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Mad Catz Celebrates 30th Anniversary with R.A.T.8+ 1000 Gaming Mouse

Kowloon, Hong Kong – June 25, 2019 – Mad Catz Global Limited, leading gaming hardware innovators for 30 years, announced today the limited edition R.A.T.8+ 1000 Optical Gaming Mouse, in celebration of the Company’s 30th birthday. Proudly serving the gaming community for 30 years, Mad Catz has stood the test of time, embedded in the lives of players looking for quality, value and innovation in gaming hardware.

Marking the anniversary in a way that only Mad Catz can, the Company will be launching a commemorative R.A.T.8+ 1000 Optical Gaming Mouse, strictly limited to just 1000 units worldwide. The cutting-edge R.A.T.8+ is already a favorite amongst gamers looking for the winning edge, and this limited edition version comes complete with stunning, premium collector’s packaging, designed to store the mouse and a host of accessories, displaying the R.A.T. in style when not in use.

The stunning matte black and brushed chrome design with gold color detailing is sure to turn the heads of all who play, and this unique color scheme will only be available on the 1000 units produced.

Featuring a state-of-the-art Pixart PMW 3389 Optical Sensor, the R.A.T.8+ 1000 is remarkably accurate, remaining responsive and free of tracking errors at all times. The sensor only tells part of the story however, the R.A.T.8+ 1000 has been expertly engineered with a super lightweight chassis ensuring the sensor position is perfectly balanced on your gaming surface, while providing a rigid foundation for the remaining components.

The R.A.T.8+ 1000 features industry-leading OMRON micro-switches, tested to at least 50-million clicks for total reliability in even the most strenuous of competitive gaming situations. Mad Catz gaming mice are renowned amongst gamers for their high level of customization and the R.A.T.8+ 1000 continues this proud tradition, shipping with replaceable palm rests and pinkie rests, all of which can be adjusted to fit any gamer’s ideal style of play.

Chameleon RGB lighting, bathes three independent zones of the R.A.T.8+ 1000 with a choice of 16.8 million colors, illuminating the mouse and allowing for easy adjustment in darkened gaming environments. On-board memory allows players to save up to four individual gaming profiles on the mouse, ideal for tournament play.

“It’s hard to believe that it’s been 30 years since Mad Catz first arrived on the gaming scene, and the evolution of digital entertainment has been staggering to behold. Mad Catz shares the same values of innovation, value and quality as we did all those years ago and we can’t wait to share our future plans with the community in the year ahead,” said Joane Huang, Senior Director of Sales and Marketing for Mad Catz Global Limited. “The R.A.T. mouse has been a jewel in our range for some time now and we believe the limited-edition R.A.T.8+ 1000 is the ideal way to celebrate such a milestone.”

The limited edition R.A.T.8+ 1000 will be available in strictly limited quantities across North and South America as well as select European territories, starting Summer 2019. Gamers are encouraged to keep checking social media channels for retailer updates.

See the R.A.T.8+ 1000 video here:

 

Samurai Showdown Launch Trailer

LOS ANGELES —  JUNE 25, 2019 — Today marks the highly-anticipated return of Samurai Shodown®, the predecessor of the weapons-based, versus fighting game genre, as the franchise finally returns to consoles! Marking the first release in the franchise since 2008 and over 25 years since the release of the original, Samurai Shodown returns with its signature, unforgiving approach to weapons-based combat. This new Samurai Shodown “reboot” features a returning cast of 13 fan-favourite characters and 3 brand new characters at launch, further unlockable characters in the Season Pass, a range of competitive in-game modes and a true evolution to the fighting genre and the series in Dojo Mode.

Along with the traditional Versus Battle Mode, Samurai Shodown offers a range of modes for players to sink their blades into, including:

  • Practice Mode: Players can learn the ropes in a tutorial and hone their skills in training mode.

  • Online Mode: Friends and foes alike can battle online in a variety of competitive modes.

  • Story Mode: Players can witness each character’s unique journey through 18th century Edo-period Japan as a new disaster threat looms over the land.

  • Battle Mode: Host to a variety of challenges including Versus, Time Trial, Survival and Gauntlet modes, players looking to test their skills will be pushed to the limit here.

