Night Call’s “The Long Way Home” PC Update Adds New Passenger Stories, Free Roam Mode & More
The award-winning neo-noir murder mystery game comes to consoles later this year
STOCKHOLM — April 17, 2020 — Raw Fury and indie developers Monkey Moon and BlackMuffin have released “The Long Way Home,” a significant content update for Night Call which adds a ton of new content and enhancements to the award-winning, narrative-driven, noir investigation game on PC.
Here’s what’s waiting for you in The Long Way Home update, free to download today on Steam, GOG.com and Xbox Game Pass for PC:
Free Roaming Mode: Sometimes you just want to roam the streets and enjoy some interesting conversations. Free Roaming lets you do just that — this highly requested fan feature is perfect for drivers looking to relax and fill up their Passidex!
15 New Passengers: 15 unique new riders to pick up and chat with, including a disgraced esports champ, a ghost hunter, and a robot trying to escape from its lab.
Revamped Passenger System: An overhaul to the passenger system which helps players avoid repeat encounters in a number of ways, including highlighting new passengers and suspects on the map, increasing the amount of available passengers to choose from and more!
Technical Stuff: German language support added, plus bug fixes and other improvements!
Night Call puts players in the role of a taxi driver in modern-day Paris, where a mysterious serial killer is stalking the streets. As a survivor of the killer’s most recent attack, you have seven nights to help find the murderer, or the police will pin it on you. Use your limited time each night to chat with passengers and gather clues, but don’t forget to make enough money to pay your bills! Can you solve the mystery before the meter runs out?
Night Call will launch later this year on consoles with all content from The Long Way Home update available at release. For more info on everything included in The Long Way Home update, check out the latest community post from the devs on Steam.
PUBG MOBILE LAUNCHES “CHICKEN DINNER AT HOME” CAMPAIGN IN SUPPORT OF WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION’S #PLAYAPARTTOGETHER INITIATIVE
Blockbuster mobile game supports and promotes WHO messages against COVID-19 with game events
LOS ANGELES – April 17, 2020 – As the World Health Association (WHO) continues to recommend people remain indoors and practice social distancing, PUBG MOBILEis rallying around the global #PlayApartTogether movement among the games industry, offering players and community members new in-game events and content. The all new “Chicken Dinner at Home” campaign is available for players now, encouraging players to enjoy fun while staying at home.
Different global regions have scheduled in-game events such as Chicken Dinner challenges, Survival challenges and more to encourage player cooperation and teamwork. Similarly, players of different regions now receive a number of space gifts every day, which can be redeemed for event awards, along with new prizes in the Brothers in Arms system.
In addition to the new “Chicken Dinner At Home” in-game events, PUBG MOBILE is hosting an influencer show match every weekend, where popular video game content creators and internet celebrities will participate in festive challenges. Community members can spectate the action and participate in topic discussions through live broadcasts of the show matches, along with quiz events. Players can also participate in PUBG MOBILE community tournaments to test their grit and win prizes.
PUBG MOBILE is also encouraging players to watch the online-converted tournaments PUBG MOBILE Club Open (PMCO) and PUBG MOBILE Pro League (PMPL) at home via official esports channel for live streaming.
“We may be separated physically, but that doesn’t mean we can’t connect in meaningful ways through our shared love of games,” says Vincent Wang, General Manager of Global Publishing Department, Tencent Games. “We encourage all PUBG MOBILE players to safeguard their health by staying home, and closely following advice from the medical community. Let’s show our team spirit by continuing to enjoy PUBG MOBILE in a fun and healthy way. By supporting the #PlayApartTogether campaign and enjoying their chicken dinner at home, the PUBG MOBILE players can help fight COVID-19 and make a tremendous difference for all of us.”
PUBG MOBILE is based on PLAYERUNKNOWN’S BATTLEGROUNDS, the phenomenon that took the world of interactive entertainment by storm in 2017. Up to 100 players parachute onto a remote island to battle in a winner-takes-all showdown. Players must locate and scavenge their own weapons, vehicles and supplies, and defeat every player in a visually and tactically rich battleground that forces players into a shrinking play zone.
