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The Golden Age of Pirates Returns as 3DClouds Announce King of Seas

Multi-format release of new action role playing game scheduled for this autumn 

Milan, Italy – 16th July 2020: Unfold your sails, raise your anchor and prepare to set sail on a deadly adventure set in the golden age of pirates, as developer 3DClouds announce their new action role playing game, King of Seas

Scheduled for release in autumn 2020 for Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch, King of Seas immerses you in a time of pirates, ferocious sea battles, hidden treasure and lost islands, all set in a stunning procedurally generated game world. Embark on an epic journey to avenge the death of your father, navigating through unknown waters and waging battle with other ships as you stake your claim to become the king of all pirates.  

King of Seas’ dynamic game world will react to your every action forcing you to evaluate your strategy at every turn and adapt to the new challenges facing you. Naval routes might change meaning you will need to look for new ways to conquer settlements or adverse weather conditions might require new, more dangerous routes to be navigated when heading to islands to trade goods or upgrade your ships. Engage with an intriguing cast of characters who may steer you towards hidden treasures or lead you into deadly traps as other pirates look to plunder your gold. One thing is for certain, there are adventures to be had and battles to fight as you shape your empire on the high seas. 

“We are thrilled that after a year of hard work, we are finally ready to unveil King of Seas, our most ambitious project to date.” Commented Francesco Bruschi, Founder and CEO of 3DClouds. “We have poured all our creative talent into creating this stunning pirate world and can’t wait to share more with you in the coming weeks.” 

As a sneak peek into the world of King of Seas, 3DClouds has released a teaser trailer giving you a glimpse of the stunning locations and destructive sea battles you will encounter when the game releases this autumn. 

View the King of Seas trailer on YouTube here

King of Seas will be available this autumn for Windows PC via Steam, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. Fans can wishlist the PC version on the official King of Seas Steam page here. For all the latest information please visit the official website here or follow on social media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Discord and YouTube. 

About 3DClouds

3DClouds is a graphic studio creating multimedia productions in Computer Graphics and MultiService 3D. 

For some years 3DClouds has specialized in creating video games thanks to a team of veterans of the sector, with experience in Microsoft, Milestone and Ubisoft, and a team of young and enthusiastic talents.

3DClouds debut videogame All-Star Fruit Racing released in 2018 was a kart racer available on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Switch. The following year 2019 turned out to be a very big year for 3DClouds with three separate titles released. Xenon Racer our second game was released in the spring showcasing another example of design innovation within the racing videogames genre. In November “Race With Ryan” a second kart racing game was released which we developed for the most famous youtuber channel in the world, Ryan’s Toy Reviews. Closing out on a busy 2019 we also released CARRUMBLE, a completely new take on the brawler genre.

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It’s Hot as Buns in Here! New Desert World and Two New Bakers Announced Today For Bake ‘n Switch!

New ‘Serradurra’ Desert World Includes 3 New Buns and 50 Additional Maps, While New Bakers – Sage and Salt – Contribute new Special Abilities and Bring the Total to 6 Oven Aficionados, All Available at Launch

Kuala, Lumpur – July 16, 2020 — Streamline Games announced today that the Serradurra desert world, complete with 50 co-op levels and three new adoughrable Bun creatures, each with unique behaviors. Armadough, Fluff Fox, and Bunboa join the Bake ‘n Switch lineup for launch this Summer on PC and Nintendo Switch, with a Playstation launch around the corner. Additionally, two new Bakers – Sage and Salt – are thrown into the fray to merge, punch, and bake an army of frantically bouncing Buns before time runs out. Bake ‘n Switch is a fast-action party game for 2 to 4 players in local or online multiplayer that will test your reaction skills and your competitive edge!

Join Ginger, Rosemary, Thyme, and Parsley, along with newcomers Sage and Salt, to show these Buns who’s boss! And Baker abilities throw a little more spice into the mix! Harness Thyme’s fiery punches that bake on the spot, Ginger’s nifty dough-rising serums which double your Buns, Rosemary’s fast swinging rolling pin to whack-a-Dough, and Parsley’s distractive qualities when he unleashes a herd of kitties! Adding additional seasoning to the battle, Sage whips up a witchy brew that sucks in Mouldies and immediately bakes nearby Buns adding to your rising score, while Salt wields his crusty, grappling-hook to wrangle in runaway Doughs.

“We are very excited to finally share the expanse of the Bake ’n Switch world. We’ve hinted at it for some time, but now we’ve unleashed Serradurra, on top of Tropic Toaster, to add more Buns, more Bakers, and more interactive dynamic courts that bring new challenges and variety to the game,” said Stefan Baier, COO, developer Streamline Games. “Launching with 100 levels, 2 worlds, online co-op and pvp proves that our game can have a long shelf life, and keep players coming back for more.”

