Journey back to the shattered world of Draenor as it once was in Blizzard Entertainment’s first expansion for World of Warcraft^® Classic—coming later this year.

Burning Crusade Classic™ will be included in players’ existing World of Warcraft subscription at no additional cost

IRVINE, Calif.—February 19, 2021—Beyond the Dark Portal in the shattered realm of Outland, the armies of the demonic Burning Legion prepare for an invasion that threatens the entire world of Azeroth. Later this year, World of Warcraft^® players will return to the fel-scarred ruin of Hellfire Peninsula to stop the incursion at its source; rediscover what lurks below the fungal forests of Zangarmarsh; and face down Illidan the Betrayer once again in Burning Crusade Classic^™, Blizzard Entertainment’s authentic recreation of the acclaimed first World of Warcraft expansion.

“The World of Warcraft community made it clear that they wanted WoW Classic, and now they’re eager to continue their journey into The Burning Crusade,” said J. Allen Brack, president of Blizzard Entertainment. “Since the launch of WoW Classic and as we rolled out content updates, we’ve learned a lot about what players want from an experience like this in 2021. We’re building on that to ensure players’ new adventures in Outland are as epic as ever, whether they’re taking a return trip through the Dark Portal or joining us for the very first time.”

Burning Crusade Classic builds on the epic foundation of World of Warcraft Classic, providing players with an opportunity to experience the next legendary chapter in the Warcraft^® saga. Through the launch and over the course of content updates to follow, the recreation will bring back the features of the 2007 original, including:

• The Shattered Realm of Outland: Traverse the treacherous crags and spires of Blade’s Edge Mountains, where even dragons fear to roam; hunt alongside the uncorrupted Mag’har orcs among the floating islands of Nagrand; battle demonic agents of the Legion in the shadow of the Black Temple; and much more.
• Two New Playable Races: Fight for the Horde as the blood elves, seeking a new source of the arcane power that once sustained them, or join the Alliance as the draenei, exiles from Outland in search of a new home.
• Gather at the Arena Gates: Assemble your most trusted allies and prove your PvP prowess in 2v2, 3v3, or 5v5 combat in Arenas such as the Ring of Trials and the Circle of Blood.
• Take Wing on Flying Mounts: Take flight in the chaotic skies of Netherstorm and soar over fel-touched Shadowmoon Valley with the introduction of flying mounts in Outland.
• Master Challenging Raids and Dungeons: Conquer 5-player dungeons set in the crystalline fortress of Tempest Keep and the Caverns of Time, where heroes bear witness to Azeroth’s past. Raid the haunted halls of 10-player Karazhan, and gear up over time for a climactic confrontation against Kil’jaeden in 25-player Sunwell Plateau.
• New Options for Heroes: Carve gems of power to socket into players’ gear with the Jewelcrafting profession; choose between the Aldor or Scryer factions in Shattrath and earn their unique rewards; create a paladin on the Horde or a shaman on the Alliance; and more.

Before entering the Dark Portal, players will be presented with a choice for each of their existing WoW Classic characters: to progress to the Burning Crusade era along with the rest of the Horde and Alliance heroes on their realm, or to continue adventuring in the original WoW Classic content on all-new “Classic Era” servers coming with the rollout of Burning Crusade Classic. Players who want to experience the best of both worlds will have the option to “clone” each WoW Classic character as an optional paid service, allowing each hero to venture forth into Burning Crusade Classic while their copies continue their original adventure on a Classic Era realm. Further details on each realm type and the available options for characters will be provided at a later date.

For players who don’t have characters ready for the journey beyond the Dark Portal and are interested in adventuring in Outland with their friends, Blizzard will also offer an optional level-58 character boost service closer to the expansion’s launch. To help preserve the integrity of players’ accomplishments in WoW Classic, this boost will not be usable on Classic Era realms or on the new blood elf or draenei races; in addition, players will be limited to boosting only one character per World of Warcraft account. Further details, including details around pricing and availability, will be announced at a later date.

As with WoW Classic, access to Burning Crusade Classic will be included in players’ existing World of Warcraft subscriptions at no additional cost. In the near future, Blizzard Entertainment will be kicking off a beta test for Burning Crusade Classic, calling upon players to give feedback on the experience and help ensure the expansion strikes the best possible balance between authenticity and enjoyment. More information on the beta test, including how to sign up, will be announced at a later date.

For more information on Burning Crusade Classic, visit www.wowclassic.com.

Best known for blockbuster hits including World of Warcraft^®, Hearthstone^®, Overwatch^®, the Warcraft^®, StarCraft^®, and Diablo^® franchises, and the multi-franchise Heroes of the Storm^®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard Entertainment’s track record includes twenty-three #1 games^* and multiple Game of the Year awards. The company’s online gaming service, Battle.net^®, is one of the largest in the world, with millions of active players.

^*Sales and/or downloads, based on internal company records and reports from key distributors. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements:

Information in this press release that involves Blizzard Entertainment’s expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future, including statements about the availability, gameplay, features, and functionality of World of Warcraft^®: Burning Crusade Classic^™, are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause Blizzard Entertainment’s actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements set forth in this release include unanticipated product delays and other factors identified in the risk factors sections of Activision Blizzard’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to Blizzard Entertainment and Activision Blizzard as of the date of this release, and neither Blizzard Entertainment nor Activision Blizzard assumes any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of Blizzard Entertainment or Activision Blizzard and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.

At the start of the new year for Hearthstone, all players can easily unlock the new 235-card Core set, which replaces the existing Classic and Basic sets.

Forged in the Barrens^™, the first expansion of the year, is available for pre-purchase now; it introduces 135 all-new cards inspired by one of World of Warcraft^®’s most iconic and beloved locales.

