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Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI: Gathering Storm Available February 14, 2019

Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI: Gathering Storm Available February 14, 2019

 Largest Civilization expansion to date set to add an active world with environmental challenges, a Diplomatic Victory, new civilizations and all-new game systems

SYDNEY AUSTRALIA – November 21, 20182K and Firaxis Games have announced that Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI: Gathering Storm, the second expansion pack for the critically acclaimed and award-winning Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI, will be available for Windows PC on February 14, 2019.

Civilization VI: Gathering Storm will introduce an active planet where geology and climatology present unique new challenges. Players will build new Engineering Projects, manage their cities’ Power and Consumable Resources and work with other world leaders in the World Congress to deal with the challenges presented by the dynamic forces of nature. This new expansion also extends the Technology and Civics trees with a future era and adds nine new leaders from eight new civilizations, a new Diplomatic Victory condition, a variety of new units, districts, wonders, buildings and more.

“As Sid Meier’s Civilization approaches its 27th anniversary, 2K is honoured to unveil Civilization VI’s second robust expansion, inviting fans to explore and master the franchise’s rich and strategic gameplay in all-new ways with Civilization VI: Gathering Storm,said Melissa Bell, SVP and Head of Global Marketing at 2K. “Once again, the team at Firaxis has exceeded expectations to evolve Civilization’s features with the largest expansion ever developed for the series.” 

“With Sid Meier’s Civilization VI: Gathering Storm, players are now faced with a changing, active planet that places new challenges and opportunities in front of them,” added Ed Beach, Lead Designer at Firaxis Games. “Volcanoes, river floods, droughts and massive storms all await and are a part of our new Global Climate system that can cause ice sheets to melt and sea levels to rise based on players’ choices about how they want to interact with the environment.”

Key features for Sid Meier’s Civilization VI: Gathering Storm include:

  • ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS: Volcanoes, storms (blizzards, sand storms, tornados and hurricanes), climate change, floods and droughts will bring the world to life in a brand new way. Settlement choices are more important than ever for players as they balance high risks and high rewards;
  • POWER AND CONSUMABLE RESOURCES: Strategic resources play an additional role in Civilization VI: Gathering Storm. These resources are now consumed in power plants to generate electricity for cities. Initially, players’ advanced buildings will be powered by burning carbon-based resources like Coal and Oil, but renewable energy sources also unlock as players progress to current-day technologies. The choices a player makes about resource usage will directly affect the world’s temperature and can cause melting ice caps and rising sea levels;
  • ENGINEERING PROJECTS: Players can now shape the world around their empires to overcome unfavorable land conditions by making improvements like canals, dams, tunnels and railroads. When settling cities, players will need to consider the flood risk to coastal lowland areas, but keep in mind that in the late-game, new technologies like Flood Barriers can be used to protect these tiles;
  • WORLD CONGRESS: For the first time in Civilization VI, players can make their voices heard among the other leaders of the world. Along the way, they can earn Diplomatic Favor through Alliances, influence city-states, compete in World Games and more. In addition, they can use Diplomatic Favor to extract promises from other leaders, vote on Resolutions, call a Special Session to address an emergency and increase the weight of votes in their quests to achieve the new Diplomatic Victory;
  • 21st CENTURY TECHNOLOGIES & CIVICS: A new era has been added to the Technology and Civics trees. As well, players will combat new environmental effects with speculative ideas, such as relocating their populations out to seasteads and developing technologies to recapture carbon emissions;
  • NEW LEADERS AND CIVS: Nine new leaders from eight new civilizations are introduced. Each brings unique bonuses and gameplay, as well as a total of nine unique units, four unique buildings, three unique improvements, two unique districts and one unique governor;
  • NEW SCENARIOS:
    • The Black Death: The Black Death ravaged Europe and western Asia in the mid-14th century, killing a greater share of the population than any other event in world history. The player’s task is to lead his or her nation through the calamity: keep the population alive, the economy strong and faith unshaken amidst a world of terror and desperation;
    • War Machine: At the outset of WWI, the German Imperial Army had a daring plan: invade neutral Belgium and then rush the French heartland before its leaders could mobilize to resist. When war was declared, both armies swung into motion and set up one of the most incredible and shocking military campaigns in world history. In this multiplayer scenario, players take the side of one of these two great powers at this same precipice. The clock is ticking, and the enemy is moving;
  • MORE NEW CONTENT: Civilization VI: Gathering Storm will introduce seven new world wonders, seven natural wonders, 18 new units, 15 new improvements, nine new buildings, five new districts, two new city sets, nine new techs and 10 new civics;
  • IMPROVED GAMEPLAY SYSTEMS: The Espionage system will be enhanced with new options. In addition, the Culture and Science Victories have been updated, new Historic Moments have been added and additional improvements have been made to other existing systems.

