Take up arms, play the brand-new demo during Steam Next Fest 

Tuesday, 11 June 2024 – Australian developer Catchweight Studio and Team17 Digital have announced their upcoming survival horror game CONSCRIPT will launch on 23 July on Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation™ 5, PlayStation™ 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC. 

Set in 1916, CONSCRIPT plunges players into World War 1 in a survival horror experience inspired by the classics of the genre. Players will navigate the treacherous trenches of Verdun as a lone French soldier searching for his missing-in-action brother. 

PC players can enjoy a new Steam Next Fest playable demo, available until 17 June. This new demo includes the opening of the game, a new soundtrack, local language support and a variety of other improvements. Pre-orders are now available for PlayStation™ 5, PlayStation™ 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC. Nintendo Switch™ pre-orders will be available from 25 June. 

CONSCRIPT Features:

• Play: Experience classic survival horror gameplay set during the Battle of Verdun with high replayability, various difficulty settings, multiple endings, unlockable costumes, and bonus weapons.
• Survive: Survive against enemy soldiers using WW1 melee weapons and firearms in an intense, harrowing atmosphere enhanced by pixel art aesthetics and oppressive sound design.
• Explore: Navigate intricate, interconnected WW1-themed areas while solving environmental puzzles and managing resources effectively.

CONSCRIPT is being developed by Catchweight Studio. Learn more about CONSCRIPT at CONSCRIPTGame.com and CatchweightStudio.com. To keep up to date, pre-order the game on Steam, follow on Twitter, see it on YouTube and join the community on Discord. 

About Catchweight Studio:

Catchweight Studio is a one-man game development studio based in Melbourne, Australia. Currently developing World War 1 themed survival horror game CONSCRIPT. CONSCRIPT was developed with support from VicScreen, Screen Australia, and Austrade, along with backers on Kickstarter. 

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.

Grab your sunglasses and prepare to catch some rays, as today MMORPG publisher gamigo launches Trove’s Splendid Summer 2024 event! From June 11 through June 24, get ready to dive into a veritable ocean of content, including a returning questline with refreshed rewards, the return of the Blazing Band package, Pride celebrations, and brand new rewards available for purchase from GMQubesly, who is ready to trade Valor coins for a new set of beach-themed rewards!

The summer sun’s heating up, and the swimming season is here! Dreaming of a relaxing beach vacation with fresh pineapple juice in hand and warm sand beneath your feet? Trove is making that sun-soaked dream a reality in this surf-tacular summer event, including the return of traveling merchant GMQubesly! Trade in Valor coins, event-specific currency, for new exclusive items like a new mount, two new allies, six new weapon styles, and more!

Additionally, Trove is thrilled to celebrate Pride, encouraging all players to be their true selves. Trovians will find the main hub now includes the Pride Parade Monorail, a constant revolving roller coaster decked out in designs celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community.

Trove is an open-world multiplayer sandbox that takes players on a journey through countless realms, tasking them with completing quests and defeating enemies of all shapes and sizes along the way. 

Key Gameplay Features of Trove:

• Cubular Classes: Cube-kind can be anything they want! Master classes include Knight, Gunslinger, Ice Sage, Dracolyte, and Pirate-with-a-parrot, with awesome abilities ranging from impressive ninja techniques to deliciously yet deadly ice cream crushes. 
• Infinite and Fully Destructible: Roam through colorful, voxel-based realms, including untamed wilds and worlds made of candy, before using skills to destroy them, one beautiful block at a time. 
• Imagine It, Build It: Add to the land with all manner of building and crafting options, including a Cornerstone (mobile base), huge Club Worlds, dungeons, dragons, costumes, and even swords made out of bacon. 
• Lots of Loot: Loot to the heart’s content with all manner of shimmering treasures and mighty rewards to unlock and uncover throughout the land, such as special gear, ships, decorations, and collectibles.

Trove is available free to play on Windows PC via Steam and the official website, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

To keep up with Trove, follow the game on X (Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and join the Discord community.

