USC GAME INNOVATION LAB’S WALDEN, A GAME WINS TOP HONORS AT GAMES FOR CHANGE AWARDS

Narrative exploration adventure takes home Game of the Year and Most Significant Impact awards

NEW YORK – Aug. 1, 2017 – Walden, a game, USC Game Innovation Lab’s open world narrative adventure title based on Henry David Thoreau’s experience at Walden Pond, has won two awards – Game of the Year and Most Significant Impact – at this year’s Games for Change Festival.

“Walden, a game was a true labor of love in the making, and so it’s such an honor for the entire team to witness this incredible reception from the Games for Change community, which has always meant so much to us,” said director Tracy Fullerton, who was present yesterday to accept both awards. “This game would not have been possible without the support of our passionate community, as well as our amazing partners at the NEH, NEA and Sundance Institute.”

An adaptation of Walden, Thoreau’s classic book about an experiment in self-reliant living, Walden, a game follows the philosopher’s footsteps as he survives on the fruits of his labor through the shifting seasons of New England’s Walden Pond. Players build their own shelter, grow food and fish, and discover the wildlife, terrain and people surrounding the woods while reflecting on life, nature and more through Thoreau’s meditative writings, voiced by actor Emile Hirsch (Into the Wild).

The game was developed by Tracy Fullerton and her team with funding provided by the NEH, NEA and Sundance Institute. It is currently on exhibit at the Concord Museum near Walden Pond as part of the 2017 Thoreau Bicentennial celebration.

Walden, a game is available now on Windows PC and Mac at WaldenGame.com and GameInnovationLab.itch.io/Walden for $18.45. It is currently in development for consoles, as well.

About Tracy Fullerton and the USC Game Innovation Lab

Tracy Fullerton is an experimental game designer, professor and director of the USC Game Innovation Lab. Her research center, the Game Innovation Lab, has produced several influential independent games, including Cloud, flOw, Darfur is Dying, The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom, and The Night Journey, with artist Bill Viola.

Tracy is the author of Game Design Workshop: A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovative Games, a design textbook used at game programs worldwide, and holder of the Electronic Arts Endowed Chair in Interactive Entertainment. Prior to USC, she designed games for companies including Microsoft, Sony and MTV, among many others. Tracy’s work has received numerous honors, including an Emmy nomination for interactive television, IndieCade’s “Sublime Experience,” “Impact,” and “Trailblazer” awards, Games for Change “Game Changer” award, the Game Developer’s Choice Ambassador Award and Time Magazine’s Best of the Web. www.gameinnovationlab.com

HUMBLE BUNDLE TO SHOWCASE FIVE UPCOMING INDIE GAMES UNDER ITS NEW PUBLISHING LABEL AT GAMESCOM 2017 AND PAX WEST 2017

Diverse Lineup of Indie Titles to be Published under the “Presented by Humble Bundle” Label to Make Appearances at Leading European and West Coast Gaming Events

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (AUGUST 1, 2017) – Humble Bundle, Inc. — a digital retailer of games, ebooks, software and more, where customers can donate to charity through popular pay-what-you-want bundle promotions — is proud to announce its attendance at leading trade shows Gamescom in Cologne, Germany and PAX West in Seattle, Washington. Through its recently launched “Presented by Humble Bundle” multi-platform funding and creative initiative to publish games, the company will showcase the following four games and one as-of-yet unannounced title:

• A Hat in Time
• No Truce With The Furies
• Staxel 
• Keyboard Sports – Saving QWERTY

“In a relatively short time, Humble Bundle has proven itself as a major player in the highly contested digital retail space, now serving roughly 12 million customers and raising over $98 million for charities,” said John Polson, Humble Bundle publishing lead. “Already astute at helping indies find an audience for their titles through our platform, adding our approachable publishing initiative was a no brainer. We’re thrilled to bring five ‘Presented by Humble Bundle’ games to Gamescom and PAX West – gamers from around the world are in for a treat!”

