Sydney Opera House to host Australia’s first Minecraft event

Event details

Tickets on sale to the general public Thursday 8 June  >> sydneyoperahouse.com
What Minecraft at the Sydney Opera House
When 2 – 3 July 2017

Where Concert Hall & Northern FoyersSydney Opera House
Tickets From $35.00 + booking fee

Sydney – Monday 5 June, 2017. The Sydney Opera House will host Australia’s first Minecraft competition in the Concert Hall on July 2 and 3. “Minecraft at the Sydney Opera House” brings to life one of the best-selling video games of all time, its 120 million-plus players captivated by a world of limitless exploration and creative possibilities.

Minecraft’s first Australian festival will invite fans of the game to dig (mine) and build (craft) anything and everything, from castles and farms to the Sydney Opera House itself. A true choose-your-own-adventure experience, the festival will be unbeatable school holidays entertainment for children, families, and Minecraft devotees of all ages.

Sydney Opera House Senior Producer for Children, Families and Creative Learning, Jamie Dawson, said: “The Sydney Opera House is about creativity in all its forms. We encourage makers, builders and artists of all kinds. This event is about bringing Minecrafters together to share ideas, challenge each other and to meet the creators of one of the world’s most popular games. And where better to do it than the Opera House.”

The Opera House’s grand Concert Hall and Northern Foyers will be transformed into a Minecraft extravaganza spanning three sessions over two days. Attendees can come and go between the main competition on stage and the activities in the foyer.

Minecraft at the Sydney Opera House is designed for everyone: from dedicated players of all ages – who can compete to win an Xbox One – to parents and educators who can understand and unpack how the game can be applied in an educational setting – and even younger siblings who can meet – and challenge – new friends.

Alongside the competitions, Lead Creative Designer of Minecraft, Jens Bergensten, will participate in the interactive sessions. Lydia Winters, Brand Director of Mojang, the studio behind Minecraft, will share her Minecraft tricks and tips and answer fans’ questions.

Pre-sale tickets available to Sydney Opera House subscribers. Click here and sign up before 11pm 6 June 2017 to receive this offer

XSEED GAMES BRINGS GIRL POWER, NEWLY REVEALED TITLES, AND FAN APPEARANCE WITH SENRAN KAGURA PRODUCER TO E3 2017

Experience First-ever Hands on with Today’s Announced ‘Zwei: The Ilvard Insurrection’ Action RPG from Nihon Falcom, Recently Revealed ‘Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin,’ and ‘SENRAN KAGURA Peach Beach Splash’ Plus Nintendo Switch Versions of Fan-favorite Titles

Torrance, Calif. – June 2, 2017 – XSEED Games, the independent-minded publishing brand of Marvelous USA, Inc., today announced its exciting lineup of games, both newly announced and reintroduced via new platforms, which will be playable for the very first time at the 2017 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) from June 13 – 15 in Los Angeles. Revealed today is Zwei: The Ilvard Insurrection for Windows PC, a quirky and charmingly presented 3D action RPG from acclaimed developer Nihon Falcom, which was originally released in Japan as Zwei II Plus.

The company will also showcase a number of titles that star powerful, distinctive female protagonists, including SENRAN KAGURA Peach Beach Splash and Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, the upcoming Nintendo Switch™ edition of Shantae: Half-Genie Hero with its feature-rich Risky Boots DLC, and the upcoming Nintendo Switch edition of Fate/EXTELLA: The Umbral Star.

As the show is open to the public this year, SENRAN KAGURA series producer Kenichiro Takaki will attend for his first-ever American fan appearance, which will take place on Thursday, June 15 from 3:00 – 5:00 PM PDT. In addition, XSEED Games will be selling games and merchandise from their online store at their booth for the entirety of the show.

“For XSEED Games, E3 has always been a time of excitement, as it’s our opportunity to share upcoming titles with the industry,” said Ken Berry, Executive Vice President at Marvelous USA. “This year, I’m overjoyed that fans are able to be a part of that experience. Not only do we have a fantastic lineup of titles at the show, it’s also rather diverse in terms of themes and genres, and we invite everyone to stop by the booth and check us out.”

