PC players will awaken Satan with the Exclusive Level Editor for Steam, new levels and a brand new campaign on Thursday, Oct. 3!

SHERMAN OAKS, Cali. – Sept. 23, 2024 – Employees want to become Satan’s favorite, the CEO of Hell of an Office, so winning Employee of the Month has just become an adrenaline-fueled competition in this satanic speedrunning first-person platformer set in a corporate hellscape from developer 43 Studios and publisher Joystick Ventures, rocket-jumping its way onto Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 & 4 this Q4 2024. 

The PC version launches via Steam on Thursday, October 3, 2024 — with Epic Games Store and GOG versions planned for release at a later date. On Steam, Hell of an Office includes an exclusive level editor supported by the Steam Workshop. Design and customize your own  challenges with endless possibilities to create new levels for creative platforming, or crush the hope of your coworkers with deviously difficult levels. Misery loves company, and the HellO corporation loooves misery.

Did you really think you were going to escape this press release so easily? This is very bureaucratic, and once you enter HellO, it’ll get even worse. You’ll have to explore all the facilities of Hell of an Office as part of its brand new campaign in the full release—a story full of corporate humor.

Like it or not, you’ll meet your coworkers, the amazing manager Mr. Stapley (yes… he’s a stapler), the worst CEO in the underworld, Mr. Satan, and other stories hidden within the walls of this chaotic office. And it doesn’t end there—more new levels are coming, so you’ll never be able to leave and become an eternal employee of HellO Corporation.

On your first day at HellO, the biggest office material supply in the depths of Hell, and after  signing a contract penned by the Devil himself, you’ll have to escape with your stapler, your only friend, through 100 levels across ten layers of Hell. Perform inhumane jumps and air dashes while flinging flaming hot staples to make way for a successful exit interview from HellO.

Hastily navigate nail-biting traps like sizzling laser beams, viciously spiked walls, and razor-sharp saw blades on top of whatever else the Devil installed to monitor his employee’s time clocks. You’re racing against the clock to achieve rank times that top leaderboards. Will you secure the top spot, or will it be snatched away by your least favorite coworker?

“Hell is all-inclusive with their employees,” says 43 Studios, “So we wanted to ensure everyone had the opportunity to work for such a wholesome company! Satan will be pleased to see your increased productivity across the board on multiple platforms. We can’t wait to see how the community fares in the face of these work fires on launch day and beyond!”

Hell of an Office clocks in for corporate shenanigans on Thursday, October 3 for PC via Steam. Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 and 4 versions launch later in Q4. For more information on Hell of an Office, please visit the official website, follow the game on YouTube, Twitter, and TikTok, and join the Discord community.

About 43 Studios

43 Studios is a Barcelona-based game development studio currently with a six-person team. As a developer, they aim to create games that are always funny, entertaining, and most importantly, fast-paced. Hell of an Office is the studio’s first commercial project but has already garnered multiple awards at Barcelona’s Indie Dev Day.

About Joystick Ventures

Joystick Ventures is a California-based investing and publishing company whose main goal is to encourage indie developers to stay honest and promote experimentation to push the limits of game design across all genres, styles, and geographies. They are most known for their 2022 release, Lost in Play, which has sold more than 100,000 copies.

 Face off against RuneScape’s second skilling boss in an ever-changing combat encounter at the Gate of Elidinis

Monday, 23 September 2024, Cambridge, UK. Head to new heights to reach the peak of the Sanctum of Rebirth on a mission to restore Elidinis’ statue in the latest RuneScape Story Quest and Skilling Boss ‘Gate of Elidinis’, available today for RuneScape members. 

A once sacred portal that stood as a passage for spirits of the dead, the Gates of Elidinis have now been consumed by darkness from Amascut’s corruption, leaving the portal tainted and spirits spilling out into the Desert. Left alone, these lost souls will soon be drawn to Amascut’s evil forces, leaving it up to you to restore the portal and bring peace to the world. 

Watch the dev diary for RuneScape Gate of Elidinis below:

Take on the Gate of Elidinis Skilling Boss in either solo or group combat of up to ten players. Ahead of the boss encounter, mine Moonstone and craft Spiritual Barriers to defend against the corruption. Test your mastery over four familiar Mining, Crafting, Divination and Agility skills to cleanse the shattered statue pieces and defeat the boss in this fast-paced, ever-changing combat encounter.