Hearthstone Mercenaries, a new single-player and competitive game mode in which players collect, upgrade, and do battle with mighty characters from across Azeroth, is coming later in the year

IRVINE, Calif.—February 19, 2021—Hearthstone^® will soar into a new era in the coming weeks with the start of the Year of the Gryphon, which is set to introduce large-scale changes, hundreds of new cards, and bring thrilling new ways to play. The Year of the Gryphon will lift off with its first new expansion Forged in the Barrens^™, inspired by the iconic World of Warcraft^® locale where millions of brave Horde adventurers cut their teeth (or tusks) and began forging their legends.

Coinciding with the start of the Year of the Gryphon is the launch of the new Hearthstone Core Set, which replaces the existing Basic and Classic sets with a curated selection of 235 cards (including new and previously released cards), reinvigorating the game for both existing players and newcomers. Launching alongside the Core set is the new Classic format, which will allow players to craft decks and compete using Hearthstone’s original sets of cards, as they were in 2014.

Coming later this year is Hearthstone Mercenaries, an all-new single-player and competitive game mode that invites players to assemble and upgrade teams from among Azeroth’s mightiest heroes and villains and put them to the test in an everchanging series of engaging tactical battles.

Players will see their mercenaries gain experience, equipment, new abilities, and evolve into more powerful versions of themselves while battling through highly replayable, randomly generated roguelike missions.

“The Year of the Gryphon will be yet another exciting and eventful year filled with new content and new experiences in Hearthstone,” said J. Allen Brack, president of Blizzard Entertainment. “Forged in the Barrens will take us to a place straight out of World of Warcraft that’s dear to us and to many of our players, the new Core set will continue to shake up the game on an annual basis, and Hearthstone Mercenaries and the new Classic mode will introduce even more awesome ways to play.”

Forged in the Barrens Expansion Set

Forged in the Barrens hearkens back to World of Warcraft’s roots, introducing 135 all-new cards inspired by the characters and stories that define this beloved, hardscrabble setting. In addition to new keywords and game mechanics, Forged in the Barrens will introduce 10 Legendary Mercenary minions, each representing a different Hearthstone class, whose stories will play out across the Year of the Gryphon—including in the upcoming new game mode Hearthstone Mercenaries.

Starting today, players can prepurchase the Forged in the Barrens Mega Bundle (USD $79.99), which comes with 85 card packs from the expansion (five of which are Golden Card Packs, which contain all Golden cards), and two random Golden Legendary cards; the Hamuul Runetotem card back and alternate Hero; and perks for Hearthstone Battlegrounds that last until the next expansion. Also available is the Forged in the Barrens Pre-Purchase Bundle (USD $49.99), which includes 60 packs from the expansion, two random Legendary Cards, and the Hamuul Runetotem card back.

Hearthstone Mercenaries

Hearthstone Mercenaries is an upcoming all-new single-player and competitive game mode in which players collect mighty characters new and old from across the Warcraft^® universe and level them up in exciting tactical battles. Mercenaries is scheduled for release later this year, with more information on the mode to be shared closer to launch.

Hearthstone Core Set & Classic Format

The Hearthstone Core Set will arrive alongside the launch of the Year of the Gryphon. Free to all players to unlock as they level up and updated every year, the Core Set replaces the existing Basic and Classic cards with a curated collection of 235 new and existing cards meant to keep Hearthstone fresh and provide an approachable on-ramp for new players. The Core set will consist of 160 class cards and 75 neutral cards, among them reimagined Legendary minion versions of Warcraft’s most fearsome dragons, including Deathwing, Malygos, and Ysera.

Also coming with the Year of the Gryphon is the Hearthstone Classic format, which invites players to experience the game as it was when it launched in 2014. Sitting alongside Standard and Wild, the Classic format will be fully supported, with its own rewards and rankings, and will include all of Hearthstone’s original cards as they were in the game’s early days.

Visit www.playhearthstone.com for more details on Forged in the Barrens, Hearthstone Mercenaries, and the upcoming Core Set.About Hearthstone

With more than 100 million players worldwide, Hearthstone is Blizzard Entertainment’s internationally acclaimed, free-to-play digital card game designed for novice and veteran card-slingers alike. Players can choose from 10 powerful hero classes and customize their decks with minions, spells, and weapons based on the unique fantasy of the Warcraft^® universe. Featuring a variety of game modes ranging from epic head-to-head duels to story-driven Solo Adventures, Hearthstone offers a vibrant and rewarding experience stacked with strategy, personality, and fun. Hearthstone is available globally for Windows and Mac PCs; Windows, iOS, and Android tablets; and iOS, and Android mobile phones.
About Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.

Best known for blockbuster hits including World of Warcraft®, Hearthstone, Overwatch®, the Warcraft, StarCraft®, and Diablo® franchises, and the multifranchise Heroes of the Storm®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard Entertainment’s track record includes twenty-three #1 games^* and numerous Game of the Year awards. The company’s online gaming service, Battle.net^®, is one of the largest in the world, with millions of active players.

^*Sales and/or downloads, based on internal company records and reports from key distributors.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements:

Information in this press release that involves Blizzard Entertainment’s expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future, including statements about the availability, pricing, features, and functionality of Hearthstone^®, the Forged in the Barrens^™ expansion, Hearthstone Mercenaries^™, and the Year of the Gryphon, are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause Blizzard Entertainment’s actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements set forth in this release include unanticipated product delays and other factors identified in the risk factors sections of Activision Blizzard’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to Blizzard Entertainment and Activision Blizzard as of the date of this release, and neither Blizzard Entertainment nor Activision Blizzard assumes any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of Blizzard Entertainment or Activision Blizzard and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.

