Mini Motorways, the award-winning minimalist strategy traffic management sim with over five million players from developer Dinosaur Polo Club, explores the British Columbia coast in the new free “Sea to Sky” update, available now!

Slip on some hiking boots and a raincoat and take a trek to the new Vancouver, British Colombia map, the first Canadian map in Mini Motorways.  Redesign this Canadian metropolis filled with rocky roads, abundant parks, and flowing waterways to keep traffic moving and citizens happy.

Journey to this coastal city nestled between mountain and sea and strategically tackle traffic while accounting for the city’s unique obstacles and exquisite geography! Check out new Daily, Weekly, and City Challenges, fresh Achievements, as well as various bug fixes and performance improvements.

“It’s awesome to be able to share such a highly requested map with our community of city planners,” said Amie Wolken, newly appointed CEO of Dinosaur Polo Club. “We know our players will love the unique challenges Vancouver provides and we can’t wait to see how they tackle this poutine pitstop!”

The free Sea to Sky update is available in Mini Motorways now across all current platforms including Apple Arcade, Nintendo Switch, and PC and Mac via Steam. For more information, please visit the Dinosaur Polo Club website, and Dinosaur Polo Club’s social media on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, or search for #MiniMotorways on social media.

About Dinosaur Polo Club

Dinosaur Polo Club is an independent game development studio based in beautiful Wellington, New Zealand. Founded in 2013 by brothers Peter and Robert Curry, the studio first made waves with their award-winning and BAFTA-nominated debut Mini Metro. Created in collaboration with Disasterpeace and Jamie Churchman, Mini Metro explores relaxed and minimalist subway design. The second game developed by Dinosaur Polo Club introduces a brand new type of city management with colorful road-building and resource management found in Mini Motorways. Combined, Mini Metro and Mini Motorways make up two parts of an expanding Mini Collection.  With an inclusive and supportive culture that believes in giving back to its creative community, the studio has grown and is now home to nearly 30 dinos as it works on new titles with relatable simplicity.

Shoulders of Giants: Ultimate, a director’s cut of the sci-fi action roguelike from developer Moving Pieces Interactive, gears up for the ribbit-ing war against alien enemies with a new demo for Steam Next Fest.

Shoulders of Giants: Ultimate brings the battle to PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam with new classes, new (and more!) enemies, and meta and performance improvements later this year. Would you like to consider Shoulders of Giants: Ultimate for any “best of Steam Next Fest” roundup coverage?

Embark on a quest to save the galaxy as the sharpshooting Froggie and samurai sword-wielding mech GERM. Discover randomized, roguelike planets threatened by the forces of Entropy. Restore light and life to the worlds across the galaxy.

Squad up in the new demo here!

Concurrently control Froggie’s ranged blasts and GERM’s melee slices, or team up with a friend and each take control of either character. Embark on exciting missions as a spacefaring squad of up to four with online co-op and slice through alien knights, snipers, dragons, and more together!

Earn shiny loot with every boss defeated and become the ultimate Entropy-busting machine with the perfect build. Mix and match more than 70 abilities and 17 weapons, like convincing decoys, grappling hooks, and glowing grenades to become gloriously overpowered as the saga progresses.

Shoulders of Giants’ new demo is now available on PC via Steam as a part of Steam Next Fest. To learn more about Shoulders of Giants, hop over to the official website, join teammates on the Discord server, and find Moving Pieces Interactive on social media.

About Moving Pieces Interactive

Moving Pieces Interactive is a small independent games studio based in Brooklyn, NY. They aim to create approachable games with stunning visuals and hidden depth. Entropy Survivors is their third title, following action roguelike Shoulders of Giants and retro platformer Dodo Peak.

Roads to Power Major Expansion Offers New Ways to Play Popular Strategy Game

STOCKHOLM – 03 June 2024 – Learn new ways to unlock power and prestige in Roads to Power, the new Major Expansion from Crusader Kings III. Be a wandering mercenary, building a reputation as a fixer or outlaw, or lead a noble family in an ancient empire, using influence and intrigue to secure your place. New events, government systems, schemes and lifestyles are yours to explore.

Coming on September 24, Roads to Power is a major expansion to Crusader Kings III, Paradox Interactive’s award-winning strategy/role-playing experience about high politics and relationship building in a dynamic medieval world. It is a part of the game’s Chapter III, the Expansion Pass for 2024 that includes a free clothing pack, the Core Expansion Legends of the Dead, and an upcoming event pack emphasizing character travel.

