Tripwire Presents, the publishing division of Tripwire Interactive that focuses on releasing great games from other independent studios, today announced that The Stone of Madness will launch digitally on Windows PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S and the Nintendo Switch™ system on Jan. 28, 2025. The upcoming tactical stealth adventure titledeveloped by The Game Kitchen, acclaimed developers of Blasphemous and Blasphemous 2, will participate in Steam Next Fest which runs from 10:00am PDT Monday, Oct. 14 through 10:00am PDT Monday, Oct. 21, giving gamers an opportunity to get hands-on as they play through the game’s multi-hour prologue experience. The publisher also released the game’s animated intro trailer to help prepare gamers for their journey into madness, offering a stylized introduction to the five uniquely flawed prisoners and their daring plans to escape their unjust confinement. Hopefully with their sanity intact.

The Stone of Madness is a tactical stealth adventure game set in a Spanish madhouse in the late 18th century, presented with gorgeous hand-crafted, period-inspired artwork. Located in the Pyrenees, a timeworn Jesuit monastery is home both to a madhouse and an inquisitorial prison; five mysterious characters have been imprisoned between its walls under different pretenses. Plagued by cruel punishment, madness, and despair, they will soon devise a plan to escape this place and its evil inhabitants, relying on each other to face their deepest fears.

The Stone of Madness key features include:

Escape the Monastery: Control all five characters independently to aid in their escape, taking care to preserve each member’s sanity as much as possible. As they explore the corridors and rooms of the monastery they may discover useful tools or clues to aid their escape. They must avoid detection at all times, the Inquisition is not known for their mercy.

Manage the Madness: Each character carries their own unique traumas and phobias contributing to their own respective madness. Managing their mental health will be crucial to their escape, using a system of character progression and regression. Failing to maintain a character’s sanity can trigger new negative traits including paranoia, dementia, or bouts of violence.

Discover the Secrets Within: Choose between two different escape plans, with each campaign featuring unique stories, objectives, and surprises. These plans will play out through a day and night cycle separating daytime actions and nighttime preparations, giving the prisoners time to rest and recover. Most actions will be best performed during daytime, even with the Inquisition’s presence, however the darkness of night offers unique opportunities, and risks. There is a reason most inmates rarely venture out after dark.

Experience Stunning, Hand-painted Art Style: The visuals in The Stone of Madness have been lovingly hand-painted and animated, drawing heavy inspiration from 18th-century artist Francisco De Goya. An isometric perspective allows players to explore scenes and observe minute details as if they’re adventuring through a Goya painting brought to life.

Developed by The Game Kitchen and published by Tripwire Presents, The Stone of Madness will launch on Windows PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, PS5™, Xbox Series X|S and the Nintendo Switch™ on Jan. 28, 2025. Find out more about The Stone of Madness on the official website, follow the game on X, BlueSky, Facebook, and join the discussion on Discord. This game has not yet been rated by the ESRB or PEGI.

For more information on The Game Kitchen, visit their official website and follow them on X, BlueSky, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

To learn more about Tripwire Interactive please visit their official website and follow them on X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

THE INNER SPHERE (Oct. 14, 3049) – The Invasion begins now. True MechWarrior pilots are combat-ready the moment they drop, and to help both veterans and newcomers, developer and publisher Piranha Games has released the launch trailer for the upcoming MechWarrior 5: Clans ahead of its launch on October 17 at 12:01am UTC on PC, Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 for $49.99:

Wishlist here: https://mw5clans.com/?wishlist 

The third distinct MechWarrior game from Piranha Games in the past 15 years, MechWarrior 5: Clans brings back the style of long-awaited story-based MechWarrior action that fans last played in MechWarrior 4: Vengeance (2000). Singleplayer or co-op modes present classic MechWarrior battles created in Unreal Engine 5 set against a narrative backdrop telling the story of the Smoke Jaguar Clan – a group with a storied history in the Inner Sphere’s lore. 

