Existing Maps Will Also be Updated in the Game’s February Update
Mountaintop Studios today unveiled Canal, the new map launching with Spectre Divide’s Season 1 Flashpoint update. Located in Breakwater’s Shadows district, Canal is a multi-level map piled high with cargo containers, perilous blind corners, and chokepoints players can use to gain tactical advantage. Canal’s Fast Recall Zone opens up unique opportunities for quick rotations and tactical movement.
Additionally, Spectre Divide’s original maps – Commons, Metro, Mill, Skyway – will be updated in the February update. This includes improvements to chokepoints and visual improvements that make maps more colorful, vibrant and alive.
Spectre Divide is a free-to-play 3v3 tactical shooter currently available for Windows PC via Steam, and in development for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. For more information about the game, visit the official website, and follow the official social media accounts on X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Be a part of the Mountaineer community by jumping on the official subreddit, or joining Spectre Divide’s Discord Server.
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About Mountaintop Studios
Mountaintop is a small, independent, fully-remote studio comprised of industry veterans from around the world, looking to evolve the tactical shooter genre. The team is comprised of developers from major shooter titles including Counter-Strike, Valorant, Apex Legends, Halo, Overwatch and Battlefield. Check out the studio’s official website here.
A free update for DEATH NOTE Killer Within is out now! The game becomes more intense than ever with the introduction of a brand-new playable role: Mello! New paid downloadable content is also available for players.
The free update has reshaped the stakes and the tactical possibilities of the game. Until now, players were separated into two teams, by either joining Kira or the investigator L, and four roles: Kira or one of his followers, and L and his investigators. As of today, a fifth role has been added with Mello, L’s successor from the original series, who belongs to neither Kira nor L’s teams, and whose job is to beat Team L by eliminating Kira first.
Discover now the brand-new role of Mello and the downloadable content in this trailer
When playing Mello, players will need to be careful with their kills. This new role can fire his gun once per action phase to eliminate someone without needing their ID, but the gunshot will be heard by those around Mello, so they need to choose their moment carefully! If Mello kills L by mistake, Team Kira will win the game. The players’ deduction skills and discretion will therefore be needed even more with this new role to suspect the right person. Mello needs to gain L’s trust to become an arrester and eliminate Kira with his ability to be the sole victor.
Finally, new paid downloadable content is available as well with two premium avatars of Mello and Near, and with the Premium Customization Track Vol.3. Mello’s premium avatar has a biker outfit and comes with a Nobori Flag and a motorcycle he moves around with. Near’s avatar is in a police uniform with a Toy Robot he plays with and a SWAT Helmet. The Customization Track includes additional rewards such as the two premium avatars, the Shinigami “Sidoh” as a new pet, 21 accessories, 8 voiced cut-ins and 2 nameplates.
Experience Thrilling Gameplay and Storytelling from The Next Generation of Game Makers at the University of Southern California
LOS ANGELES (JAN 30, 2025) – Game on! Today, North America’s No. 1 collegiate game design program, USC Games, announced its 9th annualUSC Games Expo will return to USC’s campus on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. USC Trojan students, staff, and games fans are invited to get hands-on with over 60 digital and tabletop games at the Expo following the USC Games Advanced Games Projects (AGP) Spotlight Show, streaming live at 4:00pm PST.
Along with an evening of gameplay, onsite attendees can dive into interactive experiences from the Themed Entertainment program and get an exclusive preview of the second season of games developed in the all-new Games as a Service and Live Operations (GLO) course.
“The USC Games Expo is an annual celebration of creativity and innovation, showcasing a wide array of games from our number-one ranked game design program,” says Danny Bilson, chair of the USC School of Cinematic Arts (SCA) Interactive Media & Games Division (IMGD), and director of USC Games. “We’re looking forward to once again opening the USC campus for everyone to meet the next generation of game developers who, over the course of their careers, will shape the future of this industry we all hold dear.”
