HARRY POTTER MEETS PROFESSOR LAYTON IN THE LATEST TITLE FROM THE CREATORS OF “FARAWAY” AND “THE BIRDCAGE”

Zagreb, Croatia, June 3, 2020 — Developer Pine Studio, the company behind the well-received Faraway puzzle adventure series, has announced that its latest Harry Potter and Professor Layton-inspired title, “The Academy: The First Riddle,” will launch June 19 on PC and Mac via Steam, the App Store and Google Play. The game will arrive to Playstation 4, Xbox One and the Nintendo Switch later this summer. 

“We’re huge fans of the Professor Layton series and its colorful puzzles,” says Pine Studio’s Boris Barbir. “We wanted to make a game that would allow players on all platforms to experience that thrill of getting a puzzle just right. We are big fans of Harry Potter, so the school is greatly inspired by Hogwarts, but it’s also inspired by the architecture of our city, Zagreb. Early on in development, it became clear that what we actually set off to achieve was to capture the essence of being a kid – the feeling that adventure lies around every corner.”

The game will place players in the shoes of Sam, a freshman at Arbor’s famed, yet mysterious, Academy. Over the course of this roughly 20-hour adventure, fans will sink their teeth into over 200 puzzles and riddles scattered across the campus. The puzzles will guide the players through the central story of the game and the mystery looming over the school. When fans aren’t busy unraveling the school’s past, they’ll be able to engage in a host of fun activities with an array of memorable characters.

The Academy: The First Riddle will launch June 19 on PC and Mac via Steam for $19.99, on Google Play, and the App Store for $9.99. The title will arrive to Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch later this summer.

To keep up to date with all the latest information on The Academy: The First Riddle, please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, join our Discord, and visit our website.

About Pine Studio
Based in Zagreb, Croatia, Pine Studio aims to offer innovative and thought-provoking interactive entertainment across PC, Mac, consoles, and mobile platforms. From hardcore FPS platformers like SEUM: Speedrunners From Hell to puzzle adventure games like the Faraway series, Pine Studio’s work has reached nearly 30 million players worldwide. The developer’s latest title, The Academy, is set to arrive on PC, Mac, Google Play, and the App Store on June 19. The game will launch for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch later this summer. Visit http://pinestudio.com/ for more information.

Gear.Club Unlimited 2 takes its supercars to the world famous 24 Hours of Le Mans and adds a new motorsport campaign.

Sydney, June 4, 2020 – Microids and Eden Games are delighted to announce the upcoming release of Gear.Club Unlimited 2 – Tracks Edition, available for the Nintendo Switch on August 27th. This new edition will include the renowned track from the 24 hours of Le Mans alongside some new legendary race cars! Gear.Club Unlimited – Tracks Edition will include all the content available in Gear.Club Unlimited 2 and will focus on a racing experience closer to a real motorsport competition: pit stops, tires, fuel management, and race strategy.

On top of the already available tracks, players will be able to take on the challenging circuit of the most prestigious racing event: the 24 hours of Le Mans! From the qualifying session to the race strategy, racers will have to perform in every compartment to finish on the podium.

Only the very best will have what it takes to finish first and win the legendary Ford GT40 MK I, winner of the 1968 and 1969 editions of Le Mans. No less than 4 other racing cars are joining Gear.Club Unlimited’s roster: Nissan GT-R LM Nismo, Porsche 919 Hybrid, Mercedes AMG GT3 and Bentley Continental GT3-R. Also note that 13 of the cars already present in GCU2 will get their “motorsport” version in this new edition.

Gear.Club Unlimited 2 – Tracks Edition Content:

• All previously released Gear.Club Unlimited 2 content including the following DLCs: Packs Arrows, Checker, Hazard and Wings
• The DLCs Gear.Club Classics and Ace of the Road
• A brand new campaign
• 5 new tracks, including the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit
• 5 new cars built for motorsport and 13 cars prepared for the  «Endurance Championship» campaign
• A new time attack mode. Challenge the fastest racers in the world and get your name on the leader board! – Every combination track/car will have its very own leader board.

