HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS 4 BLACKOUT BETA NOW LIVE, FIRST ON PLAYSTATION®4

Beginning Today, Fans Can Get Their First Experience with Black Ops 4’s All-New Battle Royale Mode, Blackout 

A Celebration of the Black Ops Universe, Blackout Delivers Signature Call of Duty Gameplay Immersed in Classic Environments and Characters from the Series

Sept. 11, 2018 – Black Ops comes to life like never before in the Call of Duty®: Black Ops 4 Blackout Private Beta, beginning now, first on the PlayStation 4. The Call of Duty community will get their first experience with Black Ops 4’s all-new mode, Blackout, which drops players into a last-player-standing Battle Royale experience that is uniquely Call of Duty: Black Ops. A celebration of the Black Ops series, Blackout features fan-favourite characters, weapons and iconic parts of classic maps, all in the biggest map in franchise history complete with land, sea and air vehicles. The Private Beta will provide valuable user feedback and data as Activision and developer Treyarch prepare to release the deepest, most engaging Call of Duty game ever on October 12^th.

“The Blackout Beta is just the beginning of a long journey that we plan to take with our fans,” said Dan Bunting, Co-Studio Head, Treyarch. “We are going to support Blackout for the long haul, and there’s such a rich history with Black Ops that allows us to continuously update and evolve Blackout to keep it fun and fresh for the community. It’s a true celebration of Black Ops in every way, and getting our community in to play the mode before launch is vital. We can’t wait to see the feedback and hear from players as they get a taste of what’s coming in October.”

The Blackout Private Beta* schedule is as follows:

• PlayStation 4:
  • Tuesday, September 11^th at 3 am AEST – Tuesday, September 18^th at 3 am AEST (PlayStation 4)

• Xbox One and PC**:
  • Saturday, September 15^th at 3 am AEST – Tuesday, September 18^th at 3 am AEST (Xbox One, PC)
  • Sunday, September 16^th, 3 am AEST – Tuesday, September 18^th at 3 am AEST (PC Open Beta only)

“The development effort behind Blackout has been an extraordinary undertaking and we couldn’t be more proud for what the team has accomplished,” said Mark Gordon, Co-Studio Head of Treyarch. “It’s awesome to watch how making Blackout has engaged the whole team in ways that we have never seen before. We couldn’t be more excited to bring the vast heritage of Black Ops heritage to life in Blackout, and can’t wait for the community to share their feedback as we head to launch.”

Deeply rooted in the Black Ops series, which has surpassed more than 200 million players and 15 billion hours played over its lifetime, Blackout spans some of the greatest characters and iconic map locales from Black Ops, Black Ops II, Black Ops III and Black Ops 4. The Private Beta includes a variety of new and classic playable characters, including campaign characters like Mason, Reznov and Woods; Zombies characters like Richtofen and Takeo; and Specialists like Crash, Battery and Seraph, to name a few. Across the sprawling Blackout map, players will fight in locations inspired by fan-favourite Black Ops maps like Nuketown, Firing Range, Raid, Cargo and more.

Fans who have already downloaded the recently completed Multiplayer Beta, or who have since pre-ordered Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 at participating retailers, will receive access to the Blackout Private Beta. Code redemption and other Beta access information can be found at the Activision Beta support site.

The Blackout Private Beta is just the beginning, as the development teams will be actively gathering community feedback throughout the Beta test and will use the player data to fine-tune gameplay balance, stress-test servers and optimise the online experience ahead of the game’s launch on October 12^th. Beta participants will have the opportunity to share their feedback and join in an active dialogue with the development team across a variety of outlets, including player surveys and online forums, with frequent Beta update posts planned from Treyarch:

