XSEED Games, the independent-minded publishing brand of Marvelous USA, Inc., today announced that Corpse Party II: Darkness Distortion, a bold new entry in acclaimed Japanese developer MAGES.’s long-running indie horror franchise, will, in the interest of improving game quality, push its release date. The game will now release in the Americas for the Nintendo Switch™ system, the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, and Windows PC via Steam in 2025. The title is currently available for physical pre-order in standard and limited-edition “Ayame’s Mercy” versions on the Marvelous USA Online Store and at participating retailers. Details on digital availability will be revealed at a later date.

Corpse Party II: Darkness Distortion follows three high school friends; Haruka Nanami, Nemu Takanashi, and Maria Hitsugi, as they explore the Amare Est Vivere Hospital, testing a local urban legend as the streamer Nemu seeks to boost her subscriber count. Unfortunately for the three girls, the legend of “Ayame’s Mercy” is true, and they trigger a decades-old curse that sends them into a dark realm. Together they must avoid the vengeful spirit of Ayame Kirishima and other horrors from the hospital’s dark past as they search for a way to dispel Ayame’s curse once and for all.

The cult-classic Japanese horror franchise returns with new characters, a new setting, a terrifying new curse, and a brand-new look allowing for more thrills and chills! Players can freely explore the fully 3D-rendered halls of the Amare Est Vivere Hospital in both third- and, for those brave enough to take a closer look, first-person viewpoints as they try to keep the girls alive. This new perspective complements the series’ visual novel-style storytelling, pairing updated visuals with gruesome descriptions and spine-tingling binaural audio accompanied by the original Japanese voiceovers. Featuring six chapters, with eight additional scenarios and plenty of Wrong Ends for players to discover as they uncover the truth behind “Ayame’s Mercy” and escape with their lives, Corpse Party II: Darkness Distortion is the perfect entry point for new horror buffs while keeping longtime fans on the edge of their seats.

The “Ayame’s Mercy” edition , now available for pre-order  on the Marvelous USA Online Store and at participating retailers, includes a copy of Corpse Party II: Darkness Distortion with a reversible cover, a spooky ‘Ayame’s Mercy’ lenticular art card, a ‘Save Yourself’ LED blue candle styled after the in-game save points, a 64-page artbook, an ‘evidence kit’ containing journal pages, a Nemu Takanashi business card, and a hospital PSA flyer, all contained within an Amare Est Vivere ‘Medical Kit’ metal case measuring 8” x 6” x 4.5”—all for an MSRP of $79.99. The game is also available for pre-order as a Standard Edition for an MSRP of $49.99.

Developed by MAGES. and published in the Americas by XSEED Games and in Europe by Marvelous Europe, Corpse Party II: Darkness Distortion will launch on the Nintendo Switch™ system, PS4™ system, and Windows PC via Steam in 2025. This title has been rated “M for Mature” by the ESRB on consoles; the PC release has not been rated.

For more information about Corpse Party II: Darkness Distortion, visit the official site at https://www.corpsepartyseries.com/darknessdistortion. More information about XSEED Games’ products can be found at www.marvelous-usa.com. Fans can also follow XSEED Games on Facebook, X, Instagram, Twitch, and join the discussion on their Discord server at: http://discord.gg/XSEEDGames.

Marvelous Europe today announced that Corpse Party II: Darkness Distortion, a bold new entry in acclaimed Japanese developer MAGES.’s long-running indie horror franchise, will, in the interest of improving game quality, push its release date. The game will now release in Europe and Australia for the Nintendo Switch™ system, the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, and Windows PC via Steam in 2025. The title is currently available for physical pre-order in standard version at participating retailers. Details on digital availability will be revealed at a later date.

Corpse Party II: Darkness Distortion follows three high school friends; Haruka Nanami, Nemu Takanashi, and Maria Hitsugi, as they explore the Amare Est Vivere Hospital, testing a local urban legend as the streamer Nemu seeks to boost her subscriber count. Unfortunately for the three girls, the legend of “Ayame’s Mercy” is true, and they trigger a decades-old curse that sends them into a dark realm. Together they must avoid the vengeful spirit of Ayame Kirishima and other horrors from the hospital’s dark past as they search for a way to dispel Ayame’s curse once and for all.