Diablo^® II: Resurrected^™, Blizzard^® Arcade Collection, expansions for World of Warcraft^® Classic and Hearthstone^®, and more announced at FREE online community event taking place now at BlizzCon.com

IRVINE, Calif.—February 19, 2021—Blizzard Entertainment today kicked off BlizzConline^™, a fully virtual version of its perennial community and gaming celebration, with a slew of news and game announcements for a global online audience of fans and enthusiasts tuning in FREE via www.blizzcon.com.

During the event’s just-concluded opening ceremony, company president J. Allen Brack and development leaders for Blizzard’s franchises reflected on the past and shared an exciting look at the future, revealing the following games and game updates—much of which will be explored in more detail during the show:

• One of the most acclaimed titles in PC gaming history returns with Diablo^® II: Resurrected^™, a faithful remaster of Blizzard’s classic action-RPG and its award-winning expansion, Lord of Destruction^®, coming later this year to Windows PC and, for the first time, consoles. PC players can sign up now at www.diablo2.com for a chance to participate in upcoming public testing.
• Blizzard also unveiled the Rogue for Diablo^® IV, with a dark cinematic trailer and gameplay footage of the new player class in action. The Rogue is a swift, deadly, mobile class with unparalleled versatility. Rogue players can choose from a variety of ways to attack and trap their enemies and can enhance their combat through poisons, shadow magic, and specialized techniques. 
• Blizzard is set to kick off another jam-packed year of content—the Year of the Gryphon—for Hearthstone^®, its popular free-to-play digital card game, in the coming weeks. The new Hearthstone year will feature a new Core set of cards designed to shake up the game, and the introduction of the Classic format, which will let players craft decks and compete using the original Hearthstone cards as they were when the game launched in 2014.
• Also coinciding with the Year of the Gryphon is the first Hearthstone expansion of 2021, Forged in the Barrens^™, inspired by the iconic World of Warcraft^® locale where millions of adventurers began forging their legends—available for prepurchase now at www.playhearthstone.com.
• Later in the year, Blizzard will roll out Hearthstone Mercenaries, a single-player and competitive game mode in which players collect mighty characters from the Warcraft^® universe and level them up in tactical battles.
• For World of Warcraft, Blizzard announced Chains of Domination, the first major content update coming later this year for the recently released Shadowlands expansion, as well as an all-new charity pet program that will yield two separate pets—Bananas the monkey and Daisy the sloth—for all modern WoW^® players once donation goals are met. Blizzard also revealed Burning Crusade Classic^™, an authentic recreation of the acclaimed first World of Warcraft expansion—also coming later this year, and included in players’ existing World of Warcraft subscription at no additional cost.
• Now included as part of Blizzard’s anniversary-themed Celebration Collection on Windows^® PC (via Battle.net^®), as part of The Blizzard^® 30-Year Celebration Collection on consoles, or as a standalone game on consoles, the Blizzard^® Arcade Collection is a digital set of Blizzard’s original console hits, The Lost Vikings^®, Rock N Roll Racing^®, and Blackthorne^®, enhanced for modern platforms.

Over the next few hours today and starting again at 12 p.m. PST tomorrow, six channels of programming will feature deeper dives on Blizzard’s franchises, including a behind-the-scenes look at ongoing development of Overwatch^® 2, the company’s highly anticipated sequel to its blockbuster team-based shooter, and Diablo^® Immortal^™, its upcoming mobile massively multiplayer online action-RPG. (Of note, Blizzard recently completed its first stage of regional testing on Diablo Immortal, receiving an enthusiastic response from testers, and will be rolling out further tests in the coming months. The game has also recently received publishing approval for release in China.) Viewers will also be treated to one-of-a-kind esports showmatches—with legendary StarCraft^® and StarCraft II pros facing off, as well as a battle between reigning Overwatch League™ champions, the San Francisco Shock, and a dream team comprising pros, community figures, and more.

Channeling the spirit of the live show, BlizzConline will also put a huge spotlight on the creativity and skill of the people who help bring Blizzard’s games to life. There will be multiple segments featuring artists, musicians, voice actors, content creators, and streamers, as well as an epic showcase highlighting some of the talented cosplayers, storytellers, and other artists inhabiting the Blizzard community.

About Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.

Best known for blockbuster hits including World of Warcraft; Hearthstone; Overwatch; the Warcraft, StarCraft, and Diablo franchises; and the multifranchise Heroes of the Storm^®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard Entertainment’s track record includes twenty-three #1 games^* and numerous Game of the Year awards. The company’s online gaming service, Battle.net, is one of the largest in the world, with millions of active players.

^*Sales and/or downloads, based on internal company records and reports from key distributors.
 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements:

Information in this press release that involves Blizzard Entertainment’s expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future, including statements about the plans, schedule, and content of BlizzConline, Diablo II: Resurrected, Diablo IV, Diablo Immortal, Hearthstone, and World of Warcraft, are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause Blizzard Entertainment’s actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements set forth in this release include unanticipated product delays and other factors identified in the risk factors sections of Activision Blizzard’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to Blizzard Entertainment and Activision Blizzard as of the date of this release, and neither Blizzard Entertainment nor Activision Blizzard assumes any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of Blizzard Entertainment or Activision Blizzard and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.

Microids unveils a new party-game called The Sisters: Party of the Year!

Wendy and Marine are throwing a massive party and you’re invited!

Watch the game announcement teaser here

Sydney, February 20th 2021 – Wendy and Marine, the famous characters from the comic book The Sisters, are planning a once in a lifetime party set to take place on consoles and PC. Check out the teaser!

