Everything is Gameplay: All New Gameplay Features Coming to NBA 2K21 for Current-Gen; Demo Available August 24

NBA 2K Gameplay Director Mike Wang shares details behind the innovation and inspiration used to bring this year’s gameplay to a new level. You can see full gameplay details below.

Some of the biggest changes this year include:

• Major changes to the Pro Stick to allow for new dribbling mechanics
• Shot meter changes from a timing bar to a targeting system
• New shot types, new signature defensive motion styles, stronger presence from bigs in the paint and more
• Thanks to current-gen cover athlete Damian Lillard, players will now be able to make oversized point guards (6’8)

We also announced the NBA 2K21 current-gen demo will be released on August 24 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.

Ahead of launch, we’ll be sharing more details on MyTEAM, MyCAREER and more for NBA 2K21 on current-gen.

Current-Gen – New Gameplay Features

It has been a rollercoaster year on many fronts, and we know it hasn’t been easy for everyone being cooped up at home with most everything in your life going virtual. Hopefully this short blog will give you something to look forward to in the virtual world as you get ready for a new year of 2K hoops with NBA 2K21! It has been a busy year for us at Visual Concepts as we’ve been working hard to bring you the best hoops experience on both the current and next gen consoles. I can’t tell you how excited the team is to reveal all the new tech and amazing advances we’re bringing to 2K basketball with the power of the next gen systems; but for today, let’s take a look at some of the gameplay improvements coming your way for the current-gen version of NBA 2K21 launching on September 4 for PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Stadia, and PC. Best of all, you’ll have the opportunity to check out how the game plays for yourself when we release the NBA 2K21 demo on August 24 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch!

Dame Time

I had the opportunity to jump on a Zoom call with cover athlete, Damian Lillard, a few months back. He is a huge 2K gamer and had a ton of great feedback and ideas for 2K21. But his biggest request? Being able to make an oversized PG in MyCAREER. So, for all you Penny Hardaway wannabes, you have Dame to thank for that as we have upped the max height for PG to 6’8”. Dame continued to share his likes and dislikes of gameplay, which we then added to the running wishlist that we already had from the community. After compiling all the feedback, we came away with a great list of items that we knew the community wanted to see improved (e.g. long passes downcourt sailing out of bounds) and came up with skill-based solutions that would be more fun and fair for everyone.

We’ve always prided ourselves as being the most authentic basketball simulation on the market, and that will never change. But one of the challenges that we face is striking the right balance between simulating real life and making a game that’s fun and enjoyable for a wide range of fans. That’s where the debate on Skill Gap vs. Accessibility comes into play. The target we shoot for is to create a game that’s easy to pick up and play for new users while also providing enough of a skill gap for veteran users to really showcase their talent. One way we set out to accomplish this was through building out a robust set of sliders and carefully mapping the appropriate settings to all the various modes in our game. So whether it’s your first time playing against the CPU in Quick Play, messing around with your buddies in the Park, or battling in a high stakes Ante Up or competitive Pro-Am match, there’s a wide range of gameplay experiences and definitely something for everyone in NBA 2K21.

So to sum up this section, I don’t really have a fancy back of the box marketing name for the work that went into gameplay balance and “fun-ifying” the on-court experience, but I’m pretty confident that longtime fans of 2K basketball will notice the improvements and appreciate what the team was able to accomplish.

The Pro Stick

The Pro Stick has been a staple of 2K basketball for years now, and for the most part, has largely gone unchanged since its inception. For NBA 2K21, we saw this as a big opportunity to freshen up the game on the offensive end. In past games, you could hold the Pro Stick in any direction to take a jump shot. That was limiting us from utilizing the right stick as a fully featured dribble stick. So this year, we’re making a pretty significant change to how the Pro Stick works. In a nutshell:

• Hold RS down = jump shot
• Hold RS left or right = escape dribble moves
• Hold RS up = signature size-ups
• Tap the RS = quick 1-to-1 dribble moves
• Tap the RS with Sprint held = quick momentum dribble moves

