Xbox enchants Ori fans with real life Bonsai Spirit Trees: bringing the magic and mystery of Ori’s forest into Australian homes for the game’s next instalment

Xbox ANZ is giving gamers the chance to bring the enchanting magic and mystery of Ori universe to their living rooms with the creation of 20 limited-edition real Bonsai ‘Spirit’ Trees – in celebration of the emotional second instalment of the beloved franchise, Ori and the Will of the Wisps. 

Fans can now take the immersive experience of Ori to a new level by holding the source of all energy, the Spirit Tree, close to them while they discover Ori’s true destiny in an all new vast and exotic world. These decade old, real Bonsai trees have been designed to resemble the Spirit Tree, from the glowing ethereal lights in the delicate branches, to the moss-covered ground where the handcrafted mini Ori figurine stands. The Bonsais will emulate the energy of the ‘Spirit Trees’, helping guide fans through the game from the comfort of their living rooms. 

Australian Ori fans can get their hands on one of the twenty unique Spirit Trees by visiting the Xbox ANZ Facebook page. Each Bonsai created will also represent a donation of trees to Greening Australia, a local non-profit working to protect, restore and conserve Australia’s native vegetation. 

The art of Bonsai creation is a beautiful and delicate process with roots stretching back over a thousand years – a blend of horticultural ingenuity and Japanese aesthetic designed to evoke reflection and balance in the viewer. Caring for a Bonsai is known to evoke a sense of peace, harmony and balance, the perfect addition to the fans experience as they join Ori for his journey through strikingly beautiful environments and a story driven adventure with a stunning soundtrack.   

“It is no secret that Xbox fans are passionate about the enchanting universe of Ori, so we wanted to celebrate the launch of Ori and the Will of the Wisps by bringing the Spirit Tree right into Australian living rooms. We hope these Bonsai Trees, reflecting the beauty of the Ori universe, will inspire our fans gameplay experience for many years to come” said Dan Johnson, Xbox Lead for ANZ. 

Ori and The Will of the Wisps is available at the Microsoft Store, Steam and other retailers in Australia from 11^th March (RRP AU$39.95). Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can play the highly-anticipated title as part of their monthly subscription from day of launch. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate includes Xbox Live Gold and unlimited access to over 100 high-quality console and PC games. New members can subscribe for just $1 for the first month, then $15.95 each month.  
  

Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with #OritheGame. 

– ENDS –  

Free Rhythm RPG Nocturne: Prelude Uploads Adventurers to a Digital Afterlife Today on Steam

VANCOUVER, Canada – 4 Mar. 2020 – Nocturne: Prelude, the first chapter of the story-driven rhythm RPG from Pracy Studios set in a dystopian future where humanity lives in a digital afterlife, launches on Steam for free today at 12:00 p.m. PT. The full release of Nocturne will arrive on PC and Nintendo Switch in 2023.

Humanity is extinct, but an echo of civilization lives on. Maya, the fabled utopian afterlife where people abandon their corporeal forms in favor of an eternal existence with loved ones in a digital world, is not all as it seems. Decay and corruption await Karma, the world’s first newcomer in thousands of years, and derails a desperate attempt to reunite with their missing brother on the other side.

Befriend a charmingly quirky crew like a wise orange fish in monk garb and a headstrong little boy to unravel the mysteries of the Blackout, an enigmatic catalyst that triggered Maya’s plunge into chaos. Test the limits of human existence, exposing an insidious threat lurking among the remains of humanity.

March to the beat of battle in Nocturne: Prelude’s unconventional take on traditional RPG combat through intense rhythm battles with multiple difficulties. Tap to a high energy, progressive symphonic rock soundtrack to keep the battle going, dodging dangerous notes and watching for surprises tucked away in the composition.

Explore vast wastelands of former technological wonders now reclaimed by nature, ruined cities, and cyberpunk lairs. Nocturne: Prelude’s retro art style of pixelated environments, stunning character portraits, and ambient tunes whisk players away to a nostalgic universe for a modern era.

“While I began my career in film, I felt this need to create a narrative experience that can only be crafted in a game,” said Benjamin Pracy, founder of Pracy Studios, “I’m inspired by the brilliance of late 90’s and early 2000’s RPGs, where creativity exceeded the bounds of their technical limitations. In Nocturne, I want to take us back to that era, but with a modern twist.”

