Ubisoft Opening New Production Studio in the Philippines

The latest addition to the Ubisoft studio network will be based in Santa Rosa Laguna, near Manila, and will ramp up to 50 team members in its first year

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 30, 2016 – Ubisoft has announced that it will open a new production studio in the Philippines. Ubisoft Philippines will be the second production hub for Ubisoft in South East Asia. The studio is scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2016 and will hire up to 50 people in the first year. The team will focus on collaborating on the development of Ubisoft’s AAA console games.

“I am very excited to have the opportunity to come back to my country of origin to kick start a brand new studio for Ubisoft,” says Chip Go, the newly nominated studio manager of Ubisoft Philippines. “Every day, Filipinos leave the country in search of opportunities elsewhere. I was one of those people eight years ago, and now I’m very happy to come back and bring my own experience in AAA game development. I know that this experience, as well as Ubisoft’s 30 years of industry expertise, is going to spark great things, and is a huge opportunity for the Philippines.”

The new studio will be closely linked to Ubisoft’s existing South East Asian hub in Singapore, with a number of the founding team members moving across from the Singapore studio to train up the new team.

“We chose to grow in the Philippines because of its great talent pool and I am confident the new studio will meet our demanding standards,” said Olivier de Rotalier, managing director of Ubisoft Singapore, Ubisoft Chengdu and Ubisoft Philippines. “Our number one priority will be to develop the high potential of our new team members to reach the level of expertise and quality needed to work on AAA games, just as we have previously done in Singapore.”

The Philippines studio will be located on the campus of De La Salle University in Santa Rosa, the emerging Central Business District in the South of Manila. Santa Rosa is a lush, green and family-friendly area with multiple schools, healthcare and entertainment options. The location was also chosen for its accessibility: 45 minutes from the Manila international airport and 35km from Makati, Manila’s Central Business District.

“It’s important for Ubisoft to provide a friendly working environment for its staff. Locating our studio in Santa Rosa is a real advantage in this sense. We have huge ambition for this team, who will play a part in creating some of Ubisoft’s biggest and most beloved games. Ubisoft Philippines will be recruiting 50 new team members this year, from artists to programmers, designers to project managers, and we are very confident of our ability to build a strong team to take up these challenges,” said Go.

Ubisoft will provide high quality training for new recruits: mentoring programs by industry veterans from the Singapore studio, and the new team will benefit from the collaborative learning platforms and events implemented throughout the Ubisoft network.

Ubisoft Philippines is actively recruiting. Candidates can contact Ubisoft Philippines at [email protected] and consult available positions at: https://www.ubisoft.com/en-US/careers/search.aspx?location=santa%20Rosa

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 2014–15 fiscal year Ubisoft generated sales of €1,464 million. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com

About DLSU-STC:
The DLSU Science and Technology Complex is located in Binan, Laguna and is adjacent to Laguna Technopark in Santa Rosa City.  The 51-hectare campus is envisioned to become a key resource of scientific and technological innovations in the country and in the ASEAN region. The Complex houses two new infrastructures, the Richard L. Lee Engineering and Technology Block and the Dr. George S.K. Ty Advanced Instrumentation Building, that will serve as the hub for research and development in science, technology, and engineering. It also has a new oval and football field for local and international athletic competitions. For more information, you may visit: http://www.dlsu.edu.ph/stc/

LEAD THE PACK IN ARMORED WARFARE

New Video and Special Edition Tanks Now Available

Amsterdam, The Netherlands – March 29, 2016 – Developer Obsidian Entertainment and global publisher My.com present the special edition Wolf Pack vehicles, featuring four of the most renowned steel machines of destruction. These unique vehicles will tear enemies to shreds and are available in celebration of Armored Warfare’s latest update 0.14.

Watch the Armored Warfare video introducing the Wolf Pack HERE: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJ_Qu1dm-8s&feature=youtu.be

Armored Warfare’s Wolf Pack vehicles feature a unique look (bloodthirsty red stripes on deep black with Wolf’s emblem), created especially for this limited time offer. On top of the awe inspiring graphics, these vehicles come fully upgraded with maximum level crews and premium status. The pack containing the Centauro 120, Challenger 1, BMD-2, and Wiesel 1 will go on sale as part of the coming update and will be available for purchase individually.

More details on the new Wolf Pack for Armored Warfare can be found HERE: aw.my.com/us/news/general/introducing-wolf-edition-vehicles

Features included with update 0.14:

• Replay support: Playing a recording of a match will allow players to view everything from the perspective of the replay creator. Players can pause, play or stop their recording, as well as increase or decrease the speed at which they want the match to replay. Additionally, players can spectate specific vehicles or seamlessly switch into a free-cam observer mode.
• Highwall Map: A brand new PvP map, literally raising the stakes of modern conflict.
• New PvE Missions and Maps: Operations Albatross, and Cerberus will pose new threats for players teaming up in Armored Warfare’s co-operative gameplay mode.
• High Tier Gameplay Changes: Based on player feedback, a number of unpopular elements of high-tier gameplay will be addressed.

Armored Warfare is a free-to-play massively multiplayer online tactical military game that puts the player into the world of modern warfare. In Armored Warfare, players get a chance to try the most powerful tools of destruction invented by mankind – from modern main battle tanks, to scouts and wheeled vehicles. Using modern defense systems like anti-missile protection and smoke grenades, along with various types of armor and ammunition, players can jump into fast paced battles both in PvP mode and a vast amount of PvE missions.

Download Armored Warfare for free today, visit: aw.my.com. To learn more about Armored Warfare, please visit aw.my.com, ‘Like’ it on Facebook, and follow its development on Twitter @ArmoredWar 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 gaming time in-between. Copyright © 2015 My.com.

For more information, visit my.com/

GAMEMILL ENTERTAINMENT RELEASES LAST LIMB’S ORGANIC PANIC ON PLAYSTATION®4

New Action-Puzzle Platformer Brings Co-op and Competitive Multiplayer Chaos to Xbox One on April 1

MINNEAPOLIS – March 29, 2016 – GameMill Entertainment has launched Organic Panic, a side-scrolling action-puzzle-platforming video game from independent developer Last Limb. Organic Panic’s physics-based D.A.F.T. (Destructible and Fluid Technology) Engine lets players use their imaginations to solve challenges in clever ways across more than 200 fully destructible levels. Liquids move dynamically, and nearly everything in the game can be manipulated to get around or through obstacles and enemies – smash earth, douse fire, burn wood, melt ice, float objects, bounce off rubber, conduct lightning, use acid to disintegrate, and more. Anything goes!

“Organic Panic is the kind of game we would have played endlessly growing up – an old-school platformer with ridiculous characters and levels that give you multiple ways to progress and cause mayhem,” said Last Limb co-founder Damon Branch. “It’s a really fun game for friends and family to enjoy. We put all our hearts into it; years of development – so we’re really happy to finally share it and bring it to consoles for the first time.”

Set in a world of all-out war between Fruits, Vegetables, Meats and Cheeses, Organic Panic’s comic action and accessible controls make it easy to share with groups of all kinds while still delivering depth for hardcore players. Players can choose from four elementally charged heroes – Cherry, Kiwi, Carrot and Coconut – on their quest to top the game’s ranked leaderboards in single-player and four-player local cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes.

Organic Panic is available today as a digital release on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system through the PlayStation®Store for $14.99. It is expected to launch on Xbox One on the Xbox Games Store on April 1 for the same price, and will arrive later this spring on Windows PC via Steam, following its closed beta on Steam Early Access.

Organic Panic is rated E (Everyone) by the ESRB. For more information, please visit www.lastlimb.com, and follow the game on Facebook and Twitter.

About GameMill Entertainment

GameMill Entertainment, located in Minneapolis, Minnesota is a third-party publisher of casual games for the mass market consumer. Development platforms include PC, Nintendo handhelds and consoles including Nintendo DS^™, Nintendo 3DS™ and Wii^™, Microsoft consoles including Xbox One® and Xbox 360^® video game and entertainment system, XBLA, Microsoft Games On Demand for Xbox One® and Xbox 360^®, and Sony consoles including PlayStation®3 and PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, PlayStation™Network and Mobile & Tablet devices. With development across the globe, GameMill is a source of entertaining and fun games for all ages. For more information, please visit: www.game-mill.com.

About Last Limb

Last Limb is an independent video game developer for major consoles, PC, and mobile, focused on building incredibly fun and technologically advanced games based on its proprietary D.A.F.T. (Destructible and Fluid Technology) Engine. For more information, please visit www.lastlimb.com.