Today’s launch trailer weaves the game’s overarching story through rich visuals showcasing the battles, explosions and tension MechWarrior gameplay is known for. MechWarrior 5: Clans marks the series’ first return to narrative based linear design in almost 25 years.

About MechWarrior 5: Clans

MechWarrior 5: Clans follows Piranha’s 2019 hit, MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries, which was an open ended, procedural experience, selling more than 2 million units while securing its current 84% Very Positive ranking on Steam from almost 10,000 reviews.

MechWarrior 5: Clans focuses on story driven design and thrusts players into a captivating campaign taking place across a variety of planets through stunning, meticulously designed biomes where immersive realism is baked into every detail. Intricately designed maps and missions deliver engaging combat, both complex and chaotic, demanding thoughtful, strategic play. Tactical options abound with an all-new cast of customizable Clan Mechs boasting sleek and powerful Clan technologies. MechWarrior 5: Clans explores a time in the MechWarrior universe which realizes incredible technological advances in Mech warfare.

New progression and customization systems encourage pilots to alter Mech loadouts with expansive customization through an updated Mech lab, Hardpoint, and Omnipod system. MechWarrior 5: Clans also debuts ally directing tools, including a bird’s eye-style Battlegrid and a quick command radial menu, empowering players to intuitively lead their Star whether using a controller or keyboard & mouse setup. Adaptability to the scenario at hand is key to a strategic victory.

MechWarrior 5: Clans sports a gripping set of gameplay features for new and veteran pilots:

• The Clan Invasion is Here: For the first time since MechWarrior 2 (released in 1995), pilots can immerse themselves in an action packed Clan Invasion story – one of the most epic time periods in the franchise that changed the course of the Inner Sphere’s factions and politics forever. MechWarrior 5: Clans is the absolute perfect entry point into the MechWarrior universe for newcomers, and the game which veteran pilots have been waiting more than 30 years to play.
• This Isn’t Run-and-Gun, This is MechWarrior: Celebrated core MechWarrior combat returns in MechWarrior 5: Clans. Pilots must strategically plan and execute Star-based team assaults, commanding their team while utilizing the new Battlegrid and radial menu, if they are going to bring honor to Clan Smoke Jaguar while advancing their position within the Inner Sphere.
• Customizable Mechs: Victory starts in your Mech Lab with an expanded collection of technologically advanced Clan weapon systems, equipment and Upgrades. Clan Mech’s superior technology grants you the ability to swap out larger parts for greater customization and functionality ahead of assaults. Plan accordingly based on terrain, structure, and biome specificity for the best chance at victory.
• All-Star Strategy: Your squadron (aka your Star) is depending on you. Protect the members of your Star in battle, deepening your bond as you engage the Inner Sphere’s determined defenders. Immerse yourself in the story as you lead your Star through narratively driven missions and thrilling combat.
• Stunning Visual Design: Harnessing the power of Unreal Engine 5, MechWarrior 5: Clans abounds in environmental detail and destruction – from precisely designed confined cityscapes to bogs spanning incredible distances, battles will take shape on breathtaking landscapes and the complex infrastructure of the Inner Sphere.

MechWarrior 5: Clans launches in three days on October 17 at 12:01 am UTC. Learn more about the game at www.mw5clans.com and wishlist at https://store.steampowered.com/app/2000890/MechWarrior_5_Clans/.

Discover the Harvest Hollow as Halloween comes to Gielinor today

Monday, 14 October 2024, Cambridge, UK. Prepare for a frightfully fun adventure and set off on a spine-chilling quest to reinvigorate Gielinor’s spooky spirit in RuneScape’s Harvest Hollow Halloween Event, available in-game to all RuneScape players from today until November 4th.

Explore the Harvest Hollow, a creepy new Halloween hub full of pumpkins, candles, campfires and, er, tentacles, as you team up with one of the Five Horsemen of The Horseman clan for three weeks of hair-raising fun.

