KONAMI and FC Barcelona Foundation detail joint Asian youth football initiative to bring ‘FutbolNet’ project to Indonesia

Sydney, 22nd June 2017 – Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. and Premium Partner FC Barcelona, has outlined its plans to promote ground roots football in Indonesia, following KONAMI’s $100,000 donation to the club’s FC Barcelona Foundation.

KONAMI enjoys Premium Partner status with FC Barcelona and has forged strong links via the Spanish club’s enthusiastic support for the publisher’s PES series of football games, which enjoys exclusive use of the Camp Nou stadium and access to its playing talent to ensure they are perfectly recreated in game.

Both KONAMI and FC Barcelona are also committed to working together to assist the club’s FC Barcelona Foundation charity in its great work. KONAMI donated $100,000 to promote grass roots projects and requested the funds be used towards an initiative based in Asia. FC Barcelona Foundation has proposed it takes its FutbolNet project to Indonesia from July. The FutbolNet idea introduces structured coaching and training sessions based on the club’s key principals of bringing the positive values of sport and education to over 450,000 children, youths and young adults and has been expanded to 50 regions.

The KONAMI-sponsored Indonesian project will be used to introduce, train and facilitate the expansion of the FutbolNet principals in North Jakarta and West Java. It will train 60 coaches up to FC Barcelona standard, with applicants from 21-40 eligible to apply. These coaches will then be deployed and supported to oversee the coaching of 3000 children aged 6-12. Coaching will take place between July 2017 – January 2018 and will promote the development of tolerance and respect via individuals and communities, and the promotion of female participation in sport. Similarly, those embarking on the coaching course will receive training and certified status, enhancing their future employability options.

“We are delighted to be working on bringing FC Barcelona’s fantastic FutbolNet project to Indonesia,” stated Masami Saso, President of Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. “FC Barcelona’s quest to develop the young and vulnerable via the promotion of teamwork is an admirable project, and we are delighted to be helping extend its reach. The PES series has benefited greatly through the support of FC Barcelona and we are proud to be a part of a project that will bring great opportunity for Indonesia, proving that sport and the ethos of winners can greatly benefit local communities.”

“KONAMI’s enthusiasm for extending the good work of the FutbolNet project has been incredible to see,” offered Mr. Jordi Cardoner i Casaus, First Vice President of FC Barcelona and FC Barcelona Foundation. “KONAMI’s generous donation to the FC Barcelona Foundation will make a huge difference to the coaches and young people who partake. We thank them for their support and look forward to seeing the rewards of their investment.”

The FC Barcelona Foundation proves the Catalan giant is ‘More Than A Club’, and was established 22 years ago with the mandate to support vulnerable children and youths via sport and education. The Foundation works within the parameters of the United Nation’s ‘Sports 4 Development’ framework, using its ‘FutbolNet‘ program to deliver sporting activities that develop tolerance and respect via individuals and communities. It has expanded globally via key partnerships and now covers South America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

KONAMI’s latest football iteration, PES 2018 will be released for PlayStation®4 and Xbox One™.

For more information, please visit:

• https://www.konami.com/wepes/2018/
• www.twitter.com/officialpes
• www.twitter.com/pesleague
• www.facebook.com/PES
• www.youtube.com/officialpes

About Konami Group

KONAMI HOLDINGS CORPORATION was established in 1973, and became a holding company of the Konami Group on March 31, 2006. KONAMI HOLDINGS CORPORATION covers the fields of “Digital Entertainment Business”, “Health & Fitness Business”, “Gaming & Systems Business” and “Amusement Business”. KONAMI HOLDINGS CORPORATION went public on Tokyo Stock Exchange in 1988 and the London Stock Exchange in 1999. Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. is a wholly-owned subsidiary, responsible for popular franchises like Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill and Pro Evolution Soccer amongst other top sellers. Konami Group is also the manufacturer of the wildly popular Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, which has sold more than 25 billion cards worldwide. For more information concerning Konami Digital Entertainment and its products, please visit https://www.konami.com.

