28 OCTOBER 2024:   Dead Island 2 – the thrilling First-Person Action zombie slaying RPG set in the iconic, gore-drenched streets of Los Angeles – has hit a record ten million players! 

The milestone was reached on the same day that Dead Island 2 Ultimate Edition launched, offering a free upgrade to all Gold Edition owners, granting them access to all the content Hell-A has to offer. 

Whether you’re an existing player or brand new to the franchise, this is the ultimate entry ticket to HELL-A. Dead Island 2 Ultimate Edition includes the base game, HAUS and SoLA (Dead Island 2’s twisted story expansions) and a bucketload of stylish cosmetics and deadly weapons, including:  

• Golden Weapons Pack  
• Memories of Banoi Pack  
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Weapon Pack  
• Pulp Weapons Pack  
• Red’s Demise Katana  
• All six Slayers’ Premium Skin Packs  

And for anyone who has yet to give Dead Island 2 a try – there will be free playable trial versions on Xbox and PlayStation digital storefronts. This allows you to play a limited session (both single player and co-op) of the game with your save game progress transferring to the full version once you purchase.   

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  
   
ABOUT DAMBUSTER STUDIOS  

Dambuster Studios is a AAA game developer of almost 200 designers, artists, animators and software engineers with a heritage spanning 25 years.  For more information, please visit www.DSDambuster.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.  

The Voices in His Head Won’t Go Away… Embrace the Madness And Do What The Voices Say! 

HAMBURG, GERMANY – OCTOBER 26, 2024 – Indie developer J6 Games announced its linear psychological horror game Tower of Madness is available now on Steam. Reminiscent of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series, Tower of Madness follows world-weary cowboy John, who is compelled by an insidious voice inside his head to explore a subterranean inverted floating tower. In this atmospheric, narrative-driven third person title, players will encounter monsters, mystery and a path to redemption as they ascend the ominous tower. Embracing madness may be the only way to maintain your sanity. 

Watch the Tower of Madness launch trailer below

Tower of Madness was featured in Steam Next Fest with many people playing the free demo over the last two weeks, getting players excited for spooky season with a new horror game just in time for Halloween. 

About Tower of Madness

In Tower of Madness play as John, a cowboy who has lived all his life in a small, desert town. One day he starts hearing a voice in his head, preempting the murder of everyone he knows right in front of him. Distraught with no one else to turn to, he follows the ominous voice in his head down into a dry well that opens up into a vast cavern containing a tower that is upside down and floating. The voice directs John to follow his crows up into the tower. Primarily a narrative driven walking simulator with a tense atmosphere, this short form game features voice-acted cutscenes and mind-bending physics defying environments. 

Tower of Madness is now available on Steam for $4.99.

June 2025 Release Date & New Artwork Revealed for Magic: The Gathering – FINAL FANTASY

October 26, 2024 – Wizards of the Coast, a division of Hasbro, today hosted special panels for Magic fans at MagicCon: Las Vegas, giving them a sneak peek at upcoming releases in 2025 and laying out the foundations for the next era of Magic: The Gathering.  MagicCon attendees were also among the first to see six new pieces of art and discover exciting new details for FINAL FANTASY, an upcoming Magic: The Gathering Universes Beyond set slated for release in June 2025.

The beloved FINAL FANTASY series comes to Magic: The Gathering as a tentpole booster release on June 13, 2025. The FINAL FANTASY series is known for its highly imaginative worlds, rich stories, and memorable characters. The set will encompass each main FINAL FANTASY game that has been released to date, from the original FINAL FANTASY to the recently released FINAL FANTASY XVI. The set will also be available to play digitally on Magic: The Gathering Arena.

“At Square Enix, we are always seeking new ways to bring the rich lore and legacy of FINAL FANTASY to life,” said Shoichi Ichikawa, Producer of the FINAL FANTASY series at Square Enix. “This collaboration is important to us because it allows us to merge the immersive storytelling of FINAL FANTASY with the fun strategic gameplay of Magic: The Gathering—something that fans of both franchises will love.”

