Independent Game Studio’s Inaugural Title Currently in Development; Now Available for Wishlisting

AUSTIN, Texas — Aug. 15, 2024 — Today, independent games studio emptyvesselTM officially announced their first project, a new multiplayer, squad-based cyberpunk shooter, DEFECT. Currently in development, DEFECT will deliver a new kind of experience through its immersive and highly tactical combat for fans of the action shooter genre. From the creative minds of emptyvessel comes an original IP set in a futuristic, divided city ruled by an enigmatic AI system, all while ruthless gangs and rogue law enforcement vie for supremacy. DEFECT is being created by industry-leading developers behind iconic franchises including DOOM, Call of Duty, and The Last of Us. Players eager to join the fight can add DEFECT to their Steam wishlist starting now.

The game unveil is supported with a first reveal trailer that includes early gameplay and highlights the close-quarters shootouts and dystopian cityscape that DEFECT inhabitants call home – before it all gets shredded by crossfire.

emptyvessel debuted as a new independent game studio earlier this year, capitalizing on more than 100 years of combined game industry experience with some of the most genre-defining games. With a passion for creating games that deliver immersive experiences, DEFECT is the team’s first title, and is built using the groundbreaking Unreal Engine 5. Utilizing the latest technology and the team’s vision for delivering unique and exciting gameplay experiences, players will be immersed into a war between anarchy and authority that can only be found in DEFECT.

“Our goal with DEFECT is to deliver a new approach for both gamers and for developers,” said Emanuel Palalic, CEO and Game Director, emptyvessel. “We’re exploring an authoritarian take on the game world, and leaning hard into the ‘punk’ in cyberpunk, fully immersing players into the carnage of a society where technology isn’t just a tool, but a burden. For the industry, we want to inspire other game makers to work in smaller teams, as we are, to have the ability to take more creative risks and work more independently. We’re really excited about making DEFECT and hope that everyone follows our story!”

Revel in the anarchy of a city on the brink. DEFECT is an Immersive Objective Shooter set in the last city of mankind, where THE SYSTEM, an authoritarian AI, rules with inhuman logic. Players will choose from a collection of dangerous factions—The System’s own policing force, Rogue Police Elements, or a host of gangs vying for power to play with friends in PvP or co-op multiplayer. Compete to achieve objectives like smuggling guns, assassinating targets, or arresting suspects. Suit up with state-of-the-art weaponry and technology to give you the edge you need to live another day.

CONTROL VS CHAOS

Fight as the totalitarian forces crushing humanity beneath the boot of the law or the gang factions killing anyone between them and full control of the city.

DYNAMIC ACTION

Fight in tense and tactical matches as a member of a four-person squad, as you attempt to fend off other teams eager to claim every credit and reward for their own. Every match has multiple objectives with different finales.

PREPARE FOR ANARCHY

Come together with your squad to gear up and collect what you need in your squad car or gang hangout to be ready for anything the battle throws at you. While in the fight, keep a keen eye out for pickups that can change the course of the match. You never know what you’ll find.

The world of DEFECT is just beginning to be revealed as emptyvessel shares early insight into the game, which reflects a new kind of genre in the immersive shooter category. The team has partnered with leading creative agency, PETROL Advertising, who will utilize their white label publishing services to lead campaign, brand strategy and market planning including asset creation across Key Visuals, AV, and Social Media. PETROL will leverage their expertise from over 2,000 successful game launches and implement it into a holistic approach for DEFECT. 

More game news will be made in the not so distant future. For additional early details visit the official website, and follow the game on Facebook, Instagram and X.

For more information about emptyvessel visit the studio’s official website and follow them on X, LinkedIn and YouTube.

About emptyvessel:

emptyvessel is an independent game development studio with a specialty in the immersive shooter space that believes in a simple ethos: with creative independence comes greatness. The team at emptyvessel comprises world-class developers with over 100 years of combined experience who have held critical roles at Activision, Crystal Dynamics, Disney, id Software, Microsoft, Naughty Dog, Tripwire Interactive and more. Currently in development, DEFECT is a new game IP that aims to deliver a unique Immersive Objective Shooter experience. From the creative minds of emptyvessel comes a cyberpunk, squad-based shooter set in a future besieged by omnipresent AI, criminal warfare, and rogue law enforcement. Based in Austin, Texas, the studio operates fully remote with development talent located worldwide in locations across the US, Australia and Europe. For further information, visit https://www.emptyvessel.io.