About FC Barcelona

FC Barcelona was founded 116 years ago in 1899, and is unique in many ways. The club is owned by its more than 143,000 members and can boast of being the most successful club in Europe over the last ten years. In that time they have won four of the Club’s five Champions League titles and seven of their 24 domestic league titles. Due to its very special personality, ‘Barça’ is recognized as being ‘more than a club’. The team’s distinctive style of play is projected around the world by the best players and coaches of their time in combination with club’s famous reliance on homegrown talent.

All of this goes hand in hand with its ongoing ambition to become the most admired, beloved and global sports institution on the planet. This mission is supported by such core principles as humility, effort, ambition, respect and team-work, while the club is also famed for its commitment to society, which is channeled through the FC Barcelona Foundation and its work to educate children through the positive values of sport. Such unstoppable growth in recent years has led to a global reach of more than 300 million fans and made FC Barcelona a world leader on social media.

STEEP™ HITS THE ROAD TO THE OLYMPICS ON DECEMBER 5, 2017

Steep™ Road to the Olympics is a licensed product of the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018

Sydney, Australia — June 22, 2017 — At the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), Ubisoft^® announced Steep™ Road to the Olympics, the official videogame of the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018. An expansion to the open world action-sports game Steep (launched in December 2016) featuring skiing, snowboarding, wingsuiting and paragliding, Steep™ Road to the Olympics will let players stage their own Winter Olympic Games from December 5^th 2017 on PlayStation^®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One and Windows PC. More information on bundled editions of Steep will be released at a later date.

The expansion will feature fresh unique challenges as well as official Olympic disciplines, including Downhill, Slopestyle, Halfpipe, Giant Slalom, Super-G and Big Air. Steep™ Road to the Olympics takes players to the ultimate proving ground, with all eyes on them, and gives them the opportunity to rise as the newest snow hero.

With development led by Ubisoft Annecy*, Steep is designed for a culture that’s all about sharing experiences with the world. Steep features seamless multiplayer, populating the world with players as they explore the Alps and Alaska. Players and friends across the globe can take on challenges together, or compete with each other to snag the top spot on the leaderboards. The game’s replay feature expands this experience, allowing players to relive their wildest tricks and memorable lines and even share them as videos on social media. It doesn’t stop there, as challenges can be created from any line to compete with friends and achieve the best time or score based on customizable factors, such as completing tricks to score. Players can also participate in several competitive live programs such as the monthly Steep World Tour, where players take on specific challenges to qualify in tournament and have a chance to win exclusive rewards.

For more information about Steep, please visit steepgame.com and follow us at facebook.com/SteepGame and twitter.com/Steep_Game.

To learn more about other Ubisoft games, please visit blog.ubi.com. 

*Associate studios are Ubisoft Kiev, Ubisoft Pune and Ubisoft Belgrade 

About Ubisoft

Ubisoft is a leading creator, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and services, with a rich portfolio of world-renowned brands, including Assassin’s Creed, Just Dance, Tom Clancy’s video game series, Rayman, Far Cry and Watch Dogs. The teams throughout Ubisoft’s worldwide network of studios and business offices are committed to delivering original and memorable gaming experiences across all popular platforms, including consoles, mobile phones, tablets and PCs. For the 2016–17 fiscal year Ubisoft generated sales of €1,460 million. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com.

BANDAI NAMCO ENTERTAINMENT INC. TO OPEN JAPAN’S LARGEST VR ENTERTAINMENT FACILITY “VR ZONE SHINJUKU” IN TOKYO ON JULY 14, 2017

BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc. will open the largest VR entertainment facility in Japan, “VR ZONE™ SHINJUKU”, in Shinjuku Kabukicho Tokyo on Friday, July 14. Building upon the success of the previous “VR ZONE Project i Can™” facility, VR ZONE SHINJUKU will house over 15 activities including the following new VR activities featuring well-known IPs such as:

・Dragon Ball VR “Master the Kamehameha”
・Evangelion VR “The Throne of Souls”
・Ghost in the Shell Arise: Stealth Hounds
・MARIO KART ARCADE GP VR

VR ZONE SHINJUKU will also include a wide range of new VR activities where guests will be able to experience exploring a fantasy world on a winged bicycle, a horror-filled dinosaur survival run, and much more. Every activity is designed for guests to lose themselves in the immersive VR experience. Guests will also be able to enjoy a variety of non-VR activities, such as surviving a giant expanding balloon while in a locked cell, purchasing original souvenirs, and enjoy meals and activities in a virtually simulated resort themed dining space, making for a truly unique entertainment experience. Additionally, BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc. has teamed-up with the popular digital art group NAKED to develop projection mapping installations within and outside of the facility. The exterior will feature a projection of PAC-MAN among other images, while the inside will feature a ‘Centre Tree’ to be used as the interface for the facility which will allow guests to interact with the building itself through touch.