Travel across Gielinor to frighten some familiar faces and reinvigorate them with Halloween spirit in the new seasonal quest ‘Field of Screams’, as you take on a series of challenges set by the fearsome captains of The Horsemen clan to prove your passion for all things scary.

Set off on a terrifying trail through the Maize Maze, traversing fickle Agility shortcuts to capture dastardly implings and come face-to-face with three different bosses during the course of the event. Defeat each boss to get your hands on some Spooky Tokens, Clan Confections, and elusive Boss Drops.

Take part in some frightful seasonal activities to boost your experience in Archaeology, Thieving, Prayer and Summoning, and huddle up with your team in a weekly ceremony, where rewards will be granted to each player who contributes Clan Confections to their team’s tally.

Speaking of rewards, discover terrifying new treats and returning classics, including new Horsemen Uniforms for each of the team captains, the new Ring of Frank, Frank’s Shield, new Reaper Masks, new Boss Pet Skins, and two new pets – the Spirit of Harvest Scythe and Horses the Chicken. Head to Reynold’s Harvest Boon shop to discover many of your favourite Halloween rewards from the last 15 years of RuneScape, and don’t forget to participate in the Grim Harvest: Treasure Hunter Promo for access to multiple rewards, including a 5-part Necromancy Outfit and Ability Overrides.

Harvest Hollow is available as a limited-time event to all RuneScape players from October 14 to November 4. RuneScape is available now on PC, Steam, iOS, and Android, complete with cross-platform progression and play on PC and mobile.

About RuneScape   

Celebrating more than twenty years of adventures and acclaimed by PC Gamer as “one of the most endearing and unique MMOs available”, RuneScape is an ever-expanding, community-driven game that’s bursting with activity and life. Today RuneScape is one of the world’s longest-running online games, with over 300 million player accounts.

Set in a medieval fantasy land, players embark on epic journeys through a vast sandbox world that’s full of gods, warring races, unexplored dungeons, and glittering riches. Propelled by the game’s narrative, choose your own path through enthralling quests, and progress through 29 diverse skills to shape a single character in a classless world. RuneScape is available across PC, iOS and Android devices.

About Jagex   

A leader in creating deep and engaging forever games that empower our communities across PC, mobile and consoles. Jagex’s flagship MMORPG, RuneScape, has welcomed over 300 million player accounts to its world and is a $1billion + lifetime revenue franchise. Today the RuneScape franchise exists beyond live operations; our titles are forever games that connect and inspire millions of players, with content and experiences both inside and outside of inexhaustible game worlds. Both RuneScape and Old School RuneScape, on PC and mobile, offer ever-evolving, highly active worlds and our community-focussed development ethos empowers players to have a real say in how each game is shaped.

In 2022, Jagex expanded with the acquisitions of PipeWorks and Gamepires, bringing its expertise in building forever games to SCUM, a multi-million selling open-world survival title in Steam Early Access & other unannounced titles. Jagex employs more than 600 people globally, and is headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom. 

Lead your own team of Champions to victory in tactical battles against other players or a chess-inspired AI

Paris, France, October 14th, 2024 – Independent developer Gemelli Games will be showcasing the public demo of their upcoming fantasy tactical RPG Skygard Arena as part of the Steam Next Fest, running from October 14th to 21st. Available now on Steam, this demo is a unique experience for players to discover the core gameplay mechanics of Skygard Arena, some of its playable Champions, unique arenas and more.

“It’s thrilling to participate in this month’s Steam Next Fest with our debut game,” said Alexandre Colin, Co-Founder & CEO at Gemelli Games. “This demo is the result of 3 years of hard work and numerous iterations with our community. We are excited to let more players enjoy Skygard Arena and cannot wait to see the creative strategies they come up with! Their feedback will be very important to us as we prepare for our Early Access release later this year.”

