Author - Jerry Paxton

AEW: Fight Forever Release Date Announcement Trailer

Arcade wrestling game fans rejoice – it’s almost time to climb the ladder and make yourself famous! THQ Nordic GmbH and All Elite Wrestling (AEW) today confirmed that they will bring developer YUKE’s highly anticipated arcade wrestling creation AEW: Fight Forever to PS4™, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo® Switch on Thursday, June 29, 2023.

“When I first signed with AEW, Tony Khan gave me the opportunity to assemble the best gaming team that understands and respects professional wrestling, to make the best wrestling games ever,” said Kenny Omega, Executive Vice President and former AEW World Champion and World Tag Team Champion at AEW. “Thanks to our incredible collaboration with Geta, YUKE’s and THQ Nordic, a new era of professional wrestling gaming is quickly approaching. AEW: Fight Forever has exceeded my highest expectations, and I’m confident that June 29 will be a momentous day for wrestling fans and gamers alike.”

“Since our initial announcement, fans worldwide have shown unbridled passion around the launch of Fight Forever, and AEW has proven through our exciting storylines and hard-hitting wrestling action that good things come to those who wait,” said Tony Khan, CEO, GM and Head of Creative of AEW. “With Fight Forever, Kenny and our world-class team have delivered an authentic, nostalgic feel of wrestling games past, along with the unmatched creativity that AEW brings to the table. It’s going to be cool to see our fans finally getting a fresh and much-needed alternative next-gen console wrestling game on June 29. AEW has the greatest fans on the planet, and I’m excited for them to experience this new way to engage with our stars.”

Recognized for its retro approach to design including hand-crafted animations and nostalgic arcade feel, AEW: Fight Forever presents wrestling fans with their first chance to pull off wrestling moves only seen on the wildly popular AEW programming. Online co-op wrestling is going completely next level with Tag-Team matches that feature sequences of team maneuvers performed with simple commands. A long roster of the most popular AEW wrestlers, career mode, wrestler customization, signature AEW arenas, multiple match types and even some good ol’ fashioned unsanctioned fun await!

Developed by YUKE’s Co. Ltd, AEW: Fight Forever is the arcade wrestler that harkens back to the Golden Age of wrestling games. Players can look forward to pulling off the most current wrestling moves seen on wildly popular AEW programming. This, in addition to innovative tandem offensive moves. Online co-op wrestling is going completely next level with Tag-Team matches that feature sequences of team maneuvers performed with simple commands. A long roster of the most popular AEW wrestlers, deep career mode, wrestler customization, signature AEW arenas, multiple match types and even some good ol’ fashioned, unsanctioned fun await!

AEW: Fight Forever is coming to PS4™, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo® Switch on June 29th, 2023 at an SRP of € 59.99 / $ 59.99 / £ 49.99. Follow @aewgames for news and updates!

For more info visit: https://aew.thqnordic.com/
Visit AEW on Twitch: http://twitch.tv/aewgames
Follow AEW on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AEWGames

Paradox Interactive Launches Cities: Skylines Hotels and Retreats

Paradox Interactive today released the final expansion, Content Creator Packs, and radio stations for Cities: Skylines, marking the conclusion of the Cities: Skylines ‘World Tour.’ Hotels & Retreats, a mini-expansion developed by Colossal Order, lets players build vacation and tourist hotspots, adding an element of hotel management to the city-building classic. Cities: Skylines – Hotels & Retreats is available now on Steam, Epic, Microsoft Store, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4 for a suggested retail price of 7.99 USD / 6,69 GBP / 7.99 EUR. The Industrial Evolution, Railroads of Japan, and Brooklyn & Queens Content Creator Packs are also available together in a bundle alongside Hotels & Retreats for 29.99 USD / 24.99 GBP / 29.99 EUR.

Check out the Hotels & Retreats launch trailer here:

“Looking back on the incredible journey of Cities: Skylines, it’s clear to see that it has become more than just a game. It’s a community of passionate and creative individuals who have built intricate and magnificent cities with their own unique visions,” said Mariina Hallikainen, CEO of Colossal Order. “Hotels & Retreats is the last expansion for Cities: Skylines and celebrates its legacy by introducing ways for players to express their creativity.”

Cities: Skylines – Hotels & Retreats gives players the tools they need to build luxury accommodations and tourist attractions to boost their city’s economy. Players start with a small hotel chain and unlock more specialized accommodations.

