SIERRA™ LAUNCHES FUTURLAB’S VELOCITY® 2X ON XBOX ONE AND PC

Acclaimed Arcade Shooter Arrives With New Daily Challenges and All DLC From its Original Release

SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Aug. 19, 2015 – Today Sierra™ launched Velocity® 2X, the award-winning arcade shooter from independent developer FuturLab, on Xbox One and Windows PC. These new and electrifying editions of the game feature ranked daily challenge levels plus all of the bonus content contained in the “Critical Urgency” and “Dual Core” DLC from its original release on PlayStation® systems.

A light-speed action game with responsive controls, Velocity 2X flows energetically between two trigger-testing genres: a top-down vertical shooter and a side-scrolling platformer. Whether dashing through enemy strongholds in the nimble Quarp Jet or on foot, players can unleash a barrage of attacks and teleport precisely through danger in the blink of an eye, rewarding gutsy moves and quick reflexes. Competitive leaderboards rank player performance by speed, completion percentage, and overall score to support dedicated speedrunners across each of the more than 50 stages in the game.

Set in the distant future, Velocity 2X stars Lt. Kai Tana, an ace fighter pilot who must use her raw firepower, wits, and agility to battle hostile aliens and free her fellow prisoners. The adventure bursts off the screen with bold art design inspired by the classics of 80s sci-fi, as well as a variety of colorful worlds, immense boss battles, dazzling visual effects, and a pulsing techno soundtrack.

Velocity 2X is now available as a digital title on Xbox One through the Xbox Games Store and Windows PC via Steam for $19.99. It is rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and Up) by the ESRB. For more information, please visit www.velocitygame.co.uk, and follow FuturLab on Facebook and Twitter.

About Sierra

Developer-led and player-focused, Sierra publishes highly curated titles that embody best-in-class efforts from indie developers. From providing development funding and deep first-party relations to marketing and retail distribution, Sierra caters to the individual needs of each indie studio. Sierra will primarily publish on digital distribution platforms including Xbox Live, PlayStation®Network and Steam for PC. For more information, please visit www.sierra.com.

About FuturLab

FuturLab is an award-winning game studio that develops and publishes critically acclaimed titles that are hugely satisfying to play. Priding itself on developing the most engaging ideas, FuturLab always seeks to elicit three levels of response from its target audience:

1) Ooh, cool!

2) Ahh, I see!

3) Damn, that’s really clever actually…

This means a high level of accessibility, an engaging level of depth, and most importantly an elegant way of delivering an experience, so that it has a lasting impact on its audience.

©2015 Activision Publishing, Inc.  SIERRA and SIERRA with mountain design are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. “PlayStation” is a registered trademark. All other trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners.

SMITE OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES AS THE FIRST MOBA ON XBOX ONE

Over one million players joined during the beta phase, and the first major SMITE on Xbox One tournament has been set for October 16-18 at the MLG World Finals

ATLANTA – Aug. 19, 2015 – Hi-Rez Studios today announced that its free-to-play MOBA SMITE, the mythology-themed third-person action game, has officially launched on Xbox One. SMITE amassed over one million unique players during its Xbox One beta testing phase, and all purchases, progress and achievements from that period will carry over seamlessly. Newcomers can now access the complete SMITE experience* directly via Xbox Live.

“With over one million participants in our beta, there is clearly an appetite for the right MOBA on console.  MOBAs have historically been a PC-only genre, but SMITE’s action oriented gameplay is a great fit with the Xbox One controller.  The strong player retention we’ve seen during beta makes us confident that this is just the beginning for console MOBAs and console eSports” ” said Todd Harris, co-founder and COO of Hi-Rez Studios.

Additionally, SMITE will hold its first major Xbox One tournament at the Major League Gaming World Finals from Oct. 16-18 in New Orleans. Teams will compete for a spot in the MLG Pro League, as well as a $25,000 prize. The MLG Pro League consists of 6-8 teams, one of which will qualify for the SMITE  World Championship presented by Xbox One from Jan. 7-10 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta. The SWC will feature two tournaments; the Season 2 PC championship made up of 10 teams from around the world competing for a $1 million prize pool and an Xbox invitational made up of 4 teams competing for a $150,000 prize pool. All further season ticket sales will go toward additional SMITE tournament winnings.

SMITE has become a world-leading eSports franchise through its rapid growth first on PC and now as the first MOBA to launch on Xbox One. Featuring a rich and continually expanding pantheon of playable gods, SMITE offers an engaging third-person camera that pulls players directly into the action. The game rewards quick reflexes and teamwork through its emphasis on strategic thinking and tactical moves. It delivers a wide variety of gameplay modes, from traditional 5v5 multi-lane battles to smaller, single-path jousts and wide-open arenas.