Roads to Power introduces two new ways to engage with this world, with never-before-seen game styles. You can roam the world as a Landless Adventurer, fulfilling contracts and building up your own base of power, until you feel strong enough to claim a new kingdom for yourself and your band of followers. Or, play as a noble in the Byzantine Empire in a non-feudal system, scheming your way to the top, as you compete against other powerful families at the imperial court, using your influence to manipulate the political system in your favor, placing strong and friendly candidates in seats of power – even the throne itself.

Features of Crusader Kings III: Road to Power include:

• Administrative Government: Experience medieval rule outside of the feudal system with a new style of empire management. A web of Governors jockeys for position in the empire with intrigue and power, sometimes rewarding merit and sometimes rewarding perfidy. Only a truly skilled Emperor can keep these squabbling forces in line.
• The Family Estate: Run and manage a powerful Family Estate, the seat of your House’s power, even when you hold no other land. Construct new buildings and improvements to further your power and influence within an administrative empire.
• Influence System: Build up a character’s influence within an administrative empire to climb the rungs of bureaucracy. Raise your status in the realm and gather more power for yourself. Start as a landless noble on an estate, and compete for valuable provinces to govern before making your bid for the Purple.
• A Life of Adventure: Freely roam the map, untied to any realm or holding, going wherever the winds of fortune blow you. Fulfill contracts as a landless adventurer, even through the generations, building up a reputation of your own. Earn gold, prestige and fame travelling the globe until you decide to settle down and claim land you have earned through merit.
• Choose Successor or Caesar: Spend the influence you have gathered to determine the course of the Empire and get the successor you want, whether a royal family member, a powerful noble, a martial hero, or any other candidate you can rally the people behind. The Emperor can even opt to co-rule if the burden of the throne is too much for one person.
• New Byzantine Flavor Content: New events, monuments and activities built around the Byzantine theme, including chariot racing.
• Cosmetic Additions: A Byzantine-themed UI skin and new court fashions for your characters, new 2D event art, new on-map monuments of the Byzantine world, new on-map holding designs, and a Byzantine throne room for Royal Court sessions, among other aesthetic improvements. New music inspired by Orthodox holy chants is also included.

Crusader Kings III: Roads to Power will be available on 24 September 2024 as part of Crusader Kings III: Chapter III – which includes the Core Expansion Legends of the Dead, the Major Expansion Roads to Power and the Event Pack Wandering Nobles.

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.

Lead a Town through Tragedy in this Narrative-Rich Life Sim from Award-Winning Osmotic Games

LOS ANGELES – June 3, 2024 –Skybound Games, a division of Skybound Entertainment, the creator-led, multi-platform entertainment company behind mega-franchises The Walking Dead, Invincible, Impact Winter, and more, today unveiled a new story trailer for Closer the Distancefrom award-winning indie studio Osmotic Games (Orwell). This deep, narrative-rich slice-of-life simulator will debut a demo at Steam Next Fest on June 10.

Watch the Closer the Distance Story Trailer: 

In Closer the Distance, you will play as Angela, a young girl from the small, cozy village of Yesterby who passes away in a tragic accident. Left in limbo, Angela quickly discovers the ability to telepathically influence the loved ones she has left behind. Discover the stories at the heart of this shattered community and use your ethereal powers tounearth long-kept secrets, heal strained relationships, and help the living move on in an emotionally charged journey of love, grief, catharsis, and hope.

Each character that Angela can interact with is fully simulated and highly nuanced, with their own emotional states, wishes, memories, and intertwined relationships that develop over time with or without your guidance. Your choices will have a significant impact on the people of Yesterby and the outcome of their journey, making each playthrough unique and immersive. Will you be able to help Yesterby’s community heal and chart a better path forwards?

“Closer the Distance is a truly unique slice-of-life sim, exploring some existential questions about the impact an individual’s life has on others,” said Ian Howe, Managing Partner, Skybound Entertainment. “The team at Osmotic has crafted a compellingly thoughtful narrative, providing players with the tools to interact with a carefully constructed world and truly influence its characters.”

“Our studio was formed to explore new ways to convey complex narratives in video games, so after the success of our debut title, Orwell: Keeping an Eye On You, we looked at how we could push the medium further,” said Daniel Marx, CEO and Game Director, Osmotic Games. “Closer the Distance is the result, and by merging life simulator mechanics with a thought-provoking, narrative-driven experience, we’re allowing our players to ponder and contend with challenging themes, layered with an undercurrent of hope, empathy and kindness.”

Closer the Distance is available to wishlist now on Steam. For more information, visit www.ClosertheDistance.com.