• Twitter (@Treyarch): Treyarch’s Community and Live Ops teams will be watching their social channels throughout the Beta to get player feedback on everything regarding gameplay and any issues or bugs that may arise. Please tag your feedback with #BO4Beta to make it easier to find. Particularly for the PC crowd, players should follow @TreyarchPC.
• Twitter (@ATVI Assist): For specific technical issues, players should tweet @ATVIAssist, with the tag #BO4Beta.
• Reddit: Treyarch’s Community and Live Ops teams will also be watching Reddit, so players should add their comments to the r/BlackOps4 subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/Blackops4/
• Console: Depending on the technical issue, players may also be given the opportunity to “report a problem” directly on their console. If that happens, please do so, as it helps Treyarch track down the source of issue.
• Survey: After you’ve played the Beta, players will be given the opportunity to provide the team with direct feedback through a detailed survey.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is published by Activision and developed by Treyarch with additional development support from Raven Software and PC development with Beenox. The title is scheduled for release on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC on October 12^th. Black Ops 4 for the PC delivers a fully-optimised experience, which for the first time in Call of Duty’s history will be available exclusively on Battle.net, Blizzard Entertainment’s online gaming service.  For more information and the latest intel check out: www.callofduty.com, www.youtube.com/callofduty and follow @CallofDuty and @Treyarch on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is scheduled for release on PlayStation®4 system, Xbox One, and PC. The game is rated MA15+ for Mature (Strong Supernatural Themes and Bloody Violence, Online Interactivity).

About Treyarch
Treyarch is an award-winning video game studio, driven by the desire to create epic gameplay experiences that are enjoyed by as many video game fans as possible. It is an approach that has helped to make the studio behind the Call of Duty®: Black Ops series of games, an industry-leading developer. Call of Duty: Black Ops set an entertainment launch opening record upon its release in 2010 and continues to be one of the best-selling games of all time, according to NPD and GfK Chart-Track; Call of Duty®: Black Ops II set world-wide launch day records; and the studio’s most recent Call of Duty®: Black Ops III held the biggest entertainment opening weekend of 2015, and was the #1 console game globally for the calendar year. Additionally, Treyarch is the birthplace of Call of Duty’s Zombies. Treyarch is wholly owned by Activision.

 About Activision
Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision is a leading global producer and publisher of interactive entertainment. Activision maintains operations throughout the world and is a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), an S&P 500 company. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.activision.com or by following @Activision.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements: Information in this press release that involves Activision Publishing’s expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future, including statements about the expected release dates, features and functionality of Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, including the Blackout Private Beta and PC Open Beta, are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause Activision Publishing’s actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements set forth in this release include unanticipated product delays and other factors identified in the risk factors sections of Activision Blizzard’s most recent annual report on Form 10K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to Activision Publishing and Activision Blizzard as of the date of this release, and neither Activision Publishing nor Activision Blizzard assumes any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of Activision Publishing or Activision Blizzard and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.

*Blackout Beta starts September 10, 2018 on PS4 system; other platforms to follow.  Private Beta pre-order offer does not apply to PC platform version. Actual platform availability and launch date(s) of Blackout Beta subject to change. See www.callofduty.com/beta for more details. Beta duration subject to change. Limited time only, while beta codes last, at participating retailers. Internet connection required.

**Blackout Beta starts September 15, 2018 on PC. Early Access starts September 14, 2018. Actual platform availability and launch date(s) of Blackout Beta subject to change. See www.callofduty.com/beta for more details. Limited time only, while beta codes last, at participating retailers. Internet connection required.

ACTIVISION, CALL OF DUTY, and CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners.

“PlayStation” is a registered trademark and “PS4” is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

LIMITED NINTENDO SWITCH BUNDLES FOR POKÉMON: LET’S GO, PIKACHU! AND POKÉMON: LET’S GO, EEVEE! COMING 16^TH NOVEMBER

Bundles come with exclusive Pikachu and Eevee-themed hardware and accessories

11^th September, 2018 – Anyone planning to get their hands on Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! or  Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! for Nintendo Switch can look forward to two new special limited hardware bundles, launching alongside these new Pokémon adventures on 16^th November.The bundles include:

• A Nintendo Switch console decorated with silhouettes of Pikachu and Eevee;
• Special Pikachu and Eevee themed Joy-Con;
• A Nintendo Switch dock with colourful artwork of Pikachu and Eevee;
• A pre-installed version of either Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!;
• A Poké Ball Plus controller.

New details about the games were also revealed. During the adventure, players will be able to use their partner Pokémon (either Pikachu or Eevee) to overcome obstacles using Secret Techniques. These are skills that only partner Pokémon can use, like chopping down trees, traveling across water or soaring in the sky.

Two new limited hardware bundles will be available when Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! launch across Australia and New Zealand on 16^th November.

