Ruel Led Marketing Efforts for Blizzard’s Fastest-Selling Game of All Time: Diablo IV
LOS ANGELES – May 9, 2024 –Skybound Entertainment, the creator-led, multi-platform entertainment powerhouse behind mega-hit franchises like The Walking Dead, Invincible on Prime Video, and Impact Winter on Audible, today announced yet another addition to its executive team: Kaleb Ruel. As the newly appointed VP of Marketing for its in-house video game studio, Ruel brings a wealth of experience garnered from his tenure at Activision Blizzard, where he played a pivotal role in the record-breaking launch of Diablo IV, the fastest-selling game in Blizzard’s history, achieving an unprecedented $666 million in sales within its inaugural five days. Known for his innovative “culture-hack” approach to marketing, Kaleb orchestrated high-profile celebrity collaborations with icons such as Halsey, SUGA of BTS and Megan Fox, elevating Diablo IV‘s mass awareness and impact at launch.
Ruel is Skybound’s seventh major executive hire this year alone, indicating the company has a robust strategy in place to strengthen its dynamic executive team and capture increased market share from incumbent video game and entertainment studios. Strategic new hires across the company include: Gregg Sulak, CFO (formerly Wondery CFO), Chris Paulson, EVP and GM, Games Publishing (formerly VP of Product at Activision Blizzard); Jeff Chaiken, Head of Corporate Development, where he held the same title at Electronic Arts; Lizzie Alberga, Head of People and Performance, (Founder & CEO, Collective Gain); Will Kassoy, Head of Consumer Strategy (previously President, Omaze); Ben Abernathy, Executive Editor, Editorial, coming from the same position at DC Comics; Brent Jacoby, EVP, Unscripted TV (EVP of Development at Catalina Content); and Chris Goble, SVP Scripted TV (previously VP of Television, MGM TV).
“I loved working with Kaleb previously, and I’m thrilled to have him join me at Skybound. Kaleb’s experience building great marketing teams in gaming, music streaming, and consumer retail will help accelerate Skybound’s publishing capabilities. We share a vision that successful games are defined by their community of players and great marketing is about building that community. Kaleb is assembling a world-class marketing team to deliver that vision for Skybound Games,” said Chris Paulson, EVP and GM of Games Publishing.
Before his role at Activision Blizzard, Ruel was Head of US Marketing at Spotify from 2017-2021, pivotal growth years for the streaming service. His leadership was core to driving some of Spotify’s most impactful marketing initiatives in the US, including the annual Spotify Wrapped program, lauded within the industry as a “masterclass of fan advocacy.” Kaleb holds a bachelor’s degree from San Francisco State University.
CD PROJEKT RED, in collaboration with EC1 Łódź, today announced that ticket sales are available for this year’s Promised Land Art Festival — an event dedicated to professionals in the creative industry. The announcement comes alongside the release of the first speakers at this year’s event, as well as the launch of a new website that hosts the evolving program for the event.
Snapshot:
Promised Land Art Festival is an event dedicated to artists and professionals involved in creating games, films, comics, and other creative projects.
Ticket sales for the 2024 edition have now begun, with several ticket types available: Early Bird passes, group tickets, and one-day passes.
This year’s festival will feature discussions, lectures, and workshops in a variety of tracks, including digital and traditional art, painting, sculpture, and animation, as well as a new track for audio professionals and enthusiasts.
Pav Grochola, Anna Roan, and Grzegorz Rutkowski are the first speakers announced for this year’s event.
Full Article:
Promised Land Art Festival will take place on September 8–10, 2024, in EC1 Łódź, a revitalized power plant now home to an artistic, cultural, and educational center in Łodź, Poland. In addition to lectures and panel discussions, the festival will include workshops in clay sculpture, figure painting, life drawing, 2D illustration and concept art, 3D modeling and sculpture, and animation. This year, the festival will also feature activities in the audio category, aimed at professionals specializing in sound design and music. A preliminary program for the event has been published on the festival’s official website, which will be regularly updated. Limited Early Bird passes, group tickets, and one-day passes are now available.