Cities: Skylines – Hotels & Retreats Key Features:

  • Hotel Buildings: Hostels, cabins, hotels, luxurious resorts… you name it! Add a series of hotel buildings to your city on a range of budgets.
  • Hotel Management: Start with one-star hotels and unlock new options as your business revenue and popularity booms.
  • Tourism Buildings: New structures will support your hotels: parks, restaurants, playgrounds, and cafès.
  • Location: Matching hotels with good locations will be paramount, as differing locations will attract different tourist groups. We added 5 new maps for your hotels (3 European-inspired maps, 1 tropical map, and 1 temperate map)

Alongside the expansion comes three Content Creator Packs:

  • Industrial Evolution: Walk the path of history with “Industrial Evolution”, from Community Creator Samantha “Avanya” Woods. This Content Creator Pack includes a new set of growable buildings that span different eras of industrial building styles, from red brick walls to modern, sleek industrial complexes.
    • Industrial Evolution includes a total of 70 new buildings inspired by both historic and contemporary industrial buildings.
  • Railroads of Japan: Fun discoveries await with “Railroads of Japan” from Content Creator Ryuichi Kaminogi, adding authentic Japanese railroad scenery to Cities: Skylines with stations, trains, buses, and more!
    • Watch your citizens travel using the metro, bus, and railroad. Decorate your commutes with networks, props, and police stations.
  • Brooklyn & Queens: This pack from Content Creator Prosper, is a set of medium-rise high-density residential buildings and props inspired by the neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Queens for decorating your city’s facade and rooftops.
    • Brooklyn & Queens includes 60+ growable buildings and props, such as rental signs, window air conditioners, exhaust fans, stairways, and more!

Chill out or get fired up with these radio stations: 

  • Piano Tunes Radio: “Piano Tunes” is the perfect Radio Station for those who love whimsical and elegant piano music. With 16 songs and approximately one hour of music, your city will rise flawlessly from your fingertips!
  • 90’s Pop Radio: Return to some 20th century classics with “90’s Pop”! Enjoy 16 new tracks and almost one hour of music.

Colossal Order intends to continue general support for Cities: Skylines through the rest of the year. The remastered versions of these content packs and mini-expansion for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S will be available later this summer.

THQ Nordic’s Alone in the Dark Spotlight Event Coming May 25th

Join us in an immersive experience and delve into the darkness with THQ Nordic’s Alone in the Dark Spotlight event, broadcasting live on May 25th, at 5:00 PM PST / 8:00 PM EST / 2:00 AM CEST / 1:00 AM BST. Allow us to illuminate the mysteries that shroud Alone in the Dark, as we unveil answers to some of the most pressing questions surrounding the game.

This “mini-showcase” is entirely dedicated to Alone in the Dark, featuring not only new insights on the game, but also potentially unexpected revelations!

Watch the Spotlight on the THQ Nordic channels:
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thqnordic
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thqnordic

Alone in the Dark is a love letter to the ground-breaking original that lets you experience a haunting story through the eyes of one of the two protagonists: play as either Edward Carnby or Emily Hartwood in this re-imagination of the classic survival horror game where Psychological Horror meets Southern Gothic. Explore your environments, fight monsters, solve puzzles, and uncover the uneasy truth of Derceto Manor…

Deep in the 1920’s south, Emily Hartwood’s uncle has gone missing. Together with private investigator Edward Carnby, she embarks on a journey to Derceto Manor, a home for the mentally ill where something is lurking. You’ll encounter strange residents, nightmarish realms, dangerous monsters, and ultimately uncover the plot of rising evil. At the intersection of reality, mystery, and insanity, an adventure awaits that will change your core beliefs. Who can you trust, what will you believe, and what will you do next?

The famous horror franchise makes its return! This re-imagination of the original trilogy aims to scare you to the bone and returns to infamous locations with a whole new story and mythical places to explore. Alone in the Dark is developed by Pieces Interactive in Sweden and will be coming to PC, Xbox Series S/X and PlayStation®5.

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun Extended Gameplay Trailer

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun, the bloody and explosive homage to the retro shooters of yore set in Games Workshop’s iconic universe, is just around the corner! To manage your wait before charging headfirst into battle next week, discover the game’s new extended gameplay trailer, showcasing seven minutes of viciously satisfying gameplay footage topped off with a climactic boss fight.

Published by Focus Entertainment and developed by Auroch Digital in partnership with Games Workshop, this deadly stylish indie FPS releases May 23 on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC.

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is a single-player FPS that delivers a hardcore, neo-retro experience with iconic ‘90s style, putting you in the ceramite-armored boots of the ultimate killing machine: a Space Marine. One week before it launches, get a nice, good look at the devastating, visceral gameplay that will have you obliterating the daemons of Chaos.

