Square Enix kicks off FINAL FANTASY 30th anniversary celebration

LONDON (31^st January 2017) –  At today’s official FINAL FANTASY® 30th Anniversary Opening Ceremony in Tokyo, Square Enix Ltd., commenced a year-long celebration for the franchise’s 30-year legacy, revealing new details, art and videos surrounding some of the franchise’s most anticipated games, including FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE, FINAL FANTASY XV, and FINAL FANTASY XII THE ZODIAC AGE.

Square Enix also unveiled the official FINAL FANTASY 30th Anniversary logo. Fans can join the celebration by sharing their favourite FINAL FANTASY memories using the hashtag #FF30th. Fans can also tune in to the SQUARE ENIX Twitch channel from 14:00 GMT / 15:00 CET today where the community team will be playing through and talking about a selection of fan favourite games in the FINAL FANTASY series.

During the opening ceremony announcements were made by some very special guests, including, Shinji Hashimoto (Square Enix Executive Officer, FINAL FANTASY Brand Manager), who presented information about future new content in the series as below;

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE
Brand-new key art for the highly anticipated FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE was unveiled, depicting the game’s protagonist and mercenary Cloud and his iconic Buster Sword set to the background of Midgar, base of the Shinra Electric Power Company.

FINAL FANTASY XII THE ZODIAC AGE
European players can look forward to returning to the world of Ivalice in FINAL FANTASY XII THE ZODIAC AGE on 11^th July 2017 for the Playstation®4 computer entertainment system. The visual and audio remaster of series classic FINAL FANTASY XII will feature a job character progression system for the first time in the West. New key art from famed character designer and artist Akihiko Yoshida was also revealed, featuring the main cast of the game including Ashe, Balthier, Fran and Vaan.

FINAL FANTASY XV : Episode Gladio DLC
The first sneak peek at some of the upcoming DLC for FINAL FANTASY XV was showcased on-stage, highlighting the brand-new perspective players will experience in the coming months. The FINAL FANTASY XV Booster Pack (Free Version) and FINAL FANTASY XV Booster Pack + are scheduled for release on 21st February, and will be available for all players or Season Pass holders, respectively. The DLC content will include powerful items such as the invincible outfit, “Magitek Exosuit” that give players an advantage during battles.

FINAL FANTASY XV Episode Gladiolus releases on 28^th March, and will be available to players who purchased the Premium Edition or Season Pass and can also be purchased separately via the Xbox Marketplace or the PlayStation®Store. Through this DLC, players can enjoy an episode depicted from Gladio’s perspective. Gilgamesh, one of the franchise’s fan-favorite characters will also be making an appearance in the episode.

FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS
FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS, the full-scale FINAL FANTASY adventure for mobile devices which has achieved over 20 million downloads worldwide, recently began a spectacular in-game collaboration event with internationally renowned artist and actress Ariana Grande. All players will be able to acquire “Dangerous Ariana,” the Ariana Grande-inspired character exclusively designed for FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS until the 2^nd of February by completing the first stage of the special in-game event, “Dangerous Woman Tour.”

MOBIUS FINAL FANTASY
MOBIUS FINAL FANTASY, the critically acclaimed mobile RPG adventure will be making its way to STEAM next month on 6^th February. MOBIUS FINAL FANTASY offers an all-new RPG adventure featuring a deep story, stunning visuals, in-depth character customisation and a refined turn-based RPG battle system. To celebrate over 10 million registered users worldwide, and the FINAL FANTASY VII 20th anniversary, various in-game bonuses and a special FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE collaboration event will begin on 7^th February for a limited time.

About FINAL FANTASY
Since the release of FINAL FANTASY in 1987, this unique RPG series continues to showcase the spectacular visuals, highly imaginative worlds and rich stories leading the industry and earning the highest accolades from users around the world. Titles of the series have sold over 130 million units worldwide.

About Square Enix Ltd.
Square Enix Ltd. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX®, EIDOS® and TAITO® branded entertainment content in Europe and other PAL territories as part of the Square Enix group of companies. Square Enix Ltd. also has a global network of leading development studios such as IO Interactive™, Crystal Dynamics®, and Eidos Montréal. The Square Enix group of companies boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 130 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 70 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 58 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix Ltd. is a London-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.
More information on Square Enix Ltd. can be found at http://eu.square-enix.com/en
*Unit sales now include both package and digital versions

FINAL FANTASY, The Zodiac Age, DRAGON QUEST, EIDOS, SPACE INVADERS, SQUARE ENIX, the SQUARE ENIX logo, TAITO and TOMB RAIDER are registered trademarks or trademarks of the Square Enix Group. “PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.