KOEI TECMO AMERICA LAUNCHES ANTICIPATED NEW IP FROM GUST, NIGHTS OF AZURE 

Creators of ‘Atelier’ Series and Producer Keisuke Kikuchi Present America with a Dark, Demon-centric Adventure, Now Available Exclusively for PlayStation®4 

Burlingame, Calif.—March 29, 2016—KOEI TECMO America today announced the western release of Nights of Azure, a brand new RPG adventure and IP from the development studio behind the long-running Atelier series, GUST. Known in Japan as Yoru no Nai Kuni, Nights of Azure is now available exclusively for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system. To mark the occasion, KOEI TECMO has unveiled a brand new launch trailer, which can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/aMUPw2EznYc 

Under the direction of producer Keisuke Kikuchi (Fatal Frame, Deception IV), Nights of Azure marks a new, darker direction for GUST while maintaining many of the gameplay elements adored by dedicated fans of the studio. Unlike previous GUST titles, however, the protagonist has a very active role in the game’s real-time battle system. 

Few leave their homes after nightfall in the kingdom of Ruswal, let alone have the strength and skill to take on the powerful azure-blooded demons that plague the uncharted island. One of the best among these brave few is Arnice, a beautiful knight of great skill and power sworn to protect humanity and defend the priestess Lilysse—her best friend. As she grows in power, Arnice can summon creatures known as Servan to assist her in battle as well as transform into a demon herself in order to carry out her mission.

Despite her strength, Arnice soon discovers that the solution to the island’s problems might not be as simple as defeating enemies in battle. Nights of Azure is a tragic tale of two friends faced with impossible decisions that will test their loyalty to their quest and to each other.

For more news and information on Nights of Azure, please visit the official website at www.koeitecmoamerica.com/nightsofazure, Like KOEI TECMO America on Facebook at www.facebook.com/koeitecmous, and become part of the #KTfamily by following KOEI TECMO America on Twitter at @KoeiTecmoUS. This title has been rated “T for Teen” by the ESRB.

ABOUT KOEI TECMO AMERICA CORP.

KOEI TECMO AMERICA CORP. is a publisher of interactive entertainment software for current generation consoles, handhelds and digital download content based in Burlingame, California. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of KOEI TECMO HOLDINGS CO., LTD., headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. KOEI is best known for its Dynasty Warriors® and Samurai Warriors® franchises. TECMO is best known for the Dead or Alive®, Ninja Gaiden®, Tecmo Bowl®, and Fatal Frame® series.

“PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

HAUNTING LOW-RES HORROR ADVENTURE THE LAST DOOR: SEASON 2 – COLLECTOR’S EDITION IS AVAILABLE NOW

All 4 Episodes available now for PC, Mac, and Linux with Exclusive Bonus Content

Boston, MA – March 29, 2016 – In an echo from beyond the Veil, Phoenix Online Publishing and The Game Kitchen sent forth an unworldly and non-Euclidean announcement that the hit indie point-and-click horror adventure The Last Door Season 2 Collector’s Edition released today for PC, Mac, and Linux. The sequel to Season 1’s “love letter to Lovecraft”, the new 4 episode collection of the low-res graphics, high suspense horror delves further into the madness of the Veil and introduces new characters, a larger world, more puzzles, new mysteries, upgraded art and effects, and even more gameplay, plus exclusive bonus content. Season 2 is available now for $9.99 on the Phoenix Online Store (store.postudios.com), Steam, the Humble Store, GOG.com, and other online retailers, as well as a bundle of both seasons at a 10% discount.

As Dr. John Wakefield, psychiatrist to Season 1’s protagonist Jeremiah Devitt, players will set out in search of his missing client and soon be drawn into the haunting web of forbidden knowledge, madness, and a deeper conspiracy hiding it all. As the search moves beyond England, can Jeremiah be found? Or will Wakefield merely find that he, too, is about to become lost in the search for the Last Door?

“We’re truly humbled by the support of the fans who have helped us in crafting this story, and we believe we’ve managed to create an epic conclusion to the series for them,” says Mauricio Garcia, CEO of The Game Kitchen. “We believe it’s time to finally meet what’s waiting for you beyond the Veil.”

The Game Kitchen has been developing and releasing The Last Door with their own unique crowdfunding subscription-based model on their website, where players have had early access to beta builds. The community feedback has been a part of shaping the game from the very beginning of the first Season.

