Iceberg Introduces Two New Playable Factions to Stars in Shadow in Steam Early Access for PC

‘Stargate’ Update – Now Live on Steam

Haarlem, The Netherlands – December 7, 2016 – With a steady stream of updates and patches in the past weeks, developer Ashdar Games and publisher Iceberg Interactive is now introducing two new factions in today’s major update to Steam’s Early Access release of Stars in Shadow, named ‘Stargate’. The turn-based 4x strategy space PC title started strongly back in September of this year, resulting in a positive user rating of 92%.

Both the new Phidi Combine faction as well as the Ashdar Imperials faction are now playable by all owners of Stars in Shadow. The Phidi Combine faction unlocks the special Mercenary Exchange, which allows the Phidi faction to hire mercenaries from any of the major races. The Ashdar Imperials faction comes with their own ancient Stargate, which acts as a one-way portal to any star system; but beware, send them too far and they cannot return.

For a complete overview of the Stargate update with all of its additions, improvements and fixes, please visit the official Steam Hub here.

Sven Olsen, lead developer of Ashdar Games says, “We’d like to thank all our Early Access participants for their support and helpful feedback and suggestions. The game has come a long way in the last few months, and the Early Access community has been an important part of that progress.”

Publisher Iceberg Interactive is expecting to launch Stars in Shadow in January 2017 on Steam and various other digital download platforms. The game can already be purchased in Steam’s Early Access program at $24.99 for PC. For more information, please visit the official Steam page: http://store.steampowered.com/app/464880/  

Some of the highlighting features for the Early Access game include:

• Epic Scope:
  Starting at the dawn of interstellar travel, progress through four eras of technological advancement. Discover the science of planetary terraforming, upgrade your infantry battalions to battle mechs, and grow your fleet from a squadron of destroyers to an armada of planet-destroying Dread Stars

• Varied Factions:
  Seven Playable factions comprising six alien races. Each faction has different research strengths and technology options. Forming alliances, conquering neighboring species, or discovering ancient artifacts may open up additional avenues of research. Choose your race wisely as it impacts which worlds will suit you, what trades or alliances may be offered, and whether your neighbors are inclined to trust you

• Stylized Setting:
  A distinctive comic-book art style and an original, detailed universe backstory draw you into an immersive game world. Interact with a unique cast of alien characters, make friends and influence people, or crush your enemies and see them driven before you

• Focused High-Level Strategy:
  Build a vast and varied empire, taking advantage of the unique traits offered by different alien populations and the worlds they inhabit. A streamlined resource and planetary improvement model keeps the game moving even when your empire grows large

• Deep Turn-Based Tactical Combat:
  Face off against your opponents in complex 2D turn-based tactical battles. Counter your enemy’s missile barrage using point defense or interceptors, then close to energy weapon range! Stars in Shadow’s tactical engine includes several features rarely seen in turn based games. Multi-ship commands keep even large fleet battles fast-paced, and smart unit behaviors allow tight control with minimal micromanagement. Auto-resolve battles that are a foregone conclusion, while retaining the ability to replay any engagement to see exactly what happened

ABOUT STARS IN SHADOW

Stars in Shadow is a turn-based 4X sci-fi strategy game. Explore the stars, settle distant worlds, and build an interstellar empire. Recover ancient technologies and negotiate with alien leaders. Created by a pair of passionate strategy gamers, Stars in Shadow features streamlined empire management, sophisticated turn-based tactical combat, and detailed world building.

ABOUT ASHDAR GAMES

Ashdar Games is a small development studio based in British Columbia. Stars in Shadow will be its first title. The project is a collaboration between two avid strategy gamers, Sven Olsen and James (Jim) Francis, both of whom are excited to have a chance to create a game in the genre that they love.  Sven’s background is in academic computer graphics, while Jim is best known for his webcomic, Outsider. 

About Iceberg Interactive 
Iceberg Interactive is an independent video game publisher founded in 2009 by an international group of games industry veterans and is located in Haarlem, The Netherlands. Staffed with avid gamers, Iceberg works closely with an international assembly of game developers, both midsize and indie. Garnering attention with acclaimed releases over recent years, including Endless Space, Endless Legend, StarDrive 2 and Starpoint Gemini 2, the company has an exceptional line-up, including Oriental Empires, Killing Floor 2, Starpoint Gemini Warlords, Dawn of Andromeda, Lord of Rigel and Stars in Shadow – with further promising games in the pipeline.