CLOSED BETA REGISTRATION FORM:
https://www.streamline-games.com/bns-closed-beta-registration

DEMO DOWNLOAD:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1080410/Bake_n_Switch/

Social Media Links:  
Steam Store: http://bit.ly/bns-steam
Discord Community: http://bit.ly/bns-discord
Facebook: http://bit.ly/bns-fb
Twitter: https://bit.ly/2OrF70k
Official Website: http://bit.ly/bns-website
YouTube: http://bit.ly/bns-youtube

About Streamline Games
Streamline Games is a Malaysian-based independent, multi-platform game development studio focused on creating and supporting full-scale video game productions from indie to AAA. Built upon long-term co-development partnerships, past major clients include Square Enix and Sony. Bake ‘n Switch is Streamline Games’ upcoming self-published title launching on PC and console platforms. STREAMLINE GAMES is part of the Streamline Family of companies, which include STREAMLINE STUDIOS and ALL PIXELS.

About Streamline Media Group
Streamline Media Group is a global video game developer and game development services company. Working through its business divisions, Streamline Studios, All Pixels by Streamline, Streamline Games, Streamframe, and Day Zero, Streamline Media Group creates games, technology, and solutions that gamers love and drive the industry forward. For more information, please visit http://www.streamline-mediagroup.com

S.C.A.R Episode 1 Now Available on Early Access

Lock and Load with Savage Studios Nostalgic Themed Shooter

Athens, Greece – July 16th 2020. Independent developer Savage Studios today announced that episode one of its visceral first-person shooter S.C.A.R (Simulating Carnage And Rockets) is now available on PC for Steam Early Access.

S.C.A.R is a retro inspired shooter where the relentless hordes of demonic creatures have only one thing on their mind, your untimely demise. To avoid becoming a red stain on the wall, you’ll look to gain the advantage over your relentless foe armed with an assortment of ridiculously devastating weaponry in the form of shotguns, grenade launchers and death dealing rocket launchers.

S.C.A.R is a nostalgic throwback to the epic shooters of yesteryear, its fast paced and unforgiving nature means that you’ll need to stay frosty as you blast your way through the relentless hordes of demonic beasts.  

“We’re really excited to bring S.C.A.R’s first episode to Steam Early Access and get constructive feedback and player insights that we can add into the game for the next episodes. The game is heavily inspired by the retro shooters we’ve all come to know and love and we’re looking to put our own spin on that with S.C.A.R.” Said Giannis Kastritis, General Manager of Savage Studios.

For more details on S.C.A.R and its first single player, single episode –  head over to the games Steam page here

About Savage Studios

Savage Studios is an in-house (business unit of AVE), Indie Game Development team made up of videogamers who have the ultimate goal of creating games they would like to play themselves.

NEW NITRO-FUELED FPS ADDICTION “HELLBOUND” RELEASES ON STEAM AUGUST 4

A 90s FPS, 30 YEARS LATER
GOING TO HELL HAS NEVER FELT SO GOOD!

Buenos Aires, Argentina, July 15th, 2020 — Argentinian developers Saibot Studios, partnering with veteran developer and now also publisher Nimble Giant, will be releasing their head-pounding homage to 90s shooters, Hellbound, on Steam August 4th! After jumpstarting the project with a  successful  Kickstarter, and releasing popular demos to give players a taste of the bloodbath, the team is excited to finally release this gloriously brutal game!

The game will transport the player to Hell, a once sacred place that is now home to unspeakable evils, where carnage of their own design awaits them. “Hellbound: Survival Mode has been available on Steam for two years, and the response from old school shooter fans has been incredible! We’ve learned a lot since the demo’s release, and have fueled that into the creation of a full-fledged campaign that will test players’ mettle as they carve their way through demons as fast as they can! Speed is the name of the game in Hellbound,” says Tobias Rusjan from Saibot Studios.

Saibot Studios, known for their episodic horror-drenched Doorways games, is cranking the fear to 11 in Hellbound with the help of Nimble Giant, creators of the innovative arena shooter Quantum League, MMORPG Champions of Regnum and the sci-fi tactics game Master of Orion: Conquer the Stars. The teams are forging their combined knowledge together to create the ultimate tribute to first-person shooter classics such as DOOM and Quake.

“This is a milestone for everyone at Nimble Giant as Hellbound is the first project where we are acting as a publisher. Partnering up with Saibot Studios was a great fit as both companies share a passion for the genre, a true commitment to quality and the ambition to deliver great games made in LatAm.” – Said Andres Chilkowski CCO at Nimble Giant Entertainment.

Players will assume the role of Hellgore, a hulking brute that in his own words, is all about “blood, nukes, earthquakes, serious action, and most importantly, BIG F***ING GUNS!” And who better to represent this huge chunk of muscle than voice actor Artie Widgery?

To get a taste of the character’s power, and his journey through Hell, be sure to check out the new gameplay video here.
 