This set includes the largest collection of FINAL FANTASY artwork ever in a single game. The set will include artwork from Magic artists along with classic illustrations from legendary FINAL FANTASY artists as well as brand new, breathtaking pieces made specifically for this set. From the iconic chocobo to the behemoth, players will see their favorite characters—like Cloud, Terra, Lightning, and Noctis—alongside summons and monsters from across the FINAL FANTASY series.

“This collaboration is more than just cards. It’s about celebrating decades of iconic characters, legendary stories, and unforgettable moments from one of the most beloved franchises in gaming history,” said Zakeel Gordon, Product Architect at Wizards of the Coast. “FINAL FANTASY fans will get to experience these characters in an entirely new way—through the strategic depth and storytelling of Magic: The Gathering.”

In addition to learning more about the upcoming FINAL FANTASY set, MagicCon attendees also got a deep dive on the upcoming Foundations set launching November 15.  Foundations includes fan-favorite Legends and Planeswalkers from throughout Magic’s 30-year history, and is the quintessential Magic set for past, present, and future players. The cards released with Foundations will be legal in standard format play through at least through 2029.

After laying the foundations for the next Magic set launching on November 15 this year, Wizards of the Coast gave MagicCon attendees a look ahead at upcoming Magic: The Gathering releases to come in 2025:

Innistrad Remastered (release date: January 24, 2025)

Innistrad Remastered will bring everything that Magic fans love about this gothic horror setting into one curated, draftable set.

Aetherdrift (release date: February 14, 2025)

Aetherdrift is a high-speed, high-stakes death race across three different planes. Magic players can choose their racer with ten two-color aligned teams—from goblins to insects—as they fight for the finish line and chance to win the coveted trophy, the Aetherspark.

Tarkir: Dragonstorm (release date: April 11, 2025)

Players will return to the beloved world of Tarkir with Tarkir: Dragonstorm. Building from Magic’s original visit to the plane, Tarkir: Dragonstorm will deliver on two important elements: factionalized clans and gameplay and Dragons now reborn. Dragons are pouring out through Dragonstorms all over Tarkir, and players will see the return of Sarkhan and Ugin.

Magic: The Gathering – FINAL FANTASY (release date: June 13, 2025)

The beloved FINAL FANTASY series comes to Magic: The Gathering as a tentpole booster release on June 13, 2025. The set will encompass each main FINAL FANTASY game that has been released to date, from the original FINAL FANTASY to the recently released FINAL FANTASY XVI. The set will also be available to play digitally on Magic: The Gathering Arena.

Edge of Eternities (release date: August 1, 2025)

In August, players will visit The Edge, a science fantasy setting that sits outside of the Multiverse, bordering the entirety of the Blind Eternities. In the Edge, there are stars of mana and aether, worlds that orbit them, and spaceships that travel between solar systems. Edge of Eternities follows a team of salvagers as they explore Sothera, a galaxy that is centered around a slowly collapsing star.

Magic: The Gathering | Marvel’s Spider-Man (2025)

In 2025, Universes Beyond brings Marvel’s Spider-Man to Magic: The Gathering. Magic: The Gathering | Marvel’s Spider-Man will be the first tentpole booster set to release in a multi-year collaboration with Marvel.

TBA Universes Beyond release (2025)

Wizards of the Coast announced a Universes Beyond set will be released in 2025, with more details to be announced at a later date.

For more information about everything that was revealed at MagicCon, watch the panel below:

In 2025, MagicCons return for a year filled with exciting gameplay, special guests, and high-level competitive play. Wizards of the Coast will host three MagicCons in 2025, and each features an associated Pro Tour. The 2025 dates and cites are:

• February 21-23, 2025: MagicCon: Chicago featuring the first Pro Tour of the 2025 season
• June 20-22, 2025: MagicCon: Las Vegas featuring the second Pro Tour of the 2025 season
• September 26-28, 2025: MagicCon: Atlanta featuring the third Pro Tour of the 2025 season

Wizards of the Coast also announced the first MagicCon of 2026 will be hosted in Europe, with more details on location and dates to be announced later.

