Experience hotly anticipated demos, watch panels, and more this Labor Day Weekend

SEATTLE – 31 May, 2024 – The first exhibitors and guests for PAX West 2024, the West Coast’s most-attended gaming event, have been unveiled alongside today’s launch of badges sales at 12 pm PDT. ReedPop and Penny Arcade will welcome fans at the Seattle Convention Center this Labor Day Weekend from Friday, Aug. 30, through Monday, Sept. 2, 2024, for PAX’s 20th anniversary.

The expo floor will feature some of gaming’s biggest names, including Capcom, The Pokémon Company, Larian Studios, Innersloth, Atari, and long-time PAX fan favorites The Behemoth. More companies packing the expo hall, including some of gaming’s most popular publishers to small indie creators with the next big breakout hit, will be announced in the coming months.

PAX West’s main stage will feature programming from Magic the Gathering along with appearances from FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE voice actors Briana White (Aerith), Britt Baron (Tifa), and Suzie Yeung (Yuffie). Enter John Robertson’s The Dark Room, the comedic live-action video game experience, making its PAX West debut. 

Celebrate 20 years of PAX in the place where it all started, with programming including birthday panels and exclusive giveaways. The schedule includes a 20th Anniversary Concert featuring the Triforce Quartet, OneUps, and other guests to be announced in the near future, with a full event schedule arriving in the coming weeks.

Catch four days of a wide variety of live competitive gaming, including the humorous Stream Stars competition that kicks off PAX Arena’s schedule packed with live esports with cash prizes. Witness one of PAX’s oldest traditions, the Omegathon, where 16 attendees battle it out in a variety of games, including the grand finals’ mystery game.

“We’re celebrating the 20th Anniversary of PAX all year, but this is where the show started,” said Jerry Holkins, co-founder of PAX, Penny Arcade, and Child’s Play. “Whether you found the show when it was PAX West, PAX Prime, or just PAX, we’re looking forward to celebrating with you.”

PAX West badges go on sale today at 12 pm PDT for $250 for a 4-day badge, or $66 for single-day badges for Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday. Additionally, pick up single day badge bundles at a reduced rate until Thursday, June 20, or while inventory lasts, with three badges for $186, four badges for $238, and six badges for $337.

Media and content creators interested in covering the event can apply for badges here. The content submission form for panels and workshops close Monday, June 3, at 6am PDT.

For travel info, event schedules, FAQs, and more, check out the PAX West website, and follow PAX on Twitter, Facebook, Twitch, YouTube, and Instagram.

About PAX

PAX, or Penny Arcade Expo, is a festival for gamers to celebrate gaming culture. First held in Seattle in 2004, PAX has nearly doubled in size each successive year, with PAX Prime 2014 selling out of tickets in a matter of minutes. Connecting the world’s leading game publishers with their most avid and influential fans, PAX expanded with a second show in Boston in 2010, and a third in San Antonio in 2015, making it the three largest gaming shows in North America. The first international PAX was held in Melbourne, Australia in 2013. In 2017, Penny Arcade established PAX Unplugged, its first tabletop-focused show, held in Philadelphia.

About ReedPop

ReedPop is a boutique group within RX – one of the world’s leading event organizers. Launched in 2006, the group has become the number one producer of pop culture events globally and a full-service digital content provider and media company. Delivering once-in-a-lifetime fan experiences curated specifically for localized audiences, ReedPop currently features events in North America, Europe and Asia, including New York Comic Con (NYCC), Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2), PAX West, East, and Unplugged, Emerald City Comic Con (ECCC), Star Wars Celebration, MCM Comic Con, Eurogamer Expo (EGX), MagicCon, and more. In addition to organizing and managing events, ReedPop owns and operates the pop culture news site, Popverse, which is the exclusive home for livestreams from all of ReedPop’s major comic cons. The staff at ReedPop are a fan-based group of professionals uniquely qualified to build and serve the communities with whom they share a common passion.

