UBISOFT ANNOUNCES LAUNCH DATE FOR GATOR RUSH, FIRST FREE MAJOR UPDATE FOR THE CREW^® 

The Update Plans All-New Hovercraft Discipline, New Events and More

Köln, Germany — August 21, 2018 — Today, during gamescom, Ubisoft^® announced that Gator Rush, the first free update brought to Ubisoft’s open world motorsports game, The Crew 2, will be available on September 26 on PlayStation^®4 computer entertainment system, the Xbox One family of devices including Xbox One X and Windows PC.

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 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 locations to explore.

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.

On September 26, season pass owners will also get seven days early access to two new additional vehicles as part of the game’s monthly vehicle drop.

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.

SHENMUE I & II RE-RELEASE IS OUT NOW FOR PLAYSTATION 4 AND XBOX ONE

The saga begins again with the definitive versions of these legendary classics!

Sydney, Australia – 21^st August 2018 – Get ready to experience the most oft-requested re-release in SEGA®’s history as Shenmue™ I & II is out now for PlayStation® 4 and Xbox® One.

Prepare yourself to embark on a timeless tale of revenge and mystery once more by checking out the release trailer

The re-release of Shenmue I & II is the definitive version of these all-time classics with all the original features intact such as enthralling Jiu Jitsu combat, investigative sleuthing, real-time open worlds, RPG elements and memorable mini-games. The re-release also adds modernised features such as updated user interface, choice of modern or classic control schemes and the option to enjoy either the original Japanese or English voiceovers.

“SEGA Europe has wanted to re-release the Shenmue series for such a long time and thanks to tireless work behind the scenes, it is our pleasure to bring these games back, laden with accolades as one of the greatest gaming series of all time, for gamers of all generations,” said John Clark, Executive Vice President of Publishing at SEGA Europe. “We can’t wait for gamers to jump into this piece of gaming history and experience the magic of Shenmue I & II for themselves.”

Shenmue I & II is available to purchase from Australian retailers on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One for an RRP of $49.95 and is rated “M”

For all the latest information on Shenmue I & II, head over to https://shenmue.sega.com/

Blizzard Entertainment brings a festival of games and community attractions to gamescom 2018

Sydney, Australia—21 August, 2018—Blizzard Entertainment will be showcasing its games and celebrating its community at gamescom 2018 in Cologne, Germany, from Tuesday, 21 August, to Saturday, 25 August CEST. Attendees will have the chance to enjoy the latest playable content and plenty of activities for Overwatch^®, World of Warcraft^®: Battle for Azeroth^™, Heroes of the Storm^®, StarCraft^® II, Diablo^® III, and Hearthstone^® at the Blizzard booth in Hall 7 of the Koelnmesse.

A calendar of main stage activities can be viewed on the new “Blizzard at gamescom” website (http://gamescom.blizzard.com) and mobile application, available on the App Store and the Google Play Store. The site and app also feature a catalog of merchandise that can be purchased at the Blizzard store in Hall 5, including some brand-new and convention-exclusive items, and visitors can create a personal wishlist in advance to facilitate their shopping experience.

In addition, the Blizzard at gamescom app allows attendees at the event to take an Augmented Reality tour of the Blizzard booth for the chance to win prizes.

Those who can’t make it to gamescom 2018 in person can watch the daily Blizzard at gamescom show via the website starting at 1:00 a.m. AEST/3:00 a.m. NZST Thursday, 23 August, through Saturday, 25 August, and 12:00 a.m. AEST/2:00 a.m. NZST on Sunday, 26 August. Hosted by actor and presenter Naomi Kyle and well-known YouTuber Mark “Turps” Turpin, the show will include live-streamed and pre-recorded content, with spectators having the ability to change camera angles.

Visitors to the Blizzard booth at gamescom will be able to experience the following playable content and activities:

Overwatch

• Blizzard is kicking off the first public day of gamescom 2018 with the Overwatch: New Content Reveal on the main stage starting at 11:15 a.m. CEST on Wednesday, 22 August. Followed by the premiere of a new Overwatch animated short, which will also be available to view on YouTube.
• German Overwatch World Cup 2018 team members will battle participants from the audience in Lúcioball showmatches live on stage on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday CEST for the Overwatch: Lúcioball Challenge.