Expo attendees can play over 60 original games from teams and individuals from the USC Games program, including 8 games developed in the AGP capstone course. This year’s featured titles include:
Art House (PC) In Art House, step into the life of Lisa, a single mother to Ollie and Zoe who’s struggling to pick up the pieces of her life after the passing of her mother, Betty, a painter whose fading memories come to life on a magical canvas. Guide Lisa through hauntingly beautiful paintings while solving puzzles and confronting the shadows of the family’s past. Navigate a journey through grief and towards healing that lingers after the final brushstroke.
Donuts! (PC) Donuts! is a fast-paced arcade experience that mixes whimsical driving/skateboarding gameplay with heartfelt cultural storytelling. As Mony, a young Cambodian-American, you’ll race through vibrant LA streets to deliver donuts while learning more about herself, her community, and her family. With a retro-futuristic art style and 90s SoCal vibes, deliver donuts, dreams, and downright radical tricks in this action-packed ride.
DuoQ (PC) DuoQ is an e-dating sim about romancing another person through an online game. Play alongside Starlight, a mysterious stranger met in the fictional FPS game “To the Heart.” Work – and flirt – together, over real-time voice comms, solving in-game puzzles and trying desperately to win Starlight’s love.
Myth of Lumi (PC) Myth of Lumi is a physics-driven, lightweight strategy card game where the players enlist the help of 2D magical creatures, Lumi, who lives inside the cards. Players will use their mastery of magic and ability to work with Lumi to compete in stylish Magic Duels against rival magicians.
Potion Problems (PC) Potion Problems is a chaotic multiplayer party game that combines social deduction with magic. Navigate through Pigeonpoint’s College for Potion Making as a troublemaker or diligent apprentice. Collect ingredients to make unique potions, avoid being turned into a frog, and vote out troublemakers as you try to complete your degree!
Scare Crow (PC) Scare Crow is a wacky, tower-defense stealth game where players must fend off an army of hungry squirrels from invading a backyard rich with birdfeeders. Play as Casey, a laid-back, nonchalant crow whose lifestyle is rudely interrupted by Sergeant Squeak and his troop of squirrels who are determined to steal every last bit of Casey’s birdseed. Set traps, scare squirrels, and defeat Sergeant Squeak to ensure that your yard remains squeak-free!
Smoke Break! (PC) Smoke Break! is a lighthearted 3D stealth and puzzle game. Play as Applewood, a living cloud of smoke, who uses stealth to outwit bakers, avoid the janitor, and cause trouble as he searches a dessert factory for a delicious–and elusive–burnt pie!
Unchained (PC) Unchained is a turn-based tactical RPG in which the player can achieve victory without resorting to violence. Maintaining positive relationships with party members is as important as combat tactics as you contend with rival Chain Hunters and the enigmatic Spirit of The Chain. Fight, negotiate with, or even recruit these foes to join you on your epic quest.
About USC Games
USC Games is a flagship collaboration offered jointly by the School of Cinematic Arts Division of Interactive Media & Games and the USC Viterbi School of Engineering Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science. This unified brand allows press, industry, students, and faculty to discuss the overall efforts at USC in games and simultaneously clarify the important distinctions between the offerings of the various programs.
The program has been ranked No. 1 for twelve years, as evaluated by the Princeton Review. The program at the School of Cinematic Arts focuses on both the design and production of interactive media and games. Students emerge as creative media leaders, fluent in many forms of visual expression and storytelling, with a sophistication to design and develop innovative interactive experiences that expand the state of interactive art and play across domains, such as entertainment, education, health care, and social action.
The Computer Science Games program at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering provides students with a grounding in the fundamentals of computer science and a cross-disciplinary background in game development. Students emerge with an engineering-oriented game-programming skillset, with an understanding of key technologies and the ability to lead complex technical teams in the development of games.
