KOEI TECMO EUROPE REVEALS MAIN CHARACTER CAST OF NIGHTS OF AZURE 2: BRIDE OF THE NEW MOON 

Pre-Order Bonuses and Limited Edition Also Unveiled for GUST Studios’ Newest JRPG Adventure. 

Hertfordshire, 18^th July 2017 – KOEI TECMO Europe revealed further in-depth information on the diverse characters and demon-ridden world of Nights of Azure 2: Bride of the New Moon alongside a brand-new trailer. Slated for release on 27^th October 2017 for the Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Windows PC via Steam®, the sophomore release of the ‘Nights of Azure’ IP explores the strong relationship between childhood friends Aluche, Liliana, and Ruenheid, who find themselves tangled in an intricate web of fate.

When the evil Moon Queen threatens humanity, the young priestess Liliana is destined to become the Bride of Time, a sacrifice to save the world. This brings her two best friends at odds and during their altercation Aluche, the protagonist, is killed by a mysterious demon.

Aluche is resurrected some time later as a half-demon hybrid and, still struggling to come to terms with her new abilities, sets off to the ruined city of Eurulm, the girls’ hometown, to discover Ruenheid battling a swarm of fiends. Reunited beyond all hope, the pair decides to put aside their differences and fight for a joint cause: to save Liliana and defeat the Moon Queen.

On their perilous quest Aluche and Ruenheid are assisted by a unique bouquet of allies including the mysterious New Curian doctor Camilla Alucard, Aluche’s role model and ex-Curian Knight, Muveil Folin Lou, a half-demon assassin, Veruschka, and the powerful Nightlord, Arnice.  Fighting alongside these ‘Lilies’ sows the seeds of unlikely friendships that blossom into unbreakable bonds and awaken impressive latent abilities for all characters.

Human companions are not the only ones to help in the war against the Moon Queen, as Aluche is also able to forge contracts with reliable fiends known as Servans, like her long-time friend, Nero, the electrifying mutt, Scharf, the fairy-like companion, Feuille, the Shikigami wielding Kaede, the beautiful butterfly, Farfalla, a shadowy fiend, Hexer, and the dolphin-shaped, Perle. These Servans are classed in two categories: Strikers who are used specifically for their strong attacks and ability to transform into weapons, and Trickers who can use their powers in the overworld to remove blockades and open up new paths!

To showcase Aluche’s trusted companions and offer a deeper look into the game’s dark, treacherous world, KOEI TECMO Europe released an all-new trailer and a rich selection of new assets, including images of the bonus DLC available to those who pre-order Nights of Azure 2: Bride of the New Moon on both the Nintendo Switch™ and PlayStation®4 via participating retailers.  Specifically, pre-orders will receive a special pack of bonus content that includes three Servans and a special costume for Aluche. Players who purchase the game digitally via the PlayStation™Network within the first four weeks following launch will receive an exclusive Custom Theme as well as the bonus DLC provided by retailers!

Pre-ordering both upcoming GUST Studios titles – Blue Reflection and Nights of Azure 2 – will unlock special collaboration costumes for both games. Aluche of Nights of Azure 2 will receive Hinako’s outfit from Blue Reflection, and Hinako of Blue Reflection will receive Aluche’s outfit from Nights of Azure 2. Players can obtain the DLC bonuses from both games either through pre-ordering retail versions and/or purchasing each title digitally during their respective early purchase periods.

Lastly, for the most devoted fans, a Limited Edition version will be available via the NIS America Europe Online Store from Thursday 20^th July 2017 at 12pm noon BST, including a hardcover Art Book, three beautiful cloth posters, an Official Soundtrack CD, the bonus pre-order DLC, and a physical copy of the game in a stunning Collectors’ Box.

For more information on Nights of Azure 2: Bride of the New Moon, please visit the official website at www.koeitecmoeurope.com/nightsofazure2, like us on www.facebook.com/ateliergames and follow us on twitter @koeitecmoeurope.

ABOUT KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD.

KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD. is a publisher of interactive entertainment software for current generation consoles, handhelds and digital download content based in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, UK. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of KOEI TECMO HOLDINGS CO., LTD., headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. TECMO is best known for the Dead or Alive® and Ninja Gaiden® series. KOEI is best known for its Dynasty Warriors® and Samurai Warriors® franchises. On April 1, 2009, KOEI TECMO HOLDINGS CO., LTD was established as a result of the TECMO, LTD. and KOEI Co., Ltd. merger. More information about KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD and its products can be found at www.koeitecmoeurope.com 

Game of Thrones on Foxtel

Game of Thrones, is a global television phenomenon and the launch of Season 7 was the most anticipated television event of the year.

The number of Australians subscribing to Foxtel’s streaming service, foxtel now leapt by 40% in the 48 hours prior to last night’s screening of Episode 1. We expect a record audience of 1.5 million Australians to watch this episode via an iQ box, Foxtel Now or the Foxtel App.

The combination of new foxtel now customers signing up and existing customers upgrading to get the Drama Pack so they could watch the show, put unprecedented pressure on our technical operations. Foxtel’s Identity Management System (IDM), which verifies customers’ entitlement to view content, which usually handles around 5,000 processes a day was hit with 70,000 transactions in just a few hours.

Unfortunately, due to this massive surge in demand, a significant number of customers experienced difficulty logging in to foxtel now and the Foxtel App. The system was unable to verify some customers’ entitlements. We are unable to say exactly how many customers were affected because the system is unable to separately identify customers who have a problem logging in but later successfully manage to do so.

We had anticipated heavy usage for last night’s premiere; however, the traffic that eventuated far exceeded expectations. Foxtel’s engineers are examining what steps can be taken to mitigate any recurrence.

Given that the problems were driven by the volumes of people who sought to sign up on the day of broadcast Foxtel advises others who wish to sign up before next week’s episode to do so a few days in advance.

We note that problems were experienced in the USA, India and Latin America, also driven by the extraordinary surge in demand for the program.

The system is now working and customers are able to watch the episode either on demand or at an encore screening. Encores are scheduled for today Tuesday, at Midday, and 9.15pm, on Wednesday at 1.20pm, Thursday at 10.10pm, Friday at 11.25am and Saturday at 8.30pm. Foxtel will also add multiple repeat screenings of the episode on the showcase channel.

Foxtel unreservedly apologises to customers who were affected by this issue.

We truly appreciate our customers’ patience during last night’s outage and will do everything possible to ensure that this does not occur again.

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About Foxtel

Foxtel is one of Australia’s most progressive and dynamic media companies, directly employing around 2,800 people and delivering a diverse subscription television service over cable, satellite and broadband distribution. Foxtel effortlessly connects Australians to all the stories they love by offering a better entertainment experience every day to more than 2.8 million subscribing homes through delivery of new and inspiring programming across all genres, the world’s most popular channel brands, and investment in high quality local content. As constant champions of innovation we have brought customers the iQ personal digital recorder; Australia’s largest HD channel offering; the Foxtel App for tablets and mobile devices; internet TV service, Foxtel Now; and television, broadband and home phone bundles with Foxtel internet and voice services delivered over Australia’s largest telecommunications network. Foxtel is owned by Telstra Corporation Limited ACN 051 775 556 (50%) and News Corporation (50%).

XSEED Games Breathes New Life into Ys SEVEN with Upcoming Windows PC Release

Developer Nihon Falcom’s Much-Lauded Action RPG to Make the Jump from PlayStation®Portable to HD, 60fps Glory this Summer

Torrance, Calif. — July 17, 2017 — XSEED Games, the independent-minded console publishing brand of Marvelous USA, Inc., today announced that Ys SEVEN, developer Nihon Falcom’s first entry in a new generation of its beloved series of action RPGs, is headed to Windows PC via Steam, GOG, and The Humble Store by Humble Bundle this summer. Originally released for the PlayStation®Portable (PSP®) handheld system in 2010, Ys SEVEN will arrive on Windows PC with all the features of a modern PC release, including full HD, a smooth 60fps framerate, plug-and-play controller compatibility, and achievements on applicable platforms such as Steamworks and GOG Galaxy.

