Italy celebrates games culture with new museum now open in the heart of Rome
2 December 2024, Rome: GAMM – Game Museum has now opened to the public in the historical center of Rome at Piazza della Repubblica. GAMM – Game Museum aims to highlight the cultural and artistic value of video games as interactive works allowing visitors to immerse themselves in a path based on the combination of history, technology, and the exploration of gameplay.
Marco Accordi Rickards, Director of GAMM said: “GAMM is a wonderful celebration of video game culture that showcases a journey for preservation digitally and physically in a modern space. With its iconic setting within the heart of Rome, the Museum will also be a forum for entertainment, hosting cultural events and occasions. We very much look forward to welcoming visitors from around the globe and sharing pieces of game history.”
Born from the extraordinary success story of Vigamus – The Video Game Museum of Rome, which has hosted over two million visitors from around the world since its inception in 2012, GAMM will be Open 7 days a week, and will span approximately 700 square meters, divided into two levels and three thematic areas. It offers an immersive and interactive journey through the world of video games, combining cutting-edge digital content with a collection of unique, valuable artifacts. It promotes the interactive medium as a form of cultural art and expression.
The exhibition area of GAMM – Game Museum features three main different interconnected levels, allowing multiple immersive experiences:
GAMMDOME – An immersive path throughout digital interactive stations with contributions from industry experts, presents itself with the 4 E Concept: Experience, Exhibition, Education & Entertainment. The path interconnects digital contributions with a physical exhibition of unique objects, consoles, pieces and donations that made the history of games.
PARC Path of Arcadia – The Path of Arcadia is the second thematic are of the museum, dedicated to the golden age of coin-op games, spanning from the late ’70s through the ’80s, with some forays into the early ’90s.
HIP Historical Playground – Historical Playground will be constituting the second level of the exhibition space. This area is entirely dedicated to gameplay, offering an immersive experience that deeply explores game structure, interaction mechanisms, and game design rules, with a detailed analysis of the historical evolution of video games, the technologies used, and the various target audiences.
The museum is designed not only for video game enthusiasts but also for families, young people, tourists, schools, academies, and industry experts, and for anyone interested in discovering the unique cultural medium that has, over the years, captivated and moved people of all ages and backgrounds.
GAMM – Game Museum information Location: Piazza della Repubblica, Rome Opening hours: 7 days a week from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM, and on Fridays and Saturdays also from 8:30 PM to 11:30 PM Website:www.gammuseum.com
Tickets to the museum will cost: 15 euros
About KABUTO s.r.l
KABUTO is an innovative and technological start-up with a rich heritage rooted in over 25 years of experience in the field of interactive works. It was founded by the team behind Vigamus Group. GAMM – Game Museum aims to constitute the evolution of the Group’s history in preserving, promoting, and expanding the cultural and artistic value of the interactive medium as a cutting-edge museum space. Our journey has seen the development of several key assets, including the VIGAMUS – The Videogame Museum of Rome, which opened its doors in 2012, and the VIGAMUS Academy, offering specialized training since 2014.
The aesthetic of a cyberpunk world is always a huge draw, especially when done well. Mix that with a little, or a lot, of dystopian future and there is the makings for some great storytelling to pull from, whether it involves humanity pushing the limits of what actually can still be considered human or mega corporations dominating the world. Chaotic Brain Studios has brought out their own take on a cyberpunk dystopia with a unique blend of pixel characters and 3D environments dripping with signature neon. So, now that it has arrived, is Neon Blood worth the trip to the grungy neon-lit future?
Story
The year is 2053 and everyone in Viridis has cybernetic implants of some sort, whether they are older biological based implants or the new fangled top of the line tech being rolled out by Nilkcorp. The quality of these implants is massive and with everyday life revolving around cybernetics in this dystopian future, those who are wealthy rule while those who are barely scraping by end up in the sewers, literally. Players take on the role of Axel McCoin, an amnesiac detective who was once one of the best cops in Blind City but once his memory loss, migraines, and addiction to the powerful drug Spark took hold he’s been barely holding it together.