About Magic: The Gathering

Magic: The Gathering’s compelling characters, fantastic worlds, and deep strategic gameplay have entertained and delighted fans for more than 30 years. Fans can experience Magic through the tabletop trading card game, the digital game Magic: The Gathering Arena, a New York Times bestselling novel, and a critically acclaimed comic book series. With more than 50 million fans to date, Magic is a worldwide phenomenon published in more than 150 countries.

About Wizards of the Coast

Wizards of the Coast, a division of Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS), develops legendary games that inspire creativity, spark passions, forge friendships and foster communities around a lifetime love of games. Wizards delivers compelling experiences for gamers across tabletop and digital gaming through its best-known franchises MAGIC: THE GATHERING and DUNGEONS & DRAGONS and Hasbro’s unparalleled portfolio of approximately 1,500 brands. With headquarters in Renton, Washington and studios in Austin, Montreal, Raleigh and Renton; Wizards is dedicated to fostering world-class talent to create unforgettable play experiences on all platforms. To learn more about Wizards, please visit our Company website and social channels (@Wizards on Twitter and LinkedIn).

About Hasbro

Hasbro is a leading toy and game company whose mission is to entertain and connect generations of fans through the wonder of storytelling and exhilaration of play. Hasbro delivers engaging brand experiences for global audiences through toys, consumer products, gaming and entertainment, with a portfolio of iconic brands including MAGIC: THE GATHERING, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, Hasbro Gaming, NERF, TRANSFORMERS, PLAY-DOH and PEPPA PIG, as well as premier partner brands. Hasbro is guided by our Purpose to create joy and community for all people around the world, one game, one toy, one story at a time. For more than a decade, Hasbro has been consistently recognized for its corporate citizenship, including being named one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens by 3BL Media, one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Institute and one of the 50 Most Community-Minded Companies in the U.S. by the Civic 50. For more information, visit https://corporate.hasbro.com.

Standalone Expansion to the Hit Game Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun Arrives on Consoles This December—Available for Preorder Now on PlayStation and Xbox! 

Hamburg, Germany – October 25, 2024 – Daedalic Entertainment is excited to announce that Shadow Tactics: Aiko’s Choice, the standalone expansion to the critically acclaimed Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun, will finally be available for PlayStation and Xbox players on December 6th, 2024! After a successful PC launch three years ago, this highly anticipated expansion is making its way to current-gen consoles (excluding Nintendo Switch). PlayStation 5 and Xbox X|S -players can preorder the game starting today and get a 10% discount up until release.

Developed by the renowned Mimimi Games, Aiko’s Choice builds upon the success of the base game, which has been widely praised for its deep tactical gameplay and immersive setting in Edo-period Japan. The expansion was a hit on PC, earning an impressive Metascore of 83 and a 93% positive rating from Steam users, while Blades of the Shogun continues to enjoy success on consoles as well.

Console players can look forward to the same heart-pounding, stealth-based strategy gameplay that made Shadow Tactics a favorite, now optimized for PlayStation and Xbox.

Pricing & Editions The game will be available at a price of €19.99 (with a 10% discount up until release for all editions). For those looking for more, other editions will be released alongside the base game:

1. Shadow Tactics: Aiko’s Choice – Base Game: €17,99 until release (€19.99 at release)
2. Shadow Tactics: Aiko’s Choice – Deluxe Edition – Includes the Aiko’s Choice Base Game + Aiko’s Choice Soundtrack (featuring tracks from Blades of the Shogun): €22.49 until release (€24.99 at release)
3. Shadow Tactics – Ultimate Bundle – Includes the Aiko’s Choice Base Game + Blades of the Shogun Base Game + Blades of the Shogun Artbook/Strategy Guide + Aiko’s Choice Soundtrack: €62.99 until release (€69.99 at release)

The Artbook/Strategy Guide and Soundtrack will also be available separately for purchase.