Additional Links:

Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! website: https://pokemonletsgo.pokemon.com/en-au/
Nintendo Switch website: http://www.nintendo.com.au/nintendo-switch/
Nintendo Australia website: http://www.nintendo.com.au/
Nintendo Australia Twitter: https://twitter.com/NintendoAUNZ
Nintendo Australia Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NintendoAUNZ
Nintendo AU on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/nintendoau

THE INVASION OF NOVO SLAVA SHOWCASED IN NEW TRAILER FOR LEFT ALIVE

Brand-new Survival Action Shooter Coming to PlayStation®4 and STEAM® in 2019 

SYDNEY, 11^th September 2018 – Leading up to Tokyo Game Show 2018, Square Enix Ltd., today unveiled a brand new trailer for the upcoming survival action shooter, LEFT ALIVE®.

The new trailer introduces the games three main protagonists, each with their own stories, missions and paths to salvation. Set during a devastating invasion in the war-torn Novo Slava in the year 2127, LEFT ALIVE tells a human story of survival.

To watch the LEFT ALIVE – The Invasion of Novo Slava trailer now

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX1eTUYuPU0&feature=youtu.be 

LEFT ALIVE brings together veteran developers, Toshifumi Nabeshima (director, Armored Core series), Yoji Shinkawa from KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS (character designer, METAL GEAR series), and Takayuki Yanase (mech designer, Ghost in the Shell: Arise, Mobile Suit Gundam 00, Xenoblade Chronicles X) to create a dark and gritty world.

LEFT ALIVE will be available for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and STEAM® in 2019. For more information, visit: http://www.left-alive.com

Related Links:

Official Homepage: http://www.left-alive.com

Twitter: @LeftAliveGame

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leftalivegame

Hilariously Sadistic Choose-Your-Own Adventure, The Dark Room, Torments PC in SEPTEMBER 2018

PERTH, Australia/ LONDON, UK – September 10, 2018 – The Dark Room, the brutal yet hysterical choose-your-own-adventure from comedian John Robertson and brought to life by Stirfire Studios, subjects players to an emotionally abusive hate simulator on Steam beginning 20th September.

Based on Robertson’s live standup show and viral video series of the same name (since 2012 the live show has locked hundreds of thousands of players in a brutal puzzle, the videos got 4,000,000 hits in Feb that same year), The Dark Room will feature a brand-new story penned by Robertson in a new labyrinth full of twists, turns, and his signature brand that has been described as a text-based Dark Souls.

As you sit in absolute darkness, a man known only as the Guardian emerges from the shadows. Silver-haired, maddeningly gleeful, and clad in what looks to be glowing… American football…pads…he bellows with a voice dripping with malice: “YOU AWAKE TO FIND YOURSELF IN A DARK ROOM…”

He presents you with a few options: a) Find the light switch. B) Go north. C) Sleep. D) Ask “Why?” Yet each option you choose leads to sarcasm, or worse, death. “You’re in a dark room! You need the light switch to see, do you see?”  “You proceed in the direction you believe to be north and straight into the iron spike in front of you . You say hello to Mr. Spike, and he says hello to Mr. Eye…YA DIE! YA DIE! YA DIE!”

His handsome mug, perhaps-insane eyes, and spiteful, taunting voice give the Guardian life through facial motion capture. This cartoony version of him is almost cute, but he still wants to murder you.

The choices the Guardian offers may at first seem unfair, but there’s a twisted logic laying underneath his wicked words. He’s a big jerk that kiiind of wants to kill the player, but keen observational skills (and maybe a hint of absurdity) can win in the end. Sure, you’re most likely to find more abuse from the Guardian or a corpse or two, but we’ve heard tell of fabled good endings somewhere in this mysterious room.

Each death teaches a lesson, albeit one accompanied by the Guardian’s gleeful cheer: “YA DIE! YA DIE! YA DIE!” Get used to hearing that, because many of the games’ more than 600 scenes end with a dark room splattered with blood. But how would you know if the room was covered in crimson? It’s a dark room, and he’ll never let you forget that!

“I came up with The Dark Room because I loved text adventure games as a kid,” said Robertson. “The dread and confusion I felt is missing in gaming today, and now I can force that on gamers at home, as well when they’re in my live crowds.”

Level One of The Dark Room will be available in English on Steam Early Access for PC and Mac? for $13.99, £9.99, €11.99 and $17.99 on September 20th. With future levels slated for release over the next few months.

For more information, please visit The Dark Room Game’s official website and follow the game on Twitter and Facebook.

About Stirfire Studios

Named after an encouragement for all team members to contribute ideas to its mixing pot work culture, Stirfire Studios believes the best creative visions are built by listening to a diverse lineup of voices. With an emphasis on gameplay, visual design and story in mind, Stirfire is currently working on  The Dark Room, its latest project to be released since its well-received 2017 release, Symphony of the Machine.