“I’m very much looking forward to meeting fans of my work at E3,” said Kenichiro Takaki, SENRAN KAGURA Producer at Honey ∞ Parade Games. “I never thought that the series would leave Japan when I created SENRAN KAGURA, but now that it has gained fans worldwide, I want to meet them and am so happy that Marvelous and E3 has allowed me to do just that.”

XSEED Games will be located in the West Hall, Booth #4700. The following titles have not yet been rated by the ESRB unless stated otherwise.

Zwei: The Ilvard Insurrection

[Platform: Windows PC; Release: Summer 2017] – Originally released in Japan as Zwei II Plus and developed by acclaimed RPG developer Nihon Falcom, Zwei: The Ilvard Insurrection is a charmingly presented action RPG featuring a unique food-based experience system, a colorful cast of characters, and a quirky, standalone narrative. When the haughty vampire princess Alwen du Moonbria saves the life of brash, treasure-hunting pilot Ragna Valentine in exchange for a blood contract, the unlikely duo must set off to recover Alwen’s stolen magic and usurped castle. The game’s real-time combat is tied to a unique leveling system that allows players to choose when to apply experience toward leveling up or whether they should save it for extra perks later on, and pets can fight alongside players to help take down some of the massive bosses encountered on this lengthy adventure through the land of Ilvard. Fans of vampires, treasure-hunting, fairies, ninjas, luchadores, cat-people, vintage airplanes, magic castles, robots, chickens that lay bombs, and more will find lots to love!

©Nihon Falcom Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin

[Platform: PlayStation®4 and Windows PC; Release: 2018] – Developed by Edelweiss, the talented indie team behind the acclaimed shoot-’em-up Astebreed, Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a side-scrolling action platformer inspired by Japanese mythology that breaks up the action with rice growing sim gameplay. Players take on the role of Sakuna, a proud yet lonely harvest goddess who is banished to a dangerous island with a group of outcast humans. Sakuna tames the island by defeating demons using farm tools as weapons while chaining attacks with her “celestial scarf,” a magical item that allows her to grapple distant enemies and platforms. The game’s painstakingly researched story incorporates Japanese history and legend, with its heroine facing off against numerous types of demons great and small as she traverses detailed landscapes. In addition to serving as a love letter to Japanese mythology, Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is an ode to the artistry of cultivating rice, and features an engrossing simulation of the craft behind the agriculture.

©2017 Edelweiss

SENRAN KAGURA Peach Beach Splash

[Platform: PlayStation®4; Release: Summer 2017] – The summer of bouncy, high-flying hijinks continues for everyone’s favorite shinobi schoolgirls in the series’ latest entry and third-person splasher, SENRAN KAGURA Peach Beach Splash. Players will choose a team of five from the more than 30 girls available, outfit them with customizable weapons and abilities, and then lead them into lighthearted water gun battles in a variety of combat arenas. Players can also go online to join their friends and take on opposing teams in 5-on-5 battles as well as survival matches. Come on in; the water’s great!

©2017 Marvelous Inc.

Fate/EXTELLA: The Umbral Star

[Platform: Nintendo Switch; Release: July 25, 2017] – Following a successful launch on the PlayStation®4 and “PSVita” systems, the Nintendo Switch version of Fate/EXTELLA: The Umbral Star comes loaded with 35 previously-released paid DLC costumes along with an exclusive new Unshackled Bride outfit. Developed by Marvelous Inc. and expanding upon the extensive Fate universe with an original story from acclaimed series writer Kinoko Nasu (of Fate/stay night fame), Fate/EXTELLA: The Umbral Star features playable characters from multiple Fate productions across three distinct narrative perspectives, delivering the series’ most legendary showdown yet in one action-packed title. This title has been rated “T for Teen” by the ESRB.

©TYPE-MOON ©2017 Marvelous Inc.

Shantae: Half-Genie Hero

[Platform: Nintendo Switch; Release: Summer 2017] – Following a successful launch on the PlayStation®4, “PSVita” and Wii U™ systems, Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is headed to Nintendo Switch with new content as fresh as the open sea. The Nintendo Switch version of this hair-whipping action platformer comes packed with the game’s upcoming Risky Boots DLC, Pirate Queen’s Quest! In this salty new adventure, players take the role of Shantae’s arch nemesis Risky Boots, as she travels to the four corners of Sequin Land in search of components needed to deliver its destruction. New puzzles, new enemies, and all new gameplay aim to augment this already awesome adventure. This title has been rated “T for Teen” by the ESRB.

©2017 WayForward Technologies. Shantae and the Shantae logo ™Bozon.

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.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance Teaser Shows Gorgeous Views, Fearsome Foes

More News to Come Ahead of the Game’s E3 Showing 
Lakespur, Calif. – June 2nd, 2017 – To shorten the waiting time until E3, Deep Silver and Warhorse Studios are delighted to share with you a new teaser video for Kingdom Come: Deliverance, offering a panoramic view of the game’s beautiful landscapes, highly-detailed villages, and impressive castles, as well as a glance at the forces to be reckoned with.

Check out the video here https://youtu.be/JkwOtynSguA and stay tuned for more news before E3.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a story-driven open-world RPG that immerses you in an epic adventure in the Holy Roman Empire. Avenge your parents’ death as you battle invading forces, go on game-changing quests, and make influential choices. Explore majestic castles, deep forests, thriving villages and countless other realistic settings in medieval Bohemia.

About Deep Silver

Deep Silver develops and distributes interactive games for all platforms. The Deep Silver label means to captivate all gamers who have a passion for thrilling gameplay in exciting game worlds. Deep Silver works with its partners to achieve a maximum of success while maintaining the highest possible quality, always focusing on what the customer desires.

Deep Silver has published more than 200 games since 2003, including its own brands like the open world extravaganza Saints Row, the zombie action franchise Dead Island, and the grim post-apocalyptic future of the Metro series. Upcoming highlights from Deep Silver include Dead Island 2 and Agents of Mayhem. Deep Silver also owns the development studios Deep Silver Dambuster Studios in Nottingham, UK; Deep Silver Fishlabs in Hamburg, Germany, and Deep Silver Volition based in Champaign, IL, USA. For more information please visit www.deepsilver.com.

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EA REVEALS NEW ACTION DRIVING FANTASY WITH NEED FOR SPEED PAYBACK

Edge of Your Seat Driving, Explosive Action and Blockbuster Gameplay Fuel New Game

Pre-Order Now for Instant Access to Five Uniquely Customized and Tuned Iconic Cars

View the Announcement Trailer here.

SYDNEY, Australia – June 2, 2017 – Today Ghost Games™, an Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) studio, announced Need for Speed Payback, the new action driving blockbuster from one of the world’s bestselling video game franchises, hitting stores November 10^th, worldwide. This explosive adventure is filled with intense heist missions, high stakes car battles, epic cop pursuits and jaw dropping set pieces. It’s blockbuster gameplay never before seen from the series, fueled by a gripping story of betrayal and revenge. With Need for Speed Payback, it’s no longer just about being the first to cross the finish line or racing to prove to be the best, it’s about building the perfect ride, getting behind the wheel and playing out an action driving fantasy.

“Need for Speed returns this year to challenge what players expect from racing games,” said Marcus Nilsson, Executive Producer. “We’re still delivering everything our fans love about the franchise – the deepest customization, an impressive roster of cars, intense races and open world pursuits – but with Need for Speed Payback, we’re bringing together all those elements in an all new blockbuster driving experience. From the story, to the different characters you can drive as, to the varied missions, to the edge-of-your-seat moments, this is our vision for what action driving entertainment means today.”

Set in the underworld of Fortune Valley, players will drive as three distinct characters reunited by a quest for vengeance against The House, a nefarious cartel that rules the city’s casinos, criminals and cops. They will take on a variety of challenges and events as Tyler, the Racer; Mac, the Showman; and Jess, the Wheelman to earn the respect of the underground. Featuring the deepest customization from the series, players can truly craft a personalized and unique ride, or spend hours finding and tuning an abandoned derelict into a supercar. They can then push their cars to the limit and raise the stakes by betting on their own performance, where they can either multiply their winnings or risk losing it all.

For players that pre-order the game, they will receive the Need for Speed Payback Platinum Car Pack and get instant access to five uniquely customized and tuned iconic cars at launch, each with exclusive† Platinum Blue Tire Smoke. The Car Pack includes:

• Nissan 350Z 2008
• Chevrolet Camaro SS 1967
• Dodge Charger R/T 1969
• Ford F-150 Raptor 2016
• Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport 2016

For drivers who want to get the extra edge over the competition, the Need for Speed Payback Deluxe Edition gives players up to three days of early access to the full game, along with exclusive customization items such as the Deluxe Edition license plate and NOS color, in-game discounts, Rep bonuses, everything the Platinum Car Pack has to offer, and more.

Players can also get into the action before launch through EA Access and Origin Access, where members can play for up to 10 hours starting Thursday, November 2^nd with the EA Access and Origin Access Play First Trial**. Need for Speed Payback Deluxe Edition owners will get their three-day early access starting Tuesday, November 7^th. Need for Speed Payback will be available worldwide on November 10^th for Xbox One, PlayStation®4, and Origin™ for PC.

EA Access and Origin Access members receive a 10 percent discount** when they purchase a digital version of Need for Speed Payback.

The Artifact launches today, Friday 2 June 2017.

Buy Now

Woken from a hypersleep, you find yourself alone on a drifting star cruiser, light years from home. The crew has disappeared, leaving behind nothing but a few scattered records and a strange artifact that seems to hold the key to an alien civilisation. As you search the empty ship, you’ll begin to piece together the mystery of the missing crew, and perhaps a way to unlock the artifact itself.

The Artifact – Steam PC

Played out in stunning 3D environments, The Artifact is a sci-fi themed spin on the classic escape the room game. Players explore different locations, using 22nd century technology to crack codes and solving increasingly head scratching puzzles that will help decipher the mystery of the alien device, and perhaps what lies beyond…

Key Features

• Beautiful 3D environments – explore the decks of your star cruiser, breaking open air hatches and exploring different areas…
• Head-scratching puzzles – use logic and experimentation to figure out how to break into the alien artifact…
• Immersive story – explore the ship for notes and documents that reveal the mystery of the missing crew. And why you’ve been left behind…

Additional resources:
YouTube
Twitter
Facebook

About Kiss Ltd
Established in 2012, Kiss Ltd offers indie developers from the UK and around the world a ‘Label’ to publish their games on digital download stores such as Steam. Kiss provides all the contract and legal support; manages all tax issues; manages the catalogue; collects royalties and provides a full suite of marketing assistance. Most importantly, our development partners retain their IP rights.
Website

THE BEST FIGHTS ARE PERSONAL AS BANDAI NAMCO ENTERTAINMENT AMERICA INC. LAUNCHES TEKKEN 7

The Best-Selling Fighting Game Franchise Returns to Home Consoles and Makes its Way to PCs with Enhanced Graphics, an Explosive Storyline, and a Global eSports Tournament Series

SANTA CLARA, Calif., (June 2, 2017) – Leading interactive entertainment media publisher and developer BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. today announces it has launched TEKKEN™ 7 in the Americas for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One, and PCs via STEAM®. TEKKEN 7, the latest chapter of the best-selling fighting game franchise is set to deliver core fighting game action and competition through heart-pounding 1 vs. 1 bouts. TEKKEN 7 will also present the latest developments and provide some closure to the TEKKEN storyline centered around the eternal struggle for power amongst the members of the Mishima clan.

TEKKEN 7 was developed at BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.’s Tokyo, Japan studio under the leadership of franchise director, Katsuhiro Harada. Powered by Unreal Engine 4, TEKKEN 7 sets new standards in graphics quality for the series and the fighting game genre, featuring highly detailed characters, dynamic animations, and unique environments. TEKKEN 7 features numerous modes and enhancements beyond its arcade counterpart, including an in-depth story mode that enables players to fully experience the epic TEKKEN canon storyline. Players will also be able to check out new fighters such as Akuma from Ultra Street Fighter® IV, Kazumi Mishima, Claudio, Josie, Shaheen, Katarina, Lucky Chloe, Gigas, and master their respective fighting styles. TEKKEN 7 also delivers new abilities for players to employ during bouts such as Rage Arts, Power Crushes, and Rage Drives; all designed to increase the tension of each battle within the game.   

“Over its two-decade history, the TEKKEN series has been a source of pride within our organization and TEKKEN 7 is the franchise’s strongest offering yet; ready to take its place in the pantheon of great fighting games.” said Eric Hartness, Vice President of Marketing at BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. “Our plans for TEKKEN 7 don’t end with the launch of the game, instead our vision extends globally as we begin to seek out the best-of-the-best TEKKEN 7 players in the world through the TEKKEN World Tour series. The fiercest fighters who rise through the TEKKEN World Tour will face-off at the TEKKEN World Finals taking place in North America in November this year. We look forward to pitting the toughest TEKKEN 7 players against each other; crowning new King of the Iron Fist Champions for many years to come.”

