Tokyo, Japan – 3rd June, 2024 – Kakehashi Games and Don Yasa Crew are excited to announce that their Japanese hip hop biopunk action title, Sonokuni, will have a new playable demo featured during the coming Steam Next Fest on 10th June.
A sneak peak of what’s to come will also be shown during the Future Games Show Summer Showcase on 8th June, including a brand new trailer and track from the game.
In Sonokuni, players will take on the role of Takeru, a lone assassin tasked with raiding a surreal superpower empowered by biotechnology. Join in her struggle to balance the morality of extreme violence against the defence of her own people, in a story inspired by real-life Japanese mythology (with every moment punctuated with a visceral soundtrack from Japanese developer and hip hop group, Don Yasa Crew).
Are you ready to deliver vengeance? Wishlist the game now over on the Sonokuni Steam page to be alerted when the demo goes live.
About Don Yasa Crew
Don Yasa Crew is a 7-person Japanese hip hop group who in 2019 – during the height of Covid pandemic lockdown in Japan – decided to make a game. With live performances impossible, their aim was to convey their particular have-not-hip-hop style through Sonokuni – a world and story infused with their raw energetic music and a fresh biopunk take on Japanese mythology.
About Kakehashi Games
Founded in Tokyo in 2013, Kakehashi Games is a boutique publishing team that strives to build bridges between East and West. Over the last decade they have helped release over 300 of the most acclaimed indie titles in Japan, including Hollow Knight, Sea of Stars, Dead Cells, Eastward, and more. As of 2023, Kakehashi Games has become a worldwide publisher as well, with a focus on bringing the best indie games from Asia to the rest of the world. Check their website for more information.
3 June, 2024 – Video game consumer sales data released today by the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (IGEA) reveals that Australians spent $4.4 billion AUD on video games and video game-related hardware, a 5% increase on last year’s report. The data details an increase of 11% in a growing digital market valued at $1.67 billion AUD, and stability across traditional retail and mobile gaming sales.
“The traditional retail video games market in 2023 witnessed relatively stagnant growth compared to 2022, driven by increased spend in software across the board, with Hogwarts Legacy emerging as the best-selling physical title in Australia for 2023. The year also marked a resurgence in PC gaming compared to 2022,” said Aidan Sakiris, APAC Regional Manager for Product Marketing & Reporting at Sparkers.
“Further full-game software spend saw a decline of 6% while hardware remained relatively flat. This was attributed to a decrease in Nintendo Switch hardware sales and balanced by the continued growth of PlayStation 5. With the expanding install base of the PS5 in 2023, first-party gaming accessories naturally experienced similar growth.”
“The Australian video game market continues to show resilience as we enter the fourth year of the current console generation, as well as four years post-pandemic lockdowns. Looking ahead, the industry seems to be back on track with planned development schedules, as consumers anticipate a variety of software releases, some of which are expected to gain traction due to the strong install base of current-generation platform,” continued Sakiris.
Aussies continue to subscribe to entertainment in 2023, spending $329 million AUD on video game-related subscriptions. This was a 31% increase on 2022, which was a 55% increase on 2021. Digital sales across full-game purchases and in-game purchases also saw strong improvements, as 2023 saw numerous AAA titles released into the market to support online retailers.
“With year-on-year growth for digital product, Australia’s market grew above the global average of +0.5%. The PC segment grew strongest, driven by performance in Full Game Digital sales and very strong performance in Downloadable Content (DLC). The same segments performed notably well in the console segment: full-game digital sales grew, whereas these declined in the global market. In-game transactions also increased based on the previous year. As was the case last year, the appetite in Australia for multi-game subscriptions remains above average. In 2023, the growth in this segment was 2x the global average,” said Tom Wijman, Lead Analyst Games, Newzoo.
Traditional retail and mobile gaming saw stability this year, with an increase of 0.5% in spending for retail, and 1% in mobile from the 2022 data.
