THIRD-PERSON SHOOTER AND RPG GAMEPLAY COME TOGETHER IN SWORD ART ONLINE: FATAL BULLET, AVAILABLE NOW FOR PLAYSTATION® 4, XBOX ONE, AND PC

Newest Entry in the Popular Anime Game Series Combines Visceral Third-Person Shooter Action with Online Cooperative and Competitive Modes

Santa Clara, Calif., (February 23, 2018) – BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc., the leading developer and publisher of anime video games, today announced the release of Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet, the latest entry in the action role-playing-game (RPG) series based on the popular anime franchise Sword Art Online. For the first time in the series’ history, players will be able to engage in third-person shooter action along with RPG gameplay that fans have come to know and love from the Sword Art Online franchise. Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet is available now in the Americas for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, PCs via STEAM®, and Xbox One.

Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet features an all new story supervised by Sword Art Online creator Reki Kawahara. In Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet, players will embark on an epic journey and become the hero of their own adventure as their choices determine how the game’s story unfolds. The game is filled with exhilarating combat, fast paced jumps and wall-to-wall traversing. Powered by Unreal Engine 4, Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet includes full multiplayer cooperative and competitive modes of up to eight players. In online co-op mode, players are enabled to assemble a team with three other friends and utilize each character’s unique skills to complete boss battle quests. The competitive battle mode splits players into two teams of four to compete against one another in a race to accumulate more damage points dealt against a boss while preventing the other team from scoring points.

“Sword Art Online has always had the compelling story and deep gameplay of a classic RPG series, and we are excited to take the franchise to the next level by adding third-person shooter gameplay into the mix,” said Randy Le, Associate Brand Manager at BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. “Adding these elements to the game will give fans a fast-paced experience that will blend well with the story. The team is excited to bring gamers a Sword Art Online game like they’ve never seen before.”

Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet is rated T for TEEN by the ESRB and is available for purchase today at video game retailers in the Americas for the PlayStation4 and Xbox One at a MSRP of $59.99. The PC version is available through digital download via STEAM for $49.99. To learn more about BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc.’s other products go to: http://www.bandainamcoent.com/home.html or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BandaiNamcoUS or join the conversation at https://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

THE PIXELATED NEON JOY OF PAC-MAN CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION 2 PLUS NOW AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE NINTENDO SWITCH™

Team Up in Co-Op Mode to Bring the Popular Maze Chase to New Heights for Twice the Fun 

Leading anime video game developer and publisher BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe today announced the launch of PAC-MAN™ Championship Edition 2 PLUS, now available for Nintendo Switch™. Players will experience the critically-acclaimed retro arcade game reimagined with brilliant neon visuals and eye-popping, high-resolution 3D graphics on Nintendo’s hybrid console. The game includes PAC-MAN CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION 2, which was previously released in 2016, and will also have an exclusive two player co-op mode called PAC-MAN CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION 2 PLUS2P for twice the fun!

The PAC-MAN CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION 2 PLUS 2P mode gives players an opportunity to team up and play on a single Nintendo Switch, with each player controlling their PAC-MAN character on a single Joy-Con™. When one player gets caught by a ghost, the other player can come to the rescue. Players can also work together and use special co-op maneuvers to weave through the mazes and chomp their way to exciting boss battles.

PAC-MAN CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION 2 PLUS would not be complete without the return of PAC-MAN’s famous ghosts; Blinky, Pinky, Inky, and Clyde who will trail ferociously behind PAC-MAN as he gorges on precious Pac Dots. The game features a variety of modes to play at home or on the go, such as Score Attack and Adventure mode! Players can compete for the top spot on the leaderboards and strive to beat their high scores. PAC-MAN CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION 2 PLUS elevates the classic maze chase action and gameplay with fast fleeing fruit, remixed rules, and more!

