Author - Jerry Paxton

Hans Zimmer and Lorne Balfe to Co-Compose Dragon Age: the Veilguard Score

Electronic Arts Inc. and BioWare today announced that two-time Oscar-winner Hans Zimmer and Grammy-winner Lorne Balfe have co-composed the Official Soundtrack (OST) for Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the new single-player fantasy RPG experience coming to PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam, EA App and Epic Games Store on October 31, 2024. The legendary composers have collaborated on dozens of projects throughout their careers and have worked closely with the development team at BioWare to create a score celebrating the world of Thedas and its heroes.

Fans will be able to pre-order the Official Soundtrack album beginning October 18th on iTunes and Amazon Music, with the formal release to follow on November 1st via Lakeshore Records. Moreover, in celebration of the announcement, Dragon Age: The Veilguard Main Theme, has been released as the first single from the official soundtrack, and can be downloaded and streamed now on all major music services such as SpotifyiTunes and Deezer.

“One of our goals with the music for Dragon Age: The Veilguard was to provide a strong anchor between the world of Thedas and the diverse characters that inhabit that world,” said Cody Behiel, Audio Director for Dragon Age: The Veilguard. “We wanted to ensure that throughout the game’s story, whether at its most epic or its most intimate, players were able to feel their actions connect to the personal relationships they have been fostering. Working with Hans and Lorne took these ideas to greater emotional heights than we thought possible and I am so excited for players to experience it.”

Oscar-winner Zimmer, one of the world’s most renowned composers, has won numerous awards and honors for his scores in such films as Dune, Dunkirk, Interstellar, Inception and many more. With over 100 film scores to his credit, Dragon Age: The Veilguard is the first video game soundtrack composed by Zimmer in nearly 10 years.

Speaking about his work on Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Hans Zimmer said, “Epic stories lend themselves to epic scores, and the narrative tapestry BioWare has woven in The Veilguard never left me wanting for inspiration, be it during the game’s moments of shining heroism or darkest emotional pitfalls. I’m proud to have shared the journey of creating the musical backdrop for the latest Dragon Age adventure with Lorne and the entire design team.”

GRAMMY Award-winner Balfe has over 170 composer credits across movies, TV and games, including Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Assassin’s Creed III, Assassin’s Creed: Revelations and Beyond: Two Souls, all of which received nominations for Best Original Music from the BAFTA Games Awards.

“The world of Dragon Age is an unprecedented immersive experience, and never more so than in Dragon Age: The Veilguard,” said Lorne Balfe. “Crafting this score alongside Hans Zimmer has allowed us to bring an epic new majesty to the realm of Thedas, bringing these characters and their stories to the next level. I cannot wait for people to play this game.”

Players can pre-order Dragon Age: The Veilguard now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. For additional information and to stay up to date on Dragon Age: The Veilguard, visit the official website, like Dragon Age on Facebook, follow the franchise on Discord, TikTok, Tumblr, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), and subscribe to its YouTube channel.

Broken Arrow Delayed

Slitherine and Steel Balalaika announced that the release date of Broken Arrow, originally planned for a 2024 launch, had been moved to 2025.

Marco Alessandro Minoli, Director of Publishing, stated: “The game won’t be releasing this year as intended, but we felt it was necessary. This decision is motivated by our desire to fully meet our community’s expectations, to ensure that Broken Arrow is the best game of its kind and that it provides a flawless experience to its players. To achieve this, we needed to run more extensive testing and iterate on improving the code efficiency. We don’t want to underestimate any potential issue and we’d rather wait than risk letting anyone down on day one. The development team has been hard at work and we can’t wait to show you what is new for the game”.

The publisher acknowledged that this will disappoint many players and members of the game community, but there is some good news for them as well: a new multiplayer Open Beta will be available for everyone to play on November 12th. Throughout the entire month of October, Broken Arrow fans can expect weekly developer diaries on the Steam page, which will highlight all the latest updates and showcase the content available in the beta, including new units, specializations, maps, and features.

Furthermore, fans can expect an important reveal of Broken Arrow in December, which would also be the occasion for a very special announcement.

Slitherine, the publisher, and Steel Balalaika, the developer team, promise to players that their patience will be rewarded: “We think we have an amazing game on our hands and we are certain that you won’t be disappointed”.

Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days Demo Set for Oct 28th

Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days, the shelter survival game set in a zombie-infested Texas city from PikPok, will unleash an unliving nightmare with its first-ever Steam demo on Monday, Oct. 28.

Set during the 1980s, an undead plague overruns the fictional Texas city of Walton and pockets of survivors band together against apocalyptic perils. Brave the streets, scavenge for supplies, and find a way to escape in a side-scrolling adventure inspired by survival horror and shelter management games.