“The Australian consumer sales data has shown us this year that video games are here to stay. Digital sales are up 11%, traditional bricks-and-mortar up half a percent, and overall, a growth of nearly 200 million dollars over 2022 sales,” said Ron Curry, CEO of IGEA. “Australians love to play video games, whether it be to connect with family and friends, to relax, or for entertainment. Subscriptions are on the rise and are offering an alternative access point to Australians. However, with over $900 million spent on full-game software, traditional retail and online retail continue to be the cornerstone of distribution to a consumer base that continues to grow.”
You can view this year’s consumer sales data, and previous data reports on the IGEA website. You can also view the New Zealand consumer report here.
About IGEA
IGEA (Interactive Games & Entertainment Association) is the peak industry association representing the voice of Australian and New Zealand companies in the computer and video games industry. IGEA supports the games industry’s business and public policy interests through advocacy, research and education programs. For more information, please visit www.igea.net
Note: AUD amounts quoted in this press release and infographic were derived from the average of the AUD-to-USD exchange rate for 2023.
The ONE PIECE ODYSSEY release on Nintendo Switch is fast approachingand players can watch this new trailer to get to know or rediscover the two original characters created for the game, Adio & Lim.
Players will be set in Straw Hats Crew’s quest to discover the secrets of the legendary island of Waford, and get back their powers, taken by Lim, a mysterious young girl with an apparent dislike of pirates. Adio and Lim will accompany them on this journey through Waford and the various places of their past.
The Nintendo Switch version of ONE PIECE ODYSSEY includes the Reunion of Memories additional scenario that can be played after clearing the main game, as well as extra outfits for the Straw Hat Crew such as the Traveling outfits and the Sniper King’s Traveling Outfit. In addition, the City of Water outfits will be making their debut on the Nintendo Switch version.
ONE PIECE ODYSSEY is set to release on 26th July 2024 for Nintendo Switch and is already available for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.
Raises the bar with numerous hardware improvements, including upgraded storage, memory, battery, and joysticks, elevating Windows handheld gaming to new heights
KEY POINTS
Pre-orders are available now in Australiafrom ASUS E-shop, JB Hi-Fi and in New Zealand via JB Hi-Fi and PB Tech.
More storage, faster RAM, longer battery life: 1 TB M.2 2280 SSD, 24 GB LPDDR5X-7500 RAM, and 80 Wh battery stand ready for the latest games
Updated controls and connectivity: Improved joysticks and ergonomics allow for more precise control, while two USB-C® ports increase flexibility
Improved thermals all around: New fans push up to 24% more air through a third vent, while keeping the panel up to 6°C cooler to the touch
SYDNEY, Australia, June 2, 2024 — ASUSRepublic of Gamers (ROG) today announced the ROG Ally X, a new model of its popular ROG Ally handheld game console, is available for pre-order now in Australia and New Zealand via the ASUS E-shop and leading retailers.
Designed for Windows 11 gaming on the go, the ROG Ally X features the same AMD Ryzen™ Z1 Extreme processor, but adds upgraded storage, RAM, and battery life, alongside an updated chassis for improved ergonomics, cooling, and connectivity. Combined with Armoury Crate SE 1.5, which features a new customisable game library and unified system updates, the ROG Ally X is designed to #playALLYourgames better than ever.
Bradley Howe, Head of Consumer, Systems Business Group, ASUS Australia, said: “We’re excited to launch the new ROG Ally X in Australia and New Zealand after receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback from users on the ROG Ally last year. We have continued to listen to our customers’ feedback, resulting in the new ROG Ally X, which offers great improvements to battery, thermal cooling and storage. We are delighted that this best-in-class handheld console will now be available for individuals looking for a powerful yet portable on-the-go gaming experience.”
More storage, faster RAM, and longer battery life
Built with user feedback at its heart, the ROG Ally X amps many of its crucial internal components. A new 1 TB SSD ensures users have room for all their games, up from 512 GB on the original Ally. In addition, the ROG Ally X uses a redesigned motherboard featuring an M.2 2280 form factor slot, allowing users to more easily upgrade their storage to larger drives than previously possible.
