SQUARE ENIX MONTRÉAL AND TAITO TO COLLABORATE ON SPACE INVADERS FOR NEW TYPE OF AUGMENTED REALITY MOBILE GAME

Montréal, March 18^th, 2021– Today, Square Enix® Montréal and TAITO announced a collaboration on a new vision for the Space Invaders brand with a mobile game that includes innovative augmented reality (AR) features.

This new game takes the Iconic franchise in an exciting new direction, delivering players a compelling and completely new experience through its blend of proprietary AR technology and modern art style. The beloved IP is among the highest-grossing game franchises of all time and a premier brand within the Square Enix group portfolio.

“We are extremely inspired by our collaboration with TAITO to re-imagine the Space Invaders franchise in a contemporary way while shaping it to our ambitious vision of what it can be on mobile,” said Patrick Naud, Head of Studio of Square Enix Montréal “At Square Enix Montréal we are huge fans of the franchise and the team has risen to the challenge of showing how all-new technology can breathe fresh energy into a game as timeless as Space Invaders.”

Harkening back to the series’ legacy of technical innovation, the game lets players interact with the real world via augmented reality gameplay in a new and delightful way. Players will defend the world against an invasion wielding the magic of AR and the power of mobile devices.

“Collaborating with Square Enix Montréal on their bold vision for Space Invaders has been an incredible endeavor,” said Tetsu Yamada, President and Representative Director, Taito Corporation. “As fans of our classic series, they are treating Space Invaders with the utmost care and respect. We are thrilled that the game is coming out with new technology and fresh taste and will further expand the universe of the Space Invaders franchise.”

Register at SpaceInvadersAR.square-enix-games.com to begin receiving updates and all the latest news. The game will be released for mobile devices in the App Store and Google Play Store.

About Square Enix, Inc.

Square Enix, Inc. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX®, EIDOS® and TAITO® branded entertainment content throughout the Americas as part of the Square Enix group of companies. Square Enix, Inc. is affiliated with 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 159 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 82 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 81 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix, Inc. is a U.S.-based, wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.

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

About Square Enix Montréal

Founded in 2011, Square Enix Montréal is a multi-award-winning mobile game studio that develops games based on existing franchises and new intellectual properties. Square Enix Montréal is dedicated to the creation of innovative and carefully crafted games that become international benchmarks such as the critically acclaimed titles Hitman Sniper®, Hitman GO®, Lara Croft GO® and Deus Ex GO®. In 2021, Square Enix Montréal announced that it was in development on a newly imagined mobile experience based on Taito’s Space Invaders and the upcoming release of Hitman Sniper 2. To date, the studio’s games have been downloaded over 130 million times in 175 countries. For more information, please visit square-enix-montreal.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.  

About TAITO Corporation

TAITO Corporation (TAITO) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. With headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, TAITO operates core businesses such as game arcade operations, manufacturing coin-operated game machines, and mobile phone content services. A seminal part of gaming history, TAITO caused a worldwide sensation with its arcade legend, SPACE INVADERS, and developed such fan favorites as PUZZLE BOBBLE (BUST-A-MOVE) and ARKANOID. Today, TAITO continues to thrill game lovers of all generations by offering both classic and new family-oriented titles on the latest gaming platforms. TAITO delivers a wide range of entertainment experiences with the goal of providing consumers with fresh surprises and new discoveries.

More information on TAITO can be found on the Internet at https://www.taito.co.jp/en.

About Space Invaders

Planned, developed, and released by TAITO Corporation (TAITO), the 1978 arcade game SPACE INVADERS became an instant global phenomenon. Today, its iconic characters frequently appear both in licensed projects worldwide and as TAITO’s corporate mascots.

Chosen as an art collection of MOMA, and a collaborative character with famous fashion brands, SPACE INVADERS is still loved all over the world today.

TAITO is the exclusive owner of the global intellectual property rights, including copyrights and trademarks, for SPACE INVADERS and its characters, and takes an active role regarding new SPACE INVADERS-related enterprises.

# # #

SQUARE ENIX ANNOUNCES LIFE IS STRANGE: TRUE COLORS

Brand New Entry in Critically Acclaimed Franchise Featuring All-New Protagonist and Power Coming in September 2021

LONDON, UK (March 19, 2021) – SQUARE ENIX Ltd. today announced Life is Strange: True Colors™during the company’s showcase livestream, SQUARE ENIX PRESENTS. This newest entry in the franchise has been created by Deck Nine Games, the developers behind Life is Strange: Before the Storm, in collaboration with Square Enix External Studios. Presented by musical artist and social media star, mxmtoon, Life is Strange: True Colors took center stage during the digital show, where its new protagonist, her dynamic supernatural power and a thrilling mystery was introduced. The company also announced the Life is Strange Remastered Collection, a new edition of the critically acclaimed Life is Strange and Life is Strange: Before the Storm game featuring all new enhanced graphics and animations.