PlayStation 5 owners can finally sink their fangs into the highly successful vampire open-world game

Skövde, Sweden – 11th June 2024 – Swedish game developer Stunlock Studios is excited to announce that the highly anticipated PlayStation®5 version of their open-world fantasy survival Action-RPG, V Rising, is out now. Following a phenomenal 1.0 Steam launch on May 8th, which garnered rave reviews from critics and captivated a rapidly growing community of players, PS5 users can finally experience the thrill of V Rising. Awaken as a vampire, construct your own majestic castle, avoid the burning touch of sunlight, and explore a massive open world with seven regions and 57 formidable boss fights. Whether hunting alone, playing solo, or allying with friends online, rise to power and challenge Dracula himself in an epic battle to dominate the night.

Key features include:

• Immersive hands-on Action-RPG combat with the DualSense gamepad
• Survival crafting gameplay: construct your vampire castle and arm yourself
• Hunt for blood and navigate shadows to avoid the deadly sunlight
• Explore a dark fantasy world filled with fearsome creatures and dangerous foes
• Conquer over 50 powerful bosses to gain their abilities and rise in power
• Customize your gameplay with 11 weapon types and 50+ spells
• Style your vampire with a variety of armor appearances and color options
• Confront and defeat Dracula to rule the night

In collaboration with Auroch Digital, Stunlock Studios has fine-tuned the PlayStation®5 gameplay experience, including UI enhancements and DualSense game controller support.

Console players can also delve into the thrilling Legacy of Castlevania event, a collaboration with Konami Digital Entertainment (KONAMI). Battle the legendary vampire hunter Simon Belmont and unlock the iconic whip weapon. Alongside that free Castlevania content, players can purchase the Legacy of Castlevania Premium Pack cosmetic DLC for 19.99 EUR/USD, featuring character customization and castle designs inspired by Castlevania’s classic gothic style.

The Complete Edition includes all cosmetic packs currently available in the game: the Eldest Bloodlines Pack, the Dracula’s Relics Pack, the Sinister Evolution Pack, and the Legacy of Castlevania Pack, offering a comprehensive cosmetic bundle for dedicated players.

All available editions:

• Standard Edition for 39.99 EUR/USD 
• Castlevania Edition, including the Legacy of Castlevania Premium Pack for
  59.99 EUR/USD 
• Complete Edition, including all cosmetics DLCs for 99.99 EUR/USD

More on V Rising:
Immerse yourself in a Vampire Survival Action RPG unlike any other. Rise as a newly awakened vampire in a world ruled by humans. Feed on blood to gain new powers, hide from the scorching sun, and engage in real-time PvE and PvP combat set in a dark fantasy realm. Raise your castle and invite friends to join as you explore a vast open world, plunder villages, clash with bandits, and delve into the lairs of supernatural beasts. Forge alliances or rivalries online. Challenge Dracula and rule the night!

Purchase now on the PlayStation store: https://store.playstation.com/concept/10007965/

About Stunlock Studios

Stunlock Studios is one of the leading independent Swedish game developers in Skövde, known for the vampire survival game V Rising and arena brawler Battlerite. Out now in 1.0, V Rising’s gothic world has already attracted more than 4 million vampiric initiates, and Battlerite was one of the most popular free-to-play games on Steam, with over 6 million unique players entering the arena. With a passion for multiplayer action games, the studio crafts groundbreaking and community-driven games, always with their players in mind.

Visit: https://www.stunlockstudios.com

Get lost in the beautiful landscapes of the Pixie Forest and enjoy the magical mysteries of Season 3: Return. 

iOS Download | Android Download | Website

Amsterdam, The Netherlands — June 11, 2024 | After a gripping finale, Kakao Games is proud to announce the launch of a brand new season of Guardian Tales. Promising a whimsical new adventure, exciting upgrades and charming new characters, return to the world of Guardian Tales on June 11!