Developed by Firaxis Games, Sid Meier’s Civilization VI is rated PG and is available now for Windows PC and Nintendo Switch™. Sid Meier’s Civilization VI is also available for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Linux from Aspyr Media. Sid Meier’s Civilization VI: Gathering Storm will be available on February 14, 2019 for Windows PC and coming shortly thereafter for Mac and Linux from Aspyr Media.

For more information on Sid Meier’s Civilization VI, visit www.civilization.com, become a fan on Facebook, subscribe on YouTube, follow Civilization on Twitter and Instagram and join the conversation using the hashtag #OneMoreTurn.

Firaxis Games is a 2K studio. 2K is a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).

All trademarks and copyrights contained herein are the property of their respective holders.

About Take-Two Interactive Software
Headquartered in New York City, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is a leading developer, publisher and marketer of interactive entertainment for consumers around the globe. The Company develops and publishes products principally through its wholly-owned labels Rockstar Games and 2K, as well as its Private Division label and Social Point, a leading developer of mobile games. Our products are designed for console systems and personal computers, including smartphones and tablets, and are delivered through physical retail, digital download, online platforms and cloud streaming services. The Company’s common stock is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol TTWO. For more corporate and product information please visit our website at http://www.take2games.com.

 About 2K
Founded in 2005, 2K develops and publishes interactive entertainment globally for console systems, handheld gaming systems and personal computers, including smartphones and tablets, which are delivered through physical retail, digital download, online platforms and cloud streaming services. 2K publishes titles in today’s most popular gaming genres, including shooters, action, role-playing, strategy, sports, casual, and family entertainment. The 2K label has some of the most talented development studios in the world today, including Firaxis Games, Visual Concepts, Hangar 13, Cat Daddy Games and 2K China. 2K’s stable of high quality titles includes the critically acclaimed BioShock®, Borderlands™, Mafia, and XCOM® franchises, the beloved Sid Meier’s Civilization series, Evolve™, Battleborn®, the popular WWE 2K franchise and NBA 2K, the highest rated* annual sports title of this console generation.

*According to 2008 – 2018 Metacritic.com

About Firaxis Games
Firaxis Games™ is one of the world’s premier game development studios, and home of legendary designer Sid Meier. Firaxis has developed some of the most successful and award-winning PC and video games on the market today, including the award-winning Sid Meier’s Civilization® series, featuring the recently released Sid Meier’s Civilization VI, for Windows PC, Sid Meier’s Civilization: Beyond Earth™ for Windows PC, the expansion pack Sid Meier’s Civilization: Beyond Earth – Rising Tide for Windows PC, Sid Meier’s Civilization V for Windows PC, as well as the critically acclaimed expansion packs, Sid Meier’s Civilization V: Brave New World and Sid Meier’s Civilization V: Gods and Kings for Windows PC. Firaxis also released the 2012 Game of the Year award-winning XCOM®: Enemy Unknown for Windows PC, the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, and Apple iOS, along with the critically acclaimed expansion pack XCOM: Enemy Within for Windows PC, the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation3 computer entertainment system, and Apple iOS. Firaxis Games is owned by Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., and is part of its 2K publishing label. For more information about Firaxis and its games can be found at www.firaxis.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The statements contained herein which are not historical facts are considered forward-looking statements under federal securities laws and may be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “projects,” “seeks,” “should,” “will,” or words of similar meaning and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the outlook for the Company’s future business and financial performance. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs of our management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to them, which are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may vary materially from these forward-looking statements based on a variety of risks and uncertainties including: our dependence on key management and product development personnel, our dependence on our Grand Theft Auto products and our ability to develop other hit titles, the timely release and significant market acceptance of our games, the ability to maintain acceptable pricing levels on our games, and risks associated with international operations. Other important factors and information are contained in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the risks summarized in the section entitled “Risk Factors,” the Company’s most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and the Company’s other periodic filings with the SEC, which can be accessed at www.take2games.com. All forward-looking statements are qualified by these cautionary statements and apply only as of the date they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

ASSASSIN’S CREED® REBELLION NOW AVAILABLE ON MOBILE

ASSASSIN’S CREED® REBELLION NOW AVAILABLE ON MOBILE

Join more than three million pre-registered players and experience a completely new take on the acclaimed Assassin’s Creed® franchise on iPhone, iPad and Android devices

Sydney, Australia November 21, 2018 — Today, Ubisoft announced that Assassin’s Creed® Rebellion, a free-to-play strategy RPG mobile game from the award-winning Assassin’s Creed universe, is now available on the App Store for iPhone and iPad, as well as Google Play for Android devices.