SMITE’s in-game marketplace allows players to acquire new gods, cosmetic skins and more on Xbox One, and those who link their PC and Xbox One accounts will receive a free Zeus Xbox skin for use with both platforms. Additionally, players can still purchase the SMITE Founder’s Pack for $29.99 through the Xbox Games Store until Aug. 31. It includes every god currently in the game (67 so far on Xbox One) and all future gods, 400 Gems, the exclusive Ares “Soldier of Fortune” skin, and the limited Ymir “Cacodemon X” skin. A one-time account merge option lets players copy select progress and items from their PC account to Xbox One until Aug. 31.

Hi-Rez’s long-term plans to support SMITE on Xbox One include monthly new God releases, updates to content and gameplay, and UI updates including multiple language support, spectate support and much more. For the latest news from SMITE on Xbox One and PC, please visit www.SmiteGame.com, and follow the game on Facebook and Twitter.

*Xbox Live Gold account required to access online multiplayer.

About SMITE

SMITE is the online Battleground of the Gods, a mythology-themed action game for the PC and Xbox One. Since launching in Europe and North America in March 2014, SMITE has quickly established itself as one of the Top 3 games in the rapidly growing MOBA genre, with over 10 million players. Themed around gods of mythology and offering a third-person camera and more game modes than any other leading game in its genre, the game provides a unique, action-packed experience that puts the player in the thick of the action. SMITE is free-to-play on both PC and soon on Xbox One.

About Hi-Rez Studios

Atlanta-based Hi-Rez Studios was established in 2005 to create exceptional online interactive entertainment, and is now one of the largest video game studios in the Southeast United States. Its games include the squad-based shooter Global Agenda, the critically acclaimed Tribes: Ascend and SMITE, the Battleground of the Gods.  www.HiRezStudios.com

KOEI TECMO ANNOUNCES STEAM EARLY PURCHASE PERKS FOR NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION: SPHERE OF INFLUENCE! 

New details and assets released.

Hertfordshire, 18^th August 2015- KOEI TECMO Europe is pleased to announce today a series of perks for gamers who purchase Nobunaga’s Ambition: Sphere of Influence on Steam® within the first week from launch. The upcoming inaugural European release of the historical simulation/ strategy epic is slated for release across Europe on 4^th September 2015 on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and digitally on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and on PC via Steam®.

Specifically, those who purchase the game from Steam® during launch week-between the 1^st and 9^th of September- will enjoy a launch discount of €10 and receive 3 additional playable scenarios:

• ‘The God of War Descends, which tells the tale of Kagetora Nagao, 4th son of Tamekage Nagao, who replaces his weak brother as head of the Nagao clan. When the liege lords of his clan are unwilling to recognize such a young and inexperienced youth he must force them into submission and prove his superiority as a commander. This is the origin story of Kenshin, the general who became known in Japan as the “”God of War””.

• ‘Stronger than an Alliance’, which follows the stories of two young men, Takechiyo Matsudaira and Kipposhi, who will grow up to be two of the most significant figures of their time, Ieyasu Tokugawa and Nobunaga Oda. This scenario explores their time growing up together and sheds some light behind the forging of their strong alliance and friendship.

• ‘Dawn of Revolution’, in which Nobunaga finds himself caught in a struggle for control with many other powerful lords. This scenario centres on Nobunaga’s grand plan to unite the land, and the historical drama it ignited.

Koei Tecmo also released today a series of assets focusing on the civil development aspects of the game. Forming the backbone of any successful nation, urban and rural infrastructure and development offer significant assistance in the formulation and growth of the player’s domain. Investing in upgrades for the castles and towns under the player’s control, diverging funds to improve living conditions, boost agriculture, or build constructions like market places or theatres, has a direct effect on population growth and satisfaction, which in turn helps create a bigger and more successful fief with sustainable economy and a larger, more advanced army.

Each of the castles and towns can be developed separately, giving players more freedom in how to shape each of them and incorporate regional assets (i.e. seas and lakes, fertile land, mines etc) into their planning. As a result Castle Towns can grow to look very different from one another!

Additionally, players can invest in building roads that link their towns, castles, and strongholds. In this way armies can travel distances a lot faster, which presents yet another strategic choice as roads can just as easily be used by invading enemy armies.

Invest in market towns, create a cultural capital, or reinforce a stronghold; all the tactical choices you make in Nobunaga’s Ambition: Sphere of Influence will have an impact in the land and play their own part in how this magnificent historical drama unfolds.

