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HUNT: Showdown Gets First Major Content Update

London, May 11, 2018 – Today Crytek announced the release of Hunt: Showdown’s first major content update, live now on Steam. In addition to new content, the update also includes a large number of tweaks, changes, and bug fixes for the Early Access title. With Content Update 1, players will gain access to five new weapons equipped with scopes as well as two new tactical bombs and eleven new Hunter outfits. Twelve new traits, which boost players’ performance and capabilities in various ways, are also debuting with this update.

In response to community feedback, one of the update’s biggest goals was to reduce the advantages for campers by changing level architecture and layout, as well as adding rewards for players who successfully banish the boss. You can learn more about these changes in a video with Level Design Director Chris Auty hereIn another video, Lead Designer Dennis Schwarz and Senior System Designer David West also address this issue, as well as some of the changes and additions to weapons, gunplay, traits, hunters, and audio.

Many smaller changes were made as well: the addition of fall damage, map readability improvements, a rebalance on player footstep audio, and much, much more. All of the details can be found in the Update Patch Notes.

Pizza Connection 3 Now Available on Mac App Store

Wiesbaden, May 11, 2018 – Pizza Connection 3 is now also available in the Mac App Store. Mac users can now download the third part of the legendary Pizza Connection series from Apple’s own store and make their dream of their own pizza empire come true.

Assemble Entertainment released Pizza Connection 3 on March 22 Europe-wide in retail and worldwide digital for PC, Mac and Linux (SteamOS) at a recommended retail price of €29.99. The business simulation is being developed by the Assemble-own developer Studio Gentlymad in Wiesbaden.

The Banner Saga Gets Nintendo Switch Release Date

BALTIMORE, MD – May 10, 2018 – Stoic, an independent game development company, and Versus Evil, one of the leading independent video game publishers, today announced the award winning, BAFTA nominated, indie hit The Banner Saga role-playing strategy game is coming to Nintendo Switch on May 17th.

The Banner Saga is an epic single player driven Viking saga, where a player’s choice in travel, conversation and combat determines the outcome of their own personal story as well as the survival of an entire civilization. The game also features stunning 2D animation and art, a unique tactical combat system and a cast of unforgettable characters, all of which drive this epic journey forward.

“Launching The Banner Saga on Nintendo Switch is an exciting moment for us, as we gear up in 2018 to enter the third and final chapter of the series it’s only fitting we give Nintendo players an opportunity to enjoy this award winning Viking inspired saga where the journey begins.” Said Steve Escalante, General Manager of Versus Evil.

“We’ve always strived to share this epic series and the narrative of the saga across a variety of platforms and we are thrilled to now bring the Banner Saga to a whole new community of console players on the Nintendo Switch” said John Watson, Technical Director at Stoic.

The Banner Saga, which launched to much critical acclaim has received several awards and nominations, including winner of the 2014 Geekie Awards for “Best Video Game”, winner of 2014 Game Developers Choice: “Best Debut” award, finalist placement for “Excellence in Visual Arts” category at the Independent Game Festival, 3 BAFTA Award Nominations, and winner of Pocket Gamer’s 2015 Best Adventure/RPG Gameand Best Android Game of the Year.

The Banner Saga is available on multiple formats including Steam for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One as well the App Store for iPad and iPhone, on Google Play and Amazon for Android devices and on Windows based tablets.

To learn more about The Banner Saga visit: www.bannersaga.com

Jurassic Park – The Ride Transforming into New Jurassic World Ride

Universal City, CA, May 10, 2018 – In 2019, colossal, dimensional dinosaurs will once again roam the Earth and astound guests when Universal Studios Hollywood debuts an all-new technologically-advanced epic adventure inspired by Universal Pictures’ blockbuster film franchise: Welcome to the “Jurassic World Ride.”

Drawing from the favorite elements of the original “Jurassic Park—The Ride,” this next-generation thrill ride will be a fully reimagined iteration of the ground-breaking adventure, elevating every facet of the experience. With the introduction of never-before-seen dinosaurs, enhanced storytelling, lush scenic design, an entirely new color scheme and uncompromised state-of the art technology, the ride will capture elements never experienced within a theme park.

To rally fans for the finale of “Jurassic Park—The Ride” on September 3, 2018, Universal Studios Hollywood has launched a “Countdown to the Extinction” campaign—inviting guests from around the world to experience the ride before its transformation into the all-new “Jurassic World Ride” in 2019.

More information is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.

Lake Ridden Launch Trailer

Malmö, Sweden  May 10, 2018  Swedish developer Midnight Hub is proud to announce that Lake Ridden is now available on Windows PC via Steam, GOG.com and Humble Store. This story-driven adventure blends exploration and environmental puzzle-solving as you seek to uncover the truth behind your sister’s disappearance.

The warm summer is giving way to the first signs of autumn. You are Marie, a 13-year-old girl who, reluctantly, decides to join her younger sister and her friends for one last camping weekend in the wilderness.

