MLB Manager 2016 Available Now For Android and iOS

Official Licensee of MLB.com and MLBPA, Featuring 2016 Opening Day Rosters

Out of the Park Developments, an official licensee of MLB.com, MiLB.com, and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA), today announced that MLB Manager 2016 is available now for Android and iOS at Google Play and the Apple App Store, respectively. This exciting mobile game allows players to take control of any MLB team, past or present, and guide it through unlimited seasons of championship chasing. An option to create fictional leagues is also included.

Like Out of the Park Baseball 17, which was released on March 22, 2016, MLB Manager 2016 features the official Major League Baseball logo, as well as official logos for all 30 MLB teams, historical MLB logos, and the World Series trophy. The MLBPA license allows MLB Manager 2016 to include real player names and stats too.

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ootpdevelopments.mlbm2016

iOS App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mlb-manager-2016/id907407546?l=de&ls=1&mt=8

MLB Manager 2016 also features 2016 Opening Day rosters, with the projected 40-man roster for each team. It sells for US$4.99, with historical seasons available as in-app purchases.

“MLB Manager is perfect for running your favorite team while on the go, no matter where you are in the world. You don’t even need an Internet connection,” said lead developer Sebastian Palkowski.

MLB Manager 2016’s core features include:

• Three game modes:

• Major League: Mobile managers guide their favorite Major League Baseball teams through the 2016 season and beyond
• Fictional: A fresh customizable world full of fictional players, providing a unique challenge each time
• Historical Major League: Three exciting past seasons to recreate — 1919, 1939, and 2012 — with the ability to buy more through in-app. (Historical seasons are $0.99 each, 10 for $4.99, or all seasons dating back to 1901 for $19.99.)

In Historical Major League mode, real players show up in the draft when they made their actual major league debuts, assuming the user owns those seasons.

• Managerial options that enable players to set lineups, pitching rotations, and depth charts before taking the field to make in-game calls, including when to issue hit-and-run and steal signs, how to configure the defense, when to pull pitchers and put in pinch-hitters, and more.

Players can also let the computer handle those decisions and set a series of sliders that dictate overall strategies, such as aggressiveness on the base paths, how often to pitch around batters, and more. They can simulate the season a day or a week at a time, jumping back in to manage games whenever they want. A Simulate to Date X function allows players to simulate to a specific date, with a Don’t Disturb option that enables uninterrupted long-term sims.

• A play-by-play text stream that describes what’s happening on the field during the game, making it feel like a radio broadcast.

• An in-depth financial system that allows players to unleash their inner GMs. Are they looking for undervalued players who might help the team win while keeping payroll low, or are they free-wheeling spenders seeking high-profile free agents for the big win?

Players oversee trades, negotiate contract extensions, sign free agents, draft players, cultivate minor league prospects, move players between the active roster, minor league roster and disabled list, and more. A Shop a Player function lets them field offers from other teams, while shortlists let armchair GMs easily keep track of certain players.

About Out of the Park Developments 

Out of the Park Developments is the developer of the award-winning OOTP and MLB Manager series of baseball management simulations, Franchise Hockey Manager, and Beyond the Sideline Football. German-based OOTP Developments was founded by Markus Heinsohn and Andreas Raht in 1999. OOTP Developments has consistently produced games that have met with critical acclaim, including winning Metacritic’s coveted “Game of the Year” for the 2007 edition of OOTP, which remains the second highest-rated PC game on Metacritic of all time. Further information on the company and its games is available from the OOTP Developments website, http://www.ootpdevelopments.com

About MLB.com

Established in June 2000 following a unanimous vote by the 30 Major League Baseball club owners to centralize all of Baseball’s Internet operations, MLB Advanced Media LP (MLBAM) is the interactive media and internet company of Major League Baseball. MLBAM manages the official league site, MLB.com,and each of the 30 individual Club sites to create the most comprehensive Major League Baseball resource on the Internet. MLB.com offers fans the most complete baseball information and interactivity across computers and mobile devices, including up-to-date statistics, game previews and summaries, extensive historical information, online ticket sales, baseball merchandise, authenticated memorabilia and collectibles, fantasy games, live full-game video streaming and in-progress and on-demand highlights, live and archived audio broadcasts, Gameday pitch-by-pitch application, Statcast tracking technology, around-the-clock hosted and specialty video programming, complete blogging capabilities, console and mobile video games and the award-winning At Bat and Ballpark mobile applications. MLBAM powers more live events across the Internet than any other company in the world.

Major League Baseball Players Association
The Major League Baseball Players Association (www.MLBPLAYERS.com ) is the collective bargaining representative for all professional baseball players of the thirty Major League Baseball teams and serves as the exclusive group licensing agent for commercial and licensing activities involving active Major League baseball players. On behalf of its members, it operates the Players Choice licensing program and the Players Choice Awards, which benefit the needy through the Major League Baseball Players Trust, a charitable foundation established and run entirely by Major League baseball players. Follow: @MLB_Players; @MLBPAClubhouse; @MLBPlayersTrust

Major League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of MLB Advanced Media, L.P. Minor League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with the permission of Minor League Baseball.  All rights reserved.

BANNER SAGA 2 RELEASE DATE ANNOUNCED

Detailed Plans for Showcase at PAX East also Revealed

BALTIMORE, MD – March 23, 2016 – Stoic, an independent game development company, and Versus Evil, one of the leading independent video game publishers, today announced that Banner Saga 2 for PC will launch on Tuesday 19th April, 2016. Banner Saga 2 is the exciting sequel to the award winning, BAFTA nominated, indie hit The Banner Saga, an epic Viking role-playing strategy game where a player’s choice directly affects their personal journey.  The console versions of the game are set to launch this summer.

The team also revealed their plans for a showcase at PAX East in Boston which runs from 22-24th April, 2016 to celebrate Banner Saga 2’s launch week.  The showcase, which is being sponsored by partners AMD and Razer, has been designed to give attendees an inside look into the Banner Saga universe and will take place over the full three days of the event. Fans will be able to play the newly released game on Versus Evil booth #10081 in the main hall.

Spearheading the activity is a Banner Saga panel which will take place on Saturday 23rd April from 10:30am – 11:30am in the Albatross Theatre.  The panel, which will be moderated by YouTube gaming personality Jesse Cox, will include development team members Arnie Jorgensen (Art Director), John Watson (Technical Director), Drew McGee (Writer) and Matt Rhoades (Tech Designer) as well as by Grammy nominated, two-time BAFTA winning composer Austin Wintory. The panelists will discuss the Banner Saga universe and also tease some of the great things that gamers can expect to experience in the newly released Banner Saga 2. The team will also show off the worldwide premier of the Banner Saga “In Memoriam” trailer created by Penny Arcade contributor Kris Straub. Finally, the first 100 panel attendees will receive a limited edition Banner Saga 2 t-shirt and Versus Evil and Stoic will also be handing out prizes to cosplayers who attend the event dressed in Banner Saga inspired costumes.

In addition to encouraging cosplay fans to dress up as their favorite Banner Saga character, there will be a large photo booth next to the registration desk outside the main hall where people can take pictures against a stunning backdrop taken directly from the game.  Props will also be on hand to help make each picture more authentic and people will be encouraged to share their moment in the Banner Saga world on Twitter (@BannerSaga) and Facebook (#BannerSaga).

Fans will also be able to get a limited run paperback copy of the book “The Gift of Hadrborg” by James Fadeley, a book that has further expanded the Banner Saga universe and which serves as a prelude to the video game story. Fadeley will also be by the photo booth on Saturday morning to sign copies.

Finally, the Banner Saga has once again been honored by the Penny Arcade team by being selected as one of the official Pinny Arcade collectable pins at the event.  The exclusive ‘Bolverk’ pin will be available to anyone who visits the AMD booth (#9200) to pick up a limited edition Banner Saga 2 lanyard. They can then take that to the Versus Evil (#10081) booth to play the Banner Saga 2 demo and redeem their pin.  Fans can also pick up the limited edition Dredge and Ivor pins at the Versus Evil store set up at the booth.

