LAS VEGAS, NV — May 29th, 2024 — Quest Master, the dungeon-designing sandbox adventure from publisher and development studio Apogee Entertainment, developer Julian Creutz, and co-developer Skydevilpalm, paves a puzzling path on PC via Steam Early Access today! 

Raise a sword, don a shield, and become the ultimate Quest Master. Set off on an everlasting adventure alongside Lanze, Javelynn, and Shiv, fearless friends protecting the land of Aetheria. Construct imaginative dungeons across a kingdom crawling with chaos. Join up to two daring explorers to discover the dangers lurking below, and mastermind mazes to challenge friends and fellow community members across the globe. 

Create custom layouts and transform desolate dungeons into sprawling multi-level labyrinths across different locales, from foggy forests to newly-added sand-swept deserts. Drag and drop objects with intuitive creator tools to fabricate chambers full of skill-testing obstacles, wretched enemies, and bountiful baubles. Trip, trick and trap travelers with clever contraptions including retracting ground spikes, blade traps, timed explosives, and other heart-pounding hazards.

Descend the depths with like-minded heroes in local couch co-op. Cut down dungeon-dwelling snakes, skeletons, and bats, or throw a boomerang for long-ranged attacks. Practice combat and movement skills in the Dojo, then speedrun through community-created levels to etch a world-record time into the online leaderboards. 

Questing alone? Solo-conquer multiplayer maps by swapping between characters in Puppet mode. Or, take a break from dungeon-crawling and explore the charming Castle Town overworld filled with a plethora of mini-games.

“The reception of Quest Master‘s demo has been incredible. 260 dungeons have been created since the demo launched 3 weeks ago. Now that the Early Access launch has landed, we’re diving deep into new features for 1.0,” said Julian Creutz, Lead Developer of Quest Master. “This is just the beginning for our fans, new and returning. We’re crafting an experience that we believe will inspire dungeon designers for years to come.”

Quest Master is now available in Early Access on PC via Steam, with English language options. To learn more and stay up to date follow @PlayQuestMaster and @Apogee_Ent on Twitter, subscribe to the Apogee Entertainment YouTube channel, and join the Discord servers of both Quest Master and Apogee Entertainment.

About Julian Creutz

Julian Creutz, a passionate and talented game developer from Germany, has been captivated by video games since childhood, with The Legend of Zelda series igniting his enduring love for the medium. With over a decade of game development experience, Julian has meticulously honed his skills, leading to the creation of his first commercially available game, Quest Master. Partnering with Apogee Entertainment has enabled Julian to bring his vision for Quest Master to life, allowing the game to reach unanticipated heights. Julian’s ultimate desire is to deliver an engaging and immersive experience that gamers worldwide can enjoy for years to come.

About Skydevilpalm

Skydevilpalm is a small development team based in Las Vegas, known for their work on various projects including mobile games like Trigger Heroes and the reimagining of the classic arcade title Q*bert. They have also contributed as guest artists on the handcrafted platformer Super One More Jump for the Switch. In Quest Master, Skydevilpalm joins the team at Apogee Entertainment as a co-developer, providing valuable support to lead developer Julian Creutz in bringing his vision to life.

About Apogee Entertainment

Apogee Software’s legendary journey began in 1987, when Scott Miller decided to split his new game, Kingdom of Kroz, into three episodes, with the first episode available as free shareware. The “Apogee model” of distribution would revolutionize PC gaming and catapult Apogee Software to global renown. As a publisher, Apogee (and its later incarnation, 3D Realms) would introduce the world to id Software, Remedy Entertainment, Parallax Software, and other video game superstars in the making. As a developer, Apogee would innovate and inspire in equal measure, creating treasured characters and franchises like Duke Nukem, Shadow Warrior, and Prey en route to earning over a billion dollars in commercial revenue.

The new Apogee Entertainment, with founder Scott Miller at the helm, will empower today’s incredibly talented indie developers, paving the way for their global success with innovative ideas, cutting-edge marketing, and the same fearlessness that changed the industry.

Discover vast landscapes in this narrative exploration adventure set to launch this year. 

Montpellier, France – May 29th, 2024

Indie developer Plane Toast, in collaboration with indie publisher Dear Villagers, is thrilled to announce the upcoming release of Caravan SandWitch, a captivating narrative-driven exploration adventure set in a beautifully crafted, Sci-Fi Provence-like world called Cigalo. Launching in 2024 on Steam, Epic, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch, Caravan SandWitch invites players to embark on a heartfelt journey unveiling the mysteries of Cigalo to find their missing sister. 
 