About Aiko’s Choice
Shadow Tactics: Aiko’s Choice takes players back to the beautiful, atmospheric world of Edo-period Japan. This standalone expansion follows the story of Aiko, the kunoichi adept, as she confronts her past alongside her deadly assassin companions. Aiko, a master of disguise, faces her former sensei and cunning adversary, Lady Chiyo, in a thrilling narrative of espionage, betrayal, and vengeance.

Players will control Aiko and four other unique characters:

• Hayato, the agile ninja who strikes from the shadows
• Mugen, the powerful samurai capable of taking on multiple enemies at once
• Yuki, the young trap-setting thief
• Takuma, the wise marksman with his loyal pet Kuma

In this tactical stealth game, players must carefully plan their moves, utilizing the unique skills of each character to infiltrate enemy bases, set traps, and outwit their foes.

Key Features

• Return to the beautifully crafted world of Shadow Tactics set in early Edo-period Japan
• Experience a new storyline centered around Aiko, one of the main protagonists of Blades of the Shogun
• Engage in three fully-fledged main missions and three shorter interlude missions
• Choose from a range of non-lethal and lethal tactics
• Sync your team’s actions with the “Shadow Mode” feature for devastating takedowns
• Select from three difficulty levels, offering a challenge for both newcomers and veterans alike

Disclaimer: Aiko’s Choice is a standalone expansion and does not require ownership of Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun. However, we recommend playing at least the first few missions of the main game to familiarize yourself with the mechanics, characters, and story.

About Daedalic Entertainment

Daedalic Entertainment is a renowned publisher that has supported indie developers for over 17 years, bringing their titles to every major gaming platform. The line-up of games includes a diverse variety of unique titles, focusing on four distinct areas: storytelling, strategy, co-op games, and wholesome games. With an international team of around 45 employees, Daedalic is currently working with various development studios to create a new line-up of innovative games across consoles and PCs to market. Recent hits include New Cycle, Barotrauma, Unrailed!, REVEIL, Potion Tycoon, Deponia, Shadow Tactics, Inkulinati, Hidden Deep, Fling to the Finish! and more. Please look out for upcoming games like The Occultist, Woodo, Magin: The Rat Project Stories, Edge of Sanity, Wild Woods, and many more. Since April 2022, Daedalic Entertainment has been a subsidiary of the French publishing house Nacon.

Ladybug and Cat Noir leap into their most daring adventure yet in this solo and co-op action-adventure platformer!

MINNEAPOLIS – Oct. 25, 2024 – Tikki, spots on! Miraculous: Paris Under Siege, the all-new third-person action-adventure platformer inspired by the beloved animated television series Miraculous™ – Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir, launches today on video game consoles and PC. Embark on a thrilling adventure where heroism, acrobatic combat, and stunning parkour collide as Shadow Moth unleashes a wave of villains across the city. It’s up to Ladybug and Cat Noir to save the day!

The Standard Edition of Miraculous: Paris Under Siege is availabletoday on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam, the Epic Games Store and Microsoft Store for $49.99. Players can also grab the Deluxe Edition for $59.99, which includes a digital art book, alternate gadget effects, and Season 6 costumes for Ladybug and Cat Noir.

Rescue Paris from the clutches of Shadow Moth, controlling the ruthless Stormy Weather, who has harnessed ancient Egyptian powers to take over the city! Battle against akumatized villains from the series as the heroic Ladybug and Cat Noir in an all-new original story. Use unique abilities, master epic combos and traverse the city of Paris with parkour finesse on your own – or with seamless drop-in, drop-out local co-op with a friend.

