Firaxis has shared a new video highlighting upcoming changes, adjustments and additions coming to Civilization® VI in the October game update, which is scheduled to go live on Thursday, October 22.

In addition to balance and update changes, each game update includes a new feature such as a scenario, game mode or customization. This month’s update includes the Pirates Scenario, as well as several balance adjustments and additional changes based on player feedback.

The Pirates Scenario is a 1-4 player contest for treasure and glory on the high seas. Players will select one of four factions – Dread Pirate, Privateer, Swashbuckler and Hoarder – each with unique abilities that change up their playstyles. In addition to other factions, players will also have to deal with British, Spanish, French and Dutch navies who are determined to send them to Davy Jones’ Locker. The Pirates Scenario features new and updated artwork that adds a tropical feel to the game; it can be played on a unique handcrafted map or choosing a map script that provides a different layout each playthrough. The Firaxis team was deeply inspired by Sid Meier’s Pirates! – fans of the classic game will be thrilled to see how swashbuckling has been adapted for Civilization VI.

Following player feedback, some new adjustments are making their way to Civilization VI. This includes changes to the Recruit Partisans espionage missions, scaling game speed to features that didn’t have them and balance tweaks to the first two New Frontier Pass DLC packs. Full details will be available in patch notes that release alongside the update on October 22.

The October game update is one of many free updates that are a part of the overall content roadmap for Civilization VI, available to anyone who owns the game.

Firaxis Games is a 2K studio. 2K is a wholly owned publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).

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Borderlands® 3 Next-Gen Upgrade Launches Day-and-Date with New Consoles

Enjoy 4K resolution at 60FPS, four-player local split-screen co-op, and more as soon as the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X / Series S arrive starting November 10

Get ready for a new generation of mayhem, Vault Hunter! We’re proud to confirm that Borderlands® 3’s next-gen upgrade will be available day-and-date alongside Microsoft and Sony’s new consoles. The next-gen version of the game will be playable at launch on the Xbox Series X / Series S on November 10, as well as on the PlayStation 5 when it launches on November 12 in the US, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea and on November 19 in the rest of the world. All players who own or purchase both a copy of the game and a next-gen console will be able to download the upgrade within the same console family for free.

“Borderlands is a ground-breaking, record-setting, critically acclaimed franchise where millions upon millions of gamers have experienced one-of-a-kind gameplay, mayhem, and fun across multiple generations of gaming technology,” said Randy Pitchford, Executive Producer and Founder of Gearbox Entertainment. “With Borderlands 3 continuing to grow and launching this November on next-generation PlayStation and Xbox consoles, there has never been a better time to jump in and join the fun.”

Borderlands 3 has been fully optimized to take advantage of the next-gen consoles’ processing power, bringing a new level of graphical fidelity to the Borderlands universe. The Xbox Series X and PS5 will display Borderlands 3 at 60 frames per second in 4K resolution during single-player and online co-op, and all next-gen consoles will support three- and four-player split-screen for local multiplayer. In addition, vertical split-screen for two-player local co-op will be available from the get-go on next-gen consoles and will also be added to the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions via a free update on November 10 and 12 respectively.

Existing owners of Borderlands 3 on current-gen platforms can easily transition to the next-gen version within the same console family. If you own Borderlands 3 on Xbox One, you’ll be able to play the Xbox Series X/S version, and if you own the game on PlayStation 4, you’ll be able to play the PlayStation 5 version. Your add-on content and save files can be ported to next-gen consoles within the same family, so you can jump straight back into the action right where you left off. (Please note that if you own a physical disc of Borderlands 3, you will need the Xbox Series X or standard PlayStation 5 console models that include a disc drive to take advantage of all these features.)

If Borderlands 3 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S will be your introduction to Pandora and the planets beyond, welcome to the party! Borderlands 3 has you blasting through multiple worlds as one of four Vault Hunters – the ultimate treasure-seeking badasses, each with deep skill trees, abilities, and customization. Play solo or join with friends to take on deranged enemies, score loads of loot, and save your home from the most ruthless cult leaders in the galaxy, then continue your adventures across an unforgettable collection of campaign add-ons and additional upcoming DLC.

