February saw the epic return of PlayStation® Plus Vote to Play, giving power to the players to choose the games of their choice to join the March games roster. The players’ voices have now been heard and Broforce beat the competition to the pip for the chance to make a splash in the gaming world and win the second ever round of Vote to Play.

The manic-action 2D shooter Broforce went up against stiff competition with Assault Android Cactus by Brisbane indie-start-up Witch Beam and Action Henk! by Rage Squid. Broforce ultimately won voters over with its part-irreverent spoof and part-loving homage to what are now classic movies and classic games.

Broforce will be available to PS Plus members from March 2, letting players live the memories of ’80s action heroes and gang up in a team of four as part of the excessively overpowered yet underfunded paramilitary organisation. The job – to save the world using primary skill and excessive force!

Joining Broforce this month on the PS Plus list is Galak-Z, another 80’s style title, where players try to survive the hostile environments of deep space, battling warring factions full of unique and cunning enemies. Enjoy spaceship anime and arcade-gaming meld with ultra-modern physics and A.I. in a skill-demanding, procedurally generated rogue-lite adventure.

The full list of February PlayStation Plus games available is:

BroForce (PS4)
Galak-Z (PS4)
Super Stardust HD (PS3)
The Last Guy (PS3)
Flame Over (PS Vita)
Reality Fighters (PS Vita)

In celebration of the Broforce win, there is an extra special challenge for the community this month! Gamers will be given the opportunity to design a trailer for Broforce using the latest Sharefactory feature ‘time bender’ with prizes up for grabs. Prizes include game codes for Vote to Play runners up: Action Henk and Assault Android Cactus! More information provided here.

PlayStation Plus members can also go to What’s New or visit the PlayStation Plus section of the PlayStation Store, where they’ll find further details for Vote to Play.

If you don’t already have a PlayStation Plus account and would like to learn more about the benefits of the service, such as the monthly games, access to online multiplayer on PS4, exclusive member discounts, cloud game saves and more, click here.

BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America’s acclaimed mobile collectible card game (CCG), Outcast Odyssey, adds game-changing new features including powerful new Exalted cards and a resource management system to make exalted cards more powerful. Outcast Odyssey players can access the updated features as part of a free update rolling out on Android and iOS beginning today.

To showcase these improvements, please check out the latest Outcast Odyssey video and screenshots here: https://www.yousendit.com/download/ZWJYbUpYTWNUME5FQmRVag

Exalted cards are rare, special editions of each card in the game, recognizable by their gold borders. Although these cards start with the same stats as their non-exalted counterparts, they gain better stats when enhanced and their skills become even more effective. Exalted cards require resource tokens to evolve, and can only evolve with other exalted cards. Players can earn exalted cards by fighting monsters and completing quests, or purchasing packs in the store.

Resource tokens add new layers of depth to every battle, and may appear after battling enemies in campaigns, bounties or select events. Players can even earn resources as rewards for completing new quests. Every day of the week, the resource will change and can either be a hero, weapon, armor, pet, tech, nature or magic resource token. An all-new inventory screen will show players their current resources.

With 900 beautifully crafted cards by some of the industry’s most prominent artists, Outcast Odyssey delivers a new kind of mobile card battle experience. Whether you’re exploring mysterious landscapes, battling fearsome creatures, or dominating other players in the Arena, your deck-building skills will be put to the test with limitless card combinations and strategies. Outcast Odyssey is free to play, and can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.

Let us know how we can help you with your coverage of this exciting new update to the critically-acclaimed Outcast Odyssey universe!

BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. Teams Up with Harebrained Schemes

Dark Souls Publisher to Bring Harebrained Schemes’ Award-Winning Indie PC Game NECROPOLIS to Consoles in Summer 2016

SANTA CLARA, Calif., (February 25, 2016) — BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. today announced that it is partnering with Harebrained Schemes to be the console publisher for their PC Indie game, NECROPOLIS; bringing the game to the PlayStation 4 computer entertainment system and the Xbox One. NECROPOLIS combines third-person action with roguelike dungeon delving for a game that’s fast-paced and addictive, yet diabolically hardcore. Those elements, married with the game’s striking art style, sardonic tone, and easy in-and-out co-op mode, caught the attention of BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. at PAX East last year.

“Simply put, we were impressed and excited when we discovered NECROPOLIS at PAX East”, said Eric Hartness, Vice President of Marketing at BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. “Blending a skill-based 3D action game with a roguelike means it’s never the same experience twice. NECROPOLIS’ off-kilter humor and unique visuals add perfectly to the mix, making it the perfect companion game for Dark Souls fans and a great addition to our game portfolio.”

Jordan Weisman, Harebrained Schemes’ Chief Creative Officer said, “We couldn’t think of a better partner to help us bring our team’s vision for NECROPOLIS to consoles. BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. is a terrific publisher and truly understands how to collaborate with an independent studio like ours.”