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SOLUTIONS 2 GO ANNOUNCES GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION PARTNERSHIP WITH SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT FOR LEGO HORIZON ADVENTURES ON NINTENDO SWITCH^TM

Brampton, Canada – [August 15, 2024] – Solutions 2 GO, a leading video game publisher and global distributor based in the Greater Toronto Area, is thrilled to announce that it has secured the global distribution rights for the highly anticipated LEGO Horizon Adventures on Nintendo Switch.

“We are incredibly excited to partner with Sony Interactive Entertainment to bring LEGO Horizon Adventures to a global audience on the Nintendo Switch family of systems,” said Rob Cleva, VP Global Publishing at Solutions 2 GO. “This partnership underscores our commitment to delivering high-quality entertainment experiences to retail consumers around the world.”

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About Solutions 2 GO. 

Privately held Solutions 2 GO Inc. is a multinational distributor of video game, mobility and consumer electronic products that serves leading retail, publishing, and manufacturing partners across the globe. An industry pioneer, highly regarded Solutions 2 GO Inc. has earned a plethora of awards and distinctions collectively by its valued partners and industry experts.

Explore the ruins of a long-abandoned city and fight to survive the exclusion zone

Bristol, United Kingdom – August 15th, 2024 – Micro-indie dev Headware Games is today thrilled to announce that its tech-noir survival horror short story Hollowbody will launch for PC via Steam and GOG on September 12th.

To coincide with the announcement a brand new Release Date trailer has been released showcasing the horrors that await within the walls of the exclusion zone.

Hollowbody – Release Date Trailer

Set in the near-future, amongst the urban decay of a long abandoned British city, Hollowbody is a dystopian love letter to survival horror. Its grimy, detailed environments exude an oppressive, cloying atmosphere, while its tight, tense gameplay effortlessly evokes classics of the genre. A mysterious and disturbing tech-noir narrative complements the experience across the game’s 4-5 hour playtime.

Players take control of Mica, an unlicensed black market shipper who will stop at nothing to find her missing partner. After her hover crashes deep within the exclusion zone, she is left alone and stranded with limited resources at her disposal. She will have to push her way through the zone, solve environmental puzzles, manage resources and fight for her life as she tries to find a way to escape beyond the wall.

She needs to find a way out. Call for evac, scale the walls. Something. Anything. Survive.

Hollowbody Features

• Classic survival horror gameplay inspired by early 2000s horror titles.
• Cinematic blend of dynamic and fixed camera angles.
• Logic puzzles, resource management and limited combat with a focus on narrative and exploration.
• Full voice acting.
• An emphasis on strong world building set in a dystopian near-future.
• Carefully paced save points ensure tension is maintained whilst respecting the player’s time.
• Difficulty options to aid players who prefer exploration over combat.
• Post-game unlocks and features.

Hollowbody is set to launch for PC via Steam and GOG on September 12th, 2024, and is available to wishlist now.

For more information, please visit the official Headware Games website, or follow on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.

About Headware Games

Headware Games is a UK based solo developer making narrative driven experiences with a strong focus on atmosphere and art direction. In 2021 it released the acclaimed psychological horror game Chasing Static, and is now crafting Hollowbody – a tech-noir homage to survival horror.

Pantaloon has today launched the Pantaloon Publishing Hub – a platform designed to equip game developers with everything they might need for self-publishing, including a Resource Library with seven industry-adopted assets that form the foundation for a commercial plan.  

Pantaloon, a new platform that champions bold and bizarre games via a rapidly growing newsletter, has expanded its offering to the developer space, as it looks to provide value to an increasingly large group of developers who might be looking to publish their games independently. 

“Off the back of a fraught year for the industry, I’m confident we’re going to see more studios taking on self-publishing” said Jamin Smith, Pantaloon’s Founder, on its mission, “but even for those with the team/financial-capacity to do so, the commercial side of game-dev is a complex beast. With the Publishing Hub, we want to expose as much of the publishing machine as possible and connect developers with tools and services that can help. Even for studios that are looking to pursue a publisher – for funding or any other reason – we hope to offer the knowledge and confidence required to be an active partner on the commercial side of the fence.”

The Publishing Hub currently features a 33-slide Brand Plan, Studio Branding Guidelines, Press Release Template and Outreach Guide, Campaign Roadmap and Beat Sheet, Pitch Deck Template, Newsletter Growth Guide and Playtest Framework from partners at Go Testify. Additionally, the PressEngine team will host a monthly drop-in surgery for Q&A and advice on media and influencers. All for free. 

