in the original farm/life simulation offers players more freedom than ever before! Embrace the pioneer spirit to shape the untamed wilderness, discover new animals and produce, and help them flourish on your farm. Customise every inch of your new homestead to impress a new cast of marriage candidates from Olive Town, an aspiring tourist hotspot that grows and thrives along with your farm.   

Key Features: 

• A Wild World of Discovery: Tame the wilderness of the peninsula, discover the flora and fauna that make it their home and unearth the secrets of the world around you. Work with the land to build the farm of your dreams from the ground up. Build facilities wherever you see fit, level up your farming skills and craft everything from fences to sprinklers for crops!
• Cultivate Your Farm, Cultivate Your Town: Gather and process materials to fulfill requests and improve Olive Town’s infrastructure, upgrade tools, or commission new outfits and accessories
• Simple Mechanics, Deep Gameplay: Fledgling farmers can rest easy with the return of Seedling Mode and Normal Mode, with a new request system highlighting the fresh features while you lend a hand to the locals! Veteran players ready to create a bustling farm of their own will find all the core elements of the STORY OF SEASONS series, with new twists on classic gameplay.
• There’s Always Something Going on in Olive Town! Participate in local festivals as the town comes to life with events that are new to the series! Get to know your neighbours better and you may even find love with a special someone among them.

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About Marvelous Europe

Founded in April 2012, Marvelous Europe Limited is the European arm of Marvelous Inc. a publicly listed entertainment company based in Tokyo. Marvelous is both a game developer and publisher with our popular PC and console titles including Story of Seasons and Rune Factory, in addition to third-party acquisitions such as Granblue Fantasy Versus and Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin.

For more information about Marvelous Europe products, please visit www.marvelousgames.com. We can also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/marvelousgames and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/marvelous_games

Nintendo Switch is a trademark of Nintendo.

We Are The Caretakers Fights for Endangered Species on Xbox Series X|S in 2021

10% of Game’s Revenues Support Wildlife Conservation Network

ANN ARBOR, MI – 26 March 2021 – We Are the Caretakers, the sci-fi turn-based tactical RPG set in an afrofuturist world from developer Heart Shaped Games, brings an environmental epic mission to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One later in 2021, as revealed at the /twitchgaming Showcase: ID@Xbox.

We Are the Caretakers asks players to protect the Raun, a rhino-like species targeted by poachers, both human and alien alike. Rally units of Caretakers onto real-time strategy maps with RPG turn-based combat in either the story-rich campaign or through the challenging procedurally generated Survival mode. Strategically assemble them into squads based on the 20-plus job classes and more than 70 special abilities.

After defeating foes in battle, the Conductor, leader of the Caretakers and sworn protector of the land of Shadra, must decide the fate of poachers from a myriad of choices. While sending them to Shadran judges may be the easy choice, rehabilitation and recruitment might be the only way to avoid the catastrophic consequences of extinction. These decisions can benefit or wound the Conductor’s fragile reputation among the people and their willingness to help the Caretakers.

Heart Shaped Games pledges 10% of their revenues from every copy of the game will go toward the Wildlife Conservation Network, starting with the Steam Early Access release on Earth Day, Thursday, 22 April. The organization protects wildlife all around the world, with Heart Shaped Games’ contribution going toward the Rhino Recovery Fund, which focuses on improving the health of rhino populations while also benefiting local people.

We Are the Caretakers boasts a rich soundtrack composed of epic orchestras, African instrument samples, and modern hip-hop beats. Art director Anthony Jones (former cinematics artist at Activision Blizzard) combined synthetic and organic elements for his interpretation of afrofuturism and the game’s cast of mostly Black characters. BAFTA and IGF-nominated narrative director Xalavier Nelson Jr. (Hypnospace Outlaw, SkateBIRD) helped create a story that mixes sci-fi with real-world conservation issues.

“We don’t just want to raise awareness of important issues with our game, we want to have a quantifiable impact,” said Scott Brodie, founder, Heart Shaped Games. “The ID@Xbox team have been tremendous partners in getting the word out there, and both entertaining and enlightening Xbox players later this year.”

We Are The Caretakers version 1.0 releases on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows PC later in 2021. The game enters Steam Early Access for Windows PC on Earth Day, Thursday, 22 April, for $19.99 with a 20% launch discount. The game supports English language text, with French, German, Spanish (Spain), Japanese, and more translations in development. 

For more information, visit the official website, join the We Are The Caretakers Discord, and follow Heart Shaped Games on Twitter, Facebook, and Twitch. Players can wishlist now on the We Are The Caretakers Steam Page.

About Heart Shaped Games

Heart Shaped Games is a design-centric indie game studio founded in 2010 by 18-year game industry veteran Scott Brodie. As a diverse, remote team of veteran developers, Heart Shaped Games’ mission is to have an impact by creating meaningful and memorable games that fans will love. Their line-up of award-winning titles continues to expand, and so far includes We Are The Caretakers, Hero Generations, Brave Hand, and Highgrounds.

About Wildlife Conservation Network

Wildlife Conservation Network‘s (WCN) mission is to protect endangered species by supporting conservationists who ensure wildlife and people coexist and thrive. WCN invests technically and financially in a network of conservation partners to ensure their mission success, and provides funding via large-scale, range-wide Wildlife Funds to support the best ideas to bring wildlife back from the brink, including the Rhino Recovery Fund, which safeguards the world’s remaining wild rhinos and their landscapes. WCN is proud to send 100% of every donation directly to the field for maximum conservation impact. Wildlife Conservation Network also holds the highest possible 4-star rating with Charity Navigator and platinum status with Guidestar. Learn more about WCN’s unique approach to saving wildlife at www.wildnet.org.