  • Dojo Mode: After enough matches have been played, players can compete against their own ghost, other players’ ghosts, and then share their ghost data to online leaderboards.

A Season Pass offering is also available for Samurai Shodown, which will see further characters added to the roster over the coming months. Fans who purchase Samurai Shodown before June 30th will receive the Season Pass free of charge. SNK has also announced the full line-up of DLC characters that will be included in the season pass and released in the following order: Rimururu, Basara, Kazuki Kazama, and Wan-Fu.

In addition to the launch, SNK are pleased to outline their ongoing commitment to the franchise as an emerging competitor in the esports scene with Samurai Shodown’s upcoming inclusion at the Evolution Championship Series, the largest and longest-running fighting game tournaments in the world. EVO brings together the best of the best from around the world in a dazzling exhibition of skill and fun, as players and fans gather to honour the competitive spirit in an open format and determine a champion.

“We have been overwhelmed by the positivity of our fans over the past several months and would like to thank each and every one of them for making the return of the franchise come to fruition,” said SNK Lead Producer, Yasuyuki Oda. “Further to today’s launch on Xbox One and PlayStation 4, we’re now looking forward to being part of the Evolution Championship series this August and we could not be happier to be part of one the biggest competitive fighting game events in the world. Please expect to hear more from us in the coming months regarding our future plans for esports and Samurai Shodown!”

Samurai Shodown is now available in the West on PlayStation®4 and Xbox One ($59.99 MSRP). For more information about the game, please visit us on Twitter.

Samurai Shodown is published in North America and Europe by Los Angeles-based Athlon Games. For more on Athlon Games, visit www.athlongames.com.

*Users must claim the Season Pass via PlayStation Network / Microsoft Store before June 30th, 2019. Regional restrictions may apply.

Monster Jam Steel Titans Launch Trailer

Vienna, Austria and Palmetto, Florida – June 25, 2019 – THQ Nordic and Feld Entertainment® today released Monster Jam Steel Titans for PC, PlayStation® 4 computer entertainment system and Xbox® One family of devices, including the Xbox One X. Monster Jam Steel Titans is the first Monster Jam® video game from acclaimed off-road racing developer Rainbow Studios.

Complete with all the trucks, athletes, stadiums, stunts and massive air that make Monster Jam® the BIGGEST name in off-road racing, Monster Jam Steel Titans is now available worldwide for SRPs are PC: $ 29.99 | € 29.99 | £ 25.99 and consoles: $ 39.99 | € 39.99 | £ 35.99.

PlayStation Network: http://n.thq.com/ds8h30p0czi​

​Microsoft Store: http://n.thq.com/bj9C30p0cAz

The Simpsons to Make D23 Expo Debut

BURBANK, Calif. (June 24, 2019) – The longest-running primetime scripted show in television history, The Simpsons, makes its first appearance at D23 Expo. Get insight on the upcoming all-new season in a lively panel Saturday, August 24 at 10 a.m. in the D23 Expo Arena with Creator Matt Groening, Executive Producer Al Jean, Executive Producer Matt Selman, Supervising Director Mike B. Anderson, and stars Nancy Cartwright and Yeardley Smith. Expect lots of surprises, including an exclusive Simpsons collectible item for everyone in attendance.

The Simpsons exploded into a cultural phenomenon in 1990 and has remained one of the most groundbreaking and innovative entertainment franchises, recognizable throughout the world. Recently finishing its historic 30th season, The Simpsons has won 33 Emmy® Awards, 34 Annie Awards, 9 Environmental Media Awards, 7 People’s Choice Awards and 12 Writers Guild of America Awards including the 2019 Outstanding Writing in an Animated Program Award. It was the first animated series to win a Peabody Award and was nominated for an Academy Award® in 2012 for the theatrical short “The Longest Daycare.” The Simpsons Movie was a hit feature film, the mega-attraction The Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios has received historic expansion updates with the addition of “Springfield,” and the show was honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2000. It has been named the “Best Show of the 20th Century” by Time magazine and called the “Best TV Show Ever” by Vulture in 2016.

During the D23 Expo, The Simpsons fans will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with Bart, Lisa, and the rest of The Simpsons family on the convention floor. A few lucky fans will even get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet Matt Groening and the rest of the panelists during a one-hour autograph signing session of an exclusive The Simpsons mini-poster following the panel.

HITMAN 2 – Official New York Location Trailer

June 24, 2019 – Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and IO Interactive today released a new trailer showcasing the first Expansion Pass location – New York – coming to HITMAN 2. Available tomorrow (June 25) for all Expansion Pass and Expansion Pack 1 owners, the New York location is an entirely new sandbox environment that will feature The Bank (Golden Handshake) campaign mission, along with contracts mode for the mission, new challenges, unlocks, achievements and more. New York will also include its own Mastery Progression system, and each level of location mastery reached will unlock either a new starting point, agency pickup, tool or weapon. Plus, players can unlock a new double-breasted trench coat for Agent 47 (The New Yorker), along with a customized Bartoli 12G shotgun and additional new items, which can all be carried over to other locations and missions.

The HITMAN 2 Expansion Pass is available now for $39.99, which includes Expansion Pack 1 and Expansion Pack 2. The Expansion Pass is also included as part of the HITMAN 2 Gold Edition, featuring New York and next upcoming location, new Sniper Assassin maps, challenges, missions, outfits and weapons, as well as the Executive Pack containing the Italian black leather briefcase and ICA 19 Blackballer pistol in-game items, all for $99.99.

Six Flags Great Adventure Celebrates Siberian Tiger Cub Birth

JACKSON, NJ – June 24, 2019 – The Six Flags Great Adventure animal care team is celebrating the birth of a rare Siberian tiger cub. The fuzzy, playful, female cub is only the second tiger cub born in the Safari in 15 years. She is the first cub to mom Nadya, who was raised in a highly unique litter that paired her with African lion Zuri three years ago. The two large cats still live together.

Nadya’s now-six-week-old cub is named Carli, in honor of soccer great and New Jersey native Carli Lloyd. She is being hand-raised by the animal care team.

“Nadya showed great mothering skills at first; but when she failed to nurse her cub, we stepped in,” said Safari Veterinarian Dr. Ken Keiffer. “Today, Carli is doing extremely well. She weighs 12 pounds and when full grown, will weigh more than 500 lbs. Her large paws are indicative of the massive cat she will grow to become one day.”

Guests will be able to see Carli in Six Flags Great Adventure’s Safari Discoveries section soon.

The animal care team plans to reintroduce Carli to her mother and “unique aunt” when she is older. “Tigers are typically solitary animals, while lions are more social. The strong bond that Carli’s mom Nadya shares with lion Zuri will hopefully mean that the trio will become their own pride one day,” Dr. Keiffer said.

Siberian tigers are endangered and rank as the largest cats in the world. There are estimated to be fewer than 500 Siberian tigers left in the wild.

Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2 Chaos Campaign Expansion Coming Soon

June 21, 2019 – Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2, the definitive video game adaptation of Games Workshop’s incredible space battle game, is getting bigger, better, and more spectacular with the new Chaos Campaign Expansion. A week from its release, we’re delighted to share a first look into the twisted destiny of Word Bearer Malos Vrykan with 5 brand new screenshots.

Releasing on June 24 for €12.99/$12.99, this Expansion arrives alongside a free update filled with updates to the game’s single-player offerings and delivers the most requested new feature of the game: a fully playable Chaos Grand Campaign, letting you take the role of the galaxy’s worst nightmares as they raze the galaxy. Part one and two of our three-part Community Update Series give an overview of the premise and mechanics of the new Campaign, and the final part will go through the features coming in the free update.

Releasing with the Chaos Campaign will be the no less major Campaign Update. Free to all players, this update enriches every campaign with additional secondary objectives on each map, diversifying gameplay significantly. Other much-requested features include larger fleets and the ability to switch ships between them, economy options, faction-specific super-abilities for enemy AI, and disabling certain features for a more narrative-focused experience.

The Expansion will offer incredible value on dozens of hours of new content, a whole new story, new missions, new campaign mechanics and much more. The Chaos Campaign Expansion is the largest update yet for Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2, only possible thanks to the dedication and continued feedback of the community.

The Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2 Chaos Campaign Expansion releases June 24 via Steam and can be purchased for €12.99/$12.99. The Campaign Update will release simultaneously and be available for free to all players.

Harry Potter: Wizards Unite Out Now

SAN FRANCISCO AND BURBANK, CALIF. — June 21, 2019 — Ready your wands! Niantic, Inc. and WB Games today announced the official launch of Harry Potter: Wizards Unite™ in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. The highly anticipated augmented reality (AR) real-world mobile game is co-published and co-developed by Niantic, Inc. and WB Games under the Portkey Games label, and will launch in additional countries around the world in the days ahead. Players in the launch regions can download the game for free starting today on the App Store for iPhone, Google Play for Android devices and the Samsung Galaxy Apps Store for Samsung devices.

“Today marks the beginning of an incredible journey for fans of the Wizarding World, opening up virtual doorways to remarkable adventures in the world around them,” said John Hanke, Founder and CEO, Niantic. “Everything we’ve learned about augmented reality and real-world game design over the last seven years has been poured into this game.”

“We are very pleased to partner with Niantic, the AR gaming market leader, for Harry Potter: Wizards Unite to create a deeply magical and immersive Wizarding World experience for our Portkey Games label,” said David Haddad, President, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “If you are a wizard or witch who always felt the magic was really all around you, Harry Potter: Wizards Unite’s combination of unique narrative and cutting-edge AR technology will let you live out that fan fantasy.”

Harry Potter: Wizards Unite is built on the Niantic Real World Platform, and created using the game design and content creation expertise of WB Games San Francisco. As new recruits of the Statute of Secrecy Task Force, players will investigate the chaotic magical activity that is leaking into the Muggle world and work together to solve the mystery of this Calamity. Players will be able to explore their real-world neighborhoods and cities to discover mysterious artifacts, cast spells, and encounter fantastic beasts and iconic characters along the way.

To stay up to date on Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, please visit www.harrypotterwizardsunite.com to receive the latest information about the game, and follow the game on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

The Making of Planet Zoo Part 1

June 20, 2019 – Welcome to The Making of Planet Zoo, a developer diary series in which the team highlight the work that goes on behind the scenes when developing and publishing a zoo management simulation game.

Build a world for wildlife in Planet Zoo, the ultimate zoo sim, featuring authentic living animals who think, feel and explore the world you create around them. Experience a globe-trotting campaign or let your imagination run wild in the freedom of Sandbox mode. Create unique habitats and vast landscapes, make big decisions and meaningful choices, and nurture your animals as you construct and manage the world’s wildest zoos.

Check out the first of these diaries ‘An Authentic Experience’ via the YouTube link, below:

Planet Zoo is coming 5 November 2019 and is now available to pre-order on Steam here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/703080/Planet_Zoo/

For more news and information about Planet Zoo:

Website: www.planetzoogame.com
Facebook: facebook.com/PlanetZooGame
Twitter: www.twitter.com/PlanetZooGame
Instagram: @PlanetZooGame

Harvest Moon: Mad Dash Announced

Burlingame, CA. – June 20, 2019 – Natsume Inc., a worldwide developer and publisher of family-oriented video games, today announced the newest Harvest Moon title, Harvest Moon: Mad Dash. First revealed at E3 2019, Harvest Moon: Mad Dash is a fast-paced farming game for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4. Harvest Moon: Mad Dash will be available Fall 2019.

“Harvest Moon: Mad Dash combines the classic harvesting and farming that players have loved in all Harvest Moon games with challenging and fun multi-player games,” said Hiro Maekawa, President & CEO of Natsume. “Fans will be able to experience the features that make Harvest Moon so familiar in a new way. We loved the reaction of people who have checked it out at E3 2019, and look forward to revealing more as we prepare for launch this fall!”

Go solo or take along a few friends in this fast-paced farming frenzy! Harvest, fish, milk, and more as you fulfil orders to complete each level! Things may start out easy, but you’ll hit the beach, the farm, and even the Underworld as you progress through the game! Have you ever tried to grow crops with molten lava falling on them?! That and other obstacles await you as you and your friends try to clear all the levels to restore the broken lighthouse!

Key Features:

  • Fast-paced action means quick decisions are key!
  • Multiplayer madness requires communication to succeed!
  • Take on farm, beach, Underworld, and Skyworld levels!
  • Use Harvest Sprite Powers to unlock special support skills!