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SINoALICE Begins NieR:Automata Event Today, Celebrates 1,000,000 Players with New Content

TOKYO – July 16, 2020 –  Pokelabo Inc. (subsidiary of GREE) and Square Enix, Inc. welcome the tragic world of NieR:Automata to SINoALICE, the mobile fantasy battle RPG from the mind of Yoko Taro, today via updates through the App Store and Google Play. As an added bonus, a recent update brings new chapters to Act of Hatred as SINoALICE celebrates 1,000,0000 players just two weeks after its global release.

■ NieR Collaboration Event Period

Wednesday July 16, 2020 at 7:00 a.m. to Thursday August 6, 2020 at 5:59 a.m. (UTC)

Note: The event period is subject to change. Please check the in-game notice and official SINoALICE global social media accounts for further details.

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Log in during the collaboration to get 2B/Breaker
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By logging in during this event, players will receive the NieR:Automata collaboration character 2B/Breaker as a gift.

Note: This gift will appear in your present box after completing the tutorial.

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Collaboration Event: Memory of Dolls (Original Scenario by Yoko Taro)
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This collaboration event features an original scenario written by Yoko Taro with new voice recordings from Yui Ishikawa (2B) and Kaori Kawabuchi (Simone).

Also available in this event are collaboration nightmares such as Simone and a machine lifeform, as well as other collaboration items such as armor.

■Collaboration Event Period

Thursday July 16, 2020 at 7:00 a.m. to Thursday August 6, 2020 at 5:59 a.m. (UTC)

Note: The event period is subject to change. Please check the in-game notice and official SINoALICE global social media accounts for further details.

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NieR:Automata Collaboration Grimoire: The Puppets’ Feast Pt. 1
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Acquiring the SR weapon Type-4O Blade unlocks A2/Breaker. Acquiring the SR weapon No. 7’s Staff unlocks Emil/Cleric.

Each class comes with its own character story and each weapon with its own weapon story. Read the intertwining tales that connect the two. The collaboration characters and weapons appearing in this event are written exclusively by Yoko Taro.

■Collaboration Event Period

Thursday July 16, 2020 at 7:00 a.m. to Monday July 27, 2020 at 5:59 a.m. (UTC)

Note: The event period is subject to change. Please check the in-game notice and official SINoALICE global social media accounts for further details.

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New Chapters of “Act of Hatred” Available
The Little Mermaid makes her way to SINoALICE
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New chapters for Act of Hatred are available now. Adding to Yoko Taro’s cast of twisted fairy tales, the Little Mermaid weaves a new sorrowful story beyond the darkest ocean depths.

There will also be new chapters available for Snow White (VA: Reina Ueda) and Sleeping Beauty (VA: Kaede Hondo).

■ Act of Hatred, New Chapters Available

■ Update Details

・Snow White
Chapters 1-4 unlocked

・Sleeping Beauty
Chapters 1-3 unlocked

・Little Mermaid
Chapters 1-2 unlocked

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Little Mermaid/Minstrel Available
STEP Grimoire: Droplet of Misery Available
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The STEP Grimoire: Droplet of Misery, from which players can summon Little Mermaid/Minstrel, is now available. With every summon of this grimoire, adventurers progress to the next STEP, and are guaranteed an SR item on STEP 5.

■ Period (UTC)

Available Now until July 27, 2020 at 5:59

Summon the SR weapon, Violin of Misery, to unlock the Little Mermaid’s new class, Minstrel. Unlock new weapons to improve performance in battle.

Note: All classes have character stories that revolve around that character.

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About NieR:Automata
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NieR:Automata is an action RPG produced by Square Enix and developed by Platinum Games.

Yoko Taro, creative director and creator of SINoALICE’s original story, directed the title. Keiichi Okabe/MONACA, who also composes the music for SINoALICE, produced the title’s musical composition.

NieR:Automata tells the story of androids 2B, 9S and A2 and their battle to reclaim the machine-driven dystopia overrun by powerful mechanoids. Humanity has been driven from the Earth by mechanical beings from another world. In a final effort to take back the planet, the human resistance sends a force of android soldiers to destroy the invaders. Now, a war between machines and androids rages on… A war that could soon unveil a long-forgotten truth of the world.