Activities at Promised Land Art Festival are led by world-renowned artists across a variety of industries. So far, the festival has hosted representatives from Guerilla Games, Capcom, Disney, Pixar Animation Studios, Lucas Arts, Studio Trigger, Paramount Pictures, Converse, Activision Blizzard, BioWare, MachineGames, Framestore, Digic Pictures, Techland, MPC London, Double Negative, and CD PROJEKT RED. This year’s festival will include speakers such as:
Pav Grochola — FX and Look of Picture Supervisor at Sony Pictures Imageworks, winner of Annie and VES awards, and co-creator of over 30 full-length productions, including the Oscar-nominated animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, the animated series Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and Mitchell vs. The Machines, as well as the film Edge of Tomorrow.
Anna Roan — Senior Lighting Artist at Insomniac Games, whose portfolio includes titles such as Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart and Marvel’s Spider-Man series, and is currently working on the upcoming Marvel’s Wolverine.
Grzegorz Rutkowski — an independent illustrator with many years of experience in the industry, who has worked across multiple creative industries on many high-profile projects, including Horizon Forbidden West, Neverwinter, Magic: The Gathering, and Dungeons & Dragons.
Full bios of the first three speakers for this year’s Promised Land Art Festival are available on the festival’s official website, which features a fresh redesign, valuable information for attendees, and much more. In the coming weeks, additional announcements about additional speakers, festival news, and information for both first-time and regular PLAF attendees will be published on the site.
Promised Land Art Festival is organized by CD PROJEKT RED. The event is held under the auspices of Łódź City Council as part of the “Łódź Creates (“Łódź Kreuje”) and “EC1 Łódź – The City of Culture” (“EC1 Łódź – Miasto Kultury”) promotional programs.
About Promised Land Art Festival
Promised Land Art Festival brings together professionals working in film, gaming, and other creative industries. Focusing on the exchange of knowledge and experience, the event plays host to dozens of activities: from hands-on workshops, talks, and demos to Q&A and networking sessions. Leading and collaborating in these are speakers from some of the most recognizable brands in the industry. The festival is organized by acclaimed games developer CD PROJEKT RED and held under the auspices of Łódź City Council as part of the “Łódź Creates (“Łódź Kreuje”) and “EC1 Łódź – The City of Culture” (“EC1 Łódź – Miasto Kultury”) promotional programs.
About CD PROJEKT RED
CD PROJEKT RED is a game development studio founded in 2002. It develops and publishes video games for PCs and video game consoles. The studio’s flagship titles include the futuristic RPG Cyberpunk 2077, its spy-thriller expansion Phantom Liberty, and The Witcher series of games, including The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and its two expansions. In collaboration with Studio Trigger, CD PROJEKT RED also created the award-winning Netflix anime series Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, set in the same universe as the game. Other games developed by the studio include Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales and GWENT: The Witcher Card Game. Together with GOG.COM, a game store offering hand-picked titles for PC and Mac, CD PROJEKT RED is part of the CD PROJEKT Group. CD PROJEKT S.A. is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (ISIN: PLOPTTC00011).
Developer Little Chicken Embraces the Vampire Lifestyle with Upcoming Simulation Game Blending Farming, Crafting, Mystery, and Romance; XSEED Games to Publish in North America
London, U.K. – 9 May 2024 — Marvelous Europe today announced an agreement with Dutch developers Little Chicken to publish their in-development supernatural life sim title Moonlight Peaks in Europe and Australia in 2026. Sister company XSEED Games jointly announced that they will publish the title in North America, targeting a simultaneous release. Moonlight Peaks will join the growing library of third-party indie titles published by Marvelous Europe, complementing their internally developed catalogue of titles by Marvelous Inc.
Moonlight Peaks takes place in its titular town, home to vampires, werewolves, mermaids, and other supernatural denizens who mostly come out at night—where the unnatural is the norm. As the grown-up progeny of Count Dracula, players will have to prove to their sceptical father that an (un-)life of compassion is possible, even for the undead. While players design their perfect vampire lair and learn the art of farming magical crops and witchcraft, they’ll get to know the eclectic mix of human and supernatural residents that also call Moonlight Peaks home, and maybe even find their eternal love! More information about the setting and features of Moonlight Peaks will be revealed at a later date, but players can download a new demo on PC right now for a glimpse at the haunted haven that awaits.
“We always look for projects that offer our audience diverse new titles with our indie publishing efforts, but this time we’ve found a project that’s much closer to home,” said Kenji Hosoi, Executive Vice President of XSEED Games. “Moonlight Peaks is a supernatural fit given our deep experience with the farming/life sim genre, and we look forward to working with the team at Little Chicken to bring their game to life, and our fans!”