Developed by Behaviour Interactive, in collaboration with Ubisoft Montreal, Assassin’s Creed Rebellion is a completely new Assassin’s Creed experience that allows players to engage with fan favorite Assassins from different eras. In the game, set in Spain during the height of the Inquisition, players manage their own fortress and forge their own Brotherhood by recruiting and training more than 40 Assassins. As they upgrade skills and become more powerful, players will spark the rebellion against the Templars and lead epic missions with custom teams of three Assassins from their Brotherhood. With multiple combat styles, players can tackle missions in various ways by utilizing stealth, assassinating or directly attacking the Templars to weaken their oppressive grip on Spain and put an end to their reign.

For the first time in franchise history, Assassin’s Creed Rebellion contains a full roster of legendary characters, including Ezio, Aguilar, Shao Jun, Claudia and Machiavelli, with more than 20 new unlockable characters created exclusively for the game. Players will explore different settings from the franchise during time-limited events, including Ancient Greece in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey®, to compete with other players in the event leaderboard and to earn exclusive new heroes like Alexios and Kassandra.

Assassin’s Creed Rebellion also features optimizations on the new iPad Pro, incorporating a new level of technical and visual performance. With higher texture resolutions, improvement on 3D-model rendering and overall performance optimization, the quality of the game and the player experience is completely transformed.

Assassin’s Creed Rebellion is available now on the App Store for iPhone and iPad and Google Play worldwide.

For more information on Ubisoft mobile games, please visit www.ubisoft.com.

For more information about Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, please visit assassinscreed.com.

ABOUT UBISOFT
Ubisoft is a leading creator, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and services, with a rich portfolio of world-renowned brands, including Assassin’s Creed, Just Dance, Tom Clancy’s video game series, Rayman, Far Cry and Watch Dogs. The teams throughout Ubisoft’s worldwide network of studios and business offices are committed to delivering original and memorable gaming experiences across all popular platforms, including consoles, mobile phones, tablets and PCs. For the 2017–18 fiscal year Ubisoft generated sales of €1,732 million. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoft.com.

© 2018 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Assassin’s Creed, Ubisoft, and the Ubisoft logo are registered or unregistered trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the US and/or other countries.

Storm Boy: The Game Soars to Consoles, PC, Mobile Today

Storm Boy: The Game Soars to Consoles, PC, Mobile Today

Classic Australian Children’s Book Comes to Life

SYDNEY, NSW – Nov. 20, 2018 – Storm Boy: The Game, an adaptation of the classic novella exploring the friendship between a child and his pet pelican, lands today on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows PC, Mac, iOS, and Android.

Developed by Blowfish Studios, Storm Boy: The Game follows a young child living with his father on the South Australian coastline, who rescues and befriends a baby pelican, Mr. Percival.

Alongside the retelling of Colin Thiele’s beloved story, Storm Boy: The Game features a diverse collection of entertaining and relaxing minigames. Toss fish into baby pelicans’ mouths to help them grow. Play fetch with Mr. Percival and see how far he’ll go to retrieve the ball. Surf the sands, sail the seas, and soar the skies around pristine beaches and beautiful lagoons.

Storm Boy means so much to us at Blowfish Studios,” said Ellen Jurik, game director, Storm Boy: The Game. “It’s been a wonderful opportunity to adapt this classic Australian story into an interactive medium and we’re proud to share our work with the world.”

Storm Boy: The Game is out now in English for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Steam, and the Mac App Store for $5.99 USD. iOS and Android versions are available for $2.99 USD.

To learn more, visit Storm Boy: The Game’s official website or follow @StormBoyTheGame and @BlowfishStudios for news and updates.

About Blowfish Studios
Blowfish Studios is a Sydney-based Australian independent game developer and publisher. The team strives to release original multiplatform games with diverse feature sets that appeal to a broad audience, and to have fun in the process!

To learn more about Blowfish Studios, please visit the team’s official website.

New Holland Publishers
Proudly Australian and the official publishers and IP Holder of Storm Boy by the late Colin Thiele.

newhollandpublishers.com

Deep Silver Details New Pathfinder: Kingmaker DLC

Deep Silver Details New Pathfinder: Kingmaker DLC

Three Incoming Additions to the Engrossing RPG will Expand the Adventure

Larkspur, Calif. – Nov. 20, 2018 – Publisher Deep Silver and developer Owlcat Games today detailed three pieces of upcoming content planned for the classically influenced RPG Pathfinder: Kingmaker, with The Wildcards DLC set to kick things off when it launches alongside the season pass on Dec. 8. Adventurers can now purchase the season pass on Steam (https://store.steampowered.com/app/937800/Pathfinder_Kingmaker__Season_Pass/) or add it to their wishlist on GOG (https://www.gog.com/game/pathfinder_kingmaker_season_pass).