Key Features

  • FAST-PACED ACTION: Be consumed by the relentless gameplay that rips you through demon dominated levels!
  • WEAPON SELECTION: How you slaughter monsters is just as important as doing it. Can someone say Triple Shotgun?  
  • DEVASTATING POWERS: Pairing those weapons with boosts such as increased damage and speed ratchets up the action another notch!
  • MONSTROUS GRAPHICS: Hellbound delivers high-resolution gameplay without sacrificing the nostalgic feeling.
  • A CAVALCADE OF DEMONS: Enhancing the gameplay is demonic variety, pushing the player to tackle the game in different ways.
  • Kick a**es while listening to the soundtrack composed by the great David Levill, with invited artists Federico Ágreda “Zardonic” and Christian Fernando Perucchi.
  • 7 campaign levels, 4 survival arenas, 8 classes of enemies, 5 heavy weapons, 3 power-ups, and tons of secrets to discover!
     

Supporting Links
Hellbound Website
Hellbound Twitter
Hellbound Discord
Saibot Studios’ Twitter
Nimble Giant’s Website

About Saibot Studios
Saibot Studios is an independent studio comprised of native Argentines that collectively bring a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience to the project, whether that be game development, art, and design, or music composition. The horror crafted by their Doorways series of episodic games is married with the FPS action that the team grew up on in Hellbound.

About Nimble Giant Entertainment
Nimble Giant (formerly known as NGD Studios) brings nearly twenty years of experience in all corners of gaming to Hellbound. Founded in 2002, is one of the leading game development studios in Latin America. The studio’s first major release, Champions of Regnum was the first commercial MMORPG made in the region. The latest published title is Quantum League, an innovative arena shooter with time-travelling mechanics. More at www.nimblegiant.com

UNHOLY TRINITY: IMMORTAL REALMS: VAMPIRE WARS SUMMONS THIRD DEVELOPER FEATURETTE

Vampiric strategy title continues its warpath with penultimate developer featurette and exclusive livestream

Sydney, Australia – (16 July, 2020) – Publisher Kalypso Media and developer Palindrome Interactive have shared the next developer featurette for Immortal Realms: Vampire Wars, diving deep into the game’s unique blend of turn-based vampiric combat and empire management.

The penultimate featurette filmed at Palindrome Interactive continues to explore Immortal Realms: Vampire Wars‘ unique gameplay fusion of empire management and strategic turn-based combat, detailing the overworld ‘Kingdom’ mode and microcosmic ‘Battle’ mode, in which players will pit their armies against rival clans and hordes of monstrous beasts. The featurette also discusses the classes of unit unique to each vampire clan and those abilities and tactics players can wield to strengthen their chance of victory on the battlefield.

Catch up on the first two instalments in our Immortal Realms: Vampire Wars developer featurette series:

Part I – An Introduction to Immortal Realms: Vampire Wars

Part II – The Gameplay and Systems of Immortal: Realms Vampire Wars

INFORMATION
Title: Immortal Realms: Vampire Wars
Platforms: Windows PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch™  
Developer: Palindrome Interactive
Genre: Empire management/turn-based strategy
Release date: 28/08/2020 – Windows PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Hashtag: #ImmortalRealms

Store links: 

Immortal Realms: Vampire Wars will launch on 28th August for Windows PC on Steam, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. The closed beta is available to those pre-purchasing at the Kalypso Store, and the Microsoft Store via Xbox Game Preview.

Information:

Immortal Realms: Vampire Wars is an engaging strategy game set in a dark vampire world in turmoil, that combines empire management and turn-based vampiric combat. Descend into a mythical world filled with horrors, legends and compelling gothic epos paired with a challenging game experience. 

Features:

  • The truth unfolds: Discover the secrets of Nemire, and experience an enthralling story spanning across 12 meticulously crafted missions and four unique environments, from the perspective of four mighty vampire lords, each with their own goals and agendas.
  • Discover the bloodlines: Command one of three unique vampire clans with distinctive units, powers, gameplay mechanics and characters. Play as the bloodthirsty Dracul, the ancient Nosfernus or the mystical Moroia
  • Vampiric powers: Powerful spells and abilities enhance the gameplay and provide a refreshing take on the genre. Each clan and vampire lord has access to their own set of abilities, which can be synergized into powerful combinations.
  • Strategy & tactics: Command legendary armies, recruit new units and unlock crucial technologies in the strategic Kingdom mode, and put tactical skills to the test in the action-packed Combat mode.
  • Varied content: Choose from three different gameplay modes: the story-driven Campaign, the open-world Sandbox, and the hard-fought Skirmish.

About the Kalypso Media Group
Kalypso Media Group GmbH is a fully independent publisher, developer and marketer of interactive entertainment software with 100 employees in 8 locations in Germany, England and the United States, including Kasedo Games, Kalypso Media’s digital-first label, and three development studios – Realmforge Studios (Munich), Gaming Minds Studios (Gütersloh) and Claymore Game Studios (Darmstadt).
Specializing in developing strategy games for a global audience on all modern platforms, Kalypso Media’s IP portfolio includes the full rights to the Tropico series, Commandos, Port Royale, Dungeons, Sudden Strike, and Railway Empire. Kalypso Media’s recent releases are Commandos 2 – HD Remaster and Praetorians – HD Remaster and Railway Empire – Nintendo Switch™ Edition, and Dungeons 3 – Complete Collection. Upcoming releases include Railway Empire – Complete Collection (07/08/20), Immortal Realms: Vampire Wars (28/08/20), Port Royale 4 (25/09/20) and Spacebase Startopia (23/10/20). Kasedo Games’ recent releases include Filament. Upcoming releases include Distant Kingdoms and console versions of Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus.
More information about the Kalypso Media Group is available at www.kalypsomedia.com.

Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen Review

Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen

Developer: Aquaplus
Publisher: NIS America
Platforms: PlayStation 4 (Reviewed), PS Vita
Release Date: Available Now
Price: $59.99 – Available Here

Overview

The Utawarerumono series has always had a somewhat unique barrier to entry for those who have wanted to see what it has to offer. The first game in the series was released long ago in 2002 as an eroge in Japan and, considering it featured a number of sex scenes to go along with its visual novel storytelling and strategy RPG combat, a Western release was never in the cards. Years later an anime adaptation was created and eventually brought to the West but for the most part, many Utawarerumono fans who jumped into the two sequels in the series’ trilogy would be needing to do either some research, try out the original release themselves through fan-efforts, or go in blind. Now though, the first game in the series has been brought to the West with a number of updates in the form of Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen. With two games following in its wake and serving as a significant building block on how those stories unfolded, is this first entry finally worth revisiting?

Story

Being set as the first game that led directly into the two games, Mask of Deception and Mask of Truth, players who may have already completed those two will likely already have some clues as to what to expect regarding some of the events that happen in Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen but thankfully not only do these sequels still leave plenty open for players to learn in the original release, but players lose nothing by jumping right into this entry first should they choose to, given it is the original game after all.

Players will take on the role of a man who awakens in a small rural village where he has been grievously injured. With help from the villagers, he manages to recover enough to realize that he has no idea who he is or even what he is, but the existence of people with animal ears and tails are not a familiar one to him. To make things worse, besides his memory loss Hakuowlo also appears to be the only one without any of these animal-like traits but instead has a mask permanently stuck to the top of his face. 

After some mishaps, his caretakers, Eruruu and Aruruu, name him Hakuowlo and invite him to join their village and nearly as a member of the family at the same time. Despite his memory loss, Hakuowlo’s knowledge of how to properly farm and handle a number of tasks that one would think of as simple by modern standards appear nearly magical to those who live in the village. With the village thriving and managing to defend itself against wild monsters, it isn’t long before they draw the eyes of those wishing to take advantage of this prosperity as the actions of a greedy lord lead towards a rebellion rising from within the village, led by Hakuowlo in an attempt to protect those he holds dear, even if it means growing into a nation of their own.

うたわれるもの 散りゆく者への子守唄_20180419161454

Those familiar with the Utawarerumono series at all will know that the franchise is one that likes to focus on small interpersonal events while also delivering massive grand scale developments at the same time and this holds true especially in Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen. While things may end up becoming a bit slow at times, there is something to be said with how well the relationships between the cast are interwoven with major plot developments. 

Players will get to spend plenty of time with most of the cast and see their interactions with one another and Hakuowlo, especially when it comes to most of the female cast, leading to a greater attachment to what they are truly fighting for, providing proper build-up for significant scenes to play out. It is interesting to note that players will likely want to make sure to regularly check the game’s glossary (accessible at any time) as it updates often with the names of characters, villages, countries, and much more and considering how heavily these terms are used, it is best to become familiar with them. 

This also plays into how deep and developed this storyline becomes over time as things are never quite what they seem and while going any further into it would be considered spoilers, even for those who have tried the sequels, Prelude to the Fallen goes places players never would have expected.

Gameplay

While the majority of the player’s time with Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen will be with the game’s visual novel portions where, outside of the occasional choice of what event the player wants to see first, is a kinetic novel one, there will also be plenty of tactical battles mixed in as well. Anytime battle is entered in the story, players will find themselves placed on a grid-based map and assigned a certain win objective, usually these involve defeating all foes or reaching a certain location, and loss objectives ranging from having Hakuowlo be defeated to having too many turns pass and numerous other variations.

Combat is handled in a turn based order with each unit being able to use one action such as attack, use an item, or perform a skill, and move during their turn, though it is worth noting that Eruruu is the exception and can only perform healing on other units instead of attacking. The straightforward combat system is something that might be a bit unusual for fans of tactical RPGs that usually require a bit of extra thought and layout but generally the only thing players need to worry about when it comes to taking down foes in combat here is positioning and proper healing.

Attacking a foe from the side or from behind deals extra damage and there is something of a timing system to attacks that allow characters to earn extra “Zeal” when timed properly. A character with a full zeal gauge can dish out a combo attack that deals extra damage and eventually can unleash powerful Final Strikes that can devastate a foe when used properly. It is interesting to note that players will also have access to a “Rewind” feature that can be used to undo a previous action should the results not play out in their favor or they unnecessarily overkilled a foe. This can lead to things being a bit on the easy side on Normal difficulty, though there is the option to play on a harder difficulty at any time should the player choose.