With this change, we’ve been able to greatly expand the dribble move arsenal and give you access to more moves in a more intuitive control scheme. After a game or two, it will feel second nature and will have you breaking ankles in no time! Along with the remap, the moves themselves have been overhauled to be much more responsive and chain-able. Street moves have been moved to a tap of the left trigger as well, so you won’t be firing them off by accident when you’re breaking down defenders in the Park. And for the NBA size-ups, we’ve added several new signatures like Harden’s around the leg dribble, a new version of Kobe’s dance, and Durant’s patented hesi cross. Another NBA legend, Nate Robinson, came in for motion capture this year and gave us some really unique moves that I’ll leave for you to find as well. You can also perform size-up dribbles on the move by holding the Pro Stick Up and using the left stick to move your player in any direction. Altogether, you can choose from a list of 14 Park and 36 unique NBA Size-ups. And when you factor in all the 1-to-1 size-up packages and new customizable escape dribbles, there’s really no limit to the types of combos you can pull off in NBA 2K21.

Shooting

Dribble moves weren’t the only thing that benefited from the Pro Stick upgrade. Jump shooting and finishing at the rim were points of emphasis as well. We really wanted to make scoring the basketball a skill both from the perimeter and at the rim, so we brainstormed and prototyped a number of various shooting mechanics for this year’s game. What we settled on was an idea conceptually similar to something we tried in NBA 2K17… Shot Stick Aiming. Aiming didn’t really work that well in NBA 2K17 because it was a bit buried, didn’t have much skill built into it, and didn’t give the user any feedback. We took those learnings and used them to create a better solution this time around. For NBA 2K21, when you shoot with the Pro Stick, the shot meter changes from a timing bar to a targeting system. So instead of trying to stop the shot meter when you reach the perfect release window, you adjust the Pro Stick in real time to hit the ideal center aim point. The target window resizes dynamically based on player ability, shooting range, and how well the shot is contested and can also shift to the left or right based on the shot’s degree of difficulty. If you miss the target too far to the left or right, your shot will miss in that direction. And as I mentioned above with the new slider sets, even the slightest degree might be the difference between a make and an airball on Hall of Fame, while it’s quite a bit more forgiving on the easier difficulties. You also won’t be penalized for using the entire shooting motion to find the sweet spot. In other words, you don’t have to time your release when you’re shooting with the Pro Stick. But if you want to take it to the next level and know your release, you can lock in your timing and aim by either centering the Pro Stick or by tapping one of the triggers when you reach the apex of the shot. The lock in will be indicated by a brief flash on the shot meter. If you can time AND aim well, you will give yourself the best chances at making the shot.

The aiming concept also applies to finishing layups, replicating the idea of having “good touch” around the rim. As you’re driving you can still hold the Pro Stick in any direction to start a layup, but this year, you’ll want to quickly swing the stick to move the aiming tick to the center of the target. Aiming layups well can help overcome shot contests and help you finish through contact. Personally, it has been hard for me to go back to the Shot Button after getting used to Pro Stick shooting. And because shooting with the stick offers a bit more complexity than just holding and releasing a button, it also carries a greater risk/reward. If you can master shooting with the Pro Stick, you’ll have a higher ceiling for getting greens and making tough shots, so I’m pretty sure it’s going to be the shot method of choice for many competitive 2K players. But since I know some will ask… yes, there is an option to disable Shot Aiming if you really want to go back to last year’s controls.

On the shooting animation side, you can expect a plethora of new shot types, including Harden’s unique 1-foot running fadeaway. And a quick note for all the Park players… we’ve added over 40 new Park Jump Shot Landings for you to show off with when you hit from outside.

On the defensive end, you can expect a much stronger presence from bigs in the paint. Block targeting has been improved so it will be easier to send weak shots back and we’ve loaded up more coverage for contact in the paint to slow down overpowered moves like last year’s hop step layup.

Motion Styles

Last year we introduced signature dribble styles, which gave Magic Johnson his unique upcourt waddle, Steve Nash’s finger licks, and much more. This upgrade has now made its way onto the defensive end with signature defensive motion styles. Here’s the list of players you can model your player’s movement after: Russell Westbrook, Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Pat Beverley, Andre Iguodala, and Draymond Green. In addition to this, movement has undergone several refinements, both with the ball and without, to provide a more consistent and responsive feel on the sticks.