Key Features:

• Legendary Heroes Unite: Play as Ladybug and Cat Noir, each with their own stylish combat moves, and switch seamlessly between them. Call upon your fellow heroes like Rena Rouge, Carapace, and others during battle to turn the tide with coordinated attacks!
• Master the Martial Arts: Execute agile combos on the ground and in mid-air, harnessing the full spectrum of Ladybug and Cat Noir’s abilities to defeat your enemies in high-flying style.
• Fight Fearsome Foes: Face off against classic villains from the series, each posing unique challenges. From The Bubbler and Lady WiFi to Truth and Sole Crusher, you’ll need to adapt your tactics to counter their powers and save Paris.
• Stylish Acrobatics: Use amazing parkour moves such as swinging, rail slides, and wall jumps to navigate the Parisian landscape, uncover secrets and outmaneuver enemies!
• Customize Your Playstyle: Enhance your heroes’ abilities by earning experience to upgrade your traits: Life, Speed, Damage and Assist Energy. Tailor your abilities to your preferred style and maximize your impact in battles.
• Save the Day: Liberate Paris one district at a time, choosing your path through non-linear gameplay that encourages exploration and strategy. Restore light and hope to each corner of the city besieged by Shadow Moth’s dark influence.
• Couch Co-op Adventures: Battle alongside a friend with seamless drop-in, drop-out local co-op and experience the thrill of saving Paris together.

The Standard and Deluxe Editions of Miraculous: Paris Under Siege are available today on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam, the Epic Games Store and Microsoft Store. This game is licensed by Miraculous Corp, developed by Petit Fabrik and published by GameMill Entertainment.

About Miraculous

Miraculous follows the adventures of two seemingly typical teens with secret identities, Marinette and Adrien, who magically transform into superheroes Ladybug and Cat Noir to save their city of Paris from unexpected villains! As the global sensation celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2025, the Miraculous™ universe continues to captivate audiences through its CG-animated television series, TV Event specials, feature film, and digital content, as well as consumer products, gaming, live events, and more. With broad appeal across all ages, the show’s five seasons are available in over 150 countries across the globe. Later this year, the excitement builds with the premiere of a fourth animated TV Event, and season six is set to start delivery. Miraculous™ has become a digital sensation with 41B+ views on YouTube, 250 million downloads of the official app; and over 750 million plays on Roblox. 740MM+ products have been sold, and retail sales have surpassed US$1.5B. Miraculous™ is thewinner of 40 awards including Best Animated Series in the Kids Programming category at the 2023 Kidscreen Awards.

About Miraculous Corp

Miraculous Corp is the groundbreaking joint-venture between Mediawan, Europe’s premier independent production powerhouse led by Pierre-Antoine Capton, and ZAG, the innovative independent animation studio renowned for crafting original tales and IPs led by Jeremy Zag, that unites all facets of the globally acclaimed Miraculous™ franchise. The mission of Miraculous Corp is to elevate the brand’s global footprint, overseeing both creative endeavors and commercial ventures to magnify its influence on a worldwide scale. Miraculous Corp aims to deploy creations around the franchise, opening the door to a new era of iconic characters and captivating narratives. Ladybug’s adventures will soon unfold new content around the world.

About GameMill Entertainment

GameMill Entertainment, located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a third-party publisher of console and mobile games for passionate fans around the world. Development platforms include PC, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft consoles including the Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, Sony consoles including the PlayStation®5 and PlayStation®4, and mobile devices. With development across the globe, GameMill is a source of entertaining and fun games for all ages. For more information, visit https://gamemill.com, as well as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.

Miraculous™ is a trademark of MIRACULOUS CORP © MIRACULOUS CORP. All Rights Reserved. GameMill Entertainment, LLC. All Rights Reserved. GameMill Entertainment is a registered trademark of GameMill Entertainment, LLC. Nintendo Switch is a trademark of Nintendo. “PlayStation Family Mark”, “PlayStation”, “PS5 logo”, “PS5”, “PS4 logo”, “PS4”, and “PlayStation Shapes Logo” are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.