うたわれるもの 散りゆく者への子守唄_20180420180832

With maneuvering and positioning your team being the only real strategy here, players will not really need to be too concerned about character progression though it is available in some minor ways here. While fighting any units that deal damage or heal an ally will gain experience points and level up, growing stronger across the board, while “BP” accrued from fighting can be used to boost only three stats in the form of attack, physical defense, and magical defense, and equipment is kept to a fairly small scale here, allowing players to only have one item per unit to provide some boost in strength. This lack of depth will likely disappoint many looking for a more tactical RPG but is something that is easily accessible to most newcomers to the genre or those who simply want to enjoy the story.

Visuals & Audio

When one considers that the original game was released in 2002 and eventually given a PlayStation 2 release in 2006, it is clear that Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen has come a long way, even if it often seems like many of the combat arenas and scenes feel more like remasters from the original than something built from the ground-up. The character models have seen a solid improvement with a unique looking art style in battle but where the game really shines is during its visual novel sequences. These moments have been touched-up and look outstanding with plenty of variety when it comes to character portraits and a great sense of design for the majority of the cast. There are also a number of amazing looking CGs that regularly appear throughout the title, often to introduce new characters or show off important scenes.

うたわれるもの 散りゆく者への子守唄_20180419133028

It is worth noting that this release features only the original Japanese voice track recorded by, seemingly at least, all of the returning voice actors for the cast and they play their roles incredibly well here with some great localization efforts being handled by NIS America. The soundtrack can come in two different versions should the player prefer. The original music is available should the player want to have the most well-tuned experience with the scenes being portrayed but there is also a version that mixes in additional tracks from the latter two entries in the series, giving a more updated approach and this ability to choose is highly appreciated.

Overall

After all these years and finally seeing the sequels released and localized in English, the original Utawarerumono game has finally made its way to the West in official fashion and it continues to tell an amazingly detailed storyline with a great sense of character and relationship building used to drive the major plot events home even harder. It is a bit unfortunate that while the story may be as great as ever for the series, Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen’s combat can leave a lot to be desired at times as those looking for a deep system will be disappointed by the simpleness of customization and tactical combat options.

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

Coming Soon to Xbox Game Pass for Console and PC: Yakuza Kiwami 2, Carrion, Grounded (Game Preview), and More

by Megan Spurr, Community Manager, Xbox Game Pass

I’m here once again to tell you that we have more games coming to Xbox Game Pass (this part never gets old) for console and PC! Today we‘ve got a beefy list of games coming soon, DLC, free game updates, Perks, Quests, and games that snuck in as a surprise since I gave you our last update. Time to rearrange your gaming priority list. Let’s jump in!

Coming Soon

Forager (Console & PC) ID@Xbox – July 16

Explore, craft, gather and manage resources, find secrets, and build your base out of nothing! Forager is a 2D open world game inspired by exploration, farming and crafting games. Start small, buy land to explore, improve your base, and build your future as you see fit!

Mount & Blade: Warband (Console) ID@Xbox – July 16

In a land torn asunder by incessant warfare, it is time to assemble your own band of hardened warriors and enter the fray. Lead your men into battle, expand your realm, and claim the ultimate prize: the throne of Calradia! Mount & Blade: Warband is a stand-alone expansion pack for the game that brought medieval battlefields to life with its realistic mounted combat and detailed fighting system.

Carrion (Console & PC) ID@Xbox – July 23

A reverse horror game in which you assume the role of an amorphous creature of unknown origin. Stalk and consume those that imprisoned you to spread fear and panic throughout the facility. Grow and evolve as you tear down this prison and acquire more and more devastating abilities on the path to retribution. Pre-install on console or PC now!

Golf With Your Friends (PC) ID@Xbox – July 23

Why have friends if not to play golf… with your friends! Take on multiple mini-golf courses from jungle adventures all the way to a sci-fi space station. Par-tee online with up to 12 players and try your hand at different game modes including classic mode, hoops, and hockey.

Grounded – Xbox Game Preview(Console & PC) – July 28

The world is a vast, beautiful, and dangerous place – especially when you have been shrunken to the size of an ant. Explore, build, and survive together in this cooperative survival-adventure. Can you thrive alongside the hordes of giant insects, fighting to survive the perils of the backyard? Join our community and help shape the future of Grounded in Xbox Game Preview on July 28.

In Case You Missed It

We snuck in a few surprise games – just trying to keep you on your toes. Here are a few that are available now!

Endless Space 2 (PC)

The sequel to the two-time Unity-award winning Endless Space! Endless Space 2 is Amplitude Studios’ turn-based 4X space-strategy game that launches players into the space colonization age of different civilizations within the Endless universe.

Halo 3 (PC)

Finish the fight between the Covenant, the Flood and the entire human race in the dramatic, pulse-pounding conclusion to the original Halo trilogy. Relive 11 unforgettable missions and fight through 24 multiplayer maps, complete with enhanced Spartan customization and an all-new progression system spanning each game within Halo: The Master Chief Collection.