For more information, please visit the official PUBG MOBILEaccounts on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Streets of Rage 4 Launching April 30 on PC, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Game Pass, Battle Mode Revealed in New Trailer
Spar with Rivals to Become Wood Oak City’s Undisputed Champion,Learn the Story Behind Streets of Rage 4’s Retro Pixel Characters and Soundtracks
PARIS (April 17, 2020) – Publisher and co-developer Dotemu (publisher of Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap, developer of Windjammers 1 and 2) with co-developers Lizardcube (Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap) and Guard Crush Games (Streets of Fury) proudly announced today that Streets of Rage 4, the long-awaited return of SEGA’s iconic beat-em-up series, will hit PC, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One as well as Xbox Game Pass on April 30 for $24.99.
The news arrived alongside a trailer revealing the first look at Streets of Rage 4’s Battle Mode, a legacy experience returning from Streets of Rage 2 and 3. This feud-settling battleground is bound to help rivals recognize who truly is Wood Oak City’s finest alley-clearing ruffian, as well as settle grudges spurred by accidental friendly strikes during multiplayer sessions. Witness just a few of the ways champions will be able to dominate their allies by viewing the trailer here:
To keep their news combo going, Dotemu, Lizardcube, and Guard Crush Games have also detailed how they incorporated the recently announced pixel art characters and classic Streets of Rage 1 and 2 soundtracks into Streets of Rage 4 via a PlayStation Blog post. Learn the full story and why making the idea a series-spanning reality was so important to the team by reading the post in full here: https://blog.us.playstation.com/2020/04/17/streets-of-rage-4-launches-april-30-battle-mode-announced/
Streets of Rage 4 is the franchise’s first mainline entry in more than 25 years, reuniting Axel, Blaze, and Adam while introducing fresh fighters and combat depth, an arrestingly fluid hand-drawn art style, and an all-new scenario as well as city boroughs to crack skulls in. With an original soundtrack from Olivier Derivière incorporating worldwide talent, including massive contributions from series composers Yūzō Koshiro and Motohiro Kawashima, Streets of Rage 4’s pairing of classic elements with distinctive modern direction makes this highly anticipated return the fight of a lifetime.
Dotemu is a French video game company specializing in modern releases of beloved retro games. Our mission is simple: give every gamer access to yesteryear’s classic video games on today’s platforms, including PC, mobile, console and more. Working alongside the world’s most cherished and recognized publishers, the Dotemu team has published a number of global top-sellers across both PC and console including Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap, with additional development and publishing work on Windjammers 1 and 2, several games in the Ys series, and more.
Founded in 2007, Dotemu leverages its considerable technological know-how to maintain the original spirit of classic games while giving them a second life as rediscovered gems for a new generation of gamers.
About Lizardcube
Lizardcube is a Parisian games studio founded by game industry veteran Omar Cornut (Pixeljunk Shooter, Tearaway, Soul Bubbles, Dear ImGui) and traditional comic/animation artist Ben Fiquet (Soul Bubbles). It is best known for the acclaimed remake of Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap, praised for its gorgeous art style and retro engineering marvel.
About Guard Crush Games Guard Crush Games was founded in 2009 by Jordi Asensio and Cyrille Lagarigue based on their passion for classic beat-em-up and side scrolling titles. The team is best known for its XBox 360 release, Streets of Fury, and follow-up on PC Streets of Fury: Extended Edition in 2015, which revel in over-the-top action and capture the studio’s love for fun side scrolling brawlers.
BEYOND 1500 DAYS AND LEGACY OF DISCORD IS STILL FLYING HIGH
App Annie has the hit title listed as No1 ARPG in 90+ countries worldwide — including UK, Brazil, Germany and Russia
YOOZOO Games, Shanghai • 17.04.2020 | As Legacy of Discord: Furious Wings passes its 1500th day on app stores, players are invited to celebrate in style, with opportunities to send in-game greeting cards to fellow combatants or indulge in a brand-new gameplay mode.
The celebratory mode, dubbed ‘Football Fury’, is a crossover between ARPG battle and — at least by approximation… NFL? Taking the form of a cross-server PvP 3V3 event, the aim is to gain as much possession of the ball and score as many points as possible. Participants receive one point every time they have possession of the ball and the general aim is to get to the other end without losing it. Unlike NFL, there are numerous obstacles which don’t take the form of huge athletic individuals trying to grind you into the dirt. No, in this game you need to beware of banana peels, asphalt traps and ink!