• Overwatch heroes D.Va, Lúcio, and Brigitte will come to life as their voice actors perform on stage in the Overwatch: German Voice Actors Panel at 11:00 a.m. CEST on Friday, 24 August, followed by a signing session.
• Attendees at gamescom will be able to enjoy some fun in the sun at the Blizzard booth with Summer Games-themed activities, including custom surfboards, face painting, community Lúcioball tournaments, a working Pachimari claw machine, and more.

World of Warcraft

• World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth will be playable on 80 gaming stations at the Blizzard booth, where visitors can enjoy a solo experience with the Siege of Lordaeron in-game event and group up with friends at gamescom for the Island Expeditions feature.
• World of Warcraft cosplayers will show off creations inspired by the latest expansion on stage and via live stream during the Battle for Azeroth: Cosplay Showcase at 2:15 a.m. AEST/4:15 a.m NZST on Saturday, 25 August, followed by the reveal of the third and final episode in the Warbringers series of animated shorts—the tale of Azshara, Queen of the Naga.
• Top German guilds Aversion and Set Sail For Fail will face off in Island Expeditions live on stage during three rounds of the Battle for Azeroth: Island Expeditions Showcase on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday CEST.
• Visitors to the booth will be able to attend a live Darkmoon Faire, with activities like an airbrush makeup station, a fortune teller, and photo opportunities with the Recruit-a-Friend X-53 Touring Rocket mount, as well as renowned European community content creators streaming live.

Heroes of the Storm

• A new Prime Evil wreaks havoc on the Nexus—Mephisto, Diablo II’s Lord of Hatred and the latest Ranged Assassin in Heroes of the Storm, will be playable for the first time at gamescom. His spotlight video can be viewed here.
• The Overwatch-themed Hanamura map is new and improved with an emphasis on action-packed team fights, and it’s back in the game—now dubbed Hanamura Temple, it will be playable by the public for the first time at the Blizzard booth during the show.
• In Heroes of the Storm: Live Drawing with Carbot, Jonathan Burton from Carbot Animations will create his wacky rendition of Mephisto live on stage at 12:00 p.m. CEST on Thursday, 23 August.

StarCraft II

• It’s about time—Tychus Findlay, the latest Co-op Commander for StarCraft II, will be playable for the first time at the Blizzard booth. His spotlight video can be viewed here. On Wednesday, 22 August, and Thursday, 23 August CEST, StarCraft II lead co-op designer Kevin Dong will demonstrate the new commander live on stage with YouTubers Lowko and Winter in StarCraft: Commander Co-op.

• In StarCraft: One vs Many, YouTubers Lowko and Winter will take on any audience members who think they have what it takes to defeat these pros in a live one-versus-three battle on Saturday, 25 August, at 3:00 p.m. CEST.

Diablo III

• Visitors to the Blizzard booth can try their hand at slaying demons anytime, anywhere, with anyone—Diablo III will be playable on the Nintendo Switch^™ console for the first time at gamescom.
• On Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, a Blizzard artist will be creating some diabolical artwork live on stage in Diablo: Live Drawing with Chris Amaral.

Hearthstone

• In Hearthstone: Puzzle Time!, teams of gamescom audience members will race to complete challenges in Hearthstone’s new Puzzle Labs live on stage on Friday and Saturday at 12:15 p.m. CEST. These Solo Adventures for the game’s latest expansion, The Boomsday Project^™, will be released to the public 22 August AEST/NZST.
• Hearthstone players can enjoy a brand-new Fireside Brawl, available for the first time at gamescom.
• Visitors can also snap a photo with a giant game board replica from the Hearth and Home animated short, which premiered at gamescom 2017.

In addition to these games and activities, gamescom attendees can head to Blizzard’s main stage for two concerts from the Video Games Live orchestra on Thursday, 23 August, and Friday, 24 August, at 2:00 a.m. AEST/4:00 a.m. NZST; and the popular Blizzard Cosplay Contest closing out the week at 1:00 a.m. AEST/3:00 a.m. NZST on Sunday, 26 August. Those watching from home will be able to see the Video Games Live concert, as well as the cosplay contest, via live stream at http://gamescom.blizzard.com.

For more information about Blizzard at gamescom 2018, visit the website and follow our social media channels for updates live from the event.

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and IO Interactive announced WORLD OF ASSASSINATION, an ever-expanding game world that will bring remastered locations from the previous game to HITMAN™ 2.