The cult-classic Japanese horror franchise returns with new characters, a new setting, a terrifying new curse, and a brand-new look allowing for more thrills and chills! Players can freely explore the fully 3D-rendered halls of the Amare Est Vivere Hospital in both third- and, for those brave enough to take a closer look, first-person viewpoints as they try to keep the girls alive. This new perspective complements the series’ visual novel-style storytelling, pairing updated visuals with gruesome descriptions and spine-tingling binaural audio accompanied by the original Japanese voiceovers. Featuring six chapters, with eight additional scenarios and plenty of Wrong Ends for players to discover as they uncover the truth behind “Ayame’s Mercy” and escape with their lives, Corpse Party II: Darkness Distortion is the perfect entry point for new horror buffs while keeping longtime fans on the edge of their seats.

Developed by MAGES. and published in Europe and Australia by Marvelous Europe and in North America by XSEED Games, Corpse Party II: Darkness Distortion is scheduled for release for the Nintendo Switch™ system, PS4™ system, and Windows PC via Steam in 2025. The Nintendo Switch physical standard edition is available for pre-order at participating retailers for an RRP of €49.99.

More information about Corpse Party II: Darkness Distortion can be found at https://www.corpsepartyseries.com/darknessdistortion. 

More information on Marvelous Europe can be found on the official website at www.marvelousgames.com.

About Marvelous Europe

Marvelous Europe is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Marvelous Inc., developer of beloved Story of Seasons and Rune Factory games. Established in 2012, Marvelous Europe’s varied portfolio includes both third-party titles such as Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin, Leximan, Cuisineer and Moonlight Peaks in addition to select Marvelous Inc. content.

For more information about Marvelous Europe, please visit www.marvelouseurope.com.

Cloud Imperium Games Delivers Most Expansive and Immersive In-Person Community Event To-Date, with Exclusive Reveals Showcasing Upcoming Content and the StarEngine Technology Powering its Creation

MANCHESTER, U.K. – Oct. 16, 2024 – Cloud Imperium Games (CIG) today announced new details for CitizenCon 2954, the annual celebration of their growing community of supporters and universe of the in-development MMO Star Citizen and their much anticipated narrative single-player space adventure, Squadron 42. Taking place in Manchester, U.K., on Oct. 19-20, the in-person event will have a massive physical presence this year hosted at Manchester Central, where nearly 5,000 attendees will explore an interior themed after the UEE’s iconic Bengal Carrier, connect with fellow fans, and can attend live presentations from developers that will be simultaneously broadcast online for the global community. Fans can watch the CitizenCon 2954 livestream on the Star Citizen Twitch and YouTube channels when the Keynote begins at 2:00am PDT on Saturday, Oct. 19, with the show ending at 10:00am PDT. Day two will return on Sunday, Oct. 20 from 2:00am PDT – 7:00am PDT. All of the presentations and content broadcast during the event can be viewed on the Star Citizen YouTube channel after the event concludes.

“CitizenCon coming to Manchester is a return home and we’re thrilled to host and meet with so many members from our wonderful community this coming weekend. It really is one of the biggest highlights of the year for many of us,” said Chris Roberts, Chairman and CEO of Cloud Imperium Games. “An incredible amount of effort from everyone went into creating a memorable experience for attendees, from the massive scale custom-built Hornet to the presentations of what we’ve been working on behind the scenes, and a few special surprises. We can’t wait to reveal what the future of the ‘verse holds for our fans.”

CitizenCon is an annual fan-focused convention hosted by CIG, bringing Citizens from around the world together physically and digitally to celebrate their shared passion for the ‘verse and learn about the latest major updates coming to CIG’s titles. Hosted in Manchester, home to development offices for CIG, this year’s convention includes a week of build-up with community-organized Bar Citizen events culminating on Friday, Oct. 18, with the temporary closure of historic New Wakefield Street for a community takeover. During CitizenCon fans can explore two halls themed after the UEE’s mighty Bengal Carrier, with locations for meetups, food, lounges, and community run booths for fans to explore and meet their fellow Citizens. CIG will host a variety of developer-led talks throughout the show, giving fans an exclusive look at exciting new content coming to Star Citizen and a glimpse behind the scenes at the technology powering the ‘verse.

“A huge amount of skill goes into the creation of any game, and the tools used in the process are as important as that of the developers themselves. We want to give our community a broader look behind the curtain at what we’ve been building to help give our talented designers, artists, and programmers the right tools they need to create a truly immersive experience,” said Sean Tracy, Senior Director of Tools and Tech Content at Cloud Imperium Games. “Our teams are extremely excited to showcase some of the amazing advancements we’ve made with our internal tech and the StarEngine to ensure everything functions to-scale as our universe continues to expand.”