Unleash Your Multiplayer Racing Demons With The Heavy Metal Machines Open Beta

Join the clinically insane racers of Metal City in a world of vehicular madness

London, United Kingdom – 31 January 2017 – Hoplon today announced Open Beta for Heavy Metal Machines, the 4v4 car battle death match tournament, which arrives at the starting line today, January 31^st and brings with it a wealth of rockin’ updates.

Heavy Metal Machines – Open Beta Trailer: https://youtu.be/Cpc6pigIM50

The update introduces a new voice chat feature allowing players to communicate with their team to wreak maximum coordinated havoc, a new life bar showing precisely when players need to land that ultimate play, as well as full localisation for Russia and a help guide for any new racers eager to join in the action.

In addition to the flurry upgrades, a brand new driver is joining the race. Iris – a speed racer by nature is a specialist at repairing teammates and using her passive ability to heal allies. Iris and her Photon ride can really make a difference in a team and are not to be underestimated.

Heavy Metal Machines is a fast-paced, action-packed car battle death match challenge, where teams of four players control drivers packing specialised weapons, outlandish accessories, and unique abilities. With a cacophony of explosions, bombastic arsenal, and near endless range of upgrades and features, Heavy Metal Machines roundly encourages players to engage in creating carnage on an epic scale.

Heavy Metal Machines Open Beta is available digitally via  Steam. To register for the Open Beta please visit http://www.heavymetalmachines.com/

Related Links
Heavy Metal Machines official website: http://www.heavymetalmachines.com/
Heavy Metal Machines Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/331360/
Heavy Metal Machines YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoaedJa-sZHoKN5jIx8w39w/
Heavy Metal Machines Twitter: https://twitter.com/HMM_hoplon_EN

About Hoplon
Founded in 2000, Hoplon is one of the leading game developers, with a team of over 70 highly skilled professionals. Located in Florianopolis and a part of the technological centre in Southern Brazil, Hoplon is responsible for pioneering projects in Brazil and strengthening the Brazilian gaming industry through such titles as Heavy Metal Machines, Apocalypse: The Party’s Over or Taikodom.

Steam is a registered trademark of Valve Corporation.

The Complete First Season Disc out today

Watch the launch trailer here: https://youtu.be/zPhbNbFxZhA

COPENHAGEN, January 31, 2017 – HITMAN – The Complete First Season is available on disc from today.

HITMAN – The Complete First Season will be released in a day one SteelBook edition. The Complete First Season includes all of the locations and episodes from Season One; the Prologue, France, Italy, Morocco, Thailand, USA and Japan. In addition, all of the Escalation Contracts, Challenges, Opportunities and Contracts that have been created by our community will be included as well as the opportunity to take on all upcoming Elusive Targets that take place from now onwards.

“This is the culmination of quite a journey, everything we’ve learnt, refined and updated over the live season has gone into the disc release,” said Christian Elverdam, Creative Director, Io-Interactive. “Our vision was to create this World of Assassination and refine it with the help of our players, and for anyone who wanted the game on a disc this is a highly polished, globally acclaimed game with over 100 hours of gameplay and more live content to come, so no more waiting needed.”

Become the Master Assassin in this intense spy-thriller story. As Agent 47 you perform contract hits on powerful, high-profile targets in exotic locations around the world, in this creative stealth action game. Gameplay focuses on taking out targets in huge and intricate sandbox levels with complete freedom of approach. Where to go, when to strike and who to kill – it is all up to you.

HITMAN The Complete First Season is available on January 31 on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft .

Related Links:       hitman.com / facebook.com/hitman / twitter.com/hitman / reddit.com/r/hitman

About HITMAN™ – HITMAN is the sixth game in the blockbuster series and is the culmination of a journey started by Io-Interactive more than 17 years ago. It builds on the critically acclaimed and commercially successful foundation of games like Silent Assassin, Blood Money and the recent Hitman: Absolution.
About Io-Interactive – Io-Interactive, a Square Enix Studio, is the creative force behind some of the most talked-about multiplatform videogames to emerge in the last decade. Starting with the praised and ground-breaking Hitman series, Io-Interactive has since developed the cult classic “Freedom Fighters”, the controversial “Kane & Lynch” series and the adorable “Mini-Ninjas”. Dedication to creating original IP and unforgettable characters and experiences are the hallmarks of Io-Interactive.

About Square Enix Ltd. – Square Enix Ltd. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX®, EIDOS® and TAITO® branded entertainment content in Europe and other PAL territories as part of the Square Enix group of companies. Square Enix Ltd. also has a global network of leading development studios such as IO Interactive™, Crystal Dynamics®, and Eidos Montréal. The Square Enix group of companies boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 115 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 68 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 46 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix Ltd. is a London-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.
More information on Square Enix Ltd. can be found at http://eu.square-enix.com/en

Hitman © 2016 Io-Interactive A/S. All rights reserved. IO-INTERACTIVE and the IO logo are trademarks of Io-Interactive A/S. AGENT 47, HITMAN and the HITMAN logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Square Enix Limited. SQUARE ENIX and the SQUARE ENIX logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Square Enix Co. Holdings Ltd. All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.

How far will you go? Prospective Pathfinders will learn a little more about the dangers of the Andromeda galaxy as EA and BioWare revealed two new trailers for Mass Effect: Andromeda, one of 2017’s most anticipated games. The cinematic character trailer offers a glimpse at Pathfinder Ryder’s squadmates and allies in their search for humanity’s new home. The explorers find a little more than they bargained for, however, as the dangerous Kett Archon demonstrates that the uncharted Andromeda galaxy is also full of new perils and threats.

The latest Andromeda Initiative briefing video introduces players to leading members of the human Pathfinder team on Ark Hyperion, including Pathfinder Alec Ryder, his children Scott and Sarah Ryder, Crisis Responder Liam Kosta and Operations Specialist Cora Harper, who together will lead humanity’s discovery of new worlds in the Andromeda Galaxy when Mass Effect: Andromeda launches on March 23.

The new cinematic character trailer can be viewed on YouTube here.

The Pathfinder Andromeda Initiative briefing video can be viewed on YouTube here.

HEAVY METAL MACHINES OPEN BETA TO BEGIN JANUARY 31

Host of New Features Included, New Character Announced

Florianópolis BRAZIL, January 31, 2017 – Hoplon, the developers of Heavy Metal Machines, are pleased to announce that starting January 31, 2017, gamers of all racing stripes will be able to strap into their favorite vehicle and start tearing up the arenas of Metal City. Gamers who want to sign up for the open beta can do so by visiting www.heavymetalmachines.com.

After months of closed beta testing, Heavy Metal Machines is ready to reveal for a bigger group of fans to experience its unique brand of car combat, MOBA action. In addition to being available to more gamers, this open beta introduces a number of significant upgrades, including an all new character.

New Character
Photon is a real tech-head, so it makes sense that her vehicle in the arena is one of the most advanced support units in the

game. A support unit, capable of healing teammates, Photon is covered in individual solar panels that draw power to charge its Sparkling Engine. This technology allows this character to not only move at high speeds, but turn herself and her car as intangible as light itself!

New Features
Hoplon is also adding some significant new features to the open beta that will improve upon the experience that players in the closed beta got to take part in. Those new features include:

• New Player Game Guide – From the most basic commands such as “how to move your
  car” to very in-depth knowledge about droppers and goals, this is the place to learn
  everything about Heavy Metal Machines.
• Voice Chat – Players can now communicate with their team without the need of any external software. Just hold a key and you’re able to ask for a bomb pass or announce that your ultimate is up and ready to wreak havoc in the arena.
• Russian Localization – Welcome, Russian players! We are happy to announce that Heavy Metal Machines is now 100% localized to the Russian language.

To sign up for the Heavy Metal Machines open Beta, please visit www.heavymetalmachines.com and sign up today.

To find out more about the exciting world of Hoplon’s Heavy Metal Machines, please follow them on Twitter and Facebook or visit http://www.heavymetalmachines.com/site/.