The Pixie Forest, which can be accessed after clearing World 18, is a breath of fresh air after the perilous journey through the demon-infested world. Filled with lush greenery and blooming flowers, this season’s story introduces a mischievous pixie hero, the King of the Hill Cornet. 

And not just that, a familiar face finally joins the ranks of unique-level heroes: The beloved Knight has earned their place at the table of the strongest warriors and players will be able to enjoy its ascended abilities and skill sets. 

Customisation lovers will be delighted by the new and improved lobby expansion, as well as additional buildings and residents that will help produce more Soul Points to realise even the loftiest decorative dreams. 

It’s not just the world that’s getting a new look, Season 3 also welcomes an improved UI as well as a Content Book, which allows players to view all of the  game modes in one place. 

Season 3 is the perfect time to return to or begin the Guardian Tales adventure, with a bounty of treasures to get you started: 

• 3,000 Gems free for logging in!
• 50 free hero/equipment summons to help players bag their favourite heroes (including the new Cornet)
• Attendance check rewards with revamped rewards
• More reward-filled daily missions

To celebrate this milestone, the official Kakao Games Twitch channel will host a special live stream covering the Season 3 update on June 11 2PM PT/5PM ET. Viewers will be able to claim a special reward of 100,000 Gold, 100 Stamina, and 3 Lv. 70 Awaking stone boxes via Twitch Drops as a thank you for tuning in and celebrating with us!

Guardian Tales Season 3: Return is the perfect opportunity for players to jump into the charming, immersive action RPG or return for another RPG adventure. For more on this exciting update, check out the website or download Guardian Tales on iOS or Android. 

About Guardian Tales 

Guardian Tales is a new game from Kong Studios that unites charming pixel art graphics and action-adventure dungeon crawling linked together by a journey travelling a rich diversity of worlds, inspired by the history of gaming. 

About Kong Studios

Kong Studios, Inc. is a startup headquartered in Silicon Valley of the U.S. The studio focuses on developing games with unique and new gameplay perspectives. The studio has so far released Dungeon Link and is now working on Guardian Tales for worldwide service. 

About Kakao Games

Founded in 2016, Kakao Games is a leading publisher of online and mobile games, responsible for releasing titles including Pearl Abyss’ Black Desert Online (serviced in North America and Europe until early 2021), KRAFTON’s PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (serviced in Korea), ArcheAge, Survival MOBA Eternal Return (service in North America, Europe and Oceania), Kong Studios’ Guardian Tales (serviced in North America, Europe, Latin America and Oceania), and Nineark’s Eversoul (serviced in North America and Europe).

Get ready for chaos and fun, lots of it!

Diepenbeek, Belgium, June 11th, 2024 – Bolt Blaster Games is ready to share their excitement with you! The Spell Brigade makes it to Steam Next Fest, and with it, you get to experience a lot of chaotic fun! Bolt Blaster Games has been polishing and updating The Spell Brigade demo on Steam so you can test it in all of its glory during Steam Next Fest. 

The Spell Brigade is a co-op, friendly-fire, bullet hell, rogue-like chaos that you won’t get enough of. The Spell Brigade offers a 1-4 player co-op driven playstyle to figure out different spell combinations with your team, to help complete map objectives, slay your foes, and take down the monstrosities you’re going to face. 

Watch The Spell Brigade’s new trailer below:

Don’t miss out on the fun! Add The Spell Brigade to your wishlist here

“In the weeks leading up to Steam Next Fest, we concentrated on fine-tuning game balance and adding the finishing touches. Thanks to our community’s invaluable early feedback, we were able to smooth out the remaining quirks and demo the game from great to epic.” – Bolt Blaster Games

Key Features:

• Survivors-like Gameplay with Multiplayer Madness: Enjoy the thrill of fighting thousands of weird monsters together. Complete missions and upgrade spells as a team. Survive together!
• Team-Based Combat: Assemble your Brigade and traverse the mystical warpath together. Experience the benefits of fighting as a team, even if it means occasionally stepping on each other’s toes. Fear not, as even the most unfortunate deaths can be remedied through the power of sorcery and friendship.
• Dynamic Spell System: Find, upgrade, and combine your spells with powerful elements. The game ensures that no two builds are ever the same, and with multiple wizards in your squad, the potential for pure, unhinged chaos is endless!

