Popping up at Sydney’s Microsoft Experience Centre for a limited-time only, The Lounge Room That Shapes Built (For Xbox) is set to excite gamers and snackers alike

04 April 2024: Xbox ANZ and Arnott’s Shapes have joined forces to bring to life a one-of-a-kind, lounge room experience, where every item has been sprinkled with flavour you can see – literally! From April 4 – May 8, fans can immerse themselves in The Lounge Room That Shapes Built (For Xbox) hosted at the Microsoft Experience Centre in Westfield Sydney.

Whether you’re a Sydneysider or visiting from out of town, you’re going to want to put this stop on your list. With furniture inspired by one of Australia’s most beloved snacks, the custom-built lounge room offers the ultimate sanctuary to power-up with all your favourite Shapes flavours. Fans will also be able to check out the limited-edition Barbecue Shapes Xbox Series X Console.

In the space, Xbox and Shapes fans will find an eye-popping bookshelf carved out with the iconic shape of the savoury snacks housing decorations that look so tasty you could eat them (but not really), a Chicken Crimpy Shapes coffee table, and a Barbecue Shapes lounge that would snap you up a new housemate on Flatmates.com faster than you can say The Lounge Room that Shapes Built (for Xbox).

But that’s not all. For any Aussie who has Barbecue Shapes at the top of their list, there will even be a candle inspired by the most purchased Shapes flavour, inviting visitors to completely submerge themselves into this gaming and snack fusion. So, it’s time to sit back, snack and transport yourself into the latest and greatest games Xbox has on offer, from Forza Motorsport to Party Animals and many more.

Did we hear… free?! That’s right, not only is the whole experience free but visitors can also win big with the first-ever Shapes Xbox Vending Machine. A selection of specially marked Shapes boxes in the machine will reveal an array of instant prizes from Xbox Controllers to Xbox Game Pass codes.

The limited-time pop-up celebrates the third year of Shapes and Xbox teaming up, and in support of Shapes nationwide consumer promotion where Aussies have a chance to win an Xbox Series X Console every single day, as well as 30,000 Xbox Game Pass prizes up for grabs.

Vision and photography opportunities are also available at the Microsoft Experience Centre on request:

• Visual backdrop of The Lounge Room That Shapes Built (For Xbox)
• Vision of the Shapes Vending Machine
• Vision of attendees engaging with The Lounge Room That Shapes Built (For Xbox)
• Customer vox pops of attendees

The Lounge Room That Shapes Built (For Xbox) will take place at the Microsoft Experience Centre at Westfield Sydney from Thursday 4 April – Wednesday, 8 May. Bookings not required.

Consumers can enter the Shapes nationwide consumer promotion by simply purchasing any pack of their favourite Shapes flavour from Coles, Woolworths and independent retailers until May 12. Head to www.shapeswin.com to find out more.

Scan data (sales by number of packets, sweet vs savoury split, state splits): Circana Australia Scan Data, 52 weeks to 15/10/2023

Panel data (Household data, number of households that bought, avg packets bought per year): Circana National Shopper Panel Data, 52 weeks to 08/10/2023

About Microsoft

Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.

About Arnott’s

Arnott’s has been connecting Australians through the sharing of a biscuit for over 150 years and believe there is No Substitute for Quality. Arnott’s proudly employs over 2000 Australians, and more than 99 percent of its products sold in Australia are manufactured locally using many Australian ingredients. Arnott’s supports farmers and local businesses, spending $500 million each year on Australian raw ingredients, packaging and other services. Arnott’s believes Australia’s future is in our families. Each year, the Arnott’s Foundation makes significant, positive contributions to families and organisations

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the way into Season 6, bringing all-new content, rewards and more

Today, 2K revealed that NBA® 2K24 Season 6 features new updates coming to MyCAREER, MyTEAM and The W Online*, introducing some new updates and rewards for fans, with the NBA playoffs on the horizon.

In NBA 2K24 Season 6, players are urged to channel Oklahoma City Thunder star and silky smooth shotmaker Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s fashion sense and adept approach to basketball by expressing themselves on and off the court in style. Compete during Season 6 to earn all-new rewards in-game and through the NBA® 2K24: MyTEAM mobile app, and experience exciting upcoming events in The City and The Neighborhood.