With the help of his police commissioner wanting to honor his legacy and a fellow Spark addict who happens to be the best hacker in the city, McCoin finds himself placed on a serial killer’s trail. A mysterious murderer known as Robin Slash has been slaying any engineers working for Nilkcorp and with the company about to roll out the next major patch to their cybernetics, the company’s owner Ruby Emerald is prepared to take any means necessary, even if it means using her own security force “The Samaritans” that far outnumber and outgear the police to do it. With little time and only a few clues to go off of, McCoin soon finds himself embroiled in a conspiracy that’ll change the lives of everyone and not only contains the truth behind McCoin’s memory loss but his unusual abilities that slowly unveil themselves over the course of the investigation.
Neon Blood tells a fairly interesting tale with a world that is just detailed enough to draw players in but never quite deep enough to keep them interested for long and is a bit stereotypical for a cyberpunk story as well. This is both something of a blessing and a curse as Neon Blood is an incredibly short game with players being able to explore and talk to nearly every NPC in each location, find all the notes and newspaper clippings scattered around that provide a bit of extra context, and still beat the game in roughly three hours. This, accompanied with the fact that there are no unique paths or different outcomes to McCoin’s journey means that this is a one and done experience, even if some later revelations add a bit of extra context to earlier scenes.
That’s not to say that the story is bad by any means however and what the writers have detailed about the world is entertaining enough. Whether it be the Spark drug that many fall victim to and the foul way it is created, the “Rat Man” transformation the addicts can suffer, or even the dilapidated conditions a region can turn into once its mega corp pulls out. These little world details help add extra context to Neon Blood’s storyline but unfortunately the actual characters are the ones that need the most growth and explanation. Numerous characters that join McCoin’s investigation or come up against him have their own little personalities but they are never expanded on in any meaningful way in game. In fact, the main villain of the story, while stereotypical for their reasoning about what they want to do, isn’t even given most of their backstory within the title. Instead it is relegated to dev logs on the game’s Steam page where players shouldn’t even delve into before playing the game as it will spoil certain events within the game itself. Including these extra pieces of background information as post-game rewards or unlockable in-game content would have been a far more preferable way to handle these.
Gameplay
Throughout Neon Blood players will only find themselves controlling McCoin as he travels around the various locations pertinent to his current investigation. The only real navigation options are a slow walking pace, a standard jog, and shortly after starting the game, the ability to scan a small area for clues. Players can talk to various NPCs with quest-related NPCs given special exclamation marks next to their chat boxes as well as examine some objects in the environment but for the most part, almost everything having to do with exploration is incredibly simple.
Puzzles themselves are pretty much non-existent other than having to occasionally scan an area and follow a neon-lit trail left by McCoin’s target. This is as simple as going from point A to point B at nearly every occasion and even the dreaded sewers are a slog of activating terminals to lower bridges, an activity that players will need to do twice as they return to pad out the game’s length near the end of the title. The only notable puzzles have to deal with a couple of interactions that require the player to properly remember some clues to convince a character to move or real life knowledge of games as the title is full of references to both gaming as well as the cyberpunk genre in general. We counted at least three obvious game references though there are likely more for a more discerning or cyberpunk loving eye.
There is no inventory system in any way, as players will simply obtain items that will then just be used as needed by the plot and the same can be said for McCoin’s cybernetics and combat abilities. As players advance through the story McCoin will just be given upgrades by his allies or, in a couple of odd cases, just grow stronger out of nowhere. Ironically, despite having a turn-based battle system and featuring allies that seem like they could fight alongside McCoin at multiple times throughout the game, McCoin will always be alone when it comes to fighting. As for the fights themselves, as mentioned before they are entirely turn-based and there is no real way to judge which character will act first. McCoin’s initial combat options are standard attack, items that take turns to recharge, defend, and a headshot critical skill with no cooldown. As players progress they’ll obtain more item and skill attacks to the point that combat becomes a moot point, with there ironically being absolutely zero challenge once players obtain a certain final skill, making even the big bosses a breeze.
Not that there is any actual punishment for dying in combat. Should players take a risky gamble or take an unlucky critical hit and die, the game will simply reset the fight. Every so often after a fight, and one other time, players are sent into a series of quick time events to rapidly unleash powerful moves to finish off a foe in a bombastic looking fashion. The only problem here is, these quick time events are completely silent and so is the action happening on screen, removing a lot of the impact they may have otherwise.