About Penny Arcade

Penny Arcade has been the world’s most popular webcomic for over 20 years, with over 3.5 million readers. Started in 1998 in the living room of Mike Krahulik & Jerry Holkins, it has grown into a media empire encompassing multiple beloved properties such as Lookouts, Automata, and beloved D&D live-play series Acquisitions Incorporated. Penny Arcade was responsible for the creation of Child’s Play, a gaming charity that has raised over $45 million dollars for children across the world. They are also the founders of PAX, the number one consumer gaming festival in North America, with hundreds of thousands of loyal visitors every year.

Extinguish insects in a blaze of glory in the follow-up to Hive Jump on Steam Early Access

Green Bay, WI – May 30, 2024 – Hive Jump 2: Survivors, the survivors-like sequel to critically acclaimed action-platformer Hive Jump from developer Graphite Lab and publisher Midwest Games, begins a buzzworthy battle on PC via Steam Early Access today.

As the lone survivor of a devastating extraterrestrial attack, overcome the impossible by blasting waves of swarming enemies with instruments far deadlier than bug repellant. Weaponize and customize a powerful jetpack to escape perilous situations, and destroy enemies down below. 

Traverse unfamiliar terrain, utilizing the jetpack as an advantage to rise above the hordes of vicious insects. Strategically select upgrades before each run, from health reserve boosts to enhanced enemy targeting and increased damage. Pair jetpack augments with overpowered Jumper builds to construct the ultimate exterminator. 

Gain speed bonuses with Sprinter or send swarms scuttling with Bruiser’s flamethrower. Extinguish waves of wildly spawning creatures hungry for the chase, fending off ground-based Soldiers, Armorers, and lava-spewing Bombarders. Test drive different power-up and stat combos, adjusting speed, rate of fire, health, and other attributes. 

Engage in hands-free combat with auto-assist aiming, or switch to manual controls for master manipulation in the fray. Unleash an arsenal of grenades and survive until the countdown buzzer blares. Hold the hive at bay for 14 rounds to go head-to-head in boss battles with the biggest bugs of all. Survive the challenge of the Crystal Caverns or the Frozen Tundra with more distinct environments to come.

Collect discarded “goo” from fallen enemies and exchange for upgrades, weapons, and rare relics. The more guts amassed, the greater the chances of scoring scarce loot. While sweeping up the battlefield, pick up Amber for permanent stat upgrades, nukes for life-saving screen wipes, and magnets for auto-scavenging resources. 

“Prospective Jumpers can now get their hands on the jetpack-fueled gauntlet that is Hive Jump 2: Survivors,” said Matt Raithel, Studio Director of Graphite Lab. “New jumpers as well as our beloved Hive Jump fans can soar high above the colony, dodging and detonating enemies to escape the hostile planet.”

Hive Jump 2: Survivors is available now on PC via Steam Early Access in English with more localization support to come in 1.0.  

For more information, please visit Midwest Games on Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram, join the community on Discord, and search #HiveJumpSurvivors on all social media platforms.

About Graphite Lab

Graphite Lab is a talented independent development studio led by owner and Studio Director Matt Raithel based in St. Louis, Missouri. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, the team strives to produce hit titles featuring some of the world’s most visible and iconic brands. Graphite Lab specializes in bringing brands to life in fun and entertaining ways, including critically acclaimed projects such as Atari’s Kombinera, Mr. Run and Jump, Qomp2, and more including its first big original title, Hive Jump.  

For more information, please visit the official website.

About Midwest Games 

Based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Midwest Games is a video game publisher focused on creating opportunities for the abundant talent across the Midwest and other underrepresented regions. Led by industry veterans and entertainment enthusiasts, Midwest Games believes that great games can come from anywhere. For more information, please visit www.midwestgames.com. 

AALBORG, Denmark — May 30, 2024 — Phantom Fury, the road movie-inspired first-person shooter starring Ion Fury’s Shelly “Bombshell” Harrison, developed by Slipgate Ironworks and published by 3D Realms, brings the heat to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, today!