“It has been a long journey, but reaching today’s launch of TEKKEN 7 has been well worth the TEKKEN Team’s diligent efforts.” said Katsuhiro Harada, TEKKEN Franchise Director at BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc. “We’ve put our blood, sweat, and souls into bringing TEKKEN 7 to home consoles in the hope that new players and long-time fans will enjoy our work. This is a true passion project and I hope players will be able to feel the TEKKEN Team’s dedication to our art as they play TEKKEN 7.”

Rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB, TEKKEN 7 is offered with a MSRP of $59.99 for the regular edition, $84.99 for the digital deluxe edition, and $149.99 for the Collector’s Edition (available for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One only). TEKKEN 7 is available now for the PlayStation 4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One, and PCs via STEAM in North America, Latin America, and Brazil.

For more information about everything in the TEKKEN universe, please visit: http://tk7.tekken.com/. For more information on TEKKEN World Tour, visit the official website at http://tekkenworldtour.com. To learn more about BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc.’s other products and services go to: http://www.bandainamcoent.com/home.html. Join the conversation and follow us on BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. Facebook at: www.facebook.com/BandaiNamcoUS or the TEKKEN Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/TekkenAmericas.

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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.

REDspace Readies VR Sports-Shooter Experience, Gunball 

Serve with your Sidearm in an All-New Competitive Experience coming to HTC Vive on June 28^th 

Halifax, Canada (June 2, 2017) — REDspace Games announce today that their upcoming VR sports meets shooter hybrid experience Gunball will be available for HTC VIVE starting on June 28. Fans who pre-order Gunball starting next week will receive the game for $9.75, a 35% discount from the MSRP of $14.99.

What the heck is Gunball? 

Gunball is a fictional arena sport where players are trying out for the “Gunball League.” It’s meant to be immersive, absurd and slightly over the top action. The approach is simple and fun – similar to tennis, players serve up balls but instead of striking them with rackets, they shoot the balls with guns, rocketing them high into the air. Using this unique yet intuitive mechanic, competitors are placed in the center of 3D arenas surrounded by screaming fans where they participate in timed rounds with the main objective of shooting balls into goal rings for points, accumulating the highest score possible before time expires. Depending on which moves work best, players can pick up balls, dribble balls by bouncing them off the ground and catching them for a second before throwing balls in the air to be shot. 

Gunball is an easy game to pick up and play, making it the perfect first-time experience for players new to VR. However even seasoned VR pros will find Gunball to be deep and intense, allowing players to immerse themselves in the experience and pull off insane trick shots on the way to racking up the highest scores in the world! Fans of competitive sports will find themselves vying for the best scores, to earn the title of best Gunball player.

The game features two themed environments – an audience packed sports stadium and an explosive rainbow volcano – each with five different goal ring layouts featuring varying obstacles per environment. Compete against friends and other Gunballers around the world to achieve top ranks on the Steam leaderboards!

“With Gunball we wanted to provide players with a fun, engrossing experience that anyone could instantly understand and be drawn to,” says Jeremy McCurdy, Gunball Game Designer

and Games Technical Lead at REDspace. “Built around a comfortable experience but with a deep level of skill underneath it, we feel this game is perfect for whether you want a quick diversion for a few games or if you want to play for hours solo or with friends.”

Developed and self-published by REDspace, Gunball will be available via Steam starting on June 28, 2017.

For more product information on Gunball, please visit www.gunballgame.com.

About REDspace

REDspace has been pushing digital boundaries and providing clients with unforgettable, interactive experiences for nearly two decades. From hundreds of fun and addictive games to Emmy Award-winning websites and mobile apps, REDspace’s design and development services rank amongst the best in the world. The team of over 160 works together to help top international media and entertainment brands, including Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., CBC Kids, PBS, Cartoon Network, and MTV achieve unrivalled results.

At REDspace, the team is constantly exploring new technologies. They are not only creators of engaging digital content working with the world’s biggest media brands but also the engineers that deliver that content to every emerging platform. This combination of skills and subject matter expertise enables REDspace to enter the VR space with a unique advantage.

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