PAC-MAN CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION 2 PLUS is available now for Nintendo Switch. For more information regarding PAC-MAN CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION 2 PLUS and 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 at https://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 content for platforms including all major video game consoles, PC and mobile.  The company is known for creating and publishing many of the industry’s top video game franchises, including PAC-MAN™, TEKKEN™, SOULCALIBUR™, DARK SOULS™, NARUTO™, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN™, Dragon Ball, GALAGA™, RIDGE RACER™ and ACE COMBAT™. For more information please visit www.bandainamcoent.eu . All the BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment products are available on the official store https://store.bandainamcoent.eu

A FREE SUPER MARIO ODYSSEY UPDATE IS AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD NOW

The update includes a new mini-game called Balloon World and a range of new outfits and Snapshot filters

23^rd February, 2018 –Players can now download a free update for Super Mario Odyssey that adds a new mini-game called Balloon World, a range of new outfits for Mario, and two new filters for use when capturing images in Snapshot Mode.

Once players download the free update and complete the main story, Balloon World will become available, and players just have to find Luigi in each Kingdom and speak with him to get started. In “Hide It” mode, players have a limited amount of time to hide a balloon, while in “Find It” mode, players have the same period of time to locate balloons hidden by other players from around the world*. Whether players are hiding balloons or finding them, their Rank will go up based on their score. While playing Balloon World, the atmosphere will change for each kingdom: for example, players will see it rain in New Donk City during the day and watch the sun set in Tostarena.

Also included in the update are a range of new outfits and Snapshot filters designed to give Mario a whole new look. The Sunshine, Musician and Knight Armor outfits have now been added and will be available in the shop after players finish the main story. There are also two new Snapshot Mode filters: Coin and Neon. Try using them to capture all sorts of fun new moments. 

A free update for Super Mario Odyssey that includes a new mini-game called Balloon World and a range of new outfits and Snapshot filters is available to download now. More new outfits are planned to be added, so stay tuned to the Nintendo Australia Twitter account for more information. 

Additional Links:
Nintendo Switch website: http://www.nintendo.com.au/nintendo-switch/
Nintendo Australia website: http://www.nintendo.com.au/
Nintendo Australia Twitter: https://twitter.com/NintendoAUNZ
Nintendo Australia Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NintendoAUNZ
Nintendo AU on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/nintendoau

LIONSGATE ANNOUNCES LANDMARK PARTNERSHIP WITH OVERWATCH LEAGUE™ CLUB LOS ANGELES VALIANT TO PROMOTE STARZ ORIGINAL SERIES ASH VS EVIL DEAD

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 22, 2018) – Global content leader Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) today announced a partnership with the Los Angeles Valiant of Blizzard Entertainment’s Overwatch League™ to promote season three of the Starz Original Series Ash vs Evil Dead. The partnership, which will see Ash vs Evil Dead become the Valiant’s sole and exclusive jersey sponsor through at least Stage 2 of the inaugural season of Overwatch League, is a unique example of a true content brand sponsorship in professional sports.

Ari Segal, LA Valiant’s President and COO, said, “Ash vs Evil Dead is a content property that is highly contextual to gaming and to our core demo and fan base. By creating truly unique, money-can’t-buy experiences for our fans around that property, we elevate the fan experience to something that aims at more than merely being a fan of a team; instead, we’re building a real community of people that activates around not only the Valiant, but also other properties or events from which it derives value and enjoyment.”

Peter Levin, the LA Valiant’s Chairman and Lionsgate’s President of Interactive Ventures, Games, and Digital Strategy, continued, “The Valiant’s audience, the audience for Overwatch League and esports generally, is one of the most elusive and yet highly sought after demographics. At both Lionsgate and the LA Valiant, we continue to think three dimensionally about how to reach and authentically connect with that constituency.”

As part of the sponsorship, Valiant fans will be given unprecedented access to Ash vs Evil Dead experiences, including exclusive screenings at Lionsgate’s studios in Santa Monica, Q&A/AMAs with creative voices behind the franchise, meet-and-greets, and more.