For more Nobunaga’s Ambition: Sphere of Influence news and a first look at the trailer please visit www.facebook.com/koeigames and www.nobunagasambition.eu and follow us on twitter @koeitecmoeurope

ABOUT NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION

Having celebrated its 30^th year anniversary, ‘Nobunaga’s Ambition’ is one of the longest running franchises for Koei Tecmo Games in Japan, and during its lifetime it has received high praise by an ever-growing fan base across an array of platforms. Now, its latest chapter, ‘Sphere of Influence’, is released in Europe for the first time.

The game is named after one of the most prominent and infamous figures of the Sengoku era (Warring States) of Japanese history, Nobunaga Oda. He fought to realise his dream of a united Japan and a new world. Though he fell before his dream was accomplished he left behind a revolutionary legacy of castle towns, technological improvements, developing culture, modern warfare, a new system of economics etc.

Hailed as one of the best instalments in the franchise’s history, this extremely intricate, deep, and meticulous strategy game is set against a backdrop of a fragmented nation and asks the player to take up the mantle of a Daimyo, a feudal lord of the Sengoku era (15^th– 16^th century Japan), who will fight for the great ideal of uniting the war-ridden country under one rule, thus becoming Shogun.

ABOUT KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD.

KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD. is a publisher of interactive entertainment software for current generation consoles, handhelds and digital download content based in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, UK. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of KOEI TECMO HOLDINGS CO., LTD., headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. TECMO is best known for the Dead or Alive® and Ninja Gaiden®series. KOEI is best known for its Dynasty Warriors® and Samurai Warriors® franchises. On April 1, 2009, KOEI TECMO HOLDINGS CO., LTD was established as a result of the TECMO, LTD. and KOEI Co., Ltd. merger. More information about KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD and its products can be found at www.koeitecmoeurope.com

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

LEGO® Dimensions™ Reveals Scooby-Doo Gameplay for Fans of All Ages

In a new video featuring Scooby-Doo and Shaggy, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment revealed today gameplay featuring everyone’s favourite Mystery, Inc. characters in LEGO Dimensions, the upcoming entertainment experience that merges physical LEGO brick building with interactive console gameplay. For the first time in a LEGO videogame, the Scooby-Doo gameplay combines the distinctive, blocky LEGO art style with the cel-shaded look of the original, animated cartoons. The LEGO Dimensions Starter Pack includes a complete, mission-based Scooby-Doo level that Batman, Wyldstyle and Gandalf must traverse in their quest to stop Lord Vortech and save the LEGO Multiverse.

View the trailer online here,

For Scooby-Doo fans that want to customize their LEGO Dimensions experience, it was also announced that a Scooby-Doo Team Pack which includes LEGO Scooby-Doo and LEGO Shaggy minifigures, plus a LEGO Mystery Machine and LEGO Scooby Snack, will be available at the launch of the Starter Pack.  Scooby-Doo and Shaggy each have their own abilities and the Mystery Machine and Scooby Snack can be physically built and then rebuilt twice for a total of three different objects that do entirely different things in the digital game for massive variety. Either character can also unlock the Scooby-Doo Adventure World, an open-world environment which provides additional open world gameplay content separate from the game’s main story which allows players to explore iconic Scooby-Doo locations, race, solve puzzles, and more.

All expansion packs provide gamers the opportunity to use every character, vehicle and gadget interchangeably, anywhere throughout the game. Players can bring up to seven toys into the LEGO Dimensions game all at once by placing them on the LEGO Toy Pad to create extreme gameplay cross-overs, such as Scooby-Doo piloting the Batmobile through Springfield!

Launching September 28, 2015, LEGO Dimensions will be available for Xbox One, the all-in one games and entertainment system from Microsoft and the Xbox 360 games and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation4 and PlayStation3 computer entertainment systems and the Wii U system from Nintendo.

Follow LEGO Dimensions at:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LEGODimensions

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/LEGODimensions (@LEGODimensions)

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/LEGODimensions (@LEGODimensions)

Tumblr: http://LEGODimensions.tumblr.com

THE BELOVED MOBILE GAME FRANCHISE DOODLE GOD IS COMING TO STEAM & XBOX ONE

New Features Highlighted by Tournament Multiplayer and Planet Modes Added to Steam Version This September

San Francisco, California – August 19, 2015 – JoyBits LTD, a leading publisher and developer of interactive entertainment, announced today that its award-winning, ever-popular puzzle game Doodle God,is coming to Steam this September. The Doodle Series of games has achieved more than 180 million downloads in more than 150 countries and Doodle God for Steam delivers exciting new features including the first ever Tournament Multiplayer Mode.