In the Skygard Arena Demo, get an early look at the game’s Arena mode. After 4 introductory missions to discover the basics, jump into the action with no time or game limit! Play solo against two kinds of AI opponents: the Classic AI, perfect to train over your first games, or the studio’s in-house Experimental AI, inspired by chess engines, for a new kind of challenge. You can also take the fight online and face other players with the demo’s global matchmaking system to climb the leaderboard, or face a friend for a casual game! Playing games online or against AI will make you unlock more Champions, with 7 available in total. You will also unlock an alternate Persona for each Champion, with their own moveset, and over 50 playable items to build your own team and find the playstyle that suits you. This demo is a unique experience designed to showcase the core gameplay of Skygard Arena – the first chapters of the single-player campaign mode will be available when the game launches in Early Access later this year!

About Skygard Arena
Centuries after a cataclysm that shattered the world of Skygard, five factions now battle across floating shards in the sky, vying for a mysterious crown from an ancient civilization. As the factions have their champions clash at the Grand Tournament for this powerful artifact, questions arise: Will it bring peace, grant ultimate power, or lead to a more somber future for Skygard? 

Starting from Early Access, delve into Skygard Arena’ssingle-player PvE campaign, letting you discover the story of the playable Champions uncovering the mysteries of Skygard. Along the way, expand your roster by unlocking new Champions, discovering their alternate Personas and collecting powerful Artifacts—all of which combine to create a unique playstyle.

One of Skygard Arena’s standout features is its multiplayer PvP mode, offering intense 15-minute 1v1 matches. With its own progression system, build custom teams and outwit your opponent in fast-paced skirmishes designed for both casual play with friends and competitive ranking. With a focus on skill, Skygard Arena ensures a fair PvP experience with no microtransactions, creating a level playing field for all players.

Crafting your ultimate squad is key in Skygard Arena. With thousands of possible combinations, you can assemble a team of three, from 9 Champions and more to come throughout Early Access, each with two distinct Personas that modify their gameplay experiences and skill sets. Amplify their power with game-changing Artifacts: Will you equip Champei with the Crimson Gem to unleash a wave of Bleed effects on your foes, or opt for the Iron Chains to cripple their movement? The possibilities are endless as you customize your squad to suit your strategy.

Engage in tactical skirmishes where every decision counts: position your Champions wisely, choose the perfect moment to unleash devastating ultimate spells and turn the tide of battle in your favor. Compete for control of Pillars to gain strategic advantages, or risk everything with a bold assault on your opponent’s Core Pillar for an instant win. Every turn is packed with dynamic choices as you reposition your team with dash skills, strategic movements, or even teleportation between controlled Pillars to outmaneuver your opponents and secure victory!

About Gemelli Games

Founded in 2022 by twin brothers in Paris, Gemelli Games is an indie game development studio with a focus on creating multiplayer live-service strategy games. Their mission is to design games that are easy to access, satisfying to master, and endlessly enjoyable with friends. They take a community-centric approach to development, involving players early through regular playtests and iterating based on qualitative feedback and data analytics.

LONDON, UK – October 14, 2024 – Hop to the deep south and lead a band of toads in their fight against evil in Toads of the Bayou, a toad-ally new turn-based roguelike strategy game coming to Steam on November 19th.

Combining frog-like deck building with strategic toad-based combat, Toads of the Bayou sees a band of toads rising to defend themselves from Baron Samedi’s evil forces as they attempt to build a new life in the swamps of the deep south.

Create a powerful deck to hop into combat and outwit your enemies, playing as three suave toads each with unique abilities and traits. Combine tactical movement cards with powerful combat cards as you battle against the Baron’s forces, banding together to defeat his waves of minions and fearsome aides.

Restore the toads’ Tavern to gain unique new abilities, new cards, and new allies to join you on our journey. Tactically lead your toads into battle across three islands, earning upgrades to help your toads’ chances of survival on future runs.

Toads of the Bayou features:

• Fortify the bayou and hop into strategic grid-based combat in a challenging mix of turn-based tactics and run-based roguelike deck building.
• Play as three suave toads on a mission to defend their bayou from Baron Samedi’s evil forces.
• Lead your toads into battle against waves of minions and 10 fearsome bosses across three different islands, earning upgrades at the end of each run to help your toads’ future survival.
• Build a personalised deck with over 50 unique cards, combining tactical movement cards with powerful combat cards to overcome your enemies.
• Upgrade and restore the Tavern to gain new abilities, new cards and new allies to join you on your journey.