Accompanying this storage upgrade is 24 GB of LPDDR5X-7500 RAM for more flexibility. As an APU, the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme shares its video RAM with the device’s system RAM. With modern games using more VRAM for high-resolution, lifelike textures, 24 GB of system memory allows users to allocate more memory to both the system and the GPU for better performance in the next generation of AAA titles.
Finally, the ROG Ally X has also been outfitted with an 80 Wh battery, double the capacity of the previous model, so users can game longer away from the wall. Despite a sizeable improvement in battery life, the ROG Ally X only weighs 70 grams more than the original ROG Ally, with the weight distribution perfectly centred where the gamer’s thumb and forefinger lie while gripping the device. This keeps it feeling lighter than its 678 g weight, ensuring comfortable play and portability for all.
Updated controls and connectivity
The ROG Ally X features a redesigned chassis in a brand-new black colourway, with slightly deeper handles and a more rounded shape for improved comfort, without adding much thickness to the device. The buttons and sticks are arranged with more ergonomic angle, with a slant to the triggers that makes them easier to press. The macro buttons on the back are also smaller, to reduce accidental presses while keeping them easily accessible.
The joysticks have been replaced with a new, more durable module rated for a 5-million-cycle lifespan, with stiffer springs for a more familiar response curve to longtime controller gamers. The D-Pad has been similarly improved, with more precise eight-direction input for fighting and retro games.
Users overwhelmingly requested more universal I/O, so the original XG Mobile port has been replaced with two USB-C® ports on the ROG Ally X, one of which is Thunderbolt™-compatible for wide interoperability with third-party docks and external GPUs.
Improved thermals all around
To accommodate the new battery, the ROG Ally X features new fans that are 23% smaller, but utilise 50% thinner fan blades to improve airflow. Two new tunnels in the fan housing direct air up and out toward an additional, third exhaust vent on the upper edge of the ROG Ally X. This new thermal solution provides 24% more air volume to be pushed through the device, cooling not only the internal components but also the touch screen, which measures up to 6°C cooler for more comfortable long-term usage.
Availability & Pricing
ASUS ROG Ally X will be available for pre-order, today in Australia and New Zealand from the ASUS E-shop (AU), JB Hi-Fi (AU/NZ) and PB Tech (NZ).
7” FHD (1920 x 1080) 16:9, 500 nits brightness, 100% sRGB, Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus™ with Gorilla® Glass DXC coating, touchscreen, 120 Hz refresh rate, 7 ms response time, AMD FreeSync Premium
CPU
AMD Ryzen™ Z1 Extreme Processor (“Zen4” architecture with 4 nm process, 8-core /16-threads, 24 MB total cache, up to 5.10 GHz boost)
GPU
AMD Radeon™ Graphics (AMD RDNA™ 3, 12 CUs, up to 2.7 GHz, up to 8.6 Teraflops)
Memory
24 GB LPDDR5X on board (7500 MHz dual channel)
Storage
Up to 1 TB M.2 2280 NVMe™ PCIe® G4x4 Value SSD
I/O Ports
1 x Audio combo jack 1 x Micro SD Card reader (UHS-II, 312MB/s) 1 x USB-C® supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 (DisplayPort™ 1.4 with FreeSync support, Power Delivery 3.0 (Input: 20V/5A, Output 5V/1.5A)) 1 x USB4® (Thunderbolt™ 4 compliance, DisplayPort™ 1.4 with FreeSync support, Power Delivery 3.0 (Input: 20V/5A, output:5V/3A)
Audio
2-speaker system with Smart Amplifier Technology Dolby Atmos® AI noise-canceling technology Hi-Res Audio certification Built-in array microphone
Battery
80 Wh
Power Supply
USB-C®, 65W AC Adapter, Output: 20V DC, 3.25 A, 65 W, Input: 100~240V AC 50 / 60 Hz universal
Dimension
28.0 x 11.1 x 2.47 cm
Weight
678 g
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About ROG
Republic of Gamers (ROG) is an ASUS sub-brand dedicated to creating the world’s best gaming hardware and software. Formed in 2006, ROG offers a complete line of innovative products known for performance and quality, including motherboards, graphics cards, system components, laptops, desktops, monitors, smartphones, audio equipment, routers, peripherals and accessories. ROG participates in and sponsors major international gaming events. ROG gear has been used to set hundreds of overclocking records and it continues to be the preferred choice of gamers and enthusiasts around the world. To become one of those who dare, learn more about ROG at http://rog.asus.com.