Owlcat’s additions to the Stolen Lands, Pathfinder: Kingmaker’s lawless fantasy world, will offer new locations, companions, items, and game modes. The DLC will be available together as a one-time purchase via the game’s Season Pass or as standalone reasons to return to the game’s enthralling universe.

DLC #1 – “The Wildcards”

Encounter the Tiefling Kineticist, a new playable character serving as the debut of her race and character class, complete with her own rich and engaging storyline.

Head of Owlcat Games Oleg Shpilchevsky explains, “A new playable race! During the poll to decide which bonus race we were going to add to the game, one particular option was requested a lot \ Tieflings, the people with a drop of demonic blood in their veins. They didn’t make it into the base game, but became the natural choice for the first piece of post-release content.”

DLC #2 – “Varnhold’s Lot”

Brave the challenges of a new bonus campaign. While celebrating victory at Jamandi Aldori’s mansion, adventurers meet another hero of the Stolen Lands: the mercenary captain Maegar Varn. While building a barony in the Shrike Hills and Narlmarshes, Varn and his people are establishing the nation of Varnhold in the rocky foothills of Dunsward.

This new story explores the challenges faced by Varn’s party in its venture, and the consequences of choices made can be exported and implemented into Pathfinder: Kingmaker’s main campaign. This exciting new side story equals the size of one chapter of the game’s central campaign and will take 6-12 hours to complete, depending on preferred playstyle.

DLC #3 – “Beneath The Stolen Lands”

For the days where jumping into an unpredictable gauntlet of combat sounds more enticing than discovering the Stolen Lands’ rich lore, this DLC will introduce a rogue-like randomly generated endless dungeon, complete with a new unique boss. The dungeon offers two options. It can be explored in a separate game or experienced within an adventurer’s main campaign.

Pathfinder: Kingmaker DLC Pricing

  • Pathfinder: Kingmaker – Season Pass – On sale Dec. 6, 2018 ($24.99)
  • DLC 1 – “The Wildcards” – On sale Dec. 6, 2018 ($7.99)
  • DLC 2 – “Varnhold’s Lot” – February 2019* ($11.99)
  • DLC 3 – “Beneath The Stolen Lands” – April 2019* ($9.99)

*dates are estimates and are subject to change. All DLC content requires the base game Pathfinder:Kingmaker in order to play.

For the latest on Pathfinder: Kingmaker, visit Owlcat Games’ official website (https://owlcatgames.com/) and make following Deep Silver on Twitter your active quest (https://twitter.com/deepsilver).

# # #

About Owlcat Games
Owlcat Games was founded in 2016 as part of a pilot initiative of My.com. The team is led by veteran game designers behind titles like Heroes of Might and Magic V, Silent Storm, Etherlords, Evil Islands: Curse of the Lost Soul and other games. Team members also took part in the development of popular MMO titles, Allods Online and Skyforge. The first project unveiled by Owlcat Games is Pathfinder: Kingmaker, an isometric computer RPG based on the highly popular Pathfinder pen-and-paper roleplaying game by Paizo Inc.

About Paizo
Paizo Inc. is one of the world’s leading hobby game publishers. Since 2002, millions of players have joined the goblin army by playing the Pathfinder® and Starfinder® roleplaying games across tabletops, at conventions, at their favourite local game store, and digitally on virtual tabletops. Paizo.com is an online retail hobby destination for millions of gamers that carries the latest products from top hobby game publishers. Players also find accessories, like dice and maps, miniatures, T-shirts, goblin plush toys, and the newest releases to quickly replenish those adventuring supplies for the next dungeon run.

About My.com
My.com is a global online services platform which focuses on North America and Europe with offices in Amsterdam (NL) and San Jose (US). My.com comprises myMail, MAPS.ME, myTarget, and online and mobile games. My.com publishes award winning online gaming experiences including Armoured Warfare, Skyforge and Revelation Online. Its mobile communications and entertainment services and apps facilitate its multimillion user base in pursuing their business goals – and let them relax and have a good time gaming in-between. Copyright © 2018 My.com. For more information, visit My.com

About Deep Silver

Deep Silver develops and distributes interactive games for all platforms. The Deep Silver label means to captivate all gamers who have a passion for thrilling gameplay in exciting game worlds. Deep Silver works with its partners to achieve a maximum of success while maintaining the highest possible quality, always focusing on what the customer desires.

Deep Silver has published more than 200 games since 2003, including its own brands like the open world extravaganza Saints Row, the zombie action franchise Dead Island, and the grim post-apocalyptic future of the Metro series. Deep Silver also owns the development studios Deep Silver Dambuster Studios in Nottingham, UK; Deep Silver Fishlabs in Hamburg, Germany, and Deep Silver Volition based in Champaign, IL, USA. For more information please visit www.deepsilver.com.