Guangzhou, China – 25th October 2024. Publisher 663 Games and developer Leap Studio are excited to unveil the official Early Access Roadmap for the V1.0 release of the thrilling action roguelike Realm of Ink. The version 1.0 launch is scheduled for January 2025 with major monthly content updates planned from October until launch. Each feature-packed content update will introduce new features, address player feedback and optimize the Early Access experience. Realm of Ink is available for PC now via Steam Early Access for $16.99USD/£14.29GBP/€16.49EUR. 

Major October Update Now Live on Steam

To kick things off, the October Early Access update is now available on Steam and introduces three new Ink Gem Powers, 21 new Perks, and a Pick System that lets players choose their starting Ink Gem Power and Perk. This update enhances the build potential of each weapon form, placing a stronger focus on light and heavy attack synergies. The goal is to elevate the nature of action gameplay and maximize the satisfaction of every playstyle.

With this release, the game now features:

•  25 Ink Gem Powers
• 145 Perks
• 9 Weapon Forms
• 101 Martial Arts Skills
• Hundreds of Elixirs

The additional content deepens the game’s strategic potential, encouraging players to experiment with new combinations and uncover unique builds.

Build Showcase Trailer Now Available

663 Games has released a Build Showcase Trailer to celebrate the update featuring five foundational builds. This video offers a glimpse into the excitement of fully realized builds, but it’s only the beginning—countless other playstyles are waiting to be discovered by creative players.

Realm of Ink is an Ink-style action Roguelite game. While pursuing the Fox Demon, the swordswoman Red, unexpectedly finds that her life is dictated by the ‘destiny’ within the world of the book. Only by breaking free can she unveil the truth of her existence and challenge the constraints of fate.

Realm of Ink is available now via Steam Early Access. Fans can still download the updated demo and add the game to their Wishlist. 

About 663 Games 

663 Games is a newly established publishing label committed to premium and indie game publishing on PC, consoles, and mobile platforms. The company, headquartered in China, was founded by a team of passionate gamers and industry veterans. The team had a proven track record of achieving global success with several titles previously, offering extensive experience and resources for worldwide publishing, along with unique advantages for a strong presence in the Chinese market. The team empathises with the financial challenges that independent developers and small teams often encounter, and 663 Games is dedicated to providing them with funding support to help bring their creative visions to life. As a new, ambitious and trustworthy global publisher, 663 Games collaborates closely with developers to ensure commercial success.

New players, it’s ‘ice to meet you. Returning Hunters, the cold never bothered you 

Shanghai, China — October 25, 2024 | The time has finally arrived! Players: unpack your paintbrushes and prepare to bring colour to a monochromatic landscape in Torchlight: Infinite’s sixth season: The Frozen Canvas.

XD Games is bringing artistic flair to its newest instalment, injecting some much-needed color into the murkiness of darker months. Step into Torchlight and discover a world of possibilities, meet new heroes and create together today!

Players will step into the shoes of Selena, a powerful bard with destructive capabilities able to transform between defensive and offensive strategies for devastating effect. 

Prepare to descend onto the frozen canvas and discover the Netherrealm like it’s never been seen before. Covered in sparkling ice, it’s up to players to battle their enemies, gather colorful tools and transform this icy expanse into a majestic masterpiece. 

As we heard in the recent campfire chat with maxroll , SS6 brings an exciting new gameplay mechanic centered around painting and canvases. Players will collect Snowpaper Fragments and magical paints within the Netherrealm, which they can use to create their own custom maps. As these paintings are completed, they come to life, allowing players to step into these vibrant, frozen landscapes and engage in battles for exclusive rewards. Mastering colors has never been so rewarding as players can use these combinations to complete objectives, unlock new areas, uncover hidden treasures and so much more.