First Contact Entertainment Releases VR Sci-Fi Action Game  ROM: Extraction for HTC Vive and Oculus Rift with Oculus Touch

New studio’s ambitious VR debut available now on Steam

SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Dec. 7, 2016 – New virtual reality studio First Contact Entertainment has released its debut game, ROM: Extraction, for the HTC Vive VR headset and Oculus Rift with Oculus Touch support on Steam. The title is a classic pick-up-and-play arcade shooter, developed natively for VR in Unreal Engine.

“ROM: Extraction is all about dropping players right into the action and keeping them coming back for more,” said Hess Barber, co-founder and president of First Contact Entertainment. “The addictive fun of its high-energy, round-based play sessions is the foundation on which we’re building an evolving, groundbreaking VR game.”

The team at First Contact has leveraged its background crafting AAA first-person-shooter games and cutting-edge VR projects to give ROM: Extraction an intense, highly replayable punch. Players defend themselves against extraterrestrial robots by utilizing their “Reflex” power (the ability to slow down time), which brings an unprecedented style of strategic combat to VR—which First Contact has dubbed “throw, slow and shoot.”

ROM: Extraction features the first-person immersion of VR, intuitive motion-based controls, a cooperative social screen, multiple difficulty settings, and global and local leaderboards. The game also includes a dubstep soundtrack composed by Twin Moons, the alias of EDM artist Le Castle Vania.

A full DLC plan ensures fresh and engaging content that further reveals the ROM universe will soon follow the game’s initial launch. Players can expect cooperative multiplayer, new levels, enemies, weapons, power-ups and more in the coming months.

ROM: Extraction is available now on Steam for $19.99, with a bonus 15% off discount at launch. For more information, please visit the ROM: Extraction Steam store page, and follow the studio on Facebook, Twitter and www.firstcontactent.com.

About First Contact Entertainment

First Contact Entertainment is a new studio focused on creating VR games and experiences with the highest production values. Drawing from experience building some of the most innovative VR games, the company’s mission is to become the top independent AAA VR game development team in the industry.

MARVEL Future Fight Expands with New Characters and Story Missions Inspired by Thor’s legendary home, Asgard

Other content additions include new uniforms, three-player co-op “World Boss Invasion” raid, increased S.H.I.E.L.D. level cap and more

SEOUL, Korea (December 7, 2016) – Netmarble Games Corp., the fastest-growing mobile game company in Asia, today released a significant update for its hit action RPG MARVEL Future Fight. Beginning today, MARVEL Future Fight welcomes seven new Asgardian characters, including Odin, Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg, Enchantress, Ulik and Hela. Three new uniforms will also debut: Thor will receive an Unworthy Uniform (inspired by the new Marvel comic book series The Unworthy Thor), Sif will receive a Modern Uniform and new Spider-Man breakout character Silk will receive a Web Suit Uniform.

MARVEL Future Fight has rolled out Chapters 11 and 12 in Story Missions, in which players must stop a conspiracy orchestrated by Enchantress while encountering new monsters, Dead Vikings, and Asgardian Soldiers, and facing all-new bosses derived from Thor’s homeland, Asgard. In addition to the individual story modes, players will also find “World Boss Invasion,” which provides a unique opportunity for teams of three to play cooperatively to conquer a boss in real-time multi-raids.

“We are pleased to introduce iconic Super Heroes, Super Villains and missions from Asgard to MARVEL Future Fight,” said Seungwon Lee, Chief Marketing Officer at Netmarble Games. “We aim to keep our fans continually entertained with engaging battle content, stunning action, and the adventure accompanying Marvel’s deep roster of characters.”

Additional upgrades to MARVEL Future Fight include: an increased level cap (70), a gear upgrade system called “Odin’s Blessing” that rewards an additional gear slot, and a new Extreme Challenge Mode that allows players to set new records in Alliance Battles. Players will find an ability to convert Black Antimatter to a lower level.