Set off on a standalone adventure as Shelly – sporting a brand new bionic arm – and hunt down the mysterious Demon Core Artifact capable of mass destruction. Put the pedal to the metal and embark on an adrenaline and bullet-fueled cross-country trip across the US.

Unleash fury with an expansive arsenal of more than 20 weapons, including the iconic Loverboy Revolver and enemy-shredding Motherflakker shotgun. Master an array of weapon upgrades and powerful abilities for Shelly’s bionic arm to turn the tide of battle. Improvise creative solutions to challenging encounters against hellish cyborgs, grotesque mutants, and super-enhanced soldiers.

Blast through the hordes in desert-swept motels in Albuquerque, fight through forgotten facilities in Los Alamos, and come out on top in Chicago, Illinois, thanks to Shelly’s fluid movement and combat capabilities. Utilize interactive objects in each stage such as hacking computers, bypassing ambushes by unlocking doors, or even taking a breather to play a few rounds on an arcade machine. 

Star in over-the-top set pieces inspired by action films, like charging through the skies in explosive helicopter chases. Toss destructive bombs and watch the fireworks fly as enemies implode to pieces. Shelly’s bionic arm ups the ante, paving the way to take down ferocious bosses and leave a path of destruction behind in the name of salvation. 

Phantom Fury is available now for $24.99 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, as well as PC via Steam. Follow 3D Realms on X, Facebook, and YouTube, or join the Discord for up-to-date information.

About 3D Realms™

Redefining AAA – Action, Attitude, Adrenaline, 3D Realms has rocked the world for almost 30 years by publishing unforgettable, iconic games like Duke Nukem, Terminal Velocity, Shadow Warrior, Death Rally, Max Payne, and more recently, Ghostrunner, Ion Fury, Cultic, Tempest Rising, Phantom Fury, and RIPOUT.

Led by industry veterans, 3D Realms is a proud member of the Embracer Group as part of Saber Interactive, with a mission of publishing games for grownups. Unapologetic and uncompromising… we’re not afraid of being who we are and being damn good at it – for everyone’s benefit. For more information, visit 3drealms.com.

About Slipgate Ironworks™

Industry veterans with two decades worth of indie and AAA experience, Slipgate Ironworks™ has contributed to popular titles, including Ion Fury, GRAVEN, WRATH: Aeon of Ruin, Ghostrunner, and most recently, Phantom Fury and the highly anticipated Tempest Rising. Proudly old-school, the team all shares the same vision: “Crafting Intense Gaming Experiences: Bold, Thrilling, Unmatched!”

For more information on Slipgate Ironworks™, please visit the official company website.

Master the mightiest trucks and overcome the most dangerous wilds with total excitement and immersion in VR!

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – May 30, 2024 – It’s time to strap in, grab the wheel, and take on the great outdoors! MudRunner VR is now available for $19.99 on Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest 2, and Meta Quest Pro. Developed and published by Saber Interactive, MudRunner VR is perfect for MudRunner veterans, VR fans, and daring adventurers alike. Armed with only your vehicle, a map, your gear and your wits, do you have what it takes to overcome the muddiest expeditions and get your cargo to safety?

MudRunner VR captures the classic MudRunner experience in virtual reality with new 3D landscapes and models, plus eight powerful all-terrain vehicles, each with their own characteristics and attachable equipment. Traverse vast environments in total immersion in Story Mode and Free Play Mode, completing challenging objectives and deliveries across extreme conditions. Interact with your cockpit and venture outside the cabin to use the winch, refuel and more to execute your objectives in unparalleled VR.

Key Features

• The Ultimate Off-Road Experience Comes to VR: Enjoy the classic MudRunner experience with the unmatched feel and immersion of VR on Meta Quest.
• Master Eight Powerful All-Terrain Vehicles: Get behind the wheel of eight unique vehicles, each with their own distinct attributes and equipment as well as cosmetic variations.
• Explore Vast, Untamed Environments: Adventure across immense sandbox landscapes while battling the harshest terrain and forces of nature.
• Overcome Extreme Conditions & Get the Job Done: Complete a variety of perilous objectives and deliveries while fighting off the wild’s most hazardous dangers.