Nocturne: Prelude: is available now for free on Steam in English. For more information visit the official Pracy Studios website, check out the Nocturne Discord and follow the studio on Twitter and YouTube.

About Pracy Studios

Pracy Studios is a one-man studio out of Canada with a drive for making carefully crafted narrative experiences. His first independent project as a game developer, Nocturne, is a passion project rooted in his love for RPG classics.

March Content Update Adds New Gear and Dungeons; Get a First Look in the Latest Patch Preview Trailer

SEATTLE, March 3, 2020 — En Masse Entertainment, a player-driven publisher focused on delivering great games and great service, today announced their next free content update for their True Action Combat MMORPG on PC, TERA. ‘Kaia’s Anvil’ will launch in March, adding two new five-player dungeons, a new level of gear rarity, and updates to their Adventure Coin system, giving players more chances to run dungeons each week for both free and Elite status players.

Players have two new dungeons to explore with this latest update—Forbidden Arena and Corrupted Skynest, five-player dungeons intended for characters level 69 or higher. Both dungeons introduce new challenges and drop high end gear and enchanting materials. With materials from the Corrupted Skynest (and after completing the “Kaia’s Anvil” quest), players can craft and equip mythic-rarity gear with powerful player buffs to increase their damage and survivability, and prepare to tackle Corrupted Skynest (Hard), designed for players with an item level of 480 or higher. 

Alongside these new dungeons En Masse Entertainment is increasing the cap on Adventure Coins, in-game currency used by high level players to purchase entry to various dungeons. The standard cap increases from 1,000 coins to 1,200, and players with Elite status will see an increase from 1,680 to 2,000.

Additional details about ‘Kaia’s Anvil’ update TERA on PC will be posted on the En Masse website later this week. For more information on the new and updated dungeons, Mythic gear, and Adventure Coins, check out today’s news post from the TERA team here: https://tera.enmasse.com/news/posts/kaia-s-anvil-equipment-dungeons-and-more

Stay up to date on all the latest information for TERA by following the game on Twitter, Facebook and Discord, or check out the TERA web page.

About En Masse Entertainment

Based in Seattle, Washington, En Masse Entertainment embodies the evolution of modern game publishing. The company’s mission is to publish great games and provide great service. Beginning with its inaugural title, TERA, and continuing with Closers, En Masse Entertainment has built a track record of excellence and innovation. The team at En Masse includes experts in online technology, live service, branding, community, and player support, allowing them to thrive as a publisher in the digital era. For more information, visit enmasse.com.

SKATER XL IS COMING TO PLAYSTATION 4 

Highly Requested PS4 Version to Launch Simultaneously with Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC Later this Year 

LOS ANGELES, CA – March 3, 2020 – Easy Day Studios announced today that Skater XL, a game that delivers unparalleled access to skateboarding culture, is coming to PlayStation®4 Computer Entertainment System. Since its debut on Steam’s Early Access, Skater XL has spawned a massive community with more than 50,000 players in its Discord channel, thousands of “very positive” reviews on Steam and boasts several players who have more 1,000 hours of playtime. This highly passionate community has created thousands of video parts, mods, ‘fakeskate’ brands and even their own digital magazine. Their top request? – “Bring it to PlayStation 4!” 
 
Skater XL will launch later this year on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Steam – making it the first skateboarding game to come to all major platforms in more than 10 years. 

Skater XL is the first ever skateboarding title to give direct control of the feet and board at all times rather than canned trick animations, unlocking the creative potential of the player with sandbox-style gameplay. Create, combine, and style tricks as you hit iconic California locations where street legends have left their mark. Dive into the digital skate subculture with skate spots based on iconic real locations from the West Coast. With a huge modding community that has created thousands of maps, digital skate ezines, personal video parts, in-game brands, and contests, Skater XL celebrates the creativity and dedication of the skate community.
 
Skater XL is currently in development for PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC. 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, skateboard 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.