CitizenCon 2954 lands in Manchester and opens its carrier doors, promising a weekend of exciting information and reveals including:

Now Boarding, the UEES Barbary: Attendees will step into a convention center themed after one of the jewels of the United Earth Empire Navy, and community favorite, the Bengal Fleet Carrier. The two halls are modeled after hangar bays on the carrier, Hall A hosting the main stage for presentations and Hall B hosting fan gatherings, lounges, community booths, and more to explore in the multi-level layout. It’s not a hangar without a ship, and this year a massive, custom built F7C Hornet will be docked in Hall B as a centerpiece for photos and more. When CitizenCon departs, the model will remain as an art installation in the city of Manchester marking the occasion.

Day 1 Shows The People and Places in the ‘Verse: Shortly after the opening ceremony, developer panels will start at quantum speed with “Brave New Worlds”, a presentation focused on the in-house StarEngine, with a birds-eye view of the new Genesis suite of technology designed to breathe life into immersive worlds at high levels of fidelity at a universal scope. Following, “A Social Universe” will feature a look at some of the tools that will allow players to connect and communicate with friends and their orgs seamlessly across the ‘verse. “Dressed to Kill” will showcase new character-focused specializations to further define each unique Citizen and help them take on the challenges of the verse, and will feature the return of a CitizenCon legend from years past. The final presentation of the day, “Beyond Pyro”, will look at in-development gameplay locations beyond the Stanton and Pyro systems, and how developers are using new tools to improve new and existing locations in the game.

Closing Day 1 with a Look Ahead: Space is full of mystery and surprises, be sure to stick around as day one concludes with a special unannounced presentation that fans of CIG and Star Citizen will not want to miss!

Day 2 Looks to the Future of the ‘Verse: Day two continues with “Crafting Your Home”, which promises to introduce a major shift to the gameplay experience in Star Citizen and how players interact with resources. The “Captains of Industry” panel will introduce developers involved in the creation of the fleet of in-game vehicles revealing ships that will be coming to the game in future updates, including some more imminent surprises and ships expected to delight longtime community members. To close out the day, Senior Game Director Rich Tyrer will lead the “The Stars Are My Destination: Star Citizen 1.0” panel, outlining how everything discussed throughout the weekend will be combined for the first truly immersive sci-fi MMO as it continues development.

Stay in Orbit at “ENTER ATMOSPHERE 2954” hosted by ATMO Esports: CitizenCon’s end doesn’t mean Citizens need to return to earth just yet. Community organization ATMO Esports will be hosting ENTER ATMOSPHERE 2954 starting at 12:00am PT, at the Factory International in Manchester. The event promises an incredible experience with ship racing exhibitions, a panel featuring CIG guests, the Fight or Flight World Championship Finals, culminating in a trophy presentation with chairman Chris Roberts.

For more details on CitizenCon 2954 including the full schedule, visit the dedicated site here. Fans from around the world can watch live on the Star Citizen Twitch Channel and on the Star Citizen YouTube channel upon conclusion of the event. CitizenCon 2954 Digital Goodie Packs featuring a massive collection of in-game accouterments are available for purchase online.

Star Citizen combines classic space sim and FPS gameplay with boundary-pushing visuals in a massively multiplayer setting of unprecedented fidelity. Live how you want to live: shift paths from cargo hauler to outlaw, explorer, or any other role whenever you want. Explore multiple planets and moons, including vast cities and underground caverns, all created with a unique combination of procedural planet technology and complementary hand-crafted design.

For further information, including how to download and play Star Citizen, visit the official website. Enlist today and join this ever-expanding universe by visiting the game’s Welcome Hub and Guide System for tips on how to play. Keep up to date with Star Citizen development via the game’s Progress Tracker and Roadmap. Millions of players from around the world have already joined to help CIG build the most ambitious game ever made. For continued updates, follow Star Citizen on Facebook, Instagram, Twitch, X, and YouTube.

About Cloud Imperium Games

Cloud Imperium Games is a new kind of independent studio dedicated to delivering AAA games outside the established publisher system. It was founded in 2012 by renowned visionary game developer Chris Roberts (Wing Commander series, Freelancer, Privateer), Sandi Gardiner, and international media lawyer and producer Ortwin Freyermuth (Carlito’s Way, Shattered, Das Boot – Director’s Cut), with industry veteran and studio director Erin Roberts (Lego videogame series, Starlancer, Privateer) joining the team in 2013. Cloud Imperium Games is creating Star Citizen, a record-shattering, largely crowdfunded space sim, and Squadron 42, a Hollywood-caliber, story-driven single-player game set in the same universe. Cloud Imperium Games operates in “open development” – sharing progress and updates in near real time. This paradigm-shifting development process (game development usually occurs behind closed doors) gives the community an unprecedented look at Star Citizen and Squadron 42’s development and allows direct feedback and interaction between players and developers, thereby ensuring that the games being developed are what players want to play.