Inspired by the comic book created by William & Christophe Cazenove and developed by Balio Studio, this adventure/party game will invite players on a journey into a colorful universe sprinkled with fun filled mini games perfect for family and friends head to head competitions!

Wendy, the grumpy teenager, wants to throw a memorable end-of-the-year house party but before she can ask her parents for their approval, her impich little sister steals her idea and runs with it. Problem: the parents will only allow one party to happen! To decide who’s going to organize the fiesta, the sisters will throw themselves into a series of crazy challenges!

In addition to the adventure mode featuring a vast open world filled with activities catering to single players, the game will also offer a multiplayer mode where up to 4 contestants can join the fray after choosing their favorite character out of 16 from the comic book. The Sisters: Party of the Year will be the perfect game for family and friends gaming evenings!

“The Sisters is such a magical series. A rare success story in a publisher’s career. It all started 12 years ago when William decided to share on his blog the daily life of his own daughters with their arguments, their fits of laughter and genuine affection for each other.   A decade later, with more than 5 million albums sold, 30 novels, a cartoon series, a dedicated magazine and a movie in the works, the success is undeniable!   It seems that nothing can stop these cheecky sisters!   Seeing them coming to life through various mediums in such a faithful way to the original series is delightful.   With this new video game I’m pretty sure the Sisters will have a blast!” declares Olivier Sulpice, Bamboo Édition director and founder.

Games modes:

• Adventure mode (single player)
  • Experience a magnificent adventure in a colorful open world that will see you conquer with Marine or Wendy the 24 challenges, 35 quests and find all the collectibles.

• Multiplayer modes (1 to 4 players)
  • Challenges: play the mini-games you want with your friends!
  • Tournament: try to win the tournament by being the best at each round!
  • All or Nothing: play all the mini-games in a raw!
  • Around the world: take turns choosing your favorite mini-game!

The Sisters: Party of the year will be released on June 16th 2021 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC. The game will be backward compatible on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X.

Game information:

• Title: The Sisters: Party of the year
• Genre: Adventure/Party-Game
• Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC. Backward compatible on PS5 and Xbox Series S/X
• Release date: June 16th 2021
• Developer: Balio Studio
• Publisher: Microids
• Language (audio): English and French
• Language (text): English, French, Italian, German and Spanish

***

Find Microids on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin
Or at: http://www.microids.com/
Watch all our videos on YouTube

About Microids

In the past few years, Microids has demonstrated its know-how and passion in the creation of impactful video games. More than ever, the company remains dedicated to developing top of the line adventures and impressing the public with new original worlds and stunning experiences. Our teams work with top tier studios like Pendulo Studios (Yesterday Origins, Runaway, Blacksad: Under the Skin), Eden Studios (Gear.Club Unlimited 1 & 2, Test Drive), sharing with them our passion for video games. Microids is proud and lucky to collaborate with talented authors and developers like Benoit Sokal (Amerzone: The Explorer’s Legacy, the Syberia series), Paul Cuisset (Flashback, Operation Stealth), Pierre Adane (Top Spin, Mr Nutz, Toki) as well as Philippe Dessoly (Mr Nutz, Toki). Microids wishes to offer every gamer the perfect adventure. Taking inspiration from legendary titles, including Asterix & Obelix Titeuf, Garfield and Blacksad, Microids reaches a wide audience and creates original adventures which give gamers the chance to play as some of their most beloved characters.

About Bamboo Edition
20 years ago, who would have thought that the small publishing house from Burgundy would impose its style in the comic book’s world and that it would make a series of success with the collections JOBS (The Teachers), SPORT (The Rugbymen) and GIRLS (The Sisters). Year after year, Bamboo has developed a rich and a family catalog having its heart on offering high-quality books. The birth of labels such as Grand Angle (emotions) in 2001, Doki-Doki (mangas) in 2006, Drakoo (fantasy) in 2019, and the purchase of the magazine Fluide Glacial in 2016, gives it the unmissable general publisher status. Today, passion for books and authors remains the same. And the group Bamboo overflows with ideas and projects to offer new perspectives while remaining faithful to its values: respect, sincerity, curiosity… and fun!

Diablo II: Resurrected™ faithfully remasters Diablo II and its award-winning expansion with hauntingly detailed high-res 3D visuals and Dolby 7.1 surround sound, while preserving its timeless gameplay Coming later this year to Windows® PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, and Nintendo Switch™

Sign up for a chance to take part in the upcoming PC technical alpha test by visiting Diablo2.com

SYDNEY, Australia—20 February, 2021—Diablo® II, one of the most acclaimed titles in PC gaming history, returns . . . and Hell has never looked better. Blizzard Entertainment today revealed Diablo II: Resurrected™, the definitive remastering of Diablo II and its Lord of Destruction® expansion—two hallmark entries in the company’s genre-defining action role-playing series.

Diablo II was hailed by Time magazine as “arguably the best role-playing game of all time, the best dungeon-crawler of all time and the best PC game of all time.”* Diablo II: Resurrected welcomes back veteran heroes and invites a new generation of players to experience the game’s sinfully dark storyline, thrilling loot chase, and visceral hack-and-slash gameplay with modernised visuals that take advantage of the latest gaming hardware.

Diablo II: Resurrected takes the 2D sprite-based classic and brings it into the present with full 3D physicallybased rendering, dynamic lighting, revamped animations and spell effects—all stunningly delivered in up
to 4K resolution.† All 27 minutes of the game’s classic cinematics, chronicling the journey of the mysterious Dark Wanderer, are being remade—shot for shot—from the ground up. The nightmarish sounds of
Sanctuary and its memorable soundtrack have also been reinvigorated to support Dolby 7.1 surround sound. By levelling up the game’s audio and visual capabilities, Diablo II: Resurrected will showcase the depth of gameplay and hallmark designs that continue to entertain players around the world to this day.

“Diablo II was a pivotal game for Blizzard and millions of players around the world. With Diablo II: Resurrected, we’re excited to bring this classic back to PC and also to consoles—with cross-progression on supported platforms—so that players can relive their memories, or experience Diablo II’s timeless gameplay for the first time, on their platform of choice,” said J. Allen Brack, president of Blizzard Entertainment. “With the new high-resolution audio and video in Diablo II: Resurrected, the game is as
fun and engrossing today as it was twenty years ago.”

For those who would prefer a more nostalgic experience, players will be able to freely switch back-andforth between the modern graphics and the original experience at any time with the press of a button. While Diablo II: Resurrected may look like an all-new game, Diablo II’s signature gameplay and systems are completely intact, quirks and all, adding a few highly requested quality of life improvements, such as a shared stash.

Diablo II: Resurrected features seven highly customisable character classes for players to choose from— the Amazon, Barbarian, Necromancer, Paladin, and Sorceress from the core game, as well as the Assassin and Druid from the included Lord of Destruction expansion. Players will be able to make each character their own by selecting skills and talent builds, crafting and socketing items, collecting complete gear sets, acquiring unique arms and armour, assembling Rune Word combinations, and much more.

Diablo II: Resurrected is an all-inclusive package containing a lifetime of adventures. It will take players to the deadly world of Sanctuary, where they will face Diablo, the Lord of Terror, and the forces of Hell through all four thrilling Acts of the original Diablo II campaign. They’ll meet beloved mentor and scholar Deckard Cain, fight alongside the Archangel Tyrael, and encounter other pantheonic characters who have become an indelible part of gaming history. This edition also includes all of the content from the Lord of Destruction expansion, with the journey continuing into Act V, where players will brave the dangers of Mount Arreat before facing Baal, the eponymous Lord of Destruction.

Diablo II: Resurrected will be coming later this year to Windows® PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, and Nintendo Switch™. With cross-progression** between supported platforms, players will be able to play as their characters—and keep all their stuff—no matter what
supporting platform they’re playing on.

Brave souls can seek out more information, as well as opt in for a chance to participate in an upcoming PC technical alpha test, at www.diablo2.com. Further details, including updates regarding pricing and availability, can also be found by visiting the official site.

About Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.

Best known for blockbuster hits including World of Warcraft®, Hearthstone®, Overwatch®, Warcraft®, StarCraft®, and Diablo® franchises, and the multifranchise Heroes of the Storm®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating some of the industry’s most critically
acclaimed games. Blizzard Entertainment’s track record includes twenty-three #1 games†† and numerous Game of the Year awards. The company’s online gaming service, Battle.net®, is one of the largest in the world, with millions of active players.

Enhanced releases of The Lost Vikings®, Rock N Roll Racing®, and Blackthorne® now available on Battle.net®, Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®4, and Xbox One.

20 February, 2021—SYDNEY, Australia—Thirty years ago, a newly formed game studio made up of a handful of software developers set out to create the types of games they themselves loved to play. Among their first creations were The Lost Vikings®, Rock N Roll Racing®, and Blackthorne®—each garnering critical acclaim and reflecting the early design principles of the company that would soon become Blizzard Entertainment. Today, Blizzard is proud to announce the Blizzard® Arcade Collection, a digital set of its original hits, updated and available now for Windows® PC, Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®4, and Xbox One (also PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X|S via backwards compatibility).

On Windows PC, the Blizzard Arcade Collection is included as part of The Celebration Collection, a commemorative bundle of in-game items for Blizzard games that was released earlier this month to mark the
company’s 30-year anniversary. (Players who have already made this purchase will automatically receive the Blizzard Arcade Collection.) A version of this bundle is also coming to consoles today as The Blizzard® 30-
Year Celebration Collection.

“The Lost Vikings, Rock N Roll Racing, and Blackthorne ultimately made it possible for us to go on to create Warcraft®, Diablo®, and StarCraft®, so we thought the Blizzard Arcade Collection would be a fun and fitting way to look back at our roots as a company,” said J. Allen Brack, president of Blizzard Entertainment. “Many Blizzard gamers around the world fondly remember their time with these games and have often asked us to bring them back for modern platforms, so we’re thrilled to not only do so with this release, but to amp up the experience with new features and functionality available for the first time in each game.”

The games in the Blizzard Arcade Collection come in their Original Editions and also upgraded Definitive Editions (details below), with each version featuring custom key mapping and the ability to rewind up to 10 seconds. The Original Editions of The Lost Vikings and Blackthorne also include “watch mode,” which lets players watch a playthrough of the game and jump in to take control at any point. The ability to save progress
anywhere is also included in all versions of each game, with the exception of the Definitive Edition of Rock N Roll Racing. An array of bonus materials rounds out the Blizzard Arcade Collection, including game art, development assets, unused content, lore, interviews, and more.

Nostalgia, Refined

Each entry in the Blizzard Arcade Collection showcases the focus on fun, personality, and detail at the heart of all Blizzard games. The games are all compellingly challenging, offering an early look at what would evolve into Blizzard’s signature approach to satisfying gameplay, colourful design, and tongue-in-cheek humour.

In The Lost Vikings, players assume the roles of Erik the Swift, Olaf the Stout, and Baelog the Fierce, three intrepid Vikings who must use their abilities cooperatively to solve hundreds of puzzles, defeat their enemies,
and navigate a treacherous voyage back home.

The Definitive Edition of The Lost Vikings brings together the best aspects of the different original console versions of the game, combining the superior audio and visual experience of the first release with the extra stages and cutscenes, and support for up to three players in local co-op, that were added in a subsequent version.

Featuring a series of booby-trapped racetracks and an epic rock-and-metal soundtrack, Rock N Roll Racing puts players behind the wheel in an over-the-top demolition-racing experience. Players choose from a selection of drivers with different talents and take their pick from a set of customisable cars—each equipped with an upgradeable arsenal designed to help them outmanoeuvre, and literally destroy, the competition.

The Definitive Edition adds environmental effects, such as snow and rain, and lets up to four players, compared to two in the Original Edition, compete in local multiplayer. It also ups the racetrack count to 384 variations, supports 16:9 resolution, and adds actual recordings of songs from the game’s classic soundtrack—as well as new songs and new “Loudmouth Larry” voiceover clips for players to tear up the tracks to.

Blackthorne centres on the story of Kyle “Blackthorne” Vlaros, a lethal commando equipped with brute strength, animal cunning, a mysterious past—and an increasingly powerful shotgun. As the eponymous lead
character, players must fight to claim their destiny, dodging and blasting their way through a futuristic 2D alien world overrun by mutant monsters and goblin hordes, in a fierce effort to liberate its people. The Definitive
Edition of the game includes an additional area to explore—previously only available in the 32-bit version of Blackthorne—as well as a “fog of war” map that uncovers as players explore each level.

The Definitive Editions also bring The Lost Vikings, Rock N Roll Racing, and Blackthorne to a broader global audience than ever before, providing the first-ever opportunity for players around the world to play through these foundational Blizzard experiences in Italian, Korean, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, 3 Polish, Russian, and simplified and traditional Chinese, in addition to the French, German, Japanese, and
European Spanish versions that were previously available.

Now Available on Battle.net® and Console Digital Shops

The Windows PC version of the Blizzard Arcade Collection is currently available exclusively on Battle.net as part of The Celebration Collection (standalone purchase not available). On consoles, the Blizzard Arcade
Collection can be found on Nintendo eShop, the PlayStation®Store, and the Xbox Store as part of The Blizzard 30-Year Celebration Collection, or as a standalone purchase ($29.95 AUD).*

To learn more about the Blizzard Arcade Collection, visit https://news.blizzard.com/blizzard.

About Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.

Best known for blockbuster hits including World of Warcraft®, Hearthstone®, Overwatch®, the Warcraft, StarCraft, and Diablo franchises, and the multifranchise Heroes of the Storm®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.
(www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard Entertainment’s track record includes twenty-three #1 games† and multiple Game of the Year awards. The company’s online gaming service, Battle.net, is one of the largest in the world, with millions of active players.

Acclaimed Apple Original comedy “Mythic Quest,” from creators Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day and Megan Ganz, returns May 7, 2021

Apple TV+ unveils first look at the second season of the hit series, following its critically lauded premiere of the special episode, “Mythic Quest: Quarantine”

Today, at the Television Critics Association Winter 2021 Press Tour, Apple revealed a first look at the sophomore season of its hit workplace comedy “Mythic Quest,” and announced that the new season will make its much anticipated global debut on Friday, May 7, 2021 on Apple TV+.

With the quarantine finally over, season two of “Mythic Quest” finds everyone back in the office (well, almost everyone), attempting to build upon the success of Raven’s Banquet by launching an epic new expansion, but Ian (Rob McElhenney) and the newly promoted co-creative director, Poppy (Charlotte Nicdao), struggle with the game’s direction. Meanwhile, C.W. (F. Murray Abraham) reconciles some unresolved issues from his past, the testers (Ashly Burch and Imani Hakim) test the bounds of an office romance, and David (David Hornsby) loses yet another woman in his life as Jo (Jessie Ennis) leaves him to assist Brad (Danny Pudi).

All 10, half-hour episodes of “Mythic Quest” season one are available to stream at https://apple.co_MythicQuest.  Apple TV+ is available on iOS devices, Apple TV, Mac, Xbox One, Xbox Series X | S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, select Samsung smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV, and Roku, and at https://tv.apple.com.

ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos Makes Landfall On SteamVR Compatible Devices

TOKYO – 20 Feb. 2021 – ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos, the sci-fi, anime-style adventure with a twisting narrative and difficult choices, is now available on SteamVR for Steam-compatible VR headsets. ALTDEUS is available for a launch week 10% discount, TOKYO CHRONOS owners can purchase ALTDEUS at a 20% discount, and a discounted CHRONOS Series bundle with both titles is also available for 25% off.

Developed by the industry veterans at MyDearest Inc., ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos is the highest-reviewed app on the Oculus Quest Store according to Road to VR. The SteamVR version features higher-resolution backgrounds, and additional effects, to take advantage of powerful VR gaming rigs.

Fight to save humanity from the Meteoras, massive aliens who destroyed Earth’s surface, 200 years after the events of TOKYO CHRONOS. Step into the shoes of Chloe, an android who pilots mecha designed to protect humanity and eliminate its foes in epic battles with massive Rail Cannons. Explore the planet’s last refuge, Augmented Tokyo, in Adventure Mode, and interact with the residents of this underground city.

Every choice matters, with branching paths leading to many possible futures for Chloe, her AI assistant Noa, and the humans they protect. Use the Libra system to evaluate the impact of Chloe’s decisions at key moments. Deploy the Ariadne system to return to past choices, and rewrite the fate of humanity, with multiple endings to discover in a 15-20 hour campaign. 