• MyCAREER adds futuristic and spirited rewards alongside all-new content. Rewards include a Level 25 Blonde Frohawk Hairstyle, a Level 30 Go-Kart, a Level 35 Season 6 Race Suit and more. Cruise around The City or The Neighborhood and blast off for out-of-this-world dunks in your Level 39 Mech Space Suit during Season 6. 

• MyTEAM Season 6 features more cards of ranging rarities for you to earn, starting with the Level 1 Free Agent Chet Holmgren card rated as a powerful 98 Overall. MyTEAM Season 6 will also include a Diamond Patty Mills, Level 20 Pink Diamond Jordan Poole, and Level 40 Dark Matter Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. 

• The W Online* features some competitive fun as we prepare for the highly anticipated 2024 WNBA Draft. Complete challenges and earn XP to claim rewards such as an A’ja Wilson Heroine Edition Jersey, MyTEAM Dallas Wings Jersey Card, a Noelle Quinn historic t-shirt and more.

• Season Pass** additions include 40 free items unlockable throughout the Season, and the Season 6 Pro Pass*** unlocks an additional 40 levels featuring premium content, including the Pro Pass Dark Matter Shai Gilgeous-Alexander MyTEAM card, a Ride-in GIANT Mech Suit for new gen, up to 45,000 VC, Skill Boosts, and much more! Players can also enjoy Galaxy Opal Paolo Banchero as the MyTEAM automatic reward in addition to Ripped Patchwork Jorts and a Zip-up Jacket that can be worn three ways as the automatic MyCAREER rewards.

For all the details for Season 6 of NBA 2K24, check out the latest Courtside Report. NBA 2K24 is currently available for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC platforms. For more information, please visit the game’s official website. 

Developed by Visual Concepts, NBA 2K24 is rated PG.

Visual Concepts is a 2K studio. 2K is a wholly owned publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).

*The W Online mode and related content are available for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S new gen consoles only.

**NBA 2K24 Season Pass FREE rewards require unlocking with gameplay. NBA 2K24 Pro Season Passes and Hall of Fame Passes are available for separate purchase and require base game, internet connection and NBA 2K Account. Paid premium Passes unlock additional rewards for the Season that are earnable through gameplay. Progress and rewards reset at the end of each Season. For more information on Season Pass, go to https://nba.2k.com/2k24/season-pass/.

***NBA 2K24 Pro Pass requires the base game, internet connection and NBA 2K Account.

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Nintendo Switch version planned for launch alongside full release in 2025

SEATTLE – April 3, 2024 – Azoove, the co-op roguelite card game about surviving a journey through cursed desert dunes from developer Timeless Toucan, dares duos to persist through disaster and dismay on Windows, Mac, and Linux (compatible with Steam Deck) via Steam Early Access now!

Team up with an adventurous companion in online co-op on a life-changing expedition to return a book to break a curse. Persevere throughout the trek in the form of Opportunities and trigger Hero Powers to sway the odds, manage rations, and maintain mental health. Beware the fiend Ur’gan, who throws new disasters at the adventurers each day, placing the unprepared in peril.

Inspired by classic tabletop games, half of each round, the duo must face the danger in silence with no communication, so take care and make each move with caution. Develop an intuition for what the other person needs and how they play so that each run boasts the best chance of success.  

Choose from four heroes with distinct powers: Sage, who can conjure rations, Rin’s group healing power, Auri’s ability to reduce despair, and Oriana who can give herself a Blessing that can improve a card at the right moment. Earn progress with each attempt, unlocking new deck options and harder difficulties for maximum replayability.

“Azoove combines my love of tabletop gaming with the possibilities that come with deckbuilders,” said Daniel Milo, founder of Timeless Toucan. “Those who play Azoove in Early Access will help shape the game’s future, including the Nintendo Switch version and a potential tabletop incarnation that you may get to demo at events!”