MudRunner VR is available now for Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest 2, and Meta Quest Pro via the Meta Store.

About Saber Interactive

Saber Interactive is a worldwide publisher and developer consisting of 13 studios in the Americas and Europe. Creating games for all major platforms based on original and licensed IPs, Saber’s titles include Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando, Jurassic Park: Survival, World War Z, SnowRunner, and Expeditions: A MudRunner Game. Founded in 2001, Saber is known for two decades of development partnerships with AAA publishers, producing The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt for Nintendo Switch, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Crysis Remastered, and many others. Learn more at https://saber.games.

A Thrilling Storyline, Memorable Characters and Epic Adventure with Classic RPG Elements Awaits Players

STOCKHOLM — May 30, 2024 — Today, Swedish publisher Raw Fury and Norwegian developer High North Studios launched their retro-style RPG, SKALD: Against the Black Priory on PC via Steam, and GOG for $14.99/£12.79/€14.99. To celebrate, players can enjoy a launch day discount, now in effect for 10% off.  

Set in a grim-dark fantasy world of tragic heroes, violent deaths and Lovecraftian horror, in SKALD: Against the Black Priory, choices matter as players explore an engaging storyline mixed with crunchy tactical, turn-based combat and character customization.

Watch the launch trailer below:

Inspired by iconic retro RPG titles, in SKALD: Against the Black Priory players explore the thrilling expanse of Freymark and the Outer Isles to uncover the grand schemes of the Gallian Empire. Players will experience an unforgettable story filled with unexpected twists and turns, with a unique mesh of modern storytelling and classic RPG elements, that will seem familiar and yet innovative to RPG fans, old and new.

Players will experience key features including:

• Equipping their heroes using a modern inventory system, fulfilling objectives through quest logs, and reading journals to discover hidden secrets.
• Unique visuals built from thousands of hand-drawn tiles and images inspired by the legendary Commodore 64 computer, with an optional CRT filter to allow for a true retro gameplay experience.
• Fighting their way to Level 20 by choosing a character, selecting their stats and building out a party from a series of diverse allies, each with their own skill-set, agenda and personality. Players will meet and recruit fully fleshed out pre-made characters with unique backstories and handcrafted interactions, as well as have options to fill their party: either with ‘mercenaries,’ blank characters that they can build from the ground up to their exact specifications or mix and match as they go. Players can also decide to travel on their own.
• Deciding between a dozen classes and backgrounds, customizing spells and equipment in order to prepare for the journey ahead and uncovering the schemes of the Gallian Empire while exploring the vast expanse of Freymark and the Outer Isles.

SKALD: Against the Black Priory is now available on PC via Steam, and GOG for $14.99/£12.79/€14.99, with a current launch discount of 10%. Players can also purchase the Deluxe Edition of the game for $22.47/ £17.68 / €14.99 (10% launch day discount also available for a limited time), which includes the full OST and the Reinforcement Pack, as well as a host of gameplay additions such as:

• Three unique backgrounds with additional statistics
• Two new wallpapers
• A pack of in-game portraits
• Golden die to roll, with an all-new animation
• An additional vendor: Malachai the Magical Item Mechant

For the latest information about SKALD: Against the Black Priory and to join the community, check out the game’s official website here, X page here and Discord page here.

About High North Studios

High North Studios is a one-man indie studio from Northern Norway, created and fueled by Anders Lauridsen.

About Raw Fury

Raw Fury is a boutique indie (un) publisher founded in 2015 by Jonas Antonsson, Gordon Van Dyke, and David Martinez. We do not care about genres or mechanics. We care about experiences and emotions. We want to help developers make magic.

LOS ANGELES – May 30, 2024 – Netmarble, a leading developer and publisher of high-quality mobile games, has released a new summer-themed update for SEVEN KNIGHTS IDLE ADVENTURE. Players will experience the hottest new content, including newly added Legendary Heroes.