About Bolt Blaster Games

Bolt Blaster Games is a six-person indie game studio from Belgium, founded in 2020. In 2023, they released their first game, a cartoony roguelite shooter in VR called GAZZLERS. It’s a crazy little game in which you fight off hordes of – you guessed it – Gazzlers, with a gun you build yourself from combined parts and upgrades you get after each wave, all in a colorful, cartoony style. 

Working on GAZZLERS post-launch really showed the Bolt Blaster team the value of community feedback and engagement, which is something they want to improve on while working on their second title. Still a young studio with the ambition to make great, fun games, they are eager to grow as game developers, one game at a time.

The timelessness that is Atari’s Yars universe introduces players to another easter egg-loaded sci-fi entry with Yars Rising, the side-scrolling metroidvania adventure from developer WayForward — with an official demo out now as part of Steam Next Fest! 

Download the Yars Rising demo and play now on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/YarsRising

If you missed IGN Live this past Sunday, be sure to check out the newly released gameplay trailer, giving fans a first look at the expansive vivid world of Yars Rising. Punctuated by anime-inspired cyberpunk character designs, and an energetic soundtrack, the trailer shows off the game’s stealth mechanics, run‘n’gun gameplay, and an array of enemy encounters. Inspired by the classic Yars franchise and boasting WayForward’s unique creative touch, Yars Rising introduces a bottomless mystery and a sprawling, interconnected map with loads of genre-splicing moments from 2D fight sequences to turn-based battles.

Watch the Yars Rising gameplay trailer here:

More about Yars Rising

In Yars Rising, players take control of Emi Kimura, a young hacker who’s been hired by a mysterious entity to infiltrate the shadowy Qotech corporation. Run, jump, sneak, and hack your way through challenges and retro-inspired mini-games to unravel layers of intrigue in this vast sci-fi mystery. Embark on Emi’s journey to decipher the mystery of the corporation’s closely guarded secret and uncover her inexplicable bond to a far-off alien race.

In true metroidvania fashion, Emi grows in power throughout her adventure, allowing her to retrace her steps and reach previously inaccessible and secret areas. Her evolving hacking skills are critical to solving stimulating minigames that reference the innovative gameplay from the Atari 2600 title Yars’ Revenge. 

Key Features Include:

• Otherworldly Abilities: Emi must jump, blast, and sneak her way past waves of robotic and alien enemies. Her latent powers are revealed as she progresses, granting her wild augments and biohacks to reach inaccessible areas. 
• Stealth Traversal: Emi can’t always shoot or jump her way out of a jam — tense sections of stealth gameplay force her to skillfully duck into the shadows to hide from relentless security bots. 
• Sci-fi Intrigue: A seemingly bottomless mystery takes Emi from drab office buildings into underground labs, and even to the farthest reaches of space. A sprawling, interconnected map allows for hours upon hours of gameplay. 
• Genre Mix: A metroidvania at its core, Yars Rising progresses the story with a series of hacking minigames paying homage to the original Yars’ Revenge, along with other levels and boss battles that take Emi far and beyond her “normal” adventure, like fight scenes and turn-based battles. 

To stay up-to-date on all things Atari and retro-pop culture, follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, and join the community on Discord.

Encounter Valembois, a key character in the remake of Benoît Sokal’s cult game, and delve into his story. Join us on this captivating journey

Paris, June 11, 2024 – Microids and Microids Studio Paris are thrilled to unveil the second trailer of Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy.  The remake of the cult adventure game designed by Benoît Sokal, the creator of the famous Syberia saga, will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on October 2024.