The extended gameplay trailer showcases Boltgun’s extremely fluid and modern gameplay, brought to life with glorious, fully 3D, sprite-based visuals. Grab your Boltgun, Chainsword and Grav-Cannon to shoot, shred, slice, and demolish dynamic waves of heretics in pulse-pounding combat through the wide variety of environments of the vibrant Forge World Graïa.

Carve through the hordes of Chaos when Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun releases on May 23 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC. Pre-orders are open for PC and all Sony and Microsoft platforms.

Sign up as a Focus member to get exclusive news and upcoming special offers for Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun and the whole Focus catalog.

Tennis Manager 2023 Launch Date Revealed

French independent developer and publisher Rebound CG have announced that Tennis Manager 2023 will launch on May 25 via Steam, Epic Games Store and GOG for $39.99 / 31.99 £ / €39.99. This new opus will release just in time to accompany tennis fans through the thrills and spills of this year’s Roland-Garros French Open tournament beginning on May 22.

Building on the breakout success of the 2021 and 2022 series debut, Tennis Manager 2023 takes the experience to new heights of immersive realism, on and off the court. Players will take the helm of their tennis academy and expertly guide athletes through training and tournaments to the dizzying heights of international success as Davis Cup captain.

New gameplay features include player creation, in-depth team management tools, as well as the long awaited arrival of international competitions (Davis Cup, Olympic Games) and doubles matches. Among the numerous technical and graphical enhancements are improved match simulation AI, revamped animations, and much more. With the release of Tennis Manager 2023, the franchise looks set to secure its place alongside the greats of sports management simulation games.

“Tennis Manager 23 marks the start of an important new phase for the Tennis Manager series, a franchise that we’re committed to growing,” said Augustin Pluchet, CEO of Rebound CG. “Tennis Manager 22 exceeded our expectations to become the highest rated tennis game in nearly a decade, so we’re thrilled to be able to build on that and deliver fans an enriched and enhanced gameplay experience with Tennis Manager 23 ”

Tennis Manager 2023 will be available on May 25 via Steam, Epic Games Store and GOG for $39.99 / 31.99 £ / €39.99. The game will be discounted during its launch period. Owners of Tennis Manager 2022 will receive an additional discount on Steam.

Dead Island 2 Official Soundtrack Out Now

Players can completely immerse themselves in HELL-A as the Dead Island 2 official soundtrack is available to listen to for FREE on 45 different streaming platforms including Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube.

Ryan Williams, composer and senior audio designer at Deep Silver Dambuster Studios, created the majority of the tracks, with experienced British music consultancy and creation company Feel For Music also contributing. In addition to his work on the Dead Island 2 soundtrack and game score, Williams has weapon design and cinematic SFX expertise too. His lifelong love of all things horror has been a driving force behind his creative output.

Listen here: Dead Island 2 official soundtrack

Dead Island 2 is out now on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, and PC via the Epic Games Store.

For more information on Dead Island 2 follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @DeadIslandGame and on Facebook at @DeadIslandGameUK.

Tamarak Trail Goes Behind the Music with New Trailer

Tamarak Trail, the upcoming turn-based deck-building roguelike from Yarrow Games and Versus Evil, has received a new blog post offering an in-depth look at the game’s haunting musical score.

This blog post covers the foundations of the soundtrack, looking at the inspiration behind it, how composer Michael Noble and music producer Alyxandra Guevara went about making it to match each of the game’s environments, and their creative vision for what they wanted Tamarak Trail’s musical score to convey. Tamarak Trail’s setting was inspired by Canada’s unique folklore and forests, so it was important that the soundtrack be specific to this region as well. You’ll be able to hear the full soundtrack when Tamarak Trail launches this summer on PC, Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles.

Paranormal Hunter Out Now on Steam Early Access

Paranormal Hunter, the co-op survival horror game set in haunted locations full of malevolent spirits from EALoGAMES, is now available on Steam Early Access, with support for Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Valve Index, Windows Mixed Reality, and gamepads.

Enter a twisted realm of paranormal phenomena, exploring derelict locations possessed by lingering spirits. Move through haunted locations brought to life with immersive VR support, either alone or with up to four fellow hunters in online co-op. Explore stages to begin a spine-chilling investigation requiring keen observation to track down cursed objects, and start a banishing ritual to cleanse the location – all while avoiding an evil spirit stalking the party.

Equip tools of the parapsychology trade like the ghost sensor and a spirit-repelling flashlight that stuns malevolent entities. Stay cautious and alert, as randomized elements ensure no two investigations play out the same. Stumble through dark corridors and abandoned buildings where every creaking floorboard and muffled murmur may indicate the presence of a sinister entity seeking revenge from beyond the grave.