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Gear.Club Unlimited 2 – Tracks Edition will be released exclusively for the Nintendo Switch in retail and on the Nintendo eShop on the 25^th of August 2020 in the US and on the 27^th of August in Europe!

The game will support subtitles in English, French, Spanish, Dutch, Italian, German, Russian, Portuguese, Korean, Japanese and traditional Chinese.

International League of Legends tournament Red Bull Solo Q arrives in Australia, offering fans an opportunity of a lifetime.

• Australian qualifiers will take place from June 19 – July 5 with the finals taking place on July 11
• The National Champion will secure a spot in the Chiefs Esports Club Academy
• The National Champion will journey on to the Red Bull Solo Q World Finals in Germany at the end of 2020.

Sydney, June 1. The official 1v1 League of Legends (LoL) tournament is coming to Australia for the first time as Red Bull Solo Q registrations open today. Last year, the competition ran in 29 countries – branded as Red Bull Player One – and saw 25,000 registrants battling for the title. This season, with Australia joining over 35 countries participating in the circuit, will we see an Aussie on the finals stage?

Red Bull Solo Q puts a twist on a typical League of Legends match, pitting player against player in a bracket of 1v1 duels. The first player to earn ‘First blood!’, destroy the opponents´ tower or reach a 100-minion score wins the duel. The Australian winner will earn a spot on the global stage at the Red Bull Solo Q World Finals in Frankfurt, Germany this December, along with an invitation to join The Chiefs Esports Club League of Legends Academy Program.

The Solo Q Australian Champion will join the Chiefs ESC Academy Program, where for three months they’ll receive fortnightly, one-on-one coaching sessions from the League of Legends Team Coach, Chris ‘Seeel’ Lee as well as a Chiefs team member. The program will aim to help bootcamp them in preparation for the Red Bull Solo Q World Finals.

As part of the partnership with League of Legends Global Esports Events, the winner of Red Bull Solo Q World Finals will get to experience the 2020 League of Legends All-Star Event firsthand! The champion will participate in the League’s annual year-end celebration alongside some of the game’s biggest esports athletes and streaming personalities, playing in special showcases and attending exclusive parties.

Top athletes and many more well-known faces from the LoL scene, including The Chiefs, will make special appearances throughout the tournament. You can catch the likes of Thien and Claire as they share some tips and tricks to help players level up their game ahead of the tournament. Red Bull also continues their collaboration with one of the most popular faces in the League of Legends community: sjokz, who will return as the global brand ambassador for Red Bull Solo Q.

Players who think they have what it takes can register from today at redbull.com/soloq, with qualifiers kicking off on June 19. Those who successfully climb through the qualification bracket will meet in the Regional Finals on July 11 to see who will represent Australia in the World Finals.

Visit redbull.com/soloq for more information, including format, rules and eligibility, and additional announcements!

How to participate

Australians looking to participate can register via the Red Bull Solo Q website here: www.redbull.com/soloq

Dates & Timings

Qualifiers

Day 1 – Friday June 19th
Day 2 – Saturday June 20th
Day 3 – Sunday June 21st
Day 4 – Friday June 26th
Day 5 – Saturday June 27th
Day 6 – Sunday June 28th
Day 7 – Saturday July 4th
Day 8 – Sunday July 5th

Finals

Finals – Saturday July 11th

About Red Bull Gaming / esports *

Red Bull gives you wings – in gaming and real life. We have built up personalities in gaming and hosted and supported esports events for a long time. Some of the most notable athletes promoted include streaming superstar Ninja, the 2019 Dota 2 world champions OG, and many more. We are partners with the League of Legends Global Esports Events and numerous regional leagues around the world, including the League of Legends European Championship (LEC), Campeonato Brasileiro de League of Legends (CBLOL), and League of Legends Championship Series (LCS). Apart from Red Bull Solo Q, we host tournaments – like the Red Bull Kumite – that gives world class players the chance to stand out. Explore the world behind the can and visit the hub on redbull.com/esports or redbull.com/gaming. Our hubs feature the latest trends in gaming, esports and lifestyle. It is a focal point for getting information about exciting upcoming Red Bull events, plus there is a section aimed at players in particular who want to improve their skills.