Known as the HITMAN™ Legacy Pack, all six locations – Paris, Sapienza, Marrakesh, Bangkok, Colorado, Hokkaido – will be accessible as downloadable content (DLC) and will incorporate various new features from HITMAN 2, including a brand new progression system, addition of hiding in foliage and crowds displayed at improved fidelity, picture-in-picture mode, strategic use of mirrors, improved combat A.I., new gameplay items like the briefcase, dart gun, flash grenades, etc., new difficulty levels and much more!

As new elements and game modes are continually added to HITMAN 2, as well as the previous game’s locations, WORLD OF ASSASSINATION will offer a continuous experience that will never stop growing and never stop challenging players, defining the past, present and future of Hitman.

The HITMAN Legacy Pack will be available to owners of the previous game for free. Owners of Season 1 can download the remastered and enhanced content once HITMAN 2 launches without any additional costs. “We have been through an amazing journey with our fans and community and are extremely proud of the continued love and support,” said Hakan Abrak, CEO, IO Interactive. “This is our way to say a big thank you and give something back. We have finally revealed our long-term vision to deliver the World of Assassination, an ever-expanding continuous universe starting from Paris in Season 1, going all the way through to the end of HITMAN 2 and beyond with our future endeavors. To create a universe like this is not only an ambitious task creatively, but also technically. I am in awe and admiration with our incredibly talented team and what they have achieved.”

The Official WORLD OF ASSASSINATION Trailer can be viewed below:

HITMAN™ 2 is the follow-up to the internationally acclaimed video game, HITMAN™. Featuring entirely new hyper-detailed sandbox locations full of living, breathing environments to explore, HITMAN™ 2 offers players the freedom to plan the ultimate assassination utilising an assortment of tools, weapons, disguises and a variety of stealth techniques to creatively trigger their own unique chain of events.

HITMAN™ 2 also introduces new ways to play with the Sniper Assassin mode, a standalone feature that brings a co-op experience to the Hitman™ series for the first time, allowing two players to work together online to take down their targets. Sniper Assassin is available to play now as an early access bonus for consumers who pre-order the HITMAN™ 2. Players can also enter the HITMAN™: Sniper Assassin Competition and put their marksman skills to the ultimate test for a chance to win the grand prize of getting their name and likeness included in future HITMAN™ 2 content. For more information, visit: https://hitman.com/competition.

HITMAN™ 2 will be available for PlayStation® 4, PlayStation® 4 Pro, the Xbox One family of devices including the Xbox One X and PC beginning November 13, 2018.

To learn more about the HITMAN™ 2, please visit www.hitman.com or join the HITMAN™ conversation on Twitter (@Hitman), Facebook (@Hitman.US), Instagram (@Hitman_Official), YouTube (Hitman) and Twitch (Hitman).

SEKIRO: SHADOWS DIE TWICE LAUNCHING MARCH 22, 2019!

First Public Hands-On with FromSoftware’s Highly Anticipated Game at Gamescom 2018 

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Collector’s Edition and Digital Pre-Orders Begin Today

August 21, 2018 – Activision, a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI) officially announces the launch date for the highly-anticipated new game from FromSoftware. Sekiro™: Shadows Die Twice, a third-person, action-adventure game with RPG elements, is planned to release globally on March 22, 2019. To celebrate, fans attending Gamescom 2018 in Cologne, Germany will be among the first in the world to play the game. Additionally, the Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Collector’s Edition, which is packed with collectible items, will be available for pre-order starting today in select markets. Digital pre-orders for the game will also kick-off starting today in select markets.

New gameplay details about Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice reveal that the prosthetic tools belonging to the “one-armed wolf” protagonist can be reconstructed to unlock new actions such as powerful charge attacks. These attacks allow the player to broaden their approach to defeat their foes.

At Gamescom 2018, fans will finally be able to experience the unique and varied features of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and sample the game’s rich sense of tension for the first time including:

• Sword Combat: The core combat in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is measured by an intense clash of steel. Players will take command of special Sword Arts to supplement their regular attacks, and tear down enemy defences before sealing the final blow.
• Shinobi Prosthetic: Players can equip and switch between a variety of unique Prosthetic Tools to find the weakness of a formidable enemy. Additionally, tools such as the Grappling Hook can be utilised to bring an extra dimension to exploration and traversal throughout the world of the game.
• Resurrection: Used as an opportunity for a tactical retreat or to deceive an enemy and go on the counter-offensive, this new combat strategy allows players to resurrect on the spot, even after a hasty death.