These four “Presented by Humble Bundle” games will make an appearance at Gamescom and PAX West. A fifth multi-platform title will be announced shortly.

Game: A Hat in Time
Developer: Gears for Breakfast
Platforms: PC, Mac, XBox One and PlayStation 4
Genre: 3D Platformer
Release Date: Fall 2017
Website: http://hatintime.com

Holding the honor of being one of the largest Kickstarter-funded projects of its kind, A Hat in Time is a cute-as-heck 3D collect-a-thon platformer in the spirit of beloved genre-based games such as Super Mario 64, Banjo-Kazooie and Psychonauts. As Hat Kid, a little girl with a lot of heart, travel through five incredibly diverse and giant open worlds, smack around baddies and unlock sweet new hats with all-new abilities. Enjoy your trip through space and time, and protect the world from the evil Mustache Girl when A Hat in Time releases on PC, Mac and as recently announced on XBox One and PlayStation 4 as well!

Game: No Truce With The Furies
Developer: ZA/UM
Platforms: PC
Genre: Isometric RPG
Release Date: TBD 2017
Website: http://zaumstudio.com

No Truce With The Furies is an isometric police procedural role playing game set within a genre-bent setting where literary fiction meets sci-fi/fantasy. Inspired by titles Planescape: Torment and Kentucky Route Zero, an emergent story is the primary focus. Expect absurd new heights of non-combat as action is handled through quick-witted dialogue which can steer your moral compass in any direction. As a disgraced detective lieutenant, explore a gorgeous seaside city and solve the crimes which lay at its core. Alternatively, peer inside of your mind to examine your own doubts, conflicts and memories. No Truce With The Furies features twenty-four uniquely realistic skills that represent the real human psyche and physique to shape any type of law enforcer — good or bad — that you want.

Game: Staxel
Developer: Plukit
Platforms: PC
Genre: Sandbox
Release Date: January 2018
Website: http://playstaxel.com

Staxel is a voxel-based sandbox farming game where, as the newest resident of a rustic village, players put down roots into a new life as a farmer. Carefully tend to your farm to make it grow, improve your property’s looks and take care of your animals — the more work you put in, the more rewards you’ll receive! Villages are filled with colorful characters with whom you can socialize between online multiplayer sessions with your friends, unlocking rewards to help develop your land into a thriving farmstead. When not farming, enjoy fun hobbies like fishing, catching bugs and cooking! In Staxel, you shape the vast world around you how you see fit, with your creativity being the number one tool for the job!

Game: Keyboard Sports – Saving QWERTY
Developer: Triband
Platforms: PC, Mac and Linux
Genre: Keyboard Action Adventure
Release Date: Early 2018
Website: http://keyboardsports.com

Use every single key and fall in love with your least sexy controller. Keyboard Sports – Saving QWERTY is a humor-filled adventure with very little actual sports in it, but it’s filled with challenges that only ramp up once started. You play as the young apprentice to Master QWERTY, who sets you off on a visually and audibly stunning adventure to find your inner key — your entire keyboard is your controller! Keyboard Sports – Saving QWERTY is a significantly expanded version of Keyboard Sports which premiered in the Humble Monthly November 2016 bundle — this new game uses even more keys!

Seeing “Presented by Humble Bundle” Titles at Gamescom 2017:

Humble Bundle will show off these games at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany from August 23 – 26, 2017, located in the consumer area in the Indie Arena Booth (Hall 10.1 A020).

Seeing “Presented by Humble Bundle” Titles During PAX West 2017:

Humble Bundle will show these titles at the Grand Hyatt near the Washington State Convention Center during PAX West, with a limited number of appointments available on September 1 and 2, 2017. If you would like to check out these titles or meet with Humble Bundle to discuss its publishing initiative during PAX West, please reserve your spot here: http://meetme.so/Humble-PAXW.

