’39 Days to Mars’ Launches April 25 for PC, Mac and Linux

Solve co-op puzzles on a Victorian-era adventure to the Red Planet

Developer It’s Anecdotal is proud to announce its co-op steampunk puzzle-adventure game 39 Days to Mars will launch April 25th for Windows, Mac and Linux on Steam!

39 Days to Mars is a two player co-operative adventure game set in an alternate reality some 150 years in the past. You play as Sir Albert Wickes and The Right Honourable Clarence Baxter, two 19th century explorers who are piloting the HMS Fearful — a masterpiece of unreliable engineering — on its maiden voyage to Mars. Single-player adventuring and puzzle-solving can be had as well, with the ship’s computer-controlled cat there to keep you company.

When the steam engine runs out of coal, the ship’s aforementioned cat shreds the navigation chart, and the tea gets cold, it becomes clear that interstellar transportation isn’t a walk in the park. It will take the talents of two working together on a mix of puzzles and action sequences to get to Mars in one piece (let alone in 39 days).

39 Days to Mars will cost $14.99, with a right proper discount planned for launch week.

To find out more, visit: http://www.itsanecdotal.com/

About It’s Anecdotal
It’s Anecdotal is the one-person indie development studio of Philip Buchanan. Having previously worked on titles such as Lara Croft GO and Hitman GO, Philip is now focused on bringing small indie titles to life. Working out of Montreal, Canada; and Christchurch, New Zealand, his aim is to produce concise games that give memorable experiences and have strong atmosphere.

Nintendo Download: Flipping Out

REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– This week’s Nintendo Download includes the following featured content:

This installment of the stunt bike racing series takes the action to the sunny and colorful beaches of California, mixing in crazier tricks, flips and combos than ever before. (Photo: Business Wire)

• Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch
  • Urban Trial Playground – This installment of the stunt bike racing series takes the action to the sunny and colorful beaches of California, mixing in crazier tricks, flips and combos than ever before. Backflip from rooftops and over palm trees to become the ultimate stunt racer.
  • The Adventure Pals – The Adventure Pals sets you and your best friends (a giraffe and a rock) out to save the world and your dad from turning into hotdogs. Explore the mystical forests of Treevale, hike the haunted craters of the moon and dive into the depths to find the lost city of Crablantis.
• Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS
  • Detective Pikachu – Special Demo Version – Crack the case in the new Detective Pikachu game by interacting with a unique, tough-talking Pikachu! As Tim Goodman, you’ll partner with a self-proclaimed “great detective” Pikachu to solve strange occurrences all over Ryme City. Together you must investigate, take notes and meet up with other Pokémon to unravel the city’s greatest mysteries! Game in 2D.
    • This demo covers a portion of the first chapter of the game. Save data is transferable to the full version of the game once purchased.
    • For a limited time, players who purchase the Detective Pikachu game from Nintendo eShop, Nintendo.com or select retailers will receive a bonus download code* for a Detective Pikachu theme for the HOME Menu on the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. Offer ends April 22, 2018. Learn more at https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/detective-pikachu-3ds#special-offers
      *Code expires Dec. 31, 2018.

Nintendo eShop sales:

• Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo 3DS and Wii U
  • Last Chance: 30 percent off ARMS for Nintendo Switch – Looking for a whole new way to fight? Get 30 percent off the ARMS game for the Nintendo Switch system until April 6 at 8:59 a.m. PT.
  • Great deals this week! Check out the full list of deals available this week at http://www.nintendo.com/games/sales-and-deals.

