Pre-orders for this Bakumatsu era samurai action game are now available on Steam!

Hertfordshire, 3^rd February 2025 – Today, KOEI TECMO Europe and developer Team NINJA announced their highly-acclaimed open-world action RPG, Rise of the Ronin, will be available to purchase on Windows PC via Steam® on 11^th March 2025. Originally released for PlayStation®5, the epic Bakumatsu era tale takes players on a historic journey where a masterless warrior, a ronin, must fight to forge their own destiny through the chaos of war and political unrest. The upcoming Steam® version will support various PC features, including ultra-wide monitor combability, 8K resolution, 120 fps, 3D audio, and more.

Rise of the Ronin takes place in 1863 Japan where, after three centuries of the Tokugawa Shogunate’s reign, the Black Ships of the West descend upon the nation’s borders and the country falls into a state of turmoil. With Japan’s fate now in the hands of a ronin, players will encounter various historical figures. The countless choices they make, such as whether to assassinate or to protect key political figures like anti-Sogunate leader Ryoma Sakamoto, will not only shape their destiny, but also the multiple endings found in the game.

Throughout their epic journey, players will wield a variety of melee weapons, such as katana, spear and odachi, as well as long-ranged weapons like guns and bows depending on the situation they face. Fans will be able to customise their weapons, allowing them to adapt their combat style to the possibilities offered by the game. By adapting to enemy types and weapons, players will experience a wide variety of combat strategies and tactics and engage with Rise of the Ronin’s accessible yet deep combat system.

In addition, the PC version of Rise of the Ronin includes new exclusive features:

• 8K resolution support
• DirectX 12 Ultimate support
• Ultra-wide and super ultra-wide monitor compatibility
• 120fps support
• Ray tracing support
• 3D audio support
• Customisable keyboard and mouse controls
• AMD Fidelity FX Super Resolution support
• NVIDIA DLSS and Reflex support
• UI menu with mouse click ability
• Intel XeSS graphics technology support

Players can now pre-order the game on Steam®. Everyone who purchases the game before 2^nd April will receive an early purchase bonus which includes four combat styles; Hayabusa-ryu for katana, Hayabusa-ryu for naginata, Nioh-ryu for katana and Aisu Kage-ryu for katana, the Iga Ninja armour set, and the Iga Ninja’s katana.

Rise of the Ronin is set to be released on 11^th March 2025 on Windows PC via Steam®. For more information, visit the official website*, Like us on Facebook, Join us on the KOEI TECMO Europe Discord server, and Follow us on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). * The French, Spanish, German and Italian websites will be live at a later date.

ABOUT KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD.

KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD. is a publisher of interactive entertainment software for current generation consoles, handhelds and digital download content based in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, UK. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of KOEI TECMO HOLDINGS CO., LTD., headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. KOEI TECMO’s best known for their signature ‘one versus thousands’ Warriors series, the fan-favourite NINJA GAIDEN and fighting entertainment title DEAD OR ALIVE. Through collaboration with strong existing franchises, such as A.O.T. Wings of Freedom (Attack on Titan), has brought fan-favourite shows to life in video game form. The company’s desire for innovation and diversity has seen the creation of the critically acclaimed dark-samurai action title Nioh, which takes on new and unique gameplay styles. The company’s acquisition of Gust, developer of a variety of heart-warming titles, has seen their flagship Atelier series span generations of consoles and fans alike. More information about KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD and its products can be found at www.koeitecmoeurope.com

©KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD. All rights reserved. Team NINJA is a trademark of KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD. The KT logo is a trademark of KOEI TECMO HOLDINGS CO., LTD.

©2025 Valve Corporation. Steam and the Steam logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Valve Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.

Warsaw – January 27th, 2025 – After several years in active development, JDM: Japanese Drift Master will finally unlock the doors to the winding, mountain roads, scenic rural streets and city highways.  This highly anticipated, simcade racing game, focused on drifting through modern Japanese streets will be released on Steam, GoG and Epic Store on March 26th, 2025!

JDM: Japanese Drift Master takes the players to an open-world, fictional Japanese prefecture – Guntama. It spans over 250 km in main roads and features the most famous tourist landmarks, as well as legendary car enthusiast spots, mixed together to create one cohesive and stunning world. From the recreation of the Himeji Castle to our Guntama’s own Daikoku parking area, whether you’re a racing fan or just want to drive through Japanese roads – you’ll always find something exciting to do!

An engaging story

You will follow the story of Touma, a Polish driver who dreams of making a name for himself on the local street racing scene. With some help from his Japanese friends, he dives deep into the competition but quickly learns that fierce rivals are standing in his way. Will he manage to reach the top? Drama, action, and even love await the players.

The story in JDM: Japanese Drift Master is told through in-game events and a manga (Japanese comic book), meticulously drawn by our internal art team. Each time the player takes part in an event, pages of the comic book will lead them in or build up the narrative for what’s next to come.

Licensed Cars

There can’t be a racing game, without beautiful and fast cars! The players will find fully licensed Nissan, Mazda, Subaru cars at their disposal and we’re not done with our announcements yet! Stay tuned for more information in the future. 

Each car can be upgraded, both mechanically and visually. From installing a new ECU to adding that over-the-top bōsōzoku exhaust – it’s all in the game! Tuning a car is simple and clear and if the players  really want to push their cars to the limit, the most advanced parts will unlock fine tuning – every single car in the game can be adjusted to be a grip or drift beast or an all ‘rounder if that’s the desired preference.

Simcade Experience

JDM: Japanese Drift Master is a simcade racer, with a solid simulation backbone and arcade layers added on top for a fun and enjoyable experience. Expect each car to behave differently on the street, to feel the weight of it when going into a corner or trying to break at a high speed. Driving physics were very important for us from the beginning and we believe we found a perfect balance between fun and challenge coming from driving a car in real life.

We also have good news for simracers and car enthusiasts – we’re constantly adding presets for driving wheels and the plethora of simdriving hardware available on the market to the game. We’re also building a robust key binding feature, where you will be able to set-up basically anything you have hooked up to your PC, for any hardware that we just didn’t have the man-capacity to create a plug and play preset to. It will be available at player’s disposal on the day of the game’s launch. If you’re a controller or a keyboard player, don’t fret, the game will be as enjoyable on them as playing on a steering wheel!

JDM: Japanese Drift Master is a single-player, narrative driven, racing experience. Developed on Unreal Engine 5. The game launches on Steam, GoG, and Epic Store on  March 26th, 2025, so mark your calendars and dust off your controllers, it’s time to conquer the roads of Japan!  

Demo-prologue

You can now play the free demo-prologue of JDM: Rise of the Scorpion. This is a unique opportunity to try out the first elements of our game before the full release in Spring 2025. The prologue features dynamic racing, realistic driving physics, licensed cars and a unique introduction to the storyline of the full version of JDM.

Play now on STEAM: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1364930/JDM_Rise_of_the_Scorpion
Play now on EPIC: https://store.epicgames.com/p/japanese-drift-master-jdm-rise-of-the-scorpion-b0ced8
Play now on GOG: https://www.gog.com/game/jdm_rise_of_the_scorpion

Gaming Factory is responsible for developing JDM: Japanese Drift Master and is working with 4Divinity on the global release of the title. More information about the game can be found on Steam, Epic, GOG, and the official website.

Gaming Factory

The company was founded in 2017. Its main goal is to find unique game ideas, support creative indie developers, and help them at every production stage.

4Divinity

4Divinity is a digital and retail games publishing company focused on bringing exciting games content from around the world to Asia and introducing Asian content to a global market. Along with its sister company Epicsoft Asia, 4Divinity is partnering with publishers and development studios to introduce brand-new IP to the region.

‘Revamping a Vampire’ – An Upgraded Look, A New Name and Where Dark Beauty and Chilling Detail Come to Life

Oberhaching, Germany, January 27, 2025 – Development studio Mehuman Games and Publisher Toplitz Productions are pleased to reveal the updated look and new name for their horror themed story-driven sandbox action adventure, formerly known as Vampire Dynasty..

Together with the new name Vampires: Bloodlord Rising, developer Mehuman Games reveals an updated look at the game’s visuals, upgraded character design and other enhancements that have gone into the creative process of bringing the game’s characters to life within the murky and mysterious world of Sangavia.

“The deeper we went into the development, the more it became clear to us, that the content with its story focus and the strong implementation of action-adventure elements doesn’t cater to the expectations neither players nor ourselves have of a Dynasty game”,  comments Robin Gibbels, Head of Producing at Toplitz Productions. “While we remain committed to the quality of the content and the gamedesign and didn’t change any of these elements, with the new name it is clear that these vampires are not standing on anybody’s shoulders and will fight for their rightful place in the open world of Sangavia.”  

The progress the game made in all areas since its last public showing is mostly noticeable with the updated look of Dragos, the game’s main vampire protagonist who gets a more virile and haunting appearance, including a complete overhaul to his attire. Gone are the long flowing locks and beard, now replaced with a more chiseled clean cut design to show off his fearsome features. 

Vampires: Bloodlord Rising has in recent months made visual improvements to various materials and textures including the building elements that players will utilize to build their own custom Vampire castle. An improved lighting system to the entire game has been introduced along with a totally overhauled onscreen UI system. Level appearance has also undergone visual improvements including even the smaller details such as the appearance of grass, water and even fog behavior, all benefiting from upgraded visuals.

Gameplay elements have also been expanded in Vampires: Bloodlord Rising, with a particular focus on managing subjects. From now on, the player will be able to romance transformed vampires, send them to hunt, and even perform powerful rituals!

The choice of being good or evil is a path players will need to decide, since this path shapes character development, even influencing how Dragos’ facial features evolve. Ultimately, they’ll decide who will fall prey to his vampire bite, guided by the gossip and secrets they uncover.

Vampires: Bloodlord Rising will be released into Early Access in 2025. Developer Mehuman Games will be revealing more of the game’s updates in further devlogs and insights it will share across Steam in the months ahead.

For all the latest information on the game head over to the game’s official page on Steam, where it can be wishlisted today.

About Mehuman Games

Mehuman Games is a team of nearly twenty professionals – from artists to gameplay designers to programmers. At the heart of this passionate group are members of the former Movie Games Lunarium – the studio responsible for the undeniably successful games Lust from Beyond and Lust for Darkness. Currently we are combining our passion for telling unique stories with the latest technological solutions of the Unreal 5 engine to venture into the opportunities of combining epic storytelling with open world sandbox gameplay.

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.

LOS ANGELES – JANUARY 24, 2025 – Netmarble, a leading developer and publisher of high-quality mobile games, has announced a new update for its collectible RPG, Tower of God: New World, continuing its 1.5th Anniversary celebration. Players can experience a new teammate, various events and other diverse content. 

The latest update introduces the Ten Great Families grade teammate, [Family Head] Gustang (Red Element, Mage, Wave Controller), who is one of the Tower’s strongest Wave Controllers. [Family Head] Gustang is known for his unparalleled knowledge, and his ‘Banquet of the Blade’ skill that increases the Physical Pierce when enhanced. His ‘Secret Library’ passive skill appears in the middle of the battlefield each time he uses his Special Move. After applying the effects to all enemies, it evolves with additional effects at each stage.

Tower of God: New World continues its 1.5 Year Anniversary celebration with various events, available for limited time through February 12: 

• 1.5th Anniversary! Family Head Clash! Faction Competition: Players can choose either Traumerei Faction or Gustang Faction to participate in this competition and take part in the Faction War Boss Battle to compete for the Flag. The winning Faction will receive various rewards including a special Title and Expirable Suspendiums.
• 1.5th Anniversary! Family Head Gustang Advent Summon: Provides players a higher chance to acquire [Family Head] Gustang and multiple in-game items.  
• 1.5th Anniversary Nonstop Reward Festival: Players will receive 1.5th Anniversary Nonstop SSR+ Limit Break Summon Tickets (max. 660) for clearing in-game missions.
• Labyrinth of Memories [Gustang]: Check out Gustang’s hidden story and clear stages to earn a special Title, SSR Soulstones, and more rewards. 

In addition, the 2025 Happy New Year! Event will run from January 29 through February 1. Players can obtain a Happy New Year Chest when logging into the game during the event period, The chest contains special rewards such as a SSR+ Selection Chest, Revolution Ores, and more. The other 1.5th Anniversary events that have been available since January 16, including the Secret Floor Rate-up Event and the Ultimate Popularity Contest, are still available offering generous rewards. Players of Tower of God: New World can also enter coupon codes (TOG15HALFANNIV, PD2SPECIALGIFT, MEMORIES, ENKIDU and more) to receive an SSR+ Selection Chest and more rewards.

The new update introduces multiple mini-games and Tower Fun Run Event, as well as new seasons for Hell Train Arena. Players can also experience Adventure Floors 156 – 160 and Trial of Chaos and Trial of Origin No. 1200 Expansion.

Tower of God: New World is a collectible card game RPG based on “Tower of God,” a popular WEBTOON series that has surpassed 6 billion global views. In Tower of God: New World, players can take control of fan-favorite characters to ascend the Tower. Join Twenty-Fifth Bam – and more than 100 characters – as he fights his way through the Tower in gorgeous 3D animation that will make players feel like they have stepped into an anime world. Players will experience fast-paced battle mechanics while utilizing a unique Slot System that powers up a particular “slot” instead of a specific character. 

The game is now available on Google Play and the App Store while the PC version is available to download from Google Play Games Beta.

About Netmarble Corporation

Established in Korea in 2000, Netmarble Corporation is a leading developer and publisher of top-grossing mobile games worldwide. Through powerful franchises and collaborations with acclaimed IP holders, Netmarble strives to elevate the gaming experience and entertain audiences globally. As a parent company of Kabam and SpinX Games, and a major shareholder of Jam City and HYBE (formerly Big Hit Entertainment), Netmarble’s diverse portfolio includes Solo Leveling: ARISE, Seven Knights Idle Adventure, Tower of God: New World, Lineage 2: Revolution, MARVEL Future Fight, Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds and The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross. More information can be found at http://company.netmarble.com.

Players will experience the very dawn of aerial warfare

Gaijin Entertainment is thrilled to announce that Aces of Thunder, the highly anticipated VR flight combat simulation game, will feature meticulously recreated aircraft from World War I in addition to the already announced World War II-era warbirds. Iconic fighters like the Fokker Dr.I, famously flown by the Red Baron himself, or the SPAD S.XIII, the favorite aircraft of René Fonck, Allies’ most decorated ace, will have authentically detailed cockpits, historically accurate weaponry, and realistic flight models, delivering an unparalleled and immersive gameplay experience.

Step into the boots of pioneering aviators and experience the dawn of aerial warfare. Aces of Thunder invites players to relive the epic dogfights between the Entente Powers and the Central Powers. Every maneuver in the sky channels the raw intensity of history, every takeoff fills the air with the exhilarating breeze of freedom under canvas wings. These wooden and fabric aircraft, with their open cockpits and mechanical instrumentation, showcase the craftsmanship and daring innovation of early aviation. Players will marvel at the visible springs and taut control cables stretching through the fuselage, a stark contrast to the more streamlined and concealed designs of WWII-era planes.

Unlike their WWII counterparts, World War I aircraft in Aces of Thunder feature fuselage-mounted machine guns, delivering a raw and direct combat experience. The simplicity and mechanical charm of these early war machines offer a gameplay style that is both accessible and deeply engaging, capturing the essence of an era where aviation was still in its infancy but already reshaping the battlefield.

Prepare for takeoff and relive the birth of air combat in Aces of Thunder. Follow the game social media to make sure you do not miss the release date reveal.

About Gaijin Entertainment

Gaijin Entertainment is the developer and publisher of the online games War Thunder, Crossout, Enlisted, CRSED: F.O.A.D. and Star Conflict as well as other PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, iOS and Android titles across several genres. The company’s diverse portfolio has received a range of mass media and game industry awards including such as Gamescom Award and many more. Official website: http://gaijinent.com/

SHANGHAI – HoYoverse is thrilled to announce that Genshin Impact Version 5.4, titled “Moonlight Amidst Dreams,” will launch on February 12, 2025. This enchanting update introduces the centuries-old Mikawa Flower Festival in Inazuma, a moment of peace and celebration amidst the action-packed world of Teyvat. Players will also welcome Yumemizuki Mizuki, a highly anticipated 5-star Anemo Catalyst user, to the playable roster.

Highlights of Version 5.4

Mikawa Flower Festival

Return to Inazuma for the Mikawa Flower Festival, where humans and youkai come together in a centuries-old tradition filled with joy and camaraderie. Travelers can look forward to:

• Exciting Mini-Games: Participate in unique festival challenges, including a film editing contest, a multiplayer fishing event, and a thrilling combat challenge.
• Special Appearance by Raiden Shogun: Celebrate with the Electro Archon in a heartwarming display of unity.

New Playable Character

• Yumemizuki Mizuki:
  • 5-star Anemo Catalyst: A clinical psychologist with a calm demeanor, Mizuki excels in support roles, boosting her team’s Swirl DMG while providing healing.
  • Availability: Featured in the first phase of Event Wishes and will join the Standard Wish Banner starting Version 5.5.

Event Wishes

• First Phase: Yumemizuki Mizuki and Sigewinne.
• Second Phase: Furina and Wriothesley.

New Optimizations

• Level-Up Plans: The Training Guide will now include Level-Up Plans, simplifying character development for new and experienced Travelers alike.

Mark Your Calendars for February 12

Celebrate the elegance and joy of the Mikawa Flower Festival and add Yumemizuki Mizuki to your team as Genshin Impact Version 5.4 brings new adventures, optimizations, and memories to share.

For more updates, visit: https://genshin.hoyoverse.com

About Genshin Impact

Developed by HoYoverse, Genshin Impact is an open-world action RPG offering an expansive world, dynamic gameplay, and immersive storytelling. The game is available on PC, PlayStation, and mobile platforms.

CALABASAS, Calif. – January 24th, 2025: Leading video game publisher 505 Games and developer Ironward proudly announce that Red Solstice 2: Survivors Ultimate Edition is out now on consoles.

The sequel to the best-selling tactical game, Red Solstice, arrives on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One complete with all previously released DLCs, including new story lines, classes, maps and much more. 

Playable in both single-player, or co-op with up to three friends, Red Solstice 2: Survivors Ultimate Edition boasts over 150 different missions, with each featuring different mission types, including exploration, stealth, and survival.

Meanwhile the additional DLC packs deliver four new campaign stories, as well as 70 additional critical strike missions, which are added to the base game and campaigns. 

Players can expect to face new challenges as they plan their strategies and undertake missions in this tactical sci-fi RPG, which combines real-time strategy with real-time combat in the ultimate package. 

Key Features 

• Real-Time Strategy controls: Plan your moves and issue orders to your squad in real time.  
• Survival Strategy: Manage your resources, research new technologies, and build up your base to survive.  
• Real Time Tactical Battlefield: Engage in intense combat with the mutant infestation.  
• Combat Missions: Experience three different mission types.  
• Three Mission Types: Over 15 main missions and more than 30 side missions included in the base game, with each having a different mission type (exploration, stealth, and survival).  
• Unique Classes: Choose from a variety of classes to suit your playstyle.  
• 4 Player Co-op: Play with up to 3 friends in online co-op.* 
• Powerful Weapons: Wield a variety of powerful weapons to take down the mutants.  
• Biomass Infestation: The biomass infestation is constantly evolving, so you’ll need to adapt your strategies accordingly. 

*Including cross play between PS5™ and PS4™ and cross play between Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One (cross platform cross play not included). 

The Ultimate Edition Includes: 

• The base game.  
• SKINS: The Red Solstice 2: Survivors Ultimate Edition includes the Frogsheoth Armor & Dragon in-game skins.   
• HOWELL-BARREX INC: New campaign story, UBAS (Universal Bipedal Armoured System), Engineer Suit and new tech tree. Including 11 story and 5 secondary missions.  
• CONDATIS GROUP: New campaign story, Psychic Suit, platoons, and new game feel. Including 10 story and 7 secondary missions.  
• INSURGENTS: New campaign story, weapon modding and new tech tree. Including 13 story and 13 secondary missions.  
• M.E.R.C.S.: New campaign story, drivable vehicles, and new tech tree. Including 10 story and 14 secondary missions.  
• Over 70 additional critical strike missions added to the base game and campaigns.  
• Additional 12 grand missions added (three per campaign). 

About 505 Games

505 Games, a Digital Bros’ subsidiary, is a global publisher focused on offering a broad selection of video games for players of all ages and skill levels.The company publishes and distributes premium and free-to-play games on console and PC platforms as well as mobile devices. Publishing highlights include DEATH STRANDING (PC), Control, Assetto Corsa Competizione, Ghostrunner, Gems of War, Journey to the Savage Planet, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, and Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. 505 Games has offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, China and Japan. For more information on 505 Games and its products please visit www.505games.com.

In celebration of the Year of the Snake, a wave of festivities arrives to GTA Online this week, including three brand-new Lunar New Year Stunt Races inviting players to compete under firework and paper lantern-filled skies, new Yuanbao Collectibles hidden around Los Santos awarding bonuses, and an array of themed gifts to be claimed just for playing until February 12, as outlined below:

• Double GTA$ and RP on three brand-new Year of the Snake Stunt Races
• New Yuanbao Collectibles, awarding GTA$ and RP, with a special bonus (Gold Snake Santo Capra Outfit) for collecting all 36 before February 12
• A limited-time Lunar New Year livery for the Maibatsu Penumbra FF for participating in one of the new Stunt Races through February 12
• Lunar New Year Gifts: The Black Snake Yogarishima Outfit, Red Serpent Leather Jacket, Snake Soul Pendant, Snake King Pendant, Red Snake Soul Cap and Gray Snake King Cap for logging in to through February 12
• Double GTA$ on Nightclub Daily Income
• Double GTA$, RP, and Goods on Nightclub Goods Missions
• Weekly Challenge: Winning any two Stunt Races this week will reward drivers with an extra GTA$100,000 reward
• Premium Deluxe Motorsport Vehicles: The Western Daemon (Motorcycle), Hijak Ruston (Sports, 30% off), Dundreary Landstalker XL (SUV), Dewbauchee Rapid GT (Sports), and Canis Bodhi (Off-Road)
• Luxury Autos Vehicles: The Invetero Coquette D1 (Sports Classic) and Grotti Turismo Omaggio (Super)
• HSW Premium Test Ride: The Grotti Turismo Classic (Sports Classic)
• LS Car Meet Prize Ride: Win the LS Car Meet Series for three days in a row to get the Übermacht Rebla GTS (SUV)
• LS Car Meet Test Rides: The Lampadati Pigalle (Sports Classic, 30% off), Benefactor Feltzer (Sports), and Declasse Vamos (Muscle, 30% off)
• Lucky Wheel Top Prize: The Grotti Stinger GT (Sports Classic)
• Gun Van Discounts: 30% off the Tactical SMG, 50% off the Heavy Rifle (for GTA+ Members), and 10% off the El Strickler and free for GTA+ Members (PS5 and Xbox Series X|S only)
• 30% off Nightclub Properties and their Upgrades and Modifications
• Vehicle Discounts: 40% off the Buckingham Volatus (Helicopter), plus 30% off the Annis 300R (Sports), Maibatsu Penumbra FF (Sports), Invetero Coquette D10 (Sports), Albany V-STR (Sports), Lampadati Pigalle (Sports Classic), Declasse Vamos (Muscle), and Hijak Ruston (Sports)
• GTA+ Benefits: A free Vapid Dominator GT (Muscle), along with new Chameleon Paints, 2X Rewards on Priority FIB Files, and more

Please see the Rockstar Games Newswire for more information.

Today Xbox aired Developer_Direct 2025, where game creators from id Software, Compulsion Games, Sandfall Interactive, and Team NINJA & PlatinumGames – in partnership with Xbox Game Studios Publishing – showcased brand-new gameplay and updates on four upcoming game launches (plus one surprise remaster).  