NieR:Automata Game of the YoRHa Edition is available now on PlayStation(R)4 computer entertainment system and PC (STEAM).  The NieR:Automata: BECOME AS GODS Edition is available now for the Xbox One family of devices including the Xbox One X. 

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About SINoALICE
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A fantasy RPG presented by Pokelabo and Square Enix in the palm of your hand.

The story comes straight from the mind of Yoko Taro, known for his work on the NieR series and Drakengard. Music is produced by Keiichi Okabe/MONACA (NieR series, Drakengard 3). Original character design is done by the up-and-coming illustrator, Jino.

■ Global Release Official Sites

English: https://sinoalice.global
Korean: https://sinoalice.global/kr/
Thai: https://sinoalice.global/th/
German: https://sinoalice.global/de/
French: https://sinoalice.global/fr/
Spanish: https://sinoalice.global/es/  

■ Global Official Social Media Accounts

English
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sinoaliceglobal
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sinoaliceglobal/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sinoaliceglobal

Korean
Naver Cafe:https://cafe.naver.com/sinoalice
Twitter:https://twitter.com/sinoalicekorea 

■ Creators

・ Original story/Creative director: Yoko Taro
・ Music: Keiichi Okabe
・ Original character design: Jino

■ Global Details
・ Title: SINoALICE
・ Release date: July 1, 2020
・ Supported OS: iOS, Android
・ Supported devices
Android:  Android 6.0 or later (RAM 2GB or greater)
iOS:  iOS 10.0 or later/iPhone 5S, iPad Air, iPad mini 2 or later, 6th generation iPod touch or later
Some devices not listed may not be supported.
・ Price Free to Play (Offers In-App Purchases)

Saber Interactive & Focus Home Interactive’s Original Hit Truck Game MudRunner Out Now on iOS & Android

Saber Interactive & Focus Home Interactive’s Original Hit Truck Game
MudRunner Out Now on iOS & Android

PARIS July 16, 2020 MudRunner, Saber Interactive and Focus Home Interactive’s multi-million selling off-road truck driving game, is now available for $5.99 on iOS and Android! With its trademark physics engine and challenging missions, MudRunner delivers the same realistic, immersive experience on mobile devices that made it a huge hit on PC and consoles.

MudRunner on mobile delivers hours upon hours of thrilling simulation gameplay, with more content still to come. Unleash the raw power of a variety of Soviet-era vehicles across 15 open-world maps as you haul cargo over treacherous terrain to fulfil your objectives. Overcome the elements, and don’t forget to use your trusty winch if you get stuck! For more information, visit www.MudRunner-theGame.com.

In related news, Snowrunner, MudRunner’s sequel which sold over a million copies in its opening weeks, dropped its first major Season Pass DLC featuring a new map, vehicles, missions and more on PlayStation®4, Xbox One and PC via the Epic Games Store yesterday.
Check it all out in the new trailer:

SKATER XL SOUNDTRACK ARTISTS REVEALED AS LAUNCH APPROACHES

Modest Mouse, Band of Horses, Getter and Interpol Round Out Soundtrack for July 28 release of the Skater XL – The Next Evolution in Skateboarding Games

Skater XL, the only skateboarding game that delivers unparalleled freedom of skateboarding expression, has revealed the list of artists that will be featured in the game at launch on July 28 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC. Each band has a distinctive sound that blends well with the game’s raw street vibe and physical control mechanics.
 
“We really wanted the soundtrack to reflect skateboarding culture, as well as pay homage to some of the artists that provided the soundtracks to some of the most influential skate videos of all time” says Easy Day Studios Marketing Director, Jeff Goforth. “Music is such a huge part of skate culture and by incorporating the artists that created the sound of some of our favorite video parts, and have a connection to skateboarding, it just made so much sense.”  