Believe in Victory; Granblue Fantasy: Versus Now Available on PlayStation®4 in North America

XSEED Games Launches Fighting Game for Chart-Topping “Granblue Fantasy” IP

Torrance, Calif. – March 3, 2020 – XSEED Games, the independent-minded publishing brand of Marvelous USA, Inc. is proud to announce that Granblue Fantasy: Versus has launched in North America for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system. Most recently revealed as a main tournament title at the world’s largest fighting game tournament, Evolution Championship Series (aka EVO) 2020, the head-to-head fighter set in the world of Cygames’ hit mobile game, Granblue Fantasy, and developed by legendary fighting game studio ARC SYSTEM WORKS (Guilty Gear, BlazBlue) is available with multiple digital and physical versions tailored to the needs of series fans and newcomers alike. Special digital versions of Granblue Fantasy: Versus include the “Character Pass Set” and “Digital Deluxe” edition on the PlayStation®Store alongside the standard edition; and the physical “Premium Edition” and standalone retail version are available on the XSEED Games Store and at participating retailers. All versions of Granblue Fantasy: Versus, including the physical and digital standard editions, come with a download code granting items for the original Granblue Fantasy game on mobile and web browsers. Complete details on all editions of Granblue Fantasy: Versus can be foundin XSEED Games’ news post.

“Granblue Fantasy: Versus has captured the attention of gamers around the world since its reveal,” said Kenji Hosoi, Executive Vice President of XSEED Games. “We’re thrilled to be releasing this much-anticipated fighting game in North America. Cygames and ARC SYSTEM WORKS have created an exceptional experience that both Granblue Fantasy fans and fighting game enthusiasts of all skill levels won’t want to put down.”

About Granblue Fantasy: Versus

In Granblue Fantasy: Versus, power, skill, and spirit collide in a quest to find the true champion of the sky. Players can take on AI opponents or fight against human opponents in local or online two-player matches.

Japan’s megahit RPG Granblue Fantasy has topped the charts, charming players across the globe with a plethora of lovable characters and story-driven mechanics. Now, ARC SYSTEM WORKS and Cygames have teamed up to bring the universe to home console in an action-packed head-to-head fighter. Featuring a colorful cast of their most popular “crewmembers,” each with a unique fighting style that is easy to learn but hard to master, Granblue Fantasy: Versus will appeal to fans of Granblue lore and fighting games alike.

Granblue Fantasy: Versus includes an RPG mode that features an all-new, original story told through beautifully rendered cutscenes. Featuring deep action RPG gameplay, in this mode players take on waves of enemies and formidable Primal Beasts solo or by teaming up with a friend in local or online co-op. Along the way, they develop their fighters with a comprehensive character and weapon upgrade system recognizable to all Granblue Fantasy fans. The mysterious “hooded figure” (a.k.a the “Chaos Bringer”) featured in Granblue Fantasy’s popular “What Makes the Sky Blue” series of events, was revealed at Granblue Fantasy Fes 2019 as the final boss for RPG mode.

Beelzebub is unlockable as a playable character by completing the RPG mode or by purchasing the season 1 DLC. The season 1 DLC will also include playable characters Narmaya, who is available on the PlayStation®Store now, Soriz, Djeeta, and a fifth to be revealed in the coming days. More details on Beelzebub and the season 1 DLC can be found here.

Developed by Cygames and ARC SYSTEM WORKS and published in North America by XSEED Games, Granblue Fantasy: Versus launched for the PS4™ system on March 3 in North America. The standard physical and digital versions are priced at an MSRP of $59.99, the physical Premium Edition has an MSRP of $79.99, and the digital “Character Pass Set” and “Digital Deluxe” special editions are available on the PlayStation®Store for $79.99 and $99.99, respectively. This game has been rated “T for Teen” by the ESRB. Marvelous Europe is publishing the game for PS4™ system in European territories. The PC version will be available on March 13 exclusively on Steam.

More information about the game can be found at the newly launched product website www.granbluefantasyvs.com. Fans can also follow XSEED Games on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Twitch and get in depth info from their developer blog on Tumblr.

About XSEED Games:

XSEED Games is the independent-minded publishing brand of Marvelous USA, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Marvelous Inc., which is a publicly traded company listed in the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Formed in 2004 and located in Torrance, California, XSEED Games publishes interactive entertainment content for PC and consoles from the Marvelous portfolio as well as from a wide variety of third-party partners. Whether it’s Marvelous properties such as STORY OF SEASONS (Bokujo Monogatari), SENRAN KAGURA, and Rune Factory, or third-party titles such as the Corpse Party, AKIBA’S TRIP, and The Legend of Heroes: Trails series, XSEED Games has grown its reputation among gamers with its critically acclaimed localizations and commitment to fans, remaining ever dedicated to its “indie spirit, player-first” approach.

