UBISOFT ANNOUNCES FREE UPDATE, THE CREW^® 2 GATOR RUSH, IS NOW AVAILABLE

Experience the New Hovercraft Discipline and All The Crew 2 Has to Offer During Uplay PC Free Weekend September 27 – 30

SAN FRANCISCO — September 26, 2018 — Today, Ubisoft^® announced that Gator Rush, the first free update brought to Ubisoft’s open world motorsports game, The Crew^® 2, is now available on PlayStation^®4 computer entertainment system, the Xbox One family of devices including Xbox One X and Windows PC.

Ubisoft also announced that gamers can play The Crew 2, including Gator Rush, for free from September 27 – 30 on Uplay PC. As part of the free weekend, players can purchase The Crew 2 with discounts up to 45 percent starting today on all versions of Uplay PC and the PlayStation 4 system. For more information, please visit http://thecrewgame.com/freeweekend. Players can already pre-load the game on all available platforms by visiting http://thecrewgame.com/FWE_PC.

Starting today, season pass owners get early access to two new additional vehicles – the Ariel Nomad 2015 and XK Armored 2018 – as part of the game’s monthly vehicle drop. All other players will have access to these vehicles starting October 3^rd.

Introduced in the heart of the southern swamps, the all-new hovercraft discipline in the off-road family will have players doing things no other vehicles can do in The Crew 2. With three hovercraft vehicles completely new to the line-up, racers can slide on all kinds of terrain, bump their opponents on a tight corner and land on their competitors after jumping a ramp. In addition to the Bayou, other iconic places across the US map, such as Lake Michigan and Glacier Park, have been redesigned with enhancements such as steep slopes and banked curves. Players can enjoy these enhancements in all-new events, a Live Xtrem Series race and free drive, with new skills available in the open world bringing new ways to explore the United States map.

For players who thrive under pressure, The Crew 2 Gator Rush will also include Ace mode, a new difficulty level. Players successful in Ace mode will earn Legendary loot, parts that award better performances, exclusive affix bonuses and new combinations to customize each ride’s performance according to their handling preference.

The release of Gator Rush is the first step in the The Crew 2 post-launch development schedule, and the team is committed to continue introducing ample new content through regular updates in the months ahead, including PvP coming in December, new disciplines, events, vehicles and more. For more information on The Crew 2 post-launch plans, please visit: https://news.ubisoft.com/article/the-crew-2-season-pass-and-free-post-launch-content-revealed

Developed by Ubisoft Ivory Tower,* a studio based in Lyon, France, The Crew 2 lets players experience the thrill of the American motorsports spirit inside a fully redesigned USA. The game’s playground pushes physical boundaries to let driving and open world fans test their skills in nonstop competition and exploration. From coast to coast, drivers can explore America and compete to become the greatest motorsports champion by collecting a wide variety of exotic cars, bikes, boats and planes, and dominating the motorsports scene on the land, on the water and in the air. They can find challenges and inspiration among four different motorsports families: street racing, off-road, pro-racing and freestyle, and will be given a broad set of options among a wide selection of vehicle types.

For the latest news on The Crew and all of Ubisoft’s games, please visit news.ubisoft.com

For more information about The Crew 2, please visit thecrewgame.com/ and please follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/thecrewgame.usa and on Twitter at twitter.com/TheCrewGame or hashtag #TheCrew2.

*Associate studios include Ubisoft Bucharest, Ubisoft Paris, Ubisoft Shanghai and Massive, a Ubisoft studio.

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. The Crew logo, Ubisoft, and the Ubisoft logo are registered or unregistered trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the US and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

REKINDLE OLD FRIENDSHIPS IN NELKE & THE LEGENDARY ALCHEMISTS: ATELIERS OF THE NEW WORLD AND CONTINUE THE REUNION WITH THE ATELIER ARLAND SERIES DELUXE PACK

KOEI TECMO Europe Provides Details on the Upcoming Atelier Title and Reveals the Western Release Date of Beloved Atelier Trilogy

Hertfordshire, 26^th September 2018 – KOEI TECMO Europe detailed the exciting new town building elements and returning characters from the Atelier series featured in GUST Studio’s upcoming title, Nelke & the Legendary Alchemists: Ateliers of the New World, which is set to hit shelves in Early 2019 – physical and digital on the PlayStation®4 Computer Entertainment System and Nintendo Switch™; and digital-only on Windows PC via Steam®.

