NEXT GAMES AND AMC’S THE WALKING DEAD: NO MAN’S LAND TOPS APP STORE CHARTS AROUND THE WORLD IN ITS OPENING WEEKEND

The Official Mobile Game of the TV Show Hits #1 Free Game in 13 Countries with Over 1 Million Downloads in Its First Weekend Alone and Keeps Charting Glowing Reviews: Over 2,200 Reviews with an Exceptional Average Rating of 4.63 out of 5

NEW YORK, NY / HELSINKI, FINLAND – October 13, 2015 – AMC and Next Games released The Walking Dead: No Man’s Land, the official mobile game based on AMC’s record-breaking TV series, for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch on October 8^th, and the game quickly skyrocketed to the #1 spot on Apple’s Top Free App chart for both iPhone and iPad in the United States and 11 other countries, including the United Kingdom, Brazil and Germany.

The Walking Dead: No Man’s Land also earned the #1 spot on Apple’s Top Free Game chart in 13 countries in its opening weekend and keeps climbing up the charts in additional territories. The Walking Dead: No Man’s Land was downloaded over 1 million times in the first three days alone, drawing over 2,200 user reviews with an average rating of 4.63 out of five. Close to 80% of players gave the game the full five-star rating.

“We’re thrilled that so many people are enjoying The Walking Dead: No Man’s Land along with the launch of season six,” said Mac McKean, senior vice president of digital media for AMC and SundanceTV. “We worked closely with Next Games to give fans a mobile game that’s entertaining and true to the world of ‘The Walking Dead.’”

“Our early success speaks to the power of the unique collaboration between AMC and Next Games’,” said Teemu Huuhtanen, CEO at Next Games. “The huge amount of positive reviews within just the first days confirms we have succeeded in creating a beautiful game that resonates with gamers and ‘The Walking Dead’ fans alike. This is only the beginning – we are listening to player feedback carefully and have a strong road map of content and features to roll out.”

Here is more data on The Walking Dead: No Man’s Land opening weekend in the App Store:

• Over 1,000,000 downloads during the opening weekend
• #1 iPhone & iPad Free App in the U.S. App Store
• #1 Free App in 12 countries
• #1 Free Game in 13 countries
• #1 Role Playing Game in 117 countries
• 31 million minutes played
• 50 million walkers killed
• 5 million missions completed
• 5 million videos watched
• Top 10 countries by installs: United States, Thailand, United Kingdom, France, Canada, Vietnam, Brazil, Italy, Philippines and Germany

The Walking Dead: No Man’s Land is available to download for free on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch: http://getnomansland.com. It will be available for Android in the coming weeks.

AMC’s “The Walking Dead” is the highest rated basic cable program in the history of television and the #1 show on TV in the U.S. among adults 18-49 for three years in a row. The series kicked off its sixth season on Sunday, October 11.

For more information, please visit www.thewalkingdeadnomansland.com.

PSYONIX UNLEASHES ROCKET LEAGUE “REVENGE OF THE BATTLE-CARS” DLC TODAY

Premium Downloadable Content Comes With Vehicles, Decals, and Rocket Trails, Plus Free Maps, Flags, and More

SAN DIEGO, CA – October 13, 2015 – Independent video game developer and publisher, Psyonix, announced today that Rocket League, the sports-action game that has surprised and delighted the worldwide gaming community, will receive the new DLC Pack “Revenge of the Battle-Cars,” available now on PlayStation™Network and Steam PC.

The DLC pack features “Scarab” and “Zippy,” two fan-favorite vehicles from Rocket League’s predecessor, Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars (SARPBC). New Paint Types, Decals, Rocket Trails, Toppers, Antennas, Wheels, Trophies and Achievements are also included. Revenge of the Battle-Cars will retail for $3.99 USD or its regional equivalent.

Two alternate variations of existing Rocket League arenas: Urban Station (Night) and Utopia Coliseum (Dusk), are also available to all players for FREE, whether they’ve purchased DLC or not. New Video Game Antennas and Community Flags are part of the FREE portion of the update as well.

