2K to tip-off NBA 2K17 in style at Trafalgar Square on 16th September

2K to celebrate with an action-packed launch for NBA 2K17 in the heart of Central London

2K are celebrating the launch of the latest iteration of NBA 2K, the top-rated and top-selling NBA video game simulation series*, NBA 2K17 in Trafalgar Square, London on Friday 16^th September.

Occurring in the heart of Central London, Trafalgar Square, hosts a fun-filled and action-packed day of events taking place on an official NBA half-sized basketball court. Activities will be taking place throughout the day including some of the best dunkers in the world, Dunk Elite, who will be showcasing their balling and high-flying skills, as well as giving spectators the opportunity to get involved on the court. Special guests including YouTube sensation Tobjzzle will also be participating in the day.

Those who come down to the NBA 2K17 court will be in with a chance to win copies of the game, PlayStation 4 consoles and NBA 2K17 merchandise . All the while onlookers will experience listening to the music of NBA 2K featuring from different genres such as hip-hop, rock and other alternatives featuring Drake, Jay Z, Sam Sparro and many more.

The NBA 2K17 court will officially open from 12:00 on Friday 16^th September.

NBA 2K17 will be available from £54.99 on PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and Windows PC platforms on 16^th September 2016.

Developed by Visual Concepts,  NBA 2K17 is rated PEGI 3.

Follow  @NBA2K on  social  media and look for the hashtag  #ThisIsNotAGame for the latest  NBA 2K17 news and @2K_UK to be in with a chance to win prizes on Friday 16^thSeptember.

 *According to 2008 – 2016 Metacritic.com   and The NPD Group estimates of U.S. retail video game sales through June 2016.

Event[0], the Innovative Sci-Fi Narrative Exploration Game, is Now Available on Terminals Everywhere

Build a Relationship Using Natural Language with an Unstable AI Computer to Solve Its Mysteries, Survive, and Return to Earth in This Award-Winning, Indie Fund Backed Project

PARIS – September 14, 2016 – Type like your life depends on it as Event[0], the story-driven spacefaring adventure in which players must build a relationship with a lonely spaceship computer to get home, launches today on Windows PC and Mac via Steam, the Humble Store by Humble Bundle, GOG.com, Itch.io, and Games Republic.  A brand new launch trailer provides insight on what players can look forward to in developer Ocelot Society’s sci-fi narrative exploration game, and can be viewed at event0game.com.

Set in a retrofuture inspired by 2001: A Space Odyssey, Solaris and Brave New World, Event[0] is a game about building a personal relationship with a machine using natural language. As a player, your only companion is an insecure and unstable AI entity named Kaizen, with whom you interact by typing messages using antiquated computer terminals throughout a desolated spacecraft. The game’s multi-layered story emerges organically as players communicate with Kaizen, freely explore 3D environments, gather information and solve hacking puzzles. Each player will enjoy a unique gameplay experience based on the way they choose to communicate with Kaizen, who procedurally generates over two million lines of dialog and demonstrates a variety of different personalities, and communication responses, influenced by human input.

As in any relationship, there can be gratitude, disappointment or jealousy, and Kaizen reacts differently depending on its mood and the situation at hand. The ship, Nautilus, is essentially the AI computer’s body, and reacts to Kaizen’s mood by making different sounds, which gives the player subtle yet valuable clues. By working through the fears and anxieties of a virtual companion players can ultimately find the way back to Earth—while unraveling the cryptic history of the ship and the 1980s society from which it emerged.

“We’re extremely proud and excited about our game launch as it’s been a true labor of love from our small team for over a year now and we’ve poured everything into it,” said Sergey Mohov, Founding Partner and Game Designer at Ocelot Society. “What started off as a student project turned into a full game that we’re fortunate to have caught the eye of The Indie Fund to help realize our vision. Event[0] is all about self-expression through dialogue and unique experiences so it will be rewarding to see how players receive and interact with Kaizen in their quest to make it back home alive to Earth.”

The game is created using Unity 5 and utilizes physics-based rendering and advanced lighting techniques to create richly detailed environments inside and outside the ship (players can leave the ship for breathtakingly scary spacewalks). Eschewing a traditional game score, most of the sound, including incidental music, comes from items in the environment.