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CURSE OF THE DEAD GODS RAIDS STEAM EARLY ACCESS TODAY

Survive divine powers and your own greed in the new action roguelike from Focus Home Interactive & Passtech Games

PARIS — March 3, 2020 — Focus Home Interactive and Passtech Games’ new action roguelike Curse of the Dead Gods is now available on PC via Steam Early Access. Seek untold riches, divine powers, and eternal life — then rise to fight again when your greed leads to death.

Curse of the Dead Gods is full of fast-paced combat, intense challenges, and a variety of powerful weapons, treasures, abilities and bosses to master. Venture deep into accursed labyrinths of ever-changing pits, traps and monsters. Slay the false deities to collect gold, armaments and relics, but beware the corruption building inside you with each step forward — these curses promise great power, but demand a high price…

Early access kicks off with a ton of content, with even more planned for the future. Starting today, you’ll explore the Jaguar section of the Temple, which features unique traps and game mechanics, nine fighting styles, over 10 standard curses, dozens of room variants and relics to discover, and much more. A living roadmap on the game’s Steam Early Access page showcases upcoming updates like new temples, traps, enemies, bosses, modes, mechanics, weapons, curses and more, all developed with feedback from the community: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1123770/Curse_of_the_Dead_Gods.

Curse of the Dead Gods is also currently in development for consoles. For more information, visit https://curse-of-the-dead-gods.com​.

KOEI TECMO EUROPE TITLES LAND ON “PLAYSTATION NOW” GAME SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE TODAY

KOEI TECMO Europe is excited to announce that an assortment of its titles for PlayStation 4 will be joining the popular game subscription service, PlayStation Now, later today in select countries*. The line-up is available to download (PS4 system only) and stream, and includes fan-favourite titles such as DEAD OR ALIVE 5: Last Round, Toukiden Kiwami, Toukiden 2, Nights of Azure, Nights of Azure 2: Bride of the New Moon, WARRIORS ALL-STARS and Romance of The Three Kingdoms XIII, offering a collection of titles from across their renowned development teams.

To learn more about these compelling new titles joining the PlayStation Now line-up, please continue below.

• DEAD OR ALIVE 5: Last Round | EU Release: 20/02/2015

DEAD OR ALIVE 5: Last Round represents the zenith of the DEAD OR ALIVE 5 series, taking all the best content from those games and adding all-new content only found in LAST ROUND to create the comprehensive DEAD OR ALIVE 5 game. Combatants will present an unparalleled level of life-like detail, and smooth striking animations firmly place every fighter in the heat of the moment.

Official Site: https://teamninja-studio.com/doa5/lastround/

• Toukiden Kiwami | EU Release: 27/03/2015

In the deeply rich world of Toukiden Kiwami, Oni have hidden in the shadows aiming to torment mankind. Throughout history, a secret cast of warriors known as Slayers have been trained to dispose of the demonic threat before it could consume the world. However, an event known as the ‘Awakening’ generated rifts in space and time, causing places that had long disappeared from the world to resurface, and unleashing hordes of demons that now relentlessly hunt humans.

Official Site: http://toukiden.eu/kiwami/

• Toukiden 2 | EU Release: 24/03/2017

In Toukiden 2, players will assume the mantle of a mysterious Slayer who has awakened after a ten-year slumber to a world shrouded in darkness. Players’ battle skills and strategic acumen will be put to the ultimate test as they repel the soul-devouring Oni either alone or alongside Slayers from around the world.

Official Site: http://www.koeitecmoeurope.com/toukiden2

• Nights of Azure | EU Release: 01/04/2016

Nights of Azure tells a tragic tale of two friends faced with impossible decisions that will test their loyalty to their quest – and to each other. In the kingdom of Ruswal, very few people leave their homes after nightfall, let alone have the strength and skill to take on the powerful, azure-blooded demons that plague the island. One of the best among these braves few is Arnice, a knight of great skill and power, who is assisted by her friend and priestess Lilysse in a quest to rid the land of these monsters. However, they soon find out that the solution to the island’s problems might not be as simple as defeating enemies in battle…

Official Site: http://www.koeitecmoeurope.com/nightsofazure/

• Nights of Azure 2: Bride of the New Moon | EU Release: 27/10/2017

Nights of Azure 2: Bride of the New Moon follows a young knight named Aluche and her two childhood friends–Liliana, a kind-hearted priestess, and Ruenheid, a holy knight of the Lourdes Order. While escorting Liliana, Aluche is ambushed and killed only to later awaken as a half-demon at the hands of the New Curia–a religious organisation with dark ties. Aluche must now save Liliana and continue her journey, meeting new characters with their own mysterious pasts. Sharing similar goals, she and the strange new allies set off to reveal the truth behind the shadows shrouding the world and become motivated to uncover the shocking truth behind the mysterious Queen of the Moon.