Azoove is available now for $12.99 with a 10% launch discount for Windows, Mac, and Linux (with Steam Deck compatibility) via Steam Early Access. Pick up a two-copy bundle at a discount, and the soundtrack also available today. A Nintendo Switch version is also planned once Early Access ends. For more information, join Azoove’s Discord, follow Timeless Toucan on Twitter and visit the game’s official website. 

About Timeless Toucan

Timeless Toucan is a Seattle-based game developer that prioritizes the togetherness games can bring to players. Comprised of industry veterans, they aspire to build timelessness into their games with a focus on collaborative and accessible complexity to highlight the educational and relationship-building aspects of games in a positive light.

LILLE, France — 3 April 2024 — Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge, the cozy frog sanctuary farming sim developed by Humble Reeds and published by Armor Games Studios, makes a splash on Nintendo Switch, simultaneously launching alongside the previously-announced PC version in 2024.

Step into the shoes of Cleo, who finds herself in need of a much deserved break. Reconnecting with her childhood friend Axel, Cleo makes her way back home to help him on a restoration project, where together, they will rebuild their local wetlands and foster a home for Axel’s favorite critters – frogs!

Transform the wetlands from a withered wasteland into a soothing sanctuary. Place furniture throughout this blank canvas, including comfy sofas, slippery slides, or refreshing bathtubs for more than 500 froggy friends across 8 different species to enjoy! Collect resources and craft them into goods to sell for additional funds for improving the retreat.

Dig ponds, practice paludiculture – that’s a fancy word for wetland crops! – and welcome friendly visitors to attract as many colorful croakers as possible. The more frogs that enter the sanctuary, the more variations Cleo and Axel will discover. Fill out the Frogedex by photographing and documenting new breeds, each with their own patterns and preferences in food. Meet a dozen different characters ready to help restore the wetlands in 3 distinct biomes.

Sit back, relax, and play this cozy froggy farming simulator at any pace while basking in vibrant visuals inspired by calming watercolor art. Set to a quaint atmosphere and lighthearted soundtrack, this adorable amphibian adventure evokes plenty of joy and lovely charm. 

“Kamaeru will inspire a greater appreciation for nature and its delicate ecosystems among cozy gamers around the world,” said Dan McNeely, CEO & Founder of Armor Games Studios. “We hope all gamers who play on Nintendo Switch enjoy this relaxing yet meaningful experience with a wholesome message about building and restoring a nurturing environment for the creatures that need it most.”

Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge arrives on Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam in 2024 in English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese. For more information, follow Kamaeru and Armor Games Studios on Twitter/X, and visit the official website. 

About Humble Reeds

Humble Reeds is a video game development studio created in 2022 by two experienced co-founders looking to give a new meaning to their respective careers, focusing on projects with positive societal impact.

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.

iam8bit is breaking open its vault of previously sold-out items, including a treasure trove of vinyl soundtracks for Supergiant Games’ catalog and the Persona series, as well as Annapurna’s massive games collection. The Restockalypse event starts April 3, 2024, at 9 a.m. PDT. Check it out at iam8bit.com.

• Annapurna Interactive Deluxe Limited Edition Collection (Nintendo Switch) ($199.99) – This massive collection features 12 Annapurna-published games (including four previously unreleased physical games), such as Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition, Neon White, and What Remains of Edith Finch all on one Nintendo Switch cartridge. It also features an art book with statements from each game’s developers and an exclusive Annapurna Interactive console and cartridge case.

• Gris 2xLP Vinyl Soundtrack ($42.99) –  To describe Gris as simply a game is to tell only a fraction of the story. This stunning debut from Barcelona’s Nomada Studio is a transcendent experience – an artistic odyssey through a world of color – impossibly imaginative landscapes and jaw-dropping architecture. It’s a cathartic hero’s journey, not simply punctuated by sound, but driven by a haunting score that fully transports the listener to a watercolor-infused paradise. In an intimate collaboration with Nomada, we’ve created 2xLP that exudes fantastic beauty. This is a treasure for any vinyl collector to behold.