The Banner Saga, which launched to much critical acclaim has received several awards and nominations, including winner of the 2014 Geekie Awards for “Best Video Game”, winner of 2014 Game Developers Choice: “Best Debut” award, finalist placement for “Excellence in Visual Arts” category at the Independent Game Festival, 3 BAFTA Award Nominations, and winner of Pocket Gamer’s 2015 Best Adventure/RPG Game and Best Android Game of the Year. The sequel, Banner Saga 2 for PC is available now for pre-order through Steam at a 10% discount: http://store.steampowered.com/app/281640/

To learn more about The Banner Saga and Banner Saga 2 visit: http://bannersaga.com
To learn more about Versus Evil visit: http://www.vsevil.net

About Stoic
Stoic is an independent game developer based out of Austin, Texas, formed in early 2012 by three veteran game developers. Each is dedicated to making great games that are artful, independent and unique.  Today, the studio is headed by Arnie Jorgensen and John Watson – both industry vets who are now dedicated to continuing as independent game developers. The Banner Saga™ and The Banner Saga: Factions™ content is used by permission. © Stoic LLC. 2012-2016 All rights reserved.

About Versus Evil
Versus Evil, LLC is a US based independent video game publisher behind critically acclaimed indie titles such as The Banner Saga, Guild of Dungeoneering and Armikrog.  Publishing games on all major mobile, PC and console platforms, Versus Evil works with indie studios in North America, South America, and Europe. The company was founded on the principles of helping independent game developers be financially and creatively successful in the highly competitive video games market.  Their suite of games span many different genres, platforms and business models.  As a global publisher, the Versus Evil team is strategically placed around the world with presences in California, Texas, Maryland and New York.

For more information visit http://vsevil.net/
© Versus Evil LLC. 2013-2016. All rights reserved.

MARVEL BATTLEGROUNDS PLAY SET FEATURING ALL-NEW FOUR-PLAYER, BRAWLER STYLE GAMEPLAY LAUNCHES TODAY FOR DISNEY INFINITY 3.0 (AUS/NZ) 

New Playable Characters from Marvel, Disney and Star Wars Also Available

MELBOURNE, Aust. – (March 24, 2016) – Today, Disney Interactive and Marvel releases in Australia/NZ the Marvel Battlegrounds Play Set for Disney Infinity 3.0, the No. 1 video game of 2014 and 2015 in the “toys-to-life” category, according to the US NPD Group. Developed by United Front Games, in partnership with Avalanche Software, Marvel Battlegrounds is the first Disney Infinity Play Set to introduce a new four-player, local co-op, brawler style gameplay. The Play Set features an original Marvel storyline and full compatibility for all Disney Infinity 2.0 and 3.0 Marvel figures, including new characters, Captain America – The First Avenger, Ant-Man, and Black Panther, whose costumes are inspired by the upcoming film Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War.”

“We’re providing our fans a brand new way to play Disney Infinity with Marvel Battlegrounds,” said John Blackburn, SVP & General Manager, Disney Infinity. “The Play Set’s four-player brawler style combat gameplay and wide selection of Marvel characters makes it the ultimate family game and a great way to experience some of the characters that appear in the upcoming blockbuster film, Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War.”

In addition to Captain America – The First Avenger, who is included in the Play Set pack, Hulkbuster, Ultron and Black Suit Spider-Man are also now available, along with other Marvel characters including: Ant-Man, who shrinks to the size of an ant but increases his strength to pack a whopping punch; Black Panther, the leader of Wakanda who defends his homeland utilizing acrobatic skills, increased agility, and legendary claws made from Vibranium, and Vision, a brave and noble synthetic warrior who will fight to bring peace to the world.

“Marvel Battlegrounds continues Marvel’s history as a leader in the family gaming category,” said Peter Phillips, EVP and General Manager, Interactive & Digital Distribution at Marvel Entertainment. “This innovative new Play Set gives families a new way to play together via a battle brewing across the Marvel Universe, starring an epic roster of our most popular Super Heroes and Super Villains.”