Event[0] began as a six-month student project before evolving into a full title under the auspices of Ocelot Society, which was founded by key members of the team. The indie game first drew attention as a concept demo that won multiple indie gaming awards, including Innovation at BIG 2015 and Student Award winner at EIGD 2014. Event[0] is now backed by France’s CNC public arts organization and by the Indie Fund, an esteemed funding source for independent developers launched as an alternative to traditional publisher models.

Event[0] is available now on Steam, Humble Bundle, GOG.com, Itch.io, and Games Republic for $19.99.

For updates on Event[0], please follow @event0game on Twitter and on Facebook. For additional information, please visit event0game.com.

About Ocelot Society
Founded in 2015 by a group of young indie developers, Ocelot Society is a Paris-based game creation studio seeking new ways to play. The studio’s first game, the award-winning AI relationship-based narrative exploration game, Event[0], will be released in September 2016 for PC and Mac. For more information, visit ocelotsociety.com and follow on @OcelotSociety on Twitter.

About Indie Fund
Indie Fund is a funding source for independent developers, created by a group of successful indies looking to encourage the next wave of game developers. It was established as a serious alternative to the traditional publisher funding model. Our aim is to support the growth of games as a medium by helping indie developers get (and stay) financially independent. For more information, visit indie-fund.com.

Woman Vs. Wild Episode #4: Croft Manor

To watch the video go here: https://youtu.be/yUfdNAGh0OE

Woman Vs. Wild returns with an inside look at Croft Manor, part of the all-new Blood Ties story coming to Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration on October 11^th. When Lara’s ownership of the manor is contested, she must explore the estate for proof that she’s the rightful heir or lose it for good. This episode of Woman Vs. Wild provides a sneak peek at the Croft family home where Lara will uncover lost secrets and confront her past head-on.

The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/yUfdNAGh0OE

Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration is the most comprehensive version of the award-winning game, and will be available for the PlayStation 4 on October 11th worldwide. With the exception of PlayStation VR support, existing Season Pass holders on Xbox One and PC will receive the new content for free. Pre-order Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration today at BuyROTTR.com.

NO MORE TAKING TURNS IN MARIO PARTY: STAR RUSH FOR NINTENDO 3DS FAMILY SYSTEMS FROM OCTOBER 8^TH 2016

Enjoy the full multiplayer experience with only one copy of the game by downloading the “Party Guest” version to other Nintendo 3DS family systems for free*
14^th September, 2016 – Ready, set and roll on October 8^th as Mario Party: Star Rush comes to liven up Nintendo 3DS family systems with a host of new modes and minigames to enjoy. Taking turns takes a backseat as everybody scrambles across the board simultaneously, and thanks to the free Mario Party: Star Rush – Party Guest software*, it takes just one copy of the game to enjoy a full multiplayer experience. Plus, with brand new Super Mario series amiibo on the guest list, this is one portable party you won’t want to miss!

In the all-new Toad Scramble mode, players roll their dice simultaneously and move freely across an open map as a Toad. This means no more taking turns to play, leading to faster and more strategic matches. Players can also get the upper hand on their friends by recruiting Mario and his friends, who will appear across each world map. Each ally has their own unique ability and will aid Toad in collecting extra coins and bashing bosses to earn stars.

In Coinathlon mode, it’s pure skill with no dice, as competitors play a series of minigames in quick succession, whilst racing around a track collecting coins and aiming to cross the finish line first. You’ll need to have nimble fingers and remain focused if you want to win as Coinathlon is the ultimate test of your minigame skills.

Burst balloons, play a magnitude of minigames and battle some bosses to earn coins in Balloon Bash mode. Players will trade their coins for stars, and the player with the highest amount of stars at the end will be the winner. In this mode you’ll need to be quick, plot your route wisely and make each turn count, as each player has a limited number of moves. Traditional Mario Party rules coupled with simultaneous turns for a unique new approach to the series.

Party hosts who own the game can share the full multiplayer fun with three friends who’ve downloaded the Mario Party: Star Rush – Party Guest software from Nintendo eShop. Invite your friends to a local wireless game and enjoy a host of new modes, including Coinathlon and Balloon Bash. Downloading the Mario Party: Star Rush – Party Guest software also gives players the opportunity to try out some minigames in single-player after completing some multiplayer rounds.

For those who want to go solo, there is plenty of fun to be had with over 50 minigames and 7 gameplay modes to discover – take on the CPU-controlled characters and amp up the challenge by choosing between four difficulty modes.

To celebrate the release of Mario Party: Star Rush on 8^th October 2016, the guest list of Super Mario Collection amiibo will expand to include Donkey Kong, Rosalina, Wario, and a Boo amiibo that glows in the dark.  Available later on 5^th November 2016, three new amiibo from the Super Mario Collection will join the party: Diddy Kong, Daisy and Waluigi.

If solo players use a compatible amiibo in Toad Scramble, that character will appear as a support character from the start, with a rare item on hand to boost your chances of winning. And if your amiibo has save data from Mario Party 10 on the Wii U console, you can get another special die, too! Please visit our amiibo website for a full list of compatible amiibo and further details on amiibo functionality.

Also on 8^th October, an Australia and New Zealand-exclusive bundle will launch at a suggested retail price of AU$69.95, and will include a copy of Mario Party: Star Rush, a Yoshi amiibo from the Super Mario Collection and an NFC Reader/Writer, so that players can enjoy amiibo with their Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL or Nintendo 2DS console.

Mario Party: Star Rush and the Mario Party: Star Rush – Party Guest software launch in Australia and New Zealand on 8th October, along with amiibo figures of Donkey Kong, Rosalina, Wario, and Boo, followed by Diddy Kong, Daisy and Waluigi on 5th November.

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

Visual Novel Developer Frontwing Launches Crowdfunding Campaign for New “Corona Blossom” Title

Tokyo, Japan – September 13, 2016 An Indiegogo campaign for visual novel developer Frontwing’s newest title “Corona Blossom Vol.2: The Truth From Beyond” has just been launched. The main goal of the campaign is to offer physical goods to overseas fans, and to fund the production of those goods, including the Indiegogo-exclusive DVD-ROM version of the game.  The Indiegogo campaign page can be accessed at the following URL: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/corona-blossom-vol-2-the-truth-from-beyond-japan/

Corona Blossom is a visual novel series revolving around the adorable cat-eared alien R-ne, her quest to get back to her home, and the impact she has on protagonist Keiji’s life.  The first entry in the series enjoyed its own very successful Indiegogo campaign and currently has boasts 95% positive rating on Steam.

BackerKit will be used for post-campaign support, and a number of add-on rewards will be available, including Indiegogo-exclusive rewards from the first volume’s campaign.

The game’s development staff include character artist nanaca mai, the illustrator for the SD art for the Grisaia series, and Yuhi Nanao, a scenario writer who worked on “Hatsuru Koto Naki Mirai Yori” (Hatsumira, or From the Future Undying).

The entire Corona Blossom series is being localized in English by Frontwing’s brand new in-house translation team, the members of which are experienced Japanese to English translators who possess JLPT N1 certification or equivalent. It also features a brand-new system allowing simultaneous display of English and Japanese text during gameplay, as well as language switching at the press of a button.

“Corona Blossom Vol.2: The Truth From Beyond” releases on Steam in late October, with a physical release in Japan to follow.

About Frontwing
Frontwing is a developer of Japanese visual novels. Since the company’s founding in 1999 as a bishojo games developer and the release of Frontwing’s first title, “Canary’ (Canaria: Kono Omoi o Uta ni Nosete) in August 2000, we have published a number of titles in the visual novel genre. From school life love stories to hardcore adult games, as well as titles which utilize 3D computer graphics, our creations cover a diverse range of genres. Our products, as well as the characters they feature, have come to represent the world of bishojo games. Frontwing marked its first venture into the overseas market May 29, 2015, with the English release of ‘The Fruit of Grisaia’ on Steam.  We have also self-published two ‘Grisaia’ series side stories, ‘The Leisure of Grisaia’ and ‘The Afterglow of Grisaia’, with further localized titles in the works.

Frontwing is also currently planning a relaunch of their joint crowdfunding project with AKABEi SOFT2 to localize their visual novel “Sharin no Kuni, Himawari no Shojo” (“Wheel Country, Sunflower Girl).