We’ll have plenty more exciting news to share during a special episode of The Borderlands Show premiering October 29 at 9:00 AM PT over on the Borderlands Twitch channel. Until then, get ready to experience mayhem like never before with Borderlands 3 as a launch title for the Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5.

For more information about Borderlands 3’s features and content, please visit borderlands.com.

2K is a wholly owned publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).

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Deep Sea Explanation: New Trailer Tells You What Aquanox Deep Descent is All About

Sydney, Australia, October 14^th, 2020 – For veteran gamers, the Aquanox franchise is well-known for its underwater action and dystopian future setting. But not everyone is well acquainted with the series from its debut in 2001. What if you could take a more detailed look at the upcoming underwater vehicle combat shooter, and learn about its features and story in a handy little video that explains what the game is all about? We think that’s a really good idea and that’s why we’ve created the new explanation trailer to answer the most important questions about the game in just four minutes. Enjoy, watch, and get ready to enter the unforgiving world of Aquanox Deep Descent on October 16th on your PC.

Get it on Steam: http://n.thq.com/3jzW30jD5Kp

About Aquanox: Deep Descent

Aquanox: Deep Descent is a first person underwater vehicle shooter, in which players control a variety of customisable ships to engage in fierce battles in the dystopian deep sea world of Aqua.

In the near future, the Earth’s surface has become uninhabitable. What remains of humankind lives in former mining and research stations, deep below the surface of the sea. Born and raised in the only world we know, the loose network of underwater settlements, torn by the war for resources and dominance between various factions.

Take control of a team of highly trained fighter pilots and experience an epic story in the deep sea world of Aquanox. Send your enemies down to Davy Jones’s Locker with well-aimed torpedoes, mortars, mines and more. Explore the deepest corners of the oceans – mysterious, hazardous, uncharted.

Features

• Fight: Unique underwater vehicle combat with a wide variety of play styles
• Co-op: 4 player drop-in co-op, with four distinct pilots who are all involved in the game story
• Customise: Choose your ship, and upgrade it to fit your preferred playing style
• Explore: Explore, salvage, and loot- all while discovering the deepest corners of the ocean
• PVP: Classic multiplayer modes, including Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch Dogfighting

For more information on the game, please visit: https://www.aquanox.com/

Notes for Editors:

About THQ Nordic

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

About Digital Arrow
Established 2010, Digital Arrow is an independent game development studio headquartered in Novi Sad, Serbia that produces games for PC, PS4 and XboxOne. At the core, Digital Arrow aims to deeply explore the various gaming mediums with open and flexible development led by the goal to define innovative and immersive experiences.

For more information: https://digital-arrow.com/

Let’s Sing 2021 Tracklist and All New Legend Mode

Sydney, Australia, October 14^th, 2020 – Ravenscourt and Voxler have announced the tracklist for Let’s Sing 2021, the upcoming next iteration of the critically acclaimed and highly successful Let’s Sing series. The tracklist is packed with current smash hits as well as all-time classics that will get everyone on the microphone. And that’s not all: Let’s Sing 2021 introduces the brand new “Legend” game mode that will stir players’ ambitions.
 
About the new “Legend” mode:
You against the avatar. The Legend Mode adds a brand new solo experience to the world of Let’s Sing 2021. The avatars will become the players’ opponents and the players need to step up their singing game if they want to win against them. The Legend mode will have 16 challengers, each will propose 3 basic challenges to test the players’ talent and a final boss battle against the player.

Let the music take control and become the star of your party or sing your heart out solo! The next chapter of the Let’s Sing series offers hits fresh off the charts as well as classic hits. Billie Eilish with “Bad Guy”, TONES AND I with “Dance Monkey”, Jonas Brothers with “Sucker”, Panic! at the Disco with “High Hopes” or Ariana Grande with “Thank U, Next” are just a few of the current smash hits featured in the singing game. If you are looking for a blast from the past, how about Genesis with “I Can’t Dance” or Seal with “Kiss From A Rose”? The 30 songs tracklist of Let’s Sing 2021 is packed with hits that will make any music lover’s heart skip a beat!