Recruit allies, scour a dynamically changing city, craft tools and weapons, and make painful decisions in the face of dwindling resources and growing panic. One misstep can make the difference between surviving the night or summoning an uncountable and ravenous horde upon those that put their trust in you.

Audeze Announces CRBN2 Electrostatic Headphones

Audeze, the leading premium headphone manufacturer known for its award-winning technology, announces the release of CRBN2, their latest and most advanced electrostatic headphone. CRBN2 builds on Audeze’s legacy of cutting-edge audio innovation and introduces Audeze’s patent pending Symmetric Linear Acoustic Modulator (SLAM) technology for the first time. This revolutionary feature provides an unprecedented level of transparency and bass response, offering listeners an experience that is both deeply tactile and vividly immersive.

CRBN2 also represents a step forward for Audeze’s electrostatic headphone technology, and at its core lies Audeze’s second-generation carbon-nanotube electrostatic driver, which has been meticulously engineered for exceptional sound fidelity. Integrated for the first time in CRBN2, the new SLAM technology is designed to optimize air pressure distribution across the driver, enhancing low-frequency performance without increasing distortion. This results in a headphone that delivers powerful, lifelike bass response and rich, holographic spatial imaging—qualities that set CRBN2 apart in the realm of high-end audio.

SpellForce: Conquest of Eo – Weaver’s Realms Launch Trailer

It’s time to turn dreams into reality! We are thrilled to announce the exciting new expansion, Weaver’s Realms, for SpellForce: Conquest of Eo is out today on PC, PlayStation and Xbox!

Weaver’s Realms introduces a powerful new school of magic, Dreamweaving, which masterfully blends the realms of dreaming and waking. Players will now have the ability to empower allies, manipulate foes, and craft illusions so vivid they blur the lines between reality and fantasy.

This expansion enriches the SpellForce: Conquest of Eo experience with an array of thrilling new features, including innovative gameplay mechanics, fresh units, diverse heroes, and a host of enchanting items. Dive into brand-new scenarios and embark on adventures that elevate the game to extraordinary new heights.

The Weaver’s Realms DLC for SpellForce: Conquest of Eo is now available at an SRP of $14.99 / €14.99!

SpellForce: Conquest of Eo is available at an SRP of $ 29.99 / € 29.99 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X. The critically acclaimed DLC Demon Scourge is also available at an SRP of $ 12.99 / € 12.99.

Check Steam Turn-Based RPG Fest!
From September 30 to October 7, celebrate the magic of turn-based RPGs with fantastic discounts on SpellForce: Conquest of Eo. Enjoy 50% off the base game and a 34% discount on the first expansion, Demon Scourge! Check out the SpellForce: Conquest of Eo Bundle for exclusive savings tailored for both seasoned fans and newcomers alike:
https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/40596/SpellF…

For those eager to fully immerse themselves in the enchanting world of Eo, the complete SpellForce Bundle is also available, featuring remarkable discounts not only on the turn-based spin-off Conquest of Eo but also across the franchise’s main entries:
https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/8177/SpellFo…

Metal Slug Tactics – A New Angle Trailer

Publisher Dotemu (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, Streets of Rage 4) and developer Leikir Studio (Rogue Lords, Synergy) today released a new, in-depth video look at Metal Slug Tactics, the grid-based tactical RPG adaptation of the iconic run-and-gun franchise. Metal Slug Tactics will be released in Fall 2024 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam (https://store.steampowered.com/app/1590760/Metal_Slug_Tactics/).

In the video, Leikir Studio reflects on childhood memories of playing the series in arcades. The team bonds over a shared fondness for the METAL SLUG universe, which Dotemu and Leikir Studio hope to instill in new players and evoke from series veterans when they storm the battlefield in Metal Slug Tactics.

The combat of Metal Slug Tactics takes place in an isometric view, a fresh, reimagined approach to the side-scrolling action for which the series is famous. A change in perspective that affects gameplay and visuals alike, Leikir Studio worked in collaboration with the franchise’s legendary original pixel artists to ensure Metal Slug Tactics authentically captures the spirit of the series’ stunning visuals. The video also explores Metal Slug Tactics’ introduction of new elements to series conventions, including the shift to tactical play, randomization to boost mission replayability, unlockable skills, and roguelite-style progression. It all adds up to a unique and imaginative way to enjoy the world of METAL SLUG.

The classic characters of METAL SLUG return in Metal Slug Tactics, armed with unique abilities that capture their signature personalities and influence each fighter’s approach to combat. With new mechanics such as SYNC team attacks that can be capitalized on through clever field positioning, and a home base-style armory where players select a squad to send into battle, Leikir Studio and Dotemu have transposed the feel of run-and-gun action into a tactical RPG while retaining the series’ DNA of fast-paced gameplay.

