Sydney, Australia, 31 January 2025: Warner Bros. Games have announced that PC modding support for the critically acclaimed open-world RPG Hogwarts Legacy is now available. Steam and Epic Games Store players can now download the latest patch to access available mods directly from the game’s main menu. Those who are interested in creating their own mods can do so with the Hogwarts Legacy Creator Kit available for free on the Epic Games Store.    

In celebration of the release, Hogwarts Legacy developer Avalanche Software livestreamed on the studio’s official Twitch channel showing off a variety of mods that are available to play. 

Accompanying the modding update is an all-new trailer highlighting a few of the unique and magical mods curated by the team at Avalanche Software, including the Chicken Wand mod, new hair style mods, and broom mount mods such as a vacuum cleaner and a flying cat. The mods showcased in the stream are available now, along with an array of other mods including new quests, dungeons and cosmetics. Players can expect the variety and quantity of modding tools and mods to expand over time.  

Players can also check out the official How To Use Mods in Hogwarts Legacy video for instructions on how to download and use Hogwarts Legacy PC mods.  

CurseForge, one of the world’s largest repository of mods and addons for video games, is hosting and moderating the Hogwarts Legacy PC mods. The Hogwarts Legacy Creator Kit will support modding new quests, dungeons, and character enhancements such as cosmetics and skins. The mods can then be submitted through the CurseForge platform to be published in the game.   

Published by Warner Bros. Games under the Portkey Games label and developed by Avalanche Software, Hogwarts Legacy is an immersive, action, open-world role-playing-game set in the 1800s wizarding world. Beginning as a fifth year, players will embark on a journey through new and familiar locations, explore and discover magical beasts, craft potions, master spell casting, upgrade talents and customize their character to become the witch or wizard they want to be.  

Hogwarts Legacy, the critically acclaimed, #1 selling new release of 2023,* has sold more than 30 million copies. It is available for PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC and on Nintendo Switch.   

To learn more about Hogwarts Legacy, please visit HogwartsLegacy.com or join the community conversation on Instagram (@HogwartsLegacy), X (@HogwartsLegacy), Twitch (@AvalancheSoftware), YouTube (Hogwarts Legacy), Facebook (Hogwarts Legacy), or Discord (Hogwarts Legacy).

The Hogwarts Legacy Creator Kit was developed by Certain Affinity in close collaboration and partnership with Avalanche Software. The Creator Kit is only available in English. 

About Warner Bros. Games 

Warner Bros. Games, Inc., is a premier worldwide publisher, developer, licensor and distributor of entertainment content for the interactive space across all platforms, including console, handheld, mobile and PC-based gaming for both internal and third-party game titles. Additional information can be found at www.wbgames.com. 

About Portkey Games 

Portkey Games, from Warner Bros. Games, is the games label dedicated to creating new wizarding world mobile and video game experiences that place the player at the center of their own adventure, inspired by J.K. Rowling’s original stories. Portkey Games offers players the opportunity to make their own narrative choices and engage with the wizarding world setting to create new and unique experiences. The label was created to bring gamers and fans new gaming experiences that allow them to delve into the magic of the wizarding world in immersive ways where they can define their own wizarding world story. 

About Avalanche Software 

Established in 1995 in Salt Lake City, Avalanche Software has been creating interactive experiences for fans of the world’s largest franchises for over two decades. The studio joined Warner Bros. Games in 2016 and was the lead developer on Hogwarts Legacy, an open world, action RPG set in the Wizarding World. Additional information about Avalanche can be found at https://www.avalanchesoftware.com. 

About CurseForge For Studios 

CurseForge, which is operated by Overwolf, is one of the world’s largest platforms for mods and gaming communities with an extensive library of mods, ad-ons, and community-driven content across popular games including Minecraft, World of Warcraft, ARK: SA, and others. CurseForge for Studios elevates this experience by providing game studios with tools and services designed to harness the power of UGC to enhance player engagement, extend the lifespan of games, and drive revenue. Key features include cross-platform modding via Overwolf’s SDK, content moderation to ensure safety, and robust creator support through monthly payments, contests, and hackathons. For more information, please visit https://studios.curseforge.com/. 

About Certain Affinity 

Certain Affinity, a Keywords studio, was founded in 2006 with a goal of creating innovative, top-quality action games. It brings together an exceptionally talented group to form one of the largest AAA co-development studios in North America. The company is headquartered in Austin, Texas, with a second, award-winning studio in Toronto, Canada. Certain Affinity is credited in over 40 titles across more than 17 world-class franchises, with 150+ veterans from dozens of AAA game studios. Additional information can be found at www.certainaffinity.com. 

HOGWARTS LEGACY software © 2025 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Developed by Avalanche. WIZARDING WORLD and HARRY POTTER Publishing Rights © J.K. Rowling. PORTKEY GAMES, HOGWARTS LEGACY, WIZARDING WORLD AND HARRY POTTER characters, names, and related indicia © and ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. 

PAYDAY 3 Available to Claim for Free on PlayStation Plus Starting off Feb 4 

31 JANUARY 2025: The fan-favourite heister, Jacket, known for his iconic chicken mask, voice recorder, and unrelenting penchant for ruthless violence, makes his triumphant return to the PAYDAY universe on February 3.  

To celebrate Jacket’s return and give fans a taste of the chaos to come, watch this brand-new trailer showcasing the unique flair only Jacket can bring.

In addition to the trailer, Starbreeze has created a mini-game to celebrate the upcoming launch of Jacket and PAYDAY´S legacy. ‘Don´t be a Hero’ is a stealth take on the iconic Hotline Miami franchise, Jacket’s home. 

Don´t be a Hero 

Don’t Be a Hero is a stealth-focused homage to the Hotline Miami franchise. It’s created by Vincent Hellberg, a Graphic Designer on the Starbreeze marketing team, who also makes his own games and is known for his memorable role as Robert Banks in the Gateway Live lore videos. 

Flipping the script, players step into the role of Milton, a bank teller obsessed with the PAYDAY gang. Instead of being the predator, you play as a survivor trying to outmanoeuvre the gang, save colleagues, and grab some cash along the way. 

Embrace the chaos, grab your bat, and unleash your inner psychopath—because Jacket is back. https://t.paydaythegame.com/c/gdsms7 

PAYDAY 3 Jacket Character DLC Overview 

Since his debut in PAYDAY 2, Jacket has become more than just a playable character; he’s a cultural icon within the PAYDAY universe. The Jacket character pack for PAYDAY 3 includes both free and paid content: 

Paid content 

• ‘Jacket’ playable character with signature outfit 
• ‘Richard Rising’ signature mask 
• ‘Miami Decadence’ preset weapon (Tribune 32) 
• ‘Sociopath’ Overskill weapon 
• ‘Letterman’ charm 
• ‘Richard 1989’ sticker 

Free content 

• ´Overskill´ system allows players to specialize their Overkill arsenal, enhancing havoc and destruction during heists. Each Overskill provides access to all its upgrades without spending skill points, and some even replace the Overkill weapon for added personalisation 
• Free Valentine Edition Twitch drops 

Coming to PlayStation Plus 

PAYDAY 3 will be available for free to claim and keep for PlayStation Plus members starting February 4, for a limited time of one month. This is the perfect opportunity to get your friends onboard and kickstart their new life of crime together! 

For more information about PAYDAY 3, please visit: www.paydaythegame.com. 

About Starbreeze AB 

Starbreeze is an independent developer, publisher and distributor of PC and console games targeting the global market, with studios in Stockholm, Barcelona, Paris and London. Housing the smash hit IP PAYDAY, Starbreeze develops games based on proprietary and third-party rights, both in-house and in partnership with external game developers. Starbreeze shares are listed on Nasdaq Stockholm under the tickers STAR A and STAR B. For more information, please visit starbreeze.com

About PLAION 

PLAION is a dynamic and diversified business in the global entertainment sector, masterfully crafting franchises that captivate audiences worldwide. Boasting a vast network of eight game development studios, fifteen regional publishing offices, three game publishing labels including Deep Silver, and PLAION PICTURES as an independent film publisher and distributor, the company extends its influence with merchandise production and expansive distribution capabilities across the globe. Founded three decades ago, PLAION has firmly established itself within the entertainment arena. With a diverse range of services and solutions, PLAION stands as the premier publishing partner for console and PC games across both physical and digital channels. Moreover, its strong foothold in the Virtual Reality (VR) domain highlights the company’s commitment to varied gaming experiences. PLAION is an Embracer Group company. 

About Deep Silver 

Deep Silver is PLAION’s flagship publishing label, and the home of captivating gaming worlds from the gripping post-apocalypse of Metro, to the twisted paradises of Dead Island to the authentic Medieval landscapes of Kingdom Come Deliverance .For more information, please visit www.deepsilver.com  

Los Santos’ skilled drivers will be handsomely rewarded this week, with Drag Races dishing out double the usual GTA$ and a GTA$100,000 bonus awaiting those who participate in two Drag Races.

In the meantime, Lunar New Year celebrations continue, offering boosts to the new Lunar New Year Stunt Races, a limited-time themed livery, an array of gifts for logging in, and discoverable Yuanbao collectibles leading to a Gold Snake Santo Capra Outfit.

Full details from this week’s update include:

• Double GTA$ and RP on Drag Races and Drop Zone
• Double GTA$ on Auto Shop Client Jobs
• Triple LS Car Meet Reputation
• Black Square Shades and a GTA$100,000 bonus for completing one Dispatch Work Job 
• Lunar New Year Rewards (available through February 12):   

• Double GTA$ and RP on the new Lunar New Year Stunt Races 
• A limited-time Lunar New Year livery for the Maibatsu Penumbra FF for participating in one of the new Stunt Races
• 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
• Collect all 36 Yuanbao to receive the Gold Snake Santo Capra Outfit 

• Weekly Challenge: Participate in two Drag Races to receive GTA$100,000
• Premium Deluxe Motorsport Vehicles: The Progen GP1 (Super, 30% off), Coil Voltic (Super), Enus Cognoscenti Cabrio (Coupe), Dewbauchee Massacro (Racecar) (Sports), and Dinka Jester (Racecar) (Sports, 30% off) 
• Luxury Autos Vehicles: The Übermacht Niobe (Sports) and Declasse Vigero ZX Convertible (Muscle)
• HSW Premium Test Ride: The Annis Euros X32 (Coupe)
• LS Car Meet Prize Ride: Place Top 5 in the LS Car Meet Series for four days in a row to win the Pfister Comet SR (Sports)
• LS Car Meet Test Rides: The Pfister 811 (Super, 30% off), Vapid Riata (Off-Road), and Shitzu Hakuchou (Motorcycle)
• Lucky Wheel Top Prize: The Gallivanter Baller ST-D (SUV)
• Gun Van Discounts: 30% off the Military Rifle, 40% off the Stun Gun for GTA+ Members and a free El Strickler Military Rifle for GTA+ Members 
• 30% off Auto Shop Properties, their Upgrades and Modifications
• Vehicle Discounts: 30% off the Progen GP1 (Super), Pfister 811 (Super), Dinka Jester (Racecar) (Sports), Karin Hotring Everon (Sports), Vapid Dominator ASP (Muscle), Obey Tailgater S (Sedan), Vulcar Warrener HKR (Sedan), and Annis Remus (Sports), and JoBuilt Velum 5-Seater (Plane)
• 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.

Nippon Ichi Software Continues Unique Strategy RPG Series 20 Years After Its Debut

NIS America, Inc. is thrilled to share that the Strategy RPG Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is available now physically on Nintendo Switch. Watch the launch trailer here”

To celebrate the launch, all users will be able to download the Marona and Ash Phantom Isle outfits featured in the original Phantom Brave for free until 13 February at 6 am PST / 2 pm GMT / 3 pm CET / 14 February at 1 am AEST.

Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is an unconventional Strategy RPG that features free movement on a gridless map. Summon your Phantom squad members during battle by Confining their souls to objects on the map.

Phantoms can also Confire with special Gadget items for slow-moving but hard-hitting attacks. In addition, Marona can Confriend with Phantoms to transform her appearance and access show-stopping special attacks. How the battle unfolds is completely up to you!

Create characters from 51 different types of units and make the ultimate powerhouse through a combination of leveling up, finding rare items, and challenging randomized dungeons. There are endless possibilities for customization!

Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero will release on Steam this spring.

About Nippon Ichi Software, Inc.

Nippon Ichi Software, Inc. is a Japanese video game developer and publisher founded in 1991. It is famous for its unique lineup of strategy RPGs, with titles such as Disgaea and Phantom Brave. Its mascot is the penguin-like Prinny, which first debuted in the Disgaea series.

About NIS America, Inc.

In 2003, NIS America, Inc. was established in Southern California as a subsidiary of NIppon Ichi Software, Inc., to bring exciting, one-of-a-kind Japanese culture to North America.

NIS America, Inc.’s team members devote themselves to the fans. Their respect for their fans is at the heart of everything they do. As an established entertainment publisher in the U.S., NIS America, Inc. is committed to continuous growth and improvement.

In keeping with its mission, NIS America, Inc. also publishes other popular Japanese games, like the critically acclaimed The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak.

One of Metacritic’s top 100 best-rated games of 2024 adds new after-credits boss, boss rush mode

TOKYO – 30 January 2024 – Momodora: Moonlit Farewell, the pixel art Metroidvania sequel to Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight from developer Bombservice and publisher PLAYISM which sold more than 800,000 units, duels demons on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch on Thursday, 6 February 2025, as revealed during the PLAYISM Game Show Mini today.

Five years after Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight, a mysterious bell rings in the distance to signal incoming tragedy for the village of Koho and the sacred, life-sustaining Lun Tree. Under the order of the village matriarch, run towards the sound of danger as Priestess Momo. Investigate the mystery behind the bellringers whose ominous chimes summon a devastating demonic invasion.

Traverse diverse biomes in search of this mind-controlling source of corruption. Scour the decrepit dungeons of the Old Sanctuary, the lush Fairy Springs, and the once-bustling Meikan Village. Defeat waves of possessed flora, fauna, and fairies in pursuit of the Moon God Selin and his hordes of henchmen who seek to destroy the world. 

Swiftly engage enemies with relentless melee attacks, or strike from afar with pinpoint bow and arrow shots. Personalize combat preferences through the “Sigil” system to aid Momo in battle with special power-ups, such as “The Hunter,” which grants increased arrow damage while maintaining full stamina. 

Modify the difficulty level to Light Mode for a relaxed experience prioritizing the epic narrative, or face the Moon God’s full strength in Normal difficulty mode with increased enemy damage output and reduced invulnerability periods. Enjoy an added Boss Rush mode as part of the console release, and face a newly added boss battle after the end credits. 

“While Moonlit Farewell was the final chapter for the Momodora series, it’s been an absolute pleasure to continue adding content and reach new audiences on consoles,” said rdein, Founder of Bombservice. “Many thanks to our supporters from our first Momodora title to the last, we could not have reached this point without them.”

Momodora: Moonlit Farewell arrives on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch on Thursday, 6 February 2025, for $16.99 USD (€16.49). Pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch version start on 30 January with a 10% off until 26 February 2025. It will support English, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Spanish (Spain), Ukrainian, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, and Korean. 

For more information, please visit the PLAYISM website, follow PLAYISM on Facebook and Twitter, and follow the hashtag #momodora on social media.

About Bombservice

Indie developers rdein, pkbt, and nk founded Bombservice and began creating the Momodora series. After surpassing 100,000 copies sold on Steam, the team is now committed to bringing this acclaimed successor, Momodora: Moonlit Farewell, to new platforms.

About PLAYISM

Japan’s oldest indie publisher, PLAYISM is known in the West for supporting popular indie games such as Gnosia, The Good Life, Idol Manager, Tasomachi: Behind the Twilight, Touhou Luna Nights, Fight Crab, Record of Lodoss War -Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth-, the La-Mulana series, Bright Memory, and DEEEER Simulator among other titles. 

PLAYISM’s motto is “Bringing a Different Breed of Indie Game to the World.”

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.

For more information about DEATH NOTE Killer Within and other titles from Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe please visit https://www.bandainamcoent.eu, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok. Join the conversation on X. 

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 annual USC 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.

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 of FromSoftware 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.
 
For more information, visit https://littleumbrella.gg/.
 
About Little Umbrella

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.