What begins as the perfect way to say goodbye to the summer quickly takes an unexpected turn after an argument with your sister ends with her running off into the forest. While searching for her, you stumble upon an old forgotten estate…

Through narrative-driven, first-person gameplay, you must find clues, solve puzzles, discover secrets and interact with mysterious residents in order to find your sister and escape Lake Ridden.

The culmination of two years of hard work, Sara Casen, CEO and Producer at Midnight Hub, said, “It feels absolutely amazing to finally be able to share Lake Ridden with you! I’m so proud of what our small team of five have managed to create. I can’t wait to see people play Lake Ridden and have fun with it!”

Check out the launch trailer here: https://youtu.be/FDpe-ZAVKdI, and for more information on Midnight Hub, visit https://www.midnighthub.com.

Features of Lake Ridden

  • Experience a rich narrative in a beautiful, atmospheric setting.
  • Uncover an old estate filled with mysteries, explore a stunning forest and experience a thrilling time-bending adventure.
  • Solve tricky puzzles and look for clues as you investigate your sister’s disappearance.

Platforms: Windows PC via Steam, GOG.com and Humble Store
Release date: May 10, 2018
Price: $19.99

THE PREDATOR Teaser Trailer Released

May 10, 2018 – 20th Century Fox has released the first teaser trailer for THE PREDATOR, directed by Shane Black and starring Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, Jacob Tremblay, Keegan-Michael Key, Olivia Munn, Sterling K. Brown, Alfie Allen, Thomas Jane, Augusto Aguilera, Jake Busey and Yvonne Strahovski.

THE PREDATOR hits theaters everywhere on September 14, 2018

Nobunaga’s Ambition: Taishi Details Various Player Strategies

Burlingame Calif. – May 9, 2018 – KOEI TECMO America today detailed the wide breadth of strategies available to players in Nobunaga’s Ambition: Taishi, providing players with all the tools necessary to build up their domain and conquer their foes. The latest entry in the Grand Strategy series, which focuses on the pivotal Warring States Era, is slated for release on June 5, 2018 for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and digitally for Windows PC via Steam® – marking the 35th anniversary of the series.

In Nobunaga’s Ambition: Taishi, players are able to step in the shoes of their favorite officer or lord and increase their clan’s influence in Japan. For players to successfully rule and conquer the land they will have to utilize a range of strategic options, including one of the newest features introduced to the series in Taishi: The Resolve System. Each move will have to be considered by the player, as the system introduces a set of aspirations – all of which decide how an officer will act in a given situation; Shingen Takeda, the head of the Takeda clan, has the resolve “Law of Kai” which focuses on the idea that everyone should be treated equally in every situation. Achieving an officer’s ambitions will prove worthwhile as it will unlock bonuses, such as increased gold or attack damage, to assist in the campaign.

To complement the addition of the Resolve System, the Council System has been augmented to allow each attending officer the option to approve new policies. This could create situations with an officer having their own set of aspirations, and this belief will influence their decision to agree or disagree with the mentioned policies.

An abundance of battle tactics can be utilized in Nobunaga’s Ambition: Taishi, allowing players to choose the best strategy to overthrow enemy units. Building upon the previous entries in the series, a new 2-part turn-based battle system is introduced; the Planning Phase pauses the action so that players can strategically plan their next move and then, when they are ready, the Execution Phase commences where the battle unfolds in real-time. While in the Planning Phase players will be presented with a variety of different strategies, all of which have their own advantages and disadvantages depending on how they are used. One strategy uses the formation ‘The Woodpecker’- causing a devastating blow to enemy units, though this takes five turns before an attack successfully lands.

Complimenting the battle system during gameplay are the Civic Development systems, where players are able to improve aspects of their domain to earn useful resources and in-game advantages. One of the key aspects to building a successful domain is through the use of Facilities. Farming, Irrigation and Military facilities all provide useful resources; generating gold and supplies, raising the satisfaction levels of neighboring districts, and increasing the army size and providing them with greater weaponry and equipment. Greatly improved production rates and resources can be earned through the effective use of Trade Routes; expanding into a neighboring district, and sharing resources, will even offer resources which cannot be produced within the player’s current domain.

To celebrate the announcement, KOEI TECMO also released a selection of screenshots, a first look at character Ambition Cards, and a plethora of images detailing the strategic possibilities available to players within Nobunaga’s Ambition: Taishi.

To discover more of the key historical figures that shaped Sengoku era Japan, and stay in touch with the latest Nobunaga’s Ambition Taishi news, please visit the official site at www.koeitecmoamerica.com/taishi, like www.facebook.com/koeitecmous, and follow us on twitter @koeitecmous

The PC Gaming Show is Back for 2018

LOS ANGELES – May. 9, 2018 – The PC Gaming Show, the fourth-annual event for developers, publishers, hardware companies, press, and fans, returns to E3 in 2018. Hosted once again by fan-favorite Day[9], the show will include sponsors Oculus Rift, Acer, Improbable, Tripwire Interactive, Stardock Entertainment, Frontier, and Team 17. In addition, Drake’s Cakes, the PC Gaming Show’s first consumer sponsor, will be providing some of their signature baked goods to attendees along with an exciting announcement. The PC Gaming Show will take place live from The Wiltern, an iconic theater that has hosted a variety of acts from Florence and The Machine to Tom Petty, in Los Angeles on Monday, June 11 at 3pm PDT.