“Partnering with Marvelous and their group of companies for a worldwide release was an opportunity we were excited to accept,” said Yannis Bolman, President of Little Chicken Game Company. “As pioneers in the farming and life-sim genre with Story of Seasons and then the Rune Factory series, we were thrilled to be invited into their family. Moonlight Peaks will fit seamlessly into their publishing portfolio, and we hope to introduce fans of those series to our own innovative and unique ideas for the genre.”
Key Features ● Live the vampire life in the magical town of Moonlight Peaks ● Master the art of potions and spells ● Manage your supernatural farm ● Make friends with the local werewolves, witches, and mermaids, and find your eternal love in the supernatural dating scene ● More to come!
Developed by Little Chicken and published in Europe and Australia by Marvelous Europe, Moonlight Peaks is currently in development for Windows PC via Steam. The game will be published in North America by XSEED Games.
Brave fans can embrace their dark sides and stay up to date with Moonlight Peaks via their official website.
About Marvelous Europe
Marvelous Europe is the publisher behind Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin, Cuisineer, and Leximan and a wholly owned subsidiary of Marvelous Inc., developer of the beloved Story of Seasons and Rune Factory series. Established in 2012, Marvelous Europe is passionate about helping games to reach a global audience while nurturing emerging developers and studios. With decades of experience and strong ties to the worldwide indie game dev community, the highly skilled European team is committed to supporting studios worldwide find success, while continuing to publish and distribute select Marvelous Inc. content.
While many know of the great late Akira Toriyama for his Dragon Ball franchise, the legendary mangaka and designer had contributed to countless games and properties throughout the years, ranging from classics like Chrono Trigger and Dragon Quest to some under-appreciated gems like Blue Dragon. As such, when it was revealed that a one volume manga he wrote back in 2000 would be given both a film, net animation, and a game, it seemed like a great way to continue to celebrate his past works. Sadly, despite being announced and nearly finished, Toriyama’s sudden passing on March 1st leaves Sand Land as one of the last projects the legend had worked on. This places a lot of weight on the shoulders of a cross-media game built around a single volume manga, but does Sand Land manage to deliver?
Story
After humanity’s latest war, the land has found itself devastated to the point of no return. In fact, the people have come to call it Sand Land where water is scarce and the small clusters of humanity must continue to pay tribute to the Royal Army. In an effort to put a stop to the water shortage, a human army veteran turned sheriff by the name of Rao seeks help from the unlikeliest of places, the “horrible” fiends. Considering their mostly secluded nature, the fiends are anything but as prince Beelzebub sees this as a perfect chance for adventure, plus the reward of a classic gaming console only helps to sweeten the deal. Beelzebub drags along one of his fellow fiends by the name of Thief to begin adventuring for the Legendary Spring in a story that tells not only the entirety of what was provided in the original source material but expands upon said material and goes even further beyond it.
As mentioned before, Sand Land was only fourteen chapters that were compiled into a larger than average volume originally but this was back in 2000. With Toriyama’s direct input and assistance, the story of the original volume has been expanded upon throughout the initial narrative, including a brand new main character to accompany Beelzebub, as well as additional characters and encounters for the Prince of Fiends. As such, even those familiar with the original material will find plenty to enjoy here, especially in the latter half of the story where the story progresses entirely past the manga to the point that the group ends up in the unknown “Forest Land.”
That being said, this is far from a dire and serious journey despite the high stakes involved. This means that those looking for drama and unexpected twists will be left a bit wanting by a fairly straightforward story. That being said, Sand Land‘s expanded tale is one that may not be ground-breaking but is still rather enjoyable thanks in part to the characters themselves, who do get some solid backstory and development, and how much effort has gone into world-building. As players travel through the world on their various vehicles Beelzebub and his companions will talk with one another, make various remarks during missions, and more. It also helps that the game features an extra bonus for completing side-quests that most open world style games don’t.
As players complete side-quests, often with fully realized characters giving the quests out even if the quests themselves are mundane, the rewards are often threefold. Players receive the general reward and some extra story content but they will likely also see the home base of Spino be developed as well. Spino, when players arrive, is basically a skeleton of a town but the more active the player is with taking on side-content they can see it flourish, something that is a nice touch for an RPG such as this that continues to emphasize just how much effort the team went into developing the world of Sand Land alongside its well-written characters.