About Chiefs Esports Club

Founded in 2014, the Chiefs are the premier Esports & Gaming Entertainment club in Australia & New Zealand. Our teams compete on the world’s largest esport stages and our content creators entertain thousands of people online every single week.

Our academy program is designed to nurture up and coming talent within our region and get players into a competitive environment where they can grow both in and out of the game. Our developmental philosophy exists across all our titles where our core belief is developing and supporting the region’s next generation of esports stars.

More Red Bull Gaming / esports

Red Bull Solo Q Discord: https://discordapp.com/invite/redbullsoloq2020
Web:  https://redbull.com/gaming /  https://redbull.com/esports
Twitter: https://twitter.com/redbullgaming
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redbullgaming/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RedBullGaming

Second Lap of Testing will Run from June 3 to June 10

KartRider: Drift, the free-to-play kart racing game, is gearing up for its second Closed Beta test via the Nexon Launcher, Steam, and Xbox One, including Xbox One X starting today at 4 p.m. PDT / 9 a.m. AEST.

KartRider: Drift will provide players with an abundance of never-before-seen content in its second lap of testing, including a wealth of new in-game enhancements such as a revamped User Interface, updated HUD elements, a contextual rear view mirror, and refined physics that significantly improve the racing experience.

Players will also be introduced to an all-new character, Diz and new tracks. Additionally, drifters can deck out their characters with a variety of colourful new skins and emotes, along with a robust set of kart customisations featuring an assortment of decals, paint jobs, wraps, and more for maximum personalisation.

Players can also test out new systems such as the Racing School mode where they can improve their racing skills, as well as the Racing Pass that provides a mixture of exciting unlocks for playing.

As a thank you to beta testers, KartRider: Drift will reward players with special daily login bonuses, including the Turbo Tortoise Kart, Bunny Buggy Kart, Simian Scrapper Kart, and Deuce Coupe Kart. Beta participants will also receive a White Cloud Balloon item at official launch.

KartRider: Drift’s Closed Beta will be available worldwide starting today at 4 p.m. PDT / 9 a.m. AEST on the Nexon Launcher, Steam, Xbox One, including Xbox One X, with the exception of Japan, and China on console. To see a full list of available regions, please follow this link.

For more information on KartRider: Drift, visit www.kartriderdrift.com or follow @KartRiderDrift on Twitter for the latest updates and information on contests and giveaways.

Social Media: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Discord / Official Site

About KartRider: Drift http://kartriderdrift.com

Launched in 2004, KartRider is a massively popular multiplayer racing franchise that boasts more than 300 million PC players. Making its debut to western audiences, KartRider: Drift takes inspiration from earlier iterations of the game, delivering competitive drift-fueled racing action, featuring different game modes, and deep character + kart customisation. Available completely for free on PC Steam, Xbox One, including Xbox One X, and Nexon Launcher (PC), KartRider: Drift offers cross-platform capabilities to challenge friends regardless of the platform they choose or where they are in the world.

About Nexon America Inc. http://www.nexon.com

Founded in 2005, Nexon America Inc. delivers outstanding free-to-play online game expertise and live game support, taking the strengths of NEXON Co., Ltd. (“Nexon”) and applying them for uniquely western audiences. Nexon America has consistently sustained iconic franchises such as MapleStory and Mabinogi for more than a decade, which have gone on to break records and captivate players. With new projects on the horizon, Nexon America maintains the pioneering and innovative spirit of its parent company, employing its player-first approach, while designing the best possible gameplay experiences for the western market. 

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Rise: Promise of the Guardian Update Starts on June 10

Hot off its fifteenth anniversary festivities, renowned MMORPG, MapleStory, is offering players another cause for celebration with the arrival of a new class, Adele, in the Rise: Promise of the Guardian content update. Beginning June 10, Maplers can participate in fresh events, meet the newest addition to the MapleStory universe, Adele, a High Flora Warrior of Grandis, and explore a new region.

Adele is a highly anticipated class coming to Global MapleStory on June 24, after her popular introduction in Korea’s MapleStory server. Wielding Aether Swords conjured from pure magic, Maplers will find Adele nearly unstoppable, striking enemies without ever touching them.