Offering satisfyingly fast-paced, real-time action, Ys SEVEN features a combat system that involves a three-member battle party with the ability to swap among characters at will. Series veterans and newcomers alike can expect to be immersed in a rich, vibrant world containing over 30 hours of action-packed gameplay and an epic storyline wherein players must reunite the estranged five tribes who serve and protect the Five Great Dragons – deified beings who may well be the world’s last hope. Ys SEVEN was the first title in the long-running action RPG franchise to reach a wide mainstream audience in the West, and the first title in this historically PC-centric series to be developed from the ground up for a console or handheld system since the mid-‘90s.

Ys SEVEN is developed by Nihon Falcom and is published worldwide for Windows PC by XSEED Games. The PSP®system release has been rated “T for Teen” by the ESRB. The Windows PC version of the game is not rated by the ESRB.

For more information on XSEED Games products, please visit www.xseedgames.com. Fans can also follow XSEED Games on Facebook at www.facebook.com/XSEEDGames and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/XSEEDGames.

Fantasy MMO Albion Online Launches Across PC, Mac and Linux

Whether you aspire to be a wandering highwayman, exploring the world and providing for number one, or dedicate yourself to the needs of your Guild, supplying the highest quality ore in the realm, the wait is over and Albion Online is here to help make those fantasies a reality!

Find out how you fit into the world of Albion Online

BERLIN, GERMANY – July 17, 2017 – Developed by Sandbox Interactive, fantasy MMORPG Albion Online has officially arrived on PC, Mac and Linux, bringing with it a community of dedicated MMO fans. Kicking off their adventures with a clean slate after the beta server wipe, Legendary Founder and Legendary Starter Pack owners have already begun taking their first steps in the sprawling land of Albion, staking their claim on the untamed wilds and free markets therein.

Epic Founders and Starters will be the next group to enter the fray, joining Albion’s servers on July 18th at 13:00 UTC, followed by Veteran Founders and Starters on July 19th at 13:00 UTC. Can’t wait to start forging out on your own adventure? Download the client and grab a Legendary Starter Pack to dive in right away!

Featuring a player-driven economy and the flexibility of its “You Are What You Wear” class system, Albion Online delivers a unique MMO experience that shines a spotlight on the actions of its community. Borders fluctuate as guilds vie for land in an unending PvP struggle. Player-crafted goods and equipment populate the realm’s vendors. Enterprising individuals corner local markets with their own storefronts. Rangers can trade in their bows for axes as they collect lumber to fuel their guild’s war effort.

Everyone – be they warriors, gatherers, crafters, merchants or bandits – matters in the forging of Albion Online’s rich and living history. So whether you’re ready to strike out with a group of likeminded adventurers or retreat to your own personal island home, the wilds of Albion are yours to explore and shape.

View the full details on Albion’s Website here

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Albion Online Features:

• Tell your story: Inhabit a persistent world where you decide what your legacy will be. Will you take up the mantle of a legendary warrior? What about a world-renowned armorsmith?
• Player-driven economy: From shopkeepers’ wares to every item that mobs drop, players craft the goods that keep Albion’s economic wheel spinning.
• Change the game. Go classless: Don’t feel burdened by your role. Embrace Albion’s “You Are What You Wear” system and shift your role with ease.
• Represent your guild: Connect and coordinate with other players to expand your territory on an ever-shifting map as you take on rival guilds and shape Albion in your image.
• Be part of a community: Join over 250,000 dedicated players in the beta alone.

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About Sandbox Interactive

Sandbox Interactive is an independent development studio founded in January 2012 and is based in Berlin, Germany, currently employing 52 full-time and more than a dozen freelance programmers and designers on their cross-platform sandbox MMO Albion Online. Sandbox Interactive follows the mantra that the creation of your world and interact with other players are paramount to entertainment – and that these ideas are truly brought to life in the sandbox genre. With Albion Online, they are making a game with compelling gameplay and the player’s experience squarely in the foreground.

Social Links
Website: https://albiononline.com/en/news/guardian-indepth-look
Twitter: https://twitter.com/albiononline
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/albiononline/
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/albiononline
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/albiononlineofficial

Fictorum Brings Spell-Binding Destruction to PC on August 9

It’s not enough to cast spells – shape them

SEATTLE, WA — July 17, 2017 – Have you ever wanted to wield the forces of nature, pushing the limits of their destructive capabilities? Do you prefer your wizardry to be on the explosive side of things? Well you’re in luck, because Scraping Bottom Games announced today that action RPG Fictorum will launch on PC on August 9, 2017, with availability on Steam, GOG and Game Jolt.