Tracklist:
 

Features:

• Strong playlist with 30 international hits and original music videos
• Singing Analysis has now been included giving the player a sense of reward in a meaningful and personalized manner. Not only will you get the medals but now the game will give you some well-deserved feedback!
• Sing solo or up to four simultaneous singers
• The new Legend game mode lets players dive deeper into the Let’s Sing experience. With 16 challengers and three challenges you have to step up your singing game to be prepared for the final battle against the antagonists. The Legend Mode adds a brand new solo experience to the world of Let’s Sing 2021. The avatars will become the players’ opponents and players need to step up their singing game if they want to win against them.
• PS4: choose between within maximum of 4 Smartphones, 2 USB-Mics, 1 Headset, and 2 SingStar-Mics
• Xbox One and Nintendo Switch: choose between within maximum of 4 Smartphones, 2 USB-Mics and 1 Headset
• Seven exciting game modes: Legend Mode, Classic, Mixtape 2.0, Feat., Jukebox, World Contest, Let’s Party.
• Let’s Party mode now includes new mini game in Let’s Party called “Pop Chicken”. Pop Chicken gives players a unique and unpredictable experience. While battling it out players can now sing for mystery boxes which can be used to get an advantage over your competition.
• No mic at hand? It doesn’t matter – with the Let’s Sing Microphone-App, you can turn your smartphone into a microphone in no time at all
• Climb the online leaderboard and get more song packs in the online store like ‘Best of 90’s’, ‘Party Classics’ and more 

 
Game Modes:

• Legend Mode: A brand new long-term solo experience has been added to the game fresh for Let’s Sing 2021. The goal of this mode is to give the players a sense of progression. The avatars have now been given personalities and will pose as our antagonists. These avatars pose challenges getting more difficult as the player progresses.
• Classic: Perform Solo or together with your friends. Hit the right notes can score the most points – can you crack the high score?
• Feat.: Find your perfect match! The better you sing together, the higher is your “compatibility score”. Singing with friends and family or also team up with your idol in the single-player mode.
• World Contest: Take on the world! Try to reach the top of the leaderboard or just have fun with your friends – choose a player you want to challenge and try to beat other singers online. The game shows the performance of the other players as if you were singing together.
• Mix Tape 2.0: Mix different songs together with this innovative game mode. Each mix is dynamically generated and thus guarantees a playlist that never repeats itself and a lot of fun. Create your own mixtapes with your favorite songs with the playlist creator.
• Jukebox: Relax after your singing session with a list of songs for the next groovy party.
• Let’s Party: 8 Players, 2 Teams, 2 Mics and randomly chosen game modes will bring your Let’s Sing party to the next level. With the addition of new “Pop Chicken” game mode.
• Playlist Creator: This new updated system now allows you to pick which mode to play as well as songs you want to sing. The player can now create his own playlist and play it in Classic, Feat. and Mixtape mode.

Product details:

Title: Let’s Sing 2021
Platforms: PlayStation 4 / Xbox One / Nintendo Switch

Genre: Singing Game / Karaoke
Players: Single player / Local 1-8 players

Developer: Voxler
Publisher: Ravenscourt
Classification: PG – Mild themes, sexualised imagery and coarse language, online interactivity and in-game purchases     
Release Date: November 13^th, 2020
Price:

Solus: $59.95

2-Mic: $89.95

About Koch Media

Koch Media is a global developer, publisher and distributor of computer and videogames, gaming hardware and merchandise.

The company’s publishing activities, marketing and distribution extend throughout Europe, America and Australia. Koch Media has more than 25 years of experience in the digital media business and has risen to become a leading games publishing partner. Koch Media runs a multi-label strategy with fully owned content providers, including the labels Deep Silver, Milestone and Ravenscourt which publish games for consoles and PC across all physical and digital channels.