In addition to the advanced games class, USC Games offers the USC Games Expo and an annual industry event held at the Game Developers Conference. USC Games brings more shared courses under this umbrella, including those from other schools at [email protected].
About the USC School of Cinematic Arts
The University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts is one of the leading film schools in the world. Founded in collaboration with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1929 over 95 years ago, the USC School of Cinematic Arts has fueled and mirrored the growth of entertainment as an industry and an art form. The School offers comprehensive programs in directing, producing, writing, critical studies, animation and digital arts, production, interactive media, and games, all backed by a broad liberal arts education and taught by leading practitioners in each field. Its more than 18,000 alumni are among the world’s most distinguished animators, scholars, teachers, writers, directors, producers, cinematographers, editors, sound experts, and industry executives. Since 1973, not a year has passed without an alumnus or alumna being nominated for an Academy Award. https://cinema.usc.edu/.
About the USC Viterbi School of Engineering
Founded in 1905, the USC Viterbi School of Engineering was named in 2004 as the Andrew and Erna Viterbi School of Engineering, honoring USC alumnus Andrew Viterbi, who developed an algorithm to connect the world, and his wife Erna. Located in Los Angeles, a global center for arts, technology, business, and innovation in the heart of the Pacific Rim, USC Viterbi draws undergraduate and graduate students from all over the world. With more than 10,000 students, 400 faculty across all ranks and appointment levels, and more than 40 in-residence or affiliated members of the National Academies, USC Viterbi is considered among the top engineering programs. Under the leadership of Dean Yannis C. Yortsos, the school helps re-imagine the 21st century engineer, by pioneering the Grand Challenge Scholars Program, leading national efforts in enhancing diversity, and changing the conversation about engineering. With its vision of engineering a better world for all humanity, USC Viterbi embodies the power of engineering (Engineering+) to advance discovery and solutions across all disciplines, to serve California, the nation, and the world. In 2024, the USC Viterbi School of Engineering launched the School of Advanced Computing, thus creating a new school “within a school.” http://viterbi.usc.edu/
Years in the Making, The New Online Resource Features a Robust Collection of Magazines, Game Development Materials, Marketing Materials, and More for Researchers, Historians, and Curious Visitors to Explore, Discover and Learn From
EMERYVILLE, CA – Jan. 30, 2025 – The Video Game History Foundation (VGHF), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and celebration of the history of video games, has officially launched the VGHF Digital Library. The archive is currently in early access and open to anyone interested in the study of video game history for free at library.gamehistory.org.
Check out the VGHF Library launch video above
Researchers, gamers and the general public will have access to more than 30,000 curated files (with lots more to come) of industry ephemera straight from the VGHF’s physical collection, including more than 1,500 full-text searchable out-of-print video game magazines, never-before-seen game development assets, artwork, promotional materials, and more gaming relics, making it one of the largest repositories of game industry history in the world. Anyone with a need or curiosity for learning more about how gaming has evolved is encouraged to bookmark and access the wealth of information and unique physical statement pieces spanning more than 50 years.
“We’ve been working on this project since we founded the Video Game History Foundation in 2017, so we’re extremely proud to start providing access to our digital library and continue our mission to make video game history accessible to anyone,” said Frank Cifaldi, founder of the Video Game History Foundation. “We believe that with the right tools, anyone can be a video game historian, and we can’t wait to see what new stories our archive inspires. We also hope this inspires those in the video game industry to consider the importance of preserving their work and contributing to initiatives like ours.”
The VGHF Library is designed as a unique destination and research tool, allowing users to search for specific games, authors, publishers, and other metadata across public and previously internal materials:
Want to find a chronological list of mentions of your favorite game?
See what designers used for reference when designing classic games based on properties like Batman, Sonic the Hedgehog, the Myst series, and more?
Search through classic magazines such as Game Informer, GamePro, Next Generation, PSM and more?
Or maybe dig into video footage from the show floor of E3 2000?