About Osmotic Studios

Osmotic Studios is an award-winning independent game development company based in Hamburg, Germany.  Always striving to test out new ways to convey a convincing narrative, the company focuses on story-centric games with socially relevant and meaningful topics at their hearts. Best-known is Osmotic Studios’ debut game Orwell, released in 2016, putting players in the shoes of a government agent in the eponymous surveillance program, tasked with spying on suspect persons by going through their online documents and files and listening in on their chats and phone calls. Orwell received widespread critical acclaim and recognition from The Game Awards, the Independent Games Festival, and SXSW Gaming.

About Skybound Games

Skybound Entertainment is a creator-first company focused on bringing amazing comics, TV series, audio series, film, and video games to dedicated fans. Skybound Games publishes, produces, and distributes video games across every genre, including the blockbuster The Walking Dead video game series and BAFTA award-winning Before Your Eyes. In November 2023, we launched our first original game in the Invincible universe, Invincible Presents: Atom Eve, to critical acclaim. In 2024, Skybound will build a cutting-edge in-house gaming production studio, further enhancing our capacity to shape the future of gaming entertainment.

Show off your best moves in this modern take on snowboarding classics.

AUSTIN, Texas – June 3rd 2024 – Upcoming arcade snowboarding game by developer Nathan Dearth, Tricky Madness, has released a demo today on Steam ahead of their Steam Next Fest participation. The early access build is scheduled to launch later this year.

A Classic in the Making

A love letter to the fan-favorite snowboarding games of the early 2000s, Tricky Madness is looking to fill the gap left in recent years by the absence of follow-up titles. Iconic snowboarding tricks and a familiar tricking system are brought to life with polished gameplay, modern graphics, and modern game system accessibility in this ambitious indie title. Shred down the slopes and catch big air to score tricking points and a speed boost upon a successful landing. Don’t forget that each map is filled with secrets waiting to be discovered. Branching paths, shortcuts, and hidden areas bring plenty to explore in the eight planned standalone maps and connected mountain campaign.

Try it out!

Get a taste of what’s to come in Tricky Madness’ demo, available now on Steam. An update to the demo that has been available on Itch.io, this new version features updated graphics, gameplay improvements, and level design changes. The audio has also been redesigned, and a sneak peek of the first of seven original tracks planned for the full game can also be heard. 

Planned Features:

• Eight handcrafted standalone maps, each with hidden surprises and experiences.
• A dedicated campaign mode set on an open-world mountain with secrets and collectibles.
• Eight fully voiced characters with their own backstory, personalities, and snowboarding tricks.
• A voiced in-game DJ commentator, hyping you up as you make your way through the game.
• Three exhilarating game modes to test your speed and skills including freestyle, time trials, and races.
• An enhanced tricking points system encourages you to trick more often for speed boosts and unlocks Uber Tricks and Grinds.

Tricky Madness is available to wishlist on Steam and will launch into early access later this year.

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About Nathan Dearth A hobbyist game developer from the age of 10, Nathan Dearth developed many games for fun over the years to share with friends and family. After discovering the industry of indie games, he is now taking the steps to pursue his passion of game development full-time. Making games for the love of it and the joy of seeing people play his creations, Tricky Madness will be his debut into the scene

Players can experience Impossible Home’s upcoming title in the game’s charming new demo. 

Seattle, WA, 3 June 2024 | Settle into June’s upcoming Steam Next Fest with Whimel Academy, a cozy fantasy time manager from indie developer Impossible Home. A demo will be available during Steam’s event, and the game will be released on PC later this year.

Welcome to Whimel Academy

Whimel Academy is a slow-paced time manager set at a fantastical school for witches, wizards, and budding mages. Upon receiving your acceptance letter for the academy’s fall semester, acquaint yourself with the campus map. Accompanying this introduction is a journal with all the information needed for your first week. View your class schedule, explore your stats, and familiarize yourself with the inventory menu. Whimel Academy’s low-stakes gameplay makes for a relaxing experience as you settle into your new home. 

Get To Know Your New Home

Whimel Academy’s campus boasts a number of locations to unlock and explore. Visit the library to browse the shelves, socialize with peers in the dining hall, take a walk through the garden, or get some flight practice in the arena. At the end of the day, rest up in your dorm with the company of your cat to prepare for the next day’s adventures. As you grow more accustomed to campus, get to know your fellow students. A diverse set of in-game characters, each with unique interests and personalities, are excited to meet you. Interact with these students to increase your friendship level, creating more opportunities for meaningful conversation. Lifelong friendships and youthful romance are waiting to be discovered at Whimel Academy!