After first announcing the game half a year ago Capcom has released the first official trailer and a glimpse at some of the storyline, characters, and new monsters that players will encounter in Monster Hunter Wilds. In Monster Hunter Wilds, players join the ranks of a special Research Commission team investigating the Forbidden Lands. The hunter ventures into the unknown with their companions, including Guild-appointed handler Alma, their Palico partner, and a mysterious child as they explore a land where biomes can magically transform in strange and unexpected ways.
The first location to be revealed is the Windward Plains, a vast region that is said to feature a harsh desert, twisted rock formations, and a large swaying grassland teeming with life. These immersive ecosystems are populated with wildlife acclimated to their surroundings, including smaller monsters like Dalthydon, an herbivorous wyvern that migrates seasonally, and Ceratonoth, who rely on males to shield the herd from raging storms with well-developed dorsal horns that serve as lightning rods. Of course, large monsters also roam the Windward Plains, including Doshaguma. While massive and territorial, these fanged beasts are curiously sometimes sighted stalking the plains in aggressive packs. Meanwhile, the formidable amphibian Chatacabra uses its surroundings and adhesive saliva to become an even stronger adversary by armoring its body with natural materials like ore.
Monster Hunter Wilds will feature all fourteen of the series’ iconic weapons returning as well as new actions being added to each one of them while also adding in new mechanics such as the Focus Mode that gives hunters more precise control over targeting enemy weak points, aiming, and guarding as well as a Hook Slinger for contextual actions, collecting items, and even mounting the new mount called the Seikret. Seikrets are nimble creatures that can guide hunters and allow them to perform actions on the move such as sharpening weapons, gathering materials, and wielding the slinger.
The new trailer can be found above and set of screenshots can be found below while Monster Hunter Wilds is currently set to be released sometime next year in 2025 for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Konami has revealed alongside Sony that they will be launching their remake of Silent Hill 2 on the PlayStation 5 and PC on October 8th where it will be priced at $69.99 USD. Those who pre-order a PlayStation 5 version of the game will obtain a “Robbie the Rabbit Mask” and a “Mira the Dog” mask for James to wear.
Alongside this announcement Konami released a number of new screenshots showcasing the remake as well as a trailer that can be found below. As for the game itself, Konami describes Silent Hill 2 as following the story of James who, after receiving a letter from his dead wife heads to where they shared so many memories, in the hope of seeing her one more time: Silent Hill. There, by the lake, he finds a woman eerily similar to her in what launches into a master-class in survival horror with the original release that Bloober Team is hoping to capture in this remake..
Broadcast Schedule Announced for Annual Premier Competitive Pokémon Event
LONDON, UK. — May 31, 2024 — Pokémon players from around the world will gather at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, for the 2024 Pokémon North America International Championships (NAIC) from June 7 to June 9, 2024. Hopeful Trainers will have their skills tested as they compete in the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), the Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet video games, Pokémon GO, and Pokémon UNITE to qualify for the 2024 Pokémon World Championships in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi.
Fans at home will be able to watch Pokémon battles live from New Orleans all weekend long by tuning in to the English live stream of the competition on Twitch or YouTube. Trainers who watch the English live stream can celebrate the Championship Series from home with exclusive digital giveaways, which include codes* for a special illustration rare Pokémon card in Pokémon Trading Card Game Live (TCGL), a Pokémon from the team that won the 2024 Pokémon VGC Europe International Championships (EUIC), and special Timed Research for Pokémon GO that ends in an encounter with a Pokémon from the team that won the 2024 Pokémon GO Europe International Championships.