About John Robertson

A silver-haired, suit-wearing professional sadist, John Robertson has toured the world as a comedian since 2008, performing a surreal fusion of abuse, music and nerdtacular bullshit. He’s had residencies at London’s Soho Theatre, the Insomnia Gaming Festival, UK Games Expo, Supanova Pop Culture Expo, EB Games Expo Australia, PAX Australia, MCM Comic Con, London Film & Comic-Con, Sci-Fi Weekender, the Edinburgh Fringe and a host of dungeons, palaces, bomb shelters and theatres. He is the former presenter of the UK’s Videogame Nation, faked a seizure on Australian Idol, punched a drinks sponsor in the balls during a show in Manchester, and has variously been a journalist, TEDx speaker, professional wrestler and imitation priest.

inXile Entertainment Releases The Bard’s Tale IV: Barrows Deep Music Spotlight, Announces First Wishlist Goal Unlocked!

inXile developers add the torch from Darkest Dungeon to the game, remaining goals lower the game’s price and, ultimately, add free DLC

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. – Sept. 10, 2018 – inXile Entertainment, the studio led by Brian Fargo, is proud to share the latest The Bard’s Tale IV: Barrows Deep spotlight video, this time focused on the game’s soundtrack. Featuring a who’s who of Gaelic folk singers and led by Ged Grimes of Simple Minds, the music of The Bard’s Tale IV: Barrows Deep is described by Brian Fargo as “one of the most wonderful game soundtracks I’ve ever been involved with.”

Music has always been a core pillar and pioneering feature of the series – its importance is baked right into the title of the game – and that has never been more true than in this latest entry. The video explores how inXile’s decision to ground the series in a Scottish-inspired setting opened up an unprecedented opportunity to build a world as alive musically as it is visually. Likewise, the musicians share their excitement about being able to bring this part of Scottish culture to so many people. 

In other great news, inXile is pleased to announce the the first goal of The Bard’s Tale IV: Barrows Deep Wishlist Initiative has been unlocked. inXile will, with the support of Red Hook Studios, provide an in-game version of the iconic torch from Darkest Dungeon to all players at launch.

With this first goal unlocked, the Wishlist Initiative continues. Interested gamers can wishlist the game on either Steam, GOG.com or Humble. At 300K wishlisters, the retail price will drop $5 from $39.95 to $34.95. At 500K wishlisters, the retail price will fall another $5 to $29.95 and a free DLC will be created and released for all game owners.

In addition, inXile has expanded the program with a Poland-specific campaign. If 30K Polish residents wishlist the game, another unique item – the Golden Onion – will be created and added to the game. This item is a nod to a cultural saying in Poland, where a “good onion” represents good value. If achieved, these wishlist adds count to the global total and the Golden Onion will be available for all owners of the game. 

“We’re thrilled that we’ve hit the first goal, and we’ve been very happy with fan response to the Initiative,” said inXile CEO Brian Fargo. “That said, we’re going to continue to push this Initiative in the short time we have left. We’d love to see gamers drive down the price and generate some extra content for the game. It’s a win/win for everyone, and again, it doesn’t cost anyone anything – just the time they take to wishlist the game on their accounts.”

The Bard’s Tale IV: Barrows Deep will launch on Windows PC on Sept. 18, 2018. It is expected to arrive later on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One, Mac and Linux. The Bard’s Tale IV: Barrows Deep store pages:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/566090/The_Bards_Tale_IV_Barrows_Deep/
https://www.gog.com/game/the_bards_tale_iv_barrows_deep
https://www.humblebundle.com/store/the-bards-tale-iv-barrows-deep 

You can follow all news related to the game on the company’s social media accounts:

https://www.facebook.com/TheBardsTale
https://twitter.com/Inxile_Ent

About inXile Entertainment

inXile Entertainment is a premiere video game development studio with locations in Newport Beach, CA, and New Orleans, LA, and is behind leading titles including Wasteland 2, Torment: Tides of Numenera, The Mage’s Tale, The Bard’s Tale IV: Barrows Deep, and Wasteland 3. Headed by Brian Fargo, inXile Entertainment is home to both industry veterans and up-and-coming talent, and is at the cutting edge of innovation in delivering high-quality titles to their passionate and dedicated fan base.