Hard Work Pays Off

Extracurriculars remain an integral part of life at Whimel Academy. Explore part-time jobs around campus to earn money and stat points towards different specialties. Shelve books in the library, grow new plants in the garden, or conduct research in the astronomy tower to earn money for events around the academy. Your wages can be exchanged for a sweet treat in the dining hall, a new book downtown, or accessories for your dorm, including a record player and a cauldron. If you have a particular specialty–such as potion-making or painting–try selling your wares to fund future projects. As you work, however, be mindful of your energy level; you can take a rest in your dorm when needed.

Key Features

• Back to Basics: Players must navigate their schedule wisely, balancing classes, extracurricular activities, friendships, and personal well-being.
• Get Working: Earn an income through part-time work, or try crafting and selling your wares for profit! Excel in potion-making, painting, cooking, and more; as you improve, unlock higher-quality ingredients for higher profits!  
• Friendships Await: Forge meaningful connections with fellow students and explore romantic possibilities with Whimel’s multiple in-game characters.
• Whimsical Worldbuilding: Immerse yourself in a charming fantasy world filled with delightful details, a cozy atmosphere, and slice-of-life experiences that transport players to a magical realm.
• Find Your Own Path: Tailor your character’s journey by focusing on your interests, leading to over thirty unique endings based on your decisions and accomplishments throughout the game.
• An Approachable Adventure: Whimel Academy strives for inclusivity by featuring a diverse cast of characters and emphasizing personal well-being.

Whimel Academy will be released later this year on PC. A demo is available on Steam now, and players can wishlist Whimel Academy for a notification at launch. For updates, follow Impossible Home and Whimel Academy on Twitter or join the game’s Discord. 

About Impossible Home

Impossible Home is a one-person (she/her) indie game studio based in the US. Its vision is to create wholesome worlds where anyone can feel immersed and relaxed.

Demo available to play now ahead of Steam Next Fest

London, U.K. – 3rd June 2024 – Developer Knights of Borria and publisher Marvelous Europe today unveiled that Leximan, a wholesome narrative-adventure in a modern fantasy world, driven by word puzzles, unique comedy, and constant surprise will release on Windows PC via Steam on August 13th, 2024.

The Leximan Ultra Mega Demo 2.0 is available now ahead of Steam Next Fest: June 2024 edition, so don your trusty hat, ready your lexicon and head over to Steam to play!

Turn your Leximan experience into an absolute hullabaloo with the Digital Deluximan Edition, featuring unique offerings from the hooligans behind the magic. In addition to the full game, the Digital Deluximan Edition contains the game’s soundtrack featuring over 100 minutes of riotous retro bangers and the Basement Breakout TTRPG Mini-Campaign PDF for mischief makers and avid hat enthusiasts.

The Digital Deluximan Edition will be available at launch for $19,99. The standard edition will also be available for $14,99, and a 10% discount will be available for both versions on the week of launch.

In Leximan, you’re lucky enough to be enrolled in the world’s most exclusive magic school: Academy Elementinia. Unfortunately, this is a world in which magic is a bit embarrassing… Still, you alone have the ability to use Leximancy, a hitherto unimaginable power driven by something as fascinating as it is enchanting: language. Years ago you caused THINGS to happen, and ever since then you’ve been banished to the school basement with the other failures – I mean ‘learners’ – but your life as a humble basement-wizard is abruptly interrupted as Academy Elementinia is attacked by someone with a baffling agenda and a huge set of fireballs. Now it’s time to become the outcast that saves the school. Or if you don’t vibe with heroics, at least cause some more THINGS to happen.

Embark on a brilliant adventure, using words and incompetence to solve bizarre problems and unravel a surprisingly wholesome story about embracing and empowering the real you while you bother a chaotic cast of characters, from potion witches and sweaty musclemancers, to a bombastic policewoman and a pyromancer who’s just fed up, to be honest. There are also hat goblins – give hats to the hat goblins, please and thank you.

Leximan is set to launch August 13th, 2024, on Windows PC via Steam.

About Knights of Borria

Knights of Borria is an award-winning UK-based studio founded in 2020. Formed by three Falmouth University graduates, the Knights of Borria aim to create soulful, fun, and outright weird games..

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.

Debut title from Hardball Games Offers PC Players Big Battles, Mass Destruction and Comedy Chaos In the Ultimate Party Throw-Down 

3.6.24, Brighton, UK. Hot on the heels of their successful demo launch, and ahead of their inclusion in Steam’s Next Fest on June, 10, Hardball Games is thrilled to announce that OutRage: Fight Fest, the world’s first, 16-player beat-em-up, PC Mega-Brawler will be available for players to enjoy on Steam from 16 July.