Toads of the Bayou can be added to your Steam Wishlist now.

About La Grange Studio

La Grange is an independent development studio, set in the North of France. It was founded in 2020 by Alexandre CLEMENT, a passionate geek who had always navigated between art and computer science, until he decided to do both at once. La Grange aims at convoking multicultural elements to propose engaging gaming experiences.

About Fireshine Games 

Fireshine Games is a global publisher of digital and physical video games based in London, England, with a focus on finding fun and bringing innovative indie gems to players around the world. Originally established in 2014, Fireshine Games has built a portfolio of digital titles and indie sensations, including award-winning titles Core Keeper and Shadows of Doubt, while partnering with studio giants to bring digital hits to physical release, including Lies of P from Neowiz, Balatro from Playstack, and Planet Zoo: Console Edition from Frontier Developments. Fireshine Games is part of the EG7 group of companies.

This marks the beginning of a furreal journey into a magical world

Stockholm, Sweden – October 14, 2024 | Today, Maximum Entertainment and Infuse Studio are thrilled to announce that Spirit of the North 2 is joining a host of delightful demos in this month’s Steam Next Fest!

Set in a desolate world robbed of joy and magic by the dark shaman Grimnir, players put on their foxing gloves and go on a journey to cleanse corruption and restore the ancient powers of the animal guardians. Accompanied by their capable raven companion, this story will take them through mighty snow-capped mountains, ancient crypts filled with perilous puzzles and calming meadows offering much needed respite. 

This game has big pawsteps to follow, and with its near endless character customisation and brand new unlockable skills, Spirit of the North 2 is gearing up to be everything players could want from a sequel. Developed in Unreal Engine 5, demo players will meet the most handsome fox in all of Steam Next Fest!

For a little teaser on what awaits, check out the reveal trailer below:

Not only that, but to celebrate the upcoming sequel, Spirit of the North will be hosting its biggest sale yet, with an unimaginable 90% off starting from October 17. Now is the perfect time to cozy up under some blankets and dive snout first into a pile of autumn leaves with the Spirit of the North series.

About Maximum Entertainment

Maximum Entertainment is a global entertainment company dedicated to crafting indie to AA video game experiences through original content and licensed partnerships. A fully integrated group with a broad portfolio of content, the company emphasizes collaboration and inclusivity in its partnerships to produce the highest level of interactive entertainment. With more than 300 titles in its catalog, Maximum Entertainment has joined forces with talented creators and renowned franchises around the globe to deliver magic to the gamer in everyone. Maximum Entertainment employs experienced professionals across the entire value chain of video games including development, publishing, transmedia, sales, and operations.

About Infuse Studio

Video game development company founded in 2015, Infuse Studio self published their first game with their own IP Spirit of the North in 2019. Shortly afterwards teaming up with Merge Games to help with the publishing side of Spirit of the North ports for PC, Switch and eventually XSX/S and PS5 while Infuse handled development and put out numerous updates to the game. Since then Spirit of the North 2 has been quietly in development for about 3 years as the small team prototyped and started to build out their expansive new world

This marks the beginning of a furreal journey into a magical world

Stockholm, Sweden – October 14, 2024 | Today, Maximum Entertainment and Infuse Studio are thrilled to announce that Spirit of the North 2 is joining a host of delightful demos in this month’s Steam Next Fest!

Set in a desolate world robbed of joy and magic by the dark shaman Grimnir, players put on their foxing gloves and go on a journey to cleanse corruption and restore the ancient powers of the animal guardians. Accompanied by their capable raven companion, this story will take them through mighty snow-capped mountains, ancient crypts filled with perilous puzzles and calming meadows offering much needed respite. 