This trailer will transport players into the enchanting universe of  the Amerzone through the story of Valembois, an old explorer. In a poignant plea, he implores a young journalist – embodied by the player – to rectify the mistakes of his past by returning a precious White Bird egg to its country of origin, the Amerzone. This quest unfolds as a true initiatory adventure, infused with the regrets of the old man and tinted by his troubled past. Players will discover a landscape as hostile as it is wonderful, with every corner of the Amerzone holding its share of surprises.

About Amerzone : The Explorer’s Legacy 

Driven by the remorse-filled story of a fallen explorer, embody a journalist in search of adventure and truth in the discovery of a forgotten land, the Amerzone! You will have to delve into the past and investigate the remnants of this land with many secrets. Will you find the key to the mystery behind the Great White Birds, the endemic species of the Amerzone?

Key Features 

• An ode to exploration and discovery: explore an ancient land built by years of secrets, browsing realistic environments and enjoying a both eerie and appealing ambient
• Facing multiple riddles in a quest for truth: in a scenario faithful to the original game but enriched with new features, find clues, face tough puzzles and solve the case of the great white birds
• Fascinating and complex characters to interact with: discover people with deep backstories and elaborate designs, study their expectations and fix the errors from the past

Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC on October 2024.

About Microids

Microids is a French video game publisher. Founded in 1985, Microids’ editorial strategy now focuses on 4 major areas: adventure games, racing games, retro gaming and games inspired by iconic titles. By collaborating with renowned studios and authors (Revolution Software, Sloclap, Oddworld Inhabitants, Pendulo Studios, Eden Studios, Go Nagai, Charles Cecil, Benoît Sokal, Paul Cuisset…), Microids has become a major player in international video games. Taking inspiration from legendary titles, Microids reaches a wide audience and creates original adventures which give gamers the chance to play as some of their most beloved characters.

Zynga and Socialpoint Commemorate A Decade Of Dots with Exclusive In-game Features and Events

Barcelona, Spain – June 11, 2024 – Socialpoint, a leading mobile gaming studio and subsidiary of Zynga, today announced limited-time in-game events and a refreshed visual look for its popular title, Two Dots, in celebration of its 10th anniversary. 

Two Dots is a minimalist puzzle game known for its colorful art, relaxing soundtrack, and adventurous nature. Until July 8, the game will feature a refreshed look and feel, including a new app icon, app logo, loading screen, and daily login calendar. Additionally, players can look forward to new features such as the power Cosmic Blast booster and Scavenger Hunt Hub as well as exclusive events as part of this special update.

“We are thrilled to offer our players a unique and immersive experience with this limited-time makeover and series of fun events,” said Chloé Touitou, VP Product at Socialpoint. “It’s our way of celebrating ten years of Two Dots and showing appreciation to our loyal community. Players are invited to join the party through lots of exclusive new activities, including the favourite side game, Scavenger Hunts”.

Key Features:

• Cosmic Blast: Introducing a new powerful booster to help players blast through even the most challenging levels.
• Scavenger Hunt Hub: Makes more Scavenger Hunts available to players than ever before!

Exclusive Events:

• 2 Birthday Flips (June 11 – 30): Emily’s and Uncle Jack’s interconnected Flips, named after the two main characters.
• Beloved Barcelona (June 12 – July 2): A unique scavenger hunt paying tribute to Socialpoint’s home city, Barcelona.
• Transformed Scavenger Hunts (June 15 – July 8): The players’ favourite maps, adopting a new form and hiding special anniversary-themed objects.
• Anniversary Treasure Hunt (June 13 – 17):Players can beat seven special levels to earn a rare collectible.
• Special Offers: Better Booster and Gold bundles giving players more rewards for the same price.
• Treasure Trunk, the newly introduced chained offers in a special anniversary edition.

The limited-time rebranding and new features will be available until July 8, but the anniversary celebrations will go on all year as even more new features and improvements are introduced. Players can look forward to exclusive content, special events, and more as part of this exciting update. Download Two Dots today!