Watch the Doodle God teaser trailer HERE: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEE64AOa4oc

 
Play Tournament Mode online with friends to test one’s divine knowledge.

“Doodle God has seen tremendous success on mobile platforms and we are ecstatic to bring the game to Steam,” said Paul Baldwin, CEO of JoyBits. “With the new tournament mode, state of the art graphics, and much more, it’s safe to say this is the best version of Doodle God ever.”

In Doodle God players mix and match different elements starting with fire, earth, wind and air to ultimately create an entire world filled with skyscrapers, aliens, and more. With the new “Planet” mode feature, as each new element is created, players will see the new element beautifully animated in their world. Each time a new element is successfully created, players are rewarded with the wit and wisdom of some of the greatest philosophers and comedians of all time!

Doodle God Gameplay Features:

• New online multiplayer Tournament mode – Three players can play online and test their divine knowledge
• New Planet Mode: Gamers can watch their world come alive as they play
• Fun and challenging modes: Mission and Artifacts, Puzzle, and Quests
• Utilize fire, wind, earth and air to create a personalized Universe
• Create more than 300 elements, concepts, advanced creatures, and more
• Tons of achievements
• Mini-games galore!

Doodle God is slated to launch on PC via Steam on September 2015. The Doodle God franchise will be coming to Xbox One in 2016.  For more information on JoyBits, like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter and visit them on the Web.

# # #

ABOUT JOYBITS, LTD.

With more than 180 million downloads, the award-winning ‘Doodle’ series of apps including Doodle God, Doodle Kingdom, Doodle Creatures, Doodle Devil & Doodle Farm have become one of the world’s most beloved puzzle franchises for gamers of all ages. Combining classic mix-and-match gameplay with clever world building mechanics, the Doodle series puts the power of creation in gamer’s hands. The Doodle series of apps are some of the highest rated apps available today, and combined, have tallied more than 600 years of gameplay enjoyed by fans from 150 countries. The Doodle series is available for iOS and Android devices, in addition to Windows phones, Windows8, Facebook, and numerous other platforms. JoyBits is headquartered in London, England, with an office in San Francisco, California.

Doodle God™, Doodle Devil™, Doodle Farm™, Doodle Kingdom™ & Doodle Creatures™ are registered trademarks of JoyBits LTD. Used under license from JoyBits LTD.

Montreal, Quebec, Canada (August 19, 2015) Strategy First Inc, a PC and Mobile games publisher celebrating its 26th year, is proud to announce a partnership with the veteran team at Tiny Rebel Games.

Tiny Rebel Games is committed to using its 25 years of experience in blockbuster games to partner in the creation of FlatOut 4: Total Insanity. The studio is committed to providing services in all areas of the development and promotion cycle and will work closely with Strategy First and Kylotonn Entertainment.

Tiny Rebel Games is the creator of the award-winning Doctor Who: Legacy game for mobile and is the partnership of Susan Cummings and Lee Cummings, who have been instrumental to the creation of a number of the biggest console franchises of the last two decades including the Grand Theft Auto™ series, Midnight Club™, Bioshock™, and Borderlands™. The Tiny Rebel Games team are incredibly excited about the collaboration with Strategy First and Kylotonn and are anxious to unveil FlatOut 4: Total Insanity to fans of the franchise.

“We’ve been fans of the Flatout franchise for years now for its focus on fun, accessible, over the top combative racing.  The Kylotonn team brings tremendous experience in racing, and with them we hope to deliver a new FlatOut experience which pays homage to what fans love about the franchise yet goes beyond it in outrageousness, richness of environment and design, and community involvement” says Lee Cummings, Creative Director of Tiny Rebel Games.

With this new FlatOut game, fans can expect an unsurpassed degree of visibility into the design of the game and expect a variety of ways to chime in and make themselves heard about what THEY want from their FlatOut game experience.

Tiny Rebel Games has a tremendous reputation for delivering renowned, high quality production values and love to all of their projects and also for their unique focus on bringing the game community into the design of the game. Their background on some of the greatest racing games will only benefit FlatOut 4. We are confident that Kylotonn, SFI and Tiny Rebel Games–together with the online game community–will create an exciting immersive derby racing game.  FlatOut 4: Total Insanity will have everything that you already love about FlatOut and a whole lot more.

for their favorite classic FlatOut track to be used as inspiration for a brand new track in FlatOut 4.To kick off our involvement with the game community, we invite players to visit the FlatOut page to cast their vote

Tiny Rebel, Kylotonn, and Strategy First will provide further updates, comments and look forward to the online gaming community’s feedback. 

About Strategy First Inc. 