This game has big pawsteps to follow, and with its near endless character customisation and brand new unlockable skills, Spirit of the North 2 is gearing up to be everything players could want from a sequel. Developed in Unreal Engine 5, demo players will meet the most handsome fox in all of Steam Next Fest!

For a little teaser on what awaits, check out the reveal trailer below:

Not only that, but to celebrate the upcoming sequel, Spirit of the North will be hosting its biggest sale yet, with an unimaginable 90% off starting from October 17. Now is the perfect time to cozy up under some blankets and dive snout first into a pile of autumn leaves with the Spirit of the North series.

About Maximum Entertainment

Maximum Entertainment is a global entertainment company dedicated to crafting indie to AA video game experiences through original content and licensed partnerships. A fully integrated group with a broad portfolio of content, the company emphasizes collaboration and inclusivity in its partnerships to produce the highest level of interactive entertainment. With more than 300 titles in its catalog, Maximum Entertainment has joined forces with talented creators and renowned franchises around the globe to deliver magic to the gamer in everyone. Maximum Entertainment employs experienced professionals across the entire value chain of video games including development, publishing, transmedia, sales, and operations.

About Infuse Studio

Video game development company founded in 2015, Infuse Studio self published their first game with their own IP Spirit of the North in 2019. Shortly afterwards teaming up with Merge Games to help with the publishing side of Spirit of the North ports for PC, Switch and eventually XSX/S and PS5 while Infuse handled development and put out numerous updates to the game. Since then Spirit of the North 2 has been quietly in development for about 3 years as the small team prototyped and started to build out their expansive new world

Limassol, Cyprus – 14 October 2024. After a hugely successful summer of industry events, ESDigital Games is getting ready to head into autumn by attending the upcoming gamescom Asia show in Singapore from 17-20 October. 

The team will be showcasing five action-packed titles from their thrilling upcoming portfolio, with playable versions available in both the Business Area  (booth BC05) and the Indie Entertainment Zone (booths IA 31-35). Attendees can get hands-on time with the stealth action game Steel Seed, action-packed Metroidvania-inspired AWAKEN – Astral Blade, complex alchemy RPG BattleJuice Alchemist, story-driven sci-fi adventure Sky of Tides and the stunning action-adventure game Island of Winds. 

Check out the ESDigital Games gamescom Asia teaser trailer below

More information on the gamescom Asia ESDigital Games line-up: 

Steel Seed – Release Date – 2025

Steel Seed, developed by Storm in a Teacup, is a stealth action-adventure game set in a dark, sci-fi world where humanity hangs on the brink of extinction. Join our protagonist Zoe, and a flying drone Koby, as they investigate the depths of a hostile underground facility in search of answers and the key to the survival of mankind. Having revealed the stealth and action gameplay in Steel Seed, the gamescom demo introduced the deep story and exploration side of Zoe’s journey through the stunning futuristic environments.

AWAKEN – Astral Blade – Release Date – 22 October 2024

AWAKEN – Astral Blade is a dark Metroidvania side-scrolling action game in which players take on the role of bionic Tania, a clone from the OS-CR100 series created by Dr. Herveus, as she ventures deep into the rainforests in search of a missing team of researchers. Tania’s journey truly begins when she uncovers ancient secrets buried deep within the ruins in the forest, leading her to confront the mysteries of her origins and her ultimate destiny.

Battlejuice Alchemist – Release Date – PC Out Now via Early Access, PS, Xbox, NSW Coming Soon

‘GDC Best in Play 2024 winner’ – Battlejuice Alchemist is a complex alchemy RPG that adds an equipment-based skill system to the classic aRPG formula. Focus on top-down combat or opt for JRPG-style one-on-one fights. Explore the wilderness, learn ritual magic, and craft potions to fight demonic hordes overrunning the lands.

Sky of Tides – Release Date – Early 2025

Sky of Tides developed by Lofty Sky Entertainment, is a story-driven sci-fi adventure with RPG elements set in a technologically advanced universe on the brink of war. Play as Rin, who must search for her missing father and heal the broken planet of numen9. Explore the world while your choices shape your character. Check out this latest version of Sky of Tides and dive into the deep narrative and see how balanced decision-making will influence the game progression.