The official Rocket League: Revenge of the Battle-Cars DLC Pack trailer can be found in the links highlighted below:

• Watch the new Rocket League Revenge of The Battle Cars DLC Pack Video on YouTube HERE: https://youtu.be/U3lcOlXt1IY 

The Complete Revenge of the Battle-Cars DLC Pack Includes:

• 2 New Classic SARPBC Cars (Scarab and Zippy)
• 12 New Decals (Six for Each New Car)
• 3 New Paint Types (Toon Glossy, Toon Matte, Toon Wood)
• 2 New Wheels (Scarab and Zippy)
• 2 New Rocket Boosts (Accelerato and Battle-Stars)
• 4 New Toppers (Cavalier,  Locomotive, Pixelated Shades, Shark Fin)
• 2 New Antennas (Retro Balls from the Original Game)
• 5 New Trophies (PS4) and Achievements (Steam)

Rocket League is one of the most critically-acclaimed games of the summer, boasting a community that is already more than 6 million players strong. Available digitally on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system via PlayStation®Network and on PC via Steam, Rocket League brings gamers a high-powered hybrid of arcade-style soccer and vehicular mayhem. Offering easy-to-understand controls and fluid physics-driven competition for 1-8 players, Rocket League boasts more than 10 billion possible garage customizations, giving players the opportunity to distinguish their Battle-Cars in either local or online play, while showing them off in a broadcast-quality replay viewer that perfectly complements the video-editing capabilities of PlayStation® SHAREfactory™.

The multiplayer-focused successor to 2008’s Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars, Rocket League uses an advanced physics system to simulate realistic interactions, relying on mass and momentum to give players a complete sense of intuitive control in an unbelievable, high-octane re-imagining of association football. Players can breeze through the tutorial and play solo in the all-new Season Mode or vie against the AI in multiple team formations and difficulty settings. Up to four people can compete in two-to-four-player splitscreen action as well, with up to eight total players battling it out online (in Ranked, Unranked, or Private Matches) on dedicated servers located all over the world.

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

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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, Nosgoth, and the recently-released futuristic Sports-Action hit, Rocket League.

For more information, visit www.psyonix.com.

Jackbox Games Releases The Jackbox Party Pack 2

YOU DON’T KNOW JACK® Studio’s Sequel to the Ultimate Game Night Bundle Features Five New Titles

CHICAGO – Oct. 13, 2015 – Jackbox Games, the independent developer of YOU DON’T KNOW JACK®, has launched The Jackbox Party Pack 2, a rib-tickling collection of competitive local multiplayer party games. Like its predecessor, last year’s The Jackbox Party Pack, everything in this bundle can be played using a phone, tablet or computer as a controller through Jackbox.tv, and only one user needs to own the game for all to participate. In addition, some titles in the pack allow an audience of up to 10,000 spectators to participate and affect each match via online live stream.

Five hilariously irreverent new games make up The Jackbox Party Pack 2, three of which are completely original. Bidiots (3-6 players) is an absurd art auction game where players draw masterpieces on their touchscreens. Earwax (3-8 players) challenges party-goers to match quirky prompts with the best sound effects from their personal stashes. And Bomb Corp. (1-4 players) is a nail-biting competition to try to avoid being exploded into bits.

The Jackbox Party Pack 2 also includes two massive updates on fan-favorite Jackbox hits. Fibbage 2 (2-8 players), the sequel to the massively popular bluffing game, features over 500 questions, more than twice the content found in Fibbage. Quiplash XL (3-8 players) is a supersized bundle of everything from the original Quiplash and the first Quip Pack, plus over 100 entirely new say-anything prompts.

Moreover, The Jackbox Party Pack 2 delivers a number of enhancements on its predecessor. Audience play mechanics let spectators play along and even influence the outcomes of certain games, including Fibbage 2, Quiplash XL and Earwax. Many of the titles included in the collection have timers that can be extended to make it easier for participants to play together remotely on live streams. Jackbox has also introduced a family filter for those who wish to dial down the pack’s most provocative content.