Strategy First celebrating its 26^th anniversary is a worldwide publisher of entertainment software for the PC and Mobile platforms.  The company is known for its proprietary breaking titles, such as the award winning “FlatOut Racing” ™ ‘Ghost Master’ ™ and critically acclaimed 3^rd party games “S.C.S. Dangerous Waters” ™ The company provides unique opportunity for independent developers who would like to market and release their games to a worldwide audience. Opportunities include work for hire, financing of a product and general publishing opportunities. Visit us today at www.strategyfirst.com

About Tiny Rebel Games LLC

Tiny Rebel Games LLC is a publisher and developer of richly designed and addictive games for mobile, console and other platforms.  The latest partnership venture for husband and wife team Lee Cummings and Susan Cummings, Tiny Rebel Games is the culmination of over a decade of work together across a broad variety of genres and platforms, including design and production contributions to such blockbuster successes as the Grand Theft Auto™ series, Bioshock™, Borderlands™, and Bully™.

The most anticipated Rugby League game to date, Rugby League Live 3 to be released 17th September in UK

London, United Kingdom – August 19, 2015 – The next exciting Rugby League instalment from Tru Blue Games and Big Ant Studios, released by Alternative Software in the UK will be available from 17^th September on PS4, Xbox One, PS3 and Xbox 360.

Rugby League Live 3 – Official Trailer: https://youtu.be/nr4yJx1QgWg

“We are delighted and very excited to be releasing another quality Rugby League game in the UK”, said Roger Hulley Managing Director Alternative Software Ltd, “Plus this time it is of even more interest to Rugby League fans, as it will be the first time their favourite sport has appeared on New Gen”

Rugby League Live 3 includes an improved Career mode and “Be A Pro”, where players can take a Forward or a Back through the ranks of an U20 team into a full professional squad. Players can view and get right into the action through a vastly improved Instant Replay System including super slow-mo and user defined camera placement.

Enhancements of online play include filtering by locality and Online Tournaments have been implemented. As well as dynamic time of day lighting with full sun movement and weather system giving dusk to night progress and mid game rain – resulting in a more realistic Rugby match day experience.

Rugby League Live 3 has all the latest rosters, team uniforms and rule changes, which are all updated from the 2014/2015 season. Players have a wide variety of teams to choose from, with over 100 teams from Rugby League competitions around the world, including the NRL, Super League, Holden Cup, and many more.

A new Experience System earns badges and experience both online and off to raise players to the top of the leaderboards. Fan-Hub Player Sharing allows players to create their own players and teams and share them online across all supported platforms. Dynamic Tackling System gives players the ability to Fend and break tackles making their way past multiple defenders, as well as with the use of the new dynamic Struggle and Drag system to burst over the line to score or alternatively drag them into touch.

Rugby League Live 3 features:

• Rules – Latest rule updates including Auckland 9’s.
• Teams – Over 100 teams from Rugby League competitions around the world including the NRL, Super League, Holden Cup, and many more.
• Career Mode – Infinite career mode, play as a rookie, coach or jump in and play as a recognised star player.
• Instant Replay System – New feature which includes super slow-motion and user defined camera placement – gets you right into the action!
• Tackling – Dynamic tackling system that now includes the ability for drag and drive tackles.
• Online – Enhanced online play, features up to 16 player online tournament.
• Lighting – Totally dynamic time of day lighting with full sun movement and weather system.
• Experience System – Earn experience both on and offline to rise to the top of the leaderboards.
• Fan-Hub Player Sharing – Create your own players and teams and share them online across all supported platforms.

For further information on Alternative Software and other titles, please visit the official website at:-
www.alternativesoftware.com

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About Alternative Software
First established in 1985, Alternative Software will soon be celebrating its 30th Anniversary and is considered one of the major companies in the UK computer industry. Having over 300 titles to its name, the company is still a growing global success.

Alternative Software originally created games for major computer platforms such as Atari, Spectrum, Commodore and Amstrad in the mid to late 80’s, titles including Soccer Boss, Skool Daze, and BMX Ninja. Other successful titles released included award winning children’s character games, including Thomas the Tank Engine. In recent times the company has released several “Top Forty” video games on PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox, Xbox 360, Sony PSP, Sony Vita and Nintendo Wii as well as on PC. In association with Australian company, HES (Home Entertainment Supplies) Alternative recently launched Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge, Rugby League Live 2 and Rugby Challenge 2 Lions Tour Edition to tremendous consumer and critical reception.

Alternative Software is also involved with major film companies, gaining the rights to produce software for huge films such as The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Shrek, Madagascar, Wallace & Gromit, Transformers, Marvel Heroes, plus many more.