Neon Abyss (Console & PC) ID@Xbox

Unleash the power of Grim Squad in Neon Abyss, a frantic, roguelite action-platformer where you run ‘n’ gun your way through procedurally generated dungeons to take down the New Gods. Featuring unlimited item synergies, a unique dungeon evolution system and a host of mini-games – you can even hatch and evolve pets to cause more carnage. Each run diversifies the experience and every choice alters the ruleset.

DLC / Game Updates

Gears 5: Operation 4: Brothers in Arms

Gears 5’s newest update, Operation 4: Brothers in Arms, brings the largest one-time drop of characters since launch and completes the original Delta Squad with Dom Santiago. The update also streamlines progression, rewards, and introduces a new ranking system. The update is free to all Gears 5 owners and will be available as of yesterday.

Microsoft Flight Simulator – Pre-Install for Windows 10 PC

The sky is calling. Experience the joy of flight in the next generation of Microsoft Flight Simulator available with Xbox Game Pass for PC on August 18th. From light planes to wide-body jets, fly highly detailed and accurate aircraft. Test your piloting skills against the challenges of night flying, real-time atmospheric simulation and live weather in a dynamic and living world. Create your flight plan to anywhere on the planet. The world is at your fingertips.  Xbox Game Pass members can pre-install now, so you’re ready to play on day one!

Free Minecraft Map – Glitch Runner

Upload your consciousness and get ready to run in this infinite cyber-parkour course where one wrong step can be the end of you. You’re tasked with carrying an energy core without dropping it while the world behind you deteriorates! Also, did you know that you can purchase Minecraft for Xbox One at a discount using your Xbox Game Pass membership? And if you want to plus up your experience, both the Master and Starter collections have more DLC included and are also discounted for Xbox Game Pass members.

Overcooked! 2 Sun’s Out Buns Out – Free Console Update Out Now!

Overcooked! 2 is bringing you a new helping of chaotic cooking with a celebratory free update on Xbox One. Are you ready to parade through the Onion Kingdom to five new kitchens? Expect lots of fireworks, confetti, and floats to really heat up your gameplay. New dog chefs at the ready, play the free Sun’s Out Buns Out update on July 16!

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks

We have two brand new Perks for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members that launched on July 14 and can be claimed right now! (Bonus tip: You can see all the perks and claim them from the Xbox (Beta) App for Windows 10!)

Bless Unleashed

Charge into battle with an exclusive mount and boost your adventure with Valor Perks and 1,000 Lumena. Unleash your potential and fight your way to victory!

Smite

Unlock the Gods for Avatar! Claim your Avatar Starter Pass including 3,000 Battle Pass Points, instant access to Merlin, Skadi, Susano and their Voice Packs, and a Daily Deal Token.

Xbox Game Pass Quests

July Quests have arrived! There are dozens available, but here’s a few for all Xbox Game Pass members:

  • Minecraft Nether Update: Earn any two achievements – 75 points
  • Disneyland Adventures: Collect 150,000 coins – 75 points

Check back for daily, weekly, and monthly Quests on your console or Game Pass mobile app. See all your quests in the Xbox Game Pass mobile app! Redeem points for more Game Pass, Xbox gift cards and giveaway entries.  

Leaving Soon 

We gave you a big list of games coming soon and game updates and DLC… but you might also want to re-prioritise what games you’re playing now to wrap these gems up before they’re gone. Not ready to say goodbye? Use your membership discount to get these games for up to 20% off while they are still in our library and play them any time!

Leaving July 31

  • Ashes Cricket (Console)
  • RiME (Console & PC)
  • The Banner Saga 3 (Console & PC)

Remind your friends if they want to get in on this pile of games, they can try their first month for $1! We’ll update you when each of these games are available to play on Twitter and Instagram, and in the meantime we’re going to start planning out our first flight path. Cheers!

SECOND MARVEL’S AVENGERS WAR TABLE DIGITAL STREAM PREMIERES JULY 30

Marvel’s Avengers War Table Will Dive Deep into the Game’s Upcoming Beta Program, Which Starts August 7th

SYDNEY, 16th July 2020 Today, SQUARE ENIX® announced that the next Marvel’s Avengers War Table digital stream will premiere on July 30 at 3am AEST / 5am NZST and will provide an exclusive in-depth look at the Marvel’s Avengers beta program, which begins on August 7.

Fans can watch via the PlayAvengers.com channel.

The Marvel’s Avengers War Table offers a world-premiere look at new trailers and information about the upcoming Super Hero game. The first digital stream debuted on June 24 and included a reveal of new Thor gameplay, details on the game’s central villain, MODOK (Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing), and brand-new information about War Zones, the game’s team-based missions, including their structure and how the Avengers become even more powerful when working together.