Both a respectful homage to an all-time classic and an imaginative new way to celebrate the renowned series, Metal Slug Tactics channels the timeless METAL SLUG aesthetic through gorgeous pixel art and fluid animation. The game’s highly replayable battlefields combine shuffled layouts from handcrafted terrain sectors with subtle roguelite elements, pushing players to adapt and overcome unpredictable clashes as they master dynamic, strategic combat.

Wield classic METAL SLUG weapons, leveraging skill trees, perks, and a super-charged adrenaline system to outwit and demolish the flanks of the series’ signature villains. The action is accompanied by an original soundtrack featuring music from Tee Lopes (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, Sonic Mania, Streets of Rage 4’s Mr. X Nightmare DLC). Metal Slug Tactics is wholly developed by Leikir Studio with support from Dotemu and access supplied by IP owner SNK.

For the latest on Metal Slug Tactics, visit https://www.metalslugtactics.com/, follow @Dotemu and @LeikirStudio on X, and wishlist the game on Steam via https://store.steampowered.com/app/1590760/Metal_Slug_Tactics/.

AION Classic EU The Triad of Champions – 3v3 Team Tournament

Gameforge announced that free-to-play fantasy MMORPG AION Classic EU will embrace its strategic and complex PvP gameplay and give some of the community’s most talented and competitive players an opportunity to be rewarded for their skills in an upcoming grassroots tournament.

The tournament, taking place on October 19, will highlight the dynamic and fast-paced RPG combat that AION Classic EU is renowned for. Offering no restrictions on either gear or consumables and taking place in Apheta Beluslan, a twisted and sinister location introduced with the recent Conquest update, the stage is well-prepared for players to showcase their knowledge of the game and its maps.

To participate, AION Classic EU players who play on EU servers will form teams of three that must include level 58 players of three different character classes.

Players are competing for more than just bragging rights, though, as cold, hard, Classic loot is available for victors. Anyone who places 64th or higher will be rewarded. Rewards, which vary depending on placement, include consumable bundles, in-game pets, real-life plushies, costumes, Major Ancient Crowns, coupons, roles in the AION Classic EU Discord, and more.

There are even rewards for fans who aren’t participating, such is the excitement around the tournament! The finals will be streamed live by Gameforge via the AION Classic EU YouTube and Twitch channels, with shoutcasters to boot. Those who tune in can secure some spectacular gifts of their own (restricted to players on EU servers only)… but you’ll have to tune in to find out exactly what!

Any player who wants to dive into AION Classic EU’s PvP for themselves—or if tournament participants want to get some training reps in—there are plenty of ways to do that before the big show begins:

  • Abyss Warfare & Fortress Siege: Head to the major PvPvE zone, The Abyss, to face off against the opposing faction (Elyos or Asmodian), capture key locations in Fortress Sieges, and defend against the monstrous NPC faction, the Balaur, which can occasionally enter the fray and turn this into a three-way battle.
  • Base Warfare: Players can engage in PvP battles to conquer the bases around Apheta Beluslan from the opposing faction or Balaur to unlock content like quests or special NPCs.
  • Rifts: Invade the opposing faction’s PvE zones through temporary portals known as Rifts. This encourages surprise attacks, ambushes, and guerilla warfare. Rifting adds a layer of tension to PvE zones, as players must always be on their guard for potential invaders.
  • Dredgion: The Dredgion is a PvPvE instance where players from both factions race to complete objectives while simultaneously fighting each other. It’s a fast-paced, tactical battleground where coordination and quick decision-making are key.
  • Arena PvP: There are various arena-based PvP modes, such as the Arena of Discipline and the Arena of Chaos, where players can engage in smaller-scale battles to test their individual skills or participate in free-for-all combat.

Hell is Us: 15 Minute Gameplay Trailer

Publisher NACON and studio Rogue Factor are pleased to unveil a new 15-minute gameplay video for the action-adventure game Hell is Us, presented by Creative Director Jonathan Jacques-Belletête. This video provides new information on the game’s key features, from its narrative to its design features and combat system. Hell is Us is scheduled for release in 2025 on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.

Hell is Us’ narration
The story of Hell is Us takes place in a fictional country called Hadea, a hermit nation ravaged by civil war. Players take on the role of Remi, who was born in this country, and after many years abroad decides to return to his homeland to find answers about his past.

A deep and demanding combat system
While combat is an integral part of the gaming experience, Hell is Us should not be considered as a “souls-like” title, but rather as one where combat is designed to offer a well-seasoned difficulty level without being overly punitive. Players will have to learn to master a range of different moves and adapt to enemy attacks. They will be able to rely on a variety of weapons and skills, as well as the help of KAPI, a drone that will prove indispensable during fights as it can, for example, distract opponents or enable special attacks.