The Jackbox Party Pack 2 arrives today as a digital release on the PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems via the PlayStation®Store, Xbox One through the Xbox Games Store, and Windows and Mac via Steam for $24.99. It is also available on the Apple Mac App Store, Amazon Fire TV and Google’s Android TV. This product is rated T (Teen) by the ESRB. The titles within this pack are accessible in English only. For the latest from Jackbox Games, please visit www.jackboxgames.com, and follow the studio on Facebook, Twitter and Twitch.

About Jackbox Games

Jackbox Games, formerly Jellyvision Games, is a developer and publisher of games on major gaming platforms and home entertainment devices. The studio is best known for comedic party games like YOU DON’T KNOW JACK, Fibbage, and their recent Kickstarter-funded hit Quiplash. YOU DON’T KNOW JACK has been called “the greatest quiz-show game ever made” by The Onion’s A.V. Club and “triumphant, hilarious, even enlightening” by The New York Times. All of Jackbox’s current-generation games feature the innovative “mobile devices as controllers” concept, allowing anyone with an internet-connected phone, tablet, or even laptop to join a game without the need for extra game controllers. Players connect to games on their devices by going to http://jackbox.tv and entering the custom game code displayed via the console, PC, or home entertainment system that is actually hosting the game. This unique concept also allows for games that involve secret player input, such as typing in words or drawing on devices. The digital release of The Jackbox Party Pack – a massive collection of five of these party games – was named “Best Local Multiplayer Game of the Year” by Giant Bomb. The company is located in Chicago, Illinois.

PARTY WITH THE MINIONS IN MINIONS PARADISE,AN ALL NEW GAME AVAILABLE NOW ON MOBILE

Game Introduces Fans to Phil, a New Minion Exclusive to Minions Paradise

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – October 13, 2015 – It’s time to get this party started! Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA), Illumination Entertainment, and Universal Partnerships & Licensing today announced that Minions Paradise™ is available now as a free download* in the App Store ^SM and on Google Play.

As part of an unprecedented creative collaboration between the game makers at EA and the film makers at Illumination Entertainment, the creators of the sweet yet subversive Minions and force behind the Despicable Me global film franchise, Minions Paradise introduces players to Phil, a totally new Minion created exclusively for the game. It also features a variety of lively animations that bring all the humor and mayhem of the Minions to life. Designed to grow over time with the Minions universe, Minions Paradise will provide players with new gaming experiences for years to come.

Minions Paradise takes players on the vacation of a lifetime. When Phil sinks the cruise ship carrying his Minion buddies, he must turn a deserted tropical island into the perfect paradise for his pals. In Minions Paradise, players find fun and surprises around every corner of their own private retreat, as they’re invited to:

PARTY WITH YOUR FAVORITE MINIONS

Phil’s turning the island into a party-paradise and you’re invited – along with Kevin, Stuart, and Bob from the MINIONS movie! Help Phil organize the ultimate Minion party and see how it transforms your island into the perfect getaway.

UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVITY

Customize your island with hot tubs, hammocks, and beach volleyball courts. Plant firefly trees, harness power from electric eels, and grow bushels of bananas to make an island paradise for Phil and his Minion buddies.

EXPLORE YOUR PARADISE

The more land you get, the more fun your Minions will have! You can also become an expert at alligator waterskiing, throw mangoes from hot air balloons, and even dive off waterslides.

TAKE VILLAINOUS VACATIONS

All Minions need a villainous boss to serve! Aid Phil in building a special resort for all your favorite villains from the MINIONS movie. Help these despicable characters enjoy paradise while putting their own dastardly plans into motion.

For news and updates on Minions Paradise visit www.minionsparadise.com, Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

*Network fees may apply and includes in-app purchases

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About MINIONS

The story of Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s MINIONS begins at the dawn of time.  Starting as single-celled yellow organisms, Minions evolve through the ages, perpetually serving the most despicable of masters.  Continuously unsuccessful at keeping these masters—from T. rex to Napoleon—the Minions find themselves without someone to serve and fall into a deep depression.

But one Minion named Kevin has a plan, and he—alongside teenage rebel Stuart and lovable little Bob—ventures out into the world to find a new evil boss for his brethren to follow.