Curve Digital Confirms the Launch Date for Dear Esther: Landmark Edition

Award-winning Masterpiece from Heralded Developer, The Chinese Room, Heads to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on September 20 with Graphical and Gameplay Updates Alongside a Brand New Developers’ Commentary

LONDON – August 25, 2016 – Established indie game publisher Curve Digital and developer The Chinese Room today announced that the critically-acclaimed, first-person narrative experience, Dear Esther, will arrive on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One as Dear Esther: Landmark Edition on September 20 for $9.99. Heading to consoles with graphical and gameplay updates in addition to a brand new Directors’ Commentary from the original development team, Dear Esther: Landmark Edition aims to follow up on the original release’s success by refining the acclaimed indie hit for players both new and returning.

The Directors’ Commentary of Dear Esther: Landmark Edition unites Jessica Curry, Dan Pinchbeck and Rob Briscoe for the first time years as they reacquaint themselves with the game which made The Chinese Room a globally known development studio. The commentary offers first-hand insight on never-before-heard details, and provides a fresh perspective on the game’s development and legacy. The Landmark Edition also features graphical and gameplay tweaks which finesse the experience on console, making this the most complete version of Dear Esther to date.

Dear Esther is a narrative-focused first-person adventure that takes place on an uninhabited Hebridean island, upon which a lone man must piece together the chain of events that led to his wife’s death. Eschewing traditional gameplay to present a truly story-driven experience, the game composes a beautifully detailed world and an emotional tale that has inspired an entire genre of games. Dear Esther was originally developed as an experimental visual and aural experience using the Source game engine, and earned multiple awards alongside critical acclaim following its original release on Windows PC in 2012.

The console release of Dear Esther will mark the start of a month-long celebration of its legacy, during which The Guardian and The Barbican will hold events in the UK to allow members of the public to get closer to the seminal narrative than ever before.

The Guardian Event on September 30 is billed as a “Directors’ Commentary Directors’ Commentary” which will see Dan Pinchbeck and Jessica Curry discuss their journey from Half-Life mod to full console release. Tickets cost £10 direct from The Guardian’s website here: https://membership.theguardian.com/event/gaming-series-dear-esther-26635208626

On October 14, The Barbican will host a unique live performance of the game’s soundtrack led by composer Jessica Curry, accompanied by an on-stage playthrough of Dear Esther complete with live narration. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the major components of the game brought to life in what promises to be a highly emotional evening. Limited tickets remain here: https://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?ID=20030

Developed by The Chinese Room and published on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One by Curve Digital, Dear Esther: Landmark Edition will arrive on September 20 for $9.99 / €9.99 / £7.99. This title has been rated “T for Teen” by the ESRB.

About Curve Digital

Curve Digital is the largest publisher of independent video games on console formats in the world. Working with high profile developers such as Mike Bithell (Thomas Was Alone), Dan Marshall (The Swindle) and Olli Harjola (The Swapper), Curve helps individuals and small teams bring their games to a larger audience. Curve actively publishes on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Wii U and 3DS.

Ubisoft^® Announces Assassin’s Creed The Ezio Collection as Franchise Surpasses 100 Million Copies Sold 

Sydney, Australia — September 14, 2016 — Today, Ubisoft^® announced that Assassin’s Creed^® The Ezio Collection will be available on November 17 for PlayStation^®4 computer entertainment system and Xbox One. Fans of the series and new players alike can relive the adventures of legendary Assassin, Ezio Auditore da Firenze, as the franchise’s most celebrated games come to current generation consoles.

Assassin’s Creed has become one of the most popular video game franchises of all time, with more than 100 million copies sold to date. The series’ compelling, innovative gameplay, rich narrative and detailed, historically-accurate open world environments have spawned a passionate and global fan following. As players’ interest in Assassin’s Creed has grown, Ubisoft has expanded into Assassin’s Creed-themed books, comics, and short films, and is now set to release a major motion picture from January 1, 2017 in Australia.

“This is a huge milestone for the Assassin’s Creed franchise, but we believe the best is yet to come,” says Etienne Allonier, Brand Director for Assassin’s Creed. “Having seen what’s gone into the movie and into future Assassin’s Creed games, we think fans and newcomers alike will be excited by everything Assassin’s Creed has to offer.”

Assassin’s Creed The Ezio Collection includes the acclaimed single-player campaigns and single-player add-ons for Assassin’s Creed II, Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood and Assassin’s Creed Revelations, with enhanced graphics for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Telling an epic three-part story of vengeance, intrigue, and romance, Assassin’s Creed The Ezio Collection lands on shelves this November for gamers who want to relive the Renaissance and experience the thrilling adventures of Ezio in Florence, Venice, Rome, and Constantinople, or newcomers stepping into the world of Assassins and Templars for the first time.

The Assassin’s Creed series tells the tale of the centuries-old battle between Assassins and Templars through rich storylines and captivating characters. Assassin’s Creed is an action-adventure series set in fully realised open worlds throughout notable times in history such as the Third Crusade, the Golden Age of Pirates and the Industrial Revolution. Using the infamous hidden blade and other tools and weapons specific to the time period, players will fight for the greater good from the rooftops in Italy to the shores of Cuba through the core tenets the series is known for: combat, stealth, navigation and parkour.

In addition to the single-player content, Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection includes the complete Assassin’s Creed Lineage and Assassin’s Creed Embers short films, giving a clearer glimpse into the background of the dashing yet dangerous Ezio Auditore da Firenze, from beginning to end.

Additionally, Ubisoft announced the release of the Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection Collector’s Case. Exclusive to Uplay Shop the Collector’s Case brings back souvenirs from the Auditore Family crypt. Along with the game, players will discover a set of exclusive lithographies, the game’s official soundtrack, featuring a selection of 40 tracks from the three games and an exclusive Black Edition collectible bust of Ezio Auditore.

For the latest on all of Ubisoft’s games, please visit http://www.ubiblog.com.

About the ASSASSIN’S CREED movie
Through a revolutionary technology that unlocks his genetic memories, Callum Lynch (Michael Fassbender) experiences the adventures of his ancestor, Aguilar, in 15th Century Spain.  Callum discovers he is descended from a mysterious secret society, the Assassins, and amasses incredible knowledge and skills to take on the oppressive and powerful Templar organization in the present day.

ASSASSIN’S CREED stars Academy Award® nominee Michael Fassbender (X-Men: Days of Future Past, 12 Years a Slave) and Academy Award winner Marion Cotillard (The Dark Knight Rises, La Vie en Rose). The film is directed by Justin Kurzel (Snowtown, Macbeth); produced by New Regency, Ubisoft Motion Pictures, DMC Films and Kennedy/Marshall; co-financed by RatPac Entertainment and Alpha Pictures; and distributed by 20th Century Fox . ASSASSIN’S CREED opens in theaters worldwide on December 21st, 2016.

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, Watch_Dogs, Tom Clancy’s video game series, Rayman and Far Cry. 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 2015–16 fiscal year Ubisoft generated sales of €1,394 million. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com.

© 2016 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Watch Dogs, Ubisoft, and the Ubisoft logo are trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the US and/or other countries.

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DRAGON QUEST BUILDERS DETAILED IN NEW TRAILER

Build for Fun, Build for Adventure and Build to Save the World

SYDNEY 14^th September 2016 –   Merging the creative worlds of block-building games and RPG adventure, Square Enix Ltd.,  today detailed everything that builders will need to know about DRAGON QUEST BUILDERS™ in an all new “What is DRAGON QUEST BUILDERS?” trailer.

The trailer introduces the basics of building – such as gathering materials and crafting items in order to build anything you can imagine. The trailer also features how players will complete quests to help friendly NPC’s while battling the evil Dragonlord to restore peace to the shattered realm.

To watch the new trailer visit: https://youtu.be/RvWDiCuYb_s

Fans who pre-order the Digital Day One Edition of DRAGON QUEST BUILDERS through the PlayStation® Store or participating retail stores will receive exclusive in-game items to enhance their block-building adventure.

DRAGON QUEST BUILDERS will arrive across Australia & New Zealand on 13^th October 2016 for the PlayStation®4 Computer Entertainment System and PlayStation Vita (digital only). For more information visit: www.dragonquest-game.com

Related Links:

Official Homepage: www.dragonquest-game.com 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DragonQuest

Twitter: @DragonQuest