About Hoplon

Founded in 2000, Hoplon is comprised of a one-hundred-person team specializing in video game development, publishing and support services with titles like APB: Reloaded to their credit. Already a fan-favorite in their native Brazil, in mid-2017 Hoplon plans to delight North American audiences with their most ambitious title to-date, Heavy Metal Machines. For more information about Hoplon, please visit www.hoplon.com . To learn more about Heavy Metal Machines, please visit www.heavymetalmachines.com or follow us on Facebook at FB.com/HeavyMetalMachines and on Twitter @HMM_Hoplon_EN.

Double Dragon IV Available Today on PlayStation®Network for the PlayStation®4 and Steam (PC) 

Billy and Jimmy Lee are back! 

YOKOHAMA, Japan – January 30, 2017 – Arc System Works Co., Ltd. is proud to announce the release of Double Dragon IV on the PlayStation®Network for the PlayStation®4 and Steam (PC). Key team members involved in the 1987 arcade version including Original Planner, Yoshihisa Kishimoto, Designer, Koji Ogata, and Composer, Kazunaka Yamane, have teamed up to recreate the next chapter in the Double Dragon saga.

Billy and Jimmy Lee are back and they’ve brought the 80’s with them except the battlefield has moved to Japan!

Title: Double Dragon IV
Platforms: PlayStation®Network for the PlayStation®4 and Steam (PC)
Genre: Side-Scrolling Beat’em Up
Price: $6.99 USD
Players: 1-2 Players (Share Play on PS4 Only)
ESRB: T for Teen

For more information, please visit the official Double Dragon IV website at http://www.arcsystemworks.jp/dd4/

About Arc System Works
Arc System Works is a developer and fighting game specialist from Japan—best known for the Guilty Gear series of games and, more recently, the BlazBlue series—that has garnered international critical acclaim for its innovative fighting system and spectacular 2D artwork. For more information, please visit the official website at www.arcsystemworksu.comAll other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Copyright: © Arc System Works

HITMAN Steelbook edition detailed in new video

What’s in the box: https://youtu.be/FIwW7EXg8LQ

With only one day left before the launch of The Complete First Season for HITMAN, a video detailing what’s in the upcoming disc release for HITMAN is now available to view here: https://youtu.be/FIwW7EXg8LQ

Become the Master Assassin in this intense spy-thriller story. As Agent 47 you perform contract hits on powerful, high-profile targets in exotic locations around the world, from Paris, Italy and Morocco to Bangkok, the USA and Japan in this creative stealth action game. Gameplay focuses on taking out targets in huge and intricate sandbox levels with complete freedom of approach. Where to go, when to strike and who to kill – it is all up to you.

HITMAN The Complete First Season is available on January 31st on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft.

Related Links: hitman.com / facebook.com/hitman / twitter.com/hitman / reddit.com/r/hitman

About HITMAN™ – HITMAN is the sixth game in the blockbuster series and is the culmination of a journey started by Io-Interactive more than 17 years ago. It builds on the critically acclaimed and commercially successful foundation of games like Silent Assassin, Blood Money and the recent Hitman: Absolution.

About Io-Interactive – Io-Interactive, a Square Enix Studio, is the creative force behind some of the most talked-about multiplatform videogames to emerge in the last decade. Starting with the praised and ground-breaking Hitman series, Io-Interactive has since developed the cult classic “Freedom Fighters”, the controversial “Kane & Lynch” series and the adorable “Mini-Ninjas”. Dedication to creating original IP and unforgettable characters and experiences are the hallmarks of Io-Interactive.

About Square Enix Ltd. – Square Enix Ltd. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX®, EIDOS® and TAITO® branded entertainment content in Europe and other PAL territories as part of the Square Enix group of companies. Square Enix Ltd. also has a global network of leading development studios such as IO Interactive™, Crystal Dynamics®, and Eidos Montréal. The Square Enix group of companies boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 115 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 68 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 46 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix Ltd. is a London-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.
More information on Square Enix Ltd. can be found at http://eu.square-enix.com/en

Hitman © 2016 Io-Interactive A/S. All rights reserved. IO-INTERACTIVE and the IO logo are trademarks of Io-Interactive A/S. AGENT 47, HITMAN and the HITMAN logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Square Enix Limited. SQUARE ENIX and the SQUARE ENIX logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Square Enix Co. Holdings Ltd. All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.