Watch the first Marvel’s Avengers War Table Here

On July 30, the second Marvel’s Avengers War Table will give the most complete look to date at what players can expect from the game’s upcoming beta program, which launches August 7. Fans can anticipate several exclusive new videos that will dive deep into the content that will be included in the beta, as well as insight about the design and creation of Marvel’s Avengers. Attentive viewers may also spot hidden details inserted to whet their appetite for future content and announcements.

ABOUT THE MARVEL’S AVENGERS BETA PROGRAM

The Marvel’s Avengers beta program begins on August 7 exclusively for PlayStation 4 owners who have pre-ordered the game and will be available until August 9. On August 14, the beta will open up for all PlayStation 4 owners and run until August 16.

The beta for those who pre-ordered Marvel’s Avengers on Xbox One and PC will begin on August 14 and will run until August 16.

Finally, on August 21, the beta program will be open to all PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC players and run through August 23.

A full infographic on platforms and dates can be found here.

A Square Enix Members account will be required to play the beta. Players can sign up for the account for free at https://membership.square-enix.com/register. Everyone who signs up for an account will receive a Thor in-game nameplate in the final game.

ABOUT MARVEL’S AVENGERS

Marvel’s Avengers offers players a truly rich experience, with a combination of Hero Missions and War Zones. Hero Missions are single-player only and are part of the initial Campaign. They are designed to showcase each hero’s unique abilities as you reassemble your growing roster. War Zones can be played solo or with a group of up to four players* as any Hero in your roster. Each mission dynamically scales based on the team size and player level.
 
Players in Marvel’s Avengers will also be able to customize Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in a number of ways. While each Super Hero will play true to their unique power sets, each will have the flexibility to play differently based on the gear you equip them with and the skills you enable, so no two player’s heroes will play in exactly the same way. Each hero has dynamic combo systems, Heroic moves, an intrinsic ability, and signature move sets to unlock and customize – many inspired by classic moves from the 80 years of Marvel history in all media, others crafted as originals just for this game.
 
Players also customize these iconic Super Heroes with classic, fan-favorite, and all-new original outfits inspired by over 80-years of Marvel history, including Iron Man’s suit from the 2014 Original Sin storyline, or Thor’s Donald Blake identity, which is a nod to an alias of Thor’s who first appeared in 1962’s Journey into Mystery issue 83.
 
Marvel’s Avengers is an ambitious game, starting with a global high-stakes race to rebuild the Avengers. But that’s just the beginning. To ensure a continuing heroic experience for all players, the narrative of Marvel’s Avengers expands, and threats escalate with each new post-release Super Hero, region and story arc delivered to players at no additional cost once they own the core game.
 
Marvel’s Avengers will release simultaneously for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC on September 4, 2020. Marvel’s Avengers will be available on PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X when the consoles launch in Holiday 2020. Players who own the current-gen version of the game will be able to upgrade to the next-gen version at no additional cost, regardless if players are moving from PlayStation® 4 to PlayStation 5 or Xbox One to Xbox Series X. Those moving their saves to next-gen will transfer their player profiles and progression so they can pick up right where they left off. In addition, cross-gen play will be supported so PS5™ players will be able to play with their friends on PS4™ and Xbox Series X players will be connected with their friends on Xbox One.

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


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

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Cinematic Visual Novel Necrobarista Brews Up July 22 PC Release

Percolating onto Steam next week

MELBOURNE, VIC – 22 July 2020 – Necrobarista, the cinematic cel-shaded visual novel from Route 59 Games, pours onto Steam for Windows PC on 22 July 2020.

Discover a tale of mystery, magic, and, depending on who asks, the best/worst coffee around. Hidden in an unassuming alleyway lies The Terminal, a café that serves as a waypoint between the lands of the living and the dead, where any one of the patrons could be a spirit from beyond. With strict rules defining how long ghosts can spend in the corporeal realm before being forced to pass on, running this café is more complicated than your typical Melbourne coffeehouse.

Apprentice necromancer Maddy has just taken ownership of The Terminal and all its magical responsibilities. Follow her story and those of mechanics-obsessed teen Ashley, infamous Australian outlaw Ned Kelly, exasperated necromancer Chay, and a cast of other colorful characters through their dark pasts and the secrets behind the place linking them all together.

Stemming from a desire to elevate visual novels, Necrobarista moves beyond text boxes, making the narrative central to each scene with collectable keywords giving further insight into the characters and themes of the world. Every chapter of the story is interspersed with first-person exploration sequences that allow patrons to delve deeper into The Terminal while also providing the opportunity to choose which narrative threads to investigate next.

With each shot carefully composed, every new line of dialogue brings dynamism and elements of cinema to the experience. Inspired by anime, Necrobarista translates traditional 2D art styles into a vibrant 3D world and pairs those influences with a soundtrack by award-winning anime and games composer Kevin Penkin (Made in Abyss, Tower of God, The Rising of the Shield Hero, Florence).

Necrobarista is an extra-caffeinated blend of our love for games, anime, and our hometown,” said Kevin Chen, lead designer, Route 59 Games. “The resulting brew is something uniquely Australian and we’re thrilled to finally serve up our magical world and immerse everyone in coffee puns when the game launches on Steam for PC next week.”

Necrobarista will be available for $19.99 / €16.79 / £15.49 / $24.95 AUD via Steam. Supported languages include English, French (European and Canadian), Italian, German, Spanish, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Japanese, Korean, Russian, Turkish, Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, and Dutch. Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 releases will be served in 2021.

To learn more, visit Necrobarista’s website or join the community on Discord and Twitter.

About Route 59 Games

Route 59 Games is a Melbourne-based indie studio comprised of industry veterans dedicated to creating interesting narrative games. They came together in 2015 to create Necrobarista by combining their love of anime and visual novels to innovate and rejuvenate the genre.

TURTLE BEACH AND ROCCAT TEAM-UP WITH POP CULTURE AND ESPORTS CREATOR AND HOST ERIN ASHLEY SIMON

San Diego, CA – July 15, 2020 – Leading gaming headset and accessory brand Turtle Beach (Nasdaq: HEAR) and PC peripherals brand, ROCCAT, today announced a new multi-year partnership as the official gaming audio and accessories partner of Erin Ashley Simon. Ms. Simon is a multimedia personality, host, and producer at the forefront of contemporary culture, with Forbes calling her “the future of esports storytelling” in a 2019 article. Together, Turtle Beach, ROCCAT, and Ms. Simon will produce content highlighting the power and benefit of using high-quality gaming equipment on the digital battlefield and during broadcasts, and Ms. Simon will also have a hand in helping to shape Turtle Beach and ROCCAT’s future marketing initiatives by working with the internal teams to help craft campaigns, features, and stories. “When we look for partners, we seek leaders who share our passion for gaming and we’re impressed with everything Erin represents as a creator, a communicator, and a player,” said Juergen Stark, CEO, Turtle Beach. “It’s an honor to have Erin join us and work with both the Turtle Beach and ROCCAT brands so we can further excel in more areas of gaming, culture, and content.”

Erin Ashley Simon was a gamer well before gaming influencers and content creators started gaining mainstream attention. A decade ago, as gaming culture began to expand, she harnessed the power of blogging and evolved her insight and entertainment abilities into the Grass Routes podcast, a show she continues to host today. Many will also recognize Erin as a familiar face from numerous esports events, and she was also previously a host of Cheddar Esports. Erin sees her ties in gaming, music, and entertainment as powerful assets as she creates unique content illuminating the intersection of gaming and pop culture.

“It’s been exhilarating to witness the speed of the evolution of gaming, and to be able to harness that energy and introduce the culture to an even wider audience,” said Ms. Simon. “Turtle Beach and ROCCAT’s gear definitely elevates my gaming with the best sound and precision tools for the job, but more importantly they amplify my vision for what gaming can become and I’m thrilled to have partners as devoted to gaming as I am.”

For more information on the latest Turtle Beach products and accessories, visit https://www.turtlebeach.com, and be sure to follow Turtle Beach on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For more information on ROCCAT’s line-up of high-quality, German-engineered PC gaming accessories, visit www.roccat.org.

About Turtle Beach Corporation

Turtle Beach Corporation (www.corp.turtlebeach.com) is one of the world’s leading gaming audio and accessory providers, headquartered in San Diego, CA. The Turtle Beach brand (www.turtlebeach.com) is known for pioneering first-to-market features and patented innovations in high-quality, comfort-driven headsets for all levels of gamer, making it a fan-favorite brand and the market leader in console gaming audio for the last decade. Turtle Beach’s ROCCAT brand (www.roccat.org) combines detail-loving German innovation with a genuine passion for designing the best PC gaming products. Under the ROCCAT brand, Turtle Beach creates award-winning keyboards, mice, headsets, mousepads, and other PC accessories. Turtle Beach’s shares are traded on the Nasdaq Exchange under the symbol: HEAR.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking information and statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Except for historical information contained in this release, statements in this release may constitute forward-looking statements regarding assumptions, projections, expectations, targets, intentions or beliefs about future events. Statements containing the words “may”, “could”, “would”, “should”, “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “estimate”, “target”, “goal”, “project”, “intend” and similar expressions, or the negatives thereof, constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current belief and expectations, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management.

While the Company believes that its expectations are based upon reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurances that its goals and strategy will be realized. Numerous factors, including risks and uncertainties, may affect actual results and may cause results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements made by the Company or on its behalf. Some of these factors include, but are not limited to, risks related to the Company’s partnerships with influencers, athletes, and esports teams and organizations, the substantial uncertainties inherent in the acceptance of existing and future products, the difficulty of commercializing and protecting new technology, the impact of competitive products and pricing, general business and economic conditions including the impact of coronavirus on consumer demands and manufacturing capabilities, risks associated with the expansion of our business including the integration of any businesses we acquire and the integration of such businesses within our internal control over financial reporting and operations, our indebtedness, the Company’s liquidity, and other factors discussed in our public filings, including the risk factors included in  the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and the Company’s other periodic reports. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company is under no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement after the date of this release whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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