Official Site: http://www.koeitecmoeurope.com/nightsofazure2/

• WARRIORS ALL-STARS | EU Release: 01/09/2017

Featuring a wide selection of fan-favourite characters from various KOEI TECMO Games franchises such as Ryu Hayabusa from Ninja Gaiden, Kasumi from DEAD OR ALIVE, William from Nioh, Yukimura Sanada from SAMURAI WARRIORS, and Zhao Yun from DYNASTY WARRIORS, WARRIORS ALL-STARS summons a diverse array of champions to save a mysterious land at the brink of destruction in the middle of a clash for control.

Official Site: http://www.koeitecmoeurope.com/warriorsallstars/

• Romance of The Three Kingdoms XIII | EU Release: 08/07/2016

In Romance of The Three Kingdoms XIII, players will experience a climactic storyline rich with Chinese history, and complete with detailed CG cutscenes that highlight the most heroic deeds of the strongest, wisest, and most powerful individuals of the Three Kingdoms Era. As players learn how to employ strategic gameplay options and harness advanced game mechanics, the tale of a collapsing dynasty and the emergence of power-hungry factions unfolds into a complex chessboard on which players can influence the fateful events leading to the unification of 2nd century China.

Official Site: http://www.koeitecmoeurope.com/rtk13/

For more KOEI TECMO Europe news, please visit our official site http://www.koeitecmoeurope.com, Like us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/koeitecmogames, and follow us on Twitter @koeitecmoeurope.

*Select countries include Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and UK.

ABOUT KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD.

KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD. is a publisher of interactive entertainment software for current generation consoles, handhelds and digital download content based in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, UK. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of KOEI TECMO HOLDINGS CO., LTD., headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. KOEI TECMO’s best known for their signature ‘one versus thousands’ Warriors series, the fan-favourite Ninja Gaiden and fighting entertainment title Dead or Alive. Through collaboration with strong existing franchises, such as A.O.T. Wings of Freedom (Attack on Titan), has brought fan-favourite shows to life in video game form. The company’s desire for innovation and diversity has seen the creation of the critically acclaimed dark-samurai action title Nioh, which takes on new and unique gameplay styles. The company’s acquisition of GUST, developer of a variety of heart-warming titles, has seen their flagship Atelier series span generations of consoles and fans alike. More information about KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD and its products can be found at www.koeitecmoeurope.com

THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS: GRAND CROSS, NETMARBLE’S ALL-NEW CINEMATIC ADVENTURE MOBILE ROLE-PLAYING GAME, OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES WORLDWIDE

Experience Britannia with Fan-Favorite Anime Heroes, Card-Based Role-Playing Combat, Over 100 Cutscenes, and Authentic Storytelling from The Seven Deadly Sins Anime

LOS ANGELES – MARCH 3, 2020 – Netmarble Corp is proud to announce that The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross, the cinematic adventure mobile roleplaying game (RPG) made in partnership with Kodansha Ltd., is now available for download worldwide for the App Store and Google Play. Previously featured as the #1 game on the App Store and Google Play in Japan from 2019, anime fans and players alike can experience the world of Britannia on the go and relive Meliodas’ journey as captain of The Seven Deadly Sins in an all-new gaming experience.

The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross translates the storytelling and adventures of The Seven Deadly Sins, into a highly engaging and entertaining mobile gaming experience. The game features stunning, high-resolution 3D graphics and over 100 dramatic cutscenes, and is brought to life with the cast of the original Japanese voice actors reprising their characters.

Players can select from a wide roster of heroes from the series to build their very own team and defeat enemies with a novel approach to card-based combat systems. There is an emphasis on combining cards and characters for special moves and extensive interaction with the main The Seven Deadly Sins team. These include character dialogue, an affection system, cooking, and unique costumes, some of which are exclusive to the game.