It is rather unfortunate to note that despite clocking in at roughly three hours, Neon Blood has its fair share of bugs throughout our time with the game. This included interacting with an NPC only to find our character locked in place and unable to move, forcing a quit to menu and relying on the game’s lackluster auto save only option, a handful of translation issues, characters having the wrong text boxes for their dialogue to the point it made them look like they were talking to themself, and even an issue that glitched out a quest NPC that once again forced a quit and reload. It is also worth noting that while this may or may not be a bug, a combat skill that states that McCoin’s attack will never miss but will always attack second if used, misses extremely often.
Audio & Visuals
Players will immediately be able to tell that Neon Blood’s unique blend of chunky pixel art against 3D backgrounds laced with neon lighting throughout is a real labor of love. The game’s environments are great looking, even if some are unfortunately reused a couple of times too many, while the characters look wonderful, maintaining a unique aesthetic throughout while also providing a bit of a twisted look at how some of those who fall prey to the Spark become. Throughout the game the quick time action sequences are some of the best looking pieces of pixel art in the game and oddly enough, there are even full blown animated cutscenes from time to time but they are rather brief. That being said, these scenes do help provide a bit of extra detail to put some proper features to pixelated faces.
There is no voice work in any form throughout the game, though there are a large number of text language options available for accessibility. As mentioned before, there is a strange lack of sound effects for quick time event fights and even some of the animated scenes lack sound too which is extremely unfortunate. As for the background music, there are a solid array of tracks that fit the cyberpunk/retro theme of the game but none stand out in any notable way.
Overall
Playing through Neon Blood it is easy to see that it is a labor of love from some passionate developers. The pixel artwork and setting of the game are impressive and gorgeous looking at times and there is a certain level of detail to the world building that feels like there could be so much more to the game. But that feeling is sadly one that persists throughout many aspects of it, as the storyline itself isn’t bad but lacks impact thanks to its short length and lack of background details for certain characters outside of Mc Coin and the combat is bare bones at best and lackluster at its worst. With a handful of bugs accompanying it as well, it feels like Neon Blood could have been much more.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
In the neon-soaked cyberpunk world of Neon Blood life is cheap and cybernetics rule everything and the barely functioning detective Axel McCoin finds himself in the center of a twisted conspiracy that will throw everything on its head as we play through the entirety of this pixel indie game.
Neon Blood – Full Playthrough
Viridis, year 2053. Growing inequality drives Bright City and Blind City further and further apart until idealistic detective Axel McCoin starts a revolution to change the world in this fast-paced cyberpunk adventure.
Neon Blood Developer: ChaoticBrain Studios Publisher: Meridiem Games, Astrolabe Games Platform: Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S Release Date: 26 Nov, 2024 Price: $19.99 USD
Not Recommended – “Neon Blood’s gorgeous presentation hides its lackluster combat and exploration. Its solid story lacks the length and details to maximize its setup and worldbuilding.”
INDIE Live Expo, Japan’s premiere online digital showcase series connecting indie game fans all over the world, gives the world a sneak peek of this year’s showcase with the debut of a new teaser trailer.
Tune into INDIE Live Expo’s winter showcase on Saturday, December 7th at 2 AM PST 7 PM JST / / 5 AM EST / 11 AM CET streaming live in English on Twitch, YouTube, X / Twitter, and Steam.
Catch the latest updates on 100+ of the greatest upcoming indies in an East-meets-West extravaganza filled with world premieres, release dates, DLC announcements, and much more.
Emcee favorite J-mon returns to host INDIE Live Expo’s signature segments, including:
Bite-sized, rapid-fire announcement during the INDIE Waves segment
The Spotlight Segment, filled with extended close looks at titles handpicked by the INDIE Live Expo Executive Committee
Batches of catalog updates from PLAYISM, room6, and many more during the Publisher Selection segment
Tune in for the latest information across a variety of hotly anticipated titles, including:
Enjoy special discounts on both this year’s showcase participants as well as INDIE Live Expo alumni titles with the INDIE Live Expo Steam Sale from Thursday, December 6th at 7:00 PM PST until Friday, December 13th at 10:00 AM PST.