Caravan SandWitch is already showing up on the big stage! It was featured at the AG French Direct a few hours ago. Stay tuned because we will have a Wholesome news for you Directly in your inbox REALLY soon! Who knows, maybe it will be an exclusive demo, keep updated by wishlisting the game. 👀

Featuring a hopeful post-apocalyptic setting, diverse characters, and a strong sense of community, this cozy, semi-open world adventure emphasizes exploration, inclusivity, and environmental themes. Players will traverse a rich landscape in their customizable van, interacting with various inhabitants and uncovering the mysteries of Cigalo. 

Drive Into Adventure with Caravan SandWitch! Arriving 2024 on PC, PS5, and Switch. 

Message from the devs:

Originally from Provence, in the south of France, the founders of Plane Toast were inspired by the landscapes of their childhood to create the universe of Caravan SandWitch. The game tackling themes close to the heart of both the team members, such as representation in video games, ecology and accessibility for all.

This is a heartfelt message from the indie studio on why you should wishlist the game and come along the journey with us!

“We are thrilled to finally announce Caravan SandWitch! After two years of passionate development, with its highs and lows and especially strong teamwork, we are really proud of the results. It is definitely a dream come true! We have tried to put as much of ourselves as possible in this game. The scenery takes place in our childhood landscapes of Provence, and all the themes mentioned in the game are really close to our hearts. Knowing that people will follow our work, play our game or even livestream is really exciting!” – Plane Toast 

SYNOPSIS

Embark on a journey across vast landscapes in Caravan SandWitch, a captivating narrative-driven exploration adventure. 

In Caravan SandWitch, embark on a journey across a Sci-Fi Provence-like world, driven by a mystery through your missing sister that unfolds with each step you take. Interact with the communities on Cigalo, help them with their tasks and meet new people along the way. Take your time to explore the world, whether in your van or on foot. Life is simple: no combat, no death, no timer, just you, your van, and the world.

KEY FEATURES

Explore a Provence-like World

Equipped with your van and an array of essential tools, you set out on a quest to find your missing sister. Upgrade your van throughout your adventure and explorations to open up new passages and ruins. From navigating treacherous terrain to uncovering ancient ruins, every step of your journey brings you closer to unraveling the truth behind your sister’s disappearance.

An hopeful Post-Apocalypse

From a green planet to a desertic one due to human activities and sur-exploitation; discover on Cigalo the impact of humans and its population through your road trip. Meet the Reinetos, an old aboriginal species, the Robots left behind after the planet exploitation, the humans who stayed after everyone left for another planet, and the mysterious SandWitch. All of them live peacefully in Cigalo and help each other in this unwelcome environment.

Meet a diverse cast of characters

As you interact with the diverse characters you meet along the way, you’ll come to understand that your community is your home. Help everyone and contribute your piece to the edifice, enabling everyone to live in harmony in an environment hostile to all civilizations due to over-exploitation.

A Game developed for All

Plane Toast made huge importance to create a game in which everyone can feel included, representing their vision of a world where communities help each other to overcome the environmental consequences of our world. Caravan SandWitch is written with an inclusive script, that represents a real community with its people and representation. 

Accessibility options are available.

Developer:  Plane Toast 

Plane Toast is a remote studio based in Provence, in the South-East of France. It is composed of young talents driven by a passion for creating unique games using innovative methods. The studio prioritizes the well-being of its team and is dedicated to developing uplifting and hopeful games. They are currently working on a brand-new game, Caravan SandWitch.

Publisher:  Dear Villagers 

Based in the South of France, in sunny Montpellier, we are a boutique publishing label composed of a team of twenty people. Open-minded and versatile, Dear Villagers offers handcrafted marketing and production guidance. Our mission: We tell memorable stories through memorable games.

Pilot subs and explore dangerous wrecks to hide the evidence of shady experiments in new co-op comedy-horror

Strasbourg, France – May 29th, 2024 – Embers and OrO Interactive today unveiled their brand new title Murky Divers, along with the news that the game will be releasing on June 19th. Murky Divers is a co-op comedy horror where Lethal Company meets Subnautica as you and your team work together to explore dangerous abandoned wrecks and destroy evidence of the shady experiments your lab has been undertaking.