Spring 2025 Release Window Announced for Debut Title by Indie Developer Sandfall Interactive 

London, United Kingdom & Montpellier, France (Oct. 16, 2024) – Independent French developer Sandfall Interactive today revealed a brand-new trailer for their upcoming, highly ambitious debut title Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, showing fresh new gameplay and revealing the game’s impressive voice cast.

Watch the latest Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 trailer below:

In today’s new emotional trailer, players are introduced to the primary cast of characters they will meet when Expedition 33 launches in Spring 2025 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S (available day one with Xbox Game Pass) and PC. Alongside the heroic Expeditioners and their pursuit of destroying the Paintress and freeing humanity from her cycle of death, players will also encounter mysterious and dangerous strangers who seem motivated by entirely different, and conflicting, forces.

Expedition 33 features an incredible voice cast of both video game and cinematic talent breathing life into the characters and world, including:

• Charlie Cox (Daredevil: Born Again, Stardust) as Gustave, a resourceful and dedicated engineer who devotes his final year of life to defeating the Paintress and reclaiming a future for Lumière’s children.
• Jennifer English (Baldur’s Gate III, Elden Ring) as Maelle, a shy loner who sees the Expedition as her chance to explore the world beyond Lumière and forge her own destiny.
• Kirsty Rider (The Sandman, Sifu) as Lune, a passionate scholar and mage intent on unravelling the mystery of the Paintress, and entrusted with charting a path forward for the Expedition.
• Shala Nyx (The Old Guard, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty) as Sciel, a cheerful and serene warrior. Having long accepted the brutality of the world, Sciel is untroubled by the spectre of failure and deeply committed to the Expedition’s cause.
• Andy Serkis (The Lord of the Rings, Black Panther) as Renoir, a forceful and passionate man, Renoir knows that victory demands sacrifice, and he is fully prepared to pay the price.
• Ben Starr (FINAL FANTASY XVI, Warframe: 1999) as Verso, a dangerous stranger, Verso is an outsider of unknown origins who closely tracks the Expedition.
• Also starring Rich Keeble (Good Omens), Devora Wilde (Baldur’s Gate III), Tracy Wiles (Baldur’s Gate III) and Maxence Cazorla (Ineffable) in unannounced roles.

In Expedition 33, players will traverse awe-inspiring landscapes in their fated journey towards the Paintress. Featuring dynamic traversal mechanics to quickly scale impossible terrain and leap across huge chasms, players will explore a richly detailed world filled with treasures, weapons and imposing enemies. In battle, players will discover an innovative reactive turn-based battle system, requiring timed inputs to perfectly execute powerful attacks, or dodge, block and parry enemy attacks to turn the tables and claim victory.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available to wishlist now and will be available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S (available day one with Xbox Game Pass) and PC (via Steam and the Epic Games Store) in Spring 2025. Physical editions of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will also be available at launch in collaboration with Maximum Entertainment in select North American and South American markets, and with Bandai Namco Entertainment in Europe & select Asian markets.

Fans curious to learn more about the gameplay, story, and world of Expedition 33 can visit the game’s official website at www.Expedition33.com and sign up for the newsletter to receive new information and updates.

About Sandfall Interactive: 

Founded in 2020 in France, Sandfall Interactive is an independent video game studio developing high-quality games for PC and consoles. With a focus on powerful narrative experiences, Sandfall Interactive aspires to deliver incredible stories with intriguing characters in gorgeous fantasy worlds inspired by French culture. The team also thrives in pushing technical boundaries by working with the latest and greatest technologies such as Unreal Engine 5. 

Their debut title, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, is currently in development for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. 

About Kepler Interactive:  

Kepler Interactive – led by the founders of Kowloon Nights – is a developer and publisher that operates on a co-ownership model. Its studios are given strategic leadership roles, all while continuing to develop their games their way, with no creative limitations. Kepler’s partner studios are as varied as they are talented, including A44 Games in New Zealand, Alpha Channel and Timberline in North America, Awaceb, Ebb Software, and Sloclap in Europe, and Shapefarm in Asia. Kepler Interactive itself is headquartered in London.

About Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe S.A.S. 

Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe S.A.S. is a leading global publisher and developer of entertainment content for platforms including, but not limited to, all major video game consoles and PC. 

Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe is producing intellectual property for a global audience and is building its reputation with franchises such as LITTLE NIGHTMARES™, PARK BEYOND™, and the upcoming UNKNOWN 9™ Awakening – developed by the recently acquired Reflector Entertainment based in Montreal, QC. 

Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe serves as the Headquarters of Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. for mainland Europe, which is known for creating and publishing many of the Toy & Entertainment industry’s top franchises, including PAC-MAN™, TAMAGOTCHI™, GUNDAM™, TEKKEN™, DARK SOULS™ and the recently released ELDEN RING™.

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. Visit Maximum Entertainment at www.maximument.com.

Prepare for the Early Access Launch of Your Political Future

Prague, Czech Republic – October 16, 2024 – Are you ready to take your political future into your own hands – To start a legacy that will extend into the very galaxy itself? Then get ready for Realpolitiks 3: Earth and Beyond, a grand strategy title like no other, which will be launching into Early Access on October 22 (with a limited time 15% launch discount) – with a playable demo now available as part of Steam Next Fest.

Realpolitiks 3: Earth and Beyond – Announcement Trailer

Developed by Jujubee and published by Fulqrum Publishing, Realpolitiks 3: Earth and Beyond invites you to prove your political brilliance – pick from a range of 195 countries, set up your government and navigate the pitfalls of domestic and international politics. A glorious destiny awaits – the domination of not just the Earth, but the whole Solar system!

To achieve this ultimate goal, you will have to carefully consider a myriad of decisions, starting with the choice of a country you wish to lead. Taking control of any contemporary nation in order to fulfil your ambitions: from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe and everything in between. 

You will also need to select your optimal form of government, build your cabinet of ministers, improve your character’s skills – all while leading your country’s efforts in economic development, research, diplomacy, espionage or war. Will you lead your people to the stars, or to their ultimate doom?

From its launch into Early Access, Realpolitiks 3: Earth and Beyond will feature three game modes (Realism, Overdrive and Sandbox), which can be played on Earth, and slowly expanding out into the solar system – with the option to lead any country existing in 2010, the starting year of the campaign. 

Realism ties the player to a world which runs very similarly to our own, with pacts dividing the world between several blocs such as NATO and the EU. Meanwhile, Overdrive offers a freedom of experience with all stats dialled up to 11, allowing the player to engage in an all-out brawl between the strongest nations. Finally, Sandbox allows the player to build up from the start and make their nation a success under their rule – but be warned, it’s a long and hard journey to the top!

The game will be shaped by its community throughout the Early Access period, with the team interacting directly with the community on Discord server and Steam Discussion forums to improve the game during development. 

A number of features and mechanics are already planned to be added during the Early Access period – with the final 1.0 launch expected to be released in early 2025. These include the possibility to use weapons of mass destruction, implement martial law, the influence of pollution on the environment, different winning objectives for campaigns and much more – even overall different campaign scenarios and recreating historical countries. The developers are also planning to add more textual localizations to the game at full launch, including French, German, Spanish, Polish, Simplified Chinese and Russian. Of course, due to the nature of Early Access, these plans can change based on community feedback.

We hope to see you all on the world stage soon – on Earth, in space, and beyond!

Realpolitiks 3: Earth and Beyond is available to wishlist right now – and will be launching into Early Access on October 22, 2024 on PC via Steam, GOG, the Epic Games Store and other digital storefronts.

About Fulqrum Publishing

Fulqrum Publishing is a global games publisher with a diverse portfolio of titles, including in-house and independent productions. Fulqrum Publishing released over a hundred games, including the critically acclaimed titles like Men of War, King’s Bounty, Space Rangers, Fell Seal, Forgive me Father and many others.

About Jujubee

Jujubee, founded in 2012, is known for games like the FLASHOUT and Realpolitiks series, along with titles like Take Off: The Flight Simulator, Punk Wars, and Deep Diving Adventures. The studio is currently developing the survival-strategy game Dark Moon, the third entry in the Realpolitiks series, and the casual RPG Emerald Caravan. Focused on creating visually appealing, fun games for consoles and PCs, Jujubee is publicly listed on New Connect, part of the Warsaw Stock Exchange.

Adorable animals, guilds, campfires and more await

Shanghai, China — October 16, 2024 | From the creators of RO Ragnarok: Idle Poring comes a brand new dungeon-diving mobile experience: Go Go Muffin. This fantasy MMO combines the relaxing nature of titles like Animal Crossing with exciting battles, costumes galore and plenty of cuddly companions to play with along the way. Players wanting to get involved can pre-register for the Closed Beta Test now and enjoy exploring this lush world on October 23, giving them an early glimpse of what’s to come in this vast, mysterious continent. 