“We can’t wait for fans to finally get their hands on Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice,” said Steve Young, Chief Revenue Officer at Activision. “Fans will get a taste of the multiple tools available for the prosthetic shinobi arm this week at Gamescom and will be able to fully dive into the brutal, dark world of 1500s Sengoku Japan when the game launches on March 22, 2019.”

The Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Collector’s Edition, available now for pre-order at select retailers, delivers fans the following collectible items:

• Full Game
• 7” Shinobi Statue
• SteelBook®
• Collectible Artbook
• Map
• Digital Soundtrack
• Replica Game Coins

Developed by FromSoftware, fans will find familiarity in the gritty Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice gameplay where combat reigns supreme. Directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a single-player game that puts players in the protagonist role of a hard-hearted warrior whose mission is to rescue his master, a young lord, and exact revenge on his arch nemesis. Players will enjoy combining features, such as vertical traversal, with visceral head-to-head battle to fulfill their destiny in a vast world filled with beautiful vistas, enormous castles, bizarre weaponry, and fearsome enemies.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice will launch on PlayStation®4, PlayStation®4 Pro; PC via Steam and the family of Xbox One devices from Microsoft, including the Xbox One X. View the official Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice trailer here. For more information, please visit www.SekiroTheGame.com and follow @SekiroTheGame on Twitter and Instagram, as well as SekiroTheGame on Facebook.

About FromSoftware

Game developer based in Tokyo, Japan. Known for the Armored Core series, Dark Souls series and Bloodborne amongst other titles. More information can be found on the official homepage: http://www.fromsoftware.jp/

About Activision

Headquartered in Santa Monica, Calif., 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.

Chiki-Chiki Boxy Racers Crosses the Finish Line 30 Aug. on Nintendo Switch

TOKYO – 21 Aug. 2018 – Chiki-Chiki Boxy Racers, the colorful slot car racing party game from Sony publishing label UNTIES and Pocket for up to eight players online or locally, brings all-ages fun speeding onto the Nintendo Switch 30 Aug.

Grab a friend or seven and race toward first place in one of Chiki-Chiki Boxy Racers’ 15 vibrant tracks spanning three distinct zones. Boost through tricky curves and pass up the competition online or locally. Chiki-Chiki Boxy Racers’ intuitive controls make it easy to pick up, but hard to put down.

The race for number one doesn’t always take place on the track. Chiki-Chiki Boxy Racers features four competitive battle modes that test driving skills in more creative ways. Zip across the arena to collect the most gold in Coins or crush the greatest number of boxes in Smash. Race to cover the arena with your color in Paint or play Goal, a game of soccer on wheels.

There’s plenty to be enjoyed by those wishing to drive solo. Master the battle maps alone before showing off in front of friends with practice mode. The game also features AI buddies for those that need some racing experience on the track.

Chiki-Chiki Boxy Racers is a fast-paced party through a charming wonderland of environments with cute, toybox-inspired cars. Joyful pop tunes and a bright voxel aesthetic make unlocking and discovering new cars, then tinkering with their colors, a great way to spend time with friends.

“Chiki-Chiki Boxy Racers makes you feel like a little kid all over again,” said John Davis, G&R Representative, UNTIES. “From the moment you hit start, it just has that playful wonder to it that takes you back to scooting race cars across the carpet as a kid. This time, though, it’s gathered around the TV with friends.”

Chiki-Chiki Boxy Racers will be available on Nintendo Switch for $9.99 USD and will support English, Japanese, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese.

For more information, please visit the UNTIES official website or follow @UNTIES Games on Twitter.

About UNTIES
Based out of Tokyo, Japan, Sony Music’s publishing label UNTIES is dedicated to expanding the reach of Japan’s best indie developers. Their name derives from their goal of untying games from specific platforms and sharing them worldwide.

About Pocket
Pocket is a four-person Japanese indie studio aiming to create games and apps that touch people by bringing them the joy of new experiences through simple yet exciting gameplay.

ACE COMBAT 7: SKIES UNKNOWN RELEASE DATE ANNOUNCED FOR JANUARY 18^th

Cologne, GERMANY – August 21st, 2018 – BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe is pleased to announce the release date of ACE COMBAT® 7: SKIES UNKNOWN on January 18^th for PlayStation®4, Xbox One and February 1st for PC via STEAM®.

Set on the same Usean continent as in ACE COMBAT® 3 and ACE COMBAT® 4, the story revolves around the Second Usean Continental War, following an attack by an army of pilotless jets.

Players will find themselves part of the Penitentiary Unit, a military force formed entirely of criminals – and therefore disposable – who have been tasked with defending against this new threat.

ACE COMBAT® 7: SKIES UNKNOWN will also feature new weapons and flight controls. This allows for a wider range of tactics, including new futuristic superweapons and planes like the sturdy A-10C Thunderbolt II, as well as multipurpose fighter F-35C and high-performance aircraft Rafale M.

Kazutoki Kono, Ace Combat 7 Brand Director, said: “The team and I have been working diligently to produce an experience that will add another action-packed chapter to the ACE COMBAT franchise, but more importantly, be worthy of your time. Thank you all once again for your patience, support, and continued enthusiasm, and we’ll see you in the skies soon!”

BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe also announce two new branded flight sticks, for use with ACE COMBAT® 7: SKIES UNKNOWN, the T.Flight Hotas 4 ACE COMBAT® 7: SKIES UNKNOWN Edition by Thrustmaster for Xbox One and PlayStation®4 and the ACE COMBAT 7 HOTAS Flight Stick for PlayStation®4 from HORI.

ACE COMBAT® 7: SKIES UNKNOWN is scheduled for take-off on January 18^th 2019 for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, and on February 1^st for PC via STEAM. To find out more about ACE COMBAT 7: SKIES UNKNOWN, head over to http://www.acecombat.com.

To learn more about BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe’s other products go to: http://www.bandainamcoent.eu or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BandaiNamcoEU or join the conversation at https://twitter.com/BandaiNamcoEU.

11-11: MEMORIES RETOLD STORY TRAILER REVEALED

Cologne, GERMANY – August 21^th, 2018 – BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe has released the first story trailer for upcoming WW1-set narrative adventure, 11-11: MEMORIES RETOLD.

The game, created in conjunction with the Oscar-winning studio Aardman and DigixArt, brings to life the story of both sides of WW1 – 100 years after it’s conclusion. The new trailer, revealed today, introduces the two key characters of the game, Kurt and Harry, set amongst the backdrop of the tense, cramped trenches.

Kurt, a German soldier played by International Emmy-nominated actor Sebastian Koch, is a father, only on the front-lines after signing up to look for his son, missing in action. While Harry, a Canadian played by multi-award winning actor Elijah Wood, has arrived on the frontline as a photographer, only to discover the harsh realities of war on the frontline. The game’s plot revolves around these two playable characters, their companions, and their connection to each other as players tackle this moving, narrative adventure.

Developed by Aardman and DigixArt, players will experience two sides, both at the front and the rear, of a complex historical event – in a war game that stands for peace. Inspired by true events, the story of 11-11: MEMORIES RETOLD is brought to life using an innovative artistic technique that creates playable characters as if within a painting.

11-11: MEMORIES RETOLD is also now available to pre-order digitally from the Bandai Namco Europe online store here http://store.bandainamcoent.eu/w/11-11

The emotional journey will start on November 9^th, 2018, when 11-11: MEMORIES RETOLD will release on PlayStation®4, Xbox One and PC. To know more about BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe’s other products go to: https://www.bandainamcoent.eu or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BandaiNamcoEU or join the conversation on Twitter at https://twitter.com/bandainamcoeu.

# # #

F1® 2018 – CLOSER TO THE REAL THING THAN EVER BEFORE 

NEW DEVELOPER DIARY EXPLORES AUDIO & VISUAL IMPROVEMENTS 

SYDNEY, 21^st August 2018 – Codemasters® has today released the final part in its series of four developer diaries for F1® 2018, the official videogame of the 2018 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™, talking about the improvements made to audio and visual aspects of the game.

F1® 2018 presents a significant visual jump forward for the franchise, utilising physically based rendering to improve the overall look and feel of the game and get it as close to reality as possible. Visually the car models, character renders, the atmospherics, visual effects, cinematics and animations have all been overhauled, while on the audio front the engine sounds are closer to real life than ever before.

“The biggest win visually is in the atmospherics,” said F1® 2018’s Art Director, Stuart Campbell. “This year we’ve got a full atmospherics system that gives you a greater sense of depth from the scene, and it makes for some really stunning vistas.”