For more details about VR ZONE SHINJUKU, visit the following links:

Official Web Site: https://vrzone-pic.com/en/
Official Twitter Feed: https://twitter.com/project_ican
Official Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/VRZONEShinjuku/

LeSportsac and Super Mario Power up for a New Travel Collection

Various Super Mario Items and Styles Coming This Holiday Season

REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– LeSportsac and Nintendo have teamed up to celebrate one of the most recognizable video game icons, Mario, with a special collection of totes, backpacks and accessories – launching in time for the holiday travel season.

LeSportsac and Nintendo have teamed up to celebrate one of the most recognizable video game icons, Mario, with a special collection of totes, backpacks and accessories – launching in time for the holiday travel season. (Photo: Business Wire)

Holding a treasured place in the hearts of millions, Mario’s adventures have brought him to many strange places, including the far corners of the Mushroom Kingdom and galaxies beyond. Working with Nintendo, LeSportsac took Mario’s passion for exploration and translated it into the brand’s best-selling, on-the-go styles. These include crossbodies, totes, backpacks and weekenders, as well as small cosmetics and accessories that even the Mushroom Kingdom’s most celebrated hero can run away with on his many adventures.

The collaboration features two unique designs created exclusively for the LeSportsac X Nintendo collection. Power-Up Burst is a colorful homage to Mario’s iconic power-up items and classic foes, including Fire Flowers, Super Mushrooms, 1-Up Mushrooms, Super Stars, coins, Goombas and Koopas. The Mario Travel print portrays playful Mushroom Kingdom-inspired travel memorabilia, such as luggage tags, passport stamps and postcards on a bright red background.

Complementing the collection are five additional items, including an authentic pouch shaped like the Game Boy system, a round Piranha Plant pouch, and a Super Mario Bros. cosmetic. All styles will showcase a custom Super Mario coin zipper pull – because it is all about collecting those coins!

The LeSportsac X Nintendo collection launches in Japan on July 19 and will be available in other countries, including the United States, this fall.

For more information about Nintendo, visit http://www.nintendo.com/. For more information about LeSportsac, visit https://www.lesportsac.com/.

About Nintendo: The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Nintendo Switch^™ system and the Nintendo 3DS^™ family of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System^™, Nintendo has sold more than 4.4 billion video games and more than 703 million hardware units globally, including Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems, as well as the Game Boy^™, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS^™ family of systems, Super NES^™, Nintendo 64^™, Nintendo GameCube^™, Wii^™ and Wii U^™ systems. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known, household names, such as Mario, Donkey Kong, Metroid, Zelda and Pokémon. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Americas. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company’s website at http://www.nintendo.com.

About LeSportsac: An iconic lifestyle brand with a global outlook, LeSportsac was founded in 1974 by Melvin and Sandy Schifter, who invented the original ripstop parachute nylon bags and luggage. Today, the company (acquired by Itochu Corp. in 2011) has become known worldwide for its lightweight, high quality accessories, combining whimsical colors and prints with on-the-go functionality and enduring quality. Designed in the USA and made to travel (whether just around the block or around the globe), LeSportsac is a leader and innovator in the accessories market, committed to creating stylish, versatile bags that are made for the modern, mobile lifestyle and packed with possibilities.

SEGA FOREVER™ MAKES TIME TRAVEL* COST-EFFECTIVE, CONVENIENT

Three decades after it all began, SEGA Networks announces a growing collection of classic video games for mobile

SAN FRANCISCO, LONDON – 21st June 2017 – In celebration of a simpler time – an era that came before cool kale, hyper-connectedness, DIY artisanal beer-making, and social media mayhem – SEGA Networks Inc. is bringing a growing collection of classic video games from every console era to your mobile device for free. The collection, called SEGA Forever, is a re-awakening of archetypal gaming, an ode to the deep and diverse SEGA catalogue, and the beginning of a retro revolution that will transport players back through two decades of console gaming.