In addition to the new gameplay mode, brand-new equipment will be making itself known, with players collecting the necessary pieces before unlocking Galactic Armory. Each piece contains an Astral Path and Avatar, both of which offer bonus attributes. Players will also notice the astral slots on the illuminated sacred beast avatar. Illuminating astral slots unlocks Critical Damage, and once the avatar itself is unlocked it will block fatal damage, recover HP and even offer temporary invincibility.
There are three types of avatar up for grabs, each of which has different trigger requirements. Choose carefully, as each player can only equip one avatar!
Legacy of Discord – Furious Wings is the first fantasy action RPG mobile game published by YOOZOO GAMES. Developed by Fancy Guo’s Gold Studio, it is the first mobile game in China built using Apple’s Metal API and features stunning 3D graphics thanks to Fancy Guo’s own proprietary Fancy 3D engine.
Legacy of Discord lets players experience intense real-time combat as they hack, slash, and blast their way through beautiful fantasy world. Players can party with friends to raid treacherous dungeons or clash against rivals in the Arena and open PvP battlegrounds. Characters can choose from hundreds of equipment, character skins, wings, pets, mounts, and many more customisation options.
About YOOZOO Games YOOZOO Games is a global entertainment company specializing in game development and distribution. The company is headquartered in Shanghai with offices across Asia, Europe, and the US. Since its founding in 2009, YOOZOO has forged a strong global distribution network and launched over 40 highly successful titles including Game of Thrones Winter is Coming, the League of Angels series and Saint Seiya Awakening: Knights of the Zodiac.
Juan Manuel Correa joins Giovinazzi for Chinese Virtual Grand Prix
Hinwil, 17 April 2020 – Antonio Giovinazzi and Juan Manuel Correa will represent Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN in Sunday’s Chinese Virtual Grand Prix as the team aims to continue its strong streak of results in Formula One’s series of simracing events.
The duo will face strong opposition, with a total of six current Formula One drivers scheduled to take part in the race alongside celebrities, young talents and legends of the sport. Broadcast for the race will start at 7:00pm (CEST) on Sunday, 19 April, and will be available on the official Formula 1 YouTube, Twitch, Weibo and Facebook channels.
Antonio Giovinazzi, fresh from his fifth place in the Virtual Grand Prix in Melbourne, his first race on the F1 2019 game, will return with two more weeks of practice under his belt – including his participation in the popular #RaceForTheWorld series, organised by a group of Formula One drivers themselves to raise funds for the fight against Covid-19. A keen simracer, the Italian will aim to improve on his strong debut.
Alongside him for the first time will be Juan Manuel Correa. The Ecuadorean-American driver, who competed in F2 and tested for the Hinwil team in 2019, will take part in his first official Formula One simracing event this weekend, but comes with plenty of experience in virtual racing, including several appearances in the esports events that took place in recent weeks.
The Virtual Grand Prix will be followed, once again, by the F1 Esports Pro Exhibition race. As in Melbourne, Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN will be fielding the competitive duo of Daniel Bereznay and James Baldwin. Following an unlucky outing in Australia, where both drivers were innocent victims in lap one incidents, Daniel and James will be aiming to turn their fortunes around and return to the dominant ways they have shown in a range of simracing events so far in 2020.
The F1 Esports Pro Exhibition race will begin at 6:00pm (CEST) and will be broadcast on the official Formula 1 YouTube, Twitch and Facebook channels as well as selected TV broadcasters.
About Sauber Group of Companies: The Sauber Group of Companies is composed of three operational entities: Sauber Motorsport AG, which operates and manages the Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN Formula One team; Sauber Engineering AG, which focuses on prototype development and additive manufacturing; and Sauber Aerodynamik AG, which conducts full and model-scale testing in the factory’s state-of-the-art wind tunnel and creates ground-breaking innovations in the field of aerodynamics. The companies collaborate closely and share know-how to apply the expertise of more than 500 dedicated individuals at the headquarter in Hinwil, Switzerland, to all internal and external projects. Since its founding in 1970, the passion for racing has been at the heart of Sauber.
For over 45 years, the innovative Swiss company has been setting standards in the design, development and construction of race cars for various championship series, such as Formula One, DTM, and WEC. Following its own Formula One debut in 1993, Sauber Motorsport AG has established one of the few traditional and privately held teams in the sport. After 25 years of competition in Formula One, the company launched a long-term partnership with Alfa Romeo in 2018 and enters the 2020 championship under the new team name Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN.