*Codes for Pokémon Trading Card Game Live, Pokémon Scarlet, and Pokémon Violet can be redeemed in-game. Codes for Pokémon GO will be distributed via Twitch Drops, and details about redemption will be featured in the live stream. Terms apply to code use. Please tune in to the English NAIC broadcast for more information.
Pokémon TCG Stream: Twitch.tv/PokemonTCG, YouTube.com/Pokemon Commentators: Juancho Saldana, Ross Gilbert, Joe Bernard, Pablo Meza, Shelbie Bou Friday, June 7: 2 p.m. – 23.59 p.m. BST Saturday, June 8: 2 p.m. – 2 a.m. BST Sunday, June 9: Finals begin at 7 a.m. PDT on Twitch.tv/Pokemon and YouTube.com/Pokemon
Pokémon VGC Stream: Twitch.tv/Pokemon, YouTube.com/Pokemon Commentators: David Partington, Evan Latt, Gabby Snyder, Jake Muller, Rosemary Kelley Friday, June 7: 2 p.m. – 23.59 p.m. BST Saturday, June 8: 2 p.m. – 23.59 p.m. BST Sunday, June 9: Finals start at 7 p.m. BST on Twitch.tv/Pokemon and YouTube.com/Pokemon
Pokémon GO Stream: Twitch.tv/PokemonGO, YouTube.com/Pokemon Commentators: Will Dunphey, Amanda Lundberg, Nick Livezey, Stephanie Kristine, Pedro Carrizo Friday, June 7: 2 p.m. – 23.59 p.m. BST Saturday, June 8: 2 p.m. – 23.59 p.m. BST Sunday, June 9: Finals start at 2 p.m. BST on Twitch.tv/Pokemon and YouTube.com/Pokemon
Pokémon UNITE Stream: Twitch.tv/PokemonUNITE, YouTube.com/PokemonUNITE Commentators: Jake “Spragels” Sprague, Kirk “Doobsnax” Dubé, Joshua “Zoinks” Hiebert, Evan “WonderChef” Hashimoto Friday, June 7: 2 p.m. – 23.59 p.m. BST Saturday, June 8: 2 p.m. – 23.59 p.m. BST
Keep up to date with the latest news from the 2024 NAIC here, and to find out more about the Play! Pokémon program, be sure to visit Pokemon.co.uk/play-pokemon.
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About Pokémon
The Pokémon Company International, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing and marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children’s entertainment properties in the world. For more information, visit www.pokemon.com.
About Nintendo
Nintendo Co., Ltd., headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, has created franchises that have become household names worldwide, including Mario™, Donkey Kong™, The Legend of Zelda™, Metroid™, Pokémon™, Animal Crossing™, Pikmin™ and Splatoon™, through its integrated hardware and software products. Nintendo aims to deliver unique, intuitive entertainment experiences for everyone, manufacturing and marketing video game devices such as the Nintendo Switch™ family of systems, developing and operating applications for smart devices, and collaborating with partners on a range of other entertainment initiatives like visual content and theme parks. Nintendo has sold more than 5.4 billion video games and over 800 million hardware units globally. From the launch of the Nintendo Entertainment System™ more than 30 years ago, through today and into the future, Nintendo’s continuing mission is to create unique entertainment that puts smiles on the faces of people all over the world. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of Europe, based in Frankfurt, Germany, serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in Europe.
Niantic’s global-scale augmented reality platform and digital map power spatial computing experiences in the real world. Incubated out of the Maps team at Google, Niantic first created Ingress and then Pokémon GO, a collaborative effort with The Pokémon Company, which has become a cultural phenomenon and hit game played by tens of millions of people each month. Niantic’s Lightship platform, which powers Pokémon GO, also supports the company’s other games including Pikmin Bloom, Peridot and Monster Hunter Now. Developers use Niantic’s platform to build their own AR applications and experiences, either with the Lightship Platform or directly through the web with 8th Wall.
New update will bring FOX-3 missiles and BeNeLux aviation
Gaijin Entertainment announces that the online military shooter War Thunder will receive the “Seek & Destroy” major content update in June. It will bring medium-range air-to-air missiles with active radar guidance (also known as FOX-3), Belgium and the Netherlands aviation, the Canadian version of the Leopard 2 MBT and dozens of other ground, sea and air military vehicles.