In order to focus on delivering a consistent, quality NECROPOLIS experience for all platforms, Harebrained Schemes has decided to move the game’s original PC-only release date of March 17. Instead, NECROPOLIS will now simultaneously ship for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One this summer, with an exact date to be announced in the near-future. “While we really hate to slip a release date, we know from experience that doing a console release right adds a significant amount of development work,” said Harebrained Schemes’ President Mitch Gitelman. “So we believe this is absolutely the right decision, and that the additional time will make for an even better NECROPOLIS for consoles AND for PC.” Harebrained Schemes will still self-publish the title on Steam, while BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. will release NECROPOLIS on Xbox One and PlayStation®4.

In NECROPOLIS, you play as a nameless adventurer attempting to escape a living, magical dungeon that reconstructs itself each time you play, with only one way out – down. Craft, equip, explore, and fight to stay alive as you delve deeper and face ever-greater threats in the twisting halls and endless chasms of the NECROPOLIS. Have no doubt; you’re going to die – often! – but you’ll improve your combat skills, available upgrades, and dungeon know-how with every playthrough, bringing you one step closer to the exit. (Warning: “Just one more time” mindset can be addicting.)

IN NECROPOLIS, DEATH IS…

• …PERMANENT. Game Over? Jump right back in with a new adventurer and try again!
• …DIFFERENT EVERY TIME. A new procedurally generated dungeon with every death.
• …BETTER WITH FRIENDS. Drop-in / dropout co-op multiplayer for up to 4 players!
• …MONSTROUS. Gemeaters, Changelings, Hoardmen, and more – they exist to kill you.
• …NOT WITHOUT PERKS. Each new dungeon is littered with powerful weapons, armor, and upgrades to wield against your foes. (And there’s crafting, too!)
• …UNAVOIDABLE. But don’t worry; this NEXT playthrough is totally the one. We’ve got a good feeling about it.

Resources:

• NECROPOLIS on Steam
• NECROPOLIS web site
• NECROPOLIS Tumblr
• NECROPOLIS Twitter
• NECROPOLIS Facebook
• Bandai Namco Entertainment

###

About BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc.

BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc., part of BANDAI NAMCO Holdings  Inc., is a leading global publisher and developer of interactive content — including all major video game consoles, iOS, mobile and online.  The company is known for creating and publishing many of the industry’s top video game franchises, including PAC-MAN^®, TEKKEN^®, SOULCALIBUR^®, NARUTO™, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN™, Dragon Ball^®, GALAGA^®, RIDGE RACER^® and ACE COMBAT^®.  More information about the company and its products can be found at http://www.bandainamcoent.com or www.facebook.com/BandaiNamcoUS

About Harebrained Schemes

Harebrained Schemes is an independent game studio led by Jordan Weisman, the creator of Shadowrun, Crimson Skies, BattleTech/MechWarrior, and many other acclaimed settings. Founded in 2011 by Weisman and his partner-in-crime Mitch Gitelman, the Seattle-based studio is centered on deep collaboration between seasoned veterans and fresh talent who share a passion for crafting game worlds and delighting their audience. Titles include Crimson: Steam Pirates (iOS, Chrome, 2011), Strikefleet Omega (iOS, Android, 2012), Shadowrun Returns (Steam and mobile, 2013), Shadowrun: Dragonfall (Steam, 2014); Golem Arcana (Retail,2014); Shadowrun Dragonfall -Directors Cut (Steam and mobile, 2014); and Shadowrun: Hong Kong (Steam, 2015). After NECROPOLIS, the company’s next game is BATTLETECH, due out in early 2017.

©BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.

Press Release © 2015 BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc.

SAMURAI WARRIORS INVADES DEAD OR ALIVE 5 LAST ROUND WITH NEW COMPETITOR, RETURNING STAGE, AND THEMED DLC COSTUMES

Celebrating the Upcoming Launch of ‘Samurai Warriors 4 Empires,’ Naotora Ii Joins the Battle, Azuchi Stage Returns from ‘DEAD OR ALIVE 3,’ and Themed DLC Costumes Head to PlayStation®4, Xbox One, and Steam® Versions this March

Burlingame, Calif.—February 25, 2016—In anticipation of the upcoming launch of strategy epic Samurai Warriors 4 Empires on March 15, KOEI TECMO America and Team Ninja are thrilled to announce a set of exciting new additions headed to DEAD OR ALIVE 5 Last Round this March! Fan-favorite Samurai Warriors 4 character Naotora Ii joins the battle alongside the triumphant (and completely free) return of the Azuchi castle stage from DEAD OR ALIVE 3 on March 17, and a brand new set of Samurai Warriors-inspired DLC costumes will become available for purchase on March 29. Fans who purchased the game’s Season Pass 3 will automatically receive all of the Samurai Warriors-inspired content.

Dragged into a mysterious portal by-way-of a M.I.S.T. time-travelling experiment, the ruler of Japan’s Warring States era Ii Clan, Naotora Ii, emerges in present-day next to a competitor of the DEAD OR ALIVE fighting tournament. Given no other choice but to fight for her life, and keeping her family motto of ‘once on the battlefield, one must face the enemy head on’ in mind, a determined Naotora sets out to emerge victorious from this strange new challenge. Specializing in kick-based attacks, Naotora developed her signature ‘Ii Style Leg Strikes’ fighting style after serving under Yoshimoto Imagawa, who based his techniques on his mastery of the traditional Japanese ball game “kemari.” The quick and powerful strikes from her long legs make her a formidable rival to anyone who steps into the ring!