• Hades: Original Soundtrack 4xLP ($89.99) – This 4xLP release features 30 songs (two and a half hours of music!) from composer Darren Korb and vocal work by Ashley Barrett. Each package is designed by Jesse Tan and features artwork by Jen Zee. The restocked original edition is pressed on 150g Smoke Gray vinyl. A new iam8bit-exclusive variant is pressed on Smoke Red vinyl. If that’s not enough, you also get a digital download of the release.

• Persona 3 Vinyl Soundtrack 4xLP ($100) – This 4xLP is a fully remastered-for-vinyl soundtrack featuring P3’s most popular music. Fan-favorite bangers include “Burn My Dread,” “Mass Destruction,” “The Battle for Everyone’s Souls,” and other similarly forebodingly named tracks. This premium box set, with album art by Drew Wise, includes a customization sticker sheet and postcards.

• Persona 4 Vinyl Soundtrack 4xLP ($100) –  In stark contrast to P3’s more melancholy tunes, P4 is strikingly upbeat, consistently drenching the listener in “retro pop” feels — a highly enjoyable curation that can seamlessly loop in the background for eternity. This Premium Box Set also includes an exclusive customization sticker sheet and postcard pack.

• Persona 5 Vinyl Soundtrack – The Essential Edition 4xLP ($100) – Persona 5 is a massive and epic opus of a game – the kind of 100-hour-plus JRPG journey that it is impossible to peel away from. The soundtrack is equally epic, featuring hours of jazzy, poppy, energetic musical magic that you’ll find yourself unconsciously whistling throughout the day. From upbeat vocally driven songs (many featuring the incomparable throaty gusto of Japanese soul singer Lyn Inaizumi) to more contemplative, instrumental riffs, it’s an impressive ensemble of tunes.

• The Songs of Supergiant Games: 10th Anniversary Orchestral Collection ($32.99) – Featuring the most memorable songs from Supergiant Games’ first 10 years as a studio, this collection was re-recorded in Studio Two at Abbey Road Studio. Composer and audio director Darren Korb supervised the production, sang, and played guitar on the album, while Ashley Barrett sang on every song, and superstar video game composer Austin Wintory composed an orchestral arrangement.  It features premium audio quality with a translucent red 180g disc, housed in a distinctive red jacket and with a full-color, 24-page booklet with lyrics and trivia for each song. Purchases also include an instant download of the album in both MP3 and FLAC file formats. Celebrate 10 unforgettable years of Supergiant Games with this essential piece of indie game history. Limited Quantities!

• Steven Universe 4×10″ Vinyl Set ($49.99) – This set, designed in close collaboration with Steven Universe creator Rebecca Sugar, features four 10” translucent colored vinyl in gatefold jackets featuring lovely shimmery warp and ornate embossments. The soundtrack features 37 songs — a.k.a the complete Vol. 1 soundtrack! — and art by Chromosphere.

• Transistor: Original Soundtrack Vinyl by Supergiant Games ($42.99) – This deluxe double LP features the award-winning soundtrack by Darren Korb with vocals by Ashley Barrett, artwork by Jen Zee, 180-gram Milky Clear vinyl, and a digital download of the extended version of the game’s soundtrack. iam8bit is also releasing an exclusive new variant on Red & Teal Vinyl.

For more information, please visit iam8bit.com.

Bordeaux, France (April 3, 2024) – Motion Twin, the indie developers behind the smash-hit rogue-lite Dead Cells, today provided a fresh look at their newest game – Windblown. Featuring explosive, fast-paced single-player and co-operative action, Windblown invites players to dash like a bolt of lightning and destroy dangerous foes when it launches on Steam Early Access later this year.

Watch the new gameplay trailer below:

In Windblown, players will leap with speed through vast, ever-changing islands in the sky as they use a variety of powerful weapons to destroy the Sentinels – deadly minions of the Vortex that threaten their home. Movement is simple yet precise, with dashes launching the player between floating islands and platforms, evading deadly Sentinel assaults and advancing towards the player’s next inevitable encounter. From the first leap into the Autumn biome and beyond, players will overcome countless adversaries whilst picking up different Weapons, Trinkets, Gifts and Fish to help unleash their Leaper’s full potential.