Watch the Life is Strange: True Colors trailer here:

For the first time in the franchise, there will be no more waiting for the next episode – players will be able to experience Life is Strange: True Colors in one single release.

Brought to life through full performance capture tech by rising talent Erika Mori, players will navigate Haven Springs as Alex Chen who has long suppressed her ‘curse’: the psychic power of Empathy, a supernatural ability which allows her to experience, absorb and manipulate the strong emotions of others – which she sees as blazing, colored auras. When her brother dies in a so-called accident, Alex must at last embrace her volatile power to find the truth – and uncover the dark secrets buried by a small town. Alex Chen’s journey and power is yours to control, and her future is in your hands.

Players’ time exploring Haven Springs will be underpinned by the exclusive soundtrack, with new tracks by mxmtoon and Novo Amor, and licensed songs including Radiohead, Phoebe Bridgers, Gabrielle Aplin, and much more.

Jeff Litchford, Vice President at Deck Nine Games stated, “It has been such an honor to return to the vibrant, emotive, and impactful world of Life is Strange. We are delighted to share this new story with you: a story of empathy, human connection, and the struggle to find a place to call home. All of the advancements in storytelling, development technology, and premium voice acting that we have made since Life is Strange: Before the Storm will allow players to be more immersed in the compelling world of Life is Strange: True Colors than ever before.”

Also announced during the show, the Life is Strange Remastered Collection. This collection will contain remastered editions of Life is Strange and Life is Strange: Before the Storm, featuring improved visuals and animations. The collection will be available as part of the Ultimate Edition of Life is Strange: True Colors and as a stand-alone edition later this year.

Watch the entire Square Enix Presents stream here: http://www.sepresents.com/

Life is Strange: True Colors is slated for release on PlayStation 5®, PlayStation 4®, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC Steam, Windows Store, and Google Stadia on September 10, 2021.

Read more on the Life is Strange website: https://lifeisstrange.square-enix-games.com
Visit the Life is Strange official website: https://lifeisstrange.square-enix-games.com
Life is Strange: official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LifeIsStrangeGame/
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LifeIsStrange
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeisstrangegame/
Join our Discord: https://discordapp.com/invite/lifeisstrange

About Deck Nine Games

Deck Nine Games are an independent videogame developer devoted to bringing together two passions; meaningful storytelling and rich gameplay. Its talented team of developers have won awards for their work in films, TV and videogames. Located at the foot of the Colorado mountains, Deck Nine Games is focused on becoming a premium developer of narrative adventure games for consoles, PC and mobile devices.

For more information on Deck Nine Games visit: www.DeckNineGames.com

About Square Enix External Studios

Square Enix External Studios is a London based development and publishing group that works with top development studios across the world, establishing new intellectual properties and developing new franchises within the umbrella of Square Enix Holdings. Square Enix External Studios have been responsible for multiple games including the Just Cause® and Life is Strange® series, as well as titles such as Batman: Arkham Asylum®, Sleeping Dogs® and upcoming RPG Shooter – OUTRIDERS®

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 159 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 82 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 81 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

MARVEL’S AVENGERS ON NEXT-GEN CONSOLES AND OPERATION: HAWKEYE – FUTURE IMPERFECT NOW AVAILABLE

Free Next Gen Upgrade and All-New Hero, Villain, and Story Make Now the Best Time to Play Marvel’s Avengers

London (March 19, 2021) – Today, SQUARE ENIX Ltd. announced that Marvel’s Avengers is now available on the PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles. Players who own the PlayStation®4 or Xbox One version of the game can upgrade to the full next-gen version at no additional cost* and transfer their saved game to keep their progress.

In addition, the game’s second post-launch Operation, Marvel’s Avengers Operation: Hawkeye – Future Imperfect is out now, featuring a new playable Super Hero for the game: Clint Barton, also known as Hawkeye, the unmatched archer with unerring precision.

Clint Barton brings his unique talents to the game at no cost to owners of the core game on all platforms. In addition to a new playable Super Hero and the new chapter in the game’s ongoing Avengers Initiative story, Marvel’s Avengers Operation: Hawkeye – Future Imperfect also introduces a powerful new villain: Maestro, a version of the Hulk driven mad in an apocalyptic future with Bruce Banner’s brains and Hulk’s strengths and abilities.