Alongside this creative system, players can look forward to over 100 new support skill effects, enhancing the customization of character builds. The revamped crafting system emphasizes non-legendary gear with more predictable, strategic outcomes, removing legendary gear crafting in favor of deeper customization. With a brand-new dual-form hero, Selena, and significant balancing updates across skills and mechanics, SS6 is a refreshing blend of creativity and strategic depth that promises to elevate the Torchlight experience.

With new ways to play, craft and explore, there’s so much to experience in this effervescent new season! 

XD Games

Founded in 2003, XD Games. is a global video games developer and publisher with extensive experience across development, publishing and operations. As of 2022, XD has 38 free-to-play and paid games with over 50 million monthly active users worldwide. In addition, TapTap — a mobile games community and app store — was launched by XD in 2016 and is estimated to currently have 44 million monthly active users.  XD’s mission is to assemble like-minded talented games industry craftspeople with a common goal of touching the hearts of players around the world. XD produces games of the finest quality with passion, offering a pure gaming experience, and encouraging players of all ages to embrace the unique joy of video gaming.

London, UK – 25th October 2024 – Curve Games, a leading publisher in the video games industry, is thrilled to announce a new publishing partnership with Patattie Games for their highly anticipated title, Wax Heads. This collaboration brings together Curve Games’ expertise in game publishing and Patattie Games’ unique creative vision, with the aim of delivering an unforgettable gaming experience to audiences worldwide.

Wax Heads is a lovingly handcrafted narrative sim where players recommend just the right record for every eccentric customer at Repeater Records. Combining charming puzzles and minigames, punchy dialogue and a gorgeous comic book art style, Wax Heads tells an emotional and uplifting story set to a toe-tapping original soundtrack.

Bradley Crooks, COO at Curve Games, expressed his excitement about the partnership: “At Curve Games, we are always looking for projects that push creative boundaries and offer something fresh to players. Wax Heads is a fantastic addition to our portfolio, and we believe it will resonate with our audience. Patattie Games has crafted something truly special, and we’re thrilled to bring their vision to gamers everywhere.”

Patattie Games shares this enthusiasm, as the studio eagerly anticipates the support that Curve Games will bring to Wax Heads’ launch. With Curve’s well-established publishing and marketing expertise, both teams are confident that Wax Heads will reach a global audience and exceed expectations. 

Pattatie Studios, Rothio Tome & Murray Somerwolff shared: “We’re so excited to be working with Curve Games, they understand our deep love for making a game about music lovers, bands, records and the messy stories in between. Wax Heads is a game with community at its heart, and now, with the Curve team behind us, just like our eccentric patrons of Repeater Records, we feel like anything is possible. Plus what do records need…? Curves! So it just made sense.” 

Wax Heads is scheduled for release in 2026. More details on the gameplay, characters, and features will be revealed in the coming months. Gamers can stay tuned to Curve Games’ channels for the latest updates and announcements. 

About Patattie Games

Patattie Games is an independent game development studio dedicated to pushing the boundaries of interactive entertainment with emotionally resonant experiences and stories.  Featuring the award-winning talents of the punk dev duo Rothio Tome and Murray Somerwolff, Wax Heads is the studios first release.

Curve Games is a leading video game publisher known for working with independent studios to bring engaging, high-quality games to players around the world. With a diverse portfolio that spans multiple genres, Curve Games is committed to helping developers reach new audiences and achieve commercial success.

Help shape the future development of Playtonic Friends’ cozy Wild West life-sim!

Burton-on-Trent, UK – 25 October 2024. Listen up, partner! It’s time to start a whole new wholesome adventure in the pixel-art prairie paradise of Cattle Country! Publisher Playtonic Friends and developer Castle Pixel are thrilled to release the first PC Open Beta demo via Steam and give budding digital ranchers the opportunity to play the anticipated cozy Wild West life-sim AND leave valuable feedback to help shape the game into a true Western classic! 

Head over to the Cattle Country Steam page and download the Open Beta demo now! Also, here’s a friendly reminder that Cattle Country is still in early development, and this Beta will not represent the final scope or performance of the final product!