We visited the studios behind DOOM: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and the never-before-seen NINJA GAIDEN 4 to get an inside look at new gameplay footage, as well as key information from each game, direct from the developers working on them. Plus, to celebrate the return of NINJA GAIDEN, we also announced that a remastered version of the beloved Xbox classic, NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black will be available for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Game Pass starting today. 

For full reap of everything we announced today, you can visit Xbox Wire plus individual Xbox Wire features on each title are included below. 

Xbox Play Anywhere & Game Pass: All games in our show are available day one with Game Pass, and support Xbox Play Anywhere– meaning you buy once, through the store on Xbox or Windows, and you can play on Xbox consoles and Xbox app on PC with cross-saves and cross-progression. 

Here’s everything we announced: 

• NINJA GAIDEN 4: Team NINJA, kicked off the show with the return of a beloved franchise and the reveal of NINJA GAIDEN 4. After more than a decade, the masters of action at Team NINJA and PlatinumGames have partnered with Xbox Game Studios Publishing to bring us an exciting new chapter in the NINJA GAIDEN series. NINJA GAIDEN 4 launches this fall on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox App for Windows PC, Steam, cloud, PlayStation 5, and play it day one with Game Pass. For more information, check out our Xbox Wire article. 
• Surprise Drop – NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black: Team NINJA wasn’t done, with a surprise drop of NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black, the highly-acclaimed and legendary game from 2008 graphically remastered. NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black is available today on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox App for Windows PC, and play it day one with Game Pass. 
• DOOM: The Dark Ages: the team at id Software shared a deep dive into DOOM: The Dark Ages and revealed that the cinematic, epic first-person shooter will launch on May 15, 2025 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox App for Windows PC, Steam, PlayStation 5, and play it day one with Game Pass. Find out more about the game, with extra information from the developers in our exclusive Xbox Wire article. 
• South of Midnight: Compulsion Games took us behind the scenes at their studio in Montreal, Canada to learn more about South of Midnight, their new third-person action-adventure game which releases on April 8, 2025 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox app for Windows PC, Steam, cloud, and play it on day one with Game Pass. 
• Compulsion Games also released their brand-new story trailer, which expands on the narrative of South of Midnight, while including all-new gameplay, characters, and mythical creatures from the game. For more information, check out our Xbox Wire article. 
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: Sandfall Interactive took us to Montpellier, France, as they develop their first game, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. This turn-based RPG is set in a fantasy version of late 19th Century France, and will be available on April 24, 2025. For more information, check out our Xbox Wire article. 

Today’s show (full recap available on Xbox Wire here) included just a selection of the games coming to Xbox this year. Next up is Avowed, Obsidian Entertainment’supcoming fantasy RPG, which launches on February 18, 2025 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox App for Windows PC, Battle.net, Steam, cloud, and day one with Game Pass.  

Learn More About the Claws Of Awaji Expansion, Set to Release Later in 2025 and Available For Free To Everyone Who Pre-Orders The Game

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 24, 2025 – Today, Ubisoft announced that pre-orders are now available for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the upcoming installment in the Assassin’s Creed^® franchise set in Feudal Japan. The game will be released worldwide on March 20 and will be accessible on Ubisoft+*, PlayStation^®5, Xbox Series X|S, Amazon Luna**, Macs with Apple silicon via the Mac App Store*** as well as Windows PC through the Ubisoft Store, Steam and the Epic Games Store.

Led by Ubisoft Québec****, Assassin’s Creed Shadows will immerse players in 16^th century Japan as they experience the intertwined stories of Naoe, an adept shinobi Assassin from the Iga Province, and Yasuke, the powerful samurai of historical legend. Players will explore their personal journeys, encounter pivotal historical figures, and shape the duo’s shared destiny as Japan treads a brutal path toward unification.The newly revealed Story trailer offers a glimpse into this gripping narrative, showcasing a land in turmoil, fractured by war and threatened by foreign influences. Amid this chaos, Daimyo Oda Nobunaga’s relentless ambition will shape the fate of both heroes as they forge a path for a new Creed to emerge in Japan.

The Standard Edition of Assassin’s Creed Shadows is available for AUD$109.99 on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S and AUD$99.95 on PC and Macs via the Mac App Store. The Digital Deluxe Edition is available for AUD$149.95 on PlayStation®5, Xbox, Series X|S, and AUD$129.95 on PC and Macs via the Mac App Store. The Collector’s Edition is available for AUD$329.95 on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S and PC and Macs via the Mac App Store.

The Digital Deluxe and Collector’s Editions of the game, both offering exclusive content, are also available for pre-order:

• The Digital Deluxe Edition will include the base game, the “Sekiryu Dual Pack” which contains gear, and weapons for both Naoe and Yasuke, the “Sekiryu Hideout Pack” containing hideout cosmetics, and “Mastery Points”.
• The Collector’s Edition will include the base game, the “Sekiryu Dual Pack”, the “Sekiryu Hideout Pack”, “Mastery Points”, and physical content. The physical content will be a Steelbook, the World map, Naoe & Yasuke figurine, Naoe’s life-sized Katana Tsuba, a Wall Creed Scroll, a 76-paged collector’s artbook and 2 sumi-e lithographs.

Players who pre-order any edition of Assassin’s Creed Shadows will gain free access to the ‘Claws of Awaji’ expansion, launching later in 2025. This expansion will introduce a brand-new open-world region with over 10 hours of additional content plus new skills, gear, abilities, and a new weapon for Naoe, the Bō. In this new adventure, players will journey to the mysterious island of Awaji, where Naoe and Yasuke will be relentlessly chased by the Sanzoku Ippa, a dangerous new faction threatening the region. Avoiding the traps and ambushes set by these deadly new foes, players will feel the tension of being hunted. For more information about Claws of Awaji, please visit https://www.ubisoft.com/en-au/game/assassins-creed/shadows/expansion

Additionally, players who pre-order will gain access to the exclusive “Thrown to the Dogs” bonus quest, available at launch.

Lastly, Ubisoft revealed the full list of recommended PC specifications for Assassin’s Creed Shadows. For more information, please see https://www.ubisoft.com/en-au/game/assassins-creed/news

For more information on Assassin’s Creed, please visit: assassinscreed.com.  

*Ubisoft+ Premium is available for AU$23.95 per month. Cancel anytime.  More information at plus.ubisoft.com .

**Ubisoft+ on Luna requires account linking and a Multi-Access plan. Territorial restrictions apply. 

***Standard-Edition

****Along with the following co-devs studios: Ubisoft Barcelona, Ubisoft Belgrade, Ubisoft Bordeaux, Ubisoft Bucharest, Ubisoft Chengdu, Ubisoft Kyiv, Ubisoft Milan, Ubisoft Montpellier, Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft Odesa, Ubisoft Philippines, Ubisoft Pune, Ubisoft Shanghai, Ubisoft Singapore, Ubisoft Sofia, and Ubisoft Toronto with the support of Ubisoft Japan.

About Assassin’s Creed    

Since it first launched in 2007, the Assassin’s Creed series has sold more than 200 million games worldwide. The franchise is now established as one of the best-selling series in video game history. Recognized for having some of the richest, most engrossing storytelling in the industry, Assassin’s Creed transcends video games, branching out into numerous other entertainment media.   

About Ubisoft

Ubisoft is a creator of worlds, committed to enriching players’ lives with original and memorable entertainment experiences. Ubisoft’s global teams create and develop a deep and diverse portfolio of games, featuring brands such as Assassin’s Creed^®, Brawlhalla^®, For Honor^®, Far Cry^®, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon^®, Just Dance^®, Rabbids^®, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six^®, The Crew^® and Tom Clancy’s The Division^®. Through Ubisoft Connect, players can enjoy an ecosystem of services to enhance their gaming experience, get rewards and connect with friends across platforms. With Ubisoft+, the subscription service, they can access a growing catalog of more than 100 Ubisoft games and DLC. For the 2023–24 fiscal year, Ubisoft generated net bookings of €2.32 billion. To learn more, please visit: www.ubisoftgroup.com.

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