The full list of characters joining MARVEL Future Fight today includes:

• Odin – the All-Father has ruled and protected the Nine Realms for eons. Father of Thor, Odin harnesses his abilities and powers through the “Odinforce.”
• Fandral – A charming and winsome swashbuckler, Fandral is known for his superior swordsmanship, bravery, and optimism. Like his fellow members of the Warriors Three, he is a loyal friend and ally to Thor.
• Hogun –An expert hand-to-hand combatant, he wields a powerful mace and is a master of Asgardian weaponry as part of the Warriors Three.
• Volstagg – Lively and boisterous, Volstagg is the indomitably cheerful heart of the Warriors Three. As an Asgardian, he possesses superhuman strength as well as enhanced durability and endurance.
• Enchantress – The immortal sorceress Amora uses her manipulative, magical abilities in the pursuit of power and pleasure. Rapt by her beauty and ensnared by her cunningness, even the mightiest warriors of Asgard bend to her will.
• Ulik – the most formidable of an ancient race of Rock Trolls, Ulik possesses brutish strength and power and a durable hide that is nearly impervious to damage.
• Hela – Hela is the goddess and ruler of Asgard’s undead realms. Holding the power of life and death over her kinsmen, she often conspires against Odin and his reign.

MARVEL Future Fight is available worldwide in the App Store® and Google Play™.

App Store®: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/marvel-future-fight/id955705796

Google Play™: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.netmarble.mherosgb

For more information on MARVEL Future Fight, please visit http://marvelfuturefight.netmarble.com.

About Netmarble Games Corporation

Netmarble Games Corp. strives to entertain audiences of all ages, and around the world, by providing great mobile gaming experiences. Established in Korea in 2000, Netmarble is the fastest-growing mobile game company in Asia and consistently ranks as a top mobile developer and publisher worldwide. With more than 3,000 employees, Netmarble has been producing and servicing some of the most successful mobile games, including MARVEL Future Fight, Seven Knights, EvilBane/RAVEN, and Everybody’s Marble. The largest shareholder to Jam City, a leading casual game developer, Netmarble has a strategic partnership with CJ E&M Corporation, Asia’s largest entertainment company, Tencent Holdings, Asia’s largest internet company, and NCsoft, a prominent MMO company. More information can be found at www.netmarble.com.

About Marvel Entertainment

Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy-five years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information visit marvel.com. © 2016 MARVEL

App Store is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the US and other countries.  App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Google Play is a trademark of Google Inc.

ROCKET LEAGUE^®’S ‘STARBASE ARC’ UPDATE AVAILABLE TODAY

Update to Include New Arena, New Premium Battle-Car, Steam Workshop Support, and More

SAN DIEGO, CA – December 7, 2016 – Independent video game developer and publisher, Psyonix, creators of the indie smash-hit Rocket League^®, announced that its new space-themed update, Starbase ARC, will be available for download later today at 2 pm PST / 10 pm GMT. Starbase ARC features a FREE new arena and a premium DLC Battle-Car, Vulcan, both inspired by Psyonix’s critically-acclaimed mobile title, ARC Squadron.

Set in an octagonal space station orbiting a desert planet in a distant galaxy, Starbase ARC arena features starship battles, floating planetoids, and interstellar laser shows to create one of the most epic Rocket League^® galactic atmospheres yet.

The Starbase ARC update also delivers one of the most requested community features of all time: Custom Training mode. This FREE new mode is available on all platforms and allows players to create their own training sequence where they can name, design, edit, and upload their sequences for other Rocket League^® players to access via alphanumeric code. Full details regarding Custom Training can be found here.

Additional Starbase ARC updates include:

•     Steam Workshop Support: Allows Unreal Engine 3 UDK users to create custom levels for the game via a Steam Workshop Uploader Tool. Find more information here.
•     Arena Preference Selector: Highly requested feature allows players to “Like” or “Dislike” Arenas in the game to increase or decrease odds of playing on them again in online matches.
•     ‘Champion Series IV’ Crate: The popular Champion Series continues with all-new exclusive garage items to help support Psyonix esports initiatives. Potentially unlock a new Import Battle-Car, animated Decals, Exotic Wheels, Black Market surprises, and more.
•     Two Variant Arenas: ‘Wasteland (Night)’ and ‘Utopia Coliseum (Snowy)’ dropping into Exhibition and Private matches plus all ranked playlists.
•     Redesigned SARPBC Vehicles: Free visual redesigns for the veteran Battle-Cars ‘X-Devil’ and ‘Gizmo’
•   New Colorblind Mode: New ‘Color Blind Mode’ is available in the ‘Options’ menu, adding high-contrast orange and blue shades along with high contrast nameplates.