Gameplay
Sand Land is a bit of a unique blend of an action RPG as players will spend most of their time traveling around the open world inside of one of many different types of vehicles they will eventually obtain. Generally this will be the faithful highly customizable tank that can deal out as much damage as it can take, the speedy motorbike, or even machines with more specialized uses such as those used to move heavy items or reach high locations. Players will carry around, and can swap quickly, between up to five vehicles at a time through a very familiar capsule system. There are of course times where players will see Beelzebub and the group traveling around on foot or even fighting, but in these moments players will actually only be in control of Beelzebub, with his allies, Rao and Thief, only jumping in with assists once certain skills have been unlocked.
The primary tank offers both its main damage dealing cannon that players can use to take out enemy tanks, target boss weak points, or decimate smaller targets, as well as a secondary weapon that usually is used to dispatch smaller threats. Of course, the biggest part of the tank comes with the customization element. Players can find and even refine extra parts and weaponry for their tank to make it deal extra damage, move a bit quicker, take more damage etc. This level of customization is quite in-depth with different weapons having varying stats that players can fiddle with to their heart’s content. That being said, those worried that the game may be too difficult won’t have to worry here, even on Hard most encounters even with bosses were simple to take on as long as players are prepared, though those looking to coast by can easily do so on Normal.
Beyond the tank the other vehicles like the motorbike, dirt buggy, and others have a variety of different weapon types of their own. This allows for plenty of ways to tackle nearly every situation though nothing says power like a tank shell. Of course, there are also moments where players must take part in various platforming sections using the Jump-Bot and these are rather mundane but compared to that, a late-game and incredibly powerful bot that we won’t spoil here makes players feel like a real powerhouse, even compared to the tank itself.
Now, as mentioned before, there are times that Beelzebub will take fights head-on with his fists and these are far more simplistic. There is a lock-on and dodging system as well as light and heavy attacks to deal out damage to foes including “Dark” skills to eliminate threats that require meter to use. Some attacks from enemies cannot be blocked and players will need to dodge out of the way but thanks to a fairly floaty combat system, players will find this quite awkward at times. It also must be said that the game makes use of strange stealth sections that feel like the development team was “checking boxes” in a development list. These sections have either Thief or Beelzebub sneaking around and instantly failing should they be caught even though Beelzebub can “scare” enemy soldiers with stealth takedowns and it is shown through the story that standard bullets barely bruise Beelzebub so why these are included at all feels a bit strange.
As mentioned before, the side-quests that are on offer throughout Sand Land may not be the most unique at times, but they are well designed. Watching the town of Spino grow and offer new options for players, including a little house that they can decorate, is a nice little optional activity and reward beyond simply offering extra loot and experience points. It is also nice to note that while traveling through the game with vehicles, especially the speedier motorbike, is the primary way to travel players do eventually unlock the option to fast travel between towns and various water outposts that they have unlocked, making progression to and from areas they’ve been to before far quicker and reducing backtracking.
Audio & Visuals
Sand Land is just oozing with Akira Toriyama’s signature art style and it does a wonderful job making the characters and vehicles look memorable here. Every primary character, including the new ones only in the game, have that signature touch and it makes the experience all the better for it, especially in regards to the designs of the Fiends. Obviously a desert setting isn’t’ the most striking around but the development team did a solid job here, especially in the latter half of the game. It also helps that throughout our time with the game we never encountered any form of slowdown and load times during cutscenes and fast travel were instant.
The voice work throughout the game is handled well, though sometimes it doesn’t seem as if the English voice actor is quite matching just how eccentric some of the character motions can be during some of the more comedic scenes. That being said, it appears that all of the English voice actors, as well as the Japanese voice actors, have returned to reprise their role for the game from the recently released film and net animation. As for the soundtrack, Sand Land features a fairly solid collection of background music that is fitting with the setting but doesn’t feature any standout track.