Fans of the Atelier series can continue celebrating the cherished franchise through the western release of the Atelier Arland series Deluxe Pack via digital release on the PS4, Switch, and PC via Steam on the 4^th December 2018.

In Nelke & the Legendary Alchemists: Ateliers of the New World players assume the role of Nelke von Lestamm, a young aristocrat who longs to become an alchemist, but sadly does not have the talents required. With a strong fascination with the ancient legend of the Sage of Granzweit, she is excited to uncover new information which rumours that the sacred Granzweit Tree is within the lands her father governs.

Not only are the eccentric alchemists on hand to help with developing Westwald, but Nelke will rely on their help to unravel the mystery behind the Granzweit Tree. The main cast of the Dusk series; Ayesha Altugle, Escha Malier, Logix Ficsario, Shallistera Argo and Shallotte Elminus, are just a handful of the alchemist friends which she will have the pleasure to work alongside on her journey. More alchemists are yet to be revealed from across other Atelier titles like the Salburg, Mysterious and Arland trilogies.

In Nelke & the Legendary Alchemists: Ateliers of the New World, players need money to develop the land and build new facilities, but will require the aid of well-known alchemists. By sending alchemists out across the lands to gather materials and synthesise them provides Nelke with income from selling the final product in one of Westwald’s shops. As the town’s population grows, players can construct Ateliers, Shops, Growing Areas, Landmarks, and Roads, to name a few. Many facilities will allow helpers run their day-to-day procedures – place a resident as a helper in a Growing Area and they will ensure that the items planted are harvested and ready for use.

The reunions don’t stop with Nelke, KOEI TECMO Europe announced that the Atelier Arland series Deluxe Pack will be headed west for a digital release. This pack features all three titles from the Arland trilogy; Atelier Rorona: The Alchemists of Arland DX, Atelier Totori: The Adventurer of Arland DX and Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland DX with many of the previously released DLC contents. Players can choose between purchasing the titles individually or as a package containing all three at a discounted price.

To further celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Atelier series, GUST Studios are running an Atelier Art Contest. Budding artists can submit their designs for a chance to win some exciting prizes; four awards will be selected, the GUST, Mel Kishida, NOCO and Regional Awards – and each will have prizes that Atelier fans will be wanting to get their hands on. For more information on the contest, which closes on the 31^st October 2018, please visit the competition site here: http://www.ateliergames.eu/atelier20th/fanart/

A first look at the town building elements of Nelke & the Legendary Alchemists: Ateliers of the New World was shown off in a brand-new trailer by KOEI TECMO Europe today, alongside further screenshots introducing the Dusk trilogy alchemists.

With more information for Nelke & the Legendary Alchemists: Ateliers of the New World and Atelier Arland series Deluxe Pack set to be revealed in the coming weeks, be sure to check out our official website http://www.ateliergames.eu/nelke/, http://www.ateliergames.eu/arlanddx/, Like us on www.facebook.com/ateliergames and Follow us on Twitter @koeitecmoeurope for all the latest details.

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

Will Chinese Censorship Cause Internet to Split in Two? VPNs Keep Providing Access to Free Internet in China

Google ex-CEO predicts the internet will split in two by 2028; NordVPN says that tech companies should not accept the status quo and keep providing access to the free Internet in China

September 26, 2018. The Twitch app, which allows to live-stream computer games, has just been blocked in China and removed from the local app store. The app skyrocketed into popularity in the country after people were using it to watch e-sports 2018 Asian Games, and became the third most popular app in China.

China’s state media broadcaster did not air the competition – where China won two gold medals – which led people to download Twitch in large numbers. 