Island of Winds – Release Date – 2025

Island of Winds developed by Parity Games is an adventure game set in a stunning open-world environment inspired by 17th-century Iceland, drawing upon its nature, folklore and history. The core gameplay involves a rich story, extensive lore and intriguing puzzles, as well as legendary creatures, spellcasting and a special focus on empathy encounters. 

About ESDigital Games

ESDigital Games is a global video game publishing company specializing in premium indie and mid-core games for both PC and consoles. ESDigital Games’ upcoming releases include the stealth-action title Steel Seed, the Metroidvania-inspired AWAKEN – Astral Blade, the alchemy RPG BattleJuice Alchemist, the story-driven sci-fi adventure Sky of Tides, the twin-stick sci-fi shooter Memory Lost, and the Icelandic folklore inspired action-adventure title Island of Winds, as well as several unannounced titles currently in development. Their current portfolio includes the RTS tower defense and match-3 mechanics title Cats on Duty, the ’80s-themed point-and-click adventure Unusual Findings, the tactical card combat game Deck of Ashes, and the Early Access releases of the twin-stick shooter REMEDIUM and the roguelike action RPG Scholar of the Arcane Arts.

New content, location and gameplay featured in free playable demo of 663 Games’ upcoming detective noir thriller

Guangzhou, China – 14 October 2024. The time has come to enter Darkwater City and join Detective Lucas as he investigates a series of bizarre murders in the updated playable demo for Kill The Shadow, which will be available at the start of the upcoming Steam Next Fest, running from 14 – 21 October. 

Published by 663 Games and developed by Shadowlight Sanctuary, Kill the Shadow is a dark narrative-driven detective role-playing game where players choose their investigation methods as they embark on a journey to solve the case. The development team has collaborated with a renowned American writer to completely rewrite the English script for Kill the Shadow, ensuring that while staying true to the original story, the English version offers a deeper sense of linguistic and cultural immersion.

The new demo introduces a new setting and storyline in Zhulong Walled City with around 30 minutes of gameplay and a new immersive flashback opening scene set ten years ago. The demo also has two new scenes, a revamped factory setting for better optimization, and includes more high-quality music and refined dialogue that provides deeper insight into the characters and world. 

663 Games and Shadowlight Sanctuary have created a new trailer which showcases brand-new gameplay clips and content from this highly anticipated title. 

The updated Steam demo can be downloaded as part of the Steam Next Fest from 14 – 21 October and fans can add the game to their Wishlists now. 

Kill the Shadow is a suspenseful narrative-driven detective role playing game. Investigate a series of bizarre murders in different areas of Darkwater city: the missing Master Ruan at the temple fair, the sudden death of Wangcai, and the grudges at the Shipwreck.

Find the lost memories of the city and piece together the truth of its division from ten years ago. Unravel the truth – kill, judge, or even kiss (?) the mastermind behind it all.

Features: 

• Hints and Evidence – Freely choose how you enhance your abilities—strength, spirit, charm—and select your own methods to investigate cases—psychological warfare? Bribery? Or simply beating your suspects? Deduction System: Collect, analyze, and connect related clues to create your own unique investigation path
• Seeing the Past – “The Shadow”, a strange creature attached to you that reads memories and reconstructs the traces of the deceased “Don’t worry, Lucas, we’re just using each other. You use me to find the culprit, and I, well, I love tasting those bizarre stories, hahaha!”, says the Shadow.
• The Ways of the World – Meet various characters in the city: the energetic girl with a camera, the elegant Mrs. Ruan, the rumoured goddess who can cast spells, and the elderly fish-selling lady. Discover the stories behind them. Encounter characters like the self-righteous Captain Theo, Griff Smith’s son Axel Smith, the foul-mouthed Little Rascal, and the deceased Master Ruan. Earn the hearts of your favourite characters by completing certain events!
• Retro and Neon – The combination of 3D environments and 2D pixel art characters creates a unique artistic style with a striking contrast between modern and retro aesthetics. Explore a variety of diverse and freely explorable scenes: the dilapidated steel forest factory, the muddy shipwreck dock built on water, the Zhulong Walled City blending the fictional traditional Ma Island and Imperial culture, and the bustling old city district.

Kill the Shadow will be released for PC via Steam in late 2024. Fans can add the game to their Wishlist now.

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.

Re-envisioned Fish-Man Island Arc and Special Episode Will Stream on Crunchyroll

Sydney, Australia (October 14, 2024) – Toei Animation has announced that the legendary anime series One Piece will be embarking on a hiatus following today’s release of Episode 1122. The series will return in April 2025 with fresh episodes from the Egghead arc. During the hiatus, fans can look forward to new content, including One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga, a special re-envisioned edition of the iconic arc streaming on Crunchyroll. These episodes will be available exclusively in select regions for one month before becoming accessible on other platforms worldwide.

This special 21-episode cutdown will showcase the Fish-Man Island Arc with a fresh look and feel, bringing a contemporary visual style and new animation sequences, including opening and ending themes. The new opening theme, “We Go!” by Kitadani Hiroshi, will include a special guest collaboration to be announced soon, while the ending theme, “Sailing” (TV version) by BE:FIRST, adds an exciting new touch. Designed to capture the essence of this fan-favorite storyline in a concise format, One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga is set to captivate One Piece fans, worldwide, all over again!

Additionally, on October 20, a special 25th Anniversary Episode will premiere, honoring One Piece’s enduring legacy with a 30-minute ensemble depicting the reunion of the Straw Hat crew from the perspective of the non-pirate characters. Set in the Sabaody Archipelago after the Summit War, the story follows its protagonist, a young girl and admirer of Nami, as she sets off on a small adventure. Fans can look forward to the episode being available on Crunchyroll, too.

One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga Official Synopsis:

The Straw Hats reunite at Sabaody! The promised day has arrived. The Straw Hats have made it back to Sabaody Archipelago after two arduous years of separation. In the very same place where they once lost to Pacifista, the Straw Hats have proven themselves to be stronger and ready to begin their journey to the New World. With the Thousand Sunny now equipped to travel underwater, the next stop is the Fish-Man Island. “One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga” is a special edited version of the original arc from “One Piece”, in an abridged 21-episode story with an enhanced contemporary visual look.

One Piece, based on the manga by Eiichiro Oda, follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirates to find the ultimate treasure, The One Piece, and become the Pirate King. This long-running series continues to captivate fans around the world with its unique blend of action, humor, and heartfelt storytelling.

For more information and to get ready for the festivities, visit our official One Piece show page on Crunchyroll and the official English X (formerly known as Twitter) home for One Piece.

About Toei Animation Inc.

Based in Los Angeles, Toei Animation Inc. manages the distribution of Toei Animation’s top properties, including franchise series Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, One Piece, Digimon, Saint Seiya and many others, to North America, Latin America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. In addition, Toei Animation’s Los Angeles office also oversees all categories of consumer product licensing based on its film and television brands within these territories. For more information, please visit toei-animation-usa.com.

About Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll is the global anime brand that fuels fans’ love of anime. With the ambition to make anime an even bigger part of pop culture, Crunchyroll offers fans the ultimate anime experience and destination centered around a premium streaming service. Crunchyroll has the largest dedicated anime library, an immersive world of events, exciting theatrical releases, unique games, must-have merchandise, timely news, and more. Anime is for everyone and is accessible to stream across territories through Crunchyroll—whether on the go on mobile, through gaming consoles and big-screen devices at home, or on desktops anywhere.

Crunchyroll, LLC is an independently operated joint venture between U.S.-based Sony Pictures Entertainment and Japan’s Aniplex, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., both subsidiaries of Tokyo-based Sony Group.