During a run, Windblown players will uncover a diverse arsenal of weaponry they can use to customize their expeditions into the unknown. Whether found in hidden treasure chests or dropped by defeated bosses, each weapon has a unique rhythm and strengths to consider when developing your ideal playstyle. With two weapons at their disposal at any time via simple button presses and easy-to-use Alterattacks that unleash the secret move of one weapon by using the other throughout an encounter, players are encouraged to mix up their playstyle and stay on their toes as they venture onward. Crystallize attacks can also be used to devastate enemies with powerful finishers that refill your energy and provide increased rewards – a perfect tool to maximize your chances that only becomes even more powerful when synchronized with other players via co-operative online play. Defeated Leapers return to their home in the sky to regroup and prepare for their next adventure back into danger for another chance at victory, either solo or online through co-op.

Additionally, Trinkets can be collected and unleashed throughout a run, letting Leapers devastate the environment with explosive bombs, chilling frost novas or venomous poison clouds. Gifts can also be unlocked which provide beneficial passive bonuses that can further augment your playstyle, like additional arrows fired at your enemy on any of your weapon hits, Double Alterattacks that can allow dexterous players to chain these powerful moves or bonuses that heal you after killing an enemy.

Furthermore, Fish can also be unlocked during your journey which have hugely beneficial abilities that are certain to leave their mark on the Sentinels. For example, the Gobbling Fish might bounce along in a straight line and swallow an enemy in its path, providing a perfect opportunity to leap forward and attack the ensnared foe (which will also have the bonus effect of granting extra rewards upon being hit). Fish have long cooldowns between uses, so their effectiveness comes into a whole new meaning when combined with the power of additional Leapers through online co-operative play where each player can use their own unique Fish ability at the perfect time. This synergy of weapons, powerful attacks and combos, Trinkets, Gifts and Fish can blend together to make each leaper’s playstyle all their own every time they start a run and can be pushed to the maximum when players team up with others to make truly powerful combinations.

Launching in Early Access later this year, Windblown’s development incorporates active involvement with the game’s community, whose feedback and suggestions are integral to refining the exhilarating gameplay experience. Windblown’s Closed Alpha period recently concluded, with a number of key improvements to the game being incorporated following player feedback, including beefed up versions of Alterattacks plus new and surprising types of enemy encounters to keep players on their toes. Players hoping for a chance to take part in the next closed playtest can sign up for more information on the game’s official website at www.windblown.game.

Windblown will launch in 2024 on Steam Early Access. Fans can Wishlist the game now and follow development updates in the months ahead via the Windblown community page, including opportunities to test the game and provide valuable feedback to the developers at Motion Twin in upcoming beta tests.

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About Motion Twin:

Motion Twin is an indie worker’s cooperative game studio based in France. We’ve been raging at the machines since 2001 and we’ll be doing so for as long as people keep smashing into our games. Our latest game, Dead Cells, has brought joy and tears to 10M+ players around the world.

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS IN BLUE ARCHIVE EVENT “Trip-Trap-Train”

Highlights:

• A chance encounter between Sensei and new students Ichika and Kasumi is explored
• Sonic-type Strikers Ichika and Kasumi enter the battle
• Players can recruit fan favorites Akko and Iori as they return for combat

SEOUL – April 3, 2024 – Popular tactical RPG Blue Archive is pulling into the station with a high-speed event story, “Trip-Trap-Train,” a motley crew of new students and the return of several must-have characters. In the event story, players, along with Sensei and new student Ichika, attempt to secure a relic with tremendous political ramifications for the Tea Party, the Trinity General School’s Student Council, inside the narrow confines of a fast-moving train. With no easy way out, the two are put on a collision course with wanted criminal Kasumi.

Strategic combat and cute, charismatic characters are at the heart of this RPG from NEXON Korea Corp. Players take on the role of Sensei as they mobilize a veritable army of eccentric students for combat against various mysterious forces threatening the academy city of Kivotos. During Recruitment, events and main story updates, new students will join the ranks for players to get acquainted with and recruit for battle, offering a blend of tactical planning and real-time action with a light-hearted, emotional center.

