Tomorrow, Friday, January 19 at 8:00am AEDT/ 10:00am NZDT, don’t forget to tune into Twitch.tv/Bethesda for The Elder Scrolls Online 2024 Global Reveal to get a first look at what is in store ESO‘s 2024 adventure.
The Elder Scrolls Online 2024 Global Reveal livestream kicks off tomorrow, Friday, January 19 at 8:00am AEDT/ 10:00am NZDT, on Twitch.tv/Bethesda, directly after the Xbox Developer_Direct. During the Global Reveal, ZeniMax Online Studios will unveil what kind of adventures and challenges are coming to Tamriel’s heroes and will dive deep into this year’s major releases, including everything players need to know about the next Chapter.
Those who tune in any time starting at 8:00am AEDT/ 10:00am NZDT on January 18 will receive the Pyromancer’s Quandary emote through Twitch Drops just for watching. Viewers should link their ESO and Twitch accounts prior to the ESO 2024 Global Reveal going live so they can claim their prizes.
Samsung Electronics Australia has today unveiled the Galaxy S24 Series including the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24, unleashing new mobile experiences with Galaxy AI.
The Galaxy S series leads the way into a new era that will forever change how mobile devices empower users. AI amplifies nearly every experience on Galaxy S24 series, from enabling barrier-free communication with intelligent text and call translations, to maximising creative freedom with Galaxy’s ProVisual Engine, to setting a new standard for search that will change how Galaxy users discover the world around them.
Yesterday, it was announced for the second year running, Samsung has been awarded the 2024 Most Satisfied Customers in the Smartphone Category by Australia’s leading consumer comparison site, Canstar Blue. Demonstrating its continued commitment to user experience, the brand received top marks of 5 stars for overall satisfaction and the supporting criteria of user friendliness, durability, design, and camera quality.
Pre-orders for the Galaxy S24 series in Australia start from today. The S24 series will be available from the Samsung eStore and Experience Stores, as well as retail and telco partners. Further pricing and on sale information below.
The all-formats release of 4J Studios’ high-octane party game adds an extra competitive edge to its classic couch co-op gameplay
DUNDEE, Scotland – Jan. 17, 2024 –4J Studios, acclaimed for its console adaptations of Minecraft and various Bethesda Studios titles, is revved up and ready to go for the release of its first proprietary title, Manic Mechanics, on PC (via Steam), PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One on March 7, 2024. First released on Nintendo Switch in July 2023, Manic Mechanics is an accelerated, mechanically minded addition to the chaotic couch co-op canon.
Building on community feedback from the Nintendo Switch release, 4J Studios has added a host of new features and content to this laugh-out-loud party game – most notably the incorporation of a ‘Versus’ mode to complement the local and online co-op gameplay. In addition to this (potentially friendship-ending) competitive mode, the all-formats release also includes a whole-new neighborhood, new characters and entertaining twists to some of the most popular levels. In Manic Mechanics, up to four players pull on their overalls and head to the auto-obsessed Octane Isle, looking to make a name for themselves as travelling mechanics. Players challenge the Master Mechanics who rule the island to prove their crew is worthy of joining the mechanics guild.
It’s a race against the clock to repair as many cars (trucks, choppers, tractors, mini-subs and UFOs…) as possible! The faster the mechanics work, the more chaos is unleashed: intricate mechanical processes are hindered by fuel spills, exploding tires, short-circuiting robots, stampeding cows and even alien abductions, with hilariously chaotic consequences.
“When Manic Mechanics first arrived on Switch, we were mostly asked two questions…‘Is it going to be on other platforms?’ and ‘Can you add a competitive mode?’ I’m delighted that I can now answer ‘Yes!’ to both,” said 4J Studios Chairman Chris van der Kuyl. “The new features the team have added have made an amazing game even better, and I’m delighted that it will now be available to the widest possible audience.”
Manic Mechanics will be available on the PlayStation Store, Xbox Store and Steam on March 7, 2024. Meanwhile, the Nintendo Switch version will be enhanced with new game modes and extra content that same day, with existing players receiving a free update.
With 30-plus levels to be experienced across Octane Isle’s six neighborhoods, this won’t be an easy ride. So grab your toolbelt, round up your friends and see if you have what it takes to become a Manic Mechanic!
About 4J Studios
4J Studios is a video game developer/publisher founded in Scotland in 2005 by Paddy Burns and Chris van der Kuyl, with offices in East Linton and Dundee. Best known for developing Minecraft for Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo games consoles, 4J Studios’ experienced core team of designers, technology and game programmers is now on a mission to create ‘Games for Everyone,’ bringing incredible new IPs to players across the world. The studio’s first self-published game, Manic Mechanics, is the product of the team’s commitment to innovation, creativity, and technical excellence, and marks the start of an exciting new chapter in the 4J Studios story.
From the voice behind Hades’ hardest boss comes a story of vampiric self-discovery
Berlin, Germany — January 17, 2024 | Little Bat Games is excited to announce its debut title, Vampire Therapist, coming to Steam on June 17! With real-life therapy techniques at its core, Vampire Therapist allows players to examine and deconstruct vampire psyches from different historical periods across several millennia. It turns out an immortal life of rampant bloodlust carries a high emotional tariff.
Players take on the role of Sam, a former cowboy and full-time vampire who is looking for meaning in his own immortality. Luckily, Sam has help and learns more about himself with the assistance of 3,000-year-old therapist and fellow undead: Andromachos, a reformed warrior and assassin.
But it’s not just Sam who is looking for help. There’s plenty of other blood-suckers out there and they’ve got their own problems to share. From agoraphobia to narcissism, players are tasked with helping the undead realize that just because they aren’t alive, it doesn’t mean they can’t live.
Check out the first trailer for Vampire Therapist below:
Developed by a small team in Berlin, and in partnership with Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, Vampire Therapist mixes a dark European nightlife setting with comedy in the vein of What We Do in the Shadows and Horrible Histories. Merging deep, introspective subject matters with heartfelt characters written and voiced by Cyrus Nemati (Hades, Pyre) with distinct and expressive character design by Sibylle Hell (Sea of Solitude), Vampire Therapist promises to take players on a unique journey through the psychology of vampirism.
All of the techniques shown throughout the game have also been created with the help and support of licensed therapists, to give the game an authentic message.
“Vampire Therapist springs from a belief that humanity could have always benefited from therapy. By providing a playfully dark, yet cozy experience, we hope to demystify therapy and show how it can be helpful to anyone, no matter how old they are,” said Cyrus Nemati, Creative Director of Little Bat Games.
For the latest on Vampire Therapist, check out the key links below:
Little Bat Games is an indie games studio funded in partnership with Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg. Helmed by Cyrus Nemati, Little Bat Games aims to create titles with rich stories, engaging characters and innovative mechanics that will resonate with players long after they have finished playing. This is all underpinned by a dedication to sustainable studio practices.
Nippon Ichi is known for their Disgaea series and their unique take on various smaller RPGs that have their unique quirks to them. This remained true even as the company released Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny and went against what many fans of the franchise were used to by not only shifting the art style but also simplifying various elements, introducing auto-battles, and much more much to fan chagrin. Despite a less than stellar reception, Nippon Ichi managed to keep the boat afloat and bring out another new Disgaea, this time looking to right the various wrongs with Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless looking to capture the same classic feel of the franchise but were they successful?
Story
Unlike most Netherworlds, a small cluster called Hinomoto themed around Edo era Japan has long valued honor and the bushido code despite the demons that reside within it. As such, the rich otaku Pirilika who is enamored with the famous bushido code of Hinomoto visits the realms in an attempt to bask in their glory. Much to her dismay, the Netherworld has long since fallen into disarray with its tourist attractions selling bogus goods and famed samurai warriors being no more than common thugs. One such thug she runs into happens to be a money-grubbing samurai named Fuji who knows exactly why Hinomoto has fallen from its previously honorable ways and is willing to help Pirilika, for a price. Unfortunately for Fuji though, this contract has far more strings attached to it than simply saving a damsel in distress as Fuji soon finds himself working alongside Pirilika to gather the Seven Founding Weapons of the realm and overthrow the Shogunate that has corrupted it.
In many ways Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless feels like a return to form with its handling of its storyline and characters as everything is as foolish and lighthearted as they come. Fuji for example is a demon that is so averse to kindness that any attempt to thank him results in him spitting up blood and even healing him in combat makes him cry out in pain or Pirilika’s penchant for misconstruing famous sayings in her excitement for her favorite things. These little running gags are constant throughout the game and grow ever more prominent and enjoyable the more players progress and add more characters to the colorful cast that makes up the named roster in Disgaea 7. These allies are far more enjoyable than those found in the previous game, even if a couple more enjoyable ones are oddly left as post-game only characters.This eclectic cast of characters only heightens the silly and enjoyable storyline that persists throughout Disgaea 7, and even when things do get a bit serious and focus on the actual plot, what is told here remains a highly entertaining story arc that feels right at home in the Disgaea franchise.
Gameplay
Throughout its numerous releases the Disgaea series remains as true to the traditional turn-based SRPG formula as ever and that remains true in Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless. Players will be able to bring forth up to ten characters in a stage, each moving individually and attacking individually either through standard attacks, skills, or spells, and each unit having their own movement and special attacks depending on their class and equipment. Players can once again pick and throw allies and enemies to move them further along or potentially adjust the various Geo Panels on the floor to their advantage or to blow up a Prinny for massive damage and even monster units can make use of Mon-Toss once again to throw targets. Geo Panels, as mentioned earlier, are color coded areas on a map that can provide stat buffs and debuffs to those standing on them and can even be destroyed to deal damage to any unit on the field. The various minute navigations of moving ally units around to best take advantage of various attack strings while avoiding counter attacks remains as intuitive as ever, albeit a bit on the slow side as the game doesn’t allow for quick-swapping between non-used units.
While nearly all of these elements remain fairly standard for the Disgaea series, the previous game also saw the simplification of numerous character classes and thankfully that is no longer the case here. Now Disgaea 7 offers over forty total classes for players to experiment with as it mixes together standard humanoid classes and monster classes, including the brand new Maiko, Zombie Maiden, and Big Eye classes. While it is true that a lot of these classes are simply the male or female version of others that were previously removed, it is nice to see this level of customization and depth added back into the game. Players can now effectively create the party of their dreams while taking advantage of various elemental and stat building mechanics to best round out their party for standard encounters and test their mettle against the far more difficult challenging fights found within the optional content of the item-world and post-game content.
Yes, as usual the item world returns with players being able to venture into the randomized worlds of their own equipment to power up their gear using brand new and enhanced Innocents to make things as strong as possible. Sure, these types of elements are mostly optional but are also perfect examples of testing out what the player’s party is capable of and how far they can really break the in-game mechanics, especially since Disgaea 7 returns to the classic style of combat and damage dealing, no longer rewarding massive damage for simple attacks. This time around players will need to train to hit those insane numbers. Things such as the Evil Assembly to reset a character to level 1 while retaining their stats and numerous other elements allow players a constant ability to grind and power up their favorite fighters in new and unique ways that feels quite rewarding and right at home for the franchise, and of course if these more in-depth mechanics happen to feel a bit too overwhelming it is worth noting that nearly all of the core story content doesn’t require this level of depth.
Alongside these various returning elements and layers of depth a few new mechanics have also been included in Disgaea 7 as well and these come in the form of Jumbification and Hell Mode. Hell Mode is simpler to explain as story characters, as players progress through the game, will obtain special weapons that allow them to enter a powered up state for a limited time that boosts their stats and allows them to unleash a devastating finishing move only available in that mode. Entering Hell Mode requires a gauge to be filled up from dealing and receiving damage and the same can be said for the Jumbification mode as well. This mechanic allows players to Jumbify a character of their choosing and make them larger than the entire battlefield, giving them the ability to perform insanely powerful map-sweeping attacks, insane healing abilities, and other powerful battle-changing skills. It is worth noting that players aren’t the only ones capable of Jumbifying as enemies can also do this, meaning players who can’t counter attack with their own unit may find themselves facing a devastating loss if they aren’t careful. Both of these elements are neat little additions and can really make players feel powerful, especially in some rather ridiculous ways as some characters’ Jumbification abilities are as silly as they come.
Now, it is worth noting that Demonic Intelligence, the AI battle auto-battle system that was heavily utilized and emphasized back in Disgaea 6 has not been removed entirely but it has been given a significantly lesser focus. Rather than being something players are expected to use to grind or skip content, players can now only use auto-battles to complete levels they have already beaten normally and must use a “Poltergas” item to do so or test out their team in an automatic PVP system against other players online. This de-emphasis on auto-battling is something that was desperately needed while still making it something possible to a far lesser extent.
Audio & Visuals
Once again Disgeaa 7 makes use of 3D models as opposed to the lovingly detailed sprite work that used to make up the series for the original five games but things have gotten better this time around. Not only are these 3D models far more expressive when in combat compared to the previous game but the fact that there are far more classes and monster types to work with does wonders here. It is also nice to note that the various skills are as delightful as ever looking, including the Hell Mode abilities and some of the more ridiculous Jumbification skills, though it would be nice if there was still a bit more variety in stage design. The character artwork during the visual novel dialogue sequences is impressively detailed with most characters having a wide variety of expressions available.
Players will have the option to use either the original Japanese voice track or the freshly recorded English dub by NIS America with both voice tracks fitting the game well enough. That being said, given the game’s setting in a more feudal style of Japan, players may prefer the Japanese dub for a bit more authentic feeling experience. The soundtrack features a solid collection of background music fitting for the series and the theme that it is going for.
Overall
Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless feels like a proper return to form for a franchise that had temporarily lost its way. While it may not have returned to the classic sprite art style of the past that fans are used to, this new 3D style of design has started to blossom thanks to NIS putting effort into creating as many classes as possible while delivering the same ridiculous level of in-depth customization and sub-options as possible. Combine this with a humorous story that fits right alongside some of the best in the franchise and some fun new mechanics and Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless is everything a Disgaea fan could ask for and certainly worth a shot for any SPRG fan.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
Fresh new IP bursts into action with over-the-top ‘80s inspired debut trailer
Cambridge, 17th January 2024 – PlayFusion, the Cambridge based entertainment studio founded by former Jagex leadership and veteran RuneScape developers, with a neon-drenched, explosive AAA vision, is proud to announce its new hectic creation with the world with a squad-based, a tactical 3v3⁴ PVP shooter Ascendant Infinity, the world’s first ever “Adaption Shooter”.
Ascendant Infinity sends players to a retro sci-fi playground with an irreverent ‘80s tone. Against this backdrop, it’s time to truly ‘Play your way’. From in-the-moment tactical decisions to the virtually limitless customisation options thanks to the fully modular weapons system, every game session is a fresh adventure.
Watch the Trailer on YouTube below:
Ascendant Infinity is set in a dynamically-changing, biopunk-infused world, wrapped up in a playful ‘80s vibe.
Newly defrosted following a thousand years on ice, players find themselves in a world where everything seemingly wants them dead five minutes ago. They survived a catastrophic event known as ‘The Cascade’ thanks to some rather clever advanced bioengineering designed to ‘fix everything’ whilst they chilled out. The result – a chaotic highly evolved world filled with exciting nature, creatures & a rag-tag bunch of thawed-out, hardware-packing survivors, and simply not enough to go around for everyone.
With competitive matches taking place on the dynamically-changing map where no two encounters are ever the same, four teams of three race to extract precious resources. As the bullets fly and the mutated wildlife causes trouble, players must embrace the tactical chaos to survive. Set up ambushes, rush headlong into battle, or hang back and perhaps call in an airstrike or flood the tunnels with toxic gas – you’re the boss!
“Over the past 4 years, our passionate team have worked tirelessly to bring our vision for Ascendant Infinity to reality, we have so much exciting stuff lined up for our players that it will blow their minds,” said Mark Gerhard, Founder and CEO of PlayFusion, “We wanted to create a fresh, new premium PC action game that we want to play, leveraging the very best from the games that we have created in the past whilst leveraging a new game engine, Unreal 5.3, new game mechanics, to create a spiritual successor to some of the leading shooters with a strong focus on competitive integrity, deep character and weapon customisation, and to bring lots of fun to a typically serious genre. This is the tip of the iceberg, stay tuned for lots of super cool updates.”
Key Features of Ascendant Infinity:
Team Battles – Take your squad into battle against three other teams in a dynamic and chaotic firefight, as you seek to be the first team to get in, grab the loot, and get back out again – hopefully in one piece.
Dynamic Firefights – No two battles are ever the same, thanks to the shifting environment, ever-changing enemy tactics and player triggered events.
Rich Customisation – Player choice is king in Ascendant Infinity. From getting the perfect neon-coloured ‘80s outfit, to engineering an explosive sniper rifle, or loading up your favourite weapon with an incendiary effect, there are literally thousands of customisation options waiting to be discovered.
Persistent Lobby – Nobody likes waiting! A persistent social lobby, designed with players in mind, provides plenty of fun before the bullets start flying. A wide range of different experiences await, complete with leaderboards and speed challenges. Or hang out and make new friends before heading out into the thick of battle – this is your space to do whatever you want with.
Ascendant Infinity is available to wishlist on Steam and Epic Store right now. Find out more on the game’s official Discord and dont forget to sign up for exclusive benefits and closed beta access at www.ascendant.com.
About PlayFusion:
PlayFusion is a Cambridge, England-based, multi-award winning, independent employee-owned game developer and publisher. The core team of which has been working together for nearly two decades. Our team’s previous credits include RuneScape, Sniper Elite, Goldeneye 007: All Points Bulletin, Star Citizen and many other cool games.
Our team is dedicated to innovation, pushing the boundaries of technology, gaming and entertainment, thereby making the world a happier and more interesting place.
Sydney, Australia – 17th January 2023 – Warner Bros. Games and DC today unveiled the gameplay launch trailer for Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League,the upcoming third-person action-shooter by Rocksteady Studios.
The all-new trailer features gameplay footage of Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, and King Shark in action as they dive headfirst into the chaos engulfing Metropolis to face off against Brainiac’s ever-growing forces. The video also provides a glimpse at the epic battles players will engage in against Green Lantern, The Flash, and other enemies as the Squad take on the impossible mission of defeating the world’s greatest DC Super Heroes, the Justice League.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League will be available worldwide on Feb. 2, 2024. Players who pre-order the Deluxe Edition will receive up to 72-hour early access to the game starting on Jan. 30, 2024.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is an original genre-defying third-person action-shooter developed by Rocksteady Studios, creators of the best-selling Batman: Arkham series. Play as Harley Quinn (a.k.a. Dr. Harleen Quinzel), Deadshot (a.k.a. Floyd Lawton), Captain Boomerang (a.k.a. Digger Harkness) and King Shark (a.k.a. Nanaue) and embark on an impossible mission through Metropolis to save Earth and take down the world’s greatest DC Super Heroes, the Justice League.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League will be available worldwide on Feb. 2, 2024, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam). The Epic Games Store (PC) version be available on March 5, 2024. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League can be pre-ordered now on all launch platforms. To learn more, visit SuicideSquadGame.com or join the community conversation on Instagram (SuicideSquadRS), YouTube (SuicideSquadRS), Twitch (Rocksteady), Facebook (SuicideSquadRocksteady), Twitter (SuicideSquadRS), and Discord (SuicideSquadRS).
To find out how Amanda Waller recruited the members of the Suicide Squad for this dangerous mission, check out Suicide Squad: Kill Arkham Asylum, the official prequel comic book series for the game. Available for pre-order now, and on sale at participating comic book shops and e-tailers on Feb. 6, 2024, each print version of the five-issue monthly series includes a free code that can be redeemed for a digital in-game item. For more information on Suicide: Kill Arkham Asylum, check out the preview of the debut issue at the official DC website. Paid Annual and Ultra tier subscribers to the DC UNIVERSE INFINITE digital subscription service (DCUI) are also eligible to receive a free code with each digital issue of the series; for more information on DCUI, visit the website at www.dcuniverseinfinte.com. DCUI is not available in all countries and is not intended for children.
Today, via Xbox Wire, Xbox shared tune-in details for Developer_Direct 2024 which will air Friday, January 19 at 7:00 a.m. AEDT/9:00 a.m. NZDT on the official Xbox and Bethesda channels below:
YouTube.com/Xbox
YouTube.com/Bethesda
Twitch.tv/Xbox
Twitch.tv/XboxASL
Twitch.tv/Bethesda
Facebook.com/Xbox
The show will also be streamed simultaneously on regional Xbox and Bethesda channels around the globe, as well as on Steam. It will also air on China’s Bilibili platform on Friday, January 19.
ICYMI, Developer_Direct will feature an in-depth look at upcoming Xbox titles from the developers themselves including the Indiana Jones game, Avowed, Ara: History Untold, and Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II.
January 19 will be a big day for the Xbox family, with two other livestreams taking place. Blizzard will host a Diablo IV Developer Update Livestream at 4:00 a.m. AEST / 6:00 a.m. NZDT. Shortly after Developer_Direct, ZeniMax Online Studios will host The Elder Scrolls Online 2024 Global Reveal at 8:00 a.m. AEST / 10 a.m. NZDTto preview 2024’s biggest update.
As a reminder, Developer_Direct will not contain new details on upcoming Activision Blizzard games.
To learn more, including co-streaming details, check out Xbox Wire. Please let me know if you have any questions and stay tuned for more during Developer_Direct on Friday, January 19 at 7:00 a.m. AEDT/9:00 a.m. NZDT.
Bandai Namco Europe and world-renowned Advertising agency BETC worked together to produce “Get Ready for the Next Battle”, a brand-new live-action trailer for TEKKEN 8.
Watch the trailer below:
The movie revealed today features several high-profile guests, such as Hafthor Bjornsson and well-known TEKKEN players from around the world:
Arslan Ash, Pakistan, 4 times TEKKEN world champion
Gen1us, France, Pro TEKKEN player, TV Host and streamer
KingJae, UK, Pro TEKKEN player and streamer
Sephiblack, Germany, Pro TEKKEN player and streamer
This live-action trailer, directed by Lukas TIELKE, focuses on some of the core values that TEKKEN 8 represents, and the specific thrill and excitement people feel right before a fight or a competition. This spectacular trailer showcases how the thrill of a fight can gather people of all ages, nationalities, backgrounds, both newcomers and professional players with a viral effect. The same way TEKKEN has been bringing players together for 30 years now, with the desire to compete, fight and have fun.
The campaign will be featured on various social media platforms, as well as TV, Cinema, Display out of Home and more.
TEKKEN 8 will launch on January 26th 2024 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, using the power of this generation of consoles to offer a visually stunning experience along with a vision promoting aggressiveness and spectacular battle action. To discover the game, a free demo is also available on these platforms.
Bandai Namco Europe S.A.S. is a leading global publisher and developer of entertainment content for platforms including, but not limited to, all major video game consoles and PC.
Bandai Namco Europe is producing intellectual property for a global audience, and is building its reputation with franchises such as LITTLE NIGHTMARES™, PARK BEYOND™, and the upcoming UNKNOWN 9™ Awakening – developed by the recently acquired Reflector Entertainment based in Montreal, QC.
Bandai Namco Europe serves as the Headquarters of Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. for mainland Europe, which is known for creating and publishing many of the Toy & Entertainment industry’s top franchises, including PAC-MAN™, TAMAGOTCHI™, GUNDAM™, TEKKEN™, DARK SOULS™ and the recently released ELDEN RING™.
BETC Paris, an advertising agency created in 1994, believes in the power of creativity to drive business results. With culture running as a thread through its DNA, BETC creates new synergies and produces its own content in the fields of music, film, art, publishing and design
In 2021, BETC won the Film Grand Prix at the Cannes Lions festival for Lacoste ending a thirty-year drought for France in the most prestigious category. In 2023, BETC was named among the Contagious Pioneers by the prestigious trade publication Contagious, the only French agency among the selection. Also in 2023, BETC was ranked n°3 in the world and the only French agency in the WARC Top Agencies, which ranks the most awarded creative agencies.
BETC began a new chapter by moving in 2016 to Les Magasins Généraux, a building turned into a creative workspace of the future. It is now home to BETC’s 1,100 employees, cultural and business partners, a contemporary art centre and artists-in-residence.