Overall
Sand Land makes for a solid game that offers players plenty to do without ever really feeling overwhelming. Its straightforward story has moments of greatness and this is helped by the fact that the characters are handled so well and it is all wrapped up in Akira Toriyama’s signature stylings. Combine this with some wonderful tank combat that is limited by its melee mechanics and unnecessary stealth sections and Sand Land may feel like a mixed bag at times but comes together to be a little gem of an action RPG, and one that fans of Akira Toryiama will certainly adore.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
Playtest will allow early player access to Pink Moon’s Revolutionary Web3 MMORPG Experience
9th May 2024:Pink Moon Studios, the visionary studio behind the groundbreaking KMON franchise, today announces the upcoming community playtest of its highly anticipated cross-platform MMORPG: World of Kogaea. The playtest – Assault on Poachers’ Lodge – marks a significant milestone in the development of the KMON gaming universe, offering players the opportunity to contribute to the build of the unique world before the full game launch later this year.
Players will face the ultimate challenge in World of Kogaea’s dungeons, where they can delve into as-yet-unseen depths, battle epic bosses, and fight to emerge victorious. In WoK’s dungeons players will go up against a series of increasingly difficult bosses, including a variety of mobs, alongside a team of living Kryptomons. Within the dungeon, the WoK community must collaborate and strategise to upskill, complete levels and win unique loot.
A $50,000 Prize Pool for the most brave and skilled players
All players who join the Community Playtest will compete in two leaderboards with a prize pool of $50,000, which will be paid in the $KMON in-game currency. The first leaderboard will be ranked based on number of dungeon completions.
The second leaderboard ranks players based on the amount of collected raffle tickets which can be earned by killing creatures, bosses and mobs in the dungeon and the open world. These raffle tickets can be used to enter the big prize giveaway at the end of the playtest.
As the cherry on the top, all players who complete the daily quest earn unique Pink Moon Shard NFTs, worth up to $150.
In World of Kogaea, players are transported to a captivating realm where humans and the elemental creatures Kryptomon coexist in harmony. Drawing inspiration from beloved classic MMO World of Warcraft and beloved character-based Pokémon, this cross-platform MMORPG promises an unforgettable gaming experience enhanced by cutting-edge blockchain technology.
The playtest invites you to explore the enchanting landscapes of Kogaea, and embark on epic quests with their Kryptomon companions who each have their unique DNA, capabilities and elemental powers. Together the community can engage in dynamic gameplay that transcends traditional web2 boundaries.
The Trainer Hub – a unique versatile Web3 toolkit
Connecting the entirety of the gameplay for users, Pink Moon Studios has developed an innovative new companion tool called the Trainer Hub. The Hub acts as a one-stop shop where players can access all games, sell or buy items and Kryptomons on the marketplace with other players, and evolve their pets into juniors or adults.
The Trainer Hub enables players to level up their items in the crafting shop and breed new Kryptomons, empowering users to increase their team and control the total supply of the ecosystem.
An Introduction to the KMON Franchise
Within the KMON Franchise you’ll find three Web3-powered triple-A games centered around living Kryptomons. These are digital creatures, living on the blockchain – each with its own DNA, capabilities and elemental powers – that allow you access to play all games: World of Kogaea (MMORPG), Genesis (Turn-based RPG), and Pink Moon (AR-powered Treasurehunt).
Umberto Canessa Cerchi, Founder and CEO of Pink Moon Studios, says “Our vision at Pink Moon Studios transcends traditional gameplay; we’re crafting not just a game, but a universe— with our cross-platform Web3 MMO World of Kogaea as the launch pad. We aim to create a living, breathing world where players’ actions have a real impact, fostering a community that thrives on creativity and collaboration. Our journey with KMON is about crafting an aspirational future where every boundary is pushed, and every horizon expanded. We’re excited by the launch of the playtest as it gives players a unique first glance to explore the game and their opportunity to control its future development.”
Brian Bento, Chief Product Officer and SVP Development at Pink Moon Studios, says “At the heart of our MMO’s seamless multiplayer experience is what we call ‘networking magic,’ a powerful technology inspired by diverse fields from missile defence to medical imaging. Our algorithms utilize advanced 3D spatial hashmaps for data synchronization, ensuring a seamless, zero-lag multiplayer experience even with a high number of users online simultaneously. The concept is visualized as a giant cube made up of smaller Rubik’s cubes, where each player is at the center of their cube. The game’s algorithms dynamically sync data based on the proximity of other players within these cubes. As players move away from the center, data is synchronized less frequently, optimizing performance and scalability. This innovative approach ensures that our players’ experiences are smooth and immersive, no matter the scale of action around them, which they can trial in this playtest.”