In addition, a new Marvel Battlegrounds Power Disc Pack will be sold separately and includes:

• Cosmic Cube Blast – Unleash a powerful energy blast on nearby foes
• Darkhawk’s Blast – Blast obstacles with a powerful energy beam from your chest
• Nova Corps Strike – Call upon the Nova Corps to unleash a tactical strike from above
• Ghost Rider’s Motorcycle – Take a ride on the wild side with Ghost Rider’s flaming motorcycle

A full Australia and New Zealand asset set for this announcement–including new screens, poster art and figure art–is available to download from here. (Link valid for 7 days.)

All Disney Infinity 2.0: Marvel Super Heroes characters and round Power Discs are fully compatible with the Play Set. Marvel Battlegrounds is available for a suggested retail price of $34.95 AUD/$44.99 NZD.  Each Marvel character figure (RRP: $17.95 AUD/$24.99 NZD each) and the Marvel Battlegrounds themed Power Disc Pack (RRP: $11.95 AUD/$15.99 NZD) are sold separately. The Play Set requires the latest Disney Infinity software update in order to play. Software updates require Internet connection.

In the original storyline of Marvel Battlegrounds, Ultron teams up with Loki in an effort to steal Wakanda’s most valuable resource, Vibranium. Captain America, along with the universe’s greatest Super Heroes, leap into action but before they can uncover Loki’s plans for the precious metal, their nemesis creates robotic replicas of the famed Marvel Super Heroes and turn them against each other. The Marvel Super Heroes battle each other in iconic environments such as a wrecked Brooklyn train yard, Wakanda mines and S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Lunar Base, culminating in a universe-shaking battle against Ultron. Players engage in the ultimate rumble and choose from more than 25 Disney Infinity Marvel Super Heroes and Super Villains, and battle through 12 levels across eight dynamic arenas.

Additional characters available for Disney Infinity:

• Baloo – The beloved bear from Disney’s The Jungle Book is available at a suggested retail price of $17.95 AUD/$24.99 NZD. Playable in the Toy Box, Baloo loves to dance around the jungle and protects his friends by tossing fruit.

• Kylo Ren Light FX – The Kylo Ren Light FX figure is also available for pre-order at a suggested retail price of $22.95 AUD/$34.99 NZD.

About Disney Infinity

Disney Infinity is an interactive gaming platform where players have unprecedented freedom and endless opportunity to create stories and play experiences starring the beloved characters from across The Walt Disney Company. Building on the success of Disney Infinity 1.0 and 2.0, Disney Interactive launched its latest installment to the best-selling “hybrid toy/video game” this year — Disney Infinity 3.0. In its third iteration, players will utilise real-world interactive figures to activate original storylines (Play Sets) in the virtual game worlds of popular Star Wars franchises and create new adventures with a variety of characters from Marvel, The Walt Disney Co. and Disney•Pixar properties in the Toy Box mode. Disney Infinity 3.0 is rated PG for online interactivity and mild violence. For more information, visit Disney.com/Infinity.

For additional information, please visit www.disney.com/infinity and www.youtube.com/disneyinfinity, join the Disney Infinity Facebook community (Facebook.com/disneyinfinity) and Google+ community (https://plus.google.com/+DisneyInfinity),  and follow us on Twitter (twitter.com/disneyinfinity) and Instagram (instagram.com/disneyinfinity).

About Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media

Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media (DCPI) is the business segment of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) that brings our Company’s stories and characters to life through innovative and engaging physical products and digital experiences across more than 100 categories, from toys and t-shirts, to apps, books and console games. DCPI comprises two main lines of business: Disney Consumer Products (DCP), and Disney Interactive (DI). The combined segment is home to world class teams of app and game developers, licensing and retail experts, a leading retail business (Disney Store), artists and storytellers, and technologists who inspire imaginations around the world.

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 utilises its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing.  For more information visit marvel.com.  © 2016 MARVEL

©Disney. ©2016 MARVEL. STAR WARS © & ™ Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.