Watch the Marvel’s Avengers content released as part of today’s Square Enix Presents event

About Marvel’s Avengers on PlayStation 5 & Xbox Series X|S

The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S version of Marvel’s Avengers offers higher framerates and enhanced visuals compared to current generation of consoles at up to 4K resolution on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and 1440p for Xbox Series S. The game utilises the consoles’ built-in SSD for dramatically faster loading and streaming times and takes advantage of their graphics power and memory to deliver higher-resolution textures, farther draw distances for high-resolution models, improved heroics and armour destruction, and other enhancements that leverage the full might of these new consoles to make gamers truly feel like a Super Hero.

Players can transfer their profiles and save games to next-gen consoles to continue the action right where they left off. In addition, cross-gen play is supported so PS5™ players can connect and play with their friends on PS4™ and Xbox Series X|S players can connect with their friends on Xbox One.

About Marvel’s Avengers Operation: Hawkeye– Future Imperfect

Future Imperfect’s story picks up in the wake of Clint Barton’s protégé Kate Bishop’s Operation, Taking AIM and can be played solo or with up to three friends to deliver the ultimate Super Hero experience. Players will learn more about Hawkeye’s quest to find Nick Fury, leader of SHIELD, who he believed could help stop the rise of AIM. What he uncovered instead was a dangerous new weapon being built by Scientist Supreme Monica Rappaccini that could change the fate of humanity. Along the way, Clint finds himself wrapped up in a time-bending experiment, journeying to a future Earth destroyed by cosmic forces and inhabited by Maestro, an older, twisted version of Hulk who is as smart as he is strong.

About New Features Included in Today’s Update

In addition to the new playable Super Hero, villain, and story content, the latest update to Marvel’s Avengers brings with it two new features: Reassemble Campaign Replay and an entirely new customisable HARM Room. Reassemble Campaign Replay, a frequently requested addition from fans, will allow players to reset their Reassemble campaign progress and play the content again from the beginning while preserving their Hero progression. The new customisable HARM Room allows players to tailor their experience by choosing the number and type of enemies they face, environmental hazards, and combat bonuses to push their skills to the limit.

About Marvel’s Avengers

Marvel’s Avengers offers players a truly rich experience and combines the single player focused Reassemble story campaign with the ongoing Avengers Initiative’s War Zone missions, which take the Avengers around the world and beyond. Each mission in the Reassemble campaign is designed to showcase one or more hero’s unique abilities, while the Avengers Initiative missions can be played solo with your own custom AI team or with a group of up to four players** as any Hero in the player’s roster.

The narrative of Marvel’s Avengers will expand over time with the addition of new stories featuring new heroes, villains, mission types, regions, items, and more delivered to players at no additional cost once they own the core game. These stories move the entire Marvel’s Avengers narrative world forward on a multi-year arc, and all new missions are accessible to the entire roster of playable heroes.

Marvel’s Avengers is currently available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Stadia.

*Marvel’s Avengers is eligible to upgrade from PlayStation 4 to PlayStation 5 version and will support Smart Delivery for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles. Upgrade from PlayStation 4 disc version requires PlayStation 5 console with disc drive. Upgrade from Xbox One disc version requires Xbox Series X console.

**Internet connection required. Your platform’s online multiplayer requirements will apply.

Related Links
Official Homepage: www.playavengers.com
Official Twitter: @PlayAvengers
Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlayAvengersGame/
Official YouTube: http://youtube.com/PlayAvengers
#PlayAvengers #Reassemble #EmbraceYourPowers

About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilises its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media. For more information visit marvel.com. © 2021 MARVEL
 
About Crystal Dynamics
Crystal Dynamics® has developed and published over 30 award-winning titles during its 28-year adventure. Some of the most beloved franchises include Gex®, Legacy of Kain® and most recently, TOMB RAIDER® which has sold over 81 million copies worldwide. With over 30 video game titles released and hundreds of awards, the heroine Lara Croft® has been a cultural icon for over 20 years and has made an indelible mark on virtually every facet of entertainment. Most recently, Crystal Dynamics expanded its operations by opening Crystal Northwest™ in Bellevue, Washington.
 
For more information on Crystal Dynamics, please visit http://www.crystald.com/, their Twitter account, Facebook page, or their LinkedIn page.
 
About Eidos-Montréal
Eidos-Montréal™ (a Square Enix® studio) is focused on creating immersive and captivating experiences. For the last decade, the development teams at Eidos-Montréal have orchestrated the successful reboot of the DEUS EX® series (Deus Ex: Human Revolution®, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided®), released the latest entry in the THIEF® franchise, and have also played a key role in the development of the award-winning TOMB RAIDER® series.
 
For more information on the studio, please visit https://eidosmontreal.com/ and find us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
 
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 159 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 82 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 81 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

 
Developed by Crystal Dynamics and Eidos Montréal. Development support provided by Nixxes. All rights reserved.

CRYSTAL DYNAMICS, the CRYSTAL DYNAMICS logo, CRYSTAL NORTHWEST, EIDOS, EIDOS-MONTRÉAL and the EIDOS-MONTRÉAL logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Square Enix Limited. SQUARE ENIX and the SQUARE ENIX logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. DEUS EX, DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION, DEUS EX: MANKIND DIVIDED, DRAGON QUEST, FINAL FANTASY, GEX, LARA CROFT, LEGACY OF KAIN, SPACE INVADERS, TAITO, THIEF, and TOMB RAIDER are registered trademarks or trademarks of the Square Enix group of companies. Nixxes and the Nixxes logo are trademarks of Nixxes Software BV. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. STEELBOOK is a trademark of Glud & Marstrand and is marketed globally by Scanavo.

Quarters, Atlantis Announce Fornite Tournament with $3,000 Prize Pool

GREENWICH, Conn. – March 18, 2021 – Quarters, the cross-game blockchain token creating new ways to play, and Atlantis Scrims NA will host the “POQ.gg Trio Series” starting Thursday, March 25. Competitors will vie for a share of $3,000 prize pool, putting their Fornite Trios skills to the test.

Open to the public, the POQ.gg Trio Series will take place over the course of a month with weekly qualifiers and finals culminating in the Grand Finals on Friday, April 16. There, the top 15 teams will have the opportunity to compete alongside popular Fornite pros and livestream personalities like Clix, Bugha, Reverse2k, Chap, NateHill, and FaZe Clan’s Megga, Dubs, and Bizzle. 

Players who would like to participate must be POQ registered users. Those interested in watching can catch the action live on the official POQ Twitch channel as well as view broadcasts from many of the elite streamers and teams taking part. POQ’s previous event in January drew more than 1,200 participants each week and over 1 million Twitch viewers. 

Tournament Schedule 

• Open Qualifiers

• March 25, 2021 @ 7:00pm -10:00pm EDT
• April 1, 2021 @ 7:00pm -10:00pm EDT 
• April 9, 2021 @ 7:00pm -10:00pm EDT

• Weekly Finals

• March 26, 2021 @ 7:00pm -10:00pm EDT 
• April 2, 2021 @ 7:00pm -10:00pm EDT 
• April 10, 2021 @ 7:00pm -10:00pm EDT

• Prestige Qualifier: April 12, 2021 @ 7:00pm -10:00pm EDT

• Grand Finals: April 16, 2021 @ 7:00pm -10:00pm EDT

Tournament Prize Pool

• 1st place: $1,000
• 2nd place: $750
• 3rd place: $600
• 4th place: $350
• 5th place: $300

POQ is a platform where a high-competitive community of gamers can connect with many of the most popular names in gaming. With support across a wide variety of titles, including Fornite, Valorant, FIFA, Call of Duty, League of Legends, and more, POQ is dedicated to facilitating engaging gaming experiences. With entry fees on the line, there’s a higher level of gameplay to enjoy for everyone, whether they’re streamers, players, or viewers. 

“Quarters was born as a consumer-friendly alternative to in-game spending that allows players to spend their virtual currency however and wherever they please, but our mission has grown with our community ” said Timothy Tello, COO, Pocketful of Quarters. “The platform is now a hot spot for esports pros and competitive gamers to come together and enjoy wonderful events like our upcoming POQ.gg Trio Series with Atlantis Scrims NA. We hope to see you on the battlefield and on Twitch when the competition kicks off on March 25 and continues through April!”

Available via the App Store and Google Play, Quarters can be used across a variety of gaming platforms and popular titles. Game studios can collect and exchange Quarters for Ethereum. These premium tokens have a fixed price, cannot be sold, and are for entertainment purposes only.

For more information, please visit Pocketful of Quarters’ official website and join the community on TikTok and Twitter, Discord, and Facebook page for more updates. 

About Pocketful of Quarters

Quarters started with an idea from the company’s 12-year-old Co-Founder and board member, George B. Weiksner. After expressing his frustration with losing in-game currencies on titles he no longer wanted to play, George set out to combine his passion for cryptocurrency and gaming to come up with a solution that makes gaming better for its players. 

Backed by an all-star team of advisors like Michelle Phan (Co-Founder of Ipsy) and Chris Cross (Formerly of Blizzard Entertainment, THQ, EA, and DreamWorks Interactive), Pocketful of Quarters aims to change the way we play with a universal currency across all games.

SQUARE ENIX AND LUMINOUS PRODUCTIONS UNVEIL ‘FORSPOKEN’

Originally Teased as PROJECT ATHIA, The New Narrative-Driven Adventure Set in a Beautiful Yet Cruel World will be Released in 2022 Actor Ella Balinska to Star in the Game as Lead Character, Frey Holland

LONDON (19^th March, 2021) – During theSQUARE ENIX PRESENTS digital-showcase event, SQUARE ENIX announced Forspoken, the debut title from its newly established studio, Luminous Productions. Originally revealed as PROJECT ATHIA last year, Forspoken puts players in the shoes of Frey Holland, an ordinary young woman who must harness her magical abilities to survive in a fantastical and dangerous land called Athia.

As a part of today’s show, the team announced that the game’s protagonist, Frey, will be performed by Ella Balinska, best known for her starring role in the 2019 film, Charlie’s Angels.

View the new “Forspoken – Official Title Announcement” trailer here:

“As the first video game I’ve worked on and growing up a huge fan of video games myself, it’s remarkable to see the incredible world and story of Forspoken come together, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy,” said Balinska. “Frey as a character is real, she’s raw, she’s a girl who lost her way—both figuratively and literally—and is a character I immediately connected with, as I feel many people around the world will too when they set off on this adventure.”

Frey takes center stage in Forspoken, exploring an unknown world and facing treacherous trials to unravel the mystery behind Athia. SQUARE ENIX also teased new Forspoken gameplay to give players a glimpse at the magical and perilous journey ahead.

Designed for the PlayStation®5 console (PS5™), Forspoken will harness the full power of the console and demonstrate Luminous Productions’ philosophy to provide a gaming experience like never before, fusing together the latest technology with creativity. The game is being developed simultaneously for the PS5™ and PC and is set for release in 2022.

To learn more about Forspoken, visit: www.forspoken.com.

Related Links:

FORSPOKEN Website: www.forspoken.com   
Luminous Productions Website: https://www.luminous-productions.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Forspoken  
Twitter: @Forspoken   
Instagram: @Forspoken 
#Forspoken

About Ella Balinska

Ella Balinska is one of Hollywood’s most promising young talents. She made her big screen debut opposite Kristen Stewart and Naomi Scott in Sony’s CHARLIE’S ANGELS. Balinska honed her role as Jane, a badass, former MI-6 agent. The role exemplifies Balinska’s charisma and dedication as she called on her athletic background to complete most of her own stunt work in the action-packed continuation of the American classic. The film, directed by Elizabeth Banks, was released on November 15, 2019.

Balinska was most recently seen starring in the Blumhouse and Automatic produced feature film, RUN SWEETHEART RUN, directed by Shana Feste. The horror thriller made its world premiere at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival and was acquired by Amazon Studios for Prime Video.

Balinska trained at the Guildford School of Acting in London, where she graduated with honors. When she wasn’t studying acting, Ella kept active by competing in track and field at a national level. Amongst her athletic endeavors, she has a growing edge in fashion and has recently began studying Japanese.

She currently splits her time between Los Angeles and London.

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 159 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 82 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 81 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.

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UK-based Developer’s Key Role in Development of Star Citizen Combined Arms Multiplayer Mode Confirmed Ahead of Community Playtest.

LOS ANGELES and LONDON, March 18, 2021 — Today Cloud Imperium Games (CIG) and Firesprite publicly announced collaboration on the forthcoming Star Citizen multiplayer mode, “Theaters of War” (working title). This announcement comes as the ground-breaking multiplayer combined arms mode approaches its latest closed test within Star Citizen’s handpicked Evocati community.

Star Citizen’s Theaters of War mode is a PvP multiplayer experience first unveiled at CitizenCon 2019. Gameplay features intense, large-scale, team-based skirmishes between attackers and defenders across multiple phases of combat on planetary surfaces, in upper atmosphere, and a final orbital assault on a space station.

Firesprite’s collaboration with CIG on Theaters of Warbegan in early 2019, when CIG outlined the vision for a multiplayer combined-arms experience taking place within the Star Citizen universe. Since then, Firesprite and CIG have collaborated to design and build this experience utilizing Star Citizen’s proprietary technology, tools, and game assets. The combined learnings and advancements made for the combined-arms game mode have benefited and continue to benefit the core gameplay of both Star Citizen and Squadron 42.

“Thanks to the talented team at Firesprite, we’ve managed to work closely together to bring significant improvements to Star Citizen’s Theaters of War mode, and as a result benefit key aspects of Star Citizen and Squadron 42,” said Sean Tracy, Technical Director, Content at Cloud Imperium Games. “I can’t wait for players to see the progress we’ve made together during future playtests.”

 “We’re so excited to be able to convey what a privilege and a pleasure it’s been to work so closely with Cloud Imperium and develop Theaters of War from the kernel of an idea into a full-fledged experience,” said Graeme Ankers, Managing Director at Firesprite. “I want to pay tribute to our strike team here at Firesprite who have worked really hard behind the scenes in close collaboration with the talented creators at Cloud Imperium Games.”

Theaters of War was first unveiled at CitizenCon 2019 in Manchester, UK, with positively received test sessions for event attendees. From that event onwards, player feedback from Theaters of War closed tests for select Star Citizen community groups has been vital for improving the combined arms mode’s quality. Further online closed community tests are scheduled to begin this coming weekend, with more playtests to come throughout the mode’s development. This combined arms mode will continue to see iteration and development to help progress Star Citizen’s and Squadron 42’s combat, and future tests will expand beyond the closed Evocati group to eventually include players in the Public Test Universe.

Star Citizen combines classic space sim gameplay with boundary-pushing visuals in a massively multiplayer setting with unprecedented fidelity. Live how you want to live: shift paths from cargo hauler to outlaw, explorer, or any other role, whenever you want. Explore multiple planets and moons, including vast cities and underground caverns, all created with a unique combination of procedural planet technology and complementary hand-crafted design.

For further information, including how to download and play Star Citizen, visit the official website. Enlist today and join this ever-expanding universe by visiting the game’s Welcome Hub and Guide System for tips on how to play. Millions of players from around the world have already joined to help CIG build the most ambitious game ever made. For continued updates, keep up with Star Citizen on Facebook, Instagram, Twitch, Twitter and YouTube.

About Cloud Imperium Games and Roberts Space Industries®

Cloud Imperium Games is a new kind of independent studio dedicated to delivering AAA games outside the established publisher system. It was founded in 2012 by renowned visionary game developer Chris Roberts (Wing Commander series, Freelancer, Privateer), Sandi Gardiner, and international media lawyer and producer Ortwin Freyermuth (Carlito’s Way, Shattered, Das Boot – Director’s Cut), with industry veteran and studio director Erin Roberts (Lego videogame series, Starlancer, Privateer) joining the team in 2013. Cloud Imperium is creating Star Citizen, a record-shattering, largely crowdfunded space sim, and Squadron 42, a Hollywood-caliber, story-driven single-player game set in the same universe. Cloud Imperium operates in “open development” – sharing progress and updates in near real time. This paradigm-shifting development process (game development usually occurs behind closed doors) gives the community an unprecedented look at Star Citizen and Squadron 42’s development and allows direct feedback and interaction between players and developers, thereby ensuring that the games being developed are what players want to play.

About Firesprite Games

Firesprite was founded in 2012 by a group of management and creative veterans with over 80 years of collective tenure at industry giants including Sony, EA and Psygnosis. Committed to creating innovative game experiences for cutting edge gaming platforms, Firesprite offers AAA game quality development services from ideation to completion via strategic partnerships and co-development. The business also has a focus on developing its own IP, with debut survival horror title “The Persistence” most recently launched across multiple platforms in May of this year to critical acclaim.

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Cobra Kai: Card Fighter Takes A Stand Today On iOS And Android

Relive the hit Netflix series and battle online to be All Valley champion

Beverly Hills, California – 19 March 2021 – Cobra Kai: Card Fighter, the strategic turn-based fighting game based on the hit Netflix series Cobra Kai and published by Boss Team Games (Evil Dead: The Game) and developed by Gamaga (Banana Kong) in agreement with Diversion3 Entertainment and Sony Pictures Consumer Products, today strikes hard on to the App Store and Google Play.

It’s time to rekindle the rivalry between Johnny Lawrence’s Cobra Kai dojo and Daniel LaRusso’s Miyagi-Do 30 years after the events of The Karate Kid. Assemble a dojo of 16 characters from the series, includingfamiliar faces such as Miguel Diaz and Robby Keene, reliving storylines from the hit streaming series. This official mobile game was created in conjunction with the series’ creators Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg.

Players fight for glory by utilizing a simple combat system that becomes more strategic and fast-paced as rare Wild Cards and special combos are introduced to create advantages and secure an upper-hand in battle. Predict what your opponent will do based on their deck and fighting skills and show no mercy. 