The first season of The Last Door: Collector’s Edition, released in 2014, included all four episodes as well as exclusive bonus content and became a best-selling retro-themed horror adventure, earning high marks from fans and critics alike. A “love letter to Lovecraft”, players stepped into the shoes of Jeremiah Devitt to explore ancient mansions, decaying tenements, and the twisting, fog-filled alleys of London in search of memories Devitt had forgotten, but which had driven an old friend to suicide. Season 1 is available for PC, Mac, and Linux, as well as on mobile platforms for iOS and Android.

Key Features:

• Sequel to the award-winning point-and-click Victorian era horror adventure, The Last Door
• Four episodes and exclusive extras and bonus content in one limited-edition set
• Guide Dr. Wakefield through new locations, characters, scenes, and puzzles in a new compelling mystery
• Search for and uncover forbidden knowledge that may drive you mad in a game inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft and Edgar Allan Poe
• Includes a brand new haunting, original musical score by Carlos Viola

For more information, visit www.POStudios.com.

MiiTOMO LAUNCHES ON MARCH 31 ALONGSIDE NEW “MY NINTENDO” SERVICE  

Nintendo’s first smart device app is a unique free-to-start social experience

30^th March, 2016 – Don’t miss out on being a part of a Nintendo first! Miitomo, the company’s first-ever smart device application will launch in Australia late in the day of March 31. Miitomo, which recently launched in Japan and has already passed one million downloads, is a free-to-start social experience that lets users spark one-of-a-kind conversations with friends in a whole new way using Mii characters.

Getting started with Miitomo and being a part of this Nintendo milestone is easy: After downloading the app for free on the App Store for iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, along with Android devices, users create a Mii character and customise facial features like eyes and hair, as well as voice and personality. Users can also use the camera on their smart devices to snap a photo of themselves, which can be used to create a Mii, or they can simply import their Mii from their Wii U or Nintendo 3DS family system using a QR Code.

Once their Mii is ready, users can add friends who already have the app in person, or by linking the app with their existing Facebook or Twitter accounts. After that step is complete, it’s time to answer some questions! Miitomo creates conversations and turns discussions into a form of play by prompting users to answer all kinds of fun questions. How would you define your fashion style? What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten? If you were given ten grand to spend in one day, what would you do? The answers get shared among friends, sparking interesting conversations – part of the fun is discovering unexpected facts about your friends. When users hear how their friends respond to questions, they can give answers, a “heart” or a written or picture comment.

To preregister for Miitomo, sign up for a Nintendo Account at https://miitomo.com before March 31 to receive an email when the app is ready to download. People who create their Nintendo Account and preregister before March 31 will also receive Platinum Points for the new My Nintendo rewards programme, which will simultaneously launch with Miitomo. My Nintendo is much more than a rewards programme: it’s a comprehensive service that also rewards users for interacting with Nintendo products and services in a variety of ways. Miitomo users who link the app to their Nintendo Account will be able to take advantage of My Nintendo to enhance their experience. Platinum Points can be earned by interacting with Nintendo apps and services, including Miitomo. Gold Points are earned when purchasing digital versions of games from the official Nintendo website or Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. Both Platinum and Gold Points can be redeemed for rewards like digital content and discount coupons.

Users who sign up for a Nintendo Account before the end of April will also be able to download Flipnote Studio 3D to their Nintendo 3DS system for free. To claim the download, users must link their new Nintendo Account to the Nintendo Network ID they use on their Nintendo 3DS family system, then visit the My Nintendo website between March 31 and April 30.

For more information about Miitomo and My Nintendo, visit https://miitomo.com.

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

QR Code is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE Incorporated.

Celebrating 20 years of an icon, Lara Croft – Square Enix, Crystal Dynamics and GameChanger Charity Offering Tomb Raider Incentives

Rise of the Tomb Raider Cold Darkness Awakened DLC Available Today

REDWOOD CITY (March 29, 2016) – Crystal Dynamics® and Square Enix® are celebrating 20 years of Lara Croft®, star of the award-winning TOMB RAIDER® franchise this year, beginning with festivities for this major milestone at PAX East 2016. The developers of Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend®, the critically acclaimed Tomb Raider® reboot in 2013, last year’s hit Rise of the Tomb Raider® and more will celebrate the achievements of the Tomb Raider series and its protagonist, with special activities and events planned throughout 2016.

“Since its introduction, Tomb Raider has held a significant place in video game history, and further cements that with this milestone,” said Ron Rosenberg, Co-Head of Studio at Crystal Dynamics. “We look forward to celebrating with fans, and honoring the iconic Lara Croft with special events, retrospectives, giveaways and other surprises throughout this year of Tomb Raider.”

First making her debut in 1996 with the original Tomb Raider from Core Design, famous archeologist Lara Croft is a powerful force within the gaming industry, and has made an indelible mark on virtually every facet of entertainment. From being named an ambassador for scientific excellence to appearing live on tour with U2, Lara Croft reaches millions of people around the world. With over 30 video game titles released and hundreds of awards, the heroine has been a cultural icon for 20 years on gaming screens and Hollywood silver screens, battling T-Rexes and the undead and adventuring around the globe. Lara has had adventures in over 25 countries, explored the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Andaman Seas, ventured to Antarctica and the Arctic Circle, and rediscovered Atlantis and the lost island of Yamatai.

“Tomb Raider has become a cultural phenomenon over the last 20 years, selling millions of copies worldwide, sparking one of the most successful video game film adaptations in history, and inspiring our amazing fans of all ages,” said Scot Amos, Co-Head of Studio at Crystal Dynamics. “It’s incredible to be part of this legend and to see how much the series has evolved over time, and think about what’s yet to come. Here’s to 20 more years of adventure together.”

As part of the 20-year celebration, Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics have partnered with GameChanger Charity to provide a free digital copy of Tomb Raider 2013 for every donation made to the charity of at least $1. Eligible contributors who donate at least $20 will be entered into a drawing where prizes include a special Crystal Dynamics swag bag including a collector’s edition of Rise of The Tomb Raider, along with special items related to the series and its famed globetrotting explorer (see official rules for details). GameChanger is a non-profit focused on improving the lives of children suffering from life-threatening diseases. GameChanger delivers video game gifts to hospitals, and provides financial support to deserving families.

To donate to GameChanger, please visithttp://gamechangercharity.donordrive.com/event/20yearstombraider/

Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics today also released the third Rise of The Tomb Raider content pack titled Cold Darkness Awakened for PC on Steam® and The Windows Store for $9.99. Players who have purchased the Season Pass or have downloaded the additional content separately will be able to continue the journey as Lara Croft takes on nightmarish predators in an abandoned Cold War base. Cold Darkness Awakened will also be available that same day for Xbox One and Xbox 360.

Watch the new trailer for Cold Darkness Awakened.

Along with the award-winning Tomb Raider Definitive Edition and Rise of the Tomb Raider, the series spans PC, console, mobile and handheld, with other hit titles such as Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light®, Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris®, Lara Croft: Relic Run® and Lara Croft GO™.

Related Links
Official Homepage: www.TOMBRAIDER.com
Official Twitter: @TOMBRAIDER
Official Facebook page: http://facebook.com/TOMBRAIDER
Official Tumblr: http://officialTOMBRAIDERblog.tumblr.com/
Official YouTube Channel: http://youtube.com/TOMBRAIDER

About TOMB RAIDER
The TOMB RAIDER franchise has sold over 45 million copies worldwide and inspired one of the most successful video game film adaptations in history, grossing over $300 million at the global box office with protagonist Lara Croft becoming a contemporary global icon. The most recent release in the world famous franchise, Rise of the Tomb Raider, released exclusively for Xbox One and Xbox 360 on November 9, 2015 and on PC January 28, 2016. The game has received numerous “Best of” nominations and is one of the highest rated games on next generation systems. All of this has made TOMB RAIDER once again a destination brand for action-adventure.

About Square Enix, Inc.
Square Enix, Inc. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX, EIDOS® and TAITO® branded entertainment content throughout the Americas as part of the Square Enix group of companies. The Square Enix group of companies operates a global network of leading development studios and boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property, including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 110 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 66 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 45 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix, Inc. is a U.S.-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.

More information on Square Enix, Inc. can be found at http://na.square-enix.com/.

TOMB RAIDER © 1996-2016. Square Enix Ltd.  All rights reserved.
TOMB RAIDER, the TOMB RAIDER logo, CRYSTAL DYNAMICS, DRAGON QUEST, EIDOS, FINAL FANTASY, LARA CROFT, LARA CROFT AND THE GUARDIANS OF LIGHT, LARA CROFT AND THE TEMPLE OF OSIRIS, LARA CROFT GO, LARA CROFT: RELIC RUN, RISE OF THE TOMB RAIDER, SQUARE ENIX, the SQUARE ENIX logo, SPACE INVADERS, and TAITO are registered trademarks or trademarks of the Square Enix group of companies. Steam is a registered trademark of Valve Corporation. All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.