Follow INDIE Live Expo on X / Twitter and enter for a chance to win prizes in the Follow and Repost campaign on Monday, December 2nd, 2024. This year’s annual showcase marks the tenth show in INDIE Live Expo’s 4-year history, with more than 100 million views across ten events and 2,500+ indie games shown to the public.
INDIE Live Expo takes place Saturday, Dec. 7, starting at 7 PM JST / 2 AM PST / 5 AM EST / 11 AM CET streaming live in English on Twitch, YouTube, X / Twitter, and Steam.
Content creators and media outlets interested in co-streaming INDIE Live Expo 2024 can find more information here.
Ryu’s Office offers in-depth marketing solutions for smartphone, console, arcade, and PC games in Japan. They are particularly focused on the planning and production of numerous live broadcasts based out of Japan for the gaming industry. To learn more, visit the official Ryu’s Office website.
The Heist Challenge raises the stakes in its final week, with guaranteed valuable Diamonds awaiting players who break into the Casino vault and an exciting set of gifts up for grabs in the next major update – but only if the Community hits their biggest target take yet.
Plus, it’s Black Friday all week long, bringing discounts on a wide range of vehicles and properties – an ideal time for players looking to take on a new criminal pursuit or build their arsenal of valuable cars, bikes, and aircraft.
Full details from this week’s update include:
Guaranteed Casino Vault Diamonds in the Diamond Casino Heist Finale
Double GTA$ and RP on the Diamond Adversary Series, Open Wheel Races, Junk Energy Skydives, and Deadline
Earn the Diamond Strike Vest and a GTA$100,000 Bonus for completing the Diamond Casino Heist once this week
The Heist Challenge Final Week: Collectively stealing GTA$20 trillion until December 4 in select Heist Finales will award all players the Pacific Standard Varsity Jacket and a pair of brand-new surprises in December’s new GTA Online update.
Free Thanksgiving Outfits: Get The Tan and Brown Turkey Outfits for playing any time this week
50% off at Simeon’s Premium Deluxe Motorsport Showroom: The Benefactor Surano, Vapid Bullet, Emperor ETR1, Dewbauchee Rapid GT Classic, and Canis Kalahari
On Display at the Luxury Autos Showroom: The Übermacht Niobe and Överflöd Pipistrello
Lucky Wheel Top Prize: The Dinka RT3000
HSW Premium Test Ride: The Penaud Le Coureuse
LS Car Meet Test Rides: The Vulcar Warrener, Canis Seminole Frontier, and Obey 9F Cabrio
LS Car Meet Prize Ride: Place Top 3 in the LS Car Meet Series for four days in a row to win the Karin Futo GTX
Gun Van Discounts: 40% off the Widowmaker and50% off all Weapons and Throwables (GTA+ Members Only)
Black Friday Discounts:
Properties: 35% off Hangars, Salvage Yards, and their Upgrades & Modifications, 30% off Arcades and their Upgrades & Modifications
Vehicles: 50% off the Pegassi Weaponized Ignus, Coil Cyclone II, Vapid Bullet, Emperor ETR1, Pegassi Toreador, Imponte Deluxo, Ocelot Stromberg, Grotti Itali GTO Stinger TT, Dewbauchee Rapid GT Classic, Benefactor Surano, Buckingham Luxor, Buckingham Luxor Deluxe, Buckingham Swift, Buckingham Swift Deluxe, Buckingham Weaponized Conada, Pegassi Opressor, and much more
GTA+ Benefits: A free Nagasaki Shinobi (Motorcycle), biker-themed apparel, and 50% off MC Clubhouses, Double Rewards for LS Tags, and much more
Please see the Rockstar Games Newswire for more information.
The release of ‘ZERO Sievert’ and ‘Void Sols’ marks 2024 as a standout year for the indie publisher
LONDON, UK – 28th November 2024 – Modern Wolf, a UK independent publisher of games, is pleased to reveal that 2024 will be the company’s most successful year in its five year history following the launches of critically acclaimed, pixel extraction shooter ZERO Sievert, and minimalist souls-like Void Sols. The publisher is also excited to be looking for its next project to sign and is focused on the next stage of Modern Wolf’s life.
Receiving its full 1.0 release in late October following almost two years in Early Access, ZERO Sievert has now sold almost half a million copies across its life, with 50,000 units sold at its 1.0 release. With a current Metacritic rating of 81, and over 14,000 daily active users on Steam with an average playtime of almost seven hours, the game has proved to be a huge success with critics and players alike.
Void Sols, released on the 12th of November, has also proved to be a massive hit with players, with the game currently sitting on a user review average of 97% on Steam off the back of over 70,000 demo downloads
Commenting on the two recent releases, Phil Elliott, CEO of Modern Wolf said, “We’re really proud to have released Void Sols and brought ZERO Sievert out of Early Access this year. With our titles, we want to create experiences that feel familiar but also push the boundaries of their respective genres. So far, the receptions across the board have been incredibly positive, and we are really excited to begin working on the next steps for each game”
About ZERO Sievert
Developed by CABO Studio, ZERO Sievert is a survival extraction shooter set in a wasteland ravaged by a nuclear fallout, overrun with mutated creatures and dangerous bandits. Players must head out on excursions into the wilds to scavenge supplies, taking out enemies to get safely back to the bunker where they can trade items, mod weapons, and ready themselves for their next mission.
About Void Sols
Developed by Finite Reflection, Void Sols takes players through a top-down shadowy geometric world, challenging them to take down sword-wielding grunts, crafty arrow-flinging fiends and brutal bosses. Personalise your build as you and uncover the secrets of this subjugated world.
About Modern Wolf
Modern Wolf is an independent publisher of games. Boasting a catalogue of exciting games that span genres, art styles, and development teams, their goal is to publish titles that players can enjoy and master again and again.
About CABO Studio
CABO Studio was founded by Luca Carbonera in Italy in 2020. Currently working on his first title, ZERO Sievert is PvE top-down shooter that combines tight and tense gameplay with environments and atmospheres to match.
About Finite Reflection
Finite Reflection is an Atlanta-based independent game studio, established in 2017 by a group of friends with a dream to craft uniquely weird, high-quality gaming experiences that challenge conventions and push boundaries. Their most recent game, Void Sols, blends the gameplay of a Souls-like with a geometric design that feels nostalgic of classic arcade titles.
Hotta Studio’s supernatural urban open-world RPG Neverness to Everness has officially launched its limited-scale Chinese Closed Beta Test, starting November 28, 2024. This new test introduces a wealth of fresh content that is sure to captivate players. Let’s take a closer look at the exciting new features and updates the developers have brought to this immersive urban adventure.
Pre-registration for Neverness to Everness is now open. For further details or to register, please visit the official website. And stay updated by following Neverness to Everness on X or joining the official Discord community.
[Urban Anomalies Sitcom, Commencing Immediately]
The narrative style of Neverness to Everness breaks away from traditional serious and heavy tones, but embrace a fresh, lighthearted comedic approach. This innovative narrative not only creates a more relaxed atmosphere for players, distinct from the intense and somber storylines, but also adds a layer of fun and interactivity. The game excels in its presentation, with character expressions and animations finely crafted to enhance every scene, allowing players to truly feel the emotional nuances and humorous details in each moment of the storyline.
Furthermore, the game’s cinematic animations are equally impressive, with rich, colorful visuals that deliver a strong impact during key moments. Each animated sequence perfectly captures the characters’ emotional shifts and the atmosphere of the environment, showcasing an unparalleled level of performance. This meticulous attention to detail ensures that players not only enjoy the narrative itself, but are also fully immersed in the experience, feeling every twist and turn of the story as it unfolds.
[Shh, Don’t Look Back! Anomaly is Approaching!]
Neverness to Everness offers an exciting journey through the everyday life of Hethereau, a city where anomalies and humans coexisted. With three chapters of main storyline content and multiple side quests, players will delve deep into the vibrant and unpredictable world of Hethereau, exploring its multifaceted urban life and uncovering the secrets behind the strange phenomena that shape its very existence.
The game’s narrative invites players to experience a city unlike any other, where the boundary between the ordinary and the extraordinary is constantly blurred. As players navigate the city’s unique environments and interact with its eclectic inhabitants, they will find themselves drawn into a world that is rich with mystery, all while living out the daily adventures that come with coexisting alongside powerful anomalies.
Not only does the storyline offer a fresh perspective on urban life, but the game’s visual presentation is equally impressive. Developed using Unreal Engine 5, the graphics deliver stunning realism and detail, making every corner of Hethereau feel alive and immersive. The varied visual styles throughout the game keep the experience fresh and exciting, ensuring players never feel fatigued by repetitive or monotonous environments. Whether exploring neon-lit streets, bustling marketplaces, or mysterious, anomaly-infested areas, each scene is rendered with meticulous care, offering a feast for the eyes.
[Accompany With New Allies, Defeat New Enemies Together!]
Compared to the initial reveal in July, the latest test introduces several new characters who will fight alongside players or play crucial roles in the unfolding story. Among the new additions, two male characters stand out—Adler (a playable character) and Edgar—who are members of the Eibon Antique Shop and will frequently accompany the protagonist throughout the adventure.
The latest CBT gameplay introduces a series of new chapter bosses and anomaly commission bosses, each bringing their own unique style and challenges to Neverness to Everness. These encounters not only enhance the gameplay experience with diverse combat scenarios but also provide players with a deeper connection to the world of Hethereau. The varied design of these bosses ensures that players will encounter a broad range of exciting and dynamic battles, each with its own distinct flavor.
What makes these bosses even more intriguing is the rich backstory behind each Anomaly Boss. These stories don’t just cater to players’ desire for intense action gameplay—they also serve to immerse players in the lore of Hethereau, shedding light on the city’s complex history and the mysteries surrounding the anomalies. By uncovering the motivations and origins of these formidable foes, players will feel a stronger bond with the city itself, discovering how the strange and often dangerous elements of Hethereau have shaped the lives of its inhabitants.
[Become an Omnipresent Cityrunner]
During the initial reveal, Neverness to Everness generated significant buzz around its driving mechanics. In the latest Closed Beta Test (CBT), players can now visit New Way Car to purchase vehicles or rent cars directly from the roadside, offering greater flexibility in how they explore the open world of Hethereau.
The developers have also made significant improvements to the driving experience, adding more realism and immersion to the gameplay. Vehicles now suffer physical damage upon collision, and players must visit New Way to fix their cars, further enhancing the sense of realism and making the city feel more alive. These updates offer a more dynamic urban experience, where every drive is an adventure and the consequences of the player’s actions matter.
About Hotta Studio
Hotta Studio previously developed the globally released open-world game Tower of Fantasy. Tower of Fantasy features a light sci-fi art style with anime aesthetics, and was created with Unreal Engine 4, providing players worldwide with a rich and diverse open-world gaming experience.
London, UK, 28 November 2024 – Get ready for an atmospheric adventure as Super Rare Games joins Feardemic and Jesse Makkonen to bring you Afterdream, in an exclusive physical format on Nintendo Switch™!
Get lost in a lucid dream, bending the lines between reality and fiction. Utilize the strange camera to navigate through the ghosts’ mysterious residence. Find the purpose of your nocturnal visit in a vivid and dreamlike setting.
Prepare yourself for this 2D psychological horror adventure…
AFTERDREAM – LAUNCH TRAILER | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
Navigate through a ghostly mansion
Navigate the obscure location populated by ghosts, and collect items to solve puzzles as you move further through the intriguing story. Look through the lens of your strange camera and photograph highlighted objects to interact with them.
Side-scrolling 2D with unique art-style
Interact with hidden objects through the lens of a strange camera
Atmospheric music and sound design
Delve into a lucid dream, bending reality and fiction
Minimalist yet efficient interface so the focus stays intact
Hand-made in Finland, no asset flips or cheap tricks!
Super Rare Games strives to be the indie’s best friend. Defined by that mission, we are both a wholly original publisher as well as a publisher of limited physical content for the Nintendo Switch™. We operate alongside our partners to bring the most exclusive offering of the very best indie games to collectors worldwide. From the packaging of the products to opening the limited edition trading cards, we aim to provide gamers with the purest experience. As we continue to expand our collection of games, we hope you join us and grow yours too.