Prospective black belts can take the fight online against other players, where glory awaits in a competitive, synchronous multiplayer mode against other fighters from around the world. Just remember, there are no bad students, only bad teachers, so build powerful decks for each character’s specialties, and get a body bag for your opponents all over the globe!

Build up students from cream puffs to champions by leveling them up, expanding Cobra Kai or Miyagi-Do to recruit new fighters, and compete in the All Valley Karate Tournament. Future content expansion plans will add stories from the third season of Cobra Kai and beyond, alongside new competitive tournaments, with additional characters and cards available via a special “Sensei Pass” at launch. 

“Working on a Cobra Kai game is a privilege, and we knew we had to sharpen our skills to make a game that told the story of the series but also was a fun, competitive fighting game in its own right,” said Tim Hesse, Executive Producer, Boss Team Games. “You’ll enjoy seeing the story of Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do, but you’re going to keep coming back to fight people online and build up your dojo.”

Cobra Kai: Card Fighter is available now on the App Store for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch, and Google Play for Android devices.

For more information, visit the official Cobra Kai: Card Fighter website, and like the official Facebook page, follow the game on Twitter and Instagram, and join the official Discord server.

About Boss Team Games

Boss Team Games, LLC. is the recently formed publisher of video games based on iconic characters and franchises. Boss Team Games is the publishing arm of Diversion3 Entertainment responsible for the upcoming Evil Dead: The Game.

About Gamaga

Gamaga, founded in 2009, is one of Chile’s most relevant independent game companies. Gamaga’s early releases have received world-wide recognition, including Banana Kong with over 150 million downloads and Operate Now Hospital, which has been downloaded over 30 million times in its first three years of operations.

About Sony Pictures Consumer Products

Sony Pictures Consumer Products (SPCP) is the licensing and merchandising division of Sony Pictures’ Motion Picture Group and Sony Pictures Television for Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE), which is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition, and distribution; television production, acquisition, and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. Sony Pictures Television operates dozens of wholly-owned or joint-venture production companies around the world. SPE’s Motion Picture Group production organizations include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, 3000 Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films, AFFIRM Films, Sony Pictures International Productions, and Sony Pictures Classics. For additional information, visit http://www.sonypictures.com/corp/divisions.html

About Cobra Kai

In the highly anticipated return of two iconic characters, the arch-rivals from the legendary The Karate Kid film series reunite over 30 years after the events of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament. Now living in the affluent hills of Encino, Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) leads an enviable life with his beautiful family, while running a successful string of car dealerships throughout the valley. Meanwhile, his high school adversary, Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka), whose life has taken a rocky turn, seeks redemption by reopening the infamous Cobra Kai karate dojo. Their lives inevitably become intertwined and the rivalry is reignited, setting forth the next generation of “karate kids” in COBRA KAI. COBRA KAI is written, and executive produced by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg via their production company, Counterbalance Entertainment. COBRA KAI is produced by Overbrook Entertainment in association with Sony Pictures Television.

TM & © 2021 Sony Pictures Television Inc. All Rights Reserved. Game software excluding Sony Pictures Television Inc. elements: © 2021 Boss Team Games, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Boss Team GamesTM and the Boss Team GamesTM phantom logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Boss Team Games, LLC throughout the world.

Here’s To Another Five Years of Multiplayer Friendship-Ruining Fun

Five years ago, Move or Die launched on Steam, and developers Those Awesome Guys show no signs of slowing down the mischievous mayhem with the ‘5 Year Adventure Update’ available now on Steam. The free DLC includes three new globetrotting characters, and extra new goodies in the Steam Point Shop. For brand-new players who missed out on all the unlockable goodies from 2020, fear not! The entire cast of characters introduced last year are now unlockable in Move or Die’s “Not-A-Store.”

To commemorate the grand milestone, Move or Die is now available for the limited promotional price of $3.74 on Steam (75% off S.R.P) – grab a copy for your best friend and then… don’t be friends ever again!

Ah, but why stop the friendship-wrecking fun after five years? Those Awesome Guys have also unveiled the 2021 content roadmap for Move Or Die that include quality of life improvements, new localization features, upcoming crossover content, and fan-favorite holiday updates. So long as there are friendships to ruin, Move or Die will continue delivering updates until the end of time!*

Move or Die is not just the title of the game, but a fundamental gameplay rule: gamers who fail to move will see their health bar diminish rapidly. Players will battle each other in an ever-growing list of mini-game modes that change every 20-30 seconds. Each challenge has its own outrageous level design and rule set to promote hours of laughter and good old friendship-destroying fun. Win battles and unlock insane new character skins, Mutator game modifiers that dramatically change how mini-games are played, and even crazier game modes. When gamers are done beating friends on the couch, jump online and challenge other players to see who will rage-quit first.