Successfully cleanse Gate of Elidinis to restore function to the portal and earn brand new skilling and combat rewards, including a new Runecrafting Off-Hand ‘Runic Attunement, a new Divination Off-Hand ‘Memory Locus’, a new Combat Prayer and God Book, and an adorable new boss pet ‘Edie’.

Gate of Elidnis Features:

• The continuation of the Ode of the Devourer storyline with a quest to rid Amascut’s evil corruption from Gielinor.
• A thrilling, fast-paced combat encounter against the corrupted Gate of Elidinis skilling boss, where players can battle either solo or take up arms with up to nine other friends to fell this fearsome foe.
• Lucrative rewards to find, including the new Runecrafting Off-Hand ‘Runic Attunement’, the new Divination Off-Hand ‘Memory Locus’, new God Book ‘Scripture of Elidinis’, new Combat Prayer ‘Eclipsed Soul’, and a new boss pet ‘Edie’. 
• Experience the launch of a new event: Gate of Elidinis Hunt. Collect shards by completing tasks to earn cosmetic overrides and powerful temporary buffs in a mission hosted by the Priestesses of Elidinis. 

RuneScape ‘Gate to Elidnis’ is available to RuneScape members who have completed the ‘Ode of the Devourer’ Story Quest. 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. 

The Mea Culpa is Reborn – And So I Fear… That My Penance Is Far From Over. Blasphemous II Expansion: Mea Culpa and Free Update Announced!

23/09/24 –  The Game Kitchen and Team17 Digital are preparing to return to Cvstodia, with the Mea Culpa to hand, to experience an alternate ending to Blasphemous II. 

Featuring a new ending, new bosses, new zones, new abilities, new enemies, new quests and a new… New Game+, experience Cvstodia like never before in this massive expansion to Blasphemous II and become the wielder of one of the most powerful artefacts – The Mea Culpa. 

Now is the perfect time to jump into the definitive telling of Blasphemous II’s story – and experience its harshest challenges. 

The Free Update includes: 

• Expanded zones: Choir of Thorns, Sunken Cathedral and Basilica of Ancient Faces have all been reforged with new challenges to explore and conquer. 
• New connecting zones: Quicker traversal between zones already explored so you can dash your way across the world faster than Sarmiento and Centella. 
• A new challenge: The Labyrinth of Tides presents a new challenge for those ready to face it.  
• New Game+: Totally adjustable difficulty options to upgrade your savegame from stronger enemies to deadlier spikes and lethal falls. 
• New enemies: Cvstodia’s denizens rise to face you, are you up to their challenge? 
• as well as a host of upgrades for the Penitent One, Quality of Life improvements and Achievements. 

The Paid DLC: Mea Culpa includes: 

• New Zones: Two massive new zones for you to endure their harsh winds and ascend their towering heights 
• New Bosses: Fight some of the greatest challenges and stare defeat in the face in Mea Culpa 
• New Quests: Piece together your sword and experience the power of Mea Culpa. Plus meet new characters along the way. 
• New NPCs: 4 New compatriots for your journey, will they accept their fate or will you change them forever? 
• New Alternative Ending: face some of Blasphemous II’s fiercest challenges. 
• as well as ways to grow the power of the Mea Culpa.

And so the long night is severed. Dawn Cometh. 

FAQ: 

What is Blasphemous 2: Mea Culpa?  

Blasphemous 2: Mea Culpa is a premium expansion for Blasphemous 2. The expansion’s story centres around Mea Culpa, the lost sword wielded by The Penitent One in the first game. The DLC includes the following:  

• 2 new zones  
• 2 bosses  
• 4 new quests  
• An alternate ending for The Penitent One  
• A new (yet familiar) weapon and ability  
• New prayers  
• New rosary beads  
• New Argent board figures  
• New achievements   

Is there a free update?  

Blasphemous 2: Mea Culpa launches alongside the FREE True Torment Update. This update includes not just the highly requested New Game Plus mode but a host of other features too including the expansion of existing zones and new zone connections, new abilities, new enemies, new prayers, QoL features, accessibility features and much more.  

When does it release?  

The Mea Culpa Expansion and True Torment Update release on October 31st on all platforms: Steam, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, Epic and GoG.  

How much is the Mea Culpa Expansion?  

The Mea Culpa Expansion is priced at £11.99 / $11.99 / €11.99 with a 20% launch discount running for two weeks.   

About The Game Kitchen  

Founded in 2010, The Game Kitchen is an independent developer based in Seville, Spain. They create meaningful game experiences for PC, consoles, and mobile devices.  