Badges

Seemed like everybody was a big fan of how we redesigned the badge system last year with the ability to swap badges in and out as you upgrade. That’s returning for NBA 2K21. Throughout the life of NBA 2K20, we collected telemetry data that gave us a detailed breakdown of what badges people were equipping for certain build types, and which ones weren’t being used as much. This was very useful in helping us redesign and tune the badges for NBA 2K21. I think you’ll find that more badges will have merit and fight for a spot in your badge loadout, giving you more effective tools to take over games in a more varied fashion. And here’s some good news that I know the community will appreciate. We removed Quick Draw and put release speed back into the Jump Shot Creator. So that’s one thing you won’t have to waste your precious badge points on.

Closing Thoughts

As always, I want to give a huge shout out to all the gameplay engineers and producers, as well as the talented team at VC South, who worked (and are still working) tirelessly to deliver the best basketball game to date. The current gen versions of NBA 2K21 are a great step forward for virtual hoops, and stay tuned in the coming months for all the goodies we have in store for you on the next gen platforms. The future is very bright for 2K fans, and you won’t want to miss what we’re cooking up for you! But until then, thanks so much to all of you for your ongoing support and feedback year in and year out. NBA 2K has always been a collaboration between the most passionate fans and dedicated developers in the industry, and we couldn’t do what we do without you! Stay safe and healthy, and we’ll see you in the virtual streets!

Mike Wang (@Beluba), NBA 2K Gameplay Director

Projection: First Light Shines on PC, Consoles 29 Sept. 2020 

SYDNEY – 13 Aug. 2020 – Projection: First Light, the illumination manipulation puzzle-platformer from publisher Blowfish Studios and developers Shadowplay Studios and Sweaty Chair Studio, brings the art of shadow puppetry to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Steam on 29 Sept. 2020.

Guide Greta on her journey to self-enlightenment as she explores breathtaking locations, including China, Victorian England, Turkey, Indonesia, and more. Harness Greta’s light-manipulating ability to travel through this world while learning about each culture’s powerful connection to this ancient artform.

Illuminate the path forward to see the world in a new light. Build platforms from shadows so Greta can overcome obstacles and navigate through ornate environments. Bend light and shadows to discover creative solutions to puzzles and uncover alternate pathways.

Absorb the dazzling details of the places Greta visits, each meticulously designed to recreate the distinct shadow puppetry of the region and era. Encounter legendary heroes from the various cultures and lean on their powerful auras to face off against mythological creatures and learn more about Greta’s newfound light-bending powers.

Developer Shadowplay Studios consulted with famed Australian shadow puppeteer and historian Richard Bradshaw to ensure every aspect of Projection: First Light is presented accurately with the utmost respect to the nations featured within the game. Accompanied by ethereal music performed by period-authentic instruments, the word of Projection: First Light stands as an interactive showcase of shadow puppetry throughout the ages.

“Projection: First Light brings the art of shadow puppetry to life,” said Michael Chu, founder, Shadowplay Studios. “We can’t wait to share Greta’s coming-of-age journey with everyone when the game arrives on PC and consoles this September.”

Projection: First Light comes to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Steam for PC on 29 Sept. 2020 for $17.99 USD / $£15.99 / $24.99 AUD. It features English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Arabic, and Turkish language support. The game is available via the Apple Arcade subscription service and is also currently playable via free demos on both Steam and Xbox One.

To learn more, please visit the official site and join the 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 Shadowplay Studios

Shadowplay Studios is a small indie games team based in Australia. Their aim is to create games with innovative mechanics and unique experiences. To learn more about Shadowplay Studios, please visit their Twitter page.

About Sweaty Chair Studio

Sweaty Chair Studio was founded in 2013 by a group of passionate and creative people. With the aim to create innovative, unique, and fun mobile games. We came from various specialized fields such as digital arts, game design, and web development. We are also on the lookout for fresh graduates and interns who majors in game development and digital media to join our growing family. To learn more about Sweaty Chair Studio, please visit their official website.