In “Trip-Trap-Train,” players will meet two new Sonic-type students, laid-back Ichika and the mischievous Kasumi. A student from Trinity General School’s Justice Task Force, Ichika’s EX Skill “I Have a Request” deals ATK-scaling damage to enemies in a fan-shaped area and is not to be underestimated despite her calm exterior. Kasumi is a student from Gehenna Academy’s Hot Springs Department. She reduces enemy defense for 25 seconds and deals ATK-scaling damage in a circular area with her EX Skill “Giant Heel Crush”.

Players who join the action-packed thrill ride will also experience:

• Character Recruitment: Akko and Iori Return – Fan favorites Akko and Iori are back for another round of adventure and combat. Players can now recruit these must-have students to their teams and unleash their unique abilities.
• Guide Task “3 Days/Week Workplace Improvement Mission” – In this now immortalized daily mission event, players can complete various tasks to earn valuable currencies like Pyroxene.
• Enhanced Content for Growth – An M difficulty rating has been added to the dungeon-type content Commissions, and the new Shanhaijing Main Special Zone area has been added to Lessons, allowing players to interact with students.
• Bountiful Rewards – Players can obtain event points, Train Tickets, and Document Bags by completing the story and related quests, while additional rewards can be obtained by deploying students from the Justice Task Force, Hot Springs Department, Prefect Team, or Tea Party. Event points can also be traded in the Event Shop for Credits, and event currencies can be traded for various items such as Superior Tactical Training Blu-Rays (Gehenna), Superior Tech Notes (Gehenna), and the Field Day Ref Bench, a charming interactive furniture item perfect for Ichika’s space.

Players can download Blue Archive for free on Google Play, App Store and Galaxy Store. For more information about Blue Archive, players can visit the official communities and the links below:

About NEXON Co., Ltd.

Founded in 1994, NEXON Co., Ltd. (Nexon) (3659.TO) is a company engaged in the production, development and operation of online games and Virtual Worlds. First listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in December 2011, Nexon was placed on JPX400 in 2015 and added to the Nikkei Stock Index 300 in 2017. In 2020, Nexon was added to the Nikkei 225. Nexon currently has more than 45 live games in more than 190 countries on PC, console, and mobile. Major game franchises include MapleStory, KartRider and Dungeon&Fighter. In 2021, Nexon completed the acquisition of Embark Studios AB, a company based in Stockholm, Sweden, developing multiple projects for global release.

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The game will launch on PlayStation and Xbox in mid-April

Gaijin Entertainment and Three Whales Studio announce that the online adventure game Age of Water will be released on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles on April 18, simultaneously with the previously announced start of Early Access on Steam. Versions of Age of Water on different platforms are identical, and the PC version fully supports console controllers.

Age of Water takes place on the post-apocalyptic Earth completely covered in water. A player assumes the role of a captain who sails through storms and storms, fights and trades, captures other people’s boats and ships or builds his own, and extracts resources from the bottom of the ocean. Age of Water‘s story is great for solo play, but a player can interact with other captains, call friends to join them in difficult battles, and participate in fully optional PvP events.

More information about the game can be found on the official website, as well as on the game page in PlayStation Store.

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. Official website: http://gaijinent.com/

Hinwil, 3 April 2024 – It’s the dawn of a new era for KICK F1 Sim Racing Team, as the outfit gears up to reprise activities in the 2023-2024 F1 Sim Racing World Championship. With a new title partner, new colours, and a new entry in its line-up, the team is ready to pick up things where they left off and extend their lead at the top of the standings. 

An innovative, community-driven streaming platform, KICK is centred on a ‘creator-first’ model based on the industry’s most rewarding subscription revenue system, a 95-5 split where creators will retain 95% of their revenue. With engaging content created by a growing cast of creators – featuring some of the biggest names in streaming and industry headliners – and a young, fresh approach, KICK is the best partner for the Esports outfit’s operations. To further strengthen the link with the streaming giant, KICK F1 Sim Racing Team will proudly go out on track clad in an eye-catching fluo racing green and black livery – recalling that of Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber. 

Joining the talented line-up featuring Brendon Leigh and Thomas Ronhaar, two names that need no introduction to those familiar with the Esports scene, is Xander van Dijken. Relatively new to sim racing – having started in 2020 – Xander made an impressive progression to quickly find himself fighting at the top of every championship in which he competed. The step up to KICK F1 Sim Racing Team will provide the talented Dutchman with the most important platform to shine in his career so far. 

Following a prolonged break, the 2023-2024 F1 Sim Racing World Championship will return on 10-12 April for the second event of the season – comprising six races – held at the EFG Studios in Stockholm. The Swedish location will then host the third and final event of the championship during the first week of May, for the five remaining races of the calendar.  

Back in late November, KICK F1 Sim Racing Team enjoyed a brilliant start to its title campaign, with Thomas Ronhaar confidently guiding the team to the top of the standings at the end of Event One, set in the virtual sandy sceneries of the Bahrain International Circuit. As they prepare to head back on track, Brendon, Thomas, and Xander will aim to keep up with the performance shown in the first event, going for the 2023-2024 F1 Sim Racing World Championship crown.  

About Sauber Group of Companies:

The Sauber Group of Companies is composed of two operational entities: Sauber Motorsport AG, which operates and manages its Formula OneTM team; and Sauber Technologies AG, which focuses on third-party business in the areas of advanced engineering, prototype development and additive manufacturing, in addition to full and model-scale testing in the factory’s state-of-the-art wind tunnel and ground-breaking innovation in the field of aerodynamics. The companies collaborate closely and share know-how to apply the expertise of more than 550 dedicated individuals at the headquarter in Hinwil, Switzerland, to all internal and external projects.

The Sauber Group puts sustainability at the heart of its mission; its business, operating under the ISO 14001 environmental management standard, has been carbon neutral since 2011 and the company has achieved the Three-Star level in the FIA Environmental Accreditation Framework.

Since its founding in 1970, the innovative Swiss company has been setting standards in the design, development and construction of race cars for various championship series, such as Formula One, DTM, and WEC. Following its own Formula One debut in 1993, Sauber Motorsport AG has established one of the few traditional and privately held teams in the sport. A member of the exclusive club of teams which competed in more than 500 F1 races, it celebrated 30 years in the sport in 2022 and continues to go from strength to strength on and off the track.

PlayStation Australia is pleased to reveal that both Tales of Kenzera: Zau and Dave The Diver are coming to PlayStation Plus Game Catalogue in April, two exciting additions to this month’s incoming catalogue of games. 

Tales of Kenzera: Zau

Tales of Kenzera: Zau, is a 2.5D story-driven, action-exploration game all about facing those emotions and discovering how love gives us the courage to press on after a devastating loss. Players will take control of Zau, a young warrior-shaman from Amandla, who seeks out Kalunga, the God of Death, to bargain with him to bring his Baba back from the realm of the dead.

Wielding two powerful masks imbued with the cosmic power of the sun and the moon in a beautiful and chaotic dance, Zau travels across Kenzera, a rich mystical realm inspired by Bantu tales, fighting tough ancestral spirits and platforming obstacles to find the 3 mighty beings that have eluded the God of Death.

Tales of Kenzera: Zau will be available on PlayStation Plus Extra and Deluxe tiers from Tuesday, 23 April.

Dave the Diver

Dave the Diver is a unique hybrid ocean adventure that combines ocean exploration with sushi restaurant management. At the heart of the game lies the core gameplay loop, narrative, characters, and captivating mini-games. 

The journey kicked off with a simple concept: a diving game in which a deep Blue Hole serves as a mystical dungeon populated by fish that double as enemies and items to loot. In the early days of the prototype, the gameplay revolved primarily around catching fish and trading them for currency, but this soon led to the introduction of a sushi restaurant that allowed players to prepare culinary delights from their underwater catch. 

Dave The Diver will be available on PlayStation Plus Extra and Deluxe tiers from Tuesday, 16 April. 

Head to the PlayStation Blog to find out more about Tales of Kenzera: Zau and Dave the Diver. 

Keep up with the latest news from PlayStation Australia on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.