In Murky Divers, you and your team coordinate and pilot a “blind” sub to reach a new wreck, relying on sonar to navigate. From legal dangers like the police, to existential ones like krakens, there are plenty of hazards for you to watch out for and avoid. On the sub, you can spend credits earned on previous wrecks to buy items and modules that give you a better chance of success on your next expedition.

Once you reach a wreck, it’s time to disembark and dive into these underwater death traps filled with dangerous creatures eager to make you their next meal. Your goal is to find and extract dead bodies, or parts of them, that serve as evidence of your lab’s unethical experiments, take them back to your sub and shred them to destroy the evidence.

“We’re really excited for the launch of Murky Divers on June 19th,” said Damien from Embers and Sam from Oro Interactive. “We can’t wait to see people’s reactions when they dive into the creepy, claustrophobic underwater world we’ve created. There are lots of “things” eagerly waiting for their arrival.” 

About developer Embers

Based in Strasbourg, France, Embers is a game studio committed to creating quality, original and innovative experiences. The team’s first project was Strayed Lights and it is now working on Murky Divers.

About publisher OrO Interactive

Oro Interactive promotes and co-publishes cool f-ing indie games. We are passionate about fun and snackable content. While you may find yourself immersed for hours, each game we embrace is designed to be enjoyed in convenient, bite-sized sessions.

PARIS – May 29, 2024 – Void Crew, the chaotic co-op space game for 1-4 players in Steam Early Access, invites you to set course for uncharted galaxies and experience epic adventures beyond the stars with today’s brand-new Roguelite Endless Mode update. Embark on space pilgrimages aboard your own ship with your crew, brave fierce battles in hostile environments, and try to make it out in one piece!

In Void Crew, the followers of METEM unite against a mysterious aggressor – the Hollow. As METEM’s chosen, you and your crew of up to four mavericks must brave the void and bring order to the galaxy! Embark on the most advanced spacecraft ever built, and journey into deep space on thrilling missions you absolutely never trained for! Asteroid storms, solar flares and your friends’ screw-ups will be the least of your worries, as hostile aliens and desperate human scavengers push your crew to the limits.

Roguelite Endless Mode Drops Today!

Welcome to a new, never-ending odyssey: start with nothing, gather your crew, and build up your ship, mission after mission, with no time to catch your breath! As the challenge intensifies, will you be strong enough to resist waves of increasingly powerful enemies?

In addition to Endless mode, today’s update includes new abilities and perks for every Ectype class, as well as controller support. It also adds new social features like emotes, immersive in-world voice chat, and more collectable cosmetics. Last but not least, two more languages are now supported: simplified Chinese and Russian!

The community is the driving force behind Void Crew’s early access journey. Your feedback and active involvement are vital in shaping the game’s future. Join this cosmic adventure by sharing your thoughts, ideas, and experiences on Void Crew’s social media channels! And for a glimpse of what’s to come, check out the game’s development roadmap on Steam.

Void Crew is available for 25% off on Steam Early Access for a limited time. Sign up as a Focus member or subscribe to the newsletter to get the latest exclusive info and upcoming special offers for Void Crew and the whole Focus catalog.

Popular Action Game Achieved Over 20 Million Downloads Worldwide

LOS ANGELES – May 29, 2024 – Netmarble, a leading developer and publisher of high-quality mobile games, has released the first update for Solo Leveling: ARISE since its official launch. This update features a variety of content, including a new original hunter, SSR weapon, in-game events, and many more.

Alicia Blanche is a new original hunter, and a cold-hearted SSR character, who performs various ice-related skills. The “Winter Storm” skill summons a whirlwind of cold air to attack enemies while “Ice Needle” creates and explodes massive ice terrain. Her ultimate skill, “Absolute Zero,” releases a powerful blast of cold particles that freezes and eliminates the enemies in her path.

Players can enter the new Battlefield of Chaos that features five battlegrounds and offers a different battle environment each day. A series of random boss encounters await players who earn Gems once they successfully defeat a boss. Gems are a newly added rewards system that grants stats that can be applied to Sung Jinwoo, Hunters, and shadows when equipped in slots. 

The new update also adds Sung Jinwoo’s SSR water type weapon ‘Skadi,’ Alicia Banche’s new ‘Ice Queen’ skin as well as Sung Jinwoo’s ‘Mining Work Clothes’ skin. Players can experience a new original story for Alicia Blanche and Park Heejin Hunter as well. 