To learn more about Move or Die, please visit www.moveordiegame.com, ‘Like’ it on Facebook, and follow its development on Twitter @moveordiegame for all the latest developer updates and news.

*Time is a theoretical construct created by man for their own purposes and therefore, “the end of time” is open to subjective interpretation.
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Generation Zero Celebrates 2nd Anniversary with Free Steam Weekend & New Surprises Ahead in Year 3

Resistance, the next major content update for Systemic Reaction’s hit open-world action game, will arrive on PC, PlayStation®4 & Xbox One on April 27

STOCKHOLM — March 18, 2021 — Systemic Reaction is proud to celebrate the second anniversary of its original debut title, Generation Zero! The open-world stealth-action game, which pits players against sinister machines in an alternate-history 1980s Sweden, has sold over one million copies since its release in March 2019 on PC, PlayStation®4, and Xbox One. And now’s the perfect time to dive in: Generation Zero is free to play on Steam until March 21 and available for 70% off as part of Steam’s Avalanche Studios Group Sale!

“I can’t believe it’s been two years already. When we first released Generation Zero, we were a small team sitting in the ‘indie corner’ of Avalanche Studios trying something we’d never done before, our enthusiasm totally outweighing our experience as a self-publisher,” says Emil Kraftling, Creative Director at Systemic Reaction. “But we stayed committed to building a game in collaboration with our fans, and two years later, it’s grown with tons of content and a wonderful community, with even more to come!”

Beyond just a milestone, Year 3 will deliver an exciting new direction for Generation Zero that puts players on the front line of the battle against the machines, with a breadth of new features and content coming throughout 2021. As the game shifts from 1989 to 1990, new threats and world revamps will emerge, as well as the long-awaited introduction of base building. You’ll also be able to engage in home base defense encounters, fighting off waves of enemies to survive. The next major content update, Resistance, will launch for free on PC and consoles on April 27.

Generation Zero has been a labor of love for the development team, which has continued growing it side-by-side with the community. The game has seen numerous updates and two story-driven expansions: Alpine Unrest and FNIX Rising. With more than one million players helping to drive the experience since it launched, Generation Zero is looking forward to yet another great year ahead!

For more info, visit Generation Zero’s Steam page, and follow us on Twitter @GenZeroGame.

WE ARE SYSTEMIC REACTION

Small but fierce, we started as a group of veterans from within Avalanche Studios Group. Based in Stockholm and Malmö, we focus on crafting new and empowering games with unique settings. Drawing from our industry experiences, we want to create games that appeal to you and us — our players. We want to play in a sandbox that lets your creativity thrive.

Our focus is freedom, exploration, and a drive to create games like the ones that kept us up at night as kids. We’ve got Generation Zero launched and Second Extinction in Steam Early Access — with even more to come. Join us in the sandbox!

Hood: Outlaws & Legends’ Brawler class slams into action with new gameplay trailer!

The third in-depth hero reveal for Hood: Outlaws and Legends is here! Sumo Digital and Focus Home Interactive have released the latest gameplay trailer for the upcoming multiplayer PvPvE heist game, this time getting up close and personal with — the Brawler.

Wielding a mighty sledgehammer, the Brawler is a master of melee combat, excelling at holding defensive lines, creating new paths for allies, and, of course, bashing people real good in team fights. The Brawler is an important role in a game in which cooperating with your squad is key to victory; sweep groups of enemies clear, instant-kill unarmored targets, and knock foes off their feet with a sprint attack.

The Brawler can also open portcullises for teammates, perfect for escaping from alerted guards or punishing the enemy team for getting caught, and his explosive grenades offer even more destruction. The Brawler’s Ultimate Ability, Wrath, pushes his bestial fury and physical strength to the limit, granting increased durability and infinite stamina to relentlessly chase down targets.

Pre-order Hood: Outlaws & Legends now on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation®4, Xbox One, and PC to get exclusive early access on May 7 — three days before the official release on May 10. Pre-orders will also get the “Forest Lords” cosmetic pack for free, featuring unique outfits and weapon skins for your characters. You can also pre-order the game’s Year 1 Edition, which includes three Battle Passes due to be released post-launch.

For more on Hood, visit www.focus-home.com/en-us/games/hood-outlaws-legends.