Go Go Muffin aims to provide players with a fresh experience filled with love, healing, and adventure. The game features a unique vertical mode, allowing for single-hand combat and one-tap voice chats with teammates – perfectly convenient for players on the go. Whether they’re commuting or multitasking, as long as they have one free hand, they can jump into the game anytime and embark on their adventure.

The Story Begins…

Ragnarok has torn the world asunder, but this isn’t a story of woe and ruin. Instead discover a world left fertilised in the wake of destruction and take on the role of a young hero and their feline companion: Muffin as they search for the remnants of Yggdrasil – the crown of Asgard.

Adventurers can choose from five different classes: Swordbearer, Wayfarer, Scholar, Shadowlash, and Acolyte. As they level up, they can advance to new job tiers, further enhancing their strength and earn tons of rewards whether they play online or offline. 

In a classic MMORPG experience, Go Go Muffin features a guild system that allows players to explore dungeons together or relax by the campside, chat with friends and summon their adorable Melomons. Additionally, players can choose from a variety of cute and stylish outfits as they please to make Go Go Muffin truly their own.

Head to the end of the World

Players can search for “Go Go Muffin” on Google Play and App Store to pre-register now! They will receive an Exclusive Melomon, as well as many other rewards such as Stellarite, Star Verses, and limited-edition costumes upon the game’s launch!

Click the link below to pre-register: 

Website: https://muffin.xdg.com/ 

App Store: https://apps.apple.com/app/id6503228738
Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.xd.muffin.gp.global

XD Games

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

Shortly After the Season Two Premiere, the Crowd-Favorite Soccer Anime Film Scores a Premiere Date of October 18

©Muneyuki Kaneshiro, Yusuke Nomura, KODANSHA/BLUE LOCK Production Committee.

Sydney, Australia (October 16, 2024) – BLUE LOCK is keeping up the momentum as BLUE LOCK THE MOVIE -EPISODE NAGI- makes its way to Crunchyroll this Friday, October 18 at 11:00am AEDT. The film will be available to stream in select territories around the world in Japanese with subtitles in English, Latin American Spanish, Castilian Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, European Portuguese, French, German, Italian, Russian and Arabic. The film will also be available with dub languages in English, Latin American Spanish, Castilian Spanish, French, German and Italian.

After receiving acclaim for its international premiere at the 2024 Annecy International Film Festival in France as a part of the new “Annecy Presents” section, Crunchyroll and Sony distributed the film worldwide to a hungry theater-going audience.

BLUE LOCK THE MOVIE -EPISODE NAGI- is the first film installment of the BLUE LOCK franchise, based on the award-winning manga series written by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and illustrated by Kota Sannomiya and based on the character design by Yusuke Nomura. The original BLUE LOCK manga series is currently the 5th best selling manga of 2024, while BLUE LOCK -EPISODE NAGI- has published more than a million copies with five volumes.

Produced by studio 8bit (That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime), the film is directed by Shunsuke Ishikawa, with character designs by Nomura, composition and screenplay by Taku Kishimoto, and music by Jun Murayama.

The first season of BLUE LOCK is currently available to stream on Crunchyroll, and BLUE LOCK 2nd Season is now premiering with new episodes simulcast weekly on Saturdays.

BLUE LOCK THE MOVIE -EPISODE NAGI- Official Synopsis:

“That’s a hassle.” That was second-year high schooler Nagi Seishiro’s favorite phrase as he lived his dull life. Until Mikage Reo, a classmate who dreamed of winning the World Cup, discovered Nagi’s hidden skill, inspiring him to play soccer and share his outstanding talent. One day, he receives an invitation to the mysterious BLUE LOCK Project. What awaits him there is an encounter with the finest strikers assembled from across the country. Nagi’s dream of becoming the best, alongside Reo, will take this prodigy to a world he’s never known.

A prodigy can only be shaped when someone discovers him….now, striker Nagi Seishiro’s incredible talent and persona will set the soccer world ablaze.