LA Valiant CEO Noah Whinston added, “This jersey sponsorship is a message to our fans that we will continue to work with partners and brands that look to add value to the fan experience. Lionsgate is completely aligned with us on this philosophy, as evidenced by this landmark partnership, and we will continue to create and integrate brands, events, and content to push the frontier of how teams create differentiated and lasting connections.”

The new Ash vs Evil Dead-sponsored jerseys will debut in competition during the first week of Overwatch League’s Stage 2, when the LA Valiant play the Shanghai Dragons at 5:00 PM PST on Saturday, February 24, 2018. Broadcast details can be found on The Overwatch League website, www.overwatchleague.com, and on Twitch at Twitch.tv/overwatchleague.

The third season of Ash vs Evil Dead will premiere Sunday, February 25, 2018, on Starz.

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About the Los Angeles Valiant

Los Angeles Valiant, one of the 12 inaugural teams for Overwatch League, is owned and operated by Immortals and CEO Noah Whinston from its home in Culver City, California. Immortals was founded in 2016 with an unprecedented dedication to fan support and player well-being. Committed to creating a long-lasting community of professional gamers, aspiring players, and passionate fans, Immortals and the L.A. Valiant are united by our commitment to camaraderie and competitive excellence. Always remaining true to our values and ethics, the team takes pride in providing an authentic brand that fans can be proud to cheer on to victory.

About Lionsgate

The first major new studio in decades, Lionsgate is a global content platform whose films, television series, digital products and linear and over-the-top platforms reach next-generation audiences around the world. In addition to its filmed entertainment leadership, Lionsgate content drives a growing presence in interactive and location-based entertainment, gaming, virtual reality and other new entertainment technologies. Lionsgate’s content initiatives are backed by a 16,000-title film and television library and delivered through a global licensing infrastructure. The Lionsgate brand is synonymous with original, daring and ground-breaking content created with special emphasis on the evolving patterns and diverse composition of the Company’s worldwide consumer base.

OVERWATCH, OVERWATCH LEAGUE, BLIZZARD, and BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT are trademarks of Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.

Crytek Launches Hunt: Showdown Into Early Access

Hunt: Showdown is available today through Steam Early Access

FRANKFURT, Germany – Feb. 22, 2018 – The wait is over: Crytek has announced that Hunt: Showdown is now available via Steam Early Access, priced at 29.99 EUR/USD and 25.99 GBP. Hunt: Showdown is a competitive multiplayer bounty hunting game that combines PvP with PvE elements in a handcrafted sandbox environment.

“We want to take this opportunity to thank everybody who participated in closed alpha testing,” said Hunt Producer Fatih Özbayram. “It was essential for us in our continuing developments, and we are grateful to have such a dedicated community this early in the game.”

“Early access is a big milestone for the team, and we are all excited to finally be releasing Hunt: Showdown out into the wild,” said Hunt: Showdown Creative Director Magnus Larbrant. “With Hunt, we wanted to make the game that we, as gamers, have always wanted to play ourselves: tense, dark, addictive, terrifying—a real adrenaline-pumping experience. We have the foundations laid out, and now with the support and input of the community during early access, we can polish that experience together.”

About Hunt: Showdown

Hunt: Showdown is a competitive first-person bounty hunting game with heavy PvE elements from the makers of Crysis. Set in the darkest corners of the world, it packs the thrill of survival games into a match-based format. Hunt’s competitive, match-based gameplay mixes PvP and PvE elements to create a uniquely tense experience. At the beginning of each match, up to five teams of two set out to track monstrous targets. Once they’ve found and defeated one of these they will receive a bounty—and instantly become a target for every other hunter left on the map. The higher the risk, the higher the reward–but a single mistake could cost everything.

About Crytek

Crytek is an independent videogame developer, publisher, and technology provider dedicated to pushing the boundaries of gaming with its cutting-edge 3D game development solution CRYENGINE. With headquarters in Frankfurt am Main (Germany) and studios in Kiev (Ukraine) and Istanbul (Turkey), Crytek has created multiple award-winning titles, including the original Far Cry, the Crysis series, Ryse: Son of Rome, Warface, The Climb, Robinson: The Journey and Hunt: Showdown. Crytek delivers fun and innovative gaming experiences for PC, consoles, and VR and continues to grow its reach in the games-as-a-service market. Every Crytek game is created with CRYENGINE, which can be used by anyone to create games on a Pay What You Want business model.