ABOUT SOCIALPOINT

Socialpoint is a world-renowned game developer and publisher specializing in mobile gaming. A wholly-owned publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), and member of Zynga Inc., the company accumulates over 860 million downloads of world-renowned hits such as Dragon City, Two Dots, Top Troops, and Monster Legends. 

Ready to get weyrd? We hope so because today, Malaysian indie studio Weyrdworks is thrilled to reveal that its free-to-play virtual pet sim Weyrdlets will launch on Windows PC on July 23! The demo is also part of Steam Next Fest, showcasing its wholesome approach to encouraging focus and enhancing task efficiency. 

Watch the Weyrdlets release date trailer here:

Described by some as “Animal Crossing meets Nintendogs,” Weyrdlets is a desktop virtual pet game that seamlessly blends cute pet-caretaking relaxation with the feeling of accomplishment via genuine productivity. Weyrdlets also features Twitch integration, allowing streamers to engage with their communities during co-working streams or while queuing up in their favorite multiplayer titles.

While you immerse yourself in your work, utilizing features like the integrated Pomodoro Timer and To-Do list, your Weyrdlet will roam around the screen, keeping you company. Additionally, while your pet idles, it earns coins— in-game currency that lets you buy items to customize your pet’s looks and decorate their home!

Key Features of Weyrdlets:

• Adopt a Virtual Desktop Pet: Experience adopting a unique virtual pet with quirky behaviors. Just like in reality, engage in lifelike interactions – pet, grab, feed, and play with your companion both in-game and on your desktop!
• Work and Chill Together: Turn work into play with your companion! Bring your pet onto the desktop to watch videos with you, roam around, and beat stress while you study, tackle emails, or doomscroll.
• Personalize and Customize: Personalize your pet and its environment with accessories and stickers, from Viking hats and shades to charming home decor. Express your style and creativity by decorating your pet and its home with flair!
• Pet-Centric Productivity: Increase your productivity with in-game tools on your desktop, including a Pomodoro timer, a to-do list, and then wind down with a daily self-reflection logger. Enjoy enhanced focus and efficiency while your companion keeps you company. 

The Weyrdlets demo is available now on Windows PC via Steam, with a full release date of July 23, 2024.

Stay up-to-date on all things Weyrdlets by following on X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube,  and Twitch, and join the community on Discord.

During the Summer Game Fest showcase that took place over the weekend, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) announced the brand-new action-adventure game, LEGO Horizon Adventures. The game will be launched during Holiday 2024. 

Co-developed by Guerrilla and Studio Gobo, LEGO Horizon Adventures is a playful and light-hearted story inspired by the events of the world of Horizon. Players can get their first look via the announcement trailer below:

In a distant future, the land is made of LEGO bricks and incredible dinosaur-like machines roam the Earth. Aloy, the game’s leading hero, is found in a cave as a baby and raised by a grizzled huntsman called Rost, who teaches her the way of the wilds. One day, Aloy embarks on a quest to discover her true destiny. Guided by a thousand-year-old hologram of a scientist called Elisabet, Aloy must confront Helis, the leader of a group of sun worshipers who bow to an Ancient Evil shrouded in mystery. There’s much more in store for Aloy and her friends, as their adventure sends them across the tallest mountains and deepest cauldrons — all beautifully recreated in LEGO elements. 

Follow your own adventure or share the fun with another player via couch or online co-op*. LEGO Horizon Adventures has been designed for two-player action without the need for split-screen, providing an opportunity for family and friends to develop connections through collaborative play. 

There’s plenty of brick-based fun to be had too. Give the village of Mother’s Heart a makeover, decorating it in delightful ways to unlock unique LEGO buildings and ornaments. You can even dish out hilarious outfits for your friends to wear!

To find out more, head to the PlayStation Blog, and keep up with the latest news from PlayStation Australia on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.