The trio embarks upon a thrilling journey that ultimately leads them to their next potential master, Scarlet Overkill (Academy Award^® winner Sandra Bullock), the world’s first-ever female super-villain.  They travel from frigid Antarctica to 1960s New York City, ending in mod London, where they must face their biggest challenge to date: saving all of Minionkind…from annihilation.

Featuring a soundtrack of hit music from the ’60s that still permeates our culture today, Minions is produced by Illumination’s Chris Meledandri and Janet Healy, and is directed by Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda.  Brian Lynch has written the screenplay for the 3D-CG comedy adventure, and Chris Renaud serves as executive producer of the film.  www.minionsmovie.com

About Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. The Company delivers games, content and online services for Internet-connected consoles, personal computers, mobile phones and tablets. EA has more than 300 million registered players around the world.

In fiscal year 2015, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $4.5 billion. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, EA is recognized for a portfolio of critically acclaimed, high-quality blockbuster brands such as The Sims™, Madden NFL, EA SPORTS™ FIFA, Battlefield™, Dragon Age™ and Plants vs. Zombies™. More information about EA is available at www.ea.com/news.

EA SPORTS, The Sims, Dragon Age, Plants vs. Zombies and Battlefield are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. and its subsidiaries. John Madden, NFL and FIFA are the property of their respective owners and used with permission. App Store is a Service Mark of Apple Inc.

About Illumination Entertainment

Illumination Entertainment, founded by Chris Meledandri in 2007, is one of the entertainment industry’s leading producers of all-audience event films. In July 2010, Illumination, which has an exclusive financing and distribution partnership with Universal Pictures, released its first film, Despicable Me, starring Steve Carell, which earned more than $540 million worldwide and launched a beloved global franchise. With the success of 2011’s Hop (over $183 million worldwide), 2012’s Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax and 2013’s juggernaut Despicable Me 2— the highest-grossing first-run film in Universal’s history and the year’s third-highest-grossing film at the worldwide box office—Illumination’s films have made almost $2 billion. Universal and Illumination’s next film Minions, starring Academy Award®-winner Sandra Bullock and Jon Hamm, written by Brian Lynch, and directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud, arrives in theaters on July 10, 2015. Fans may also experience Minion Mayhem in 3D with the Ultra-HD movie motion simulator adventure at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood.

About Universal Partnerships & Licensing

Universal Partnerships & Licensing (UP&L) oversees NBCUniversal’s consumer product licensing, film, home entertainment and television promotions, and corporate alliances for Universal’s theatrical, home entertainment, television, theme parks and stage productions. This dedicated division is also responsible for monetizing the company’s vast library of films and characters through licensing, branding and marketing opportunities. UP&L is part of NBCUniversal. NBCUniversal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, world renowned theme parks, and a suite of leading Internet‐based businesses. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

Minions Paradise is a trademark and copyright of Universal City Studios LLC. Licensed by Universal Studios Licensing LLC. All Rights Reserved.

The Scariest School Season Ever has Started— First Semester Concludes with Corpse Party: Blood Drive 

XSEED Games Launches Cult Favorite Horror Anthology Finale Presented in Physical Format and in 3D for the First Time

Torrance, Calif. – (October 13, 2015) – XSEED Games, the independent-minded console publishing brand of Marvelous USA, Inc., today announced that Corpse Party: Blood Drive has launched in North America exclusively for the PlayStation®Vita handheld entertainment system. For the first time ever in the Corpse Party series, the title has been released in physical format with the “Everafter Edition.” A standard edition of the game is also available digitally via PlayStation™Store.

Corpse Party: Blood Drive closes out the “Heavenly Host Elementary” storyline in this cult favorite visual novel-style horror anthology series. The final installment of the supernatural story that began with Corpse Party and continued in Corpse Party: Book of Shadows, Corpse Party: Blood Drive ups the ante by allowing players to explore Heavenly Host Elementary in full 3D for the very first time, with all of its formerly 2D environments meticulously recreated and greatly expanded.

New gameplay systems provide even more exciting interactions for players experiencing the gruesome finale to this tale of an inescapable, otherworldly school populated by vengeful spirits, including a dynamic lighting system aided by an in-game flashlight, talismans to protect the player characters from danger, deadly traps to disarm, cabinets to hide in, a stamina system that allows for limited dashing, and much more.