About Humble Bundle

Humble Bundle sells games, ebooks, software, and other digital content through pay-what-you-want bundle promotions, the Humble Store, and the Humble Monthly curated subscription service. When buying a bundle, customers not only choose how much to pay, but also how their payment is divided between the content creators, charity, and Humble Bundle. Purchases from the Humble Store and subscriptions to Humble Monthly also help support charity. In 2017, Humble Bundle announced the launch of a multi-platform funding and creative initiative to publish games “Presented by Humble Bundle.” Since the company’s launch in 2010, Humble Bundle and its community have raised more than $98 million for a wide range of charities across the world. To see more, visit https://www.humblebundle.com.

bionik’s Mantis is Now Available for PlayStation VR

TORRANCE, CA – Aug. 1, 2017 – bionik is thrilled to announce that Mantis, the hotly anticipated audio solution integrated for PlayStation VR, is now available. The Mantis is an attachable headphone set that snaps directly onto PSVR, featuring top-notch sound to further envelop the player. The Mantis’ patent pending design is lightweight and rests comfortably on the player’s ear, reducing ear fatigue for hassle-free sessions. Outfitted to complement the color scheme to seamlessly blend with the native PSVR headset, Mantis is the latest in bionik’s line of innovative gaming accessories. Mantis will be available for $49.99 (MSRP) on bionikgaming.com and Amazon.

“Sound is an integral element that provides a comprehensive and fully dynamic gaming experience,” said Amir Navid, bionik’s SVP of Product Development. “There is a fantastic and expanding library of games on this new platform and Mantis is an exceptional audio enhancement to the PlayStation VR experience.”

The Mantis headphones are available now on bionikgaming.com and Amazon.

https://www.bionikgaming.com/collections/vr-accessories/products/mantis

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0735X5M4X

For more information on bionik™ check out www.bionikgaming.com and www.facebook.com/bionikgaming, and follow on Twitter @bionikgaming.

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About bionik™

bionik is a gaming accessories manufacturer focused on providing gamers with the tools they need to reach their full, competitive potential. By offering unique devices and accessories that have been tested and designed to provide solutions for even the most-discerning gamers, bionik is dedicated to providing high-quality solutions for some of the most common issues gamers deal with. For more information on bionik, or to pre-order items, please visit bionikgaming.com.

SHADOW FIGHT 2 – SPECIAL EDITION TO BE RELEASED ON AUGUST 17, 2017!

Today Nekki announced the release of the premium edition of it’s popular RPG-fighting game, Shadow Fight 2. The title is scheduled for release on August 17, 2017 on Android and iOS. “Shadow Fight 2 – Special Edition” will not only add a brand new chapter to the game’s epic storyline, but it will also provide new players a much easier way to discover the captivating world of Shadow Fight.

Shadow Fight 2 has been originally released in 2014 and was downloaded more than 200 million times worldwide. The mobile game featured revolutionary animations, an epic storyline with many unexpected twists – and it probably delivered the world’s first authentic fighting experience on mobile devices!

The Special Edition will expand the original game experience by worthwhile improvements:

– No limitation of energy. The player can jump into the fray anytime and anywhere he wants!
– A whole new story chapter unveils the truth behind Sensei’s past – which adds at least 15 hours of new, exciting gameplay!
– No advertising!
– Numerous in-game enhancements, such as higher rewards for victories, which will make it possible to fully enjoy the story mode.

Nikita Korzhavin, Business Development Director of Nekki comments on the release:

“We are very close to the release of Shadow Fight 3. Despite the immense popularity of our franchise, there are still people who never played it. The Special Edition is an ideal opportunity for them to discover the rich universe of Shadow Fight – and prepare themselves for the release of Shadow Fight 3! Furthermore, the additional 15 hours of new gameplay will give our existing fan base a perfect occasion to start this exciting journey one more time.”