In the first-of-a-kind party game, contenders will need to embrace the chaos as they, and up to 15 of their friends, punch, kick, throw, use a whole host of weapons and the destructible levels around them in a battle of the biggest! They’ll party-up in hilarious, short-session, Battle Royale, Free for All and Team-Based battles, causing damage to each other and the scenery to earn ‘Rage’ and as their ‘Rage’ increases they’ll bulk up, hitting harder and throwing bigger in chaotic smash sessions where everything is a weapon. 

Set in a reality parallel to our own, a rare serum is discovered that gives players temporary invulnerability and superhuman strength paving the way for the craziest punch party on the planet: OutRage: Fight Fest. A mysterious eccentric billionaire will grant you entry to the fist-fighting showdown in exchange for the rights to harvest your Rage!

“We really wanted to give players the opportunity to party together in a way that was fun and didn’t involve the time sink that most multiplayer games require.” Said Jason Avent, Founder of UK based Hardball Games. “We wanted to put them straight at the heart of the battle. Making the game easy to get into and enjoyable in short sessions, but also offer a depth of gameplay to those looking to be more strategic in wrangling the chaos of 16 players, all fighting for victory at once.” He continued.

Already two years into its development, the early access version of the fun and frenetic game includes; a 16-player ‘Knockout’ mode and a 4×4-player and team-mode called ‘Domination’; set in two arenas: Dockyard and Construction Site, both just waiting to be destroyed. With a strong focus on party-play, contenders will be able to host custom games and share them with friends so they can battle together. While those wanting to hone their fight skills can learn the ropes and practice combos either in training mode or with battle bots in time-limited practice challenges.

Ahead of early access launch in July, wanna-be contenders can check out the latest on the game in Steam’s upcoming Next Fest at 18:00 GMT/10AM PST on June 10, or play the new game demo right now: OutRage: Fight Fest on Steam (steampowered.com)

This two-mode teaser gives players the chance to take part in 16-player brawls in Knockout matches where only one contestant can be left standing. They can also try out 16-player, team-based, flag capturing in the Domination mode where they’ll need to work together to capture and control points.  Newbies can jump into the training area or Practice Mode to hone their fighting skills.

About Hardball Games:

A new, independent start-up company based in Brighton and founded in January 2022, Hardball Games is composed of the previous founders of Boss Alien, Mad Atom & TT Odyssey, who have experience creating a range of multiplayer games, particularly for mobile, including CSR Racing & LEGO Star Wars Battles on Apple Arcade, as well as developing Pure & Split Second for console & PC.

Join spirit guide Kena and her Rot companions on their magical adventure on Xbox, with digital and physical versions of the game launching this August

Los Angeles, 3 June 2024: Award-winning indie games studio Ember Lab is delighted to announce that its popular story-driven action adventure game Kena: Bridge of Spirits will be available worldwide on Xbox Series X | S and Xbox One for the first time from 15 August 2024. The new Xbox version of the game will feature exciting content including Xbox Exclusive pirate-themed Rot hats as well as a unique Kena Staff and a Golden Rot Skin.

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

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

Josh Grier, Chief Operating Officer at Ember Lab said: “We’re thrilled to bring the story of Kena to a new audience on Xbox platforms. As our debut game, Kena means a great deal to everyone at the studio and the team is excited to share Kena’s journey with more players  – we really hope everyone enjoys meeting Kena and her Rot friends!”

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

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

Kena: Bridge of Spirits will be available globally on Xbox Series X | S and Xbox One from 15 August 2024 for $39.99 / €39.99 / £34.99 from the Microsoft Store. The physical Kena: Bridge of Spirits – Premium Edition for Xbox Series X will be available at major retailers globally from 15 August 2024 for $39.99 / €39.99 / £34.99.

Pre-order for the digital edition and the physical Kena: Bridge of Spirits – Premium Edition will be available soon.

Ember Lab website: https://emberlab.com/ 

About Ember Lab

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

About Maximum Entertainment Maximum Entertainment is a global entertainment company dedicated to crafting indie to AA video game experiences through original content and licensed partnerships. A fully integrated group with a broad portfolio of content, the company emphasizes collaboration and inclusivity in its partnerships to produce the highest level of interactive entertainment. With more than 300 titles in its catalogue, Maximum Entertainment has joined forces with talented creators and renowned franchises around the globe to deliver magic to the gamer in everyone. Maximum Entertainment employs more than 200 professionals across the entire value chain of video games including development, publishing, transmedia, sales, and operations.