To learn more about the Starbase ARC update watch an all-new making of video HERE and visit the webpage HERE. The Starbase ARC FREE new arena will be available later today along with a premium DLC Battle-Car, Vulcan, for USD $1.99 (or regional equivalent).

Watch the Starbase ARC trailer HERE

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ABOUT ROCKET LEAGUE^®

Winner or nominee of more than 150 “Game of the Year” awards, Rocket League^® is one of the most critically-acclaimed sports games of a generation. Boasting a community of more than 23 million players, Rocket League^® is a high-powered hybrid of arcade-style soccer and vehicular mayhem that offers easy-to-understand controls and fluid, physics-driven competition. Available digitally on Xbox One, PlayStation^®4 computer entertainment system, and Windows PC, Mac, and SteamOS via Steam, Rocket League^® includes more than 100 billion possible customization combinations, a fully-featured offline season mode, multiple game types, casual and competitive online matches, and special “Mutators” that let you change the rules entirely.

To learn more about Rocket League^®, please visit www.RocketLeagueGame.com, “Like” it on Facebook, and follow it on Twitter @RocketLeague for all the latest developer updates and news.

ABOUT PSYONIX

Based in San Diego, CA, Psyonix is a critically-acclaimed independent video game developer and leading experts in Unreal Engine technology. For more than a decade, the studio has been a driving force behind some of the most successful games in the industry, including Gears of War, Mass Effect 3, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, Bulletstorm, Unreal Tournament III, Unreal Tournament 2004, and the award-winning Sports-Action hit, Rocket League^®.

For more information, visit www.psyonix.com.

NEW HERO DOZER CHARGES INTO PLANET OF HEROES

The Next Round of Testing for the most Mobile-optimized MOBA Game Has Begun

Moscow, Russia – December 7, 2016 – Developer Fast Forward Studios and global publisher My.com continue to reshape the definition of true mobile MOBA gaming with a new public test phase for Planet of Heroes. By reducing average game sessions to seven minutes, Fast Forward has succeeded to optimize the MOBA experience for smartphone use. In this new test phase, the developers are focused on adding features that have been requested by the community. A new hero, a streamlined new player experience through elaborate tutorials, and a player versus environment story driven campaign are all new additions.

The new public test is currently live for iOS and Android devices. Fast Forward Studios invites players to be involved in the development of the best mobile MOBA experience! To get access to Planet of Heroes please click HERE: moba.my.com/

“We worked really hard to make Planet of Heroes the best mobile MOBA game out there and make it really comfortable to play it on your phone,” said Head of Fast Forward studios, Ivan Fedyanin. “We achieved it with seven minute long game sessions and really swift touchscreen controls. Now it’s time to give players more diversity in gameplay and that is what we aimed for in the update.”

New Additions to Planet of Heroes:

Dozer:
A new hero arrived onto the battlefield! A key component for fun gameplay is players being able to find the correct hero suitable for their playstyle. Dozer, a giant humanoid rhino, is capable of soaking up a lot of damage. He is an ideal pick for those who see tanking as their role on the battlefield. Dozer is not going to be a best damage dealer in his team, but his utility coming toe-to-toe with enemies is unmatched due to his crowd-control abilities and massive body which turns him into a living shield for the team.

New PvE campaign:
There are five new story-driven missions in the game right now so players can take rest from intense PvP battles in full-blown Action RPG mode. For those who need challenges, there is a more difficult mode with tougher enemies and greater rewards. Players are advised to play one mission numerous times – each try will be different, and the rewards will scale with the achievements.