Six-Player Food Fighting Party Game Boomerang Fu Available Now on Switch, Xbox, PC

SYDNEY — 13 August 2020 — Boomerang Fu, the frantic boomerang brawler starring adorable yet lethal food creatures from Cranky Watermelon, throws down on Nintendo Switch™, Xbox One and PC today.

Fight as tasty food wielding deadly boomerangs. Choose from 12 selectable superfoods like the delectable Donut and silly Sushi. Slice and dice as menacing morsels in hilarious one-hit one-kill combat where each round means a new level, keeping the party going. Learn the surprisingly simple controls in seconds, then master the art of the boomerang with advanced tricks and precision throws.

Snack attack across 30+ reactive arenas including cloudy temples, mountaintops dotted with portals, and storm-lit fields where the flash of lightning exposes foes. Dash out of danger and take advantage of the environment: sneak up on opponents by hiding under tall grass, smash them with lever-operated traps, and even chuck boomerangs through portals. Add power-ups to the mix and matches start to get really crazy.

Power-ups persist between rounds, so stack up to three of them to really stomp foes into puree. Scour the field for ridiculous power-ups such as multi-boomerangs, ice boomerangs, disguises and much more. Go on the offensive by combining the Exploding and Multi power-ups for sweeping, destructive explosions, or mix Dash Through Walls with Teleport Boomerang to have complete mastery of the map.

Launch introduces three game modes: Team Deathmatch, Free for All, and Golden Boomerang. Make friends out of food in Team Deathmatch, haphazardly hurl boomerangs in all directions in Free for All, or try to hold onto the Golden Boomerang for as long as possible while every other player tries to pry it from your cold, delicious hands.

Boomerang Fu’s light-hearted battles have room for up to six players locally on Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and PC. PC players can take advantage of Steam Remote Play for epic food fights against friends across the world. Practice against devious CPU opponents, or use them to help fill out teams. Their adjustable difficulty levels make it easy to set up nail-biting matches or casual skirmishes.

“Part food fight, part Hong Kong action cinema, Boomerang Fu takes a cute concept and makes it fun for endless hours,” said Paul Kopetko, founder of Cranky Watermelon. “Your parents probably told you not to play with your food, but now I’m very much encouraging you to do so.”

Boomerang Fu is available now on Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and PC via Steam in English, Simplified Chinese, Japanese, Korean, German, French, Spanish and Italian for $14.99 USD. Play locally with up to six players, or use Steam Remote Play Together on PC to play online (experience may vary based on connection and network quality). For more information, please visit the official website and follow Cranky Watermelon on Twitter.

About Cranky Watermelon

Helmed by Paul Kopetko, Cranky Watermelon is a tiny indie studio with credits on Rodeo Stampede, Crash of Cars and Skiing Yeti Mountain, with art direction by Julian Wilton from The Adventure Pals. Joined by his friends in the Australian indie community, Paul hopes Boomerang Fu can help people connect in a time where we’re apart. 

For more information on Cranky Watermelon, please visit their official website.

Fight for the Interns in 3 out of 10’s Second Episode, Out Now for Free on Epic Games Store

Free Episodes of Playable Sitcom Releasing Every Week

BOSTON, MA — 13 August 2020 — 3 out of 10, the episodic playable sitcom about life at the world’s worst game development studio, goes back to school today with Episode 2 – “Foundation 101” exclusively on the Epic Games Store for PC. Debuting every Thursday through 3 September, all of Season One’s five episodes will be free.

The ragtag crew at Shovelworks Studios just wants to finally earn a score higher than 3 out of 10, but conspiratorial plots, exploding animators, and definitely not-ex-military sentry robots always seem to stand in their way. This week, the studio receives a fresh “shipment” of interns (in pet crates) from the local game dev college, and Midge decides she’s had enough! Join the crew as they attempt to return the interns to *deep breath* the Center of the Institute to the Academy of the Higher University of Games (CIAHUG), where a nefarious plot unfurls.