Starting today, players can choose four new Legendary heroes, including:

• Biya is a ranged type hero with abilities that are useful for new players, including a buff that increases the Critical Hit rate for all allies when engaged in combat. She is also known for a stun debuff and a buff that increases her Critical Hit rate. 
• Shane (Swimsuit) is a melee type hero with a skill that pulls enemies and deal powerful AoE damage. She also has a buff that increases the bonus damage rate to her allies and herself.
• Karin (Swimsuit), a support type hero, powers up her allies’ viability. Her skills can increase allies’ final HP and continuously recover allies’ HP during combat. When Karin (Swimsuit)’s Critical Hit attack activates, she recovers all allies’ HP.
• May (Swimsuit) is another ranged type hero who utilizes useful debuffs to destroy the enemy’s formation. She can decrease the Critical Hit rate and the Critical Hit Rate Resist of the enemies damaged by her active skill. Additionally, her Critical Hit can decrease the Reduction Rate when activated. 

SEVEN KNIGHTS IDLE ADVENTURE offers several limited-time events to celebrate this latest update. The Summer Vacance Carnival Event is now available through June 12 where players can obtain various rewards such as May (Swimsuit), Karin (Swimsuit), and May (Swimsuit) Portrait. These rewards are available through event currency which can be earned by clearing missions. Biya Special Check-in Event (May 30 – June 26) offers players a chance to acquire rewards such as Biya and Biya Portrait upon logging into the game.

Players can experience the Summer Festival Challenger Pass (May 30 – June 26) where they can obtain Karin (Swimsuit) and May (Swimsuit). The Master Pass is accessible from June 6 – 12, providing opportunities to obtain Rubies. Additionally, stages 16,001 – 16,800 have been added to the game, and the Max Level of heroes is now extended to Lv. 80. 

Based on their flagship franchise and the successor to the original Seven Knights game, SEVEN KNIGHTS IDLE ADVENTURE has been reimagined as an idle RPG. Developed with low capacity and low specification devices in mind with a guiding principle of easy playability, players will experience an expanded storyline with previously untold episodes of the original Seven Knights heroes. Collect and nurture returning fan-favorites who have been reborn as cute SD characters.

As an official continuation of Seven Knights, a game enjoyed by 60 million players globally, SEVEN KNIGHTS IDLE ADVENTURE will be an exciting addition for fans looking to learn more and interact with their favorite heroes with a low time investment.

For more information on SEVEN KNIGHTS IDLE ADVENTURE, please be sure to stay tuned to the official brand website for future updates. The game will continue to introduce many more heroes and modes in the coming months.

About Netmarble Corporation

Established in Korea in 2000, Netmarble Corporation is a leading developer and publisher of top-grossing mobile games worldwide. Through powerful franchises and collaborations with acclaimed IP holders, Netmarble strives to elevate the gaming experience and entertain audiences globally. As a parent company of Kabam and SpinX Games, and a major shareholder of Jam City and HYBE (formerly Big Hit Entertainment), Netmarble’s diverse portfolio includes Solo Leveling: ARISE, Seven Knights Idle Adventure, Tower of God: New World, Lineage 2: Revolution, MARVEL Future Fight, Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds and The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross. More information can be found at http://company.netmarble.com.

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Wield Forbidden Magic in Latest Expansion on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S Soon

STOCKHOLM and DELFT, Netherlands — May 30, 2024 — Paradox Interactive and Triumph Studios today revealed details and a release date for Age of Wonders 4: Eldritch Realms, a major expansion for the hit fantasy strategy game. Eldritch Realms will add an entirely new layer to the in-game world, a new playable ruler type, new tomes of magic, new physical forms, mounts, events, and much more. Eldritch Realms will launch on June 18, 2024 on PC, PlayStation®5, and Xbox Series X|S for a suggested retail price of $19.99/£16.99/€19.99. Players who purchased the Premium Edition of Age of Wonders 4 or the Expansion Pass will receive Eldritch Realms as part of their purchase when the expansion launches, completing the content in the title’s first Expansion Pass.