In bringing the Publishing Hub to developers, Pantaloon has also partnered with Sogage, with an exclusive trial and discount for its powerful all in one community platform and social monitoring tool.Finally, the Hub also taps into the network and resources of Into Games, with the two companies partnering for a Bold and Bizarre Bundle which is currently accepting submissions via the Hub.

The Publishing Hub will be expanded with new resources each month, as well as articles, insights and case studies from studio members.

Take a magical journey through the spirit world with Kena and her Rot companions in Ember Lab’s story-driven action adventure, now available on Xbox

Los Angeles, 15 August 2024: For the first time, indie games studio Ember Lab’s award-winning action adventure game Kena: Bridge of Spirits is available on Xbox Series X | S and Xbox One worldwide from today. The new Xbox version of the game features exciting content including Xbox Exclusive pirate-themed Rot hats as well as a unique Kena Staff and a Golden Rot Skin.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits is also available as a physical Premium Edition on Xbox Series X through a partnership with Maximum Entertainment. The physical Kena: Bridge of Spirits – Premium Edition will be available at major retailers in the US and Canada from 15 August 2024, and available globally from 29 August 2024. In addition the base game, this physical version of the game will include:

• Official Digital Soundtrack
• Retail Exclusive Sticker Sheet
• Unique Kena Staff
• Golden Rot Skin
• Xbox Exclusive pirate-themed Rot hats

Josh Grier, Chief Operating Officer at Ember Lab said: “We’re really excited to welcome new players to take the journey with Kena through the spirit world and meet her Rot friends. As our debut game, Kena: Bridge of Spirits still means a great deal to us and we can’t wait for everyone on Xbox to discover the mysteries and puzzles that the world has to offer.”

One of the most talked about adventures from an indie studio in recent years, Kena: Bridge of Spirits offers players an action-adventure game that combines compelling narrative with exploration, puzzle-solving, and fast-paced combat. The game delivers a journey of self-discovery as Kena, a young Spirit Guide, restores balance to an ancient village in a once-thriving environment.      

Kena: Bridge of Spirits first launched on PlayStation platforms 21 September 2021 and went on to win several awards including Best Independent Game and Best Debut Indie Game at The Game Awards 2021. The Xbox version of the game includes the Anniversary DLC update that launched in September 2022 which features Charmstones, Spirit Guide Trials, Kena Outfits, and accessibility features. It also features New Game+ mode, which allows players who’ve completed the game to restart Kena’s journey with all of their previously unlocked abilities, upgrades, outfits, Rot, etc, as well as redesigned and more challenging combat encounters.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits is now available globally on digital on Xbox Series X | S and Xbox One for $39.99 / €39.99 / £34.99 from the Microsoft Store. The physical Kena: Bridge of Spirits – Premium Edition for Xbox Series X is available now in the US and Canada in most major retailers and will be available at major retailers globally from 29 August 2024 for $39.99 / €39.99 / £34.99.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits is available digitally on the Microsoft Store here: https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/store/kena-bridge-of-spirits/9NDNM3HX77R0

And available as a physical edition here: https://www.amazon.com/Kena-Bridge-Spirits-Xbox-X-Premium/dp/B0D68F15T4/ref

About Ember Lab

Ember Lab is an independent game development and animation studio known for their successful award-winning debut game Kena: Bridge of Spirits in 2021, which is currently available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and PC. Driven by a passion for telling great stories, the Southern California company was founded in 2009 as a post-production studio by brothers Josh and Mike Grier. Specializing in character-driven animated commercials, VFX, and film production, the studio grew into a boutique advertising agency creating immersive stories with worldwide appeal. Previous projects include the fan film Majora’s Mask – Terrible Fate and award-winning short film Dust, as well as numerous ad campaigns for brands including Coca-Cola and Hisense. 

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 catalogue, 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 more than 200 professionals across the entire value chain of video games including development, publishing, transmedia, sales, and operations.

PlayStation Australia is delighted to share that Until Dawn, rebuilt and enhanced, will be launching on PS5 on 4 October and PC on 5 October 2024 (AEST). 

In 2015, Until Dawn solidified itself as a genre-defining game that captured many of our hearts, whether that was because of its web of interconnected decisions, diverse branches, memorable characters or an engaging and often terrifying story. Once again, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) invites players back to spend the night on Blackwood Mountain.