Main Japanese Voice Cast:

• Kazuki Ura as Yoichi Isagi
• Nobunaga Shimazaki as Seishiro Nagi
• Yuma Uchida as Reo Mikage
• Kazuyuki Okitsu as Zantetsu Tsurugi
• Tasuku Kaito as Meguru Bachira
• Yuki Ono as Rensuke Kunigami
• Soma Saito as Hyoma Chigiri
• Koki Uchiyama as Rin Itoshi
• Hiroshi Kamiya as Jinpachi Ego
• Subaru Kimura as Ryo Nameoka

Main English Voice Cast:

• Ricco Fajardo as Yoichi Isagi
• Bryson Baugus as Seishiro Nagi
• Kamen Casey as Reo Mikage
• Matthew Elkins as Zantetsu Tsurugi
• Drew Breedlove as Meguru Bachira
• Alex Hom as Rensuke Kunigami
• Aaron Dismuke as Hyoma Chigiri
• Matt Shipman as Rin Itoshi
• Derick Snow as Jinpachi Ego
• Brent Mukai as Ryo Nameoka

About BLUE LOCK

BLUE LOCK follows the dreams of 300 high school students who aim to become an absolute ace striker and lead the Japan’s Men’s National Team to win the next World Cup tournament. However, if they are eliminated from the BLUE LOCK training program they will never be able to play for the national team and their career is finished. Only one whose ego and skill triumphs over all will emerge on top. Based on the award-winning manga of the same name written by Muneyuki Kaneshiro,  illustrated by Yusuke Nomura and serialized in Kodansha’s Weekly Shonen Magazine with over 30 million copies in circulation, the anime debuted in October 2022 and was one of the most popular series during its simulcast season.

Credits: Directed by Shunsuke Ishikawa. Original story by Muneyuki Kaneshiro. Manga by Kouta Sannomiya. Character Design by Yusuke Nomura. Composition and Screenplay by Taku Kishimoto. Music by Jun Murayama. Produced by 8bit.

Editor’s note: Please note that the title of the film and series should be written in all capital letters  –  “BLUE LOCK” and “BLUE LOCK THE MOVIE -EPISODE NAGI-”

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.

Starting today, the three new Xbox Series X|S console options, previously announced and available for pre-order, are officially available for purchase, with select countries following on October 29. These options include:

• The Xbox Series S – 1TB (White) ($549 AUD) is equipped with 1TB of storage and is featured in Robot White. Now with double the storage, you can store even more of your favorite games.
• The Xbox Series X – 1TB Digital Edition ($699 AUD) is equipped with 1TB of storage, is all-digital, and is featured in Robot White for the first time.
• The Xbox Series X – 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition ($999 AUD) delivers the same speed, performance and features of Xbox Series X, but comes equipped with 2TB of storage, a unique design and a matching Xbox Wireless controller with a Galaxy Black D-pad and Velocity Green back case.

With an exciting lineup of new games launching this year, this is one of the best years ever to upgrade or jump into Xbox for the first time – just in time for the holidays, too. You can check out and purchase the newest Xbox consoles here.

All hail the Queen! Warner Bros. Games have released a new MultiVersus trailer revealing the first look at gameplay for DC’s Nubia, the current Queen of the Amazons and protector of Themyscira, who will join the roster as the latest playable character now as part of Season 3: Sugar, Spice & Everything Nice.

Nubia is a close-combat damage dealer with a dominant moveset featuring her Staff of Understanding that brings long-range spear fighting with a touch of godly power into the mix. In the new trailer, Nubia’s prowess as an Assassin class fighter is on full display, including her ability to slash, strike, and propel kicks towards opponents, as well as generating shockwaves with her staff to take out enemies. The trailer also shows off the Future State Nubia character variant, available for purchase now. For more information on how to access Nubia in-game, visit our FAQ.

Additionally, the new battle-torn “Destroyed” version of the City of Townsville map from The Powerpuff Girls series arrives from today.

View and share the MultiVersus – Official Nubia “Long Live the Queen” Gameplay Trailer

Fans can dive into the world of Nubia and explore her legacy on DC UNIVERSE INFINITE* (DCUI). From her iconic debut in 1973’s Wonder Woman #204 to her thrilling adventures in Nubia and the Amazons (2021) and Amazons Attack (2023), all are available to read now on DCUI.

*DC UNIVERSE INFINITE is not available in all countries and is not intended for children.

Developed by Player First Games, MultiVersus is available now as a free download for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 consoles, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One consoles, and PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), with full cross-play and cross-progression support.

The free-to-play platform fighter features an ever-expanding roster of popular characters based on Warner Bros. Discovery franchises. The announced roster of characters includes Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn, Black Adam, The Joker, and Nubia (DC); Shaggy and Velma (Scooby-Doo); Bugs Bunny, Tasmanian Devil a.k.a. Taz, and Marvin the Martian (Looney Tunes); Arya Stark (Game of Thrones); Tom & Jerry; Finn the Human, Jake the Dog, and Banana Guard (Adventure Time); Steven Universe and Garnet (Steven Universe); Iron Giant; LeBron James (Space Jam: A New Legacy); Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith (Rick and Morty); Gizmo and Stripe (Gremlins); Jason Voorhees (Friday the 13th); Agent Smith (The Matrix); Samurai Jack; Beetlejuice; The Powerpuff Girls; and an extraordinary original creature namedReindog.