Digitized issue of GamePro Magazine, showing a Batman Forever review for SEGA Genesis and a Mega Man X ad on SNES, plus the UI for navigating material scans
The VGHF Library also hosts more complicated digital materials, like vintage art assets and information sent to magazines for use in their publications, or viewing websites and presentations as they were originally seen.
Other highlights of the VGHF Library include:
Guidebooks and ephemera from game events, including searchable directories and maps from the first 12 years of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3).
An extensive international collection ofFromSoftware promotional materials, collected by citizen archivist Kris Urquhart, with a blessing from FromSoftware to donate them to the library.
100 CDs of art and press releases from GamePro’s magazine archive.
Over 100 hours of footage from the production of the Myst series, including never-before-seen interviews with the Cyan team.
The Mark Flitman papers, a treasure trove of documents collected over the course of Flitman’s career at video game publishers like Konami, Acclaim, Atari, and more.
“At the Video Game History Foundation, we think the best way to study game history is to have access to the raw materials,” said Phil Salvador, Library Director at the VGHF. “Our vision has always been to open our collections to everyone, whoever and wherever you are, and after years of work, today we’re taking the first step towards that open digital future. We sincerely think this tool is going to change how people study video game history. We cannot wait to see what historians, researchers, authors, YouTubers, fans, and everyone in-between will discover.”
The VGHF Library is a powerful, one of a kind resource, and its dedicated team is committed to continually updating the features and offering for years to come.
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About The Video Game History Foundation
The Video Game History Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, was founded in 2017 by gaming veteran Frank Cifaldi. A former game journalist, Cifaldi started the VGHF with a physical space in Emeryville, California and has continued to build more resources including the Digital Library which launched in January 2025 The VGHF is supported by generous donations from the video game and historical communities. Those who wish to donate can do so by visiting gamehistory.org or joining the VGHF Patreon. The VGHF also offers other ways to help fund their work, including the vintage video game magazine subscription program.
With over 20 million players already captivated by their first title, Little Umbrella is poised to lead the Social AI gaming genre, delivering innovative gameplay with mass appeal among teens and young adults.
Palo Alto, CA – January 30, 2025 — Little Umbrella, an emerging pioneer in AI-powered social games, today announced the successful close of a $2 million seed funding round. Investors include Virtual Reality Fund (VRF), a16z speedrun, Mark Pincus’s Workplay Ventures, Ubiquoss Investment, Disrupt.com, Breakpoint Ventures, GFR Fund, and esteemed angel investors Matt Bilbey and Ryan Peterson.
Building on the breakout success of its first AI-driven social game, Death by AI, the new funding will enable Little Umbrella to scale its Liveops operations and fast-track the launch of multiple new titles powered by its proprietary cross-platform social game kit, Playroom.
Gaming evolves with each generation, and social games are undergoing a resurgence within dynamic digital communities like Discord. Little Umbrella is at the forefront of this movement, crafting AI-powered games that thrive in these vibrant spaces, delivering deeply immersive experiences where friends already connect. By focusing on cross-platform gameplay and adaptive mechanics, the company is transforming how people play and connect.
Tabish Ahmed, Founder & CEO of Little Umbrella, said: “We start with fun, familiar gameplay as a strong foundation, then layer in innovative mechanics that evolve dynamically with every session. Our mission is to craft social experiences tailored to players and their communities. Just as Zynga harnessed Facebook for massive reach, we’re leveraging modern social platforms like Discord to create bold gaming experiences. We believe AI plays a pivotal role in keeping these games fresh, personalized, and primed for global scale.”
Ahmed brings deep expertise as a former Design Leader at Meta, where he spearheaded the development of its social metaverse platform, Horizon Worlds. Chief Business Officer Sean Webster brings a wealth of experience from his tenure as Vice President at AppLovin, while Chief Technology Officer Tim drove innovation as CTO of Gallium Studios.
Josh Lu, GM of a16z speedrun, said: “Little Umbrella’s vision for integrating adaptive AI into social gaming represents a transformative opportunity in the gaming industry, unlocking new ways to play. With the global success of Death by AI and the team building on their proprietary social tech, Playroom, they are set to redefine how people connect through games.”
Marco DeMiroz, Co-founder and General Partner of The Venture Reality Fund, a leading early stage investor in AI and Spatial Computing, said: “The team has demonstrated a powerful distribution edge by successfully leveraging platforms like Discord to scale their first AI game. Their deep understanding of social dynamics and AI combined with industry expertise gives them a strategic advantage to lead the innovation in this space.”
Mark Pincus, Founder of Workplay Ventures, said: “Little Umbrella is using Discord to innovate on social gaming AI-driven gameplay. I’m excited to invest in a scrappy team trying to crack distribution.”
Little Umbrella’s mission is to connect people through games that adapt to social behaviors, offering infinite replayability and deeply personalized experiences. By combining AI innovation with a focus on community-driven platforms, the company is building the future of social gaming.
Little Umbrella is pioneering the next generation of social games powered by adaptive AI. With a mission to connect people through engaging and evolving gameplay, the company focuses on creating experiences that resonate with vibrant digital communities. Little Umbrella’s first game, Death by AI, attracted 20 million players within its first three months. The company’s proprietary Playroom platform enables cross-platform social game development for both internal titles and third-party developers.
Los Angeles, CA – January 30th, 2025 – Force Multiplier Studios is thrilled to announce that it has partnered with Dimitri Logothetis and Rob Hickman, the acclaimed filmmakers behind Kickboxer: Vengeance, Kickboxer: Retaliation and the upcoming Kickboxer: Armageddon, to develop the first ever Kickboxer video game.
Currently in early development, the video game will combine the rich narrative of Kickboxer with kinetic martial arts action to deliver an intense, high-octane brawler, and feature iconic characters and locations from the franchise originally starring martial arts icon Jean-Claude Van Damme.
Debuting in 1989, Kickboxer has left an indelible mark on pop culture, celebrated for its thrilling fight sequences and inspiring themes of resilience and redemption. This partnership aims to bring the high-octane universe of Kickboxer to gaming, offering fans an immersive martial arts brawler experience.
Force Multiplier Studios is a new development studio co-founded by Jeremy Breslau, Brent Friedman and Charnjit Bansi, video game industry veterans who led narrative and design on multiple AAA franchises, including Call of Duty, Borderlands and Halo. They have also worked extensively in film adaptations from the Tomb Raider and Mortal Kombat universes.
“Kickboxer is more than just a film; it’s a cultural phenomenon that has inspired generations of fans and martial artists alike,” said Dimitri Logothetis, writer and director of Kickboxer: Armageddon, and who has been instrumental in reviving the franchise with recent film adaptations. “I’m thrilled to collaborate with the incredible team at Force Multiplier Studios. We’re going to create a gaming experience that pays tribute to the original film while introducing exciting new gameplay elements.”
“With the expertise of Force Multiplier Studios, we’re building something that will not only honor the franchise’s legacy but redefine what fans can expect from a martial arts brawler,” added producer Rob Hickman.
“We couldn’t be more excited to be partnering with Dimitri and Rob to bring Kickboxer into the gaming world,” said Jeremy Breslau, CEO of Force Multiplier Studios. “Our passion is innovation, and just as we’re innovating on Fortnite Creative with our own environmental combat shooter experience Karnivus: Rooftop Rumble, we can’t wait to innovate the fighting genre with incredibly visceral combat and an emphasis on the environment and what you can do in it. We are crafting a dynamic brawler that will empower players to be the best kickboxers in the world, traveling to exotic locales and introducing new environmental combat mechanics to deliver a martial arts experience like never before.”
More information on the Kickboxer video game will be revealed later this year.
*Karnivus: Rooftop Rumble is available to play now in Fortnite (Island Code: 1086-9838-9592), and is a precursor to Karnivus, an all-new gladiatorial bloodsport ‘PvE’ shooter currently in development at Force Multiplier Studios.
About Dimitri Logothetis
Dimitri Logothetis is a renowned filmmaker and producer known for his work in the action genre, including the recent Kickboxer film revivals. His passion for storytelling and martial arts has defined his career, bringing dynamic narratives to the screen.
About Force Multiplier Studios
Force Multiplier Studios is a cutting-edge entertainment company creating innovative content across film, television, and video games. With a commitment to excellence, the studio is focused on delivering memorable experiences that resonate with audiences worldwide.
Irvine, United States — January 28, 2025| The highly anticipated Legacy Steel & Sorcery is gearing up for its February launch into Early Access with a spellbinding new trailer that players won’t want to miss!
Launching on February 12, Legacy: Steel & Sorcery is shaping up to be a revolutionary title for the Extraction genre. A lush, vibrant world filled with orcs, ogres, goblins and class-based combat – this upcoming Fantasy epic is a must-play for lovers of the genre.
Players can choose from one of five classes, play solo, match with fellow hunters or take up to two other friends into the world of Mithrigarde. Once they have entered this fantastical land, they’ll race against the clock and other players to steal precious treasures before making it out alive – if they can!
Players can wishlist Legacy: Steel & Sorcery now on Steam and gear up to play this new multiplayer epic on February 12!
Notorious Studios
Notorious Studios is a venture-backed start-up headquartered in Irvine, California, with a global team of passionate developers. Founded by core developers from Blizzard Entertainment who worked on iconic titles like World of Warcraft, Diablo, and Overwatch, the studio is committed to creating immersive and engaging worlds that foster community and creativity. With a team of 30 talented individuals, including remote employees from around the world, Notorious Studios is focused on delivering high-quality gaming experiences built for players not powerpoint. Our current project, Legacy: Steel & Sorcery, exemplifies our dedication to building rich, player-driven narratives within dynamic, ever-evolving gameplay environments.
Pre-order now and get ready to join Hello Kitty on a fabulous new big adventure
Boulder, Colorado (30th January, 2025)– Cozy gaming fans rejoice!Hello Kitty Island Adventure, the critically acclaimed cozy life sim developed by Sunblink and Sanrio, will launch as a physical special Deluxe Edition for Nintendo Switch this spring!
Jump into the adventure with this special Deluxe Edition, which includes the Hello Kitty Island Adventure base game and three Deluxe Bundles offering a super-charged start and a full set of Legacy items:
Deluxe Event Bundle – over 330 unique items and rewards including one year of Legacy Event clothing and furniture and other cosmetics from seasonal events.
Deluxe Starter Bundle – including friendship blossoms, bouquets and strawberry crates
Deluxe Crafting Bundle – a bundle of crafting items including dye, sticks, iron ore and rubber.
Hello Kitty Island Adventure Deluxe Edition is available to pre-order now from specialist retail stores across Europe and North America for £52.99, $59.99, €59.99. Check local stockists for availability and pricing.
Nominated for Best Mobile Game at The Game Awards 2023 and winner of a Webby People’s Voice Award, Hello Kitty Island Adventure first launched exclusively via Apple Arcade and was one of 2023’s biggest mobile sensations, winning the Apple Arcade Game of the Year award. Now, Hello Kitty and Friends can’t wait to extend their vacation to the physical Nintendo Switch edition!
Hello Kitty invites you to join her and her friends at Big Adventures Park, where My Melody is opening a brand new gift shop. As soon as the plane arrives, it’s clear more is happening at this tropical island getaway than first meets the eye. Adventure abounds as you find lost friends and explore the abandoned park. Join forces with Hello Kitty to restore the island and the desolate theme part to their former glory!