“As fans of video games and anime, the Netmarble team found The Seven Deadly Sins was abundant with the type of stories and gameplay we strive to achieve with our games, and we developed new technology to replicate the original work in a manner that is faithful to fans of the anime,” said Simon Sim, President of Netmarble US. “We are excited to finally deliver a game that is authentic and enjoyable to players and The Seven Deadly Sins fans alike, especially following the game reaching #1 on the Japanese App Store and Google Play stores, and look forward to seeing what global fans think of the game.”

To celebrate the launch, and for the game cumulatively reaching over 2 million pre-registrations before launch, those that pre-registered for The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross can look forward to receiving the following at launch:

• 1x Meliodas in-game character, the main hero of The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross
• 1x in-game costume and weapon for Meliodas
• 30 Diamonds (The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross’ premium currency, 10 Draws value)
• 100,000 Gold (The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross’s in-game currency)
• An exclusive box that offers in-game items, including a special costume for Elizabeth, the main heroine of The Seven Deadly Sins

The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross is now available for download on the App Store and Google Play in 2020. For more information, please visit the game’s official website and Facebook.

Based on the manga “Nanatsu no Taizai” by Nakaba Suzuki originally serialized in the weekly SHONEN MAGAZINE published by Kodansha Ltd.

©Nakaba Suzuki,KODANSHA/The Seven Deadly Sins: Revival of the Commandments Project,MBS. All Rights Reserved. © Netmarble Corp. & Funnypaw Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.  

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About Netmarble Corporation

Netmarble Corporation strives to entertain audiences of all ages around the world by providing great mobile gaming experiences. Established in Korea in 2000, Netmarble is one of the fastest-growing mobile game companies and consistently ranks as a top mobile developer and publisher worldwide. With more than 6,000 employees, Netmarble has been producing and servicing some of the most successful mobile games including Lineage 2: Revolution, Blade & Soul Revolution, MARVEL Future Fight, BTS WORLD, Everybody’s Marble, and Seven Knights. As a parent company to Kabam, a top mobile game developer in massively multiplayer free-to-play games, the largest shareholder to Jam City, a leading casual social game developer and a major shareholder of BigHit Entertainment, a music production and artist management company, Netmarble has a strategic partnership with CJ ENM Corporation, Asia’s largest entertainment company, Tencent Holdings, Asia’s largest internet company, and NCsoft, a prominent MMORPG company. More information can be found at http://company.netmarble.com

PUBG MOBILE REVEALS MASSIVE UPDATE AND UPCOMING FESTIVE CONTENT FOR SECONDANNIVERSARY: “2GETHER WE PLAY”

The massive update delivers return of Hardcore Mode, new weapon and features in Classic Mode, upcoming Anniversary celebration and Royale Pass Season 12

LOS ANGELES – March 3, 2020 – PUBG MOBILE released the 0.17.0 version update today, delivering a massive wave of content including the return of Hardcore Mode in Arcade, along with new features and improvements of Classic Mode. Today’s update also introduces a fresh and diverse gameplay experience in the upcoming new season with festive Anniversary theme “2GETHER WE PLAY.” Players can drop in the new updates for free on the App Store and Google Play.

After countless requests from PUBG MOBILE payers and community members, the beloved Hardcore Mode has officially returned to the Arcade. In Hardcore Mode, all sound prompts have been removed and manual actions are required like pick-up and opening doors for an even more realistic experience and competitive challenge.

In addition, various new content has been added for Classic Mode including:

• New Air Drop Weapon: DBS – As the best weapon for high damage at close range, the DBS is a double-barrel shotgun which can only be found via Air Drop. It fires 2 shots per magazine and holds 14 rounds of 12 Gauge ammo per reload, and can be equipped with the Holo Sight, Red Dot and 2x to 6x scopes
• Brothers In Arms System – Players can register as Rookie or Veteran and play together in the battle of Classic Mode. Veterans with rich game experience can guide rookies in the game and receive great rewards, during which the rookies can learn from the veterans and master the game quickly
• Death Replay function – Players now can watch from the attacker’s perspective for a certain time prior to their deaths.
• Universal Marks – Players can now mark locations, supplies, vehicles, death crates and doors for teammates, allowing for quick communication
• Colorblind Mode – In Graphics Settings, this new mode provides more color options for in-game indicators, such as Poison, Smoke, and Auxiliary Lines for people with color blindness
• Teammate Volume Control – Players now can adjust the voice volume of individual teammates in battle
• Firearm balancing and other improvements

To celebrate upcoming Second Anniversary of PUBG MOBILE, Royale Pass Season 12 themed “2gether We Play” will arrive in game beginning on Monday, March 9, delivering a fresh wave of festive gear, challenges and rewards. Players can also have a chance to enter Amusement Park Mode in the classic Erangel map beginning on Thursday, March 12, where interactive games and attractions will appear. Players can also participate the upcoming Anniversary Celebration Event in game for exclusive rewards and achievements.