MULTIVERSUS © 2024 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Developed by Player First Games. All DC characters and related elements are trademarks of DC © 2024. THE POWERPUFF GIRLS, SAMURAI JACK ADVENTURE TIME, STEVEN UNIVERSE, RICK AND MORTY and all related characters and elements © & ™ Cartoon Network. TOM AND JERRY and all related characters and elements © & ™ Turner Entertainment Co. and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. SCOOBY-DOO and all related characters and elements © & ™ Hanna-Barbera Productions, Inc. GAME OF THRONES and all related characters and elements © & ™ Home Box Office, Inc. JASON and all related characters and elements © & ™ New Line Productions, Inc. BEETLEJUICE, MATRIX, GREMLINS, LOONEY TUNES, SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY, THE IRON GIANT and all related characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Experience the Shocking Thrills Early Before the Full Game Launches on Oct. 29

SYDNEY (Oct. 16, 2024) – Today, SQUARE ENIX^® launched Early Access for the upcoming supernatural murder mystery, LIFE IS STRANGE: DOUBLE EXPOSURE. Between now and Oct. 29, players can experience all the twists and turns of the first two chapters of the game if they purchase the Ultimate Edition. Early Access for LIFE IS STRANGE: DOUBLE EXPOSURE starts today, with the full game launching on Xbox Series X|S consoles, PlayStation 5^® and PC via Steam and Windows Store on Oct. 29.

The first two chapters of the game follow returning fan-favorite character Max, now a photographer-in-residence at Caledon University, as she kicks off a parallel-universe-spanning mystery and meets memorable new characters, including lovable astrophysicist Moses, aspirational poet Safi and many others. For fans of the episodic releases of past games, these first two chapters offer the perfect setup for the dramatic events to come and shouldn’t be missed.

Players can purchase the LIFE IS STRANGE: DOUBLE EXPOSURE Ultimate Edition to gain advanced access to Chapters 1 + 2 now, two weeks ahead of the release of the full game.

“LIFE IS STRANGE: DOUBLE EXPOSURE was crafted to be a satisfying mystery with no shortage of twists to keep you guessing where the story might go next,” says Game Director Jonathan Stauder. “With the early release of Chapter 1 + 2, we wanted to give fans the time and opportunity to speculate, theorize and analyze like they did when LIFE IS STRANGE was an episodic series. We’re looking forward to hearing all your theories after you’ve seen how these first two chapters play out!”

All progress and saves during Early Access will be carried through to the full release on Oct. 29.

LIFE IS STRANGE: DOUBLE EXPOSURE

Max Caulfield, photographer-in-residence at the prestigious Caledon University, discovers her closest new friend, Safi, dead in the snow. Murdered. To save her, Max tries to Rewind time – a power she’s not used in years… instead, Max opens the way to a parallel timeline where Safi is still alive, and still in danger! Max realizes the killer will soon strike again – in both versions of reality. Only Max can Shift between the two parallel timelines to solve and prevent the same murder.

LIFE IS STRANGE: DOUBLE EXPOSURE will launch on Xbox Series X|S consoles, PlayStation 5^®, and PC via Steam and Windows Store on Oct. 29, 2024. The game is also coming to Nintendo Switch in the future. The game will be available in three editions: Standard, Deluxe and Ultimate. Full details about each edition can be found at lifeisstrange.com.

Read more on the Life is Strange website: https://lifeisstrange.square-enix-games.com
Pre-order LIFE IS STRANGE: DOUBLE EXPOSURE: https://lifeisstrange.square-enix-games.com/en-us/games/life-is-strange-double-exposure/buy

About Square Enix External Studios

Square Enix External Studios is a London based development and publishing group that works with top development studios across the world, establishing new intellectual properties and developing new franchises within the umbrella of Square Enix Holdings. Square Enix External Studios have been responsible for multiple games including the Just Cause^® and LIFE IS STRANGE^® series, Outriders^®, as well as titles such as Batman: Arkham Asylum^® and Sleeping Dogs^®.

About Square Enix Ltd.

Square Enix Ltd. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX® and TAITO® branded entertainment content in Europe and other PAL territories as part of the Square Enix group of companies. The Square Enix group of companies boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY™, which has sold over 195 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 91 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix Ltd. is a London-based, wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.

More information on Square Enix Ltd. can be found at https://square-enix-games.com