About Pink Moon Studios Founded in 2021, Pink Moon Studio is a team of experienced gamers and hardcore tech team focused on delivering triple-A games with the power of Web3 technologies. Currently working on the first franchise KMON, and its living Kryptomons, followed and supported by a community of over 200K players who value our seamless, uncompromised player-first approach.
By leveraging blockchain technology, it gives back asset ownership to gamers and aligns (monetary) incentives. All without compromising the fun and quality of gameplay.
The KMON Franchise centers around the living Kryptomons. These are digital creatures, living on the blockchain – each with its own DNA, capabilities and elemental powers. With a Kryptomon you can access and play all games in the KMON Franchise. Games in the franchise include World of Kogaea, Genesis and Pink Moon.
New DLC featuring 10 tracks and exclusive skins to launch at the same time on PC, consoles
MELBOURNE — May 8, 2024 — Spin Rhythm XD, the action-packed intergalactic rhythm game with the juiciest beats in the universe, brings the noise to PlayStation 4|5, PSVR2, and Steam VR as a free update on Tuesday, July 9, 2024.
Alongside the new VR and PlayStation launches, developer Super Spin Digital partnered with Chillhop Music to deliver 10 jazzy new tracks and skins in the latest DLC, available on all released platforms. Find the perfect flow with mellow tunes from L’Indecis, Ian Ewing, Eli Way, The Kount, and more. Spin, flick, and tap to head-bopping beats while unlocking DLC exclusive wheel and UI skins.
Enter the Rhythm Dimension in an exciting new way with immersive VR gameplay. Feel the pulse and thump of every note in a body-grooving, rhythm-infused world of sounds and colors. Bump up the volume to master precise movements and timing, syncing up with more than 60 tracks to secure the top spot on the global leaderboards.
Spin to one of five difficulties, mastering rhythm and hand-eye coordination with a comprehensive selection of accessibility options including custom colors, track speeds, visuals, and more. Control each beat and motion with controller support for VR, mouse and keyboard, DualSense (including the touchpad!), Xbox, and for the true DJs out there, actual MIDI DJ turntables (available on PC only).
“When it came to creating the ultimate rhythm game experience, we were excited to introduce Spin Rhythm XD to new consoles and VR headsets,“ said Dave Curro, co-founder of Super Spin Digital. “Music as a medium should be experienced by as many people in as many ways possible. Whether it’s chasing the perfect high score or indulging in a rich audio and visual experience with VR, we made Spin Rhythm XD for you.”
Spin Rhythm XD is currently available on Nintendo Switch, Mac, and PC via Steam with support for English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish languages. For more information on Spin Rhythm XD visit the official website, Twitter and Discord.
About Super Spin Digital
Super Spin Digital was founded to create the best games possible without the crunch and stress experienced so readily in the games industry. Focusing on rhythm games, Super Spin Digital is dedicated to bringing the golden age of gaming into the future.
For more information on Super Spin Digital, please visit their official website.
COLUMBUS, OH — May 8, 2024 —Designated Demigod, a turn-based combo RPG about stringing together flashy attacks, developed by AN Productions and published by Armor Games Studios, delivers a Spin Kick on consoles and PC via Steam in 2025.
Orphaned by a catastrophic explosion at the Mountain Research Center 15 years earlier, protagonist Signy becomes suspicious when tremors re-emerge near her village. Convinced another disaster looms, Signy and her trusted pup Mino set out toward the research center where, unbeknownst to them, scientist Dr. Stelzer has awakened the resentful Mountain God, Auger.
Dance around in delightful combo-heavy combat, toggling between Signy and Mino as you fling foes into the air with Mino’s Nose Launch, unleash Signy’s blazing Firestorm, and deliver a devastating follow-up finisher. Execute intricately timed attacks, layering movesets to land the perfect blow and eliminate Dr. Stelzer’s underlings. Craft spectacular combos alongside your canine companion, with all of the fighting game flashiness in distinctly original turn-based RPG fashion.
Explore a vast overworld ripe with diverse biomes, navigating underground tunnels, scaling beachside cliffs, infiltrating the sinister Research Center, and uncovering the mysteries of the Mirror Temple. Encounter peculiar and memorable NPCs along the way, including Baba, Signy’s caring grandmother, ex-gods, a cursed former warrior, and many more.