All product titles, publisher names, trademarks, artwork and associated imagery are trademarks, registered trademarks and/or copyright material of the respective owners. All rights reserved.

PUBG MOBILE Version 0.9.5 Content Update Drops with Royale Pass Season 4

PUBG MOBILE Version 0.9.5 Content Update Drops with Royale Pass Season 4

The latest update for PUBG MOBILE introduces a number of new weapons, an all-new Scooter vehicle, dynamic weather in the Sanhok map and the highly-anticipated Royal Pass Season 4, which includes all kinds of rare outfits, new hairstyles and more. The update goes live today on the App Store and Google Play.

The most important update will be Royale Pass Season 4. With royale pass, players complete daily and weekly missions to earn points and increase their rank. Players can complete a certain number of missions every week will win additional crates and currency. The Royale Pass Season 4 delivers all new details, including:

    • More firearm finishes, rare outfits, new character faces and hairstyles;
    • Fine-tuning of the redemption feature;
    • Additional Mission Cards;
    • New event where packs are discounted heavily during Black Friday.

To check out the Royale Pass Season 4 introduction, please click the video

The Version 0.9.5 content update also delivers additional new features, including:

  • New M762 automatic rifle, available in all maps;
  • New Sanhok vehicle: Scooter;
  • Added dynamic weather to Sanhok;
  • Added hardcore mode to provide the same experience as PC;
  • Increased odds of certain crate drops.

PUBG MOBILE earns nomination for Best Mobile Game at The Game Awards 2018

Gaming awards season is nearly here, and PUBG MOBILE is already making waves. PUBG MOBILE recently captured Mobile Game of the Year from the Golden Joystick Awards and a nomination from Google Play as a Fan Favorite, and will look to continue its momentum in December during The Game Awards 2018. The game has been nominated for Best Mobile Game.

Fan voting is underway, with the winners being announced globally online on Thursday, Dec. 6 at 5:30 p.m. PST.

# # #

Battlefield V Launches Worldwide

After a few weeks of exclusive access for Origin Access members, Battlefield V has finally launched for the masses. The game is available now on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows via Origin.

Battlefield V brings the franchise back to its World War II roots. The War Stories campaign mode will tell the tales of men and women around the world as they cope with a war that touched every corner of the globe. At launch, the game takes players to Nordlys where Norwegian resistance fighters are battling for their existence, to southern France where Senegalese soldiers of the French Colonial Forces are fighting to retake France, and to North Africa, where a British criminal has been sent off to war with the Special Boat Service.

The franchise’s legendary multiplayer mode is getting some gameplay overhauls to further encourage team play, such as allowing squad members to revive each other.

The Tides of War mode from Battlefield 1 is making its return. Each chapter brings free content for all players, with the first chapter going live on December 4th alongside “The Last Tiger” War Story. Chapter 2 “Lightning Strikes” is set to bring Combined Arms, Rush, and Squad Conquest game modes in January. Chapter 3 “Trial By Fire” will add the new Battle Royale Mode firestorm and a new map set in Greece.

Get incredible deals on PlayStation®VR with our Black Friday promotion

Get incredible deals on PlayStation®VR with our Black Friday promotion

Save on PlayStation®VR Starter Pack and discover a host of popular titles at a brand new low price

Sydney, 20th November:  Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) continues its Black Friday deals, unveiling incredible discounts across PlayStation®VR (PS VR) hardware and a great new lower price on a huge range of software.

Black Friday Deal: PS VR Starter Pack:

Featuring everything you need to dive head-first into amazing and immersive new worlds, between now and 2nd December the PS VR Starter Pack is available to pick up for under $299.99 AUD.

Pack contains:

  • PS VR headset
  • PlayStation Camera
  • Digital voucher for PlayStation VR Worlds

PS VR Games deals:

With over 200 games and experiences available on PS VR, there is something to suit everyone’s taste and there’s always something new to discover.  For players looking to expand on their library of games, we are pleased to announce a permanent price drop on some of PS VR’s most popular titles and bundles:

  • Driveclub VR ($24.95 AUD)
  • Battlezone ($24.95 AUD)
  • RIGS ($24.95 AUD)
  • StarBlood Arena ($24.95 AUD)
  • Farpoint ($24.95 AUD)
  • The Inpatient ($24.95 AUD)
  • Bravo Team ($39.95 AUD)
  • Bravo Team Aim Controller Bundle ($99.95 AUD)
  • Firewall ($33.95 AUD)
  • Firewall Aim Controller Bundle ($99.95 AUD)
  • Eve Valkyrie ($24.95 AUD)
  • Robinson: The Journey ($24.95 AUD)

Not just a Black Friday one off, these titles and bundles are permanently available at these new low prices; why not pick up a selection ahead of the holidays!