Also new this week:

• ACA NEOGEO SAMURAI SHODOWN III (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch)
• Animated Jigsaws: Beautiful Japanese Scenery (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch)
• Arcade Archives Ninja-Kid (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch)
• Arcade Archives PUNCH-OUT!! (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch)
• Black Hole – Demo Version (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch)
• Bombslinger (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) – Available April 11
• Deep Ones (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) – Available April 11
• I and Me – Demo Version (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch)
• Infernium (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch)
• Johnny Turbo’s Arcade: Bad Dudes (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch)
• Lode Runner Legacy (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch)
• Masters of Anima (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) – Available April 10
• Octocopter: Double or Squids (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch)
• Sally’s Law (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch)
• Sling Ming (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch)
• Splat the Fruit (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) – Available April 6
• Sumer (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch)
• Super Daryl Deluxe (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) – Available April 10
• Super Rocket Shootout (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch)
• The Bunker (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch) – Available April 9
• Word Search by POWGI – Demo Version (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch)
• Alter World (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)

In addition to video games available at retail stores, Nintendo also offers a variety of content that people can download directly to their systems. Nintendo adds new games weekly to Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo Switch console, the Wii U console and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems.

Nintendo eShop is a cash-based service that features a wide variety of content, including new and classic games, applications and demos. Users can add money to their account balances by using a credit card or purchasing a Nintendo eShop Card at a retail store and entering the code from the card. All funds from one card must be loaded in Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch, Wii U or the Nintendo 3DS family of systems, but can be used in any Nintendo eShop if the systems are linked to a single Nintendo Account.

Customers in the U.S. and Canada ages 18 and older can also link a PayPal account to their Nintendo Account to purchase digital games and content for the Nintendo Switch system both on-device and from the Nintendo website. Once the accounts are linked, users may also use PayPal as a payment option when buying digital content for the Wii U or Nintendo 3DS family systems from the Nintendo website.

Remember that Nintendo Switch, Wii U, Wii, New Nintendo 3DS, New Nintendo 3DS XL, Nintendo 3DS, New Nintendo 2DS XL and Nintendo 2DS feature parental controls that let adults manage some of the content their children can access. Nintendo 3DS players who register a Nintendo Network ID gain access to free-to-start games and free game demos from Nintendo eShop, and also get the latest news and information direct from Nintendo. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/switch, http://www.nintendo.com/wiiu or http://www.nintendo.com/3ds.

MULTIPLE AWARD-WINNING RPG DIVINITY®: ORIGINAL SIN 2 COMING TO XBOX ONE AND PLAYSTATION 4 IN AUGUST 2018

Collaboration Between BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment and Larian Studios Will Take Players on a Fantastic Adventure to Experience a Highly Popular Role-Playing Epic

SANTA CLARA, Calif., (April 5, 2018) – Leading video game developer and publisher BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. today announced that DIVINITY®: ORIGINAL SIN 2, the award-winning, BAFTA nominated role-playing-game (RPG) from Larian Studios is coming to the Xbox One® and PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system in August 2018. Following the game’s incredible success in 2017 as Metacritic’s highest scoring PC game; BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. and BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe, in partnership with Larian Studios, will bring DIVINITY: ORIGINAL SIN 2 to console players, taking them on an adventure that will enable players to go anywhere and do anything in one of the deepest RPG worlds ever created.

DIVINITY: ORIGINAL SIN 2 gives players the freedom of a sandbox RPG, encouraging improvisation and experimentation, with rules made to be bent rather than followed. The game takes place in the world of Rivellon where players can go anywhere, talk to anyone (living, dead, or non-human), and fully interact with the game world like no other RPG. The game features six unique origin characters with full-fledged backstories, personalities, and questlines: Red Prince, a haughty but heroic lizard noble; Sebille, an elven assassin; Lohse, a possessed musician; Ifan ben-Mezd, a mercenary ex-soldier; Beast, a rebel-turned-pirate dwarf; and Fane, an undead member of the long-forgotten Eternal race. Console players diving into the world of DIVINITY: ORIGINAL SIN 2 for the first time will enjoy a user interface tailored for console play in both four-player online co-op and two-player split-screen co-op modes. Additional content updates and extra features will be announced in the weeks and months leading to the game’s launch later this year.