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

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

Koch Media also owns Gaya Entertainment, a leading games merchandise company in Langenfeld, Germany and the Quality Assurance Facility in Olomuc, Czech Republic. Furthermore, with Koch Films the Koch Media Group runs an established film business. Koch Films is a European independent film distributor with business primarily in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Italy as a cinema, TV, online and Home Entertainment distributor.

Koch Media is an Embracer Group company.

About Voxler

Voxler is a French developer of music games. The company was created in 2005 and the team focuses its energy on developing great games based on advanced technology. Voxler develops or has developed several games on all platforms (Switch™, PlayStation®4, and Xbox One®) and on iOS, Android and PC. The team’s key commitment is to give players unforgettable moments in high-quality games. The studio works with leading worldwide publishers and invests continuously in order to exploit the full potential of each platform. More information at http://www.voxler.fr.

Legendary Ruddy Moose Seen Wandering Amidst Tall Trees. Plus Outlaw Pass Rewards, Bonuses for Bear Pelt Sales and More

Locals and passersby alike are reporting a pair of broad red antlers amidst the wood and foliage of Tall Trees. The Legendary Ruddy Moose is an elusive, lonely wanderer, but it is known to break into a trot to escape pursuit from Naturalists and poachers alike.

Speak to Harriet to launch this Sighting Mission and if you do decide to use lethal force, bring its hide to Gus Macmillan’s Trapper Store to have it reborn into an imposing coat and cowl. Gus will also pay out 50% extra on all Bear Pelt Sales over the next week, should you track and hunt any of those down on your travels.

FEATURED SERIES: NEW SHOOTOUTS

Partake in the classic gunfighting of Shootout across a range of new locations in this week’s Featured Series. Free for all and team variations include the up-and-coming port city of Blackwater, Bolger Glade’s historic battlefield, the bustling docks of Saint Denis, the frontier outpost of Tumbleweed, and The Manor.

OUTLAW PASS NO. 3 CLOSES OCT 19TH

This is the final week for the latest iteration of the Wheeler Rawson & Co. Club and The Outlaw Pass No. 3, so if you have been eyeing that Golden Spirit Buckle or the Bandit Mask, now through October 19^th is your chance to earn them.

As an added bonus, all Outlaw Pass No. 3 owners will receive 10 Special Health Cures, 5 pieces of Lost Jewelry and 200 rounds of Sedative Ammo this week, while those who made it past Rank 50 will receive a select colorway version of the Griffith Chaps and the Caffyns Hat.

BONUSES & BENEFITS

As hunting season continues, playing Red Dead Online at any point between October 13^th and 19^th will net you a Reward for 5 Blending Tonics and 50 rounds of Nitro Express Ammo to use as you see fit. Hunt or Sedate the Legendary Ruddy Moose and get a free Off-hand Holster (Rank 70 or below).

Hunting game on the frontier is no small feat – make sure to travel with all the equipment necessary. This week, Baits are half off, while all Shotguns and the Elephant Rifle are 40% off at Gunsmiths across the territories.

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

• 5 Free Legendary Animal Pheromones
• 6,000 Naturalist XP
• A free Wilderness Camp
• A Free Katata Coat crafted from the Legendary Katata Elk hide.

In addition, players who connect to Prime Gaming before October 19^th will receive a Reward for a free Bar Theme and Outfit, Accessory or Emote of their choice, plus 6,000 Club XP and 10X each of Gin, Brandy, Rum, Baked Beans and Jolly Jack’s. Check Rockstar Support for details and limitations

More Housing Plots and the Addition of “A Realm Reborn” Storyline to New Game+ Also Arrive in October Update

FINAL FANTASY® XIV Online Patch 5.35 arrives today, which continues the “Save the Queen” quest series—a multi-part adventure featuring a compelling story written by renowned game creator Yasumi Matsuno (FINAL FANTASY Tactics, FINAL FANTASY XII), who also penned the narrative for Stormblood’s™ wildly popular Return to Ivalice alliance raid series.

This next chapter in the questline introduces the Bozjan Southern Front, a new area for players to explore, where the Bozjan Resistance has begun Operation Eagle’s Nest in a bid to regain Alermuc Fortress from the Empire.