Presented with the original Japanese voiceovers for authenticity, Blood Drive features the return of previously offered gameplay elements such as binaural 3D audio for simulated surround sound and the screen-altering “Darkening” system, as well as bonus unlockables such as voice actor interviews, art, music, and more. Boasting 11 huge story chapters and 8 supplemental “Extra Chapters,” Corpse Party: Blood Drive caps off the Heavenly Host storyline in a big way, providing answers and shocking twists in equal measure.

Published in North America by XSEED Games, Corpse Party: Blood Drive is available exclusively for the PS Vita. The limited “Everafter Edition” (physical version only) is available for a suggested retail price of $49.99. The  “Everafter Edition” contains a two-disc compilation of songs from Corpse Party, Corpse Party: Book of Shadows, and Corpse Party: Blood Drive, as well as a “Dying Art” grimoire featuring over 100 pages of artwork from throughout the franchise. The game is also available digitally via PlayStation™Store for $39.99. This title has been rated “M” for Mature by the ESRB. More information on the game can be found at the newly launched website http://www.corpsepartyblooddrive.com

For more information on XSEED Games products, please visit www.xseedgames.com. Fans can also follow XSEED Games on Facebook at www.facebook.com/XSEEDGames and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/XSEEDGames.

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ESRB Guidelines for Corpse Party: Blood Drive

*This trailer/video may only be displayed if it is behind an age-gate that: (1) is age-neutral (i.e., requires the user to input their date of birth or select it from a drop-down bar); (2) employs reasonable technical measures to keep underage users from re-entering their age after initially being denied access; and (3) does not display any ESRB rating information on the video player or the age-gate itself. Failure to implement these requirements may jeopardize your ability to obtain material of this nature from us in the future.

DUNGEON DEFENDERS II GOES FREE-TO-PLAY ON PC

Trendy Entertainment’s Action-Tower Defense Game Hits Open Alpha Development Milestone on Steam Early Access

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Oct. 13, 2015 – Trendy Entertainment has announced that Dungeon Defenders II, its action-tower defense game, is now available as a free-to-play open alpha on PC via Steam Early Access.

Open alpha arrives on PC on the heels of last week’s new “Ascension” patch, which plays with Dungeon Defenders II in some fun ways. Towers are now bigger and stronger, and enemies have been rebalanced to match the challenge. In addition, weapons are more powerful and feature new variations in attack patterns and speed to fit players’ individual tastes. Player choice is supported even further by the introduction of the Stat Allocation System, allowing players to choose where to place stat points as they level up. “Ascension” also includes a new Huntress build, costumes and more.

But that’s only Part One! Part Two of the “Ascension” update, expected for release on Oct. 27, will roll out two new holiday-themed maps and a fresh Incursion, as well as new minibosses, hero builds, and spooky costumes, among other improvements.

Dungeon Defenders II is a third-person action-strategy game featuring classic role-playing elements like loot, leveling, pets and more. Players must build the ultimate champions and tactical defenses to protect the magical realm of Etheria from the invading waves of the Old Ones’ armies. The game advances the original Dungeon Defenders experience with new combat systems and abilities, supporting modes for single-player and four-person online cooperative multiplayer.

Dungeon Defenders II entered Steam Early Access late last year, and feedback from players has been instrumental in evolving the game since then. Today’s move to a free open alpha on Steam is the next step in Trendy Entertainment’s ultimate goal: officially launching Dungeon Defenders II as a free-to-play title supported by ethical in-game microtransactions on PlayStation®4, PC, Mac and Linux.

PC players who join Dungeon Defenders II during open alpha and beyond can purchase currency packs on Steam in order to obtain special cosmetic items and more. Open alpha marks the end of full wipes for player progression, though limited resets and/or rerolls may arise based on continuing developments to the game. For more information as the title develops, please visit www.DungeonDefenders.com, and follow www.facebook.com/DungeonDefenders and www.twitter.com/TrendyEnt.

About Trendy Entertainment

Trendy Entertainment is an independent video game development studio based in Gainesville, Fla. Created by veterans of the video game industry, Trendy Entertainment is focused on developing fun and innovative video games across multiple platforms. The company believes digital distribution deserves the same AAA-quality releases as retail.

