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