Additionally, coinciding with the release of Patch 5.35 is the debut of the FINAL FANTASY XIV Community Finder, a new tool to help players search for new friends in the form of linkshells, PvP teams, or free companies to adventure with! The Community Finder page can be found here: https://eu.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/community_finder/

Further details on Patch 5.35 content may be found below:

• Resistance Weapon Enhancement Quest Series “Save the Queen” Update – Adventurers can enhance powerful weapons obtained in the first chapter of this quest series by participating in a variety of in-game content, including the new Bozjan Southern Front.
• New Large-Scale Battle Content: “Bozjan Southern Front” – Join a team of up to 72 players to assist the Bozjan Resistance in their mission to rout the IVth Imperial Legion. This new area includes both story-focused quests and additional challenges for players of all playstyles.
• Addition of New Housing Wards – Three new housing wards, each with a corresponding subdivision, will be added to each residential district, bringing hundreds of new plots for players to purchase. Apartments will also be added to each of these wards and subdivisions.
• New Game+ Updates – Players can now experience the A Realm Reborn™ main scenario questline—which has been streamlined as of Patch 5.3—while retaining their current character and level.
• Crafter and Gatherer Content Update: “Skysteel Tools” – The latest update to this questline will allow Disciples of the Land and Hand to further upgrade their Skysteel Tools to aid in crafting and gathering.
• New Items, Recipes, Mount, Minion, Emote, Hairstyle and more. 

Full Patch 5.35 notes can be found here: https://sqex.to/yTgAD

Having recently announced 20 million total registered players, there has never been a better time for newcomers to begin their adventures in the critically acclaimed FINAL FANTASY XIV Online saga. The recently expanded Free Trial now includes all content from A Realm Reborn and the Heavensward™ expansion (and updates through Patch 3.56), as well as an additional playable race (Au Ra), and three additional playable jobs (Dark Knight, Astrologian, and Machinist). Free Trial players can enjoy hundreds of hours of award-winning gameplay and story experiences equivalent to two full FINAL FANTASY titles, without limit on playtime. New players who wish to experience the free trial may register here: http://sqex.to/FFXIVFreeTrial

FINAL FANTASY XIV: Shadowbringers is the third expansion for FINAL FANTASY XIV Online and has received acclaim from critics and fans alike since its release in July 2019. Packed with striking new environments, the new gunbreaker and dancer jobs, Hrothgar and Viera races, Trust system and much more, FINAL FANTASY XIV: Shadowbringers offers players both old and new hundreds of hours of content to explore.

Related Links

SQUARE ENIX® Press Site: https://www.square-enix-press.com/
Shadowbringers Teaser Site: http://eu.finalfantasyxiv.com/shadowbringers/
The Lodestone®: http://eu.finalfantasyxiv.com
Official Facebook®: https://www.facebook.com/FinalFantasyXIV
Official Twitter®: @FF_XIV_EN

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 154 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 82 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 78 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix Ltd. is a London-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.

4000 players have died interrupting the intimate moments of Bug Bears and Ogres, and other learnings – patch 1 releases today

Dublin, Oct 13 – Baldur’s Gate 3 launched on Steam Tuesday the 6th on Stadia, Steam, Mac and GOG. During the launch, Larian faced a flood and one blackout, which is not unusual for a Larian launch. At 10am PT, many players were unable to buy the game as they flooded the store page. So many players signed up to the optional Larian Launcher that its servers had trouble keeping up. With that said, the launch was a huge success surpassing all their expectations, and they head into a lengthy Early Access campaign with an engaged audience providing a solid flow of feedback and reports.
 
Behind the scenes, anonymous data is parsed, which allows Larian to identify areas of interest for further investigation, and to cross-reference against player reports and findings from QA.

The first heatmap from Baldur’s Gate 3 (cut down to avoid spoilers) shows areas where players are dying, which will be presented again at the end of Larian’s Early Access campaign to show how the feedback process drives intelligent iteration.

Digging deeper, Larian also today announced a number of interesting statistics on the topic of death.