FOX-3 missiles operate autonomously and do not require constant “illumination” of the target, though when launching from longer ranges, it’s most optimal to track a target in TWS (Track-While-Scan) mode to provide radio correction. The Radiation Warning Receiver (RWR), however, will warn the target of the approaching missile and give the pilot time to take evasive action. The first medium-range missiles with ARH seekers in War Thunder will be the French MICA, Chinese PL-12, American AIM-120, Russian R-77, Japanese AAM-4, Israeli Derby and South African R-Darter.
One of the carriers of the new class of missiles will be the Su-27SM, the most advanced version of the Su-27 fighter currently in the game. In addition, it will receive TV guided KAB-500Kr and a completely new, destructive one and a half ton KAB-1500Kr, the largest caliber of Russian bombs of this type in the game, as well as Kh-29TD guided missiles. All this is in addition to the already extensive arsenal of the basic Su-27.
Belgian and Dutch aviation will debut in the game as a Benelux branch in the tech tree of neighboring France, increasing the variety of options for players who choose that country. The line starts with the old Gladiator Mk I, which entered combat duty back in the late 30s, and ends with the modern F-16AM Block 15 MLU! There will also be a place here for the French Mirage 5BA, developed for the needs of the Belgian Air Force, as well as the Fokker G.1A, a Dutch-designed aircraft.
New ground-based equipment includes a Canadian modification of the Leopard 2A4 main battle tank with additional composite armor modules, an advanced thermal imager and the ability to install anti-cumulative screens and a masking net, while fans of naval battles will probably be interested in trying the Kondor II – a minesweeper of the GDR fleet, armed with three twin 25 mm autocannons and a FASTA 4M2 launcher with Strela-2M anti-aircraft missiles.
You can read more about new vehicles and other content of the “Seek & Destroy” update on the official website of the game.
About War Thunder
War Thunder is a free-to-play, cross-platform, massively multiplayer military masterpiece with millions of fans worldwide, that allows players on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Mac and Linux to fight their way across air, land, and sea in the same battlefield. War Thunder offers 2000+ playable aircraft, armored vehicles and ships from the 1900s to the 2010s. The US, Russian, British, German, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Swedish, Israeli, South African and French military vehicles represented in game are carefully researched, historically accurate recreations of their real world counterparts. Fans can expect hundreds more added as Gaijin Entertainment commits to ongoing development via regular updates.
About Gaijin Entertainment
Gaijin Entertainment is the developer and publisher of the online games War Thunder, Crossout, Enlisted, CRSED: F.O.A.D. and Star Conflict as well as other PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, iOS and Android titles across several genres. The company’s diverse portfolio has received a range of mass media and game industry awards including such as Gamescom Award and many more.
Latest update to X8 brings more opportunities for players to socialize within the community and challenge each other in competition
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – May 31, 2024 – Thirdverse, Inc., a leading VR development studio and publisher, launched the release of the fifth major update, called the “Freeplay Park Update,” to its popular 5v5 VR multiplayer hero shooter, ‘X8’. Since its launch, the game has captivated VR gamers worldwide, with over 500,000 downloads. This latest update introduces significant new features and enhancements, enriching the gaming experience and solidifying X8’s standing as the premier VR hero shooter.
New Features in the Latest Major Update:
Freeplay Park: This new park area is the player’s social hub in X8, offering a space to hang out, meet new friends, and form custom games. Players can engage in various activities, including learning and teaching game mechanics, participating in minigames such as time attack climbing challenges, knife throwing, and a shooting range, or practicing in the combat arena.
Streamlined Friend Adding: Simplified process for adding friends in-game with a single click from the team menu, making it easier to build an in-game community.
Splat Tags: Adding a splash of color and personalization to gameplay, Splat Tags are digital slime balls that allow players to leave custom stickers in the environment. These can be purchased in the X8 store or unlocked through the event calendar.