Take on godlike responsibilities as the world rests its hopes unduly upon Signy’s shoulders, and experience the tale of an underdog heroine in an adventure full of perseverance, heart, and determination, all accompanied by gorgeous hand-drawn character art and striking 3D environments.
“Designated Demigod is a heartfelt adventure tackling themes of hardship while highlighting the unspoken burdens of becoming the hero,” said Shawn Tanner, Owner and Lead Developer at AN Productions. “I’ve always dreamed of creating a turn-based RPG incorporating fighting game mechanics without the technical barrier associated with the genre, so I hope fans and newcomers of both genres find something to love here.”
AN Productions has been creating games for over two decades, mostly in the web and mobile space. Their past titles include Soda Dungeon, Territory War, and the Escape Series. Designated Demigod is their first commercial and console release.
About Armor Games Studios
From its roots as a popular portal for online gaming, Armor Games Studios is a publisher that aims to work directly with and help foster talented indie developers to create unique and engaging games of all types for all platforms. For more information, visit www.armorgamesstudios.com, and follow the company on Twitter @ArmorGameStudio.
Sydney, Australia, 9th May 2024 – PLAION, a leading global publisher and developer of video games is proud to announce today a partnership with video game studio Evil Raptor to bring their 3D, action-adventure platformer, Akimbot, to gamers.
Evil Raptor is a French independent studio with a core team of eight who develop ‘classic’ games aiming to revive the essence of 3D platform games from the early PlayStation era. Evil Raptor was founded in 2020, following the successful release of their inaugural game Pumpkin Jack and have been passionately developing Akimbot over the last four years.PLAION will publish Evil Raptor’s brand-new action-adventure, Akimbot.
In Akimbot, you will play as Exe, an outlaw robot with his unexpected sidekick, Shipset, as you blast your way through armies of robots, control spaceships and forge your own path on a mission to save the universe from impending doom! Set in a sci-fi world where only robots exist, travel the galaxy and experience non-stop robot mayhem and explosive action! Their journey begins the way many great stories do – with a prison break.
Akimbot features:
A rich, vibrant, unpredictable universe,
epic action and diverse enemies,
unique, action-adventure platformer gameplay, and
a huge arsenal of weapons to hone your combat style with.
Hold on to your circuits and get ready for an action-packed adventure as you join Exe and Shipset on this riveting journey across the universe, coming to Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam later this year.
EvilRaptor is a small French independent studio founded in 2020. Comprised of eight people, they are passionate about making games and sparking joy in people’s minds. After the success following the release of Pumpkin Jack in 2020, they were able to formally create Evil Raptor and engage more people to work on their newest project, Akimbot!
About PLAION
PLAION is a dynamic and diversified business in the global entertainment sector, masterfully crafting franchises that captivate audiences worldwide. Boasting a vast network of eight game development studios, sixteen regional publishing offices, three game publishing labels including Deep Silver, and PLAION PICTURES as an independent film publisher and distributor, the company extends its influence with merchandise production and expansive distribution capabilities across the globe.
Founded nearly three decades ago, PLAION has firmly established itself within the entertainment arena. With a diverse range of services and solutions, PLAION stands as the premier publishing partner for console and PC games across both physical and digital channels. Moreover, its strong foothold in the Virtual Reality (VR) domain highlights the company’s commitment to varied gaming experiences.
It’s dangerous to go alone! Take two friends on every journey via 3-player multiplayer
LAS VEGAS, NV — May 8th, 2024 — Quest Master, the dungeon-designing sandbox adventure from publisher Apogee Entertainment and developer Skydevilpalm, drag-and-drops an Early Access release date into place on PC via Steam May 29, 2024. An expanded and hugely updated demo will also go live today.
Forge the story of Lanze, Javelynn and Shiv — the hero, heroine, and furry sidekick — by creating hand-crafted dungeons in a vibrant pixel art setting reminiscent of ‘90s top-down adventure classics. Fashion story-rich adventures or skill-testing obstacle courses for up to three adventurers at once, then share creations online with the Quest Master community complete with filtering options and ratings.
In the new demo, utilize updated building tools to fabricate perilous journeys and perplexing puzzle-filled dungeons across multiple themes, including ornate temples, volcanic caverns, and labyrinthine lairs. Train for combat in the dojo,and test one’s luck in mini-games for prizes like Lucky’s Locks where heroes hunt for a loot-filled chest hidden amongst empty containers.