• There’s a huge spike in deaths around the area you first meet Gale, suggesting some players don’t necessarily like it when a smug wizard appears out of a rock. This is a traditionally non-combat encounter, but of course in Baldur’s Gate 3 players can enter into combat with whomever they wish, at almost any moment. This suggests that players are actively engaging in combat with Gale. Is it something he said?
• On the topic of Gale, he has died a total of 333757 times.
• However, Gale has a party-member kill-rate 4 times higher than any NPC in the game.
• Shadowheart is the only companion to die more than the player character; poor Shadowheart.
• The Owlbear Cub has killed 5717 players.
• Exactly 4000 people died as a result of interrupting the intimate moments of Ogres and Bug Bears.
• If you died at the crash site in your encounter with the fallen Mind Flayer, don’t fret, you’re with 3753 others.

Behind the scenes is a feedback process consisting of parsing anonymous data, correlating that data with reviews, feedback, and bug reports, and using the output to make intelligent decisions about what to improve, where to improve, and how to iterate. The results of which so far have been 3 hotfixes and the game’s first last patch, which released October 13th.

The patch notes for the game’s first big patch (entitled ‘Launch’) can be found in the latest Community Update, along with other anecdotes, on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/newshub/app/1086940/view/2896336186753128622

Baldur’s Gate 3 is currently in Early Access on Stadia, Steam, and GOG. It’s also available on Mac from Steam and GOG. Cross-save functionality will come later.

About Larian Studios
Founded in 1996, Ghent, Belgium, Larian Studios has been creating games for 24 years. In 2014 we released the isometric CRPG Divinity: Original Sin to critical acclaim, establishing a reputation for the development and publication of expansive, player-driven RPG adventures with great depth. 2017 saw the release of Divinity: Original Sin 2, which launched with a 93 Metacritic rating, as well as over 160 awards (Including the Bafta for Best Multiplayer Game) and counting. Larian launched DOS2 with a team of 120 people. Upon the release of Baldur’s Gate 3’s Early Access, Larian will have grown to 300 people internationally, across 5 offices all over the world. Since DOS2, Larian has heavily invested in new departments and specialties to bring the isometric camera down, and push the boundaries of emotion in an RPG, whilst expanding on the depth, player options, permutations and scale. Baldur’s Gate 3 will be their biggest and most ambitious game yet.

© 2019 LARIAN STUDIOS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. LARIAN STUDIOS IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ARRAKIS NV, AFFILIATE OF LARIAN STUDIOS GAMES LTD.
ALL COMPANY NAMES, BRAND NAMES, TRADEMARKS AND LOGOS ARE THE PROPERTY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS.

About Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast, a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc., is an award-winning developer and publisher of tabletop and digital games that ignite a sense of adventure in passionate players around the globe. Best known for publishing groundbreaking fantasy franchises, MAGIC: THE GATHERING® and DUNGEONS & DRAGONS®, Wizards is dedicated to bringing together world-class talent to create unforgettable play experiences at its headquarters in Washington and studios in Austin and Montreal. Learn more at www.wizards.com.

© 2019 WIZARDS OF THE COAST. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. WIZARDS OF THE COAST, BALDUR’S GATE, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE LOGOS ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF WIZARDS OF THE COAST LLC

XSEED Games Offers Exclusive Theme for PS4™ Pre-orders Ahead of November 10 Launch

Torrance, Calif. – October 13, 2020 – XSEED Games, the independent-minded publishing brand of Marvelous USA, Inc., is pleased to announce that digital pre-orders for both the standard and the digital deluxe edition are now open for Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system via the PlayStation®Store. The special theme image revealed today featuring the titular harvest goddess, Sakuna, is available only as a pre-order incentive for both versions exclusively on the PlayStation®Store. Digital pre-purchase for the base game is also available for Nintendo Switch™ system via the Nintendo eShop, and the title is now available for Wishlisting on Steam, which will also offer a digital deluxe version in addition to the standalone game.