Check out the full comparison trailer below:

As a team of Until Dawn fans and horror lovers, Ballistic Moon’s intention has not been to alter the events of that fateful night. Instead, the team has focused on giving the original game a cinematic update, offering the player a more intimate experience by enhancing the visual storytelling. 

Overhauled visuals rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5

The new Until Dawn experience has been built from the ground up using Unreal Engine 5. The team has updated character models, environments, interactable props, visual effects, and animations, all designed to maximise the Until Dawn experience on both PS5 and PC.

Ballistic Moon has completely relit the game to take advantage of Unreal Engine 5’s rendering features, including raytracing and enhanced materials, focusing on a more atmospheric and “modern horror” experience.

One of the key visual improvements for Until Dawn has been around revisiting the character models and bringing them in line with modern advances in character modeling and rendering. Improvements to textures, materials, rendering and animation performance have all contributed to higher fidelity characters that will resonate with both new players and existing fans of the game.

Ballistic Moon used modern pre-rendering simulation techniques to create more realistic real time fluids and players can see all the gory glory of this particularly in the updated character deaths. The is also an update the injury mask system which allows players to clearly see elements like cuts, bruises, tears, snow and water to the character’s bodies. 

Revised cinematography, production design & new camera control mechanic

By using a combination of fixed and over-the-shoulder camera views, players can now see the world of Until Dawn from entirely new perspectives. Blending the cinematography of the original with the introduction of a modern third-person camera, Ballistic Moon breathes new life to characters and locations. The camera’s flexibility allows the team to place new emphasis on important moments and tell the story from a view closer to the characters.

Reworked prologue

Although Ballistic Moon has committed to keeping the original narrative intact, the team felt the Prologue would benefit from some adjustments to its narrative pacing. The team gave the Washingtons extra screen time to explore their close family bond and get to know them a little better and also reframed some of the original scenes and developed the context around the infamous prank, in the effort to enhance its emotional impact.

New collectibles

For the collectors and explorers, keep your eyes peeled because Ballistic Moon has relocated all the original totems to be found all over again. The team has also added Hunger totems, a special new type of totem that holds a different kind of vision to the others. The game has also been sprinkled with new interactions and small new areas that hold them. This adds extra context and detail to the world of Until Dawn and rewards player exploration.

Customisable settings

The team are proud to implement new accessibility and usability settings that will help more players enjoy the game. Additionally, Ballistic Moon has created a new optional alternative for the Don’t Move mechanic called Stay Calm. Stay Calm is for third party peripherals that do not feature a gyroscope or for players who prefer a different challenge. 

The Ballistic Moon and SIE teams can’t wait for players to experience the horrors of Until Dawn when it launches on PS5 console on 4 October and PC on 5 October 2024 (AEST)! Pre-order from Wednesday, 21 August.  

To learn more about the Until Dawn remaster, visit the PlayStation Blog. 

For the latest PlayStation news, follow PlayStation Australia on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. 

Black Salt Games’ beloved fishing adventure is available today on all platforms, featuring new content and dangers in the depths.

Thursday, 15th August 2024 –  Black Salt Games and Team17 Digital have today launched ‘The Iron Rig’, the highly anticipated second expansion for the multi-award-winning indie fishing adventure DREDGE. Simultaneously, the Complete Edition of DREDGE is now available across all digital platforms, bundling the base game with Blackstone Key, The Pale Reach, and The Iron Rig for the ultimate sinister seafaring experience. 

For both new players and seasoned anglers, The Iron Rig promises to deepen your journey into the foreboding world of DREDGE.

Players will confront the spread of a mysterious ‘Dark Liquid’ threatening the region whilst partnering with the Ironhaven Corporation to gather crucial resources and expand the Iron Rig – a sprawling structure that unlocks new opportunities and rewards with each addition, but progress also brings with it unintended and malicious consequences. 

Intended to be started at any time during their DREDGE adventure, The Iron Rig expansion will include more than 50 new fish species to catch, as well as new characters to interact with and new hazards to overcome. If this is your first time unmooring into the murky yet inexplicable intriguing waters of DREDGE , then the Complete Edition is a great way to start your exploration. The Iron Rig will be £11.99/$11.99/€11.99 and the DREDGE Complete Edition will be $39.99 /€39.99/ £37.99

The DREDGE Collector’s Edition will be available later this year in the USA, Europe, and Australasia and priced at £99.99/€99.99/$99.99.