Set against the backdrop of a desperate fight for survival, Fictorum casts players in the role of a powerful wizard who is the last of a forbidden magical order. Facing down the theocratic empire responsible for the Fictorum’s eradication, the Inquisition, players must flip this struggle on its head with an impressive array of destructive spells.

From flaming meteors and chain lightning, to pillars of ice, the Fictorum wields the power to demolish structures in a rain of debris, giving the Inquisition ample reason to fear them. Not enough destruction? Players can apply runes to each of the game’s spells to further augment them, allowing them to dynamically shape spells on the fly as they adapt to their surroundings. Need to take out a group of fast-moving enemies? Turn a regular old ball of plasma into a swarm of homing, explosive balls of plasma. Problem solved.

To accomplish the player’s ultimate goal of tracking down the Grand Inquisitor and avenging the order of the Fictorum, they must travel across a procedurally generated world map, weighing risk and reward. The decisions they make will impact the resistance they face and loot they find, resulting in a unique and explosive adventure across a broken world.

From dynamic spell-shaping to environmental destruction at your fingertips, are you ready to live out your wildest wizard power fantasies? Review codes for Fictorum will be available soon, so request your copy on Terminals.io today! If you’d like to keep up with Scraping Bottom Games’ development updates, be sure to check the game out on Steam, follow @Scraping_Bottom and visit http://www.fictorum.com.

Fictorum Features

• A new kind of spell-casting: Arm yourself with a wide array of spells and then unleash their true, destructive potential by altering their effects on the fly with spell-shaping.
• Destructible environments: Turn villages and castles against their inhabitants with well-placed spells, reducing them to deadly, flying debris.
• Choose your own adventure: Navigate a procedurally generated world map as you make choices that will alter the flow of your journey. Do you stop to help a wealthy town in need, or do you save your energy for later?
• Relive your past lives: Visit the Void to read up on the exploits of your previous incarnations, examining the choices that led them to their ultimate fate.

Social Links

Website: http://www.fictorum.com
Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/503620/Fictorum
Game Jolt: http://gamejolt.com/games/SBG-Fictorum/251028
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Scraping_Bottom
Twitch: http://www.twitch.tv/ScrapingBottomGames
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ScrapingBottomGames
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Fictorum

Game of Thrones Phenomenon Crash Sites Across the Globe!

Tonight’s global premiere of the new season of GAME OF THRONES has caused technical glitches around the world, with online sites crashing in the United States, Latin America and Australia.

The show’s producer and U.S. broadcaster, HBO, reported its technical systems could not cope and in Australia, the surge of demand for Foxtel’s recently launched online product, Foxtel Now, also experienced customer meltdown.

Foxtel spokesman, Bruce Meagher said tonight, “We are devastated that some customers experienced technical issues tonight. As was the case in the U.S. and Latin America, the unprecedented rush for a subscription just prior to the telecast, crashed the system. Foxtel engineers are working through the night to resolve the issue. It’s most unfortunate and we apologise to those affected. We are committed to resolving the technical faults immediately and together with our broadcast partners around the world, we are giving this the same degree of priority. We assure anyone impacted that they will be able to watch the first episode of Season 7 either On Demand or via one of our encore screenings throughout the week. We will continue to communicate with affected customers to ensure they are fully informed,” he said.

“GAME OF THRONES” screens on Foxtel’s showcase channel.

Encores screen today, Tuesday, at Midday, 9.15pm, on Wednesday at 1.20pm, Thursday at 10.10pm, Friday at 11.25am and Saturday at 8.30pm

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About Foxtel

Foxtel is one of Australia’s most progressive and dynamic media companies, directly employing around 2,800 people and delivering a diverse subscription television service over cable, satellite and broadband distribution. Foxtel effortlessly connects Australians to all the stories they love by offering a better entertainment experience every day to more than 2.8 million subscribing homes through delivery of new and inspiring programming across all genres, the world’s most popular channel brands, and investment in high quality local content. As constant champions of innovation we have brought customers the iQ personal digital recorder; Australia’s largest HD channel offering; the Foxtel Go App for tablets and mobile devices; internet TV service, Foxtel Play; and television, broadband and home phone bundles with Foxtel internet and voice services delivered over Australia’s largest telecommunications network. Foxtel is owned by Telstra Corporation Limited ACN 051 775 556 (50%) and News Corporation (50%).