There is an epic range of games soon to land on PS VR (including the much anticipated Borderlands 2 VR, Blood & Truth, Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown and Star Child),  so there has never been a better time to begin your PS VR journey.

To check out the latest bargains, Players can stay up-to-date on current and upcoming deals at PlayStation’s Black Friday website. 

About Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe Ltd

Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe (SIEE), headquartered in London, UK, is responsible for the PlayStation® brand and family of products and services within the 109 territories serviced by SIEE as a regional headquarters for Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE). PlayStation has delivered innovation to the market since the launch of the original PlayStation in Japan in 1994. The PlayStation family of products and services include PlayStation®4, PlayStation®VR, PlayStation®Vita, PlayStation®3, PlayStation™Store, PlayStation®Plus, PlayStation™Video, PlayStation™Music, PlayStation™Now and acclaimed PlayStation software titles from SIE Worldwide Studios.

Spyro Reignited Trilogy Review

Spyro Reignited Trilogy

Developer: Toys for Bob
Publisher: Activision
Platform: Playstation 4
Release Date: November 13, 2018
Price: $59.99 USD – Available Here, $69.95 AUD – Available Here

Overview

Last year, Crash Bandicoot got a trilogy of remasters, bringing back three classics to modern platforms. Of course the collection was successful, which meant that it was only a matter of time before Spyro got the same treatment. Spyro Reignited Trilogy brings the young dragon back without gimmicks or toys, where he can take back his spotlight and shine for a new generation. Does Spyro still have the same magic as other classics that have emerged over the years, or should this flame be extinguished? Let’s find out.

Story

The plots to all the Spyro titles are kind of built like a Saturday morning cartoon. The first and original title sees Spyro trying to save the world from a threat by the name of Gnasty Gnorc, who has encased the rest of the species in crystal. In the second, we see Spyro aiming to save the realm of Avalar from a new enemy by the name of Ripto, who is an all-powerful warlock. Year of the Dragon finalized the lot, with a Sorceress stealing Dragon Eggs so she can find eternal youth by the magical wings of each specimen. Sure, there are a good amount of details for each, but generally – it is important to know that Sypro is a light-hearted adventure no matter which title you play, featuring an over-the-top cast of characters that have maintained their charm all these years later. Unlike a lot of titles that flooded the market when the whole 3D adventure was starting to take over during the time, Spyro was always able to stay centered, with strong writing and sharp pacing that creates a ton of incentive to keep going until the end of each title.

Gameplay

Every Spyro title are generally adventure games that focus on exploration and puzzle solving. The first title focuses mainly on rescuing dragons, defeating foes and bosses alike, and obtaining collectibles. Ripto’s Rage features a larger world with a heavier emphasis on puzzles and bosses, but now Spyro has new techniques such as swimming and a head bash that make the experience feel fresh and inventive. Year of the Dragon’s big gimmick is the ability to take control of Spyro’s allies for the adventure, which also allows you to play with their techniques – which all come into play in rather intuitive ways. Spyro himself has the ability to glide and “fly” in portions, and while platforming is certainly not the theme that follows the gameplay, the requirement for movement precision is heightened in segments such as races and boss fights, which are mostly brilliant in their own right.

I guess the question to most would be “have these titles held up?”, and the answer is yes. When I first started playing Spyro’s first romp, I was actually a bit disappointed of how fast I was moving through the game. It was as if the adventure was so streamlined and light on challenge that I was just running from statue to statue, with not a lot of substance in-between. My perspective however changed a good bit when I decided to approach the title as a collectathon, rather than a challenging title from the past- as Spyro’s meat generally is found in collecting everything in the game’s world. All three titles have that same essence overall. Sure, there is more challenge from enemies and puzzles in the second and third titles, but the true fun of the game is mainly found in obtaining a sense of completion.

Some remasters come with a lot of hiccups and frustrations, but I really didn’t experience anything that hindered gameplay. Sure, there are minor frustrations, but those frustrations were usually user error due to minor gameplay pacing issues that have been around since the Playstation One. Spyro was never thought of as a perfect game franchise. It is known for being fun, accessible, and relaxing, and this ground-up remaster of each telling do the originals justice by keeping that same feel. As a kid, I was more of a Rare kid and went for the platformer fare on the Nintendo 64, so some of these were new to me overall. I can easily say that I see why there was demand with this trilogy and it is great to see Toys for Bob bring us such a delight all of these years later, when honestly, they could have simply offered a port with lesser polish and still get a good reaction. This is definitely one of the better remasters of this generation, as while there is no modernization of gameplay, the refinement goes a long way to preserve the already stellar quality within each title.