DRAGON QUEST HEROES: The World Tree’s Woe and the Blight Below arrives in Europe this week!

LONDON (13^th October, 2015) –   Square Enix Ltd., today released a brand new trailer to celebrate the launch of its exhilarating action-based RPG, DRAGON QUEST HEROES®: The World Tree’s Woe and the Blight Below™, across Europe and PAL territories on Friday. Developed in collaboration with  ω-Force (Omega Force) from KOEI TECMO GAMES and  led by a legendary trio of creators including series mastermind Yuji Horii, revolutionary composer Koichi Sugiyama and world-renowned artist Akira Toriyama, the game brings DRAGON QUEST®, a franchise with over 100 titles in Japan to-date, back to the West in full force.

To watch the official launch trailer now, visit: https://youtu.be/XTm5kv85oS0

In DRAGON QUEST HEROES: The World Tree’s Woe and the Blight Below, a dark cloud has fallen over the city of Arba, driving the once peaceful monsters into a frenzied rage.  As either the hero, Luceus, or the heroine, Aurora, players can joins forces with an iconic cast from previous DRAGON QUEST titles, including Alena, Bianca and Yangus, to bring the rampaging hordes of monsters to their senses and restore order to the kingdom! These monsters will require more than just sheer strength to overcome, however, as players will also find themselves summoning monsters to their side with the use of Monster Medals, upgrading their equipment and items by obtaining loot, and customising their characters’ skill trees in order to defeat the most formidable of foes.

For players in the West, DRAGON QUEST HEROES: The World Tree’s Woe and the Blight Belowwill also include all of the extra downloadable content previously released following the Japanese launch to enjoy for free when the game releases later this week. It will also feature both English and Japanese voice over options, giving fans the freedom to choose the audio track catered to their experience.

DRAGON QUEST HEROES: The World Tree’s Woe and the Blight Below will be available across Europe and PAL territories on 16^th October 2015 for the PlayStation®4. Those who pre-order from the SQUARE ENIX STORE will also receive an exclusive in-game DRAGON QUEST III Hero outfit, which the protagonist can wear. To pre-order please visit:  https://store.eu.square-enix.com.

Related Links:
Homepage: www.dragonquest-game.com/heroes
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DragonQuest
Twitter: @DragonQuest
Launch Trailer:  http://bit.ly/DQYoutubeblog

About Square Enix Ltd.
Square Enix Ltd., a part of the Square Enix Europe business unit, develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX, EIDOS® and TAITO® branded entertainment content in Europe and other PAL territories as part of the Square Enix Group. Square Enix Ltd. also has a global network of leading development studios such as IO Interactive™, Crystal Dynamics® and Eidos Montréal. The Square Enix Group 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 and TOMB RAIDER® which has sold over 42 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix Ltd. is a London-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.
More information on Square Enix Ltd. can be found at http://www.square-enix.com/eu/en/ .

DRAGON QUEST HEROES: The World Tree’s Woes and the Blight Below   © 2015 ARMOR PROJECT/BIRD STUDIO/KOEI TECMO GAMES/SQUARE ENIX All Rights Reserved.

DRAGON QUEST, DRAGON QUEST HEROES: THE WORLD TREE’S WOES AND THE BLIGHT BELOW, the DRAGON QUEST HEROES: THE WORLD TREE’S WOES AND THE BLIGHT BELOW LOGO, FINAL FANTASY, the FINAL FANTASY logo SPACE INVADERS and TAITO SQUARE ENIX, AND THE SQUARE ENIX are registered trademarks or trademarks of the Square Enix Group. “PlayStation” and “PS4” are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners.

UNDERWORLD ASCENDANT FIRST PROTOTYPE UNCLOAKED

OtherSide Entertainment Reveals First Prototype with a New Video, and Details on this Ultima™ Underworld Sequel

CONCORD, MASS – October 13, 2015 – In the wake of a successful Kickstarter campaign last spring, former Looking Glass co-founder Paul Neurath and his development studio OtherSide Entertainment have revealed the first in-game Prototype of the fantasy RPG Underworld Ascendant, the sequel to the landmark series, Ultima Underworld.

