Video Game Tribute Album The String Arcade Now Available as Digital Download and CD

All proceeds will support Alameda Music Project after-school program for underserved children

ALAMEDA, Calif. – February 11, 2014 – San Francisco Bay Area composer Dren McDonald is announcing the release of The String Arcade, a recording of classic video game music reimagined for string quartet. The crowdfunded album sells for $9.99 as a digital download from Loudr, iTunes, and other channels. In addition, BandCamp offers a $11.99 CD version and free streaming. (See below for store links.) All profits will be donated to the Alameda Music Project, a tuition-free afterschool program that provides intensive classical music instruction to underserved children in grades K-5.

The String Arcade is a carefully curated collection of video game music, arranged for string quartet by Dren McDonald (Ghost Recon Commander, Ravenwood Fair) and Jason Poss (Lord of the Rings film trilogy, World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King). Some tracks use a “collage” approach, slicing up and combining various themes from within a game into one piece of music while staying true to the original melody and harmony. Others are more loosely interpreted and embellished to showcase the quartet performers’ strengths. The result is an introspective listening experience that stands on its own regardless of the listener’s familiarity with the source material.

“I’ve never understood why someone would cover a song by playing it exactly like the original artist played it,” McDonald says of The String Arcade‘s unique arrangements. “A lot of thought went into choosing music that would work as an experience from top to bottom. As a point of reference, The String Arcade will probably appeal to people who enjoyed the soundtracks from games like Sword & Sworcery, Dear Esther, or Fez.”

The String Arcade‘s 15 original arrangements (plus 2 CD bonus tracks) were inspired by games from Galaga to Minecraft and performed by local Bay Area musicians, with a special appearance by the Boston-based Videri String Quartet. The eclectic track list spans decades of video game history from stand-up arcade classics, through the 8- and 16-bit eras and the golden age of 1990s adventures, to more recent hits, indie favorites, and mobile/social games. To further the goal of raising money and awareness for children’s music education, several tracks were chosen from games popular among kids including Portal 2, The Legend of Zelda, and Plants vs. Zombies.

Learn more about The String Arcade at http://www.thestringarcade.com, and about the Alameda Music Project at http://www.alamedamusicproject.org. Press who want to review The String Arcade or learn more about the project can contact [email protected].

Store Links:

• Loudr: http://www.loudr.fm/release/the-string-arcade/wvbUB
• iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-string-arcade/id805763356
• Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I6CD966/
• BandCamp (CD version & streaming): http://thestringarcade.bandcamp.com 

Advance Praise for The String Arcade:

“An incredible album which further helps legitimize how culturally significant and artistic video game music has become!” -Tommy Tallarico, Video Games Live executive producer & Game Audio Network Guild founder

“Dren takes the essence of these great game songs and transforms them into the classical style. The result is a new way of looking at these songs in a different light, and in a soothing manner.” -John Romero, game designer (Doom, Quake)

“They are, without a doubt, one my favorite musical groups working in the games field.” -Ben Prunty, composer (FTL, Gravity Ghost)

“The String Arcade‘s take on Scurvy Scallywags is a brilliant arrangement, and in such fine company with so many iconic games!” -Clayton Kauzlaric, game designer (Scurvy Scallywags in the Voyage to Discover the Ultimate Sea Shanty, Voodoo Vince)

Track Listing:

• Grasswalk (Plants vs. Zombies)
• Echos of Ecco (Ecco the Dolphin)
• Ferdinand Wanders Out For a Late Night Haircut (Pettington Park)
• Engii (FTL – Faster Than Light)
• Sonic 2 Scherzo (Sonic the Hedgehog 2)
• Outlaws Title Theme (Outlaws)
• Medicated Cow Walks the Cobbled Streets with Disgruntled Goat (Ravenshire Castle)
• Scurvy Scallywags Theme (Scurvy Scallywags in the Voyage to Discover the Ultimate Sea Shanty)
• Scabb Cemetery/International House of Mojo (The Secret of Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge)
• Altered Beast Title Theme (Altered Beast) *CD bonus track
• Optimism For an Improvement in The John Situation (original composition by Dren McDonald)
• Turret Suite (Portal 2)
• Minecraft Title Theme (Minecraft)
• TRON Arcade Medley (TRON) *CD bonus track
• Tango Down (graBLOX)
• Dance of the Space Bugs (Galaga)
• The Legend of Zelda Title Theme (The Legend of Zelda)

NAMCO BANDAI GAMES AMERICA INC. ANNOUNCES ONE PIECE: ROMANCE DAWN LAUNCHES IN THE AMERICAS TODAY 

Set Sail with the Straw Hat Crew and Seize your Chance to Become the Pirate King 

SAN JOSE, Calif., (February 11, 2014) – Leading video game publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. announced today that ONE PIECE^®: ROMANCE DAWN for the Nintendo 3DS system is now available via digital download on Nintendo eShop in the Americas. Devoted ONE PIECE fans will also be able to seize their chance to obtain a physical copy of the game as Limited Edition Individually Numbered Holographic Foil packaged units are available exclusively at GameStop, Club Namco^® and EB Games Canada. ONE PIECE: ROMANCE DAWN was developed by Three Rings Inc. and offers gamers a swashbuckling Action RPG that follows the authentic storyline of ONE PIECE, one of the highest circulating manga series created by the legendary Eiichiro Oda.

In ONE PIECE: ROMANCE DAWN, players will embark on a seafaring adventure with Luffy and the Straw Hat Crew and experience the unbreakable bond of comradeship as they battle side by side in a world filled with many dangers and foes with memorable scenes taken straight from the anime. Sail to all the familiar settings and locales from ONE PIECE such as Orange Town, Arlong Park, and Enies Lobby where they will face off against formidable enemies like Arlong, Crocodile, Magellan and more.

The Grand Tactical Battle feature engages aspiring pirates in an active turn based battle system where they will be able to pull off devastating special attacks and possibly activate a Grand Chain to connect multiple special attacks together and deal the ultimate finishing blow. As players enter the Grand Stream Action they will put their quick reactions to the test by pressing the right button at the right time to decide their own path to avoid enemy encounters or obstacles. Players will also be able to make the adventure their own as they level up and customize their favorite Straw Hat Crew members with specially crafted items forged from unique ingredients to be discovered along the way.

”ONE PIECE is a brand that has gained a strong foothold not only in Japan but globally as well with over 345 million volumes of the manga series sold worldwide,” said Chris Gilbert, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. “We are proud to bring this widely acclaimed anime and manga series to life in a thrilling RPG experience that promises to be a fun-filled adventure staying faithful to Eiichiro Oda’s popular masterpiece.”

ONE PIECE: ROMANCE DAWN is available in the Americas for the Nintendo 3DS at a MSRP of $39.99 and is rated “T” for “Teen” by the ESRB. For more information on NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. game titles and products, please visit http://namcobandaigames.com/home. Follow the ONE PIECE: ROMANCE DAWN conversation on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NamcoBandai

# # #

About NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.
NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., part of NAMCO BANDAI 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 www.namcobandaigames.com or www.facebook.com/namco

© EIICHIRO ODA/SHUEISHA, TOEI ANIMATION

License coordinated by FUNimation® Productions, Ltd.

Game @ 2013 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc. 

All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners.

Press Release © 2014 NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.

DEVOLVER DIGITAL AND FREE LIVES BECOME BEST BROS FOR BROFORCE
– Available Wherever Bros Are Sold –

Capetown, South Africa – In what industry pundits are calling the most obvious pairing ever, developer Free Lives and rogue publisher Devolver Digital are joining forces to bring Broforce to Steam Early Access in March 2014 with a full PC and console release this summer. Born during Ludum Dare 23, Broforce has been through an extended training montage over the past year and is now poised to dominate international politics and possibly end terrorism through a sheer show of force.

Broforce brings the shock and awe as gamers across the globe take control of an under-funded, over-powered paramilitary organization dealing exclusively in excessive force. Stroke your MURDER-BONER™ with up to four friends, locally and online, in non-stop, explosive run ‘n’ gun action and eliminate the terrorist forces that threaten our way of life. Adapt your tactics as you select bros from a massive roster of true 80’s and 90s action heroes, each with unique weapons and abilities. Set off incredible chain reactions of fire, napalm and limbs in the name of freedom. Then, as the dust settles, face off against each other in one of many competitive modes. Finally gain closure by answering important life questions that have been keeping you up at night: who would win in a flex-off between the Brominator and Brobocop?

“Broforce is sure to put hair on your chest, regardless of gender, and give your neck that thick, tree stump look that is coveted by all true bros,” said Devolver Digital CFO Fork Parker. “Hnnnnnng.”

In addition to the campaign and multiplayer modes in Broforce, more creative bros will be able to use the level editor to create and share their own custom playgrounds of destruction just to watch their friends tear it apart in the name of freedom and democracy.

“We’re elated to find a publisher with enough luscious chest hair and neck girth to match up with Broforce,” said Evan Greenwood, Director at Free Lives.

Follow development of Broforce via freelives.net or on Twitter @Free_Lives if you think you can handle the intensity, bro.

ASSASSIN’S CREED^® IV BLACK FLAG™ MULTIPLAYER DLC, GUILD OF ROGUES, NOW AVAILABLE

Second Downloadable Content Pack Brings Three New Characters 

London, UK — February 11, 2014 — Today, Ubisoft^® announced that the second multiplayer DLC for Assassin’s Creed^® IV Black Flag™, Guild of Rogues, is now available for Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, Xbox 360^® games and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC, and tomorrow for the PlayStation^®4 computer entertainment system and the PlayStation^®3 computer entertainment system. The Guide of Rogues multiplayer DLC is also available as part of the Season Pass.

In Guild of Rogues three new characters join the hunt, each bringing their unique set of skills to battle for the title of deadliest assassin:

• The Siren: After years at sea posing as her deceased brother, The Siren is back on land, wielding a lethal navy saber acquired in battle. Ready to put her murderous skills to action, her striking appearance distracts unsuspecting foes, giving her time to make a clean kill. That mystique coupled with her deadly saber has earned her a name that even seasoned mariners fear to utter.
• The Stowaway: Seemingly foolhardy and carefree, the Stowaway is a seasoned fighter who has survived a lifetime of battles at sea. Even better on land than on sea, his agility and gun-wielding skills leave victims unaware of the danger he brings.
• The Shaman:  Driven by forces beyond the mortal realm, he sees this world in a different light. Calm and composed, once he locks on a target he channels the forces of the supernatural to aid him in finishing off his prey with his brutal hatchet. 

Two new maps will also be available for all players to download for free on February 17:

• Kingston: Alongside Kingston resident’s sturdy, colonial houses, nimble assassins can navigate the tree-tops overlooking the young town, while the careful hunter will find shelter in the covered alleyways of the residential districts.
• Charlestown: The fan-favorite map from Assassin’s Creed III is back with a layout offering a mix of streets and open spaces, dominated by the town church. 

For more information on Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag, please visit: assassinscreed.com, www.facebook.com/assassinscreed and for specific multiplayer information visit http://assassinscreed.ubi.com/en-gb/players/multiplayer/

For the latest news on Ubisoft collectible merchandise, please visit and like the page www.facebook.com/ubicollectibles.

Goat Simulator coming to Steam this spring!

Skövde, Sweden, 11th February. For some reason, the incredibly stupid Youtube video of Goat Simulator alpha footage became a viral hit last week. Now, Coffee Stain Studios are finishing the game and releasing it on PC for Steam sooner than you think.

The new release trailer for Goat Simulator on Steam can be found on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN2QUhaKN2Q

Details:

The Swedish indie company Coffee Stain Studios was bombarded with requests last week to finish the prototype of Goat Simulator into a real game, which they described as “The next-gen goat simulation game you’ve always wanted to play”.

Goat Simulator was inspired from old-school skating games, where, instead of being a skater, you’re a goat, and instead of doing skating tricks, you wreck stuff. Charging into a table and knocking it over yields points, and if you can manage to do it while doing a backflip first and a 360 afterwards, you’ll score even more points.

“We hired a full team of free to play/mobile experts AND psychologists. They all agreed this idea was stupid, so we decided to ship it!” – Anton Westbergh, CEO.

“We’re so stoked to bring Goat Simulator to Steam! It means that we can integrate Steam Leaderboards into the game, and we’re also looking at adding Steam Workshop support so players can customize their experience even more!” – Armin Ibrisagic, Game Designer

“Goats are stupid and no one should play Goat Simulator” – Sheep worldwide

If you can’t wait to goat into the action, you can pre-order the game already at www.goat-simulator.com, which will give you a Steam code and three days early access to the game on Steam!

About Coffee Stain Studios:

Coffee Stain Studios is the indie developer and publisher behind Sanctum and Sanctum 2, the tower defense/FPS hybrid games that have sold over 1.6 million copies in total. They have also recently released Super Sanctum TD on iPad, and are now BÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ

INSPIRATIONS AND MOTIVATIONS BEHIND FRANCHISE’S BELLIGERENT NINJA EXAMINED IN EPISODE TWO OF THE YAIBA: NINJA GAIDEN Z DEVELOPER DIARY SERIES 

Team NINJA today released the second  episode of the YAIBA: NINJA GAIDEN Z developer diary series exploring the creation process of the franchise’s first cyber ninja, Yaiba Kamikaze, from conception to execution. Find out what makes Yaiba’s cybernetics tick, why Yaiba is the ninja to drink with and more with observations from Executive Producer, Yosuke Hayashi and Producer, Conceptor, Keiji Inafune, Art Director Shinsuke Komaki (comcept), Game Director, Masahiro Yasuma (comcept), Lead Game Designer, Cory Davis and Producer, John Garcia-Shelton (Spark) in “Yaiba: Ninja Badass”.

In YAIBA: NINJA GAIDEN Z, players will battle fierce zombies as Yaiba, a cyborg ninja who will do anything to get revenge and stay alive. Cleaved in two, he is brought back to life with cyber-technology. Brandishing his ninja sword and the mecha weapons in his cyber arm, he slaughters zombies with brutal, over-the-top abandon. Step into a stylized living comic book where stunning graphics depict a world gone mad. Hordes of undead can only be stopped by Yaiba’s willingness to use any means necessary to get the job done. Will he kill by turning his cyber arm into a razor chainsaw for slicing up undead—or just rip off an opponent’s arms to use as zombie nunchucks? Both possibilities fill Yaiba’s heart with twisted laughter in this upcoming collaboration between famed developers Team NINJA and comcept’s Keiji Inafune.

YAIBA: NINJA GAIDEN Z will be available for the PlayStation^®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360^® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft on March 18, 2014 and Steam® (PC) on March 21, 2014. This title been rated M (Mature) by the ESRB.

For access to the second episode of the YAIBA: NINJA GAIDEN Z developer diaries, visit: https://app.box.com/files/0/f/1602797749

More information about YAIBA: NINJA GAIDEN Z can be found at www.YaibaNGZ.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/YaibaNinjaGaidenZ and Twitter https://twitter.com/YaibaNGZ.

For more news about Team NINJA, visit http://teamninja-studio.com, and don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/teamninjastudio and follow us on Twitter @TeamNINJAStudio.

Note:

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.

EVIL IS UNLEASHED AS TECMO KOEI AMERICA LAUNCHES TOUKIDEN: THE AGE OF DEMONS FOR PLAYSTATION VITA

 Join the Hunt for Adventure and Slay Deadly Demons in the Latest Hunting Action Title

from the Creators of the Dynasty Warriors Series

BURLINGAME, Calif. – FEBRUARY 11, 2014 – TECMO KOEI America is pleased to announce today that TOUKIDEN: THE AGE OF DEMONS has shipped for the PlayStation®Vita handheld system and is available at retailers across North America and for digital download via the PlayStation®Store. Developed by Omega Force, creators of the famed Dynasty Warrior series, TOUKIDEN: THE AGE OF DEMONS casts players in the role of a Slayer, a skilled warrior charged with hunting monstrous Oni (demons) that threaten all of humanity.

“With a rich story exploring many eras of Japanese history, memorable characters, stunning visuals, complex combat system, and four-player support, TOUKIDEN: THE AGE OF DEMONS represents the most ambitious title to date from the team at Omega Force,” said Amos Ip, SVP and General Manager of TECMO KOEI America. “Following its massive success in Japan, we are very excited to be able to bring this title to gamers and fans in North America.”

TOUKIDEN: THE AGE OF DEMONS is set in a vibrant, fantasy infused representation of Japanese history spanning from the Asuka period to the final days of the Tokugawa shogunate. New Slayers will begin their journey on the frontlines of battle in the Utakata Village, build a party from a cast of memorable characters, and join the hunt for adventure with up to four friends via ad-hoc or online multiplayer.

But be warned: Defeating the Oni threat will be no small task. Utilizing the unique Targeted Destruction combat system, Slayers must master a variety of weapons and attacks, working closely with allies to systematically slash, thrust, and crush the towering Oni, piece-by-piece. From the ashes of fallen Oni, arises Mitama, the souls of legendary heroes, which Slayers can use to imbue their weapons with special abilities and attributes. With over 200 Mitama in the game, the ability to customize and combine lets Slayers bring their weapons of choice to life with the power and influence unique heroes of legend.

TOUKIDEN: THE AGE OF DEMONS is developed by Omega Force and published by Tecmo Koei. The ESRB rated “T” (Teen) game is available on the PlayStation®Vita handheld system for an MSRP of $39.99 (USD).

To access the TOUKIDEN: THE AGE OF DEMONS review kit including all of the screens, artwork and trailers for the game to, visit: https://app.box.com/s/29jh622k4hwxtq8gf227.

For more news about Toukiden: The Age of Demons visit http://www.tecmokoeiamerica.com/toukiden/   and don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/koeigames, follow our blog at www.tecmokoeiamerica.com/toukiden/ and follow us on Twitter @TecmoKoeiUS.

About TECMO KOEI AMERICA CORP:

TECMO KOEI 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 TECMO KOEI HOLDINGS CO., LTD., headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. TECMO is best known for the Dead or Alive®, Ninja Gaiden®, Tecmo Bowl®, and Fatal Frame® series. KOEI is best known for its Dynasty Warriors® and Samurai Warriors® franchises. On April 1, 2009, TECMO KOEI HOLDINGS CO., LTD was established as a result of the TECMO, LTD. and KOEI Co., Ltd. merger.

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

Nordic Games announces The Book of Unwritten Tales sequel

KING Art launches Kickstarter to push boundaries of the point and click genre

London, UK: 11^th February 2014: Nordic Games and KING Art have today announced a unique collaboration which will see The Book of Unwritten Tales 2 – the sequel to the much-loved 2011 adventure – released beginning of 2015.

Keen to push the boundaries of the niche point and click genre, KING Art has also launched a Kickstarter to raise funds to develop additional on-top content for the game.

View The Book of Unwritten Tales 2 Kickstarter page here:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kingartgames/487759540

“This is a very ambitious project”, says Martin Kreuch, Producer at Nordic Games. “The fans have been waiting for a new adventure in the world of Aventasia that continues the story of BoUT 1. We have a long and very fruitful track-record working with KING Art, which is why it is important to us to support them in any way that is needed. If KING Art wants to try out something new, why should we be hindering them in doing so? At first, it seemed strange to us thinking about an already funded game being on Kickstarter, but then we were amazed about the possibility to get direct feedback from the crowd about this additional on-top content and features.”

“We’re thrilled to be working alongside Nordic Games again on The Book of Unwritten Tales 2,” adds Jan Theysen, Creative Director, KING Art. “At a later stage of the development process – production start was in October 2012 –, we suggested to Nordic Games to add additional features (multiple ways to solve certain puzzles, optional sidequests with different outfits to customise the appearance of your character etc.) and more community communication to further improve the game. Based on our very positive experience with Kickstarter on a different project (Battle World: Kronos), we suggested involving the community directly via Kickstarter to see if these features are something that gamers would like to see in an adventure game. Every cent from the campaign goes directly into the on-top content and we are excited to see how the adventure community will react to our ambitious plans.”

Released in 2009, The Book of Unwritten Tales was highly acclaimed by press and critics alike. The sequel continues the story of the beloved protagonists of the first part and its add-on.

About BoUT 2
The story takes place one year after the events of The Book of Unwritten Tales. Our four playable characters, Wilbur the gnome mage, elven princess Ivo, adventurer Nate and his companion, the critter, all have their own problems to deal with. But then a new threat appears and the four work together to save the world of Aventasia once more.

Players will play each of our heroes individually but there are also times where two or even three characters are being played simultaneously, in order to solve some of the riddles & quests. The game features the city of Seastone and many new locations, like flying pirate cities, sunken desert-temples, the elven palace, the Seastone underground and many more.

END OF MESSAGE

Notes to Editors:

About Nordic Games GmbH
Nordic Games GmbH is a wholly owned publishing subsidiary of Nordic Games Group AB. Founded in 2011, the Vienna/Austria based company puts great emphasis on its extensive game catalogue. The core portfolio comprises products and brands which have recently been acquired from JoWooD Entertainment AG, DreamCatcher Interactive Inc., THQ Inc., Atari SAS, and further IPs and trademarks will follow.
The company will pursue the long-term goal of delivering quality products that live up to expectations of gamers worldwide. For more information, please visitwww.nordicgames.at.

About KING Art GmbH
KING Art is an award-winning independent game developer specializing in producing high quality games. They are among the leading experts on story-driven games in Germany and have produced several successful adventure games that received rave reviews by the gaming press. Since 2002 they have also been pioneers in the area of extensive browser games, and have accumulated expert knowledge during the production of more than 30 successfully completed browser game projects.