To join the Shadow Fight 2/Shadow Fight 3 conversation please visit (https://www.facebook.com/shadowfightgames), and follow us on Twitter at (https://twitter.com/shadowfight_3) and on YouTube at (https://www.youtube.com/c/ShadowFightGames)

About Nekki

Nekki has made a name on its popular mobile game brands Shadow Fight, Vector and 11×11. As a leading publisher of high-quality action and strategy games, Nekki has already inspired more than 350 Million people from all around the world. With the release of its most ambitious project, Shadow Fight 3, 2017 is designated to be the most exciting year in the company’s history. Shadow Fight 3 will be released on iOS and Android first, and later for various consoles and PC.

VIKING SURVIVAL ROLEPLAYING VALNIR ROK ANNOUNCED – TO DEBUT AT GAMESCOM 2017
Explore and Survive a Mysterious Island of Dangerous Beasts, Violent Warrior Clans, and Mythic Deities in a Vast Multiplayer World

TWAIN HARTE, CA – August 1, 2017 – Independent game developer Encurio GmbH and indie games partner Reverb Triple XP officially announced today that Valnir Rok, an epic online Viking survival roleplaying adventure, will launch on Steam’s Early Access program this September. Set on a mystical Nordic island, gamers will fight for their life in the harsh, hostile environment where dangerous beasts of legend dwell, ruins of forgotten deities hold untold riches, and thriving villages of great clans can be joined or conquered.

Valnir Rok will make its playable debut at gamescom 2017. Media interested in an appointment for a personal demonstration of Valnir Rok from the development team.

Battles cries, blood-soaked fields, and monsters of legend – that is what’s best in Valnir Rok life.

“It’s the dream of every passionate gamer to make games and we take our first big step in making the dream into reality with the announcement of Valnir Rok,” states Sebastian Rahmel, Game Director at Encurio GmbH. “We love Vikings and survival games so it was natural for us to pursue our vision of a Viking survival roleplaying game. Our development team is very passionate about the project and we’re all looking forward to debuting the game at gamescom 2017.”

Valnir Rok is an online sandbox survival roleplaying game inspired by Norse mythology. Players will awaken to find themselves on Valnir Island and must do whatever it takes to survive in a land of wild animals, mythical beasts, and violent men. As a hardened Viking warrior, butcher your enemies in bloody combat, build and improve village structures, and form a clan to expand your power and reputation. Battle against opposing clans, place bounties on hated enemies, and discover ruin artifacts to gain favor with the gods with great deeds and holy sacrifices. Might makes right in the Viking world of Valnir Rok.

Valnir Rok will be launching on Steam Early Access in September 2017. Join the adventure filled with heroic deeds and legendary battles – follow the game development on Twitter, “Like” us on Facebook and visit the official site, www.valnir.net.

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ABOUT ENCURIO
Founded in 2007 by Sebastian Rahmel, Encurio is an internet company and game studio based in Cologne, Germany. Encurio has been developing software, portals, websites and online shops for the finance, beauty, gaming and entertainment industry. Using the knowledge and expertise from their internet and gaming business ventures has naturally led to the development of online games. Valnir Rok will be the first online game from Encurio GbmH.

ABOUT REVERB TRIPLE XP
Reverb Triple XP provides a spectrum of services customized to focus on the needs of indie game developers.  Triple XP titles stand out with excellent gameplay, creative design, and that elusive fun factor. Once identified, Reverb’s team of game industry veterans partner with the indie dev team, fully understand the game by actually playing it and provide world class marketing, PR, social, production and distribution services that are fitting for games of the highest quality. A cornerstone of the programs is that the developer retains creative control and ownership of its intellectual property as well as receiving a custom solution tailored to their exact needs.  Each year, only a handful of titles are chosen to be in Reverb Triple XP, prioritizing quality over quantity.

TEAM17’S GAMESCOM LINE-UP ANNOUNCED
Diverse hands-on offering for fans in the consumer halls and meetings in the business area for press and new partners

UK – 1^st August 2017 – Award-winning veteran games developer and international games label Team17 today announced its presence at gamescom, held from 22^nd – 26^th August, in Cologne, Germany.