Each game in the SEGA Forever line-up is free-to-play, ad-supported, playable offline, and includes added features like cloud saves, controller support, and leaderboards. For players who prefer a pristinely ad-free mobile gaming experience – folks who want to play SEGA just like they remember playing in their basement, without interruptions from parents, siblings, or homework – we’ve rolled back the price so each game can be purchased without ads for £1.99. As the SEGA Forever collection expands through months and years, it will include both official emulations and ported games that pan all SEGA console eras, each adapted specifically for mobile devices while remaining faithful to the original games.

“Above all else SEGA Forever is a celebration of nostalgia. It’s about allowing fans to reconnect with past experiences and share them with family and friends in an accessible and convenient way” explains Mike Evans, CMO of SEGA’s Mobile Division in the West. “Join us on a journey of rediscovery as we roll out two decades of classic games free on mobile. Create your own ‘SEGA Forever folder’ and collect your favourite classics. Enjoy moments of nostalgia on the go, or sync a Bluetooth controller to enjoy a console-like experience in your living room. SEGA Forever democratizes retro gaming, and seeks to change how the world plays, rediscovers, and shares in classic game experiences.”

The first batch of SEGA Forever games has been carefully curated, boasting both blockbusters and core fan favourites; The collection will officially kick off tomorrow with five Mega Drive / Genesis titles, all of which will be available to download for free on the Google Play Store for Android devices and on the App Store for iPhone and iPad, where they will be accompanied by iMessage sticker packs:

● Sonic The Hedgehog, the 1991 household classic that has remained at the forefront of hearts and minds since inception
● Phantasy Star II, the long-time fan-favourite RPG from 1989
●Comix Zone and Kid Chameleon, two American titles developed by SEGA’s in-house studio STI
● Altered Beast, the original Genesis pack-in title, a beat ‘em up set in Ancient Greece that represents a weird and wonderful segment of the SEGA catalogue that is ripe for rediscovery

Following tomorrow’s launch, the SEGA Forever collection will continue to grow with additional releases coming every two weeks. To stay up-to-date with launch news, share your love of the golden age of video games, cast your vote in polls, share your opinions in surveys, and interact with other SEGA fans, check out the SEGA Forever website and follow our dedicated Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts.

Download Assets and Trailer.

*Please note that playing games from the SEGA Forever collection does not technically count as “time travel,” although intense feelings of nostalgia have been linked to exposure and extended play.

About SEGA Networks, SEGA’s mobile division in the West:
SEGA’s mobile division in the West has its headquarters based in San Francisco with dedicated studios across North America and the UK. Focused on creating fun, compelling and engaging games, SEGA’s games feature iconic intellectual property as well as original innovative content for mobile and tablet devices. Since 2008, it has been a leader in the smartphone and tablet space and continues to be at the forefront of mobile gaming. SEGA’s mobile studios include Hardlight™ and Demiurge Studios™. For more information, visit www.mobile.sega.com.

HELLION CINEMATIC TRAILER REVEALS NO PARADISE BEYOND EARTH

Set in a distant future where mankind is no longer confined to Earth, the new Hellion cinematic trailer gives viewers a glimpse of the disaster that struck humanity’s attempt to build the first interstellar colony. Beginning with intimate shots of the crew’s quarters—scattered personal belongings floating through the cabins—the trailer hints at the dark force that drove the colony and its inhabitants to the brink of extinction. Set against the backdrop of a looming sun, the odds of survival are made clear amidst the desolation and vastness of space. With humanity’s descent into fear, anger and violence, Hellion’s cinematic trailer suggests that maybe the stars really are better off without us.

Hellion Steam page: http://store.steampowered.com/app/588210/
For the official website visit: www.playhellion.com
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playhellion/
Follow us on Twitter: @playhellion 

ABOUT HELLION

A solar system thousands of lightyears from Earth, Hellion is the destination of the first interstellar colonization mission of the 23rd century. A million colonists, suspended in cryogenic hibernation, wake up a century later and find themselves trapped in a nightmare. Instead of grand habitats and planets waiting to receive new settlers, there is only evidence of devastation and conflict everywhere with ruins, debris fields and empty stations. With no trace of UN officials, corporate representatives, engineers, scientists or law enforcement troops, and a rescue operation over half a century away, colonists turn to scavenging, stealing and outright violence. Others try to live in a more civilized way and begin uncovering the truth behind the largest disaster in human history.