Will the team solve the mystery awaiting them at CIAHUG? (Maybe!) By returning to school, will they learn new ways to better themselves? (Definitely not!)

3 out of 10’s loving satire of the industry continues with brand new mini-games. Race through the streets en route to campus, dodging obstacles while trying not to get Wasted. Quickly swap between group formations to dodge the missiles of robot security officers recruiting agents. As a hapless intern, prepare for your game dev career by combining two mechanics just made for each other: uncontrollable bounce physics and stealth!

Through the power of writing at 3 AM and the voice talents of willing participants like Felecia Angelle (My Hero Academia, Borderlands 3), Heather Masters (The World Next Door, MOTHERGUNSHIP), Andy Mack (Dying Light 2, Smite), and EP 2 guest star D.B. Cooper (World of Warcraft, BioShock 2), 3 out of 10 brings a lovable cast of misfits to life and pays homage to the ridiculous business of making games.

“Nobody was really asking for a half-game, half-show experiment released weekly for free, but what if I told you this whole thing was ACTUALLY a cake?” said Joe Mirabello, creative director for Terrible Posture Games. “Well, it isn’t. (¬‿¬) But play it anyway.”

For more on the characters and irreverent world of 3 out of 10, hang out with Terrible Posture Games on Twitter, Facebook, Discord, and the official website.

About Terrible Posture Games

Terrible Posture Games is an independent studio founded by veterans of game development on the idea that great talent is global, so studios should be completely remote. Responsible for the creation of Tower of Guns and co-development of MOTHERGUNSHIP, the studio aims to be a compassionate place for developers to grow and make fun things.

Milky Way Prince – The Vampire Star Makes Impact on PC, Mac

Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One Versions Coming Soon

MILAN – 13 Aug. 2020 – Milky Way Prince – The Vampire Star, a visual novel from publisher Santa Ragione and developer Lorenzo Redaelli about intimacy, idealization, and abusive relationships, strikes up a torrid affair on Windows PC and Mac today with versions for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One coming soon.

Nuki is an idealistic young man who comes across Sune, who resembles the Milky Way Prince from his childhood stories. The pair quickly begin a passionate relationship, but this is not a storybook romance. Nuki must balance taking care of and supporting Sune with his mental health issues, while not losing his identity and self-worth to his partner.

Take in an interactive, branching story with multiple endings, discovered through dialogue choices and the senses system. During the pair’s intimate encounters, use Nuki’s senses to trigger different reactions, and discover hidden truths about Sune that take the relationship to dark, unexpected places.

Milky Way Prince is a semi-autobiographical story, created by Italian multimedia artist Lorenzo Redaelli. A graduate of Cinema and New Media in Milan who sought to explore games as an artform, Redaelli created all the core content in the game, including the script, artwork which fuses Japanese and abstract influences, and the electropop-meets-baroque soundtrack.

Redaelli teams up with Italian studio Santa Ragione for his first game release. The award-winning studio is known for its award-winning and best-selling titles MirrorMoon EP, FOTONICA, Wheels of Aurelia, and the upcoming Saturnalia. It now counts Milky Way Prince among its striking collection of titles, as part of an initiative to publish games from up-and-coming Italian creators.

“Santa Ragione strives to make games that push the bounds of what games can be, and it was time for us to support others who believe in that mission,” said Pietro Righi Riva, co-founder and studio director, Santa Ragione. “It’s an honor to work with Lorenzo and to bring his one-of-a-kind vision and story to the world.”

Milky Way Prince – The Vampire Star is available now on Windows PC and Mac via Steam, the Epic Games Store, itch.io, GOG, and the Humble Store at a 20% launch discount of $7.99. A soundtrack bundle available for $9.99, the game features English, French, Italian, German, Russian, Spanish language support.

To learn more about Milky Way Prince – The Vampire Star, please visit the official website and follow Lorenzo Redaelli on Instagram. For more on Santa Ragione, check out the studio’s website and join the community on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

About Santa Ragione

Santa Ragione is a Milanese micro game design studio founded in 2010 by Pietro Righi Riva and Nicolò Tedeschi. Developers of FOTONICA, MirrorMoon EP, Wheels of Aurelia, and Saturnalia, Santa Ragione focuses on experimentation and eliciting a visceral response from players while striving to stand out stylistically and continue the tradition of Italian design. 

Milky Way Prince represents a new expansion of the team’s mission, which now involves publishing independent titles from other Italian creatives who share their vision and spirit. 

About Lorenzo Redaelli

A graduate of cinema and new media at ILUM University of Milan, Lorenzo Redaelli creates art while pursuing his Master’s Degree in Game Design. Under the name “Eyeguys,” Redaelli produces music, film, and illustrations. By combining these disciplines, he developed his debut game, the semi-autobiographical visual novel Milky Way Prince – The Vampire Star. 

NETMARBLE REVEALS TEASER SITE FOR BTS UNIVERSE STORY, A NEW MOBILE GAME BASED ON BTS IP

Los Angeles – August 13, 2020 – Netmarble has revealed the teaser site for BTS Universe Story, its highly-anticipated new mobile game based on BTS IP. The game is the second collaboration between Netmarble and the global superstars, following the global success of the BTS WORLD mobile game that launched in June 2019.

The teaser site for BTS Universe Story gives players a sneak peek of the new game, sharing concept art for its BTS characters created in the likeness of the members of BTS, as well as cinematic video and some early details on its features. The release date for BTS Universe Story will be announced at a later date.

“BTS Universe Story will bring fresh, all-new content to players and allow them to enjoy the story of BTS in a variety of ways” said Young-Jae Park, Executive Producer of Netmarble. “We’re excited for players to see the game and will continue to share more information leading into its release though exclusive video content and various events.”

For more information, please visit the BTS Universe Story official site or follow BTS Universe Story on Twitter and YouTube. 

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About Netmarble Corporation

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

About Big Hit Entertainment

Founded in February 2005 in South Korea by CEO and Producer Bang Si-Hyuk, Big Hit Entertainment’s core business focuses on music production, artist management and publishing. Big Hit’s business ventures incorporate and develop a range of content produced from top-notch artists’ IP, including global superstars BTS and its newest addition TOMORROW X TOGETHER. With its mission of ‘Music & Artist for Healing’, Big Hit strives to impart a positive influence through content while providing comfort and inspiration to music fans worldwide.

Available Now on Google Play; Try First 60 Turns for Free and then Opt to Unlock Full Game

AUSTIN, Texas, August 13, 2020 – For Android fans, the pursuit of building the greatest empire ever has arrived. Aspyr today announced that the critically-acclaimed, turned-based strategy game Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI is now available to play for the first time on Android devices. Gamers can play the first 60 turns for free and then choose to purchase the full game for $19.99. In addition, the expansions Sid Meier’s Civilization VI Rise and Fall and Sid Meier’s Civilization VI Gathering Storm, as well as all Civilization and Scenario packs, are available for in-app purchase.

“For those who love strategy games, Sid Meier’s Civilization VI is a die-hard, must-play classic that until now,  wasn’t an option for Android users,” says Elizabeth Howard, vice president of publishing at Aspyr. “That’s why we’re thrilled to announce that this epic world is now available for Android gamers to enjoy for the first time ever.” 
 
About Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI
Originally created by legendary game designer Sid Meier, Civilization is a turn-based strategy game where you attempt to build an empire to stand the test of time. The latest entry in the franchise, Civilization VI, offers new ways to engage with your world: cities now physically expand across the map; your actions help boost technology and civics research; and competing leaders pursue their own agendas based on their historical traits as you race and achieve victory.
 
Game Availability
Sid Meier’s Civilization VI is now available on Google Play. The game is free to try, enabling gamers to play their first 60 turns for free. After that, they can opt to purchase the full game for $19.99 USD.
 
Also available for in-app purchase are game expansions, including Sid Meier’s Civilization VI Rise and Fall ($29.9 USD) and Sid Meier’s Civilization VI Gathering Storm ($39.99 USD). Civilization and Scenario packs (ranging from $4.99 to $8.99), are available for in-app purchase as well.
 
For the latest news, follow us at @AspyrMedia  and on Facebook.
 
 
About Aspyr
Aspyr is a leading video game publishing and development partner focused on maximizing the potential of games across all platforms and for all players. Today, the company supports a growing network of partners that includes many of the industry’s leading entertainment IP holders, publishers, developers, and technology providers. Aspyr is based in Austin, TX. For more information, visit www.aspyr.com.

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All copyrights, trademarks, logos and brands are the property of their respective owners. 

‘Art of the Duo’ campaign sees T-Pain team up with animator Rafael Varona, while Herman Li lines up with Kingdom of Something’s animators. Two teams, with two screens, in an epic clash of the creators

ROG 13.08.20 | The ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 is no ordinary laptop. So when Republic of Gamers (ROG) were thinking about the best way to showcase their machine’s abundant high-end abilities, it was always going to take something a little less than ordinary to fulfil the brief. Enter stage left our two teams: fronted by T-Pain and Herman Li, who — alongside animation talents Rafael Varona and Kingdom of Something — have been tasked with creating a mini-masterpiece with their new toys.

Herman Li is a British Chinese musician and co-lead guitar with London’s premier power metal band, Dragonforce. His co-conspirators are the Amsterdam-based animation team, Kingdom of Something. Hoping to dash the hopes of these European dreamers is American rapper, songwriter and record producer, T-Pain. His artistic ally being Rafael Varona — a South American animator based in Western Europe but with roots firmly planted in his native Peru.

Both teams have within their ranks huge community engagement on social media platforms like twitter, Facebook and Instagram. This support will be key to the success of their projects and will also see two lucky winners score their very own ROG Zephyrus Duo 15s — as well as the chance to collaborate with the teams on their projects. Runners-up prizes also include high-end ROG hardware (detailed below).

The battle lines are drawn, the two teams are tasked with creating an animated short film with accompanying musical score; with the ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 offering all the creative firepower they’ll need. The laptop behind each team has a patented ROG ScreenPad, a secondary display, innovative liquid metal cooling and a groundbreaking thermal design unleashIng peak power from a 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i9 CPU and NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 2080 SUPER™ GPU; it will also run 48GB of the fastest 3200-DDR4 RAM. Meaning our creative teams certainly shouldn’t encounter any issues when collaborating across their respective music and animation projects.

Industrial designer, Adrian Godin-Bernard, suggests the ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 will easily handle the demands placed on it by the two teams: “The laptop can handle any kind of 3D rendering for hours without any problems at all. In terms of its music-making abilities there are also zero latency issues. The cutting edge specs mean this baby eats even the most resource-sapping music production projects — for breakfast, lunch and dinner!”

Angela Chang, ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 product manager explains how screen choices will be set up for ‘Art of the Duo’ teams: “For the main display we have two different alternatives that both balance the needs of gamers and creators. The first option provides a 300Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time; perfect for pro-level gaming. The second option, is a more professional creator-oriented set-up with a 4K display — this is the one our two creative teams will be using here.”

Battle commences on August 13 — if you want to follow the fortunes of the teams and get involved — maybe even win your own ROG Zephyrus Duo 15, you can find more details here.

About Republic of Gamers

Republic of Gamers (ROG) is an ASUS sub-brand dedicated to creating the world’s best gaming hardware and software. Formed in 2006, ROG offers a complete line of innovative products known for performance and quality, including motherboards, graphics cards, laptops, desktops, monitors, audio equipment, routers and peripherals. ROG participates in and sponsors major international gaming events. ROG gear has been used to set hundreds of overclocking records and it continues to be the preferred choice of gamers and enthusiasts around the world. Learn more about the choice of champions at http://rog.asus.com. 

YOOZOO Games, Singapore – 13.08.2020│ The Singapore subsidiary of YOOZOO Games (YOOZOO Singapore) announced that it has signed a memorandum of cooperation with five polytechnics in Singapore to jointly carry out scientific research, teaching and practical projects. The five polytechnics are Nanyang Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Temasek Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic and Singapore Polytechnic.

