NAMCO BANDAI GAMES AMERICA INC. ANNOUNCES RETAILER EXCLUSIVE PHYSICAL VERSION AND NEW ARCADE MODE FOR JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE: ALL-STAR BATTLE

Over-the-top Manga-Based 1-on-1 2D Fighting Game Lands at Amazon.com and ClubNamco.com as Online Retail Exclusive Edition

SAN JOSE, Calif., (January 30, 2014) – Leading video game publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. today announced that it will be manufacturing a limited run of physical copies for JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle to be sold exclusively at Amazon.com and ClubNamco.com within the United States this spring exclusively on the PlayStation®3 system.  In addition to the online retail edition, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle will be available digitally on the PlayStation®Network for the PlayStation 3 system.

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle is developed by famed Japanese developer CyberConnect2, best known for their hit NARUTO SHIPPUDEN™: Ultimate Ninja® series of games and has been widely praised for delivering an authentic and high quality anime experience to video games.  The studio now sets its sights on one of the most prolific and influential manga series ever with JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle, bringing the beloved manga straight from the page to the TV screen in an action-packed fighting game.  Players will be able to choose from an impressive cast of characters spanning the entire series.  Each character comes with their signature moves punctuated by dynamic camera angles to capture every highlight of the fight against computer AI or human adversaries.

The Western release of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle will feature a brand new mode not seen in the original Japanese release as well as balance changes applied to the game post-launch in Japan.  The new Arcade Mode lets players fight through eight AI controlled opponents through a series of battles.  On rare occasions, the Arcade Mode icon will switch to Harvest when connected online allowing players to earn more gold when they complete matches.

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle will be released throughout the Americas in 2014.  The Japanese version launched on August 29, 2013 with a perfect 40/40 score in Famitsu, Japan’s most popular weekly video game magazine.  For more information about JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle and the rest of NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.’s lineup please visit: http://www.namcobandaigmes.com or http://www.facebook.com/namcobandai.

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Take to the Skies for Intense Aerial Combat in the ACE COMBAT INFINITY PSN Beta Beginning on February 4^th

Your attack coordinates have been delivered, jet armed and fueled, all you have to do is climb in the cockpit on February 4^th to participate in the ACE COMBAT INFINITY beta on the PlayStation Network. Returning to its classic ACE COMBAT gameplay roots, ACE COMBAT INFINITY will take combat aces and jet jockeys on numerous missions to take out enemy bogies, cities, and more. The ACE COMBAT INFINITY Beta will feature the following:

–          Beta begins on February 4^th and runs through February 11^th

–          Experience a variety of Campaign and Co-op missions

–          Choose your “Contracts” (Power-ups to augment missions)

–          Select from a variety of Skins and Emblems to customize your war plane

–          A special bonus “Test Pilot” Emblem will be awarded to all fighter pilots that participate in the February 4^th beta

Head over to the NAMCO BANDAI Press FTP site to grab today’s ACE COMBAT INFINITY trailer and a new batch of Beta screens. You’ll find today’s trailer in the ACE COMBAT INFINITY/Trailer folder and the Beta screens in the screenshot folder

For more information on ACE COMBAT INFINITY fly on over to the ACE COMBAT Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AceCombat

SHORT PEACE AND RANKO TSUKIGIME’S LONGEST DAY ANNOUNCED FOR THE AMERICAS 

Experience the Fifth and Final Part of the Highly Acclaimed Japanese Animation SHORT PEACE Project 

SAN JOSE, Calif., (January 30, 2014) – NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. today announced that SHORT PEACE and Ranko Tsukigime’s Longest Day will be coming to the Americas in spring 2014 exclusively for the PlayStation^®3 computer entertainment system. SHORT PEACE is the highly acclaimed anime movie compilation featuring works by legendary anime artist Katsuhiro Otomo and features POSSESSIONS, which was recently nominated for an Academy Award^® for best Animated Short Film, along with three other short films titled COMBUSTIBLE, GAMBO, and A Farewell to Weapons. The fifth and final part of the SHORT PEACE project, Ranko Tsukigime’s Longest Day, is a 2D side-scrolling action game directed by Goichi Suda (Suda51) of Grasshopper Manufacture and developed by Crispy’s Inc. who also developed the well praised action game Tokyo Jungle^™. Ranko Tsukigime’s Longest Day introduces a whole new storyline featuring stunning animation, thrilling gameplay, and psychedelic visuals that will draw players into Ranko Tsukigime’s story.

By day, Ranko Tsukigime is an average high school girl who lives alone, but at night she is a deadly hitman who deftly assassinates her targets.  One fateful night as Ranko heads out to eliminate her next target, a demonic enemy organization creeps up and threatens the lives of Ranko and her friends. Players will put their reflexes and quick judgment to the test in the fast-paced platforming gameplay that will have them blazing through dangerous, obstacle-ridden environments to flee from an ominous enemy looming close behind.

With Suda51 and Crispy’s Inc. at the development helm, fans can look forward to a fantastical conclusion to the SHORT PEACE collection on par with Katsuhiro Otomo’s previous animation masterpieces. Katsuhiro Otomo is widely celebrated as an animation visionary who is most known for his popular cult film Akira, along with hit Japanese anime movies such as Steamboy and Memories. The SHORT PEACE movie and game project boasts unique visual artistry and masterful storylines that have touched audiences around the world.

“POSSESSIONS is a piece in which I realized that I was completely satisfied with myself since the staff and I honestly poured our souls into the project,” said Shuhei Morita, Director of POSSESSIONS. “We are so glad that POSSESSIONS has drawn enough international attention to earn an Oscar^® nomination and we are looking forward to the final awards ceremony.”

SHORT PEACE and Ranko Tsukigime’s Longest Day are scheduled to launch in the Americas in spring 2014 for the PlayStation^®3 system. For more information on NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. game titles and products, please visit http://namcobandaigames.com/home.

MULTIPLAYER ARENA SPORTS GAME EPIGENESIS NOW IN FREE TRIAL ON STEAM THROUGH SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2

Developer Dead Shark Triplepunch Announces Next Tournament for Feb. 21 – 23

KARLSHAMN, Sweden—Jan 30, 2014—Independent studio Dead Shark Triplepunch today announced Epigenesis, now in Beta and Early Access on Steam, is now available for free trial on Steam today until Sunday, February 2: http://store.steampowered.com/app/244590. After the trial, players can purchase the game to keep in their Steam library for $2.50—75% off the original price of $9.99—until Sunday. Epigenesis is an online multiplayer arena sports game in which two sides are locked in a never-ending fight for world-domination by playing ball.

Developer Dead Shark Triplepunch also announced the next Epigenesis tournament is scheduled for Friday, February 21 through Sunday, February. 23. More information about sign-ups will be available soon at: http://www.epigenesisthegame.com.

Tournament prizing includes:

• Three QPAD QH-90 PC gaming headsets engraved with the Epigenesis logo for the winning Team
• Three QPAD mouse pads for the 2nd place team
• Dead Shark Triplepunch T-shirts for the top three teams

Epigenesis won Make Something Unreal Live (2013) hosted by Epic Games and won Game of the Year from the. For more information about Epigenesis, please visit the website: http://www.epigenesisthegame.com.

Twitch: http://www.twitch.tv/deadsharktriplepunch
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/deadsharktriplepunch
Twitter: @DS3P

About Epigenesis
Epigenesis is an online multiplayer sports/FPS game in which two sides are locked in a never-ending fight for world domination by playing ball. In this non-lethal ballgame of the future, players leap across platforms suspended high up in the air trying to get a ball located in the middle of the arena and score goals against their opponents. Each player carries a gravity cannon capable of pushing enemies (and friends) down from the heights of the arena.

When a player scores, he receives a genetically modified super-seed and gets the opportunity to plant it onto a platform to capture it. To win the game you must capture towers and construct a node system from your goal post all the way to your opponents’ goal post. If this hasn’t happened by the time that the clock reaches zero, the team with the most scores win!

Teamwork, tactics and precision is key to win eternal glory in a game of Epigenesis!

About Dead Shark Triplepunch
Dead Shark Triplepunch is an indie developer team consisting of 10 crew members based in the city of Karlshamn, which lies in the southern parts of Sweden. They are currently working on the Non-lethal FPS Domination/Ball game Epigenesis.

About Unreal Engine
Developed by Epic Games, the award-winning Unreal Engine is known for its cutting-edge graphics technology, world-class toolset and scalability across PC, console and mobile platforms. Unreal Engine 3 (UE3) is designed to accelerate developers’ productivity for creating high-quality games, applications, training simulations, visualizations, digital films and animated entertainment. Powering hundreds of games and integrated with two dozen leading middleware technologies, UE3 holds more than 20 technology awards, including eight Game Developer Front Line Awards and six Develop Industry Excellence Awards. The Unreal Engine also owns a seat in the Front Line Awards Hall of Fame. Unreal Engine 4 (UE4), winner of multiple Best of E3 2012 awards, offers unprecedented graphical capabilities and workflow improvements that provide unparalleled accessibility for developers building the next generation of games and applications. For more information, visit http://www.unrealengine.com/” http://www.unrealengine.com and follow @UnrealEngine.

Make Contact With Echo Prime™ Today on Steam

Download Robot Entertainment’s epic sci-fi RPG before February 9th to get 20% off and a free copy of acclaimed action strategy game Orcs Must Die! 2.

Plano, TX – January 30, 2014 – Robot Entertainment released an expanded edition of their sci-fi action RPG Echo Prime on Steam today. The Steam release includes new content, improvements to visual fidelity, and reworked PC controls. Players can now journey across the stars through an expanded array of exciting locations to battle against three races of alien enemies and huge bosses.

To celebrate the PC release, the Steam version of Echo Prime will be on sale for 20% off from now until February 9^th, 2014 (£5.59 instead of the regular £6.99). Additionally, players who download the game during the sale will get a free copy of Robot Entertainment’s Orcs Must Die! 2 on Steam.

Watch the Echo Prime Steam trailer here: http://youtu.be/2Q4peDhvyHs

Battle hordes of dangerous alien creatures, space pirates, and killer mercenaries with blaster and blade as you travel from star to star, uncovering the secrets of the multiverse. Make contact with the Echoes, mysterious beings from alternate universes who will lend you their abilities and aid you in your quest to save humanity from an alien menace. Acquire a myriad of powerful weapons and armor, watch your abilities grow to unmatched levels, and prepare to take on the most fearsome opponents in the galaxy!

Features
•        Optimized for PC – Echo Prime’s real-time action gameplay has been redesigned for PCs, including improvements to visual effects, a retuned economy, and new PC controls with mappable hotkeys.
•        Even More Enemies and Environments – Echo Prime for Steam includes new locations in which to do battle and a new enemy race, the alien “Tide”.
•        New Hardcore Mode – Test your mastery. How far can you get without dying?
•        Upgrade Your Arsenal – Over 100 pieces of gear with a diverse mix of deadly effects, from fire to toxic, all unlockable at no additional cost.
•        Echoes of the Multiverse – As you play you will discover and unlock dozens of “Echoes”, alien life forms from alternate universes. Build connections with them, and Echoes will offer you powers and abilities to help you on your missions. Experiment and find the best combinations to customize your ability loadout.
•        Share Echoes – Use your friends’ Echoes in combat to help them level-up, and level up your Echoes when your friends use them!
•        Random Campaign Generation – Echo Prime features an action-driven story campaign with randomly generated missions. Every experience is different!
·         Includes the Full Soundtrack – All 14 tracks of the Echo Prime soundtrack are included when you buy the game!
For more information, check out http://www.robotentertainment.com/games/echo-prime/

About Robot Entertainment
Based in Plano, Texas, Robot Entertainment is a world-class independent game development studio founded in 2009 by veterans of Ensemble Studios. With a team that has proven experience and expertise in creating games that appeal to massive audiences, Robot Entertainment is focused on developing titles that set new standards for their respective genres as well as groundbreaking original intellectual properties. The studio most recently launched the critically acclaimed Hero Academy and Orcs Must Die! 2. Robot can be found online at http://www.RobotEntertainment.com. To stay up to date with Robot Entertainment, please like them on Facebook and follow on Twitter.

‘European Warfare’ Update Coming Soon to Stronghold Kingdoms

London, UK – 30^th January 2014 – A new European Warfare update has been announced for Stronghold Kingdoms, setting 32 medieval countries at war with each other in one of the top ten most popular free to play games on Steam. Firefly Studios made the announcement today in a news post on the game’s official website at www.strongholdkingdoms.com:

“Since Stronghold Kingdoms was released as an open beta back in 2010, it hasn’t stopped growing in size or scope and we owe all that to the players. Last year we worked closely with the community, delivering monthly updates filled with suggested features from the game’s forum and social media channels. The new European Warfare update adds something players have been asking for a very long time, ever since we began adding game worlds with maps based on Germany, France and other European countries. ‘Europe’ is a single game world on a grand scale, with 32 countries and all out warfare!”

The new update, which is free for all players, introduces the largest game world yet for Firefly’s popular MMORTS, with more player villages, countries and Kings than any before it. From 3pm GMT on February 13^th 2014 players will be able to access the new world and send wave after wave of attacks across land, sea and new borders dividing a total of 32 countries:

Norway, UK, Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, West Balkan States, East Balkan States, Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, Belarus, Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Finland and Sweden

While each of the countries included will have its own political structure and player King it will still be possible to rule over large parts of Europe, or indeed the entire continent, as part of a single large House. To do so players will need to band together and defend against attacks from all directions, with Firefly offering advice to new players hoping to take part. “Spread yourself too thin and the land you do control may well be taken away from you. This new game world is one of the most hotly requested features for StrongholdKingdoms and something we are thrilled to be able to make live next month. So get ready to fight for your country and rewrite history!”

Almost two years after launch Kingdoms remains one of the most popular free to play games on Steam, with nearly 3 million registered players from over 100 different countries.

About Stronghold Kingdoms
Stronghold Kingdoms is the medieval online castle game. Join hundreds of thousands of players in a rich world of Lords, Ladies, Bumpkins and Barons as you build your village, research new technology and strive to be the greatest in the land. Construct mighty castles to defend your lands against insolent intruders, develop your economy and trade your way to victory, lead your fellow noblemen to war and control of the Kingdom. Build, besiege, pillage, farm, explore, research, vote, trade and banquet your way to the throne! For more information please visit www.strongholdkingdoms.com or follow @SHKingdoms on Twitter.

About Firefly Studios

Firefly Studios is an independent PC game developer specialising in real-time strategy and MMO titles. Formed in 1999 by Simon Bradbury and Eric Ouellette, the company has brought to market a number of high profile and commercially successful strategy games, including the Stronghold series with lifetime sales of over six million. Firefly has offices in the UK and US. For more information please visit their website at www.fireflyworlds.com or follow @fireflyworlds on Twitter.

SPECIAL EDITION DETAILS SURFACE AND NINJAS CLASH IN ALL NEW IMAGES FOR YAIBA: NINJA GAIDEN Z

Tecmo Koei Europe today announced details for the Special Edition of YAIBA: NINJA GAIDEN Z. The Special Edition, containing exciting extras, will be available at launch in limited supply for fans that purchase the retail game for either the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft or PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system when it launches on 21^st March. Additionally, Team NINJA today released new screenshots of the bloodthirsty cyber ninja Yaiba Kamikaze going toe-to-toe with the legendary leader of the Hayabusa Clan, Ryu Hayabusa.

The Special Edition of YAIBA: NINJA GAIDEN Z will include an exclusive full colour comic book by Dark Horse Comics, exclusive Yaiba themed DLC costumes for both Ryu Hayabusa and Momiji for use in Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate and an original soundtrack in both the PS3 (via download voucher) and Xbox360 (included on physical disc) versions. The limited run can be picked up wherever copies are sold while supplies last. In celebration of this news, Team NINJA has released new assets giving fans a sneak peak at the chaos that will ensue when these two shadow warriors collide.

The sparks from katana fly in all new in-game screenshots as Yaiba comes face to face with the steely gaze of the ultimate ninja, Ryu Hayabusa. Spoiler alert: Yaiba doesn’t care. His lust for revenge burns deep within every aching cyber implant. Even with Momiji in the background supporting Ryu, Yaiba plans to use his cyber fists and bloody fail to make Ryu feel his pain. But, Ryu is no chump. A master of elemental ninpo, skilled combatant of both sword and bow, the dragon ninja has no plans of being bested by this cyber freak. Can Yaiba withstand Ryu’s barrage of ninpo magic and avoid falling victim of the Izuna Drop or is he doomed for the same cold fate yet again?

LEADING LADIES FROM LIGHTNING RETURNS: FINAL FANTASY XIII AND FINAL FANTASY X/X-2 JOIN HANDS IN DLC DEAL 

First PlayStation®3 print run of FINAL FANTASY X/X-2 HD Remaster to contain

Yuna costume DLC for use in LIGHTNING RETURNS: FINAL FANTASY XIII 

LONDON (30 January, 2014) – Square Enix Ltd., publishers of SQUARE ENIX® interactive entertainment products in Europe and PAL territories, today announces that downloadable content for LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII will be available across PAL territories to anyone purchasing a first print run version of FINAL FANTASY X/X-2 HD Remaster on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.

The DLC comprises a unique gear set for Lightning to wear on her adventure in LIGHTNING RETURNS: FINAL FANTASY XIII. The Spira’s Summoner costume is gear based on the outfit previously worn by the character Yuna in the original FINAL FANTASY X, comes equipped with staff, shield and character victory pose, and will be available via a download token included with the PlayStation®3 version of the forthcoming FINAL FANTASY X/X-2 HD Remaster, due for release 21^st March 2014.

LIGHTNING RETURNS: FINAL FANTASY XIII is released in Europe and PAL territories on 14th February, 2014 for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

A playable demo of the game for is now available for download on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.

Related Links

Official Websites: www.lightningreturns.com, www.finalfantasyxhd.com

Official Facebook: www.facebook.com/finalfantasyxiii, www.facebook.com/finalfantasyx

Official FINAL FANTASY YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/FinalFantasyOfficial

Official Twitter: @SQUARE_ENIX_EU 

About the FINAL FANTASY XIII Project

The FINAL FANTASY XIII project began in March 2010 with the release of FINAL FANTASY XIII and continued with its sequel, FINAL FANTASY XIII-2, released in February 2012. The series has been widely successful, shipping over 10 million units worldwide.

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 100 million units worldwide, DRAGON QUEST® which has sold over 62 million units worldwide and TOMB RAIDER® which has sold over 35 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/.

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment offers free in-game credits as Injustice: Gods Among Us reaches one billion play sessions on mobile devices

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment today announced that the popular Injustice: Gods Among Us mobile game has amassed more than one billion play sessions since its launch in April 2013.  To commemorate this impressive milestone, those who play the game from today through the weekend will receive 30,000 free power credits, the currency necessary to unleash awesome, over-the-top super moves.

The Injustice: Gods Among Us mobile game is a free-to-play title available from the App Store on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, as well as on Google Play™ and Amazon Appstore for Android.  The title continues to captivate fans from around the world and has a player rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars in the App Store.

Supporting assets can be downloaded at the following link: http://games.premiercomms.com/pics.asp?i=2560

Developed for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch by award-winning NetherRealm Studios, and brought to Android by Virtuous, Injustice: Gods Among Us features a collectible card mechanic and engages players in 3-on-3 tag team combat that pits many of DC Comics most popular icons such as Batman, Superman, The Flash, Wonder Woman, Green Arrow, Aquaman and more against one another.  Fans who also own the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360® games and entertainment system versions will be able to unlock content in the console versions that is available in the mobile game, and vice versa, by registering for a Warner Bros. ID (WBID) account and playing the game.

The console version, Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition, is now available in the UK for PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, PS3™ system, PlayStation®Vita handheld entertainment system, Xbox 360 and Windows PC.