To celebrate the game’s first update, several events are now available to hunters around the globe. Starting today through June 19, the Capsule Draw Event offers players the opportunity to obtain Alicia Blanche’s exclusive SSR weapon ‘The Witch of the Snowstorm,’ a Rate Up Draw Ticket, [Event] Alicia Blanche’s Weapon Design and more. Based on the points earned from the Cold-Blooded Ice Queen! Alicia Blanche Growth Tournament, players will have the opportunity to win SSR ‘The Witch of the Snowstorm,’ Weapon Enhancement Gear II, Rare Rune Chest, Skill Scroll III, and Golds. 

Solo Leveling: ARISE has amassed over 20 million downloads worldwide. The game’s successful launch included 15 million pre-registrations and over 5 million Daily Active Users (DAU), setting a new Netmarble record on the first day of the game’s release.

Solo Leveling: ARISE is an action game adaptation of Solo Leveling, based on the hit Webtoon. Taking on the role of Jinwoo, players can experience his level-ups and progress through the beloved webtoon tale firsthand, taking on dynamic battles and creating their own combat styles, relying on various combinations of skills and weapons. Not only can players team up with hunters from the Webtoon, they can summon their own “Army of Shadows” just like Jinwoo did when he first uttered the famous line “Arise!” in the Webtoon.

Please visit the official website, X, Facebook, Instagram, Discord, official YouTube channel and Steam to stay up-to-date with the latest information about Solo Leveling: ARISE.

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 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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Team up with your wizard friends to slay hordes of dark creatures!

Diepenbeek, Belgium, May 29th, 2024 – Bolt Blaster Games are happy to announce the release of their first demo for The Spell Brigade. Starting June 10th until the 17th, players can complete firsthand the team-based objectives, unlock new upgrades and create overpowered spell synergies at Steam Next Fest. Friend nor foe is safe in this friendly fire bullet hell!

The Spell Brigade is an online co-op survivors-like for 1-4 players. With the added twist of friendly fire, you will need to keep an eye on your friends as on your foes. Watch out, you might not know what hit you!

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!

Make sure you don’t miss anything about The Spell Brigade and add it to your wishlist:  https://store.steampowered.com/app/2904000/The_Spell_Brigade/ 

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.

Who:
Marvelous Europe is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tokyo-based Marvelous Inc., which is a publicly-traded company listed on the Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

What:
Marvelous Game Showcase returns for 2024 after the positive reception of last year’s inaugural stream. Hosted by Marvelous Inc. from the headquarters in Tokyo, President Suminobu Sato and key developers will provide fans with updates on projects in active development including fresh looks at development progress, new projects for both Japanese and Western markets, and more!

When:
Tuesday, May 30 – 23:00 BST / Wednesday, May 31 – 00:00 CESTWhere:
Fans can watch the video with English, French, German and Spanish subtitles on the Marvelous Europe YouTube channel, home of the latest video updates from the Marvelous family of games at https://youtu.be/sOIEpuhfcR8 and at Marvelous Europe’s official website here.

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

All Are Welcome to Try a Tasty Slice of This Arcade-Like, High-Octane Third-Person Co-Op Shooter 

(Seoul, South Korea) – May 29, 2024 – Indie developer, JofSoft, today introduced its high-octane, mission-based third-person 1–4-person co-op shooter, Pizza Bandit. Players will experience dodge-rolling mid- to close-quarters combat with an emphasis on unstoppable, up-tempo action that offers the heart-pounding feeling of being chased to the brink of death!  A three-week Alpha test, which starts today and ends June 16, 2024, can be accessed via the game’s Steam page. 

Set in a future where time travel is possible, Pizza Bandit’s protagonist, Malik, is an ex-mercenary with a passion for running a pizza restaurant. With the pizza shop failing miserably, he is forced back to his old life, taking on bounty jobs to keep his dream afloat. As a time-traveling bounty hunter, he ventures across various eras, timelines, and realms on missions fraught with dangers.  His pizzeria serves as a crucial hub where he can regroup, strategize, and gear up for the thrilling conflicts that lie ahead. With his trusty time machine, players help Malik take on the brutal world of bounty hunting while ensuring the survival of his beloved pizzeria.  