New Behemoth, 18 new weapons, overhauled progression, cross-platform play, and much more
Vancouver, B.C. – 28 November – Dauntless returns with its most transformative update ever, Awakening, on 5 December. Marking its debut on Steam, Dauntless: Awakening will be available on all platforms with cross progression, allowing players old and new to seamlessly continue their adventures across console, Epic Games, and Steam. The first season, Dauntless: Awakening, kicks off the new era, with a host of new content. Additional seasons are already in the works, bringing regular waves of fresh content, challenges, and rewards for Slayers to enjoy.
Headlining the update is the newest Behemoth, Karkonos created in collaboration with the Dauntless community. This epic encounter takes place in the haunting Twilight’s Domain hunting ground, where players can earn parts to craft the coveted Brineguard Armour Set.
Dauntless: Awakening introduces 18 new weapons, seven of which are unlocked through early quests, including the Silver Sword and Golden Claws. Plus an additional 11 weapons are earned via Weapon Tokens, which are earned in weekly challenges and both the free and paid tracks of the new Hunt Pass. Every weapon has a unique special ability, can be powered up to Level 60, and has 25 unlockable Talents including boosts to special, active, and passive abilities. To aid players in levelling up their weapons they will be able to equip both a weapon and subweapon, with both gaining equal XP.
This update is the culmination of player feedback and innovation, shaped in part by insights gathered during the closed beta, bringing new challenges, rewards, and adventures to Slayers around the world.
Phoenix Labs is a games developer and publisher based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Founded in 2014, Phoenix Labs creates worlds that empower players to share enduring stories like never before. Their debut title, Dauntless, a co-op Action RPG, has seen incredible success with over 30 million players worldwide. Their second title, the magic-infused cozy farm sim Fae Farm, launched on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam, and the Epic Games Store. For more information on Phoenix Labs, please visit https://www.phxlabs.ca
Lesquin, November 28th 2024 – NACON and Artefacts Studio are pleased to announce that Crown Wars: The Black Prince is now available on Nintendo Switch. Since its release on PC and consoles last May, the game has benefited from major optimizations. Developed by Artefacts Studio, creators of the hit game The Dungeon of Naheulbeuk: The Amulet of Chaos (highly rated by players, with 88% positive reviews on Steam), their new turn-based tactical-strategic game shares a brand-new video.
Crown Wars: The Black Prince takes place during the 100 Years’ War, which pits several royal families against each other in bloody conflicts, the outcome of which will determine who dons the crown of the most powerful kingdom in the West. The game brings its own unique twist to this mediaeval setting: a story tinged with touches of dark fantasy and occult forces, the influence of which is reflected in the gameplay. With six classes to choose from, players can define their own combat strategy by forming a squad combining physical power and exceptional skills. The varied profiles of each character also enable them to build an army with an identity of its own.
Crown Wars: The Black Prince aims to pay tribute to the turn-based tactics and strategy game genre, and sets out to adhere to the codes dear to the player community, including:
A system of cover, positioning and skills combinations, where it is important to make good use of the terrain and surroundings
Complex turn-based tactical situations
A host of main and secondary objectives to complete
A wide variety of weapons to choose from and develop, depending on soldier class and the strategy employed
More than 100 unlockable class skills and weapons, with numerous different applications (damage, slowing down, healing, etc.)
Numerous finishing move sequences available at the end of tough, brutal fights
Crown Wars: The Black Prince is now available on Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S.
About NACON
NACON is a BIGBEN group company founded in 2019 with the aim of optimising its know-how through strong synergies on the video games market. By bringing together its 16 development studios, AA video games publishing, the design and distribution of premium gaming peripherals, NACON is able to harness 30 years’ expertise for the benefit of gamers. This new unified business unit has strengthened NACON’s position on the market, and enabled it to innovate by creating new unique competitive advantages. https://corporate.nacongaming.com/
About Artefacts Studio
Founded in 2003, Artefacts is now one of the major independent players in the French video games industry, with a team of around one hundred experienced contributors. Based in the heart of Lyon, the studio has specialised in the tactical RPG segment since 2017, with the development of the Dungeon of Naheulbeuk: The Amulet of Chaos, on PC and home consoles. Crown Wars is a mature and accomplished tactical RPG that further strengthens its standing on the tactical RPG market.