Naotora Ii will be available to download for $5.99. Fans can purchase her debut costume pack for $7.99, or alternatively as a bundle including new character Naotora Ii for $11.99 on March 17 for DEAD OR ALIVE 5 Last Round on PlayStation®4 and Xbox One, and on March 29 for PC via Steam. To whet players’ appetites in the meantime, Team Ninja has shared a variety of images and screenshots of Naotora Ii in action.

March 17 will also see the release of a returning stage that players of DEAD OR ALIVE 5 Last Round can enjoy on PlayStation®4 and Xbox One free of charge. Not seen since DEAD OR ALIVE Dimensions, the beautiful Azuchi stage makes its triumphant return looking better than ever! Dropping competitors into the great hall of Oda Nobunaga’s famous residence, players can break through the walls and continue brawling on its rooftops beneath a full moon. In this three-tier stage the fight can also lead to the ground, where a gorgeous cherry blossom tree overlooks the traditional building lit by torchlight.

Finally, on March 29, Team Ninja will release a collection of outfits inspired by KOEI TECMO’s celebrated Samurai Warriors series for PlayStation®4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam.

For additional information regarding DEAD OR ALIVE 5 Last Round, please visit the official website at http://teamninja-studio.com/doa5/lastround/us/ftp.html, Like the official DEAD OR ALIVE Facebook page at www.facebook.com/deadoralivegame, and join the franchise’s fighting community by following Team NINJA on Twitter at @TeamNinjaStudio.

For more news and information regarding Samurai Warriors 4 Empires, please visit the official website at www.koeitecmoamerica.com/sw4e/, 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.

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.

Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One and Xbox LIVE are registered trademarks or trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.

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

Akira, Sarah, Pai and Jacky characters © SEGA. Virtua Fighter is either a registered trademark or trademark of SEGA Corporation

MASSIVE-SCALE RTS ASHES OF THE SINGULARITY HITS BETA 2, INCLUDES NEW DIRECTX 12 BENCHMARK

Multiple GPU support, Asynchronous Compute, New Gameplay Features

Plymouth, MI. – February 25, 2016 – Stardock released Beta 2 of its upcoming massive-scale real-time strategy game, Ashes of the Singularity today.

Ashes of the Singularity takes place in a post-technological singularity universe in which humans have begun to colonize the stars. Now, they face a foe that threatens to annihilate them, the Substrate, a race of machines that seeks to control the same worlds that humanity is claiming.

Beta 2 includes a new DirectX 12 benchmark developed by Oxide Games as well as explicit support for new DirectX 12 features such as multiple GPUs and Asynchronous compute.

“With this update, players can improve game performance by adding another video card,” said Dan Baker, Chief Scientist at Oxide Games. “As long as the two cards are reasonably similar in performance, they can be of any model or brand including mixing AMD and NVidia cards together. Players just insert the additional video card and enable it via the game’s video options panel.”

The new benchmark is accessible by users from the main menu with different display preferences available from the options menu.

“Stardock and Oxide are doing great work taking advantage of Windows 10 with DirectX 12 features such as asynchronous compute and multiple GPUs,” said Kevin Unangst, Senior Global Director, PC Gaming at Microsoft. “Their new DirectX 12 benchmark lets gamers see how their systems perform with actual gameplay.”

In addition, Beta 2 also greatly improves on the already well received artificial intelligence (AI) first scene in Beta 1.

“Ashes of the Singularity isn’t just a battle, it’s a war across an entire world,” said Brad Wardell, Executive Producer of Ashes of the Singularity. “As visually stunning as the game can be, the success of the game is dependent on the gameplay. That’s why we’re investing so much into making sure the computer opponents are such worthy adversaries.”

Beta 2 is now available in Early Access on both Steam and GOG. It includes single player skirmish, co-op multiplayer, and ranked multiplayer.

To learn more about Ashes of the Singularity visit www.ashesofthesingularity.com.

Screenshots

Screenshot 1  |  Screenshot 2  |  Screenshot 3  |  Screenshot 4  |  Screenshot 5

About Stardock: Stardock is a developer and publisher of PC games and desktop software founded in 1991 by nationally recognized technology expert Brad Wardell. Located in Plymouth, Michigan, Stardock is a powerful leader in the video gaming and software development world.  Its PC games include Sins of a Solar Empire, the critically acclaimed Galactic Civilizations series, and the highly anticipated upcoming Ashes of the Singularity and Offworld Trading Company. Stardock puts the user experience first through software that enriches the Windows experience for everyone from casual computer users to highly technical professionals. Products offered by Stardock include Start8, Start10, Fences, WindowBlinds, Multiplicity, and more at www.stardock.com.