RUNESCAPE AND OLD SCHOOL RUNESCAPE ARE COMING TO MOBILE

PC-Mobile-PC Cross-Platform Play Coming to Jagex Titles

Cambridge, UK – July 17, 2017 – Jagex announced today both RuneScape and Old School RuneScape, the iconic massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG), will come to mobile and tablet devices.

The two titles will be the first mainstream and fully-established Western MMORPGs to deliver the complete MMO experience to PC and mobile platforms and feature full cross-platform play, allowing players to jump from PC to mobile platforms and back again. Old School RuneScape is set to debut on mobile platforms this winter, with RuneScape to follow.

Extending RuneScape and Old School RuneScape‘s PC gameplay to mobile, cross-platform play represents a massive advancement for RuneScape‘s legions of players. Players will be able to log out from their PC when they need to be AFK, and launch the mobile app to continue their adventure on the move, picking up from the in-game moment that they left it on PC… and vice versa.

Players will be able to have a RuneScape and Old School RuneScape adventure just on their mobile devices if they choose, enabling past RuneScape players who have moved from PC to mobile as a preferred platform, to reconnect with the game and their characters once again.

“As a MMO player, you ideally want to play at any time of the day or night no matter where you are. We know that our players’ time is precious, and that’s why want to give all RuneScape players, both present and past, the opportunity to play RuneScape on the go,” said Neil McClarty, Senior Product Director, Jagex. “The fact that they’ll be able to play on their PC, leave the PC, and pick up their mobile and continue playing where you left your character will be a big deal for our players – there really will be no need for any XP waste.”

“This is a real step change for MMORPGs and a signal of Jagex’s intent to continue to push the boundaries of live games,” said Phil Mansell, Chief Operating Officer, Jagex. “The RuneScape titles will become the first mainstream and established Western MMORPGs on mobile in full and the first to deliver cross-platform play between PC and mobile platforms. We believe in taking our games to wherever our players want them; recent player surveys showed an overwhelming 90% of active players and 64% of former players telling us of their very high intent-to-play on mobile. Our innovative approach to mobile is also evidence of our ambitions in the mobile sector, and a further indication of our investment in extending the RuneScape franchise to additional devices and territories.”

Assets for the announcement, including screenshots and key art, can be found here: https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/ZFfNv74isI

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About Jagex

Established in 2001, Jagex today stands as a key game developer and publisher and is the home to the iconic online role-playing game, RuneScape. RuneScape has welcomed over 250 million players to its world and more than two million of them play every month, while millions more watch avidly through social channels. In addition to RuneScape, Jagex has developed new RuneScape-branded games as it enters additional genres, including the authentically vintage edition, Old School RuneScape. Jagex employs over 320 people at its Cambridge headquarters. In 2016 Jagex became part of Fukong Interactive Entertainment, a global games group publicly listed in China. Career information can be found at www.jagex.com.

About RuneScape

Step into a medieval fantasy world that’s packed with epic adventures, fascinating characters and a passionate community that helps to mold the game itself. Unashamedly British in humor, RuneScape embraces an unconventional world where you’re free to play and explore the way you want to. An MMO unlike any other – become the hero you were born to be at www.runescape.com.
About Old School RuneScape

Based on the 2007 incarnation of RuneScape, Old School RuneScape’s players enjoy weekly updates that they vote for through an in-game polling system. Since launch in 2013, Old School RuneScape has established itself firmly in the competitive gaming arena with Deadman Mode involving the best 2,000 players across the globe participating quarterly in a free-for-all battle which results in just one winner. From 100 player raids to solo bosses and dungeons consisting of over 60 waves, Old School RuneScape truly caters for adventurers after the ultimate PvP or PvE challenge. Play now at http://oldschool.runescape.com