Watch the Prototype on YouTube HERE: youtu.be/edMlwffFfXk

A rogue’s view of the dwarven magic controlling the flow of lava in the Stygian Abyss’ Volcanic core.

In 1992, Ultima Underworld changed the rules of what a fantasy RPG could be. It introduced the concept of 3D immersion, a player-authored experience, and an open-world to explore. The game is considered one of the most innovative and renowned RPGs of its generation.

Now the game’s original creators, who founded Looking Glass Studios, and also designed the classics System Shock and Thief, are bringing the franchise forward with the next-generation sequel, Underworld Ascendant.  It not only modernizes the series’ visuals and user interface to take full advantage of the today’s powerful PCs, it innovates in bold new ways.

This new video captures actual gameplay footage of an early slice of Underworld Ascendant’s dark and fantastic Stygian Abyss, where a rogue steals a dwarven artifact that’s magically controlling the volcanic flow into the dwarf’s metallurgic works. Upon stealing it, the unarmed rogue is confronted by a powerful Shadow Beast guardian, who forces her to find resourceful means to elude and defeat it using light and darkness. This Prototype video shows only one possible scenario from a wealth of options provided by the game’s Improvisation Engine, a suite of technologies that gives players the choice author their own play styles through the game.

“We want to immerse players into a fantasy world steeped in choices, where they can author their own way through the true role-playing experience,” said Paul Neurath, founder and CEO of OtherSide Entertainment. “This video shows an early snapshot of the progress we’ve made since the Kickstarter, focused on just one aspect of gameplay, where the Shadow Beast and player are entwind in a deadly dance of light and darkness. We’ll be showing much more in the months to come.”

Key Features in Underground Ascendant Include:

• Exquisitely Realized Underworld. Plunder ancient temples, navigate subterranean rivers, gaze in wonder at the masterwork of jade dwarven halls, scale plunging ice caverns, trek through enchanted forests of giant mushrooms, dare shadowy tombs of the undead, and much more.
• Myriad of Creatures to Encounter.  Face monstrous creatures like the ripper, a vicious, ambulatory plant whose bark is prized by The Stygian Abyss’ intelligent races; stay clear of mass migrations of ravenous rotworms; dodge the giant spider’s sticky webs it casts through the air.
• Epic Narrative.  Play as The Avatar, a human newly arrived from our earth through a mystical Runegate.   Entangle yourself in a tale of intrigue and conflict as three fierce, rival factions struggle for control. Your choices will determine the ultimate fate of The Stygian Abyss. Tracy Hickman, the NYT best-selling fantasy author, will extend the narrative with an Underworld novel.
• Dynamic Factions.  Three rival factions vie for dominance in struggles that ebb and flow across The Stygian Abyss.  Dark Elves with their potent magic, the mysterious shambler “mushroom people” performing arcane rituals, dwarves producing the finest arms and armor.
• Improvisation Engine.  Delight in player-authored gameplay taken to a whole new level, with a suite of technologies that empower you to solve challenges with astonishing ingenuity. Be the ‘MacGyver’ of a fantasy world.
• Hero to Call Your Own.  Jump right in as a Fighter, Thief or Mage. Then as your Avatar grows, freely mix and match across any skills to develop a unique hero, tailored to any style of play.
• Underworld Ascendant is a True Sequel. OtherSide Entertainment has the rights to use all of the elements of the original Underworld games (except only for the Ultima brand itself.)

Created by OtherSide Entertainment, the indie development studio that garnered 13,987 backers pledging $860,356 on Kickstarter this past spring, Underground Ascendant is a next-generation fantasy RPG due on PC, Mac, and Linux in late 2016. For more information on OtherSide Entertainment, please see these key links:

Website:  https://www.underworldascendant.com/the-game/index.php

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/OtherSideEntertainment

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/OtherSide_Games

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpa4L_96ElAgH1hit3aya9w

RSS:  https://www.underworldascendant.com/includes/ua_feed.xml

Twitch:  http://www.twitch.tv/otherside_entertainment