Gaze into the abyss in a short teaser for Eldritch Realms and see what gazes back:

Players will discover what lurks in the spaces between spaces in Age of Wonders 4: Eldritch Realms, which opens up the Umbral Abyss, a new layer of the map where corruption runs rampant and horrors beyond comprehension wait to consume all that is good in the world. Even venturing into this realm is harmful to mortals and Godir alike, but through transformative magic, the truly brave can unlock the powerful secrets lying within. Along with a new Eldritch Sovereign ruler type and new magic to wield – or drive back – the darkness, the worlds of Age of Wonders 4 are growing ever larger and more challenging for players everywhere.

Age of Wonders 4: Eldritch Realms Key Features:

• New Map Layer – The Umbral Abyss: New tactical combat maps, unique locations to explore, and new independent factions of Umbral dwellers wait for players who can withstand the hazardous environs!
• New Ruler Type: Ancient beings of terrible power, the Eldritch Sovereigns have been corrupted by the Umbral Abyss and possess a unique Thrall spell casting mechanic. Choose your path as an Eldritch Sovereign ruler and decide between Dominating your foes, Manipulating the flesh or Wild, chaotic magic.
• 3 New Tomes: Tighten your grasp with the Tome of the Tentacle, turn your enemies’ strength to weakness with the Tome of Corruption, or drive back the darkness using the Tome of Cleansing Flame.
• New Event System: Mini-crises threaten all rulers at once in the Cosmic Happenings, a series of events with unique tactical maps, units, and mechanics – and powerful rewards!
• 2 New Forms: Swarm into battle as a faction of Insects, or lead the return of the Syrons from Age of Wonders’ past!
• 2 New Story Realms: Return to Athla and come to its defense in epic clashes that will determine the fate of the world.
• So Much More: 2 new mounts, 3 new Realm traits, 2 new Realm templates, 5 new premade rulers, 6 new music tracks, and a gloomy, unsettling new interface skin all await you in the Eldritch Realms!

Alongside Eldritch Realms, all Age of Wonders 4 players will receive a free content update on June 18. The Mystic Update will include new features such as randomized realms with hidden traits, new pantheon content, and an expanded rework of the Mystic Culture. Full details on these free additions will be shared in the game’s patch notes shortly before launch.

For more information about Age of Wonders 4, visit https://www.paradoxinteractive.com/games/age-of-wonders-4/about.

About Paradox Interactive

Paradox Interactive is one of the premier developers and publishers of strategy and management games for PC and consoles. The players are located all over the world but some of the biggest markets are North America, Western Europe and Asia.

The game portfolio consists of popular franchises such as Stellaris, Europa Universalis, Hearts of Iron, Crusader Kings, Cities: Skylines, Prison Architect, the Surviving games, Age of Wonders and Victoria. Paradox Interactive also owns the World of Darkness brand catalog.

For more information, please visit http://www.paradoxinteractive.com

Pre-orders now open on iam8bit.com

LOS ANGELES – May 30, 2024 – When it comes to crackin’ cases, no other amphibian does it quite like the one and only Frog Detective. iam8bit and Worm Club today announced that the music from the Frog Detective indie game series will be available on vinyl – that’s all three games in one release! Pre-orders are now open on iam8bit.com and are expected to ship Q4 2024.

The Frog Detective vinyl soundtrack is packed with howling saxophones, spine-tingling staccatos, and all sorts of mysterious, moody blues, courtesy of maestro Dan Golding (Untitled Goose Game, Push Me Pull You). Like the game itself, the 23-track soundtrack is more than just a send-up; it’s a loving tribute to the noir genre itself, with a splash of family-friendly fun thrown in for good measure. 

Comic creator Natalie Andrewson lends her warm, welcoming style to the Frog Detective album art. She put together a piece that celebrates the charming sense of community that gives the series its cozy and pleasant panache.

The Frog Detective vinyl soundtrack is available for pre-order on May 30 for $32.99 and comes with a high-quality digital download of all of the included music. For more information, visit iam8bit.com. 