“It’s common for Chinese authorities to ban apps that are growing in popularity, in fear that anything sensitive or controversial might be shared and become viral,” said Ruby Gonzalez, Communications Director at NordVPN. “It’s no secret that Facebook, Google, YouTube, Twitter and other major sites are blocked in China. But it’s definitely concerning that any chance to share content in China without censorship is blocked immediately.” 

“The strong Chinese censorship leads to predictions about the internet splitting in two – one with the Chinese control and another with the Western values of free information flow.”

Recently, the ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt has said that the internet would split in two by 2028. According to Schmidt, the process is already under way, as the Great Firewall of China is blocking Chinese citizens from accessing the Western internet’s most popular sites. 

“The two-internet concept would not only split the world wide web, but would increase the deep division between free thought and censored communication,” said Ruby Gonzalez. “The Chinese authorities want to make sure there is no free-flowing information in China, and we believe that tech companies must resist this, instead of accepting the status quo.” 

“Chinese citizens and residents widely use VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) to bypass the Great Firewall and to access the free internet. Though the government attempts to block VPNs, our service still works in China and provides a chance to read the uncensored news or to connect with friends outside of China through Facebook. We believe that the internet should be accessible to everyone on the same basis.” 

A VPN service encrypts all the traffic flow between the Internet and a user’s device. Furthermore, it can prevent tracking software and governments from monitoring the user’s Internet activity and helps hide their IP address. 

For more information, please visit norvpn.com.

ABOUT NORDVPN

NordVPN is the world’s most advanced VPN service provider that is more security oriented than most VPN services. It aims to become the world’s easiest-to-use VPN with a strong focus on user experience. NordVPN offers double VPN encryption, malware blocking and Onion Over VPN. It apps provide a unique algorithm, allowing to automatically connect to the fastest server. The product is very user friendly, offers one of the best prices on the market, has over 5,000 servers worldwide and is P2P friendly. One of the key features of NordVPN is zero log policy. www.nordvpn.com

TOKYO GAME SHOW: SWORD ART ONLINE CELEBRATES 5^th ANNIVERSARY WITH A HOST OF NEW RELEASES 

Today BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe is pleased to reveal a collection of announcements across three titles: SWORD ART ONLINE: FATAL BULLET, SWORD ART ONLINE: LOST SONG and SWORD ART ONLINE: HOLLOW REALIZATION.

SWORD ART ONLINE: FATAL BULLET

A new expansion, Dissonance Of The Nexus, is coming to PlayStation® 4, Xbox One and PC. It will include a completely new scenario, new field White Frontier, new playable characters, enemies and items. The expansion will be independent from the DLCs* and will offer the players a completely fresh experience, with new characters coming for the first time in the game series.

Alongside this, a digital Complete Edition is coming for SWORD ART ONLINE: FATAL BULLET. It will be available digitally on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC and include the main game, all the previous DLCs and the new expansion Dissonance Of The Nexus.

BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe also reveal that this complete edition of SWORD ART ONLINE: FATAL BULLET will be arriving on the NINTENDO Switch™ at a later date.

SWORD ART ONLINE: HOLLOW REALIZATION DELUXE EDITION

NINTENDO Switch™ players will also be able to play SWORD ART ONLINE: HOLLOW REALIZATION DELUXE EDITION. Initially released on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita, this deluxe edition will include the base game and all DLCs. The release date will be revealed in the near future.

SWORD ART ONLINE LOST SONG

Finally, after much fan demand, the third video game of the series, SWORD ART ONLINE: LOST SONG will come to PC Digital via STEAM and other distributors – giving players the chance to rediscover this much-loved title.

Further details about all announcements will be revealed soon.

*Dissonance Of The Nexus will not be part of the Season Pass for SWORD ART ONLINE: FATAL BULLET.  SWORD ART ONLINE: FATAL BULLET is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC Digital via STEAM® and other distributors.