Key game features Include:
Explore a Massive World – Meet Hello Kitty and Friends across distinct biomes with more than 100 hours of adventure and affecting stories to experience. Brave Kuromi’s haunted mansion in the Spooky Swamp, unearth ancient secrets with Retsuko in fiery Mount Hothead, grow rare flowers with Wish me mell in the Merry Meadows, discover new treasures underwater in Rainbow Reef, and so much more.
Be Who You Want – Express yourself as an original, Sanrio-style avatar with a wide range of adorable character customization options. Select from dozens of faces, features, and body shapes, then collect hundreds of clothing items. Change your appearance at any time.
Craft, Create, Collect – Bake delicious recipes with Hello Kitty, brew magic potions with Kuromi, collect critters with Keroppi, learn to fish from Badtz-maru, and so much more. Share gifts and complete quests to deepen your friendship with even more beloved characters. Decorate your own dream space or attract new friends to the island with the right furniture pieces. Scour the island for collectibles, like the dozens of hidden gudetama, sometimes locked behind devious puzzles.
Team Up in Multiplayer – Everything is better with friends. Invite other players to your island and complete multiplayer challenges to boost each other’s stamina, solve the island’s trickiest puzzles, chase new high scores, or build beautiful vacation homes together. Multiplayer guests can even decorate their own Friendship Cabins on your island.
NO Microtransactions – There is no premium currency to earn, purchase, or spend in Hello Kitty Island Adventure. Enjoy the sights, customize your island vacation, and unlock everything just by playing the game.
Hello Kitty Island Adventure will launch as a physical edition for Nintendo Switch via European specialist retailers this spring. More details on the release date will be announced soon.
Based in Boulder, CO and founded by three industry veterans behind global megahits like DragonVale, SpellFall and Army of Darkness: Defense, Sunblink and its team members have created and managed some of the highest grossing and most downloaded games of the last decade. The studio’s first release, HEROish, debuted on Apple Arcade in 2022 to critical acclaim. Their second title, Hello Kitty Island Adventure, leveraged one of the most beloved entertainment brands in the world to become one of 2023’s biggest games. They believe games should evoke lasting emotions and inspire players for years to come. If you agree, they invite you to get in touch.
About Sanrio
Sanrio® is the global lifestyle brand and home to Hello Kitty®, created in 1974, and many other beloved character brands such as My Melody™, Kuromi™, LittleTwinStars™, Cinnamoroll™, Pompompurin™, gudetama™, Aggretsuko™, Chococat™, Badtz-Maru™ and Keroppi™. Sanrio was founded on the philosophy that a small gift can bring happiness and friendship to people of all ages. Since 1960, this philosophy has served as the inspiration to offer quality products, services and activities that promote communication and inspire unique consumer experiences across the world. Today, Sanrio’s business extends into the entertainment industry with several content series, gaming offerings and theme parks. Sanrio boasts an extensive product lineup which is available in over 130 countries. Sanrio hopes to bring smiles to everyone’s faces with their vision of “One World, Connecting Smiles.” To learn more about Sanrio, please visit www.sanrio.com and follow @sanrio and @hellokitty on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Pinterest and subscribe to the Hello Kitty and Friends YouTube Channel.
Get a taste of the battle field in this tactical, turn-based strategy roguelike
Marieham, Finland, 30 January 2025 | Solo indie developer Frans Wikman is proud to share the demo of his debut game, Rogue Conflict, available now on Steam. Blending the wargaming and roguelike communities, Rogue Conflict features original 2D sprite key art created by Wikman himself. Players are invited to experience his fresh take on the classic wargame genre before its full release.
March Onwards, On The Double!
Whether you are a seasoned wargame veteran or new to the genre, Rogue Conflict is perfect for newcomers and veteran players alike. Take on the position of a lightly decorated war general and showcase your years of combat training to rise through the military ranks. In the demo, experience the first mission and aim to complete all necessary objectives within the turn count. Featuring a wide selection of military units, ranging from infantry troops to tanks, players will be challenged to assess their enemies, pick the best-suited army faction for the task, and use battle terrain across seven procedurally generated maps to their advantage.
That’s An Order!
Begin every mission with a classified intelligence report from high command outlining your primary mission objectives. Start with the deployment phase, strategically positioning your men for battle. Lead with recon units to reveal enemy ambush locations. Use the secondary support of artillery units to deal additional long-range damage to enemy bases—and their morale. Close in with tanks for heavy attacks. Lastly, call on air support to finish the job. The demo features three unique army factions, all with distinct strengths and weaknesses. Select an artillery-focused faction for extreme range, which features heavy artillery units to break down enemy resistance, but lacking support units and air power. Opt for a tank-focused faction to dominate open terrains, though you may struggle on rougher biomes. Alternatively, for a more balanced gameplay experience, use a well-rounded faction that covers all warfare areas at the cost of not excelling in any one given area.
Over And Out!
Complete missions to restore key enemy targets—villages, supply depots, nuclear power plants, and enemy headquarters. After completing a mission, players can use a Requisition Point System to upgrade their troops’ abilities. Earn requisition points based on the increasing strength of your enemies or by completing the mission with turns remaining. Spend RP points to unlock more advanced vehicles, equipment, and weaponry. However, be mindful of spending all of your points at headquarters; you never know when you’ll need to call on more reinforcements during the heat of battle!
Frans Wikman is a solo developer based in Mariehamn, Finland. He is currently working on his debut game, Rogue Conflict. The game combines mechanics from several different wargames and turn-based strategy games he has played throughout his life. He aims to present them in a roguelike format, creating the very first wargame roguelike.
Get ready for tactical real-time combat, diverse environments and a dangerous post-apocalpytic world
Oberhaching, Germany, January 30, 2025 – Independent development team Angry Bulls Studio and Publisher Toplitz Productions proudly present a new trailer for Survive The Fall. The captivating mix of isometric action, open-world exploration, tactical combat and basebuilding is set to launch on PC mid year.
Step into a world caught in an eternal autumn, scarred by a mysterious catastrophe that left a dangerous stasis and mutated your surroundings. Lead a team of unique and unforgettable characters as you explore an open world where danger and beauty collide and opportunity waits for the brave. Scavenge for resources, gear, and loot to survive and thrive in this harsh new reality.
The combat is intense and flexible, combining real-time action with stealth elements and an optional tactical pause. Analyze the battlefield, reposition your team, and issue strategic commands to your companions for maximum efficiency.
As you explore, seek out other survivors and invite them to join your camp, a growing sanctuary where you can build over 30 types of facilities. From research stations and farms to weapon workshops and chemical labs, these structures will be vital to your survival and help you stay ahead of rival factions fighting for control of the region.
Want to learn more? Visit the official Survive the Fall Steam page to wishlist the game and stay updated. Additional gameplay details as well as a release date will be announced soon—don’t miss out on this unique and exhilarating blend of open-world exploration, action, and strategy!
About Angry Bulls Studio
Angry Bulls Studio is a team of experienced industry professionals. Each of them has successfully worked on other titles. They founded the company to create games that they themselves would enjoy playing for hours. They are fans of good, addictive gameplay and innovative solutions. They take their cues from the best games and studios, but approach today’s game production challenges in an innovative way.
About Toplitz Productions
The German-Austrian publisher, whose name originates from the mysterious Toplitz Lake in the heart of Austria, develops and publishes games with heart & soul for all platforms. The company consists of a healthy mix of experienced industry veterans and young talents, all of whom are passionate gamers. They enjoy working with creative developers on many exciting titles, such as those from the “Dynasty” and “Giant” series.
Stay up to date and learn everything worth knowing about Toplitz Productions by following the company on X, Facebook, the official website and Instagram.