About Team17 Digital  

Founded in 1990, Team17 Digital is a leading developer, video games label, and creative partner for developers around the world. Part of Team17 Group plc, which floated on AIM in 2018, Team17 Digital has an extensive portfolio of over 120 titles, and fully encapsulates the spirit of independent games. Winner of the ‘Publishing Star’ award at the 2023 Develop: Star Awards, Team17 Digital has assembled a portfolio of multi-award-winning and award-nominated in-house brands include Hell Let Loose, Golf With Your Friends, The Escapists, and the iconic Worms franchise, alongside its games label partner titles, including the award-winning games Blasphemous, Greak: Memories of Azur, DREDGE, and the Overcooked! franchise.

Barcelona, Spain – 23rd September 2024. Global publisher and distributor SelectaPlay has announced the exciting news today that they will participate in this year’s Tokyo Games Show digital event from 26-29 September and live at IndieDevDay from 27-29 September. 

SelectaPlay will have a fantastic line-up of titles participating in the ‘Steam Special Venue’ digital offering during the Tokyo Games Show. Fans will be able to head to the event’s Steam page and get hands-on with special demos for ANTRO, Luto and Morkull Ragast’s Rage, as well as special promotions for Dark Atlus: Infernum, NetherWorld and Barbarian Saga: The Beastmaster. The whimsical adventure platform-puzzle game Bubble Ghost Remake will be on the show floor with a new playable demo showcasing new gameplay for gamers to experience. 

As well as the digital presence at Tokyo Games Show, the team will be in live attendance at the IndieDevDay in Barcelona, Spain, from 27-29 September with new hands-on demos for ANTRO, Luto, Morkull Ragast’s Rage, Dark Atlus: Infernum, NetherWorld, Barbarian Saga: The Beastmaster, and Bubble Ghost Remake. Fans can visit the team at In the Indie Game Area – Booth Number: 10-W06. 

More information on the titles can be found below: 

Bubble Ghost Remake 

Guide a little ghost and his bubble through an enchanted mansion filled with dangers and thrilling challenges in this incredible remake of Bubble Ghost. Master levels of skill and clever puzzles as you unveil the story hidden behind the spirit of Heinrich Von Schinker. This remake of the game features a fresh new look and a myriad of new features (like new game modes, fierce bosses, collectibles, and many more surprises) that will captivate you for hours. Get ready to protect your bubble through the rooms of this mysterious castle… Will you uncover all its hidden secrets?

Dark Atlas: Infernum

You are Natalia Asensio, former Grand Master of the oldest occult order in the West: the Night Council. And while everything burns and the sky cracks, you must descend into the abysses of your mind, walk the paths of hell and seek answers to all questions. Unlock your memories, resist the influence of the enigmatic character known as “The Word” and find your way out of the maze in which you find yourself locked up. Do it before those whose ambition is to control this new apocalyptic world get it.. Do it before they discover a way to reforge the Corona Radiata, the grimoire that will give them ultimate power. And above all, do it before… you are the one to tell them how.

Morkull Ragast’s Rage 

Morkull Ragast’s Rage is an exciting 2D action game that combines platforming and action with a touch of exploration. Take control of Morkull, God of Death and Darkness and Lord of the Ragast, and get ready to experience awesome gameplay mechanics that allow him to break the fourth wall and communicate with the player in some exciting and unexpected ways! He knows that he is a character in a video game. He also knows the existence of a player who controls him (that is, you) and he knows of some developers who have created him (that is, us). Your objective? Help Morkull escape from the Ragast so he can rule and carry out his evil plans around the world. Yep, that’s right. your typical cliché villain…. 

NetherWorld

Developer Hungry Pixel has created a truly unique narrative adventure experience with NetherWorld. Follow the story of the crestfallen protagonist Medoo, the weird jellyfish, after being abandoned by his wife. While drowning his sorrows at the bottom of a vodka bottle, Medoo finds himself lost in a surreal and twisted land and must journey through a dark and decadent land full of filthy creatures and quirky fellow travellers. 

ANTRO

After The Collapse, only 1% of humankind survived and was forced to take refuge underground. Under the old city of Barcelona stands Antro, a dirty and dark hole divided into geographical strata. The inhabitants of the lowest levels fight for survival by working forced labour, while the ones in the higher levels rule over the new underground world. Journey through the most remote places in the underground metropolis of Antro, and join the protagonist, Nittch, as you embark on a mission to deliver a package to a mysterious, unknown recipient. While you’re at it, how about overthrowing the totalitarian government of La Cúpula? Play to the rhythm of urban music in a thrilling adventure full of action, puzzles and 2.5D platforming.

Barbarian Saga: The Beastmaster

After the brief peace that followed the wars of the portals that devastated the country, new winds of war now threaten its inhabitants. The new king of Imperia together with the Sacred Kingdom has declared war against non-humans, using the services of one of the Last Wizards of Arborea: Trece XIII and their generals. This is the moment of the prophecy, the moment when a chosen one will unite Men and beasts to bring peace. Welcome to the world of Arborea, welcome to Barbarian Saga: The Beastmaster.

About SelectaPlay

SelectaPlay is SelectaVisión’s video games publishing branch. The company works with talented studios on unique video games and helps them publish their titles in both physical and digital formats in Europe and worldwide.

About SelectaVisión

SelectaVisión is a video publishing company founded in 1984. Based in Spain, SelectaVisión’s catalog includes anime and live-action feature films, TV shows, and movies. Publishing both anime classics and the latest Japanese productions since 1997, SelectaVisión has built a long relationship with fan-favorite Japanese producers and distributors, becoming the major publisher of anime content for Spanish audiences. 

Two days packed with sessions, workshops, games, the newly added Speed Networking, VIP activities, a Meet & Greet with the “DOOM Guy” and much more! – Last call to submit games for the Showcase and DevGAMM Awards with its $100k prize pool

Bellevue, WA, September 23, 2024 – The international game development conference DevGAMM is preparing in full swing for their second edition in Portugal, taking place on November 14-15. With the legendary creator of DOOM, John Romero, headlining DevGAMM Lisbon 2024 and incredible professionals from Rovio, IO Interactive, Scopely, Massive Entertainment, Guerilla and other companies from around the world, the conference presents a line-up packed with sessions, panels, workshops and more. Details: https://devgamm.com/lisbon2024/

Known as the “father of first-person shooters”, with over 130 games to his name, including DOOM, Wolfenstein 3D, and Quake, John Romero is a true icon in the industry. At DevGAMM, Romero’s diving into the story behind DOOM in his keynote “DOOM: The Game That Changed Games”, sharing rare footage, behind-the-scenes stories, and all the highs and lows of creating a game that changed the industry forever.

Apart from the keynote speech, there will be a Meet & Greet with John Romero, where he’ll be signing copies of his new autobiography DOOM Guy.

Attendees can also look forward to great panel discussions, such as “Next-Gen Brazil: Unlocking the Future of Your Game Business” with local games business specialists and representatives of gamescom LATAM, numerous workshops ranging from go-to-market strategies, character crafting and technical assessments to tips for freelance work in the gaming industry. The recently added Speed Networking will allow attendees to quickly introduce themselves to as many people as possible. Business ticket holders will additionally receive access to the networking platform MeetToMatch where they easily can browse attendees, manage their schedule, and plan meetings at the conference venue. VIP ticket holders will be invited to some limited and unique networking experiences.

The DevGAMM Awards is a prestigious game developers competition aimed to celebrate and recognize excellence in games. With a prize pool of $100,000 in real cash and additional nominations and prizes from sponsors, it offers a remarkable opportunity for emerging talents. Developers can also apply for the large Game Showcase, on-stage Public Pitch, and a Steam Event – all perfect opportunities to present their projects in front of industry executives, major publishers, and investors.

Game submissions for all activities, including the DevGAMM Awards and Game Showcase, are open only until September 30! Interested team can apply here: https://devgamm.com/awards2024/

DevGAMM Conference is returning to Cascais and The Oitavos Luxury Hotel for its second Lisbon edition on November 14-15, 2024. 

Last year DevGAMM Lisbon welcomed more than 600 attendees from 44 countries, and with a 60% ratio of decision-makers, DevGAMM is the perfect event for business. With 50 learning sessions hosted last year, 60 showcased games, and 341 companies present during the conference, DevGAMM Lisbon aims to get even bigger this year! Get ready for a refined gamedev experience by the Atlantic Ocean. Discover the best of Portugal through exclusive opportunities, private dining, and parties with extraordinary networking. Tickets: https://devgamm.com/lisbon2024/ticket/

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About DevGAMM

DevGAMM game development conference is a US-registered company headquartered in Bellevue, WA. Originating in Ukraine in 2008, the team now operates 100% remotely, collaborating from eight different countries around the world.

DevGAMM has been uniting game industry professionals from Eastern Europe and beyond for over 15 years now. Each conference features multiple networking opportunities, heavy-packed content by top speakers, new games from all over the world, and so much more.