STAY CONNECTED:

• Official Website: http://www.swordartonline-game.com
• Official Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/swordartonlinegames

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About BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe S.A.S.
BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe S.A.S., part of BANDAI NAMCO Holdings Inc., is a leading global publisher and developer of interactive entertainment for all major video game consoles, iOS, Android, and online platforms. The company is known for creating and publishing many of the industry’s top video game franchises including PAC-MAN™, GALAGA™, TEKKEN™, SOULCALIBUR™, ACE COMBAT™ and DARK SOULS™. BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe is the premier publisher for anime-based video games including NARUTO SHIPPUDEN™, DRAGON BALL™, and ONE PIECE™. More information about the company and its products can be found at http://www.bandainamcoent.eu or www.facebook.com/BandaiNamcoEU

©2014 REKI KAWAHARA/PUBLISHED BY KADOKAWA CORPORATION ASCII MEDIA WORKS/SAOII Project

Game ©BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.

©BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.

PUBG MOBILE GETS COMPETITIVE WITH FIRST EVER ‘STAR CHALLENGE’ CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Teams from six regions across the world will battle it out to be crowned champion and win a piece of the $600,000 prize pool

LOS ANGELES – Sept. 24, 2018 – Beginning today, players from around the world can enlist in the ‘PUBG MOBILE STAR CHALLENGE’ a global tournament hosted by Tencent Games and PUBG Corporation (PUBG Corp.) for PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds Mobile (PUBG MOBILE). Squads from across Europe, Asia, North America, South America, Japan/Korea and China will battle it out for a share of the hefty $600,000 prize pool. And the finals will happen in Dubai in the end of 2018.

The ‘PUBG MOBILE STAR CHALLENGE’ with title sponsorship of Samsung Galaxy Note9 is bringing celebrities, professional gamers, and internet personalities together for the first-ever championship series. Also, PUBG MOBILE is now available to be downloaded in Samsung Galaxy Apps. To participate, a player must have more than 1,000 fans or followers across specified streaming platforms but can form a squad of up to three other players with no requirements. Participants registration already ended in Sept. 10 and we received more than 15,000 teams applied for qualification to PMSC. Full details can be found here.

The top 20 teams from each of the six regions will move on to the qualifier rounds of the ‘PUBG MOBILE STAR CHALLENGE,’ and then to the global finals. Global and regional winners will split the $600,000 prize pool as follows:

• Global Final Champion: $200,000 USD
• Runner-up: $100,000 USD
• 3rd Place: $50,000 USD
• Regional Final Champion: $20,000 USD
• Regional Runner-up: $15,000 USD
• 3rd Place: $10,000 USD

In addition to cash prizes, winners will become an official PUBG MOBILE partnered content creator, gaining access to promotional resources for streaming PUBG MOBILE.

Last but not the least, PUBG MOBILE STAR CHALLENGE- EUROPE FINAL will be the first station of this global tournament and will land in Ukraine, Kiev, on September 29 to 30, 15:30pm GMT+2. Please stay tuned to PUBG MOBILE official Facebook page for more information.

PUBG MOBILE is available to download for free on the App Store Google Play.

PUBG MOBILE is developed by Tencent Games and PUBG Corp. and based on PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, the original PC and Xbox One gaming phenomenon that took the world of interactive entertainment by storm in 2017. Up to 100 players parachute onto a remote island to do 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 MOBILE accounts on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

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PLANET ENTERTAINMENT REVEALS CABELA’S® THE HUNT AND BASS PRO SHOPS® THE STRIKE CHAMPIONSHIP EDITIONS FOR NINTENDO SWITCH™

Experience the thrill of competitive game hunting and fishing on Oct. 23, 2018

NORTH AMERICA – Sept. 24, 2018 – Planet Entertainment has announced a pair of new video games in collaboration with two of the top names in outdoor sports: Cabela’s® The Hunt: Championship Edition and Bass Pro Shops® The Strike: Championship Edition, both coming to Nintendo Switch™ at retail in North America on Oct. 23, 2018.

Each game will be available as a standalone product for $39.99. Players can also purchase either title as part of a bundle for $49.99 containing the full game plus a special peripheral controller* – the Bullseye Pro and the Power Cast Rod & Reel – designed to enhance the gameplay experience.

Cabela’s® The Hunt: Championship Edition brings the #1 hunting adventure series back with 10 of North America’s most famous hunting regions. Use realistic techniques like scent, stalking, calls, decoy and GPS mapping to track and take down trophy prey through a series of dangerous animal encounters and a variety of arcade-style mini-games.