The digital deluxe edition for PS4™ includes the base game, 42-track digital soundtrack, 4 exclusive PS4™ system themes, and a set of 9 avatars for $49.99. The Steam version of the digital deluxe edition includes a digital version of the 130-page artbook and the digital soundtrack for $54.99. Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin will release with two retail editions for PS4™ and Nintendo Switch™; a standard retail release priced at $39.99 and a special “Divine Edition” priced at $59.99. Both versions are available for pre-order on the XSEED Games Store and participating retailers. 

About Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin

Developed by Edelweiss, the team behind acclaimed indie darling Astebreed, Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin combines side-scrolling action with deep crafting and rice cultivation. Players take on the role of Sakuna, a spoiled harvest goddess banished to a dangerous island with a group of outcast humans. As she explores the beautiful yet forbidding environments of the island, she will also find a home in a mountain village, proving herself worthy of her title by harvesting rice and bettering the lives of humanity.

Features

• Refined Side-scrolling Platform Action‒ Using farm tools as weapons, chain together quick, heavy, and special attacks to take down demonic beasts, while mastering the magical “divine raiment” will be essential to grapple distant platforms, evade danger, and overcome powerful enemies.

• Detailed 3D Simulation-style Gameplay‒ Learn the ancient art of agriculture by following detailed steps from planting to harvesting to cultivate the perfect crop. As a harvest goddess, Sakuna’s strength grows with each successful rice crop, with attributes such as aesthetic and flavor directly correlating to her combat abilities.

• Creating a Home in the Wilderness‒ Sakuna’s mortal companions make weapons, armor, and meals for her using the materials and ingredients she gathers on her adventures, and completing quests for them will unlock even more options.

• A Fresh Take on Japanese Mythology‒ The heroine is part of a pantheon of gods and demons inspired by traditional Japanese mythology but featuring many unique twists. The story and world are filled with lovingly rendered details, some familiar and some completely original.

Developed by Edelweiss and to be published for the Nintendo Switch™ system and PS4™ system in North America and globally on Windows PC by XSEED Games, Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin launches on November 10. Digital pre-orders for the PS4™ standard and deluxe editions are now available for $39.99 and $49.99 on the PlayStation®Store. Digital pre-purchase for Nintendo Switch is also available for $39.99 via eShop, and the Steam version is available for Wishlisting. The retail game is also available for pre-order in a standard and limited “Divine Edition” for $39.99 and $59.99, respectively, on the XSEED Games Store and participating retailers. The title has been rated “T for Teen” by the ESRB for all three platforms. Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin will also be published for the Nintendo Switch™ system and PS4™ system in Japan by Marvelous Inc. on November 12, and Europe by Marvelous Europe, Ltd. on November 20.

More information about the game, please visit at www.sakunaofriceandruin.com. More information about XSEED Games’ products can be found at www.xseedgames.com. Fans can also follow XSEED Games on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Twitch, get in depth info from their localization blog, and join the discussion on their Discord server at: http://discord.gg/XSEEDGames.

About XSEED Games

XSEED Games is the independent-minded publishing brand of Marvelous USA, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Marvelous Inc., which is a publicly traded company listed in the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Formed in 2004 and located in Torrance, California, XSEED Games publishes interactive entertainment content for PC and consoles from the Marvelous portfolio as well as from a wide variety of third-party partners. Whether it’s Marvelous properties such as STORY OF SEASONS (Bokujo Monogatari), SENRAN KAGURA, and Rune Factory, or third-party titles such as the Corpse Party and AKIBA’S TRIP series or Granblue Fantasy: Versus, XSEED Games has grown its reputation among gamers with its critically acclaimed localizations and commitment to fans, remaining ever dedicated to its “indie spirit, player-first” approach.

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ou have three different characters at your disposal, and three different skill sets to make sure that not one single microbe will break through your defenses to threaten the patients under your care. Brave doctor Lisa can be incredibly dangerous in a direct fight. A bit shy, nurse Maria is an expert when it comes to healing her teammates. Robert is a strong wisent, capable of hitting enemies from a distance. Mix and match their skills wisely to survive the night shifts in a certain hospital plagued by different diseases, and discover the mystery behind them.

The game is now available for free, and you can get it from itch.io (https://afterburn.itch.io/after-midnight).