For more information, visit www.crytek.com and www.cryengine.com.

http://store.steampowered.com/app/594650/Hunt_Showdown/

GameChanger Charity Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary as 2018 Donations Surpass $18 Million, Treyarch Chairman Mark Lamia Joins Board of Directors

GameChanger Charity and Former Twitch EVP Jonathan Shipman Reveal ZOTT, a New Web-based Content Platform Revolutionizing Patients’ Freedom to Play, Learn and Socialize

MENLO PARK, Calif. – Feb. 22, 2018 – GameChanger Charity, a global non-profit enterprise providing aid and relief for young people battling life-threatening illnesses, as well as their families and caregivers, is commemorating its 10th anniversary with the news it has already secured donations valued over $18 million for 2018. The lion’s share of this achievement is thanks to a generous in-kind gift from Microsoft of one-year Xbox Game Pass subscriptions, which will be distributed to patients in children’s hospitals around the world and help further drive GameChanger’s outreach efforts.

“As a young cancer patient, I was stunned by the lack of entertainment, education and social interaction available in hospitals, as well as by the devastating effects this absence of communal and intellectual stimulation can have on kids and young adults,” said Taylor Carol, who co-founded GameChanger Charity with his father, Jim Carol, in 2007 after his own experience with childhood leukemia. “GameChanger was born from the belief that every person has a right to play, learn and socialize. We’re immensely grateful for every opportunity we’re given to bring even a moment of joy into the lives of those who fight the impossible each and every day.”

In addition, GameChanger Charity has announced that Mark Lamia, Chairman and former Studio Head of Treyarch, an award-winning development studio in the Call of Duty® franchise, has joined GameChanger Charity’s board of directors. This is the latest creative addition to the board, which includes massively popular YouTuber Jordan Maron, also known as CaptainSparklez.

“Ever since I learned about GameChanger’s mission, I have been inspired by their work to join their calling, which proves the power that human connection and play can have for those facing the unthinkable,” said Lamia. “Today I’m honored to join the passionate people who have made this force for good possible, as we look forward to the next decade of gaming and giving.”

GameChanger Charity is also proud to reveal a new venture called ZOTT (www.zott.tv), a private, for-profit subsidiary of GameChanger Charity created to advance its mission to improve the lives of patients around the world through technology and innovation. ZOTT is an over-the-top (OTT), multi-channel media distribution platform with a network of highly curated entertainment and educational content services for patients and administrators in hospitals. ZOTT has appointed Jonathan Shipman, a founding member and former executive vice president of broadcaster product development and video platform technologies at Twitch, as the company’s new president.

“I know from my own son’s experience the positive impact meaningful opportunities to play, learn and socialize can have for those fighting through a life-threatening illness and the ensuing recovery, especially at a young age,” said Shipman. “ZOTT is a new leap forward in patient engagement and support, with the power to scale GameChanger’s founding mission for socioeconomic good upward around the world. You’ll be hearing a lot more from us in the coming year.”

ZOTT is currently in pilot programs at a number of prominent pediatric facilities around the United States, including Methodist Children’s Hospital in San Antonio, Children’s Hospital Colorado, and C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. ZOTT has also partnered with the University of Michigan School of Public Health and Children’s Hospital Colorado to measure the platform’s impact on patients in a wide range of developmental and rehabilitative categories as it grows further.

About GameChanger Charity

GameChanger Charity’s mission is to leverage innovation and technology to empower patients to play, learn, and socialize. Taylor Carol co-founded GameChanger Charity with his father, Jim Carol, in 2007 after his own experience with childhood leukemia. GameChanger has delivered programs to over 100 hospitals and 25,000 pediatric hospital rooms in the past four years alone. https://gamechangercharity.org