New Weapon – MONARCH: Introducing the MONARCH, a high-skill, semi-automatic weapon perfect for mid-spend rounds. It offers exciting possibilities to invest in armor or abilities.
Threat Levels Ranked Game Mode: Introducing “Threat Levels,” a pseudo-ranked game mode for demolition. Perform well and win games to increase threat rating, represented by a badge in the main menu, showcasing your skills.
Weapon Recoil and Sound Overhaul: In response to player feedback, Thirdverse has completely revamped the weapon and sound systems, offering a refreshed experience for veteran players and a better first impression for newcomers.
Enhanced Matchmaking System: Ensures that players are ready before joining a game, preventing AFK disruptions. This system ties into the new Threat Levels feature, creating a more competitive and balanced gaming experience.
Founded in 2020, Thirdverse, Co., Ltd is a virtual reality game development, distribution and management company paving the path to the metaverse with two studios in Japan and the United States.
Thirdverse is experienced in sword-fighting multiplayer VR games and has expanded into PvP shooting, narrative-driven VR games and VR Esports. The studio has launched two successful VR co-op sword-fighting games “SWORDS of GARGANTUA” and “ALTAIR BREAKER” for Meta Quest 2 and PCVR. In November 2023, Thirdverse launched multiplayer VR hero shooter “X8” developed by its US Studio. In November, they announced that both titles are joining the lineup for PlayStation®VR2. Additionally, Thirdverse revealed in late 2023 that the core team of the Japanese favorite action RPG SOUL SACRIFICE had reunited with its studio to develop its spiritual successor “SOUL COVENANT” for VR. Thirdverse continues to drive a robust roadmap of VR titles and feature updates scheduled for release in 2024 and beyond. For more information, visit www.thirdverse.io.
Get ready to enter the cybernetic underworld of UltraCity! Indie developer Tin Man Games is excited to announce that its new tactical turn-based VR experience NEON Squad Tactics, will launch on June 13, 2024, for Meta Quest devices via the Meta Store.
Join friends and online allies as you become elite bounty hunters in UltraCity, a vibrant cyberpunk metropolis run by powerful corporations. Strategize, battle, and shape the city’s destiny in epic strategic showdowns. Enter a stunning virtual world brought to life with a hyper-retro 90s aesthetic and a modern synthwave soundtrack and dive into the action either lone wolf in the single-player campaign or with up to 4 friends in multiplayer online co-op mode. Are you prepared to lead your squad to victory amidst the neon-lit chaos?
“As we enter our final phase of pre-launch development for NEON Squad Tactics, we are so excited to finally confirm the release June 13 release date for NEON Squad Tactics.” commented Neil Rennison, Creative Director at Tin Man Games, “We have taken all of our turn-based development experience and created a really exciting, tactical VR experience. Expect whacky characters, strategic thinking and a lot of turn-based action, all set to a fantastic synthwave soundtrack composed by leading artists. Grab your VR headset and get ready to enter UltraCity!”
Watch the announcement trailer for NEON Squad Tactics below:
Immerse yourself in the heart of a cyberpunk metropolis as one of the elite Operators, capable of projecting your consciousness into a team of skilled heroes known as the NEON Squad.
Gather your friends or online allies and navigate the vibrant, wacky world from the comfort of a virtual bar. A captivating holographic table serves as your interface to key locations in the city and beyond. You’ll undertake daring missions on behalf of the powerful corporations, all under the guidance of an enigmatic Handler.
Strategic thinking and clever teamwork will be your greatest assets as you coordinate your squad’s actions in thrilling turn-based tactical battles, where every decision could mean the difference between victory and defeat.
Forge alliances, outsmart your enemies, and rise to the top of the cybernetic food chain. Are you ready to become a legend in the neon-lit world of the NEON Squad?
Features:
Turn-based tactics action game with a compelling single-player campaign and Drop in / Drop out multiplayer missions for up to 4 players.
Hyper-retro 90s aesthetic and a modern synthwave soundtrack featuring tracks by AM0k, Metasphere, Fynn’s Arcade, Hearts in Beta and Monster Mansion.