5-Year Anniversary edition of acclaimed Metroidvania coming to consoles for the first time across Europe and North America.

Barcelona, Spain –  23rd September 2024. Indie publisher and distributor SelectaPlay is excited to announce that the physical 5-Year Anniversary Standard and Limited Collector’s Edition of the acclaimed Metroidvania Touhou Luna Nights will launch on 21st March 2025 for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 from European and North American specialist retailers. This will be the first time Touhou Luna Nights will be available on consoles outside of Asia, and fans can pre-order their copy now!

Developed by Team Ladybug and WSS Playground and originally published by PLAYISM, Touhou Luna Nights is a Metroidvania title with a heavy emphasis on exploration and action.  Originally created as a fan fiction game based on the world-renowned ‘Touhou Project’, the game has received over 12,000 ‘overwhelmingly positive’ reviews on Steam. 

SelectaPlay will be responsible for creating, publishing, and distributing the physical retail versions of Touhou Luna Nights and will create a 5-Year Anniversary Standard and Special Limited Collector’s Edition of the game for fans to enjoy outside of Japan for the first time in five years. 

Watch the Touhou Luna Nights 5-Year Anniversary limited edition reveal trailer below 

The physical Touhou Luna Nights 5-Year Anniversary Standard Edition will include a printed colour manual and special sleeve, whereas fans can also get their hands on the Special Collector’s Limited Edition, which contains a host of additional in-box content. As well as the physical edition of the game and a printed manual, the Special Collector’s Edition also includes an original soundtrack double CD, 3 alternative inlays, a serialised certificate of authenticity and a Steel Book case all housed in a stunning collector’s oversized box. 

Both versions of Touhou Luna Nights 5-Year Anniversary Edition will be released as limited physical editions for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch on 21st March 2025. Pre-orders are live now, check local retailers for more details. 

About SelectaPlay

SelectaPlay is SelectaVisión’s video games publishing branch. The company works with talented studios on unique video games and helps them publish their titles in both physical and digital formats in Europe and worldwide.

About SelectaVisión

SelectaVisión is a video publishing company founded in 1984. Based in Spain, SelectaVisión’s catalog includes anime and live-action feature films, TV shows, and movies. Publishing both anime classics and the latest Japanese productions since 1997, SelectaVisión has built a long relationship with fan-favorite Japanese producers and distributors, becoming the major publisher of anime content for Spanish audiences. 

Limassol, Cyprus – 23rd  September 2024. Following a busy summer of events in the United States and Europe, indie publisher ESDigital Games is heading to Japan to participate in this year’s Tokyo Game Show. Running from 26-29 September, the team will be showcasing a wide selection of titles from their exciting portfolio in person at the show. 

ESDigital Games will be present on four stands at the event with the support of their distribution partners and will have hands-on demos available for all titles, as well as the opportunity to snap a photo with cosplayers inspired by some of the games! 

“We are thrilled to visit the Tokyo Games Show in person, with our exciting lineup of upcoming titles.” Commented Oleg Kudishov, Managing Director, ESDigital Games. “After the fantastic responses from all of the live events we have attended this year, including PAX East, GDC, Summer Game Fest, gamescom and PAX West, we are excited to bring our titles to Japan with the support of our Asia distribution partners. Meeting with our Asia partners, media, and fans at the show is a fantastic opportunity to show our upcoming releases, and we are excited to see you there.” 

Watch the ESDigital Games Tokyo Games Show game trailer below 

Where to find ESDigital Games 

The team will be present in four locations at the Tokyo Game Show, and a mix of demos will be available in multiple languages. 

ESDigital Games – Booth 09-W11 

• AWAKEN – Astral Blade 

Galaktus (Polish Indie Booth) – Booth 10-W14 

• Steel Seed
• AWAKEN – Astral Blade
• BattleJuice Alchemist

Gamersky – Booth 09-W84 

• Steel Seed 

Game Source Entertainment – Booth 08-C08 

• Cats on Duty

More information on the titles at the Tokyo Game Show:

Steel Seed – Steam | EGS | PS | Xbox 

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 – Steam | EGS | PS

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 – Early Access out now – Steam | EGS | Coming Soon – PS | Xbox | Nintendo Switch

‘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.

Cats On Duty – Out Now – Steam | EGS | Coming Soon –  PS | Xbox | Nintendo Switch

Cats on Duty is a purr-fect blend of RTS, tower defense, and match-3 game genres. Manage two game fields at once, as well as arm and upgrade your cat towers to defeat hordes of formidable foes. Enjoy the meow-nificent battle!

For more information, please visit https://esdigital.games/ 

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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. 

Finnish game studio Social First announces its first game, Nexus Station, a Social Sandbox MMO that they are developing to be as much a social platform as it is a game. 

Helsinki, Finland September 2024 – Social First, a team made up of game industry veterans has announced their first title, Nexus Station, a cross-platform free-to-play social sandbox game. Building on eight years of experience in development and community management of a similar title, the team promise to deliver a new kind of Sandbox MMO that champions social connectivity.

Nexus Station invites players to create their own worlds, as well as content for various competitive and co-op features to share with the wider community. Crafting, trading, and working together in clans are all set to be included in a collection of different features for the game. The studio also has plans for an official secondary marketplace, where players will be able to trade in-game items for real money. 

Set to launch into Early Access on mobile later this year with PC access to follow, Social First have already been sharing behind the scenes content and teasers into the game with their core community. To celebrate the announcement of Nexus Station, a gameplay trailer has been released, and a sign up page so that players can be the first to hear news about the game as the studio continues to work towards a full launch.

The team have extensive experience in social gaming having worked on previous titles such as Pixel Worlds, Habbo Hotel, Runescape and Movie Star Planet. CEO Kim Soares states that the game will be the next big shift in social gaming, paving the way for games as a social platform. 

“Different games are fast becoming the most important social platform for millions of people, a place where they can meet new people, spend time with friends and be social no matter the physical distance. Nexus Station is specifically being built to be as much a social platform as it is a game and we’re looking forward to enabling players all over the world to meet new people, share their creativity and forge friendships that last a lifetime.” says CEO Kim Soares.

To find out more about Social First and their game Nexus Station, sign up for their mailing list here. You can also join their Discord server to be alerted when Early Access goes live later this year. 

About Social First

Social First is an independent Finnish game studio with a multinational team of accomplished game developers from five different European countries. CEO Kim Soares and President Mikko Kähärä founded Social First in 2021 with the mission to create a game that is also a social platform, spans decades and extends beyond gaming; giving players a platform to create meaningful relationships with people all across the world.

Delve inside the troubled mind of an artist on Steam and Nintendo Switch next Spring!

Milano, Italy – September 21st, 2024 – Studio Cima, via Nintendo of America, is excited to show off an all new trailer announcing the release window for its upcoming story-driven action platformer, The Perfect Pencil. Dive into the innermost recesses of the human mind and navigate surreal worlds punctuated by bizarre personalities, intense boss battles and enigmatic secrets when The Perfect Pencil launches Spring 2025 on Steam and Nintendo Switch.

The Perfect Pencil is a surreal action platformer which tells a story of personal development and the psychological weight of fear. Join the protagonist John as he awakens in a bizarre hand-drawn kingdom and comes face-to-face with the terrors that dwell in his inner psyche. Embark on an emotional odyssey exploring the depths of an unfamiliar environment using John’s innate ability to see things that others can’t.

John’s unique analysis ability grants you the power to uncover hidden information about The Perfect Pencil’s characters, objects and elements of the environment. The world is filled with additional lore and information to be discovered. Roam beyond the beaten path, absorb the space around you. Who knows? Behind one of these corners, you might find something that will change your perspective on life itself.

Witness John’s potent internal struggles through intense boss battles in the form of monstrous manifestations, each symbolizing unique elements of the human psyche. Some encounters may even make you question your sense of reality. Remember – survival requires risk, and with great risk comes great reward.

Go off the beaten path and discover numerous side quests dotted throughout the world, as you never know what you may discover. Explore both calamitous and comforting surreal landscapes, filled with secrets, surprises and peculiar personalities that are waiting to be revealed. Make compelling choices and carve your own route through both light and darkness, but beware – things may not always be as they seem.

“The Perfect Pencil has been a passion project of ours for years,” said studio director Stefano Rauzi. “We wanted to create a game that both tells a personal story, while also filling the player with wonder, offering surreal sights unlike anything they’ve seen. We look forward to sharing more with you all when The Perfect Pencil launches next Spring on PC and Nintendo Switch.”

About Studio Cima

Based in Italy, Studio Cima was born in April 2019 from an idea of Stefano Rauzi, following an artistic path that started with drawing and painting leading to videogames. Through the years collaborators have joined to give the right importance to every aspect of its first game “The Perfect Pencil” and to develop this project in the best possible way. Studio Cima aims to keep creating, through the videogame medium potential, interesting and narratively engaging adventures that explore human nature.