Stuart continued: “One of the most iconic things for me about F1® as a sport is seeing that heat haze on the start straight: the heat rising from the track and from the engine exhausts, and in the mirage effect that you see reflecting in the track. We’ve added a full heat haze and mirage system to our visual effects for this year, and it makes a huge difference in the replay cameras and on track when you’re racing.”

With regards the audio improvements this year, Brad Porter, Senior Audio Designer on F1® 2018, commented: “We try to make the engine sounds as close to broadcast as possible, which is what a lot of fans ask for. We’ve been over to tracks such as Abu Dhabi, Barcelona and Paul Ricard over the last year, working directly with F1® teams, going into garages with them on test sessions, mic’ing up the cars onboard with our new radio gear, and then we’re standing at the side of the track for external recordings. We’re also in the garages recording ambisonics, we’re out in the paddock, and we’re out in the pit lane.” Brad added: “From an audio point of view, the game is now sounding far more believable and far more authentic.”

F1® 2018 features all the official teams, the drivers and all 21 circuits of the thrilling 2018 season, including Circuit Paul Ricard and the Hockenheimring. As well as the current season’s offerings the game includes 20 iconic cars from the history of the sport. F1® 2018 will release onto PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, the Xbox One family of devices including the Xbox One X and Windows PC (Steam) worldwide on Friday 24^th August 2018.

Follow Codemasters F1® games blog and social channels on Twitter and Facebook for future updates.

SQUARE ENIX AND DONTNOD ENTERTAINMENT REVEAL LIFE IS STRANGE 2

An All-New 5-Episode Story Begins September 27, 2018 

SYDNEY, 21^st August 2018 – SQUARE ENIX® is excited to reveal LIFE IS STRANGE™ 2, the next entry in the highly successful, critically-acclaimed and award-winning franchise from DONTNOD Entertainment, the creators of the original LIFE IS STRANGE. The first entry in the all-new five-episode story of LIFE IS STRANGE 2, will release on September 27, 2018 on XBOX ONE®, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Windows PC.

Discover a story of two brothers, 16-year old Sean and 9-year old Daniel Diaz, who have to flee their home in suburban Seattle after a tragic event that changes their lives forever. On the run from the police, Sean makes a difficult decision; to take his brother and go to Puerto Lobos, Mexico. Life on the road is dangerous and the brothers will be faced with tough decisions as they bravely undertake a journey that will test the bonds of brotherhood.

Everything is new in LIFE IS STRANGE 2 – a new cast of characters, multiple new settings, new gameplay features and a brand new power for players to discover, making Life is Strange 2 the most ambitious project in series history.

“The release of Captain Spirit was a great moment for the team and we can’t wait to introduce the players to the new story and characters of Life is Strange 2” said Raoul Barbet, Co-Creative Director of LIFE IS STRANGE 2 at DONTNOD Entertainment. “We have worked hard with the original team to keep what I personally loved to craft in the first game: the mood, the cinematographic work and of course, the music.”

“After the exciting adventures of Max and Chloe, we are extremely happy that you will all soon meet Sean and Daniel Diaz, our new protagonists, and follow them on their journey.” said Michel Koch, Co-Creative Director of LIFE IS STRANGE 2 at DONTNOD Entertainment. “We love diving back into the Life is Strange universe along with our lead writer, Jean-Luc Cano, to create our new story and characters”.

DONTNOD Entertainment are back with an all-new story to tell, and have been hard at work on LIFE IS STRANGE 2 since completing work on LIFE IS STRANGE. DONTNOD are set to continue their tradition of telling compelling stories with believable characters in a grounded setting, with a new tale that tackles relatable real-world themes like brotherhood, education and coming of age.

“We’re very excited to present Life is Strange 2, one of our most important releases of the year. After the overwhelming success of the original, we knew that crafting a sequel that is every bit as compelling and powerful as the first game would be a real challenge”, said Jon Brooke, VP of Brand and European Marketing at Square Enix External Studios. “We are confident that the talented team at DONTNOD, who have been working closely with the Square Enix External Studios team, have truly outdone themselves.”

Visit the LIFE IS STRANGE official website: https://lifeisstrange.square-enix-games.com

LIFE IS STRANGE official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LifeIsStrangeGame/
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LifeIsStrange