Work quickly to track down the required objects for banishment as supernatural pursuers advance ever closer. Avoid the spirit’s deadly gaze, as a single unfortunate encounter sends humans into a crippling stupor,damaging dwindling sanity. Encounter too much terrorand risk meeting an early grave. Whether alone or solo, know that death isn’t the end, as Paranormal Hunter’s pick-up-an-play format encourages experimentation over multiple sessions with unlockable items ideal for return trips.

Experience terror like never before thanks to optional VR support and crossplay, allowing hunters to investigate together regardless of input device. The Early Access version launches with two playable stages and a terrifying third stage planned for a future update.

“Paranormal Hunter combines the haunting legacy of Japanese and Western horror imagery to create an immersive and genuinely terrifying experience for players in VR and non-VR settings,” Takatoshi Tatsumi, founder, EALoGames. “Few things are as dread-inducing as knowing you’re being pursued by something evil, and we’re excited to witness players face their fears with today’s Early Access launch!”

Paranormal Hunter is now available on Steam Early Access for $9.99, with VR support for Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Valve Index, and Windows Mixed Reality devices with English, Spanish, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Simplified Chinese-language support.

For more information, please visit the official website, follow Paranormal Hunter on Twitter and Facebook, and wishlist Paranormal Hunter on Steam.

Avatar: The Way of Water 4K UHD, Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray and DVD Release Date

On June 20, Avatar fans have double cause for celebration as Avatar: The Way of Water makes its long-awaited debut on 4K UHD, Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray and DVD and the original Avatar arrives for the first time on 4K UHD in High Dynamic Range to digital retailers and on Blu-ray disc.

Avatar: The Way of Water release will include over three hours of bonus content featuring the filmmakers, cast and crew.

The 4K UHD edition of the original Avatar has both existing and new bonus features including “Memories From Avatar,” where Producer Jon Landau leads a spirited conversation with cast members, Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver and Stephen Lang, recalling warm memories from production and reflecting on the extraordinary success of the film. Plus “Avatar: A Look Back,” provides a retrospective where cast and filmmakers reflect on their extraordinary journey making Avatar, the groundbreaking technologies they used to create an unparalleled cinematic experience, and the profound effect the film had on audiences worldwide.

Full product fact sheets, including bonus materials and technical specifications for Avatar: The Way of Water and Avatar 4K UHD can be found online, click here for more.

Nominated for numerous Academy Awards® including Best Picture, Avatar: The Way of Water became the third highest-grossing film of all time worldwide and set a new benchmark for visual effects. Produced by Cameron and his longtime partner Jon Landau, the 20th Century Studios-Lightstorm Entertainment production stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Cliff Curtis and Kate Winslet. Joining the illustrious adult cast are talented newcomers Britain Dalton, Jamie Flatters, Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, Bailey Bass and Jack Champion. The screenplay is by James Cameron & Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver, with story by James Cameron & Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver & Josh Friedman & Shane Salerno. David Valdes and Richard Baneham serve as the film’s executive producers.

The original Academy Award®-winning Avatar introduced the astonishing world of Pandora and became the highest-grossing film of all time earning over $2.9 billion worldwide and receiving nine Academy Awards® nominations including Best Picture and Best Director. It won three Oscars®, for Best Cinematography, Production Design and Visual Effects.

Conan Exiles: Age of War Coming on June 22

As Conan Exiles: Age of Sorcery draws to a close, Funcom sounds the drums for the Age of War, the next season of free content updates and paid cosmetics coming to the game on June 22. To herald this new Age, feast your eyes on the bold new art for the game, giving a glimpse of the carnage to come.

Armed with steel rather than sorcery, an ancient empire marches on the Exiled Lands, hungry for gold. The Age of War narrative spans a full-scale military invasion of the Exiled Lands through three major updates, each accompanied by a Battle Pass overflowing with cosmetics.

In less than a year, Age of Sorcery has added a massive amount of new free content across three major updates, including the sorcery system, building revamp, attributes overhaul, new encounters, golem shaping, new characters and stories, and a huge Journey System redesign. Now, with the Age of War Roadmap, set your eyes on what’s to come.

In Age of War – Chapter One, collect treasure from across the lands and display it in your private vault, then create and customize your own clan emblem to display it on banners and shields.

After Age of War – Chapter One, Conan Exiles will see major additions such as improved and expanded purges, recruitable mercenaries, and upgraded enemy AI, finally culminating in a PvE raid where players strike back at the Stygian invasion. These are the biggest features coming in Age of War, but there is a lot more in the works that will be revealed later.

The first chapter of Conan Exiles: Age of War will arrive June 22 on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox X|S, Xbox One, and Xbox Game Pass.