The list of contributing artists and tracks on the Skater XL soundtrack include: 

  • Modest Mouse: Exploring a jagged, lo-fi post-rock after forming in the mid-’90s, Modest Mouse became unlikely chart-toppers with a volatile mix of punk-inspired rawness and simmering atmosphere in the following decade. The band first broke through to the mainstream audience with the platinum-selling ‘Good News for People Who Love Bad News,’ their fourth full-length, in 2005. (Official Pandora Website)
  • Band of Horses: Emerging in 2004 with a blend of woodsy midtempo rock and reverb-laden vocals, Band of Horses gained an audience in their native Northwest before ‘Everything All the Time’ made them indie rock darlings. (Official Pandora Website)
  • Getter: Entrepreneur, Creative Director, Label Owner – just a few titles American music producer Tanner Petulla, professionally known as Getter, can claim. With the launch of his own clothing line Trippy Burger, the creation of his own creative hub “Shred Collective” – Getter has become a household name. (Official Facebook Page)
  • Interpol: Since their emergence in the early 2000s, Interpol have occupied a unique space within indie rock. They helped kick-start the post-punk revival that has endured. (Official Pandora Website)
  • Future Islands: Led by crooning frontman Samuel T. Herring, the members of Future Islands started out making electropop music together in 2003 while attending East Carolina University’s art program. Along with Herring, the initial members of the group were Adam Beeby, William Cashion, Gerrit Welmers, and Kymia Nawabi, and they played shows around campus as Art Lord & the Self-Portraits. (Official Pandora Website)
  • Animal Collective: Animal Collective is a group of four best friends who grew up playing and recording music together in Baltimore County Maryland. AC continues to make music after 15 years, 10 studio records and three live records, that combines a love of sonic free form electronic horror gospel hip hop soul pop madness. (Official Facebook Page)
  • Silversun Pickups: With their organic but richly atmospheric sound, Los Angeles alternative rock band Silversun Pickups helped put the über-hip Silver Lake scene on the map with their critical and commercial success in the 21st century. Debuting in 2005, they were indie radio favorites until their mainstream breakthrough, Swoon, arrived in 2009. (Official Pandora Website)
  • STARHEADBODY:  An open-ended musical collective, established and led by professional skateboarder, and Skater XL playable character, Evan Smith. Living by the motto “Everybody In,” each STARHEADBODY release features new collaborative artists, allowing Evan to capture audio snapshots of the many adventures that he finds himself in through experimental compositions and recording environments. (Official Bandcamp)
  • Built To Spill: Built to Spill were one of the most popular indie rock acts of the ’90s, finding the middle ground between postmodern, Pavement -style pop and the loose, spacious jamming of Neil Young. From the outset, the band was a vehicle for singer/songwriter/guitarist Doug Martsch, who — heavily inspired by Dinosaur Jr.’s J Mascis — helped keep alive the concept of the indie guitar hero. (Official Pandora Website)
  • Cende: Indie rock group Cende delivered a stirring brand of power pop. The trio began playing together in 2013 after discovering a shared appreciation for garage punk outfit the Marked Men. (Official Pandora Website)
  • Kratos Himself: Honoring the rituals of his home, and reflecting the tones, moods, and life cycles dependent on circadian procession, Kratos Himself binds his melancholic meditations to the patient, ancestral soundscapes of the forest and countryside. (Official Bandcamp)
  • The Shivas: The Shivas are a rock and roll band from Portland, Oregon formed in 2006. For The Shivas, the show has always been the thing. That thing being a bombastic, explosive and thoroughly communal live rock and roll experience where barriers between the performers and their audience seem to dissolve into the sweat and sound. (Official Facebook Page)
  • Westkust: The Swedish shoegaze/noise pop band Westkust build their songs out of wall-of-sound guitars, mix in strong, swirling melodies, and top it off with yearning vocals straight from the indie pop playbook. (Official Pandora Website) 

The official Skater XL track listing will be revealed at the launch of Skater XL on July 28.

Skater XL is the first skateboarding game to come to all major platforms in more than 10 years and offers complete physics-based gameplay with total freedom of control and expression. Play as skating icons Tiago Lemos, Evan Smith, Tom Asta or Brandon Westgate on your way to becoming a skateboarding pro or build your own character with unique characteristics and authentic gear from top skateboarding brands. Dive into the digital skate subculture with more than 60 real skate spots connected by block after block of plazas, schools, pools, buildings, car parks and corridors. With a huge modding community that has created thousands of maps, digital skate ezines, personal highlight reels, in-game brands, and tournaments, Skater XL celebrates the creativity and dedication of the skate community.