Visuals and Audio

The most important part of this remaster is of course the visuals. Personally, I think Spyro is one of the only franchises on the original Playstation that still looks clean and does not come off as overly blocky or pixelated. This trilogy already set a bar years ago, and this remaster sets another one as it looks fantastic. The world looks incredible with new details making the already bright colors pop. Characters have been re-designed and are more emotive than ever. Toys for Bob were able to take these three titles and add so much polish with a coat of sheen that makes each experience visually appetizing for each area of every game included. The animations are also wonderfully done, as everything is fluid, giving the player a true sense of freedom as they fly as Spyro and a sense of satisfaction as fire scorches the earth below.

The music has been remformatted for all three titles, featuring all of your favorite tracks that have been updated. Those sound great, but hearing Tom Kenny’s new re-recorded lines for all three titles bring new life into the experience, as it seems like he had a blast with these performances, as do all of the other returning and new talent who have joined in. A lot of production and care obviously went into the Reignited Trilogy, and while there are certainly minor changes in some areas, I don’t think any of these three titles have a “Conker” moment, where gamers will feel that they are missing an important piece that they can only find in the originals, and that is definitely something to brag about.

Overall

Spyro Reignited Trilogy is one of the finest remasters to hit in a while, as it is a ground-up labor of love with attention shown to nearly every detail. Sure, Spyro’s name has not been absent during the past decade due to Skylanders and other nods, but the warm feelings of nostalgia have been gone, as nothing has been able to come close to any of these titles outside of this recreation. It will always be debated if a title like this is the perfect preservation, but as a product on its own, this is a fantastic collection that manages to hit all the right notes and bring an old hero back into the limelight. Spyro’s future may still be unknown, but his legacy has been reignited due to three games that still manage to be a lot of fun to play.

The Settlers® History Collection is now available

The Settlers® History Collection is now available

Beloved Strategy Build-Up Series The Settlers® Launches History Collection

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — November 20, 2018 — Ubisoft has announced the release of The Settlers® History Collection for Windows PC on Uplay. Developed by Ubisoft Blue Byte, The Settlers History Collection contains all seven main titles of the strategy build-up series, along with all expansions. Every game has received updates to run on modern PCs with Windows 10 support as well as other improvements to the original versions. The Settlers History Collection is available digitally on Uplay, and each game can also be purchased individually.

Developed by Blue Byte and created by Volker Wertich, The Settlers games have allowed millions of players worldwide to experience the brand-defining “wuselig” feeling of the world of The Settlers. Each game requires players to establish and grow a medieval-themed town by creating production chains for goods and by exploring and conquering new territories.

The Settlers History Collection includes the following games:

  • The Settlers (1993) History Edition – Turn back the clock 25 years and relive the fascination of this gaming classic! This edition includes the base game with improvements such as Windows 10 support, different game speed options and classic RTS controls.
  • The Settlers II: Veni, Vidi, Vici (1996) History Edition – As leader of the Romans, you take over the responsibility for the fate of your people. This edition includes the base game and The Settlers II Mission CD. Improvements include Windows 10 support, auto save, 4K support, mouse, keyboard and controller support for split-screen mode.
  • The Settlers III (1998) History Edition – A strategy-filled fantasy civilization simulation in which your industrious subjects construct buildings, produce goods and conquer new lands. This edition includes The Settlers III, The Settlers III Mission CD and the expansion pack Quest of the Amazons. Improvements include Windows 10 support, auto save, 4K support, dual monitor support and online multiplayer via Uplay.
  • The Settlers IV (2001) History Edition – Choose one of four playable groups – the Romans, the Vikings, the Mayans or the Trojans – to face the threat of the Dark Tribe. This edition includes The Settlers IV, The Settlers IV Mission CD and the add-on The Settlers IV – The Trojans and the Elixir of Power. Improvements include Windows 10 support, auto save, 4K support, dual monitor support and online multiplayer via Uplay.
  • The Settlers: Heritage of Kings (2005) History Edition – Dive into enthralling build-up matches and real-time fights, as manifold landscapes await to be explored and populated. This edition includes the main game plus both Improvements include Windows 10 support and online multiplayer via Uplay.
  • The Settlers: Rise of an Empire (2007) History Edition – Build vibrant cities in a medieval world. Increase the wealth of your empire and to go down in history as a legendary king. This edition includes the main game and the expansion The Eastern Realm. Improvements include Windows 10 support and online multiplayer via Uplay.
  • The Settlers 7: Paths to a Kingdom (2010) History Edition – Experience the new world of Settlers – in the midst of green forests and lush meadows, it will bustle again. Whether as a well-read scientist, crafty merchant or brave general, it is up to you to build a prosperous kingdom with power and prestige. This edition includes the main game and all available DLCs. Improvements include Windows 10 support and permanent Internet connection no longer required.