Latest lineup includes creator, ultraportable, gaming and mainstream laptops to open up a new era of seamless AI experiences

KEY POINTS

• AI for creators: ProArt P16/PX13/PZ13 portable studios; latest AMD Ryzen^™ AI 300 Series processors and Snapdragon^® X Series processors; GeForce RTX^™ 40 Series GPUs; StoryCube and MuseTree AI apps
• AI for the highly mobile: Ultrathin Zenbook S 16 with Ceraluminum^™ lid, latest AMD Ryzen™ AI 300 Series processors with advanced cooling for 28 W TDP in a 1.1 cm-thin profile
• AI for all: All-new Vivobook S 15 is the first Copilot+ PC from ASUS; 2024 Vivobook S 14/16 models now feature AMD Ryzen™ AI 300 Series processors
• AI for gaming: New 14″ TUF Gaming A14 and 16″ TUF Gaming A16 feature AMD Ryzen™ AI 300 Series processors and new ultraportable design

SYDNEY, Australia, June 3, 2024 — ASUS today ushered in a new era of Copilot+ PCs — featuring advanced AI capability with 45+ TOPS NPU AI engines — during its Always Incredible virtual event at Computex 2024, with the launch of brand-new models across its ProArt, Zenbook and Vivobook portfolios. 

For creators, the three new ASUS ProArt laptops deliver an unprecedented combination of portability and power, with three form factors designed to empower creativity in any environment or setting. The rugged yet lightweight designs allow users to unleash creativity wherever their life story goes. The new model lineup includes the 16-inch ProArt P16 clamshell and the 13-inch ProArt PX13 convertible powered by the up to 50 TOPS AMD Ryzen™ AI 9 HX 370 processor — one of the latest Ryzen AI 300 Series processors — with up to a 321 TOPS NVIDIA^® GeForce RTX^™ 4070 Laptop GPU, and the 13-inch PZ13 detachable based on the AI-enabled Snapdragon^® X series Platform. These devices will streamline the creative process with the full spectrum of creative tools at the user’s fingertips, including the ASUS DialPad, the new AI-powered StoryCube and MuseTree apps, and the ProArt Creator Hub control centre. 

Design and technology enthusiasts will appreciate the fusion of art and technology that characterises the functional aesthetics of the premium 16-inch ultraportable ASUS Zenbook S 16 (UM5606), which despite being only 1.1 cm thin houses up to AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, and is packed with innovation, from its unique Ceraluminum^™ lid cover to its CNC-machined geometric grille design. Ceraluminum is a new durable high-tech ceramic with an entirely new look and feel.

At its recent dedicated launch event, the new ASUS Vivobook S 15 (S5507) became the company’s first Copilot+ PC. It’s a sleek AI-powered laptop designed for those who demand more, boosted by the efficient power of the AI-enabled Snapdragon X Elite Platform. Existing 2024 models in the Vivobook family — the 14-inch Vivobook S14 (M5406), the 15.6-inch Vivobook S 15 (M5506), and the 16-inch Vivobook S (M5606) — now have refreshed specifications and are all available with up to an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor. The new Windows AI features, such as Recall and Cocreator in Paint, will be coming to ASUS Vivobook S 15 on June 18, with the rest of the models receiving a free update to Copilot+ PC experiences when available. The Zenbook S 16, ProArt P16, and PX13 are also all powered by up to an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor. All ProArt laptops include a free three-month Adobe Creative Suite subscription and a free six-month CapCut Pro subscription. 

AI for creators: ASUS ProArt P16 / ProArt PX13 / ProArt PZ13

The new ASUS ProArt AI laptop lineup is designed to empower every creator — whether they are everyday users, outdoor content creators, or professionals — to transform their precious life moments into enduring stories. The lightweight, durable, and powerful laptops allow users to create anywhere, create faster, and create smarter. 

All three new models are Copilot+ PCs and feature the ASUS-exclusive StoryCube and MuseTree apps to enable smarter and more streamlined creative workflows, made possible by the power of fully-local AI. StoryCube is a smart, convenient, and powerful digital asset-management tool with AI assistance for scene categorisation and clip generation, allowing users to effortlessly manage and export the contents of their file library. MuseTree transforms inspiration into imagery swiftly, allowing users to generate more creativity through simple graphical interactions, while intelligently storing and managing their ideas at all times. The devices also include a dedicated Copilot key for quick access to your everyday AI companion. 