“DIVINITY: ORIGINAL SIN 2 is undoubtedly one of the most groundbreaking and extolled RPG experiences of recent memory, with both critical acclaim and a highly passionate fan base.” said Eric Hartness, Vice President of Marketing at BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. “We’re excited to work with the talented team at Larian Studios to provide this captivating epic RPG experience to console gamers, inviting them to discover all of the game’s intricacies and enjoy all of the incredible adventures in the world of Rivellon.”

“It was very important to us to have DIVINITY: ORIGINAL SIN 2 distributed by a team that understands how to bring RPGs to a broad audience.” said Swen Vincke, Founder and CEO of Larian Studios. “With Dark Souls and The Witcher, BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment demonstrated they know how to do exactly that and so I’m very happy we’ll have their support.”

Development of DIVINITY: ORIGINAL SIN 2 began with a successful Kickstarter campaign in August 2016, raising over $2 million from more than 40,000 backers. The Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions of DIVINITY: ORIGINAL SIN 2 will be available physically and digitally in the Americas in August 2018. To learn more about the game, please visit: http://larian.com/, or see the game in action at https://www.youtube.com/user/LarianStudios, or follow the Larian development team on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LarianStudios/.

For more information regarding titles from BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc., please visit: https://www.bandainamcoent.com, or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BandaiNamcoUS, or join the conversation on Twitter at: https://www.twitter.com/BandaiNamcoUS.

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About BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc.

BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc., 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^®, and ACE COMBAT^®. BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. is the premier publisher in the Western hemisphere for anime based video games including NARUTO SHIPPUDEN™, DRAGON BALL Z^®, and ONE PIECE^®. More information about the company and its products can be found at http://www.bandainamcoent.com or www.facebook.com/BandaiNamcoUS.

About Larian Studios

Larian Studios is an independent RPG developer founded in 1996 in Ghent, Belgium. Larian is best known for the Divinity universe, which they introduced to the world with the launch of Divine Divinity in 2002. In 2014, Larian launched Divinity: Original Sin, a classic CRPG that won over 150 awards and nominations. The company released its sequel Divinity: Original Sin 2 on September 14, 2017.

NEXON CELEBRATES 1^st ANNIVERSARY OF DYNASTY WARRIORS: UNLEASHED WITH DYNASTY WARRIORS 9 COLLABORATION EVENT

Xin Xianging and Other Popular Dynasty Warriors 9 alum join the fray with Epic Attacks, New Stories, Events and More

Seoul – April 5, 2018 – It has already been one-year since Nexon Korea released the popular action role-playing game (ARPG) Dynasty Warriors: Unleashed. To celebrate the anniversary of a world-wide success, Nexon Korea is proud to announce a special collaboration with Dynasty Warriors 9.

The special event delivers tons of new content, including popular characters, challenges, and features. Full details include:

• Xin Xianying – The highly anticipated character, also known as “The Wise Heroine” and “The Grace of Jin” arrives as the latest addition to the Dynasty Warriors universe;
• Epic Attacks – Xin Xianying can use two Legendary weapons: Orchid Cleaver or Silken Illusion, and wipe out enemies with her ‘Falling Blossom’ Musou Attack;
• New Story Chapter – Chapter 10, “The Northern Expedition: Battle of Mount Dingjun!” is now playable;
• Guild Assault – Guilds can now compete in an epic war for ancient China’s most prosperous cities.

Players can also participate in several anniversary events, anniversary gifts and a new Dynasty Warriors 9 collaboration mode. Players who recruit Xin Xianying up until Friday, April 20 will be awarded a 6★ Anniversary Chest (Gold). Train her to Level 90 for 5 Sacred Skill Scrolls (L) and transcend her for 1 piece of Arcane Ore. The ‘Red Star’ Edicts in the Edict & Chest menu allow players to recruit transcended Officers (1☆~6☆) all starting with Level 60!