MyDearest assembled a roster of remarkable anime talent to bring ALTDEUS’ story to life, with full dubbing and subtitles in English and Japanese. Renowned character artist LAM and mecha designer I-IV contributed their specialties. Famous J-Pop singers set the stage for a heart-pumping soundtrack with an all-new song by ASCA (Fate/Apocrypha, Sword Art Online, TOKYO CHRONOS) called “DESIRE, and performances by R!N Gemie (PROMARE, Attack on Titan Season 2).

“Thank you to everyone who supported us so far, whether it be from playing TOKYO CHRONOS, ALTDEUS’s Oculus version, or anyone that’s just intrigued by the world we’re creating,” said Haruki Kashiwakura, game director, MyDearest. “We are proud of the overwhelmingly positive responses we got from the community with our Oculus release and know Steam VR’s thriving base will likewise have a memorable experience!”

ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos is available now on SteamVR for $29.99 with a discount available for owners of TOKYO CHRONOS. The game supports Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, and Windows Mixed Reality headsets, and features English and Japanese voice acting and Chinese (Simplified), German, and French subtitles. ALTDEUS  is also available on the Oculus Store for Oculus Quest, Oculus Quest 2, and Rift devices, and will release on PlayStation VR on April 15th.

For more information, please visit the ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos official website, follow it on Facebook, Twitter, and search for #ALTDEUS on social media

About MyDearest Inc.

MyDearest Inc. is one of the leading VR game developers in Japan with a passion for unconventional storytelling. Their desire to share intricate narratives and gripping VR experiences have taken their journey to the West with the release of their mystery adventure game TOKYO CHRONOS in 2019. After a successful Kickstarter campaign for TOKYO CHRONOS and accolades from Oculus, MyDearest Inc. sets its sights on global releases again with titles like ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos.

To learn more, visit the MyDearest Inc. official website.

LOS ANGELES – FEB. 18, 2021 – Netmarble US,Inc.,(“Netmarble US”) the Los Angeles-based subsidiary of Netmarble Corp., a top global mobile game company, announced today that it has acquired a majority stake in the Los Angeles-based game developer Kung Fu Factory. As a result of the majority stake acquisition, the developer will officially become a subsidiary of Netmarble US.

Best known for their work on popular mobile titles like WWE: Champions, Kung Fu Factory is working closely with Netmarble US, along with the NBA and NBPA, on the production of NBA Ball Stars, the first publishing project of Netmarble US. Kung Fu Factory will also be responsible for the ongoing development of this new title, along with other future titles specifically published by Netmarble US.

“Kung Fu Factory has been a tremendous partner in the production of NBA Ball Stars and has been incredibly in sync with our vision for our first publishing project,” said Simon Sim, President of Netmarble US. “We’re thrilled to have a developer with such an impressive portfolio of work become part of the Netmarble US family, and we look forward to building our relationship as we continue to expand our publishing capabilities in the West.”

Since 2012, Netmarble US has serviced and supported the innovative mobile games like Lineage 2: Revolution and The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross as it simultaneously pursued expansion through its own game publishing. Today’s investment into Kung Fu Factory is another step towards the company’s ongoing efforts as it continues to look for investment and acquisition opportunities that align with such business strategy of Netmarble US.

“Kung Fu Factory is delighted to officially be a part of the Netmarble US family, as their pedigree and success of supporting mainstream mobile gaming experiences enjoyed by millions of players speak for themselves,” said Ricci Rukavina, Founder/CEO of Kung Fu Factory. “We are eager to blow out the launch of NBA Ball Stars in a big way, and are looking forward to creating an amazing future with Netmarble US.”

Netmarble has previously announced that NBA Ball Stars will be released in the first quarter of this year through its fourth quarter and year-end financial results for 2020. More details on the majority stake acquisition, and information on Kung Fu Factory’s upcoming projects with Netmarble US, will be revealed at a later date. Please follow Netmarble US’s official LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages for more information.

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About Netmarble Corporation

Established in Korea in 2000, Netmarble Corporation is a top developer and publisher pushing the boundaries of the mobile gaming experience with highly innovative games including Lineage 2: Revolution, The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross, Blade&Soul Revolution and MARVEL Future Fight. As a parent company of Kabam, and a major shareholder of Jam City and Big Hit Entertainment, Netmarble strives to entertain audiences around the world with a variety of mobile games based on its powerful franchises and collaborations with IP holders worldwide. More information can be found at http://company.netmarble.com

About Netmarble US 

Netmarble US, Inc. is a subsidiary of Netmarble Corp. established in 2012 as part of the company’s commitment to Western expansion. Netmarble US, Inc. has extended the global audience for Netmarble’s innovative mobile games including MARVEL Future Fight, Lineage 2: Revolution, The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross, and BTS WORLD by bringing these titles to players across North America, Europe and Latin America. Netmarble US, Inc. strives to entertain audiences around the world with a variety of games based on its powerful franchises, collaborations with IP holders worldwide, and new and future relationships with start-up and independent Western developers. More information can be found on the official website.

About Kung Fu Factory

Kung Fu Factory is a Los Angeles based game developer / publisher, created by childhood friends, Daryl Pitts and Ricci Rukavina.  With over 80 Million downloads of its titles, the collective talent at Kung Fu Factory has created top grossing titles such as WWE: Champions, Adventure Time: Card Wars, Spongebob Moves in and the upcoming NBA Ball Stars. More information can be found on the official website.

Triple Vinyl OST Pre-Orders are also now available to pre-order on the G4F Records Store! 

Friday the 19th of February, 2021, Angoulême, France. Today Headbang Club and Hound Picked Games are pleased to reveal that Double Kick Heroes be released physically on Nintendo Switch, limited to 900 standard edition and 1900 Steelbook edition, by Red Art Games. To accompany this release, the game’s incredible OST will also be released featuring all of the game’s tracks on a triple vinyl set through G4F-Records!

Being the hope of the last bastion of humanity, it’s time to jump into your Gundillac, Sheila and grab hold of the wheel – take on everything a post-apocalyptic, metal inspired rhythm shooter can throw at you, whilst moshing to the sickest heavy metal soundtrack in a game to date.

Key Facts :

• More than 150,000 players across all versions
• Double Kick Heroes was just nominated in the Best Audio category at the Pegases Awards.
• Double Kick Heroes won “Best Indie” Gamescom 2017 and tons of other awards for gameplay and soundtrack.
• 50 track with international bands like Gojira, Ultra Vomit, Jinjer, Carpenter Brut, Psykup, Sidilarsen and featuring artists like Patrick Rondat, Bumblefoot, Volkor X, orchestrated by el famoso Elmobo.

Pre-Orders : https://www.redartgames.com/presentation?rp=double-kick-heroes

Two versions : Standard €34.99 Steelbook €44.99

Pre-Orders : Double Kick Heroes – Vinyl Edition [Pre-Order] – G4F Records (g4f-records.com)

Game Features:

• A full story mode that’s accompanied by 50 kerranging songs, including the OST Volume 2 Update, by top artists such as Ultra Vomit, Volkorx, Gorod, Jinjer, Carpenter Brut and Gojira!
• Unique Rhythm shooter mashup with incredibly detailed pixel art
• 5 difficulty settings to test even the most metal of metal head’s skills
• Tons of accessibility options
• Nintendo Switch Joy Con Alternative Motion Control Methods
• Air drumming – Joy Con used as drumsticks, keeping in rhythm of game
• Air beat – Can’t drum? No Problem! Stomp to the beat with your Joy Con
• Want the all out motion controlled experience and really put that double kick pedal to the metal? Then it’s time to use two sets of Joy Con and play Double Air Kick style, one in your socks and one in your hands and drum and stomp your way through the apocalypse!

Vinyl Full Tracklisting:

• Ultra Vomit – Kammthaar
• Fundamental Wisdom of Chaos – The Scarecrow Paradox
• Hell in Town – Cold
• Anetheus – The End of the Day
• Temnein – Against the Wave
• Volkorx – This Fucking Means War
• Zander Noriega – Enjoy the Silence
• Louis Godart – Point of Entry
• Kuabee – To the Sky
• The Great Old Ones – When the Stars Align
• Plug-In – Earthquake
• Gorod – Tribute of Blood
• Sildilarsen – On Va Tous Crever
• Jinjer – Sit Stay Roll Over
• Gojira – Remembrance
• Carpenter Brut – Turbo Killer
• Dan Terminus – Restless Destroyer
• The Algorithm – Brute Force
• Psykup  – L’Autruche

• Elmobo – Run For Your Lives
• Elmobo – Double Kick Heroes
• Elmobo – The Running Dead
• Elmobo – The Road To Hell
• Elmobo – Planet Error
• Elmobo – Road Freak
• Elmobo – Crush (feat. Jay Kloeckner)
• Elmobo – Sawing Your Head Off (feat. PJ666)
• Elmobo – We’re Gonna Rock Your Socks Off
• Elmobo – Destroy And Race And Groove
• Elmobo – Rust In The Wind (feat. Matt Dumas)
• Elmobo – Die Untoten (feat. Olli Samsara)
• Elmobo – Condemned To Slaughter (feat. Arno Strobl)
• Elmobo – I’m Marching Now (feat. Matt Dumas)
• Elmobo – Warriors Of The Badlands (feat. Ludo Faraill)
• Elmobo – Surprise You’re Undead (feat. Julien Cassarino)
• Elmobo – Thrasher’s Delight
• Elmobo – Harmonic Mayhem
• Elmobo – Undead And Kicking
• Elmobo – The Evil Zombies Do (feat. Franck Larigaudie, Fanalo and Mathieu Pascal)
• Elmobo – Don’t Bite My Butt! (feat. Sab Elvenia)
• Elmobo – Bloody Asphalt (feat. Yann Ligner and Bumblefoot)
• Elmobo – Prepare To Meet Thy Doom
• Elmobo – Demon Demon (feat. Sab Elvenia)
• Elmobo – Flesh And Bones (feat. Benjamin Guerry)
• Elmobo – Dawn Of The New Gods (feat. Vidda)
• Elmobo – We Are the Devs
• Elmobo – Personal Hell (feat. Sab Elvenia)
• Elmobo – One of Us
• Elmobo – Accuser
• Elmobo – Mobula (feat. Volkor X and Patrick Rondat)
• Elmobo – Pack Of Wolves (feat. Greg Bernadet)
• Elmobo – Best Boss Battle Music Ever
• Elmobo – Nothing But Dust (feat. H.RaM and Romeo Knight)
• Elmobo – Lord Of Coucy (feat. Julien Nutz Deyres and Tobi Morelli)
• Elmobo – Satan (feat. Thomas Menudier and Chee Salis)
• Elmobo – Run for your souls
• Elmobo – The End of the Road (feat. Jean Fontanille)
• Elmobo – Genital Absolution (Live ’97)

About Headbang Club

Headbang is an artist collective of gamedev’s gone wild. They joined forces to create a METAL gamedev band and have finally released Double Kick Heroes and are now working on some top secret pixel art projects. More: http://headbang.club

About Hound Picked Games

Hound Picked Games, a subsidiary of global consultancy agency PR Hound, is a company set on helping indie studios realise their full potential releases. It specialises in hand-picking indie games that can benefit from the work of industry experts with over 50 years of experience in the business. More: https://www.houndpicked.com