DREDGE is developed by Black Salt Games and is available to purchase now on Steam, GOG, at the Nintendo eShop, PlayStation®Store, and Microsoft Store. Deluxe versions are available from retail outlets and digitally.

About Black Salt Games

Black Salt Games is a small indie studio from Christchurch, New Zealand driven by a love for video games. The team’s debut title, DREDGE, is available now on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles. Visit www.DREDGE.game for more information. 

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.

AUSTIN, TEXAS (August 14, 2024) – Virtuix, the developer of the “Omni One” full-body VR gaming system, is thrilled to announce that Omni One will officially launch on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Following the successful shipment of hundreds of beta units and receiving enthusiastic feedback from early users, Virtuix is pleased to conclude its preorder phase, having secured over 3,000 preorders.

Omni One went through an extensive six-month beta phase, during which over 200 beta users provided invaluable insights. Virtuix is now ready to deliver their state-of-the-art gaming system to consumers. Omni One provides a full-body virtual reality experience, featuring a proprietary 360-degree treadmill that enables players to physically walk, run, crouch, and jump in all directions. The system includes a customized Pico 4 Enterprise headset and a dedicated game store stocked with more than 50 titles optimized for Omni One.

“With the official launch date set for September 10, we’re eager to welcome gamers into the Omni One community,” said Jan Goetgeluk, CEO of Virtuix. “The overwhelmingly positive reactions from our beta users have fueled our excitement, and we can’t wait to launch Omni One and transform the gaming experience for players of all ages.”

As the launch date approaches, Virtuix continues to add a new game a week to its ever expanding game store. Customers who preordered Omni One can anticipate receiving their units shortly after the launch date. To stay updated on all things Omni One and to learn more about the launch, visit omni.virtuix.com.

About Virtuix:

Virtuix Inc. is the developer of “Omni,” the premier brand of omni-directional treadmills that enable players to walk and run in 360 degrees inside video games and other virtual reality applications. With a commitment to innovation, Virtuix continues to push the boundaries of VR gaming, delivering immersive experiences to users worldwide. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, Virtuix has raised more than $40 million from individual and institutional investors. For more information, visit www.virtuix.com.

New enhancements rejuvenate nostalgic collection’s decaying world

South Wales, Australia – 14 August 2024 – Sonny Legacy Collection, the definitive edition of the cult classic turn-based Flash games played more than 36 million times, from developer Krin Juangbhanich and publisher Armor Games Studios, rises from the dead with updates for modern hardware on PC via Steam Monday, 30 September 2024. 

Travel back to an undead era of Flash games with Sonny 1 and Sonny 2. Embark on a soul-searching journey as Sonny, a zombie questioning the meaning of his sudden resurrection. Shamble across the frigid Frozen Village, the decrepit Iron Prison, and other deadly zones across both titles. 

Slash and shoot carcasses in turn-based combat. Splatter the remains of frozen zombies, pesky hunters, hardened prison guards, and a bevy of other enemy types. Fight alongside Sonny’s allies and choose from several character classes to fit differing playstyles. Wield blood-thirsty melee weapons and guns to eradicate foes undead and alive alike.

Shape the future of a decaying world by making critical decisions. Whether a series veteran or newcomer, crawl into the definitive edition of the series with newly implemented upgrades for modern hardware. Help Sonny survive increasingly difficult fights, and strategize to overcome the dangers lurking in every corner.

“After releasing Sonny 1 in 2007, I never thought I would revisit the series again,” said Jakrin Juangbhanich, lead developer on Sonny Legacy Collection. “I hope everyone experiments with each weapon and ability in Sonny’s arsenal to make him the greatest undead fighter in the apocalypse.” 

Sonny Legacy Collection enters the zombie apocalypse on Monday, 30 Sept. 2024, on PC via Steam for $9.99 USD. Follow Armor Games Studios on Twitter/X and Facebook for more updates.

About Krin Juangbhanich

Krin Juangbhanich is a prolific game developer with titles like the Sinjid series, Crimson Warfare, Bullet Time Witch, and the Sonny series. He spent many years at Armor Games crafting the next generation of Flash Games. When he isn’t hard at work in software engineering, Krin is putting the finishing touches on the Sonny Legacy Collection.

About Armor Games Studios

Armor Games Studios is both a publisher of unique and creative indie games from all over the world, and one of the internet’s longest-running curated free Flash gaming portals. Play thousands of free games online at http://www.armorgames.com, or visit our publishing website at http://www.armorgamesstudios.com.