For more information about The Settlers and The Settlers History Collection, please visit thesettlers-alliance.com and ubisoft.com/en-gb/game/the-settlers-history-collection/.

For the latest on The Settlers and other Ubisoft games, please visit news.ubisoft.com.

About Ubisoft Blue Byte

Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2018, Ubisoft Blue Byte is one of the pioneers of the German games industry. At two sites in Düsseldorf and Mainz, Blue Byte develops high-class strategy games such as The Settlers and Anno which are played by millions of gamers around the globe. Both studios are also successfully co-developing big Ubisoft brands, such as Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, For Honor and Skull & Bones on which the teams work in close collaboration with leading Ubisoft studios. Blue Byte’s international team of 400+ developers is dedicated to create memorable and inspiring gaming experiences while using and supporting the latest technologies and platforms. Ubisoft Berlin, which opened in early 2018, is part of the Ubisoft Blue Byte studio network. Learn more about Ubisoft Blue Byte at www.bluebyte.com.

About Ubisoft

Ubisoft is a leading creator, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and services, with a rich portfolio of world-renowned brands, including Assassin’s Creed, Just Dance, Tom Clancy’s video game series, Rayman, Far Cry and Watch Dogs. The teams throughout Ubisoft’s worldwide network of studios and business offices are committed to delivering original and memorable gaming experiences across all popular platforms, including consoles, mobile phones, tablets and PCs. For the 2017–18 fiscal year Ubisoft generated sales of €1,732 million. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoft.com.

© 2018 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Ubisoft and the Ubisoft logo are registered or unregistered trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the US and/or other countries. The Settlers, Blue Byte, and the Blue Byte logo are registered or unregistered trademarks of Ubisoft GmbH in the US and/or other countries.

Screencheat: Unplugged Locked and Loaded for Nov. 29 Nintendo Switch™ Release

Screencheat: Unplugged Locked and Loaded for Nov. 29 Nintendo Switch™ Release

Available now for Pre-order, Discounted via the Nintendo eShop

MELBOURNE, VIC. – 20 Nov. 2018 – Screencheat: Unplugged, a fully remastered and revamped version of the chaotic party split-screen first-person shooter where everyone is invisible, blasts its way to Nintendo Switch™ on Nov. 29, 2018.

Samurai Punk’s Screencheat: Unplugged features a myriad of improvements over the original release, as well as alterations tailored just for the Nintendo Switch™, including: a graphical overhaul with more vibrant and clear visuals designed with the portable screen in mind, new and remixed maps, remastered weapons, an updated UI, full support for single Joy-Con™, dual Joy-Con™, and Nintendo Switch Pro Controller inputs, and an entirely new soundtrack introducing a fresh and mischievous medley of energetic tracks to enjoy.

Wield a wacky arsenal of one-hit kill weapons ranging from blunderbusses and hobby horses to candelabras and explosive teddy bears. Since all characters are invisible, players must watch their opponents’ screens to know their locations; screen-cheating is not only encouraged, it’s necessary. The 11 levels are divided into color-coded areas filled with memorable landmarks, allowing positions to be pinpointed with ease.

Screencheat: Unplugged touts a range of recognizable game modes, like My First Deathmatch and Hillcampers, as well as decidedly less-familiar ones, such as Murder Mystery and the confetti-filled piñata-based experience Capture the Fun, which use the game’s distinctive premise in fascinating ways. This variety is reflective of the full experience, which is brimming with customization options allowing players to tune the experience to their personal tastes.

Screencheat is a special party game that puts an inventive spin on a familiar experience,” said Nicholas McDonnell, managing director, Samurai Punk. “Our team are huge fans of the Switch, and its multiplayer focus in particular, so creating this new version of the game made perfect sense.”

Screencheat: Unplugged will retail for $12.99 / €11.99 / £10.79 / A$17.99 via the Nintendo eShop, where it is now available for pre-order with a limited-time 25% discount. The game will feature English, French, Russian, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Dutch, and Korean language options with Simplified Chinese and Japanese being added in an upcoming patch.

For more information about Screencheat: Unplugged, please visit the official website, check out the Samurai Punk Discord, and follow the studio on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

About Samurai Punk
Samurai Punk is Melbourne-based independent team dedicated to making games with love and care. The studio imbues its projects, which include Screencheat, The American Dream, Feather, Hazumino, and more, with the group’s rebellious spirit and playful sense of humor.