Team17 will host press meetings, and meetings for potential new partners and developers that would like to pitch their games, by appointment only in the business area.

Public gamescom attendees will also be able to get hands-on with Team17’s highly anticipated line-up on the show floor at the Team17 booth, located in hall 8, throughout Wednesday 23^rd – Saturday 26^th August. Playable games include:

Genesis: Alpha One – World exclusive first hands-on!
In a near future ravaged by wars; corrupt regimes and global capitalism left unchecked have resulted in natural resource over-exploitation and pollution devastating the planet. As the Captain of a Genesis starship, you journey into uncharted space on the ultimate mission. Build and manage a space vessel, farm resources, deal with terrifying alien infestations, clone creatures and explore a vast, randomly generated universe.

Your goal: Find new homes for humanity’s DNA and save the species from extinction. Genesis: Alpha One will be heading to Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC in 2018.

GREY BOX, SIX FOOT AND YAGER’S DREADNOUGHT ENTERS OPEN BETA ON PLAYSTATION®4

HOUSTON and BERLIN – Aug. 1, 2017 – Grey Box, Six Foot and independent developer YAGER have launched Dreadnought, the class-based spaceship action game, into free-to-play open beta for all users on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system via the PlayStation®Store. The console-exclusive Hactar Hero Ship, a new ShareFactory theme, and two dynamic themes for the title are also available for free today through the PlayStation®Store.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evsj0QdD3NY

In addition to the maps featured in closed beta, the PlayStation®4 open beta of Dreadnought introduces two game maps new to consoles and six bonus night map variations. It includes four game types: Team Deathmatch, Team Elimination, Training, and Havoc modes. Havoc is a cooperative mode exclusive to PlayStation®4 in which three players attempt to survive as long as possible against progressively tougher waves of enemies using ships they select and upgrade over the course of each match.

Dreadnought puts players in the captain’s chair of massive capital ships and on the front lines of tactical, team-based battles across a variety of competitive, multiplayer game modes. There are more than 50 playable vessels to master, each customizable with an array of weapons, modules, coatings and decals. Five distinct ship classes, specializing in vital roles like frontline assault, long-range bombardment, strategic support and more, offer captains unique powers to exploit the enemy team’s weaknesses and claim victory.

Dreadnought is being created for the PlayStation®4 by lead developer YAGER and co-developer Iron Galaxy Studios in partnership with Six Foot and Grey Box. It is also currently in open beta on Windows PC.

For further updates as open beta progresses, follow Dreadnought on Facebook, Twitter and Twitch.

About Grey Box

Grey Box is a video game publishing brand that champions the idea that games are an influential art form and players should be treated as sophisticated consumers. Grey Box aims to set a unique standard for quality in interactive entertainment. www.greybox.com

About Six Foot

Six Foot was founded in 2000 as an interactive agency, building digital experiences designed to make connections between people, brands and technology more human and meaningful. Now, as a full-service games company with offices in Houston, Los Angeles and Berlin, we apply that same passion to building extraordinary video games and providing creative direction, marketing and brand management, front- and back-end development, customer service and community support for game publishers. www.6ft.com

About YAGER

Founded in 1999 in the heart of Berlin, YAGER is one of the gaming veterans of AAA development. The award-winning studio is dedicated to the creation of vivid and meaningful multi-platform gaming experiences. The YAGER team comprises gaming enthusiasts, technical experts and creative minds from across the world who all share a passion for great action games. YAGER was most recently recognized for its gripping military shooter Spec Ops: The Line. www.yager.de

About Iron Galaxy Studios

Iron Galaxy is one of the world’s largest independent video game developers, delivering both home-built, original experiences and their partners’ visions to all platforms. Founded in 2008, Iron Galaxy has touched an astonishing number of projects, large and small. www.irongalaxystudios.com