Starting on June 10, the Tera Burning event will be back to support players leveling up new characters during the Rise event period. Players can rapidly gain a total of three level increases through each advancement up to level 200. Players who reach levels 200, 205, and 210, respectively, with their Tera Burning character after completing 5th job advancement, will receive special quest rewards.

Rounding out the Rise: Promise of the Guardian update, Maplers can participate in several themed events to earn a variety of gifts along the way:

●     Rise Salon: The first stop on the journey, players level 101 and beyond can pop in after completing the ‘[Rise] Invitation to the Rise Salon’ quest through the event notifier.

●     Rise Fountain: Granting wishes to visitors, the Rise Fountain is an area where players can come to put their Rise Coins aside, earning themselves varied rewards.

●     Rise Coin Shop: The main shop in the Rise Salon, players will need to find Gilberto in the Rise Salon map to purchase a variety of items using Rise Coins.

●     Rise Royal Shop: For players looking for special items, the Rise Royal Shop is a player’s paradise. Maplers who find and chat with Melissa can purchase a multitude of items here with Rise Coins.

●     Rise Stamp Shop: Diligent players who collect all of the daily Salon Stamps can purchase a plethora of goods from the Rise Stamp Shop, which houses everything useful and convenient.

●     Rise Famous Painting: This painting is said to be the most cherished painting by Daria, the Rise Salon’s host. Players who use the Salon Stamp can acquire a mysterious buff from the painting.

Kicking off on July 8, Maplers level 205 and beyond will also uncover Reverse City, a region along the Arcane River, and discover the upside down city.

For more details on the MapleStory Rise: Promise of the Guardian update, visit http://maplestory.nexon.net/ and follow @MapleStory on Twitter for exclusive contests and teasers.

Social Media: Twitch / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube / Website

About MapleStory http://maplestory.nexon.net/

First released in North America in May 2005, MapleStory became one of the largest and most active free-to-play, side-scrolling MMORPGs in the world. With over 13 million registered players from its Global services alone (there are a total of seven MapleStory services around the world), the game continues to grow and evolve alongside its passionate community since launching over 15 years ago. There have been over 274 million characters created to date, which would make MapleStory the 4th highest populated country in the world.

About Nexon America Inc. http://www.nexon.com

Founded in 2005, Nexon America Inc. delivers outstanding  free-to-play online game expertise and live game support, taking the strengths of NEXON Co., Ltd. (“Nexon”) and applying them for uniquely western audiences. Nexon America has consistently sustained iconic franchises such as MapleStory and Mabinogi for more than a decade, which have gone on to break records and captivate players. With new projects on the horizon, Nexon America maintains the pioneering and innovative spirit of its parent company, employing its player-first approach, while designing the best possible gameplay experiences for the western market.  

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Nintendo Switch Release Arrives in the Big City Q3 2021

ISTANBUL – 3 June 2020 – Circadian City, the life simulation sandbox from publisher Way Down Deep and developer Nowhere Studios, will enter Steam Early Access for Windows PC on 24 July. The PC 1.0 release and Nintendo Switch version begins shaping lives in Q3 2021.

Choose an appearance and a career path, then guide the newest resident of the big city. Control their life 24/7, from building relationships in the day to adventuring and farming in surreal dreams at night.

Voted the “most free-minded city” in the country, Circadian City boasts a rich cultural scene with a friendly and caring community of more than 3,000,000 citizens. Art galleries, concerts, Sunday farmers markets and other diverse activities ensure everyone is always entertained with plenty of options to enjoy while making new friends.

Chat up strangers to become friendly acquaintances, then create bonds of true friendship and love over shared interests ranging from creative pursuits like cooking to playing and following sports. Choose your nearest and dearest carefully, from a range of hetero and LGBTQ romantic options, as relationships have a direct effect on the dream world.

Each friend and acquaintance unlocks special items for use in the dreamscape, with special ones like space-saving boxing gloves performing the functions of many tools only available through close bonds with specific people. Those items can make all the difference deep in the wilderness beyond the safety of the farm near the entrance, where valuable crafting materials await but falling prey to dangers can have negative consequences the next day.

Strike a balance between cultivating rewarding relationships during the day and exploring and crafting at night. Develop one of 16 personality types, each connected to an aspirational life goal promising happiness and prosperity. Reach for the sky in the retro-style urban utopia of Circadian City, knowing those dreams are well within range.

“Daytime and nighttime activities feed into each other in Circadian City,” said Burak Tezateser, Founder and Designer, Nowhere Studios. “What happens during the day shapes what’s available in the dream world, and success in the dream world sets the player up for a better tomorrow. In Early Access, we’ll be adding tons of content to breathe even more life into the city and dream world so players can really feel every change that springs from their actions.”

Circadian City Steam Early Access starts on July 24 for 20% off the regular price of $11.99 USD, and will support English, German, Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese (Brazilian), and Chinese (Simplified). 

To learn more, visit the Circadian City website, follow @CircadianCity on Twitter and its official Facebook page.

About Way Down Deep

This boutique Texas publisher aims to bring to life non-violent games set in the real world based on love and life experiences.

About Nowhere Studios

Based out of Istanbul, Nowhere Studios is a diverse team of developers looking to change the world’s perception of games by creating stories conveying positive messages that can bring people together around a peaceful and inclusive culture.

A new era for Elite Dangerous begins in early 2021 with its most ambitious expansion to date, including on-foot exploration and combat

Cambridge, UK – 3 June 2020. It is time to disembark and look up at the stars once more. Frontier Developments plc (AIM: FDEV) proudly announced today Elite Dangerous: Odyssey, a new major expansion for Elite Dangerous, arriving in early 2021.

Elite Dangerous: Odyssey marks the birth of a highly anticipated new era for the long running definitive space simulation, allowing players to touch down on countless new planets powered by stunning new tech, and explore with unrestricted freedom from a first-person, feet-on-the-ground perspective.

Check out the Elite Dangerous Odyssey announcement trailer, here:

Taking life on the frontier of space to new depths, Elite Dangerous: Odyssey’s emergent gameplay will let players forge their own path through a wide variety of missions, ranging from diplomacy and commerce to lethal stealth and all-out combat. Diverse settings, objectives, and NPCs will offer endless mission variety and a near infinite amount of content to enjoy.

Conflict will rage as players venture into Elite Dangerous: Odyssey’s intense combat experience. Coordinating with your teammates and selecting the right equipment for the mission at hand will be key to master a multi-layered, tactical sphere of group combat where Commanders, SRVs and starships converge.

Though the Elite Dangerous universe can be a cutthroat, unforgiving place, players can find solace and regroup in social hubs spread throughout the galaxy to plan their next contracts, form new alliances and even procure the coveted services of the Engineers. These public spaces are also the ideal place to acquire and upgrade weapons and gear to suit each Commander’s own gaming style.

“Odyssey is our most ambitious Elite Dangerous expansion to date,” said David Braben, Founder and CEO of Frontier. “Extending coverage to the super-fine scale that is needed for on-foot gameplay while maintaining the vast raw distances measured in light years, is a huge achievement by the team, and greatly extends the already rich Elite Dangerous experience. We hope you will join us to continue this journey of discovery and adventure when Elite Dangerous: Odyssey launches in early 2021.”

For more information, follow Elite Dangerous on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Visit the Elite Dangerous official website at elitedangerous.com.

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About Elite Dangerous
Take control of your own starship in a cutthroat galaxy. Some may know you as an ally; others will call you a pirate, a bounty hunter, a smuggler, an explorer, an assassin, a hero… Fly alone or with friends, fight for a cause or go it alone. Your actions change the galaxy around you in an ever-unfolding story. Start with a small starship and a handful of credits, and do whatever it takes to earn the skill, knowledge, wealth and power to stand among the ranks of the Elite.

About Frontier
Frontier is a leading independent creator of self-published videogame franchises founded in 1994 by David Braben, co-author of the iconic Elite game. Based in Cambridge, Frontier uses its proprietary ‘COBRA’ game development technology to create innovative games, currently focusing on videogame consoles and personal computers.