A Slice of Gameplay Features: 

• Dodge Rolling into Action: In combat, the best way to survive is to roll and weave through enemies and bullets with deadly precision. 
• Adrenaline-Fueled Encounters: Fast-paced battles demand quick reflexes and even quicker thinking. 
• Missions & Combat: Gameplay meshes iconic mission and combat mechanics such as pizza baking in Overcooked with over-the-shoulder, third-person shooting in Gears of War.  Each mission has five tiers of difficulty that reap bonus rewards the higher the difficulty. 

• Customizable Weapons: Players can modify their weapons with a range of components discovered during missions. Strategically combining these components in specific sequences can enhance weapons with new effects and improvements.  
• Bounty Contracts: Undertaking bounty contracts with specific objectives spanning multiple missions yields extra rewards (experience, loot, and cash) and unlocks new weapons and equipment, enhancing the gameplay experience. 
• 1-4 Player Online Co-Op: Mission difficulty adjusts to squad size, however, sometimes the biggest challenge is coordinating with allies. Friendly fire is allowed, adding another layer of tension and strategy.  

“Pizza Bandit is a game-changer in the co-op shooter genre,” said Aron Koh, executive producer at JofSoft. “With its intense, up-tempo action and thrilling mission-based gameplay, players will experience non-stop excitement and the adrenaline rush of dodging danger at every turn. We’re excited to see players jump into the Alpha test on Steam and experience the heart-pounding chase for themselves.” 

During the 3-week Alpha test, players can access: 

•  Tutorial Mission with game cinematic 
• 1 character 
• 4 missions 
• 5 difficulty tiers per mission 
• Co-op gameplay (1-4 players) 
• 5 bounty contracts 
• 6 weapons 
• 5 skills equipment 
• Weapon Upgrade 

About JofSoft 

JofSoft is an independent game studio based in Seoul, South Korea, comprising six seasoned developers with a shared passion for creating memorable gaming experiences. Our team boasts a diverse skill set, having previously contributed to AAA online MMORPGs and various mobile games across different genres. To pursue games that prioritize the player’s experience over business objectives, we made the deliberate choice to step away from the comfort of larger companies and their focus on microtransactions. Our current focus is on the 3rd third-person shooter genre, emphasizing tactile action and genre meshing mission to carve out a unique space in a market saturated with tactical shooters. For more information, visit www.JofSoft.com.  

A heartwarming coming-of-age story launching onNintendo Switch and PS5

Torrance, Calif. — May 29, 2024 — Aksys Games announced today that the highly rated visual novel Tales from Toyotoki: Arrival of the Witch is coming to Nintendo Switch™ and PlayStation®5 on August 22nd. Nominated for the INDIE Live Expo Awards for Local Cultural Representation, the game has also received high ratings in its original Japanese language.

Hikaru finds himself out of luck and homeless on an unfamiliar island. While avoiding pit vipers and angry senior committee members, he comes across a witch in a very similar situation. The two set out to survive, and hopefully thrive, on Toyotoki, the uncompromising island secluded from the modern world that is steeped in ancient traditions and shrouded in mystery.

Along the way, they meet a cheeky island beauty, a haughty rich girl, a clumsy saleswoman, and a manga-loving delinquent, all of whom are island locals on a similar mission to discover themselves and their place in the world. With some hard work and a sprinkle of magic, can the unlikely group of friends unravel the mystery of Toyotoki Island, while also finding success in their journey of self-discovery?

Features of Tales from Toyotoki: Arrival of the Witch include:

• A coming-of-age story about overcoming hardships and finding yourself
• Includes DLC & behind-the-scenes commentary from the creative team
• Unravel a mystery stretching back hundreds of years
• Beautiful character art and music

Tales from Toyotoki: Arrival of the Witch has not yet been rated by the ESRB. For more information, visit the Aksys Store. To stay up to date on all the news, follow Aksys Games on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok at @AksysGames, and join our Thursday livestreams on Twitch at AksysGames, with stream highlights and trailers on our YouTube channel.

About Aksys Games

Aksys Games Localization, Inc. is a Metacritic Top Ten video game publisher committed to publishing unique and high-quality interactive content for all current-generation platforms since 2006. The company was a pioneer in localizing otome games for Western audiences, including the award-winning Code: Realize and Collar X Malice series. Its lineup of games features the wildly successful BlazBlue, Under Night In-Birth, and Guilty Gear franchises, Little Dragons Café, and the award-winning Spirit Hunter: Death Mark and Spirit Hunter: NG adventures. 

Aksys Games and its unique products can be found on the company’s website, www.aksysgames.com.