Dream up multi-tiered dungeons filled with levers, timed switches, and moving platforms, then add infinite verticality with stairwells and abyssal holes. Guide progress signposts that point towards key locations and doors that lock upon entry and reward successfully cleared rooms with treasure chests filled with stat-boosting items.
Equip a trusty sword, a long-range bow, wall-shattering bombs, and attack-augmenting magical rings. Face a menagerie of monsters including skeletons, bats, and snakes that can drop helpful hearts and arrows when defeated. Place proximity-triggered hindrances including flaming traps and retracting ground spikes, and deploy bosses inside insidious lairs that mix battle mechanics with tricky terrain.
“Our community has been very supportive and vocal, and we’re happy to implement some of their requests in both the Early Access launch and the new demo,” said Julian Creutz, Lead Developer of Quest Master. ”The user-created dungeons we’ve seen from demo players have been mind-blowing, and we can’t wait to provide even more creative tools to quest masters around the world.”
Quest Master launches in Early Access on Steam and GOG on May 29, 2024, with English and German 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 Masterand Apogee Entertainment.
About Skydevilpalm
Skydevilpalm is a small development team based in Las Vegas. The team is involved with several projects from mobile games like Trigger Heroes and reimagining of the classic arcade title Q*bert, as well as being guest artists on the handcrafted platformer Super One More Jump on Switch, with Quest Master being their latest project of many.
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.
Time may be frozen in the chronospheres, but the demo’s only on Steam for a limited time
MELBOURNE, Australia – May 8, 2024 –Enter the Chronosphere, the psychedelic turn-based bullet hell roguelike developed by Effort Star and published by Joystick Ventures, opens the doors of strategic perception in Steam’s Endless Replayability Fest with the Steam debut of a demo available only from Monday, May 13 to Monday, May 20.
Enter the Chronosphere combines the “think three steps ahead” aspect of turn-based tactics with the intensity of real-time action. Inside the time-consuming, space-corrupting chronospheres, time only advances when undertaking actions. Every attack, step, reload, weapon swap, or conscious wait action moves the clock, so tactical thinking triumphs over honed reflexes.
Enemies come loaded for bear, but thankfully Urtar, the bearzerker of the crew, comes loaded with a powerful Kinetic Surge that can destroy projectiles and send enemies flying. Marcia, seemingly the last human in the universe, can dodge roll to tumble through bullets in clutch moments. Experiment with these two characters in the demo, with more in development.
Wield genre-bending multidimensional weapons including tried and true revolvers straight out of the old West, insectoid stingers capable of yoinking then stabbing foes, face-melting Disintegrators, and so, so many more. Discover passive and active items to accentuate strengths or shore up weaknesses, from bullet-buffing monocles to bullet-negating heel spurs.
Endless Replayability Fest represents the first chance for the global public to play the commercial version of Enter the Chronosphere after a stellar debut at PAX East including multiple mentions as one of the best games of the show. The demo station regularly saw 90-minute lines including multiple repeat attempts to reach the end of the demo’s chronosphere.
“While we were hesitant to share a demo this early, the long lines at PAX have emboldened us. We’re very excited to see how people respond to the demo, especially knowing that it’s just a fraction of what’s to come!” says Rhys Van Der Waerden, Director, Programmer and Producer at Effort Star. “Only 13 people beat the demo at PAX – now let’s see what the rest of the world can do next week!”
Enter the Chronosphere’s new demo will be playable for a limited time throughout the duration of Steam’s Endless Replayability Fest from Monday, May 13 to Monday, May 20 on their official Steam page here. For more information on Enter the Chronosphere, check out developer Effort Star’s official website, follow Effort Star and publisher Joystick Ventures on social media, and join the game’s official Discord.
About Effort Star
Effort Star is an indie game developer based in Melbourne, Australia with a gameplay-first approach to design. Their penchant for facilitating individual play styles is paramount to their game design philosophy, promoting learning and player growth via personalized gameplay to creatively solve procedural problems and overcome in-game obstacles.
About Joystick Ventures
Joystick Ventures is a California-based investing and publishing company whose main goal is to encourage indie developers to stay honest and promote experimentation to push the limits of game design across all genres, styles, and geographies. They are most known for their 2022 release, Lost in Play, which has sold more than 200,000 copies.