ABOUT AFTER MIDNIGHT

After Midnight is a game that mixes turn-based strategy with puzzle gameplay and a plot that’s explained in the style of a visual novel. The gamer takes on the role of medical professionals such as a doctor, a nurse, and a paramedic, and uses their passive and active combat skills to fight mutated viruses that invaded the hospital. Strategic thinking, planning your actions, and teamwork are the keys to success. Depending on the character chosen during the combat turn, the player can heal their teammates, attack the opponents in a direct fight, or even use area attacks from a distance – all to defeat diversified enemies that multiply and get stronger with every turn.

AFTER MIDNIGHT – MAIN FEATURES

• A unique design that mixes turn-based strategy with puzzle gameplay.
• An unusual plot focusing on medical professionals, their work, and some interesting facts from their field.
• A cartoon art style featuring anthropomorphic animal characters.
• A family-friendly gaming experience as there is no violence or strong language.

About Afterburn
Afterburn is a tiny game development studio based in Łódź, Poland. So far, the team has released two commercial titles, Golf Peaks (out now on the App Store, Google Play, PC, Mac, and Nintendo Switch) and inbento (out now on the App Store, Google Play, and Nintendo Switch). http://afterburn.games

G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout Launches Today on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation®4 & Xbox One

Play as your favorite heroes and villains from Hasbro’s legendary franchise in this new team-based third-person shooter featuring split-screen co-op and multiplayer!

MINNEAPOLIS — Oct. 13, 2020 — G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout, the new team-based third-person shooter inspired by Hasbro’s hit franchise, launches today on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation®4 and Xbox One. Play as both Team Joe and Team Cobra in this action-packed adventure featuring a co-op story campaign and PvP multiplayer.

Experience an original story inspired by classic ’80s-style comics, over 17 campaign missions featuring epic locations like the U.S.S. Flagg and Cobra Headquarters, intense boss battles, and iconic vehicles like the Joes’ Persuader and Cobra H.I.S.S. tanks. Play the campaign on your own or with a friend in local split-screen co-op, then keep the fight going in four-player local PvP multiplayer modes like Capture the Flag, Assault, King of The Hill and Deathmatch Arena.

Play as your favorite heroes and villains from both sides with 12 playable characters, including Duke, Snake Eyes, Cobra Commander, Destro, Roadblock, Storm Shadow and more. Unleash a wide variety of weapons, skins, and devastating ultimate abilities as you mastermind world domination as Team Cobra and restore world order as Team Joe!

G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout is published by GameMill Entertainment and is available at major retailers and digital stores for $39.99. G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout — Gold Deluxe Edition, which includes special character skins for Duke and Cobra Commander, 12 bonus weapon skins, and an exclusive digital art book and soundtrack, is also available today on all platforms (digitally only) for $49.99.

For more information, visit GIJoeBlackout.com. 

About GameMill Entertainment

GameMill Entertainment, located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a third-party publisher of console and mobile games for passionate fans around the world. Development platforms include PC, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft consoles including the Xbox One video game and entertainment system, and Sony consoles including the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, and mobile devices. With development across the globe, GameMill is a source of entertaining and fun games for all ages. For more information, please visit https://gamemill.com.

About Hasbro

Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a global play and entertainment company committed to Creating the World’s Best Play and Entertainment Experiences. From toys, games and consumer products to television, movies, digital gaming, live action, music, and virtual reality experiences, Hasbro connects to global audiences by bringing to life great innovations, stories and brands across established and inventive platforms.  Hasbro’s iconic brands include NERF, MAGIC: THE GATHERING, MY LITTLE PONY, TRANSFORMERS, PLAY-DOH, MONOPOLY, BABY ALIVE, POWER RANGERS, PEPPA PIG and PJ MASKS, as well as premier partner brands. Through its global entertainment studio, eOne, Hasbro is building its brands globally through great storytelling and content on all screens. Hasbro is committed to making the world a better place for all children and all families through corporate social responsibility and philanthropy. Hasbro ranked among the 2020 100 Best Corporate Citizens by 3BL Media and has been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by Ethisphere Institute for the past nine years.