Snake Pass Patch Inbound! Time Trials and Leaderboards for Nintendo Switch! Fixes and Improvements Across All Platforms!

Sumo Digital have launched an all platform patch for Snake Pass, its slithery physics platformer. On Nintendo Switch, the patch adds time trials and online leaderboards, allowing players to challenge each other to see who is the best snake charmer of them all. On PC, Razer Chroma Keyboard support has been added, along with a 4K UI fix for those that game in 2160p. There are also a host of improvements and fixes for all platforms. Most importantly, Sumo has had a chat with Doodle as he was being a little unreliable with his tail grabs. He has agreed to listen out for Noodle’s whistles a lot more attentively, so players should find him a much more helpful buddy from now on. Full patch notes can be found below.

Snake Pass is a retro-inspired platformer, where players slither, curl and climb their way through increasingly challenging worlds filled with intricate obstacles and fiendishly mind-bending challenges. Snake Pass is available now on Nintendo Switch via the Nintendo eShop, Xbox One via the Xbox Games Store, PlayStation 4 via the PlayStation Store and PC via Steam or the Windows Store. Snake Pass supports HDR on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 4 Pro and Xbox One S, for players with an HDR compatible TV.

When a mysterious intruder threatens the tranquillity of their home, it’s up to Noodle the Snake and Doodle the Hummingbird to embark on a daring journey to save the day. Controlling this dynamic duo, you must ‘think like a snake’ and slither, curl and climb your way through 15 levels across 4 increasingly challenging themed worlds. Snake Pass is a unique take on the platforming genre that is intuitive and fun to learn, but will gradually test your snake charming skills to the limit!

To visit the official Snake Pass website visit: www.snake-pass.com
Check out the newest trailer: <Link>
Follow Snake Pass & Sumo Digital on Twitter: @Snake_Pass & @SumoDigitalLtd
Like Snake Pass on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SnakePassGame/

Snake Pass Patch 1.2.0 Notes

Nintendo Switch

• TIME TRIAL AND LEADERBOARDS: Time Trial mode is now available for Nintendo Switch players. Battle it out against friends to see who can make it to the top of the leader boards with the quickest time

Steam / Windows 10

• RAZER CHROMA: support for Razer Chroma Keyboards has been added
• 4K UI: fixed a bug where the UI was not displaying correctly on 4k monitors for PC players
• STEAM: Steam version now sets to the language that Steam is set to rather than the OS of the PC

PlayStation 4

• PLAYSTATION 4 AUDIO: fixed an issue where PlayStation 4 audio was unintentionally compressed

Global

• TAIL GRAB: fixed a bug where Tail Grab was unreliable
• TIME TRIAL: fixed a TT exploit where players could get a time of zero
• TIME TRIAL: fixed an issue in Time Trial where some players could not complete the level
• TIME TRIAL: fixed an issue in Time Trial that prevented the timer from not displaying correctly
• LEVEL 11: fixed an issue where the ball would activate incorrectly for some players
• QUETZALCOATL ACHIEVEMENT: fixed an issue with Quetzalcoatl not triggering correctly for some players. If players have previously reached the requirements, playing a level without dying again should trigger the achievement.
• FLOOR IS MOLTEN ROCK ACHIEVEMENT: The Floor Is Molten Rock achievement now triggers correctly
• CAMERA: fixed an issue where the camera did not move as fast as intended
• LEVEL 9: fixed an issue where the camera would not move for some players making the level unplayable
• TAIL GRAB: fixed an issue where Noodle would move faster than intended while Doodle was holding his tail
• GAME ICONS: all platforms have updated game icons
• GENERAL FIXES AND PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENTS

© 2017 Sumo Digital Ltd. All rights reserved. ‘Snake Pass’ and the ‘Snake Pass’ logo are trade marks or registered trade marks of Sumo Digital Ltd.

Pokémon Trading Card Game: Sun & Moon— Burning Shadows expansion launches 4 August!