Skater XL will launch on July 28 digitally on PS4, Xbox One, and PC, and at brick and mortar retailers for PS4 and Xbox One. The Nintendo Switch will be released later this year. More announcements will be coming soon for Skater XL – be sure to follow the game on Instagram and Twitter, “Like” us on Facebook, and visit the official website, SkaterXL.com.  

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ABOUT EASY DAY STUDIOS
Founded in 2018 by Skater App creator and physicist Dain Hedgpeth, Jon West, former sponsored skateboarder turned game developer, and Jeff Goforth, industry veteran of 19 years and former head of skateboarding at DC Shoes, Easy Day Studios is the leader in action sports video game creation. Based in Long Beach, CA, Easy Day Studios is fully self funded and 100% committed to the shared vision of reviving and evolving skateboarding games into what every fan has been hoping for since the birth of the genre. With decades of experience, the team is comprised of video game development and skateboarding veterans. Since Early Access launch in December 2018 and the rapid growth of the Skater XL modding community, Easy Day has also hired two former modders and continues to work directly with this community.

GAMER GIRL IS A CHILLING FMV THRILLER WITH LIVESTREAM SIMULATION

FROM THE WRITER AND DIRECTOR OF THE BUNKER

Wales Interactive and FMV Future are delighted to reveal Gamer Girl — a new multi-branching FMV game, set in the world of online streaming. Gamer Girl is coming to PC, PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch this September.

Adopt the role of moderator for up and coming streamer ‘Abicake99’, who’s back online after the mysterious disappearance of her friend Becky. Featuring multi-branched narrative and real-time chat simulation, your role as moderator is to control the stream, level up mod powers, guide Abi’s choices and uncover the threat she faces by an anonymous predator who hides in the stream’s chat.

Developed by FMV Future with the writer and director of The Bunker. Co-developed and Published by Wales Interactive, who brought you The Complex, Late Shift and Maid of Sker.

ENTIRELY IMPROVISED
Gamer Girl is the first live-action video game to have been entirely improvised by the cast, in a production style similar to The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity. The actors would react to pre-scripted stream text as well as live chat that was written during film takes by the scriptwriter.

NEW GENRE
The first multi-branching FMV video game with a micro-management meta-game – where players constantly have to analyse and react to a constant stream of chat comments whilst texting Abi and helping her make the right choices.

MANAGEMENT META GAME
– Manage the user’s comments in the chat stream
– Choose to reward them for good behaviour & ban them for trolling
– Unlock more powerful moderator abilities as you progress
– Earn Candies, likes and subs to keep Abicake99’s mood positive
– Increase Abicake99’s viewers and subscribers to keep her career on track
– Make the channel a success to earn upgrades
– Warn, ban and reward comments in the chat stream
– If you fail Abi will kick you off the stream and it is GAME OVER

BRANCHING NARRATIVE:
– Gamer Girl has multiple story paths; hundreds of choices and permutations.
– Players help Abi choose which activities they think would further her streaming career or enhance her mood – workout sessions, gaming, cosplay, chill streams, IRL trips, board games, chibis drawing (ちび or チビ), etc.
– Make moral choices and accept the consequences they bring. Should you encourage drama to increase her ratings or take the safe path but risk losing viewers?
– Exchange messages with Abi and her friends. Will you help them, or do they have ulterior motives towards Abi?

CAST 
The game stars Alexandra Burton as Abi, and features David Wayman, Rebecca Calienda, and Sofia Maffei with cameos by real streamers including CyborgAngel.

ABOUT WALES INTERACTIVE
Wales Interactive are multi-award winning independent games developer and publisher, based in South Wales, UK. Their catalogue of titles include Maid of Sker, The Complex, Late Shift, The Bunker, The Shapeshifting Detective and Don’t Knock Twice. They are passionate about video games and their aim is to create original games that entertain the world as well as put Wales on the video games map.

ABOUT FMV FUTURE
Co-Founded in 2019 by BAFTA-winning Lionhead and Harry Potter Producer Simon Mathews, Film Producer Michael Richards and Creative Director Allan Plenderleith, writer and director of BAFTA-nominated The Bunker. The team have previously worked on franchises including: Sesame Street, Sim City, Nickelodeon and Fable. FMV Future make ground-breaking live action narrative FMV video games with unique gameplay pushing the capabilities of interactive movies to the next level. Gamer Girl is FMV Future’s debut title.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.