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

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

The Patch 5.5 trailer is available to view here:

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

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

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

Further details on Patch 5.5 content are outlined below:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

With over 22 million total registered players and a new expansion on the way, there has never been a better time for newcomers to begin their adventures in the critically acclaimed FINAL FANTASY XIV Online saga. The recently expanded Free Trial now includes all content from A Realm Reborn and the Heavensward™ expansion (and updates through Patch 3.56), as well as an additional playable race (Au Ra), and three additional playable jobs (Dark Knight, Astrologian, and Machinist). Free Trial players can enjoy hundreds of hours of award-winning gameplay and story experiences equivalent to two full FINAL FANTASY titles, without limit on playtime.

Related Links

Endwalker Teaser Site: http://eu.finalfantasyxiv.com/endwalker/
SQUARE ENIX® Press Site: https://www.square-enix-press.com/
The Lodestone®: http://eu.finalfantasyxiv.com
Official Facebook®: https://www.facebook.com/FinalFantasyXIV
Official Twitter®: @FF_XIV_EN
Official Instagram®: @ffxiv
#FFXIV

About Square Enix Ltd.

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

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

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

• Watch all three trailers!

Call of the Tempestarii Launch Trailer:

Xbox Series X|S Trailer:

Sevagoth Profile Trailer: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Related Links:

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

About FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE

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

About FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE

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

About Square Enix Ltd.

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

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

KungFu Kickball Scores Steam Early Access Today

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Blowfish Studios

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

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

About WhaleFood Games

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

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

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

Performance Mode for PS4 Pro and NVIDIA Reflex Support for PC

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here are some highlights coming to Android and iOS:

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

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

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

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

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

Check out theTokyo Escape Battle Pass trailer here:

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

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

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

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

Hood: Outlaws & Legends’ New Gameplay Overview Trailer Is a Deep Dive on Medieval Multiplayer Heists

Focus Home Interactive and Sumo Digital have released a new trailer for Hood: Outlaws & Legends breaking down the team-based action and tactics you’ll experience when this medieval multiplayer heist game launches next month. In a world where close cooperation is key, your choice of hero, team composition, and strategy can make all the difference.

Gameplay Overview Trailer:

Every game of Hood: Outlaws & Legends pits you and your friends against a rival group of four other players who are also aiming to steal the treasure. Work together with your team of outlaws with unique abilities to infiltrate towering strongholds, outsmart your foes in PvPvE battles, and claim glory. Play carefully from the shadows, get brutal in close quarters combat, or strike a balance in the middle.

Between heists, visit the hideout to spend your stolen fortune. Improve and refine your characters’ skills with a range of perks, or personalize your heroes with new weapons and costumes. Some of the more prestigious cosmetics may require you to prove your heisting mastery though…

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.

Spring Fashion Contest in Habbo Starts Today: Winner Design Will be Developed into a Pixel Animated Habbo Summer Collection Accessory with All of the Proceeds Going to Charity

Helsinki Finland, April 13th 2021 – Have you ever dreamt of designing your own exclusive clothing piece to be worn by thousands of Habbos all over the world? Then this is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for! 

Habbo is looking for the best fashion designers to create a new fashion accessory for the summer collection. Starting today, the Habbo users have a week to send in their creative fashion designs as pixel art using a template downloaded from the Habbo website. On April 28th, staff from each hotel will announce the 10 best designers to take part in a community vote for the favorite design to be put forward to a global vote on May 7th. The three best designs determined by the global Habbo community will be judged by the Habbo design team, and the winning design will become an iconic, exclusive, pixelated accessory sold only during the summer campaign on all sites. After the summer campaign in June all the proceeds of the fashion accessory item will be donated to a global charity chosen by the winner. 

https://www.habbo.com/community/article/28808/habbo-fashion-design-competition

The fashion competition is part of a campaign during which the users can participate in fashion school via several different games in Habbo, ranging from fashion related quizzes, to dress up games and fashion show preparations. Run once before in 2016, Habbo Fashion Month is extremely popular with the community due to the number of clothing items that are released. Clothing items are always desirable, usually significantly more compared to the furniture items most campaigns are made up of.

There are tons of other prizes up for grabs on your runway to the top, including special and limited-edition badges, BC and HC, credits and VIP bundles. Not feeling that creative? You can still participate in fashion school via several different games, ranging from fashion related quizzes to dress up games and fashion show preparations as part of the overall Habbo Spring Fashion event.

“We’re very excited to announce the start of the Habbo Fashion Design Competition,” said Valtteri Karu, CEO of Sulake. “This competition is the perfect opportunity for our community to show off their creative flair and have their own item of clothing available to buy in the store with the proceeds going to a charity of their choice. We wish everyone the best of luck and can’t wait to see what you come up with!”

The winners of the competition will be announced on May 13th and the winning design will go into development with our art team and then launched as part of the Habbo summer collection in June.

About Habbo & Sulake
Sulake is a social entertainment company focused on providing a safe and fun online service for self-expression through its games, Habbo and Hotel Hideaway. Sulake was founded in 2000 by a small team of passionate people and now after 20 years, Habbo is still one of the largest virtual communities in the world, reaching players all over the world each month. With paying customers in over 115 countries and over 850,000 active users a month, Habbo continues to be a hugely popular and globally recognised brand.

Sulake’s mission is to enable its users to meet new people, make friends and give them a place to create and share their user-generated content in fun virtual surroundings. Sulake is a leader in ensuring online safety for children and was acquired in 2020 by Dutch media and technology company Azerion. www.sulake.com

A Journey into the Unknown Awaits – Interactive Narrative Adventure Takes Players on a Surreal Road Trip

Baltimore, MD — April 9th, 2021 — Independent games publisher Versus Evil in partnership with multi award winning development studio Mad About Pandas today announced that the atmospheric first-person mystery game, Hitchhiker – A Mystery Game, is arriving on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on April 15th. The game was launched on Apple Arcade last month.

In Hitchhiker, players find themselves on a mysterious journey along a dusty highway with no recollection of who they are or where they are going. Players piece together their memories by catching rides with strangers across the country who provide clues to your character’s past and solutions to various environmental puzzles.

The narrative-driven interactive gameplay revolves around five distinct Hitch-hiked rides players take trying to recover lost memories through dialogue with an eclectic mix of drivers, each with their own quirky character traits.

About Versus Evil

Founded in 2013, Versus Evil, LLC is the US based video game publisher behind critically acclaimed video games Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire and The Banner Saga trilogy. Publishing games on all major mobile, PC and console platforms, Versus Evil works with independent development studios from around the world. The corporate philosophy is to champion for the independent game developer. For more information visit https://versusevil.com

About Mad About Pandas

Mad About Pandas is an award-winning German independent video game developer founded in 2005 by Patrick Rau and based in Berlin. The studio has released acclaimed titles such as Ubisoft’s Galaxy Racers, The Great Jitters: Pudding Panic, and the narrative mystery game Hitchhiker. Learn more at https://www.madaboutpandas.com.

Set the Skies Ablaze with Aircraft Carriers and Anti-Aircraft Firepower as Legends Turns 2

AUSTIN, TX (April 12, 2021) – Aircraft Carriers are here to stay in World of Warships: Legends, just as we invite players to celebrate the second year since Legends went into early access. Two new aircraft carrier branches join the fleet, a new campaign arrives, Arena mode returns, and Two Years Strong activities abound! There are many events and newcomers to the high seas in the April update, let’s start with the new type: Carriers.

Bringing the battles of World of Warships: Legends into a new dimension, aircraft carriers are a new ship type that is coming in the April update. Unlike their last appearance, these ships are here to stay and are ready to be unlocked all the way up to tier VII. Carriers are uniquely able strike enemies with squadrons of Dive and Torpedo bombers. However, they cannot stand up to gunfire from enemy ships for long.

Following the Airstrike event in February, there have been a few changes to them, including an automated navigator for when players are controlling aircraft and performance tweaks to increase their combat ability. Players can start commanding American and Japanese aircraft carriers at Tiers III, V, and VII featuring the gargantuan flattops like Lexington and Shōkaku at the top. Naturally, to combat carrier aircraft there are a bunch of additions to modify anti-aircraft weaponry in the form of modules and commander skills, plus a new Defensive Anti-Aircraft Fire consumable for cruisers. The arrival of carriers is sure to shake things up by adding a new layer of combat.

An old legend is appearing as the star of the new “Limit Breaker” campaign: Japanese cruiser Suzuya. This Mogami-class cruiser is in her pre-rebuild form, mounting an absurd fifteen 155 mm (6.1 inch) guns along with her powerful torpedoes. Add in the excellent speed and maneuverability of this ship and you have a force to be reckoned with. Suzuya and her sister ships were originally created as light cruisers, mounting this armament to appear to be following the limitations of the naval treaties, however, once war was on the horizon, they were rearmed with larger weapons. This campaign is conventional, with five weeks and 100 milestones to complete plus the ability to catch up—meaning anyone with admiralty backing can feasibly earn Suzuya.

For those eager to get into a more competitive setting, the Arena is back and this time for two week-long seasons. Each season will have its own ruleset, and importantly, Steel Badges are now available for the top three leaderboard brackets, so it’s a great time to start boosting your Steel reserves!

This update, World of Warships: Legends will celebrate the second year since its early access release with a few gifts and sales for the occasion, plus Golden Week is approaching. There’s also a set of balancing tweaks coming, including concealment modules for select battleships. It’s set to be a busy update with plenty for captains to get stuck into. April brings the battle to the skies, with more to come to the seas in May. Take to the skies and turn the tide!

About World of Warships: Legends
Experience epic naval action in World of Warships: Legends, a massively multiplayer online game (available on Xbox, Xbox Series X, PS4 and PS5) where you can master the seas in history’s greatest warships! Recruit legendary commanders from maritime history, upgrade your vessels and stake your claim to naval supremacy with or against players around the world in thrilling and immersive battles. World of Warships: Legends brings the online naval action loved by millions to home consoles for the very first time, alongside a host of content and features exclusive to the console experience.

Official website: ​https://wowslegends.com/

About Wargaming
Wargaming is an award-winning online game developer and publisher headquartered in Nicosia, Cyprus. Operating since 1998, Wargaming has grown to become one of the leaders in the gaming industry with 4500+ employees and offices spread all over the world. Over 200 million players enjoy Wargaming’s titles across all major gaming platforms. Their flagship products include the massively popular free-to-play hit World of Tanks and the strategic naval action game World of Warships.

Official website: ​www.wargaming.com
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