Stay tuned for more details about the PUBG MOBILE 2^nd Anniversary, which arrives later in March. PUBG MOBILE is available to download for free on the App Store and Google Play. 

ABOUT PUBG MOBILE

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.

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Operation Lifeboat aims to raise funds and awareness for 24/7 crisis intervention and peer-to-peer mental health support

AUSTIN, TEXAS, March 3, 2020 — Wargaming, the developer of World of Warships, and Stack Up, a nonprofit supporting veterans through gaming, today announced a partnership to raise money and awareness for military veterans in need of mental health support. 
 
Wargaming will introduce a special bundle within its highly popular World of Warships online game over a nine-week period, with 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the bundle to benefit Stack Up’s Overwatch Program (StOP). Started in 2016, StOP provides critical support to veterans through round-the-clock access to a team of trained and certified crisis-intervention volunteers via Discord. From the sale of the special, limited-edition in-game bundles, Wargaming is looking to raise $100,000 in donations to help fund Stack Up’s important work. 
 
When it comes to mental health, access to crisis prevention programs is vital. To further support veterans and active-duty service members, later this year Wargaming will embed a link within World of Warships for gamers to connect directly to a trained Stack Up mental health support volunteer.  
 
“We know a lot of our players are veterans, so this partnership seems natural for us,” said Artur Plociennik, Regional Publishing Director for World of Warships “We are honored to have the opportunity to support Stack Up’s mission of bringing comfort and friendship to veterans in need.”
 
In a 2018 study published in Social Science and Medicine, many veterans reported that video games helped not only with managing moods and stress, but also with three areas related to other aspects of recovery: adaptive coping, feelings of competence, and opportunities for leadership and socializing. The study was conducted by researchers from the Behavioural Science Institute at Radboud University and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
 
“We are very excited and hope Wargaming’s decision to put a link inside World of Warships directing veterans to get the help they need is the first in what could be an amazingly beneficial trend in the online gaming community,” said Stephen Machuga, founder of Stack Up. “This could start a new way of providing veterans the mental health support they need in a space where they feel comfortable — in the comfort of their own homes playing video games.” 
 
A recent survey of the World of Warships community of players who are serving or have served in the military found that 74.4% play video games with other active or former service members.
 
Other survey findings include:   

• A majority of players, 48.4%, considered social interaction within the game as an important part of the overall gaming experience.
• 72.4% of players said they usually interact with others in the game while playing.
• 66% play games on a daily basis, while 30% play at least several times a week.
• 54% use Discord as their online chat service while 26% use in-game chat. 

 
The results reinforce the idea that active and retired service members play online games as a way to connect with their peers, and that being part of a support group such as Stack Up is important to them. 
 
About StackUp.org
Founded in 2015, Stack Up brings both veterans and civilians together through a shared love of video gaming. Through programs such as The Stacks, Supply Crates, Air Assaults and the Stack Up Overwatch Program [StOP], Stack Up has helped more than 35,900 U.S. and Allied military service members get through deployments to combat zones and recover from traumatic physical and emotional injuries through the power of video gaming.
 
About World of Warships 
World of Warships is a free, historical, online combat game from Wargaming. Command a massive naval fleet featuring some of history’s most iconic war vessels, level up important tech modules and prepare to dominate the oceans in World of Warships. With four classes of ships, myriad upgrades, and strategically designed environments, the action never ends and every match is a unique experience. World of Warships brings players endless hours of strategy, tactical gameplay and pulse-pounding combat! 
 
About Wargaming 
Wargaming is an award-winning online game developer and publisher headquartered in Nicosia, Cyprus. Operating since 1998, Wargaming has grown to become one of the leaders in the gaming industry with 4500+ employees and offices spread all over the world. Over 200 million players enjoy Wargaming’s titles across all major gaming platforms. Their flagship products include the massively popular free-to-play hit World of Tanks and the naval combat game World of Warships. The company’s dedicated unit, Wargaming Mobile, is forging collaborations to deliver new mobile experiences alongside their in-house game development. 
 

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