Super Buckyball Tournament Playable Now in Open Development
Play on Steam Today with One New Character, Two Additional New Characters Coming Soon
Chongqing, CHINA — April 16, 2020 —Super Buckyball Tournament, the cyberpunk 3v3 street sports game starring larger-than-life champions from Pathea Games, developer of My Time at Portia, is now playable for everyone on PC via Steam while in open development with new character Lang, and two additional new characters make their explosive debut soon.
In the near future, Buckyball reigns supreme as the ultimate sport. This no-holds-barred hybrid of soccer and basketball fully embraces a changing cyberpunk world by allowing gadgets and superpowers to augment the action. Rip across the field as four champions from a growing roster, strategically employ game-changing abilities and ultimates, and destroy the competition.
Two new characters join the fray soon. Manipulate water itself as Eriel and fend off competition using a giant fish as a weapon. Junkyard hero Bubba comes equipped with a makeshift shield built out of a car door, making him a great choice for goalie. Available now, new character Lang debuts with a soaring double jump and can whip up destructive tornadoes. Each character brings a beautiful new flourish to SBT’s free-spirited, imaginative art style.
Lightning-enhanced poster boy Pai quickly darts around and can teleport short distances. His impressive ultimate curves the ball towards the goal like a guided missile. Pink’s mechanical knowledge lets her overtune her gravity glove for her ultimate, generating a gravity beam capable of both making shots from a distance and stunning opponents. Bulky robot R47 wields a steel girder: time his ultimate properly for an almost-guaranteed long-range goal.
SBT’s assisted passing system lets players pass the ball at the touch of a button, allowing for a greater emphasis on teamwork. Five power-ups on the field inject chaos: create ice walls to re-shape engagements, use a bubble shield to repel opponents, or turn ball to iron to briefly keep it from moving. Practice against AI bots or against full 3v3 teams to learn the whole kit and ascend the competitive ranking system.
“Our fans and followers have wanted to be part of our development, and we’re welcoming them aboard,” said Aaron Deng, vice president of Pathea Games. “Lang brings new challenges to Buckyball that we’re eager to see our players explore, and soon Eriel and Bubba expand the possibilities even further.”
Super Buckyball Tournament is now available in open development in English, Traditional and Simplified Chinese. Anyone with Steam is invited to play and can download the demo here. For more information on Super Buckyball Tournament please visit the official website and follow SBT on Twitter, Facebook and Discord.
About Pathea Games
Pathea Games is a small game development studio who previously created My Time at Portia, which sold over 1 million copies worldwide and received an award for “Best Kids and Family Game” at Casual Connect Asia 2019. Super Buckyball Tournament won “Best Multiplayer Game” at GameDaily Connect Asia 2019.
For more information on Pathea Games, please visit their official website.
Outta Our Shells Quadruples Kickstarter Goal, Launches Later This Year
DIY Cards and Fifty New Cards Available to Backers
LAHAINA, HAWAII, 17 April 2020 —Outta Our Shells, the new family-friendly ice-breaker card game developed by Greg Johnson, co-creator and designer of ToeJam & Earl, smashed through its original funding goal and wraps up its Kickstarter campaign with two fully funded stretch goals and launches later this year.
The charming, conversation-starting Outta Our Shells has raised over $41,000 over the course of its Kickstarter. Inspired by this reaction, Johnson has decided to add additional artwork to the front of the Question and Fortune cards. Thanks to hitting the $25K and $30K stretch goals, the game will now include 50 brand new cards to help flesh out the game even further, as well as do-it-yourself cards to add some personal flair to each session.
DIY cards spice up the game however players see fit. Write out special Questions to delight and entertain friends and family. Create Cat or Rat cards that offer choices that feel relevant and resonate with the people in your close circle. Formulate Fortunes, either or Good or Bad, that you feel should be in the game and will make others laugh.
Each game includes three decks of cards featuring adorable art. Draw Question cards to learn more about each player using prompts designed to inspire storytelling. Glean new details from each anecdote to learn what they like, then try to guess those inclinations with Cat or Rat cards. Trade in Cat or Rat cards for Fortunes until players obtain three Fortune cards they are satisfied with. Ultimately, the real goal is to get to know each other and have a great time.
“Running a Kickstarter is always exciting,” said Greg Johnson. “You never know what’s going to happen. Still, the really exciting part starts once the game gets into the people’s hands and they start enjoying it and talking about it. That’s really the part I can’t wait for! I am so excited that Outta Our Shells is finally getting out there after all of these years of playing it with my friends.”