For more information and to register for press or content creator access, please visit www.pcgamingshow.com and follow #pcgamingshow. Members of the public can reserve tickets for free at www.pcgamingshow.com/tickets.

This year’s theme is “See The Future of PC Gaming,” embodied by hardware companies like Acer who will unveil their latest innovations in a new tech segment. They will join more than a dozen developers, including Coffee Stain Studios and Chance Agency, who will share sneak peeks of upcoming and unrevealed games on stage. Further participants and sponsors will be announced in the coming weeks.

“We’re delighted to host another event that will give PC gaming the presence at E3 it deserves,” said PC Gamer’s global editor in chief Tim Clark. “Since its inception, the PC Gaming Show’s goal has been to demonstrate the depth and breadth of creativity on the platform, and this year we’re putting together a program with big reveals from indies and major players.”

PC gamers will be able to attend in person or watch the PC Gaming Show on twitch.tv/pcgamer. The show will also be hosted on the Twitch homepage as part of their official “E3 Day Zero” programming. In addition, the PC Gaming Show will be broadcast live on Facebook, YouTube Gaming and Steam.

Overload Soundtrack Released

May 8, 2018 – Revival Productions announced that the official soundtrack for Overload – the new six-degree-of-freedom tunnel shooter from the original creators of the critically-acclaimed 90s classic Descent – is now available on Steam for $9.99.

The Overload OST presents a collection of original works ranging from multiple artists around the world, Descent series composers Dan Wentz, Allister Brimble, and Jerry Berlongieri. Although each artist has a unique musical background and history, they all share a common a passion for immersive platforms that provide untethered freedom and full control. Such an experience is Overload.

The soundtrack is available from Steam here:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/857880/Overload_Official_Soundtrack

“If game audio accounts for 30% of the experience, then 20% of that should be in the music!” said Mike Kulas, co-creator, Revival Productions.

“Where sound provides information, music provides inspiration,” added Revival Productions co-creator Matt Toschlog. “As such we decided to incorporate multiple composers to cover the various worlds with an ongoing collage of original music to ramp up the unfolding action. We hope you enjoy the experience!”

Revival Productions was founded by Matt Toschlog and Mike Kulas, co-founders of legendary Parallax Software. Revival has created Overload, an FPS that combines the best of classic 6-DOF gameplay found in Descent with the latest in today’s technology to provide intense 3D action on PC, PlayStation4, and Xbox One.

A “playable teaser” of Overload is available for free on Steam (http://store.steampowered.com/app/450220/Overload_Playable_Teaser_20/) or by direct download from https://playoverload.com.  It contains a small subset of Overload, giving the player a taste of what it’s like to play in six-degrees-of-freedom.

AO International Tennis Launch Trailer

MELBOURNE, Australia  May 8, 2018 – Big Ant Studios and Tennis Australia are delighted to announce AO International Tennis is available today in digital stores across North America for $49.99. Starting today, tennis fans from around the world will be able to jump onto the PlayStation®4, Xbox One and Steam to pick up their copy and compete in realistic, authentic, deep simulations of tennis while putting themselves right into the biggest tournaments around the world.

AO International Tennis’ key feature is the depth of its customization. In addition to making your own decals and logos for your uniforms and equipment, you’ll be recreating your favorite stadia and venues through the comprehensive editor, and even putting yourself right into the experience through PlayFace™: the most advanced visual editor in a sports game ever, allowing you to take a photo and superimpose yourself onto an in-game character for true photo-realism.

“Everyone wants to take on professional tennis players like Rafael Nadal, Angelique Kerber, David Goffin and Karolina Pliskova. You might not be able to do that in real life, but you can certainly put yourself on the court with him in AO International Tennis,” Big Ant Studios CEO Ross Symons said. “In addition to making a tennis game that plays as true to the sport as possible, we really wanted to give players complete ownership over their game, allowing them to play it their way.”

In addition to a comprehensive career mode and the ability to play through the Australian Open tournament, tennis fans will be able to take on one another online, with full online leaderboards giving everyone a chance to carve out their own tennis records and exploits.

In addition, from today on all copies of AO Tennis are automatically upgradeable to AO International Tennis for free. Just make sure your console is connected to the internet, and the upgrade will be downloadable in patch form, effectively installing AO International Tennis on your console hard drive.

AO International Tennis truly represents the vision that we had for the sport,” Symons said. “We look forward to seeing fans out there on the court!”

AO International Tennis is available today for $49.99 on PlayStation®4, Xbox One and PC via each platform’s respective digital download storefront. It has been enhanced on Xbox One X and PlayStation®4 Pro.