Bass Pro Shops® The Strike: Championship Edition is designed for veteran anglers and newcomers alike, allowing players to explore 10 unique lakes on nine fast boats. Use over 100 authentic Bass Pro Shops lures to land 11 different species of fish plus legendary fish in each lake. Show off your fishing skills in special bass boat challenges, casting contests and an assortment of fun mini-games.

Players can also compete for real prizes with special tournaments in both games beginning in January 2019.

Cabela’s® The Hunt: Championship Edition is rated T (Teen) by the ESRB. Bass Pro Shops® The Strike: Championship Edition is rated E (Everyone) by the ESRB.

*Special controllers are optional and not required to play either title.

About Planet Entertainment
Planet Entertainment is a leading publisher of entertainment software with a high-quality portfolio of multi-platform games for the Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation®4, PC and mobile. Planet Entertainment has publishing operations across North America, Europe (France, Italy, Germany, Spain, UK) and Australia.

About Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro Shops is North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company. Founded in 1972 when avid young angler Johnny Morris began selling tackle out of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri, today the company provides customers with unmatched offerings spanning premier destination retail, outdoor equipment manufacturing, world-class resort destinations and more. In 2017 Bass Pro Shops acquired Cabela’s to create a “best-of-the-best” experience with superior products, dynamic locations and outstanding customer service. Bass Pro Shops also operates White River Marine Group, offering an unsurpassed collection of industry-leading boat brands, and Big Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort. Under the visionary conservation leadership of Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops is a national leader in protecting habitat and introducing families to the outdoors and has been named by Forbes as “one of America’s Best Employers.”

PLAYSTATION® AUSTRALIA ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF PLAYSTATION®PLUS PLATINUM HUNTERS

5 physical Platinum Trophies up for grabs with some the most anticipated upcoming titles

Sydney, 24 September 2018 – Sony Interactive Entertainment Australia is excited to announce the return of PlayStation®Plus Platinum Hunters, the ultimate competition for PlayStation®4 gaming connoisseurs. Following the success of last year’s inaugural competition, PlayStation® Australia is calling on local digital treasure hunters to play, compete and be rewarded for their hours of effort to unlock every in-game trophy.

Sure to be coveted by the most dedicated and passionate trophy hunters, PlayStation Australia has crafted five limited-edition replica Platinum Trophies to crown the nation’s best completionists across five well-loved and highly anticipated titles:

• EA SPORTS™ FIFA 19 (25 September)
• Call of Duty®: Black Ops 4 (12 October)
• Fallout® 76 (14 November)
• Battlefield™ V (20 November)
• Anthem™ (22 February)

To win, players must collect all in-game trophies and unlock the Platinum Trophy for a title specified above. Once players achieve all in-game accomplishments and receive the Platinum Digital Trophy, they must snap a screenshot using the SHARE button and upload it across Facebook or Twitter tagging @PlayStationAU and using the hashtag #PlusPlatinumHunters.

The popular and captivating sports title, EA SPORTS™ FIFA 19 will kick off the competition. The game features the biggest leagues, clubs, and players in world football, along with ground-breaking and realistic gameplay that perfectly simulates the beautiful game. Players who purchase the Champions and Ultimate edition can start chasing the glory early from 25^th September when the game becomes available on PS4 for their chance to win the first of five physical Platinum Trophies.

Do you have what it takes to be one of this year’s PlayStation Plus Platinum Hunters? Last year, PlayStation Australia crowned its EA SPORTS™ FIFA 18 Platinum Hunter just after four days from kicking off the competition!

The competition is all about the celebrating the players and their achievements. Watch the PlayStation Plus Platinum Hunters launch video here.

For more information on the PS Plus Platinum Hunters Competition (FIFA 19) T&Cs please visit here.

For the latest PlayStation news, follow PlayStation Australia on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

About Sony Interactive Entertainment Australia Pty Ltd

Sony Interactive Entertainment Australia (SIEAU) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe (SIEE). 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.