What can you expect from the Beta?

This Open Beta builds upon the Closed Beta that took place in August and features a hearty slice of what new settlers can expect from the full Cattle Country experience. We will be showing off some exciting new additions based on the community/Closed Beta feedback including prairie pets, expansions to the in-game mining features and tool upgrades as well as more exciting additions we will reveal in the Open Beta! 

• At the start, you will be able to create your character, manage a pre-built ranch, interact with local characters, and explore some of the early features!
• Start by customising your character, your pronouns, naming your ranch, and meeting Mayor Archibald who will welcome you to the town. To save a little time, the Mayor has set up a small, simple ranch to get you started! Here, you can engage in an optional tutorial to get a lay of the land or jump straight in!
• Mayor Archibald will then stay near your ranch, ready to whisk you away to the Town Square or the Mines if you want to fast travel. However, if you would prefer to explore on foot, signposts will be dotted about to help you on your way!
• You’ll also be able to interact with and befriend a small handful of the lively characters planned for the full game, who will have a variety of quests for you to potentially help with! 
• These lovely folk are known as the Welcoming Committee, with Carl, the bank teller, Sassy,  the outdoor expert, John the blacksmith, and Carrie, who owns the saloon (which, rumours have it, might be haunted!!) all ready to guide you on your adventure! 
• Ready to get your hands dirty? Then it’s time to dig deep and explore the mines, try out your fishing skills, craft items, decorate your homestead and more!

This Open Beta is a chance to provide your feedback on your Cattle Country experience. You’ll receive a feedback form, and be able to discuss your thoughts via our Steam Community!

About Cattle Country

Here is a taste of some of the wild adventures awaiting you as you become part of this small community of settlers, and part of a story that’s as old as these hills. Welcome to Cattle Country. 

• Ranchin’ and Handcraftin’ – Making your home on the range is a modern departure. From sunup to sundown, you’ll be rollin’ up your sleeves and gettin’ your hands dirty working the land and raising your cattle. Building and crafting as you go to make your own little slice of heaven under the blue skies of Cattle Country.
• Swappin’ stories and settlin’ in with your neighbours – Get to know the townsfolk, hear their stories, help them out. The people here are a hardy bunch – you’ve got be to survive here. But they have hearts as warm as a hearth in the wintertime if you make the effort to stoke the flames. 
• Beware of Bandits – Not everyone in Cattle Country is the warm and fuzzy type, so watch out for nefarious plots and shady characters. Protect your homestead and your community.
• Rodeos to Romance – Making friends is a must in the Wilderness, relying on each other through thick and thin. But maybe you’ve got a yearnin’ for more? With 18 romanceable characters, take a chance and grab love by the reigns.
• Buried Treasure – Did yer hear? There’s treasure in the mines, for those who are brave enough to look for it. From precious metals and minerals to bandit stashes. Grab your pickaxe and venture out into the thrill of prospecting.
• Trackin’ game in the wild – From bunnies to bovine, there’s many a critter waiting in the woodlands for a keen adventurer. Hunting to eat or venturing out just to see all of nature’s wonders, it’s your call.
• Cattle Country is developed by Castle Pixel and published by Playtonic Friends and will be released on PC via Steam. Budding buckaroos can download the Cattle Country PC Open Beta and add to their Steam Wishlist now.  

About Playtonic Friends

The studio that brought you Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair, Playtonic launched their publishing arm, Playtonic Friends to be a helping hand to indie developers around the world. Established in February 2021 Playtonic Friends has helped bring incredible titles such as B.P.M, Demon Turf, Blossom Tales 2 and Lil Gator Game to wider audiences.

About Castle Pixel

Castle Pixel are a small creative indie dev team based in the US and Canada. They are devoted to making big new adventures inspired by the classics they grew up with! Get ready for a new experience from the team that brought you Blossom Tales and Rex Rocket.