The 16-inch ProArt P16 laptop delivers unparalleled creative on-the-go experiences anywhere, boasting cutting-edge components within its premium-feel black chassis that’s just 14.9 mm thin and 1.85 kg light. Powered by a 50 TOPS NPU integrated into the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU that can deliver up to 321 TOPS, it becomes the first AI PC of its kind built for advanced AI workflows across creativity, gaming, productivity and more. Its GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU provides creatives with RTX AI acceleration in top 2D, 3D, video editing and streaming apps. RTX GPUs breeze through video editing tasks 2.5x faster with DaVinci Resolve. Adobe Premiere Pro’s AI Speech Enhance runs 4.5x faster. 3D is accelerated by as much as 6x in Autodesk Arnold, andProArt P16 has access to exclusive NVIDIA AI software like NVIDIA Broadcast, RTX Video, and the ChatRTX tech demo. 

For increased portability, the 1.38 kg 13-inch ProArt PX13 convertible laptop is designed to excel in any user scenario, with a 360° hinge that allows seamless flipping between laptop, tent, stand or tablet modes. Whether creating on-the-go or working from home, its high-resolution 3K ASUS Lumina OLED display ensures lifelike visuals that captivate and inspire. Powered by up to an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, ProArt PX13 is an NVIDIA Studio-validated laptop, with up to a GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU that delivers over 300 TOPS for an advanced AI PC experience, enabling creators to unlock unique AI capabilities and dive into AI-accelerated workflows, from textures to lighting effects to AI-generated imagery. Along with ultrafast WiFi 7 connectivity, there are extensive I/O ports including twin 40 Gbps USB4 for fast charging and external displays, HDMI 2.1 FRL, and a UHS-II MicroSD card reader for quick action-cam transfers. 

Finally, the ultracompact and ultraportable ProArt PZ13 detachable laptop enables users to experience the ultimate portability without sacrificing performance. Weighing just 0.85 kg, this device packs a punch with its AI-enabled Snapdragon X Series processor, 3K ASUS Lumina OLED screen and Copilot+ PC AI capabilities. Whether working on the go or enjoying multimedia content, the lifelike visuals provided by the world-leading display ensure an immersive experience. PZ13 has dual functionality as a tablet or a laptop, thanks to its magnetically-attached full-size detachable keyboard. The long-lasting 70 Wh battery, IP52-rated durability for dust and water resistance, and an SD slot with a microSD adapter all combine to make this device the perfect choice for ultimate creative mobility.

Additionally, across the new ProArt laptop lineup, ASUS and CapCut have partnered to give users an exclusive free six-month CapCut membership program that provides access to premium features and thousands of assets, giving them the benefits of a flexible editing workflow, magical AI tools, and a stock library. 

AI for the highly mobile: ASUS Zenbook S 16 (UM5606)

A stunning fusion of art and technology, the premium ASUS Zenbook S 16 is a sleek and lightweight ultraportable laptop, measuring just 1.1 cm slim and weighing 1.5 kg. It’s a masterpiece of craftsmanship that, despite its ultra-sleek design, can deliver up to 28 W TDP and 50 TOPS from the NPU in its formidable AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, aided by an advanced 3D vapour-chamber cooling system that’s unique in such a slim device, and which is capable of ultra-quiet <25 dB cooling. In the CNC-machined keyboard area, a novel geometric grille design ensures maximum airflow while reducing dust ingress. 

The all-metal chassis features an outer lid made of Ceraluminum^™, ASUS’ exclusive new material that blends the beauty and feel of ceramic with the strength of aluminium. Ceraluminum is durable and has a pleasantly warm and tactile feel compared to aluminium. The device is available in elegant Scandinavian White or sophisticated Zumaia Gray.

Equipped with a highly efficient 78 Wh battery and a full array of I/O ports — including two USB4^®, USB 3.2 Type-A, HDMI^®, an audio jack, and an SD card reader — on-the-go connectivity is seamless. 

Users can prepare to enjoy lightning-fast responsiveness with up to 2 TB PCIe^® 4.0 x4 SSD and up to 32 GB LPDDR5x RAM. The immersive 16-inch 3K 16:10 panel with a 120 Hz refresh rate, NanoEdge bezels, and a 90% screen-to-body ratio offers stunning home theatre-grade visuals. Certified by TÜV, with low blue-light and flicker-free technology, it also ensures the highest degree of eye protection. With the six-speaker sound system — unprecedented in such a compact device — the laptop delivers cinematic sound, and AI Noise Cancellation for enhanced conference calls makes sure that calls are clear and undisturbed by the world around them. The FHD AiSense IR camera supports AI effects, while Dolby Atmos provides multidimensional sound. With a 40%-larger 16:10 touchpad supporting smart gestures for easy navigation and control, the user experience is further elevated.