Through this cooperation, YOOZOO Singapore will provide polytechnic students studying game design and software engineering with opportunities to get hands-on industry experience, including internship opportunities, workshops and case studies. The cooperation will also create job opportunities for polytechnic graduates. In addition, YOOZOO Singapore will jointly carry out scientific research and teaching projects with the polytechnics and provide lecturers with industry-relevant experience.

Qin Liu, Managing Director of YOOZOO Singapore, said: “We are looking forward to cooperating with Singapore’s top polytechnics. This is a win-win opportunity for all parties. It not only provides industry practice opportunities for the teachers and students, but also strengthens YOOZOO’s scientific and technical research capabilities. YOOZOO has always attached great importance to talent development and hope that this cooperation can strengthen the company’s local talent pool in Southeast Asia, helping to improve the overall talent quality in the local gaming and technology industries, leading to high-quality development in the industry.”

As an important component of YOOZOO’s expansive globalization strategy, YOOZOO Singapore was established in 2018 to carry out game publishing and business operations in Southeast Asia. It has successfully released the Southeast Asian version of Saint Seiya: Awakening, Light of Thel and other products. In 2019, YOOZOO Games established an AI Innovation Lab in Singapore to develop the company’s AI business development, which has become a strategic field for YOOZOO in response to the technological advances of the industry.

YOOZOO Singapore attaches great importance to local talent recruitment and training and long-term cooperation with partners in the education industry. In April, during the implementation of the “circuit breaker” isolation measures, YOOZOO donated ¥3 million worth of laptops to students from five polytechnics in Singapore to help the students transition to online classes during the epidemic.

About YOOZOO Games YOOZOO Games is a global entertainment company specializing in game development and distribution. The company is headquartered in Shanghai with offices across Asia, Europe, and the US. Since its founding in 2009, YOOZOO has forged a strong global distribution network and launched over 40 highly successful titles including Game of Thrones Winter is Coming, the League of Angels series and Saint Seiya Awakening: Knights of the Zodiac.

Available 20th November 2020 within Europe and Australia

London, United Kingdom – 13th August 2020 – Marvelous Europe Limited is today excited to announce the Limited Edition details for the upcoming Action/Simulation game developed by Edelweiss, Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin, which will launch physically and digitally within Europe and Australia on the 20th November 2020 for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4.

This Limited Edition, known as Golden Harvest, will be available for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 platforms and will come with a selection of collectable content designed to satisfy any goddess. This Golden Harvest Edition will soon be available to pre-order from the Marvelous Games Store, as well as from selected retailers within Europe, and will have an SRP of £49.99 / €59.99.

Golden Harvest Edition Contents:
* Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin Game
* 132-page Artbook
* 3 Disc Soundtrack CD Collection
* Double Sided Poster
* Collector’s Box

A standard physical edition of Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 will also be available at selected retailers within Europe and Australia with an SRP of £34.99 / €39.99. A list of retailers expected to stock Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin can be found on the Marvelous Games website.

About Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin:
Developed by Edelweiss, the two-man team behind acclaimed indie darling Astebreed, Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin combines side-scrolling action with deep crafting and farming simulation. 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.

Key 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 flavour directly correlating to her combat abilities.
▪ Creating a Home in the Wilderness: Sakuna’s mortal companions make weapons, armour, 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 by Marvelous Europe Limited for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 in Europe and Australia, Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin will launch physically and digitally on 20th November 2020.

Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin will also be released digitally for Windows PC on STEAM via XSEED Games / Marvelous USA, Inc. on the 10th November 2020. The title has not yet been rated.

About Marvelous Europe
Founded in April 2012, Marvelous Europe is the European based publishing operation of Marvelous Inc., overseeing operations for all European territories as well as South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East. Marvelous Europe has been responsible for publishing games across various platforms, including mobile, handheld, consoles and PC. Marvelous Europe is a 100% wholly-owned subsidiary of Tokyo-based Marvelous Inc., a publicly-traded company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Nintendo Switch is a trademark of Nintendo.