“Player Plattering”, a design choice encouraging exploration and reflection
The game features a singular approach to game design, that can best be described by the term “player-plattering”, which encourages exploration and reflection by eliminating traditional forms of assistance. Hell is Us doesn’t feature markers or quest journals detailing exactly what to do, but there’s no shortage of points of interest and secrets to uncover: players must use their curiosity and instincts to discover places steeped in history that will lead them to explore ancient, forgotten dungeons. More information will be revealed on this specific topic in a forthcoming video!

New Gameplay Details For DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS

During Tokyo Game Show 2024, KOEI TECMO and developer Omega Force unveiled new combat details for their upcoming action game, DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS. Journeying through the Three Kingdoms, players will fight alongside companions and wage fierce battles against some of ancient China’s most formidable foes. Scheduled for release on Jan. 17, 2025 on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC via Steam®, DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS promises to deliver the most intense combat of any game in franchise history.

From the “Yellow Turban Rebellion” to the climax of the “Battle of Chibi”, the story of DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS will transport players to the heart of an ancient China in turmoil. Through the eyes of a nameless hero, players will have to make choices in order to restore peace and shape history to their own experience.

Travelling across the world map as they embark on their epic journey, players can suppress rebellions or choose to rescue government forces during “Missions”, overcome “Skirmishes”, and visit various locations where they will be able to buy weapons. Throughout their quest, players will also encounter a variety of characters familiar to the DYNASTY WARRIORS franchise, such as Cao Cao and Liu Bei. Depending on the bond forged, these characters can become travelling companions, or an enemy.

Battles in DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS will require players to be more strategic than ever before. A variety of “Tactics” can be used to command their allies and coordinate forces. By gathering a large number of soldiers under their command, fans will also be able to form a “Large Force” which they can lead by deploying “Grand Tactics” maneuvers. This will allow players to radically change the course of a battle. However, users will need to keep an eye on their opponents, who will also be able to form a “Large Force” and will try to deploy their own “Grand Tactics” to win.

In 1 vs. 1,000 combat, players will have to master and alternate between swift and powerful attacks that can break an opponent’s guard. Repeated attacks will increase the protagonist’s “Bravery”, enabling them to use powerful and unique attacks called “Arts”. These “Arts” will be unique to each weapon, so it will be crucial for players to master the various arsenal at their disposal, allowing the protagonist to gain “Rank” and thus improving their skills.

Not only will players have to master the protagonist’s various attacks if they want to emerge victorious on the battlefield, but they will also have to strengthen their defense. By blocking enemy attacks at the right moment, they can unleash a powerful riposte, “Parry”, which creates a breach in the enemy’s defense. Some attacks cannot be blocked, so players will have to dodge them before counterattacking.

Finally, players will sometimes encounter powerful officers protected by an energy called “Resolution”. Players will have to work on reducing this “Resolution” to weaken them before they can launch a powerful “Assault” attack which can sometimes be the decisive coup de grâce.

For more information on DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS, be sure to visit the official site, Subscribe to the official KOEI TECMO America YouTube channel, Like us on Facebook, and Follow us on X, Instagram, and Discord.

Skate in the Heart of Prague in Session: Skate Sim

NACON and creā-ture Studios are pleased to announce the arrival of new additional content for Session: Skate Sim, now available for PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC (Steam, Epic Games Store).

Session: Skate Sim is also celebrating its second anniversary! Since its launch in September 2022, the game has been regularly enriched with no less than 6 additional contents and has already won over 2.5 million players worldwide. The studio aims to continue actively supporting the game and plans to bring new updates and additional content on a regular basis.

In the heart of the Czech capital, in Letná Park, players can now enjoy a brand-new spot renowned for its breathtaking views over Prague and its festive atmosphere. It’s the perfect place for skateboarding enthusiasts to celebrate the game’s 2nd anniversary! This additional content also includes 6 new Object Dropper items and 2 exclusive outfits.

Session: Skate Sim invites players to dive into the genuine 1990s skateboarding way of life, when each stretch of pavement and each stairway was a great location for your favorite stunt. The game’s ultra-realistic physics bring the sensations of skateboarding to life, and the studio has even integrated ground-breaking gameplay, a first in a skateboarding game: the “True Stance Stick”, where each foot is independently managed using the two sticks. With a learning curve that is just as demanding as in real life, players have to practice how to control their board and pull off all the different stunts available in the game, from the simplest to the most complicated. The integrated editing tool lets each player immortalize their greatest achievements on video.