Zenbook S 16 also includes enhanced privacy features. Inside, the Microsoft Pluton security processor creates a protective boundary around critical components to safeguard them from external threats. Outside, the FHD AiSense IR camera supports Windows Hello, Adaptive Lock and Dimming, and Windows passkeys. It enables users to log in to apps and accounts with just their faces. 

AI for all: ASUS Vivobook S series

ASUS Vivobook S 15 (S5507) is at the vanguard of the new-era ASUS AI PCs, kickstarting the new paradigm at its recent dedicated launch event. This 1.47 cm-thin, 1.42 kg-light 15.6-inch ultraportable laptop was the company’s first Copilot+ PC to launch, harnessing the AI power of the Snapdragon X Elite Platform with its hardware-accelerated AI functions and a powerful battery that delivers up to 18 hours of seamless productivity or entertainment. Leveraging this powerful hardware, the ASUS Vivobook S 15 integrates advanced features such as Windows Studio Effects, which adjusts lighting and offers new creative filters to enhance call collaboration, and ASUS AiSense Camera with AI-powered Security, enabling the adaptive lock feature to auto-lock when the user walks away and auto-unlock upon their return, as well as auto-dimming when the user looks away. Furthermore, it incorporates Live Captions which turns any audio that passes through the PC into a single, English-language caption experience in real-time on screen across all apps consistently; and Cocreator, which empowers users to transform sketches into finished artworks using natural language to describe what they want to create. These innovative technologies not only enhance security and privacy but also elevate the audiovisual experience and unlock creativity. The expansive 3K 120 Hz ASUS Lumina OLED display and immersive Harman Kardon-certified Dolby Atmos^® audio system are encased in a premium all-metal 1.47 cm-thin, 1.42 kg-light body that’s built for effortless mobility. The mood-setting single-zone RGB keyboard features a dedicated Copilot key for quick AI assistance to revolutionise work and play. 

ASUS Vivobook S 15 also offers incredible on-the-go connectivity with WiFi 7 and a full set of I/O ports — including two full-function USB4^®, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, HDMI^® 2.1, a microSD card reader, and an audio combo jack.

In order to provide the latest AI capabilities to the widest range of users, the existing ASUS Vivobook S lineup has been refreshed to feature up to an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor. The 14-inch ASUS Vivobook S14 (M5406), the 15.6-inch ASUS Vivobook S 15 (M5506), and the 16-inch ASUS Vivobook S (M5606) have all been reimagined for 2024 with even slimmer and lighter designs. Sporting elegant all-metal chassis, these laptops start at a mere 1.39 cm in thickness and weigh as little as 1.3 kg. Alongside their exceptional portability and minimalist aesthetics, they boast uncompromising performance powered by the latest AMD Radeon^® graphics, up to 32 GB LPDDR5X memory, and lightning-fast up to 1 TB PCIe^® 4.0 SSD storage. Enhanced cooling is ensured by the ASUS IceCool thermal technology, now featuring two heat pipes, two 97-blade IceBlade fans, and two air vents.

AI for gaming: TUF Gaming A14 and A16

Also announced today were two new models in the popular TUF Gaming laptop series, the 14-inch TUF Gaming A14 and the 16-inch TUF Gaming A16. These feature new ultraportable chassis designs, up to AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, and dedicated NVIDIA GPUs. Combined with improved cooling and superior upgradeability, the new TUF Gaming laptops are the most advanced yet.

Thanks to their AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, with a built-in NPU capable of 50 TOPS of AI performance, the new TUF laptops can enhance productivity with AI features such as background blur and eye-gaze correction with low power consumption. For creators or gamers doing more demanding AI tasks such as gaming or local image generation, the laptops are accelerated by up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPUs with up to 371 TOPS. Gaming features like DLSS super resolution, frame generation, and ray reconstruction will also run with excellent performance, making for a perfect companion to the 2.5K 165 Hz displays on both machines.

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About ASUS

ASUS is a global technology leader that provides the world’s most innovative and intuitive devices, components and solutions to deliver incredible experiences that enhance the lives of people everywhere. With its team of 5,000 in-house R&D experts, ASUS is world-renowned for continuously reimagining today’s technologies for tomorrow, garners more than 11 awards every day for quality, innovation and design, and is ranked among Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies.