Archive - 2019

Comic-Con Museum Announces EverQuest 20: A Living Legend Exhibit

SAN DIEGO — April 15, 2019 — Daybreak Games® and the Comic-Con® Museum will host, “EverQuest 20: A Living Legend,” a special event on Saturday, April 27 through Sunday, April 28 celebrating the groundbreaking franchise that popularized and changed the MMORPG (massive multiplayer online role-playing game) genre 20 years ago. In addition to showcasing an incredible collection of original art, the exhibit will be accompanied by special programs and panels highlighting key moments throughout the game’s storied history.

The event will be hosted at The Comic-Con Museum’s future home in Balboa Park (2131 Pan America Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101). The original art, concept work, and other key items will be arranged into a community-focused EverQuest timeline, spanning two decades of active development and gameplay. The Museum gallery will feature original oil paintings by renowned fantasy artist and illustrator Keith Parkinson, the first game design document by Brad McQuaid, and original box art. Attending fans will also be invited on an EverQuest adventure inside the museum where they will solve challenges to receive exclusive rewards.

“EverQuest changed the face of MMORPGs and continues to evolve as we remain committed to delivering fantasy content to our loyal fans,” said Holly Longdale, Executive Producer of EverQuest. “We can’t wait to transport them on an art journey through the game and share their memories with other players who have also loved EverQuest for the past 20 years.”

Activities for the weekend will include*:

  • 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – EverQuest 20: A Living Legend
    • Exhibit Hall Open.
  • 11 a.m. PT – Exploring the World of Norrath
    • Join game developers as they introduce EverQuest and explore 20 years of evolution and expansion in the world of Norrath.
  • 1 p.m. PT – Living the Legacy
    • Senior members of the EverQuest development team will describe what it is like to work on the game they once played, exploring how their ongoing efforts ensure the game and its community continue to thrive.
  • 2 p.m. PT – Developer Signing
    • Members of the EverQuest team will be signing and distributing exclusive EverQuest 20 posters featuring the game’s original key art from 1999.
  • 2:30 p.m. PT – Fan-Made Experiences, Community Forum
    • Join active members of the EverQuest Community as they explore and discuss the experiences that have defined 20 years of gameplay. The audience will have an opportunity to share their stories as well!

*Note: Schedule Subject to Change

“We are looking forward to welcoming the EverQuest community to the future home of the Comic-Con Museum and celebrating this incredible milestone in gaming history,” said Adam Smith, Executive Director of the Comic-Con Museum. “We can’t wait to commemorate this special moment with the developers and fans who have kept the world of Norrath alive and thriving for 20 years.”

Few titles have existed as long as EverQuest and the franchise continues to influence games today. Since its launch on March 16, 1999, the high-fantasy free-to-play game continues to grow, with 25 expansions to-date, over 1,600 unique playable areas, 700+ raid events, 50,000 design scripts and more than 3 million lines of code. The game has built and sustains a thriving community, enriching players lives and forging friendships and relationships that have transferred into real life, even leading to marriages.

For more information about EverQuest, visit EverQuest.com, as well as Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube.

High School ALIEN Play Gets Sponsored Encore

April 15, 2019 – The North Bergen High School students who spawned a media frenzy when they presented a stage adaptation of ALIEN several weeks ago, will be performing an encore presentation in honor of the fourth annual ALIEN DAY on Friday, April 26th. The performance caught the attention of the star and the director of the original 20th Century Fox film, Sigourney Weaver (“Ellen Ripley”) and Ridley Scott. Scott was so impressed that he pledged funding for a special encore presentation of the student play.

WHAT: ENCORE presentation of Alien: The Play
WHERE: The North Bergen High School Auditorium, New Jersey

WHEN: ALIEN DAY – Friday, April 26th, 8pm ET

This special performance is one more activity surrounding ALIEN DAY on April 26th when devotees of the Alien franchise will assemble again for the 24-hour worldwide celebration. Those eager to participate can share their own personal memories or recreations of their favorite moments for a chance to become part of the 40 Year legacy; click here for more information on #MyAlien40th!

Follow @AlienAnthology for updates on #AlienDay on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube

Yakuza Kiwami 2 PC Release Date

London, England – April 11, 2019 – SEGA® Europe Ltd. is excited to announce that the famous saga continues with the critically acclaimed Yakuza™ Kiwami 2 arriving to Steam on 9 May 2019 for $29.99 / £24.99 / €29.99. Get ready to join the all-out war between rival clans Tojo and Omi by pre-purchasing Yakuza Kiwami 2 today, now fully optimised for PC, including stunning 4K resolution and unlocked framerates, customisable controls and robust graphics options. Check out the trailer here:

When a single gunshot takes out the Fifth Chairman of the Tojo Clan, Kazuma Kiryu must journey to Sotenbori, Osaka, to broker peace between rivalling clans. Kiryu is pulled back into the life he desperately wanted to leave as he faces the ambitious Ryuji Goda, the Dragon of Kansai, who will stop at nothing to get his war. In this world, there can only be one dragon…

Yakuza Kiwami 2 is remade from the ground up in the Dragon Engine, first introduced in Yakuza™ 6, making it the best-looking Yakuza on PC yet. Enjoy endless hours of side stories including updated minigames like Cabaret Club simulator and Clan Creator, and new additions like Virtual On, Golf Bingo, and Toylets. Kiwami 2 also includes a few chapters developing the backstory of fan favourite Goro Majima. Pre-purchase Yakuza Kiwami 2 now and receive the complete Clan Creator Bundle DLC, including super rare Clan Creator Leaders and Packs, exclusive weapons, outfits and more!

For all things Yakuza Kiwami 2 check out the Steam page or visit www.yakuza.sega.com/kiwami2. For more information about SEGA Europe, log on to www.sega.co.uk, follow us on Facebook or on Twitter.

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire Nominated for Webby Award

Baltimore – MD — April 11th 2019 – Independent games publisher Versus Evil and developer Obsidian Entertainment today announced that Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire has been nominated for Best Adventure game and Best Writing categories in the 23rd Annual Webby Awards. Hailed as the “Internet’s Highest Honor” by The New York Times, The Webby Awards, presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS), is the leading international awards organization honoring excellence on the Internet. IADAS, which nominates and selects The Webby Award Winners, is comprised of Internet industry experts including Internet inventor Vint Cerf, Instagram’s Head of Fashion Partnerships Eva Chen, Director of Harvard’s Berkman Center for Internet & Society Susan P. Crawford, actor and activist Jesse Williams, GE CMO Linda Boff, Pod Save the People host and activist DeRay McKesson, Google’s Head of Conversation Design Cathy Pearl, Fortnite Designer Eric Williamson, HBO Digital Chief Diane Tryneski, Los Angeles Laker Isaiah Thomas, and DDB Worldwide CEO Wendy Clark.

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire is the sequel to the critically acclaimed, award-winning RPG Pillars of Eternity and launched on PC, Mac and Linux in May 2018. The game will be launching on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch later this year.

“Nominees like Obsidian are setting the standard for innovation and creativity on the Internet,” said Claire Graves, Executive Director of The Webby Awards. “It is an incredible achievement to be selected among the best from the 13,000 entries we received this year.”

“Having Deadfire nominated in both Best Game and Best Writing for the Webby Awards is a great honor. For over fifteen years we have committed ourselves to creating memorable role-playing experiences and the continued praise for Pillars II keeps us focused on this mission,” said Obsidian Entertainment Studio Head, Feargus Urquhart.

“Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire continues to be recognized for the passion and commitment that the Obsidian team has put into creating the ultimate RPG adventure and we couldn’t be more proud of their Webby Award nomination,” added Steve Escalante, General Manager for publisher Versus Evil.

As a nominee, Obsidian’s Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire is also eligible to win a Webby People’s Voice Award, which is voted online by fans across the globe. From now until April 18th, Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire fans can cast their votes at vote.webbyawards.com.

Winners will be announced on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, and honored at a star-studded ceremony on Monday, May 13, 2019, at Cipriani on Wall Street in New York City. There they will have an opportunity to deliver one of The Webby Awards’ famous 5-Word Speeches. Past 5-Word Speeches include: Steve Wilhite’s “It’s Pronounced “Jif” not ‘Gif’; Stephen Colbert’s “Me. Me. Me. Me. Me.”; and Björk ‘s “A E I O U.”

Find The Webby Awards Online:
Website: webbyawards.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/TheWebbyAwards
Twitter: @TheWebbyAwards
Instagram: @TheWebbyAwards
Snapchat: TheWebbyAwards
YouTube: youtube.com/webby

God Eater 3 Nintendo Switch Announcement Trailer

SANTA CLARA, Calif., (April 11, 2019) – Leading interactive entertainment publisher and developer BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. today announced that it will be bringing GOD EATER® 3 to the Nintendo Switch™ on July 12, 2019. Players will be able to team-up with friends on-the-go to topple massive beasts known as Aragami in this fast-paced monster-slaying action game.

Join the elite force known as God Eaters, imbued with the unique ability to wield God Arcs, specialized weapons to take down the nearly indestructible Aragami threat that has ravaged the planet. God Arc weapons can come in a wide variety of melee and ranged type capabilities featuring swords, hammers, sickles, spears, shotguns, sniper rifles, and more. Each weapon also comes with unique transforming functions, extending their utility by providing additional attack options to deal more damage. Players can determine which weapon works best for their playstyle and hone its intricacies when taking on missions in Story Mode or online with other GOD EATER 3 players.

GOD EATER 3 incorporates new combat mechanics and customization options to create dynamic fights that change the flow of battles. After devouring an enemy, players can activate Burst Arts which change some of normal attacks into special attacks. Players can also choose between several Burst Arts, as well as the specific effects of the Burst Art, to suit their play style. In addition to Burst Arts, a new Dive ability increases the speed of combat by having players race headlong towards enemies for swift attacks, keeping constant pressure on the opposition.

“The Nintendo Switch opens up new ways to experience GOD EATER 3,” said Jackie Simmons, brand manager for BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. “The portability of the system means players can meet anytime anywhere to band together and bring down monstrous threats. The platform also enables players to take GOD EATER 3 on the road, so they’re never far from adventure and fun!”

Players can team-up with three other God Eaters either online or through a local connection to tackle story missions together or combine forces with seven other players online to experience Assault Missions, the largest group battles ever seen in the GOD EATER franchise. Cooperating and fighting as a team will help engage the Battle Support System. By fighting next to teammates, players can unleash this new ability which shares various power-ups to help the entire team overcome tough fights and secure victory.

GOD EATER 3 for Nintendo Switch will also receive exclusive pre-order items in the form of Yuri and Estelle costumes from TALES OF VESPERIA™: Definitive Edition. Pre-order now at participating retailers.

GOD EATER 3 for the Nintendo Switch will be available in the Americas on July 12, 2019. For more information about GOD EATER 3 or other titles from BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. please visit https://www.bandainamcoent.com, follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BandaiNamcoUS, or join the conversation on Twitter at https://www.twtitter.com/BandaiNamcoUS.

RAGE 2: Everything vs Me Trailer

April 11, 2019 – Ugly mutants. Wasteland samurais. Otherwise peaceful buffalo that may or may not have whispered insults under their buffalo breath. If it exists in RAGE 2’s wide-open wasteland, there’s an extremely high chance that it’s out to murder you.

WATCH the new Everything Vs. Me trailer here to see what kind of atrocities players can expect to shoot/punch hard/get bit by:

RAGE 2 launches on May 14, 2019 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC. Check out the official RAGE 2 site at bethesda.net/en/game/rage2 to pre-order and to watch more over-the-top videos. The whole world is out to get you, so make sure you get it first.

Control Gets Two Renowned Composers

CALABASAS, Calif. – April 11, 2019 – Global videogame publisher 505 Games and internationally renowned developer Remedy Entertainment, Plc. today revealed award-winning composer Martin Stig Andersen (INSIDE,Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus) and BAFTA-nominated composer Petri Alanko (Alan WakeQuantum Break) are creating the score for supernatural action-adventure game Control.  Combining Andersen’s experience with creating eerie compositions with Alanko’s unique blend of orchestral and electronic arrangements, the renowned duo is joining forces to form an otherworldly soundscape for Control’s mysterious world.

“I couldn’t imagine a better match for Control than Petri Alanko and Martin Stig Andersen. Martin’s deep and moody style combined with the unique energy of Petri Alanko elevates the end result into something special,” saidControl’s Game Director Mikael Kasurinen. “While both capture the tone of the experience, they approach it from different perspectives, complementing each other beautifully.”

Control’s score is being carefully crafted to back an ever-changing world that juxtaposes reality with the unexplainable. Andersen and Alanko’s scores will mirror Control’s dynamic gameplay elements by evolving around the game’s moments of stirring surrealism and fierce action.

“We knew Control required a very specific form of music to fit the aesthetic vision. Given the exceptional scores of their previous projects including Alan WakeLimbo and Inside, it was clear to us that combining the talents of both Petri Alanko and Martin Stig Andersen would be perfect for creating such a weird, supernatural soundtrack for Control,” said Control’s Senior Audio Designer Ville Sorsa.

Control is available to pre-order now and will release on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019 for physical and digital retail on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, with a simultaneous digital launch on the Epic Games store for PC. To register for more information and regular updates, please visit www.controlgame.com and follow @ControlGame on Twitter and Facebook and @ControlRemedy on Instagram.

PDXCON 2019 Tickets On Sale May 7

STOCKHOLM – Apr. 11, 2019 – Paradox Interactive, a publisher and developer of games that bring players to tiers, today announced that tickets for PDXCON 2019 will become available for purchase on May 7, 2019. PDXCON, the annual celebration of Paradox’s global community, will take place in Berlin, Germany this year, on the weekend of October 18-20, 2019. Multiple ticket tiers will be available when sales begin next month, allowing attendees to purchase one, two, or three days of attendance, with a limited run of tickets offering a bonus day of personal demos and workshops from Paradox staff.

Visitors who buy tickets within the first month of availability will receive a special “Early Bird” discount on admission prices. To receive access to a special early sales window on May 7, visitors can sign up at the PDXCON website, here: https://pdxcon.paradoxplaza.com/

All PDXCON attendees, starting with holders of a one-day ticket, will get admission to the convention on Saturday, October 19, which includes access to all seminars, activities, game areas, and more. The two-day ticket will also grant admission during Sunday, October 20, where a series of special megagames, developer meet-and-greet sessions, and a LAN gaming session will be held. For those who purchase a three-day ticket, an extra day on Friday, October 18 will be held, which will include an exclusive behind-the-scenes first look at Paradox’s newest games and biggest secrets.

Full details on all ticket levels, planned activities, schedules, venue details, hotels, and more are available on the PDXCON website.

Focus Home Interactive Teases What’s Next for 2019

April 11, 2019 – On April 10 and 11 2019, Focus Home Interactive gathers media, studios, and partners in the heart of Paris for the annual What’s Next event. Over two days, Focus will reveal details of its 2019 catalogue. Exclusive presentations and interviews will be available to those on-site.

Following the company’s strategy announcements, visitors will also experience a specifically designed showcase revealing some of Focus Home Interactive’s premier partnerships for the coming years.

FOCUS CONTINUES THE ADVENTURE WITH ITS PARTNER STUDIOS

Focus Home Interactive is proud to announce the renewal of its partnership with DONTNOD Entertainment, one of the key figures of the videogame industry. Vampyr, the first game of the partnership, impressed press and players from around the world. We are proud to announce that more than a million copies have been sold to-date. This new co-production promises to be one of the most ambitious in the history of the publisher and the studio.

After the success of The Surge, and with the long-awaited sequel The Surge 2 due in a few months and looking better than ever, Deck13 and Focus are excited to announce the renewal of their cooperation with the development of a brand-new franchise which builds upon the strengths and expertise of the studio.

With the massive success of MudRunner and excitement building for World War Z, the talented developers at Saber Interactive will embark once again with Focus on the production of two new titles with exceptional potential. One of these titles will be supported by one of the most important licenses in the Games Workshop universe.

While the much-anticipated A Plague Tale: Innocence will release in just a few weeks on May 14, Focus is proud to count Asobo Studio among its continuing partners, including on an upcoming production benefiting from the creative and artistic talent of the studio.

Focus is also pleased to extend their journey with two long-time partners: Passtech Games for the development of a new IP in an indie vein, and Streum On Studio for a new shooter in one of the most popular Games Workshop IPs.

Finally the group is proud to announce that it has reached an exclusive agreement for video game adaptations of Chaosium’s Call of Cthulhu franchise for the next ten years.

PARTNERSHIPS WITH NEW, TALENTED STUDIOS

Focus Home Interactive is pleased to welcome among its new partner studios Sumo Digital, one of the largest independent game development studios based in the UK. The studio has experience working with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Sony, Microsoft, and Sega. The first fruit of this collaboration aims to deliver a multiplayer experience without compromise in a universe as dark as it is violent, developed by Sumo Newcastle, the team behind EVE: Valkyrie.

Gasket Games are a cross-platform game development company based in Vancouver and comprised of former team members from Relic Entertainment (Dawn of War, Company of Heroes) and Blackbird Interactive (Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak). They will leverage their passion, talent, and more than fifteen years of experience making strategy games in the development of a brand-new Games Workshop title in a rich universe.

Artistic talent, passion, and innovative design are three terms perfectly defining the unique games from Limestone Games, an independent Estonian developer that joins the Focus line-up today. The company is proud to continue to support young studios with high potential and give them the means to fully express their vision.

Pushing, evolving, and innovating is also the ambition of Lightbulb Crew, a talented studio based in Paris. Their game offers a dedicated artistic direction and unique concept, with what it takes to push the boundaries and break the rules of the tactical genre.

STRONG CONTENT ADAPTED FOR NINTENDO SWITCH AND MOBILE

An integral part of the ongoing Focus strategy announced a few months ago, the company will concentrate on Nintendo Switch along with iOS and Android platforms, using its flagship licenses and creating games offering exciting experiences adapted to these media.

Farming Simulator, the phenomenon franchise developed by the excellent GIANTS Software, will thus be available this year on Nintendo Switch. It will be accompanied by Call of Cthulhu and Vampyr, both produced on the Switch by the teams at Saber Interactive.

While MudRunner 2 will land on consoles and PC later this fiscal year, Focus is happy to announce that mobile players can also look forward to the ultimate off-road experience on their iOS and Android devices in the near future.

THE 2019 CATALOGUE REVEALED IN FULL

A few days from its scheduled release on April 16, World War Z, the 4-player co-op shooter from Saber Interactive adapted from the smash-hit film by Paramount Studios, will be playable to the press in attendance from around the world. The game will offer hefty doses of action and spectacle, where players will try to survive the immense hordes of bloodthirsty zombies composed of several hundred undead.

A Plague Tale: Innocence has already impressed journalists from around the world who were able to play a preview of the early hours of the game. It will also be playable during What’s Next as players wait to dive completely into this dark and poetic adventure at the release of the game on May 14.

Unveiled last year, The Surge 2 will also be playable for the first time. An exclusive hands-off presentation and a hands-on session will once again show the talent of Deck13 to create ever more advanced hardcore combat systems and sci-fi worlds

A few months ahead of release, Spiders will showcase their brand-new RPG in a never-before-seen GreedFall gameplay presentation. A true invitation to travel and explore, GreedFall promises great freedom to players and a captivating story.

With MudRunner having sold millions of copies, the company is looking forward to releasing MudRunner 2, the sequel including ever more ambitious content and gorgeous realization, making this the ultimate off-road experience.

Bear McCreary to Score Child’s Play Reboot

Los Angeles, CA – (April 10, 2019) – Orion Pictures announced today that Emmy® and BAFTA Award winning composer Bear McCreary (“The Walking Dead,” “Battlestar Galactica,” “10 Cloverfield Lane”) has been brought on to score the reimagining of the 1988 horror classic CHILD’S PLAY. The upcoming film follows Karen (Aubrey Plaza), a single mother who gifts her son Andy (Gabriel Bateman) a Buddi doll, unaware of its more sinister nature and stars Plaza, Bateman, Brian Tyree Henry and recently revealed Mark Hamill as the voice of Chucky.

KatzSmith’s Aaron Schmidt said, “Bear comes with boundless ideas and energy, and his approach to this score has been incredible to witness. He’s developed themes and melodies that underscore our horror, our emotion and our AI concept while combining unique instruments and toys from around the world with his orchestral score. He’s elevated every moment of the film he’s touched.”

CHILD’S PLAY is directed by Lars Klevberg (“Polaroid”) from a script by Tyler Burton Smith (“Sleeping Dogs,” “Quantum Break” video games) and produced by David Katzenberg and Seth Grahame-Smith on behalf of KatzSmith Productions (“It”). Aaron Schmidt and Chris Ferguson executive produced the project.

“Chucky haunted my dreams when I was a kid, ever since his devilish little face peered out at me from a torn VHS cover at my local video store. Now, thirty years later, I have a remarkable opportunity to contribute to his musical legacy,” said McCreary. “Inspired by the Chucky’s toy-store origins, I’ve assembled a ‘toy orchestra,’ of toy pianos, hurdy gurdies, accordions, plastic guitars, and otamatones, that will be featured prominently in the score. I hope that these creepy, unique tones will help terrify the next generation of ‘Child’s Play’ fans!”

McCreary’s most recent feature is the highly-anticipated “Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” the Warner Bros. follow-up to the 2014 hit film. Having also collaborated closely with producer J.J. Abrams in scoring the Paramount/Bad Robot films, “10 Cloverfield Lane” and “The Cloverfield Paradox,” McCreary is at home in the science fiction and horror genres, including AMC’s hit series, “The Walking Dead,” “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” and the acclaimed “Battlestar Galactica.” McCreary’s other recent film credits include “The Professor and the Madman,” a historical drama starring Mel Gibson and Sean Penn, and the Universal/Blumhouse hit “Happy Death Day,” a horror-comedy that made over $100 million dollars at the box office. His video game credits include Sony PlayStation’s award-winning “God of War.”

The 1988 film grossed over $44 million worldwide on a $9 million budget and spawned one of the most recognizable and successful horror characters of all time with its psychotic killer doll, Chucky.

Orion Pictures will release CHILD’S PLAY nationwide through United Artists Releasing on June 21, 2019.

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