Outta Our Shells will be available in English this year for $24.99 at local retailers and available online. Each box includes 250 cards, along with 6 Blank DIY cards for custom cards. The final version of the game launches later this year so players can forge new friendships or cement existing relationships.
To learn more, please visit Outta Our Shells’pledge page, watch for updates on the ToeJam and EarlTwitter and Facebook, or interact with Greg directly on his Twitter.
About Greg Johnson
Greg began making games in 1982, with his first game Starflight, and has been making games ever since as an indie developer. One might say he is one of the original indie game devs in the industry. Greg’s M.O. is to make games that bring warmth, laughter, creativity, and connection into people’s lives. His games include ToeJam & Earl, Doki Doki Universe, Starflight, Orly’s Draw-A-Story, and many others.
Bloober Team released a brand new trailer running at a silky smooth 4K60FPS for Observer: System Redux. The remake of their hit cyberpunk thriller will launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X during the 2020 holiday season. No word about a PC release, but more information about the game will be released in the coming months.
What we do know for now is that the remake is not just a remaster. The game has been expanded upon with new story content and improved gameplay. Of course, a remake for next-gen consoles won’t be complete without improved visuals.
Observer: System Redux is set in 2084. A digital plague and a war left the world destroyed, allowing for corporations to move in and build their own empires. Players take on the role of an Observer, an investigator capable of hacking into the minds of suspects to extract whatever information the corporation requires.
Crytek and Saber Interactive announced the classic FPS Crysiswill be remastered for modern systems. Crysis Remastered is scheduled to launch on Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One this summer (winter in the Southern Hemisphere). The game originally launched in 2007. Once legendary for bringing even the most powerful computer to its knees, the game will now be playable on the go on the Switch.
The remastered edition is updating the 13 year old game with a swath of modern graphic effects, including temporal anti-aliasing, software-based ray tracing, and parallax occlusion mapping. Additionally, the development team has gone back and updated all the textures and have created an optional HD texture pack for the game.
Crytek has released a cheeky new teaser trailer on YouTube offering a glimpse of the new graphics.
Signs of the Sojourner Speaks Through the Cards May 14 for PC and Mac
Nintendo Switch Joins the Conversation Late 2020
LOS ANGELES – 16 April, 2020 –Signs of the Sojourner, an introspective narrative from Echodog Games about learning the art of human connection through an emotive deck of cards, hits the road bound for PC and Mac via Steam on Thursday, 14 May, 2020, with Nintendo Switch arriving later in the year.
A coming-of-age tale in a near-future world ravaged by climate change, Signs of the Sojourner explores how relationships form, break, and mend. Left in charge of your mother’s shop after her passing, venture out into an eccentric land, seeking treasures to sell in her store and keeping your town afloat. Join and grow a caravan by playing cards with charming characters or venture off on your own, forging bonds and changing the story to come.
These card encounters, where the objective is to try and match symbols for empathy, logic, and other approaches, can create friendships, build alliances, or introduce new antagonists. Every conversation bestows a new experience—the true-to-life gift of having spoken to someone new or considered a different perspective. These encounters change your deck, asking you to leave something behind while moving on with something new from your exchange.
Along the way, conversations shape your journey by unlocking special paths forward or new items to bring home to the shop. Experience optimism, compassion, and delight amidst hardship and adversity in a challenging but hopeful world. An array of possible endings await, reflecting every card played, choice made, and friendship saved or left behind.
Bask in beautiful, hand-drawn environments evoking a ravaged world still gripping tightly to its color and vibrant life. Follow the thread of conversations to a tranquil, mellow soundtrack while deciding what cards to play. The caravan’s journey feels serene, with a spirited message about playing the hand we’re dealt.
“We each embark on a journey of life, forever changed by the people we meet and the choices we make,” said Dyala Kattan-Wright, lead designer. “Signs of the Sojourner uses cards to explore communication, personal growth, and how relationships change us in a friendly, accessible way. We can’t wait to see what decks players build from their experiences on this adventure.”
Signs of the Sojourner begins its journey May 14 on Steam for PC and Mac for $19.99 USD.
Based out of Los Angeles, Echodog Games is a three-person studio that aims to make thoughtful and inclusive games that inspire open-mindedness. The scrappy trio values personal experiences seeking to deliver life lessons, reflected in their own projects that don’t shy away from social issues and modern challenges.