Tutorial mode:
Massive Online Battle Arenas are not easy to master. Luckily Fast Forward Studios recruited the help of the best MOBA game expertsto help build the best tutorial for new players. It takes a lot real game practice to become the best, but the tutorial will cover how basic things work in the game to feel confident in a live battle. It is not only about controls; this mode explains how to play different styles, use runes to the player’s advantage, and fight bosses.

Planet of Heroes is an action-packed modern MOBA for mobile devices that aims to capture the essence of what makes the genre great on PC, while playing to the strengths of mobile platforms. Planet of Heroes makes the most of the mobile experience, allowing for both simultaneous head-to-head online play, and asynchronous offline play. Game controls are tailored to make the most of mobile devices, eschewing awkward gestures and control layouts in favor of friendly, easy-to-grasp control schemes.

To learn more about Planet of Heroes, visit moba.my.com. ‘Like’ the game on Facebook and follow the game’s development on Twitter @PoHMOBA for all the latest developer updates and news.

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ABOUT MY.COM

My.com comprises myMail, MAPS.ME, myTarget, and online and mobile games. Its mobile communications and entertainment services and apps facilitate people in pursuing their business goals – and let them relax and have a good time gaming in-between. Copyright © 2016 My.com.

For more information, visit my.com

ABOUT FAST FORWARD STUDIO

Fast Forward Studio, recently formed by international multimedia powerhouse My.com, focuses on mobile development and making games that are optimized for mobile platforms. With a staff of more than 30 experienced developers, Fast Forward Studio takes a “Community Driven” approach to development, integrating members of popular online communities, live streamers and bloggers to help fine-tune their game designs.

‘BATMAN – The Telltale Series’ Season Finale Out December 13th; Episode 1 Now Free on Steam

New Steam Patch Updates Series to Support Broader Range of PCs

Today we can announce the release date for BATMAN – The Telltale Series Episode 5: ‘City of Light’.

The final of five episodes in the season, Episode 5: ‘City of Light’ will be available digitally worldwide starting Tuesday December 13th on PC from the Telltale Online Store, Steam, and other digital distribution services, on the Xbox Games Store for Xbox One® and Xbox 360, and on the PlayStation®Network for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3. The episode will be available the same day for compatible iOS devices via the App Store, and for compatible Android-based devices via Google Play.

Special note for the finale: Players will begin this episode in very different places depending on where they chose to go in the third act of Episode 4.

Additionally, Episode 1: ‘Realm of Shadows’ is now FREE to download for PC via Steam. Telltale has also released a performance patch for BATMAN – The Telltale Series on Steam, updating the game to support a wider range of PC configurations and address some of the concerns we heard when the game launched earlier this year. This patch contains significant performance improvements as well as adding numerous performance settings to allow users to customize the game for their systems.

In Episode 5, the leader of the Children of Arkham prepares to execute the final act of a plan to destroy the Wayne family name, and the people closest to you are in their path of vengeance. Can Batman’s ultimate secret be kept – his very identity – when it is causing chaos and death in Gotham? The fate of the Wayne family and of the city itself rests on your choices. What will you do? How far will you go? Which mask will you wear?

The series is also available to purchase at retailers in North America and Europe as a special Season Pass Disc, which includes the first of five episodes in the season, and grants access to the subsequent four episodes as they become available for download via online updates.

Rendered to look like a living, breathing comic book, Telltale’s vision of Batman features an award-winning cast of talent, including Troy Baker in the role of Bruce Wayne, Travis Willingham as Harvey Dent, Erin Yvette as Vicki Vale, Enn Reitel as Alfred Pennyworth, Murphy Guyer as Lieutenant James Gordon, Richard McGonagle as Carmine Falcone, Jason Spisak as Oswald Cobblepot, Dave Fennoy as Lucius Fox, Anthony Ingruber as John Doe, and Laura Bailey as Selina Kyle.

BATMAN – The Telltale Series Episode 5: City of Light is rated M (Mature) for Violence, Blood and Gore, and Language by the ESRB. The series is published by Telltale Games in partnership with Warner Bros.

For more information on Telltale Games, and more news surrounding the series, visit the official website, Facebook, and follow Telltale Games on Twitter @TelltaleGames.

The Mythical Pokémon Magearna Arrives in Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon