Author - Jerry Paxton

Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening – Launch Trailer

In celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION series, KOEI TECMO America is proud to announce that NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION: Awakening, the 16th entry in Kou Shibusawa’s famed historical simulation franchise, is now available digitally for PlayStation®4, Nintendo Switch, and PC Windows via Steam®.

In NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION: Awakening, players will experience the life of a daimyō, a powerful Japanese leader, in the troubled times of the Warring States Period, 16th century Japan. As the head of their own clan, players will have to make the best decisions in in key areas ranching from the economy, to diplomacy, and military might in hopes of eventually unifying the country.

As players progress and begin taking over larger pieces of the map, their tactics expand through the cooperation between daimyō and officer provinces. Here, a regent, who is the leader of a province, will propose Province War Tactics, with various scenarios playing out depending on the regent’s ability. Tactics include: joint offensives, with all troops marching towards the same target as the daimyō province; ranging attacks, where provinces attack multiple castles of the same enemy clan all at once; bolster, where troops in the rear send soldiers to the allied units in the frontline; and feint, where troops march near enemy borders, luring them out of their castles to create opportunities for an allied units’ attacks. With so many tactics to choose from, it’s key for players to choose their regents wisely in order to outmaneuver enemy forces!

One of the series’ most popular features, siege, also makes its comeback in NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION: Awakening, but in an entirely new form. For the first time in the series, sieges will take place on a single map with different types of terrain and totally different castles or castle towns, allowing players to enjoy dynamic sieges and a new level of strategy. When attacking, players will need to decide where to break through and which route to take while, when defending, they will need to decide where to deploy defensive equipment and how to intercept the attacking force.

In NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION: Awakening, players can also build their inner circle by appointing officers to “council officials” which include two types of positions — “conservators” and “overseers”. A “conservator” is a role that can have influence on the whole clan and can only be assigned to someone higher than senior retainer or daimyō from vassal clans. An “overseer” is a role that can have influence on the clan’s policies. There are various overseer traits and they can range from proposing new policies to reducing the cost of issuing policies.

In addition, NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION: Awakening will include various features that befit the 40th Anniversary of the series, including landmarks and achievements that will affect the strategy. Players will also enjoy a large variety of scenarios, events, policies, and more, as well as elements from the previous titles such as an editing function that will allows them to change officer status, background music and scenarios, or create new clans.

NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION: Awakening is available in both Standard and Digital Deluxe editions. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes the base game, Officer Artbook (Japanese version), NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION 40th Anniversary Commemorative Book (Japanese version), Complete Soundtrack, the exclusive scenario “Muskets Arrive”, and the NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION 40th Anniversary “Officer Face Graphics and Additional Traits” (six each). Anyone who purchases the game digitally until Aug. 2, 2023 will also receive the early purchase bonus scenario entitled “Battle of Tetorigawa”.

For more information on NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION: Awakening, visit the official site, Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/koeitecmous and Follow us on Twitter @koeitecmoUS.

Skull Island: Rise of Kong Announcement Trailer

Your reign is at hand! Skull Island: Rise of Kong arrives on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam later this year. Based on the rich history of Skull Island developed by creator Joe DeVito and based on Merian C. Cooper’s King Kong, this exhilarating third-person action-adventure game lets you become Kong on a journey of vengeance as you fight to claim your rightful place as King of Skull Island.

Take on an action-packed quest to avenge the death of Kong’s parents at the hands of the ultimate alpha predator: the saurian terror Gaw. Traverse the mysterious island and uncover its secrets across a variety of treacherous environments, discovering the power coursing through its exotic flora and fauna. Conquer waves of primal beasts, defeat unique bosses, and rise above all who stand in Kong’s way to being King!

Key Features

  • Explore the Origins of the King: Start your journey as the orphaned Kong and experience his evolution to the King of Skull Island as you hunt for revenge against Gaw.
  • Unleash the Fury of Kong: Deal devastating combos to dominate Gaw’s ferocious minions, and unleash your rage to heighten the impact of your attacks. Send even the most gargantuan of enemies fleeing with your earth-shattering roar and brutal finishing attacks.
  • Ascend to New Heights: Gain new abilities through special events and intense boss fights to unlock Kong’s full potential.
  • Discover the Mythos of Skull Island: Explore mountainous terrain, jungles, swamps, skullite-filled caves and more to unearth collectibles, unlock new areas, and learn more about the mysterious history of this faraway land.

Skull Island: Rise of Kong is available to pre-order now for $39.99 at major retailers. A digital deluxe version of the game entitled the Colossal Edition will be coming up for pre-order soon at $49.99. This edition includes eight exclusive film grains featuring the ability to experience a red-tinted rage mode and the original look of the classic 1933 and 1970s-era King Kong films, the Kong style pack with eight different colors so you can choose your own Kong, a boss-rush mode allowing you to defeat all the titans of Skull Island, and a behind-the-scenes exclusive pack including looks at in-game artwork and the all-original orchestral soundtrack.

This game is developed by IguanaBee Studios and published by GameMill Entertainment.

Armored Core VI Fires of Rubicon Story Trailer

The new story trailer for ARMORED CORE™ VI FIRES OF RUBICON™ shows players the exciting and dangerous world awaiting them. As the full CGI story trailer shows, the realities of turning a profit on Rubicon 3 are fraught with peril, especially when Handler Walter is involved. Watch as Walter’s Hounds execute their mission with ruthless tenacity, and get a glimpse of the events that will lead up to the beginning of ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON. So, pilot C4-621, are you ready to get to work on Rubcion? Find out what awaits in the new story trailer here:

ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON, the latest high-octane action game by FromSoftware, Inc. (ELDEN RING™, DARK SOULS™) and Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. releases globally on August 25. ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON is full of mech action, including fast-paced, omni-directional battles, in-depth customization, and thrilling boss fights. The game is coming to PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam®, for more information, please visit armoredcore6.com

Preorder now and get ready for the global launch of ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON. For the latest information, be sure to follow the game’s social channels on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The game will be part of PlayStation® Free Upgrades and Xbox Smart Delivery. The game will be presented with both English and Japanese VO, with text localizations in English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Neutral Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Polish, Russian, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, and Korean. Find out more about the game on the official website.

AMC Brings Anne Rice Immortal Universe Fan Experience to Comic-Con

On Wednesday, July 19, AMC Networks kicked off San Diego Comic-Con with a special preview night of a new Anne Rice Immortal Universe fan experience and activation inspired by the network’s critically acclaimed series Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire ​and Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches.

The Hilton Gaslamp Terrace was transformed into “The Street of Immortality,” a New Orleans-inspired immersive experience, which features several photo and video opportunities along the route, including iconic locations from Interview with the Vampire such as Hotel Iberville and Nawlins Records. Attendees can tour the street, collect exclusive souvenirs and premiums, and enjoy “The Elixir of Immortality,” a limited-edition mocktail presented by POM Wonderful.

The activation is free and for all ages, and will be open to the public on Thursday, July 20, Friday, July 21 and Saturday, July 22 from 11:00am – 7:00pm PT.

Cities: Skylines II City Services Trailer

Paradox Interactive and Colossal Order published the latest gameplay feature deep dive for Cities: Skylines II and explored the city services available to players. Fresh city services join the classic ones available in the original Cities: Skylines, offering more nuanced mechanics to create a deeper realism in the city-builder. Different services and policies can also now be restricted to districts or applied to the whole city, allowing more detailed management by the player.

 

My Friendly Neighborhood Launch Trailer

What better way to learn your ABCs than using them to fend off an army of monstrous muppets? Today, horror games publisher DreadXP falls apart at the seams with excitement as it releases the highly-anticipated comedy survival horror title My Friendly Neighborhood! Available now on Windows PC, My Friendly Neighborhood boldly asks, “What if your favorite childhood puppet friends stopped being friendly?” It then answers that question with: “OUCHIES.”

In My Friendly Neighborhood, players strap on the old toolbelt and step into the work boots of Gordon, a repairman who takes on a job well above his pay grade. Initially tasked with shutting down the sudden broadcast of a beloved canceled children’s TV show titled The Friendly Neighborhood, Gordon finds himself faced with a whole neighborhood’s worth of floppy-armed puppet fiends.

You see, The Friendly Neighborhood used to light up TV screens and the smiling faces of children all across the world. Fans loved its colorful cast of kooky puppets who took them on educational adventures and delighted them with fun games. But the show’s popularity waned over time, and the studio had to ultimately shut its doors. Now, the show’s puppet pals are back on the air for an unscheduled encore, and they’re not so friendly anymore. Wait, are they eating each other?!

A cheeky nod to the mascot horror trend, My Friendly Neighborhood welcomes players to a quirky horror adventure that doesn’t rely on typical blood and guts for scares (but maybe some fluff and felt) and embarks them on a non-linear fight for survival as they explore the once-abandoned studio. Players must fend off and restrain ferocious friends with an armory of workshopped non-lethal tools and duct tape, solve playful turned perilous puzzles, and hopefully uncover the sinister truth at the heart of this terrifying-yet-goofy tale.

Creative Unveils Outlier Free Pro Line of Bone Conduction Headphones

Creative Technology today announced the release of the Creative Outlier Free Pro+ and Creative Outlier Free+, the latest bone conduction headphones to join the well-loved Outlier series. Building on the foundation of its predecessors, these latest headphones bring an elevated open-ear listening experience with better precision and optimal sound conduction efficiency through the innovative adjustable transducers that adapt to the unique contours of each individual’s ears. With the ability to customize the fit, users can now enjoy unrivaled comfort and stability, allowing them to focus on their music or calls without any distractions. Along with an added burst of vibrant color options, these latest Plus versions add a playful and colorful twist to the user’s everyday life.

For Creative Outlier Free+, users can choose between the classic yet stylish dark slate grey and matte black combination or make a striking statement with the lively dark slate grey and lime green fusion. The Creative Outlier Free Pro+, on the other hand, is available in midnight blue and matte black or midnight blue and fiery orange combinations. With these additional color options, users can now match their headphones to their personal style.

Designed for an active lifestyle, these bone conduction headphones are built to withstand the elements. The Creative Outlier Free+ has an IPX5 water-resistant rating, while the Creative Outlier Free Pro+ has an IPX8 waterproof rating and a built-in 8 GB memory, allowing users to experience absolute audio playback freedom while running, cycling, and even swimming. Together with seamless Bluetooth® 5.3 connectivity and an extended battery life of up to 10 hours, these headphones are the perfect companions, delivering impressive audio performance in any environment.

And that’s not all—Creative will also be launching a mini version of the bone conduction headphones in August 2023 that will be suitable for pre-teens and teenagers, allowing them to enjoy their favorite tunes and experience quality audio with a comfortable fit.

Pricing and Availability

Creative Outlier Free+ is priced at US$99.99 and is available at Creative.com. For more information, visit creative.com/OutlierFreePlus.

Creative Outlier Free Pro+ is priced at US$149.99 and is available at Creative.com. For more information, visit creative.com/OutlierFreeProPlus.

CBS Studios Unveils San Diego Comic-Con 2023 Plans

CBS Studios returns to San Diego Comic-Con, featuring screenings, exclusive content, activations, booths and more. Attendees will have the chance to find out their destiny at the “Ghosts” Woodstone Mansion on the convention floor, collect exclusive pins and posters from their favorite Star Trek series, and a chance to win prizes! Additional details about the experiences, giveaways, and presentations below:

STAR TREK Universe in Hall H. As previously announced by Paramount+, the fan-favorite STAR TREK universe returns to San Diego Comic-Con, featuring exclusive reveals and surprises from upcoming and current seasons of STAR TREK: DISCOVERYSTAR TREK: LOWER DECKS, and STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS. Fans in attendance will also be the first to see the highly anticipated STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS and STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS crossover episode with a special Hall H premiere screening! Saturday, July 22, 1:30-2:45 p.m. PT, Hall H

The Activation:
STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS will have an interactive booth space on the convention floor where fans will get an intimate look at official costumes and props from the series on display and have a chance to receive exclusive giveaways. Booth #3529

Official 50th Star Trek Animated Celebration in 25ABC. Get a first look at Star Trek: The Animated Celebration – a campaign celebrating 50 years of STAR TREK: THE ANIMATED SERIES with John Van Citters (VP, Star Trek Brand Development); explore the latest in publishing with an IDW representative and talk gaming with Scopely’s Brian Lelas (Lead Narrative Designer, Star Trek Fleet Command) and Rebekah Plants (Community Manager, Star Trek Fleet Command). You won’t want to miss this panel, complete with limited edition pin giveaways and special guest Casper Kelly (Star Trek: Short Treks, Too Many Cooks)! Friday, July 21, 10 – 11AM PT, 25ABC.

The Activation:

The Star Trek brand team, in partnership with Paramount+, will also be distributing limited-edition pins daily during San Diego Comic-Con in the downtown Gaslamp District at “The Lodge: A Paramount+ Experience,” located at the transformed Happy Does Bar. Happy Does Bar, 340 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101. Operating hours: Wednesday, July 19, 6-10PM; Thursday, July 20-Saturday, July 22, 12 – 10PM; Sunday, July 23, 10AM – 7PM. Admission is free, but is on a reservation system. No SDCC badge is required. Keep your eyes on StarTrek.com and @StarTrek on socials for more information.

GHOSTS Presentation in Ballroom 20. Join the GHOSTS ‘fan-ily’ reunion at the San Diego Convention Center. The event will be hosted by TV host, journalist, “Talking Strange” podcast host Aaron Sagers and will treat fans to a ‘lively’ debate with fans on just who got ‘sucked off’ in this year’s cliffhanger, plus surprises specific to this year’s San Diego Comic-Con. The presentation will also screen the season two finale, a video featurette showcasing the past two seasons and an exclusive SDCC behind-the-scenes presentation from “CBS Sunday Morning,” which was on-set earlier this year. Thursday, July 20, 12:45 – 1:45PM PT, Ballroom 20.         

The Activation:

“Ghosts” Destiny Decider – Comic-Con attendees arriving to Booth 229 will be welcomed as guests of Sam and Jay’s Bed and Breakfast. As the front doors of Woodstone Mansion close behind each guest, they’ll warm themselves by the fire and relive special moments from the hit series. However, before exiting, each guest will have their fate decided.  Will they get ‘sucked off’ into the eternal light above or ‘go down’ to where their past misfortunes catch up to them? After each transition to their ‘next life,’ attendees will receive images of their posthumous experience and receive a limited-edition Comic-Con t-shirt*, branded as being ‘Ghosted’ at San Diego Comic-Con. *Supplies are limited.

Limited Special Edition Comic-Con Poster:

Exclusive to Comic-Con attendees, posters* will be given away at the GHOSTS Destiny Decider (Booth 229) on the convention room floor. *Supplies are limited.

Additional surprise GHOSTS-branded activations will be found within and around Comic-Con. Fans can follow along via @ghostscbs.

TRANSFORMERS Grimlock Auto-Converting Robot Flagship Collector’s Edition Announced

Robosen Robotics (Robosen.com), a leading innovator in the field of robotics, today announced TRANSFORMERS Grimlock Auto-Converting Robot – Flagship Collector’s Edition (robosen.com/us/grimlock-g1-flagship), the world’s first dual-form, bipedal walking robot. Through Robosen’s partnership with Hasbro, the robot will be on display at the Hasbro Pulse Booth #3213 at San Diego Comic-Con for fans to get an up-close and personal look of their favorite Dinobot.

Pre-order begins today through September 30th on Robosen.com and Hasbro Pulse (hasbropulse.com/products/transformers-grimlock-auto-converting-robot-flagship-collectors-edition), ensuring enthusiasts have ample opportunity to secure their Collector’s Edition at a special pre-order price of $1,499. Scheduled shipping is late Fall, with a retail price of $1,699.

Equipped with an advanced SOC chip technology and a comprehensive robot operating system, this Flagship Collector’s Edition robot represents the epitome of auto-conversion. It stands as the world’s first dual-form, bipedal walking robot, pushing the boundaries of articulation and movement. With 34 high-precision intelligent servos and an array of 85 microchips, the robot exhibits seamless conversion capabilities while delivering smooth motions. Additionally, the inclusion of 6-axis IMU sensors ensures constant balance monitoring, providing unparalleled stability.

In development since 2016, Grimlock boasts an array of impressive mechanical engineering and advancements in robotics that sets it apart as a must-have interactive robot for avid collectors and enthusiasts. Crafted using the finest materials such as polymers, nanomaterials and superalloys, this robot showcases exceptional build quality, and leverages advanced processing methods including laser etching and precision carving, showcasing meticulous attention to detail.

Voice interaction plays a central role in the immersive experience, featuring 150+ original Generation 1 Transformers audio lines, voiced exclusively for Robosen by Gregg Berger, the original voice of G1 Grimlock. These authentic sound bites are synchronized with robotic actions, creating