Track List:

[Side A]

1. The Entire Mystery
2. La Grenouille
3. A Frog Detective
4. The Supervisor Calls
5. Amphibian Hop
6. Lobster Cop
7. In a Pinch
8. The House
9. A Thief
10. Four for a Frog

[Side B]

1. Slippery Pond (feat. Grace Bruxner)
2. A New Frog in Town
3. Frog Stomp
4. Let’s Go Scootin’
5. Night Falls
6. Bonnie’s Saloon Strut
7. Finger Snaps for Dusty
8. Crime Solved
9. MysteryMonkey49
10. I’ll Solve it Myself
11. An Admission
12. Tadpole Town
13. The End

About iam8bit

iam8bit is a creative production emporium that’s been boldly redefining the entertainment industry since 2005. Its collaborative works have taken a variety of forms, including groundbreaking community events, immersive art experiences, and exclusive collectibles, all designed to bring surprise and delight to people’s lives. iam8bit played a crucial role in the vinyl renaissance, minting its first record in 2010, and is the industry leader in premium physical editions of top-tier games. iam8bit evolved into financing and publishing games under its iam8bit Presents imprint, including the smash hit Escape Academy; NES mash note Garbage Pail Kids: Mad Mike and the Quest for Stale Gum; and the upcoming chill vibes simulator Simpler Times. The company is based in Los Angeles and co-owned/co-creatively directed by Jon M. Gibson and Amanda White.

Medellin, Colombia – May 30th, 2024 – Independent game developer C2 Game Studio is proud to announce that its third-person action-RPG Astor: Blade of the Monolith is available today on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms for $24.99 USD / £20.99 /€24.50. 

Wield legendary runic weapons and magical abilities in fast-paced combat as you confront the source of evil found on planet Gilese, and enjoy a rich, immersive adventure as you guide a lone hero across the planet in a desperate search for answers. 

“We’ve spent years crafting Astor: Blade of the Monolith. It’s our PC & console debut and we’re very proud of the colorful, wondrous world we’ve created,” said Luis Correa, Founder & game director at C2 Game Studio. “We wanted to create a world that’s both exciting to explore and captures the look and feel of our Colombian home, which is full of some of the most beautiful landscapes on earth. We think players will really get a kick out of exploring Astor’s lush landscapes and coming to grips with its gratifying combat system!”

More about Astor: Blade of the Monolith:

Explore the vibrant planet of Gliese, once inhabited by an ancient race, and now home to their sentient creations – the Diokek. After the ancients’ disappearance, the Diokek lived in peace until malevolent creatures, the Hiltsik, started wreaking havoc among their settlements. With threats of a more sinister force at play, Astor – a young Diokek warrior, must journey across Gliese to solve the mysterious disappearance of his creators thousands of years ago, believing that they may have left behind the key to their salvation.

Inspired by Devil May Cry, Bayonetta, and The Legend of Zelda, Astor: Blade of the Monolith features fierce fighting mechanics and wondrous exploration. Learn new attacks, abilities and combos, use runic power to summon powerful constructs in combat, and collect legendary weapons as you crush hordes of enemies. 

For more on Astor: Blade of the Monolith, C2 Game Studio has posted two Dev Logs offering insight into the creation of the game. Check them out here, alongside the latest news about the upcoming title. 

KEY FEATURES

• Engage in intense battles against 16 different enemies and 10 formidable bosses across over 20 hours of main story and side quests
• Arm yourself with 4 unique weapons, master dynamic skills and combos, summon powerful constructs, and craft your own combat style
• Traverse Gliese’s diverse landscapes, complete various side quests and uncover remnants left by your creators
• Test your skills in combat challenges and conquer New Game+ mode for an even greater challenge

About C2 Game Studio

C2 Game Studio is a Colombian game studio that specializes in developing adventure games with combat in Unreal Engine. Comprised of 21 people with more than 14 years of experience, C2 Game Studio has developed the top-down iOS shooter Cowboy Guns, the endless runner Nitro Chimp, and is currently working on its most ambitious title yet; the action-adventure epic Astor: Blade of the Monolith, coming to PC and consoles in 2024.