About NEXON Co. Ltd.
NEXON Co., Ltd. (“Nexon”) (3659.TO) is a worldwide leader in free-to-play online and mobile games. Founded in Korea in 1994, Nexon developed one of the world’s first graphics-based massively multiplayer online games. Nexon also pioneered the concept of microtransactions and the free-to-play business model, setting a new standard in which play is free, and users have the option to purchase in-game items to enhance their experience. Nexon currently services nearly 100 titles in more than 190 countries. The Company is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan and its shares are listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Tokyo Xanadu eX+ Debuts on GOG.com

Hit action RPG from Nihon Falcom available at a special price for a limited time

Torrance, Calif.—April 5, 2018—Aksys Games announced today that the popular Nihon Falcom action RPG, Tokyo Xanadu eX+ is now available on GOG.com. To celebrate the release, Tokyo Xanadu eX+ will be featured for the first week from launch at just 40 percent of its list price, including all available DLC. A spiritual successor to the beloved ’80s Nihon Falcom series, Xanadu, the game was initially released for the PS Vita system on June 30, 2017, and the PS4™ system (physical and digital) and Steam on December 8, 2017. Since then, it has received favorable reviews from critics and players alike. The GOG version supports both English and Japanese text, as it did on Steam.

“Overall, Tokyo Xanadu eX+ is incredibly satisfying… Thanks to the game’s strong focus on characters, I fell in love with the cast like I was watching a season of a great anime. With a great soundtrack that had me tapping my foot along for hours and the substantial amount of content included, there’s enough here to justify a purchase for any JRPG fan,” said GameSpew. DualShockers commented, “This is a game that expertly mixes classic RPG systems for modern players,” and Honest Gamers concluded, “Tokyo Xanadu eX+ is the definitive version of a great Falcom action-RPG.”

Tokyo Xanadu eX+ is set in Morimiya City, a fictional suburb on the outskirts of modern-day Tokyo, and centers on a high school student named Kou Tokisaka. Kind and driven, Kou’s sweet nature leaves him incapable of turning his back on those in need-which gets him into a fair amount of trouble. When Kou stumbles upon the nightmare realm known as the “Eclipse,” his world is irrevocably turned upside down. With the help of his classmates, Kou must take to the streets of Tokyo, wielding elemental magic to defend the world against the shadowy forces of evil.

Features of Tokyo Xanadu eX+ include:

·     40+ hours of Action RPG gameplay – Quest through Morimiya City and battle hordes of nightmarish monsters in stunning 60 FPS.
·     Explore a Brave New World – Players can adventure through a richly detailed world based on the real Tokyo. Talk to characters, build relationships, and forge alliances as you navigate the expansive cityscape.
·     New Adventures – Tokyo Xanadu eX+ includes brand-new scenarios and quests for players to battle their way through.
·     New Characters – Players can choose from a variety of new characters, including the mysterious knight, White Shroud. Wield the powers of the light to take down vile monsters and vicious bosses!
·     New Enemies – Tokyo Xanadu eX+ features brand-new dungeons, jam-packed with fearsome new monster types and giant bosses.
·     New Modes – Players can enjoy two new game modes: “Time Attack” and “Boss Rush.” In Time Attack, defeat your enemies as quickly as possible in a race against the clock. In Boss Rush, skip the story and square off against each boss, one after the other.

Tokyo Xanadu eX+ is rated T for Teen. For more information, visit the GOG.com website at www.gog.com.

About Aksys Games
Founded in 2006 in Torrance, California, Aksys Games Localization, Inc. is a visionary video game publisher committed to publishing unique and high-quality interactive content for all current-generation platforms. Its lineup of games includes the critically acclaimed Zero Escape series (Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors, Virtue’s Last Reward, Zero Time Dilemma) as well as the wildly successful BlazBlue and Guilty Gear franchises. More information about Aksys Games and its unique products can be found on the company’s website, www.aksysgames.com.

RTS ‘Iron Harvest’ to become first video game in months to reach $1,000,000 on Kickstarter

The classic realtime-strategy game ‘Iron Harvest’ has reached $1,000,000 in pledges on Kickstarter combined with pledges collected via the game’s website and is about to reach the same milestone on Kickstarter alone.

While boardgames have seen a 100% increase in pledges during 2016, collecting six times as much as video games in the same year, video games have struggled to obtain large-scale funding on the platform, as a recent analysis shows (see Kickstarter in 2017 – In depth look at the Games category).

‘Iron Harvest’ now becomes the first video game in a long while to finally shatter that magic $1,000,000 ceiling again.

“Iron Harvest is our fourth Kickstarted title. We successfully completed the previous three projects, earing the trust of the community”, said Jan Theysen, Iron Harvest’s Game Director. “However, receiving more pledges for Iron Harvest than with our previous three games combined and having the most successful video game Kickstarter campaign in a long time was beyond our wildest expectations.”

Iron Harvest is a classic real-time strategy game, set in the alternate reality of 1920+. With all singleplayer stretch goals being reached, the campaign strives to reach additional competitive multiplayer and co-op mode stretch goals. The Kickstarter campaign still going strong, ending on April 13th 2018.

Ubisoft’s Far Cry 5 Breaks Franchise Sales Records

Millions of People Join the Resistance to Liberate Hope County, Montana                                             

Sydney, Australia – April 5, 2018 – Today, Ubisoft announced that Far Cry 5 more than doubled first week sell-through of Far Cry 4, making Far Cry 5 the fastest selling title in the franchise’s history. Digital distribution accounted for more than 50 percent of those sales. Far Cry 5 now represents the second biggest launch ever for an Ubisoft game, following only Tom Clancy’s The Division, with $310M USD in consumer spending through the first week.[1]

In addition to the strong first week of sales, record-breaking numbers of people are engaging with Far Cry 5 content. People streamed more than 55,000 hours of Far Cry 5 on Twitch and YouTubers’ videos earned more than 117 million views.[2] Both are records for an Ubisoft title in a week following launch, and evidence of the impact user generated content is having in convincing players to join the Far Cry community.

“Far Cry 5 is a vast and gorgeous playground filled with colorful stories for players to enjoy and share,” Alain Corre, EMEA Executive Director, Ubisoft. “We’re grateful to newcomers and fans of the series who have joined us in Hope County and have collectively grown our community.”

Set in America, a first for the franchise, Far Cry 5 offers players total freedom to navigate a serene-looking yet deeply twisted world as the new junior deputy of fictional Hope County, Montana. Players will find that their arrival accelerates a years-long silent coup by a fanatical doomsday cult, the Project at Eden’s Gate, igniting a violent takeover of the county. Under siege and cut off from the rest of the world, players will join forces with residents of Hope County and form the Resistance.

“I’m proud that the culmination of years of passionate work from the team is paying off, and that Far Cry 5’s experience resonates with so many people,” said Dan Hay, Executive Producer on Far Cry. “We are humbled by players’ reception of Far Cry 5 and fired up to keep growing and supporting the Far Cry community in the months and years to come.”

Far Cry 5 is now available for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Windows PC. For more information on Far Cry 5, please visit farcry.com and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/farcry.usa and on Twitter at twitter.com/farcrygame or hashtag #farcry5.

For the latest on other Ubisoft games, please visit news.ubisoft.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, Watch_Dogs, Tom Clancy’s video game series, Rayman and Far Cry. 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 2016-17 fiscal year Ubisoft generated sales of €1,460 million. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com.

© 2018 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Far Cry, Ubisoft and the Ubisoft logo are registered or unregistered trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the US and/or other countries. Based on Crytek’s original Far Cry directed by Cevat Yerli.

[1] Source: Ubisoft internal estimate, based on observed sales price for main game sell through worldwide and first parties’ estimates for Player Recurring Investment.

[2] Source: Social media public API data

NEW GAME MODE AND NEW CHARACTER YAMI ANNOUNCED FOR BLACK CLOVER QUARTET KNIGHTS

BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe today revealed the brand-new game mode “Treasure Hunt” for BLACK CLOVER QUARTET KNIGHTS. Furthermore, a new story mode detailing the newest character Yami is added to the game.

The new game mode Treasure Hunt is all about collecting magical keys and treasure boxes. When your team takes the emerging key, a treasure box will appear somewhere on the map. But be aware! The opponent team might steal the key to open the treasure box themselves. If you don’t open the treasure box in time, it will disappear, and a new key will emerge. It takes a lot of strategy to master this mode!

Yami Sukehiro, the captain of the Black Bull Squad, is a strong fighter who is best used in short range fights. His brand new story arc will enable players to relive Yami’s younger years and consists of original content never before seen in the anime. He also goes by the name “Destruction God”, and while fighting, he is surrounded by a mystical black cocoon that guards him. Next to his incredible magic powers, Yami can conjure a black hole which sucks in enemies and magic bullets.

BLACK CLOVER QUARTET KNIGHTS will be available in 2018 on PlayStation 4 and PC Digital via STEAM and other distributors. For more information about the game and other products from BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe please visit: https://www.bandainamcoent.com, follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BandaiNamcoEU, or join the conversation at https://www.twitter.com/BandaiNamcoEU.

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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

Sydney Flagship Microsoft Store Launches ‘Esports Academy’ With ESL Australia To Help Nurture Local Esports Community

Sydney flagship Microsoft Store has announced the ‘Esports Academy’ in partnership with ESL, the world’s largest esports organisation, which will open from Monday 16^th April 2018 to Sunday, 22^nd April 2018. Registrations are now open here.

An initiative to educate and nurture future talent in the industry, the ‘Esports Academy’ will bring together a range of speakers within the community from professional players to commentators (‘shoutcasters’) to share their insights and advice; along with hands on experiences and practical tips for attendees.

Perfect for anyone that’s ever had an interest in the esports industry and wanted to know more, the academy aims to bring leading Australian esports talent from all corners together so attendees can learn from the best. Whether you’ve been playing with friends online, are a budding shoutcaster, esports player, or you’re just interested in learning more, the Esports Academy is a great way to meet other gamers, learn from some leading industry talent and have fun.

Max Ferfoglia, Gaming Community Manager at the flagship Microsoft Store in Sydney said: “We see a lot of excitement and engagement around video games at the Microsoft Store, from casual gamers to some of the players that attend our regular tournaments and competitions. This event is all about bringing the gaming community at Microsoft Store together with some of the top talent in Australia so people can learn more about esports, how to improve their game and also hear about the pathways that exist to get into the industry.”

The Esports Academy will involve both a live Q&A where attendees can learn from all corners of the industry followed by practical sessions, hands on gameplay with feedback from professional Australian esports players. Attendees will also get first-hand experience with shoutcasting, team management and understanding of the broad range of pathways and roles that exist for anyone to get into the industry. The hands on gameplay element will enable attendees to get direct tips from professional players from all sides of the industry in order to learn how to play like a pro.

“It’s great to see a retail space such as the Microsoft Store being used to engage directly with the gaming community in Australia through these workshops,” added Danny Kim, part of the business team at ESL Australia. “The esports industry in Australia continues to experience rapid growth and this partnership with Microsoft Store helps us to share some of our knowledge and experience about esports and give people a chance to get up close and personal with some of the leading talent in the industry.”

The Esports Academy is a part of Microsoft Store’s ongoing commitment to the local gaming community and forms part of broader activity, including regular events and workshops for anyone interested in gaming. The Esports Academy will also take place at the flagship Microsoft Store in New York on Saturday, April 21, and Sunday, April 22, and will include sessions from seasoned competitors in the esports, varsity and streaming space: the road to a collegiate esports scholarship; a career in professional gaming; content creation and additional revenue streams.

In addition to the Sydney event, the NYC flagship Microsoft Store will also be hosting a Esports Academy of its own. For those in New York, visit here to register for sessions taking place on Saturday, April 21, and here for Sunday, April 22, at the flagship Microsoft Store on Fifth Avenue and partake in three sessions from seasoned competitors and industry professionals in the esports, varsity and streaming areas. The team will cover the road to a collegiate esports scholarship, what a career in professional gaming looks like, and best practices for content creation and additional revenue streams.

For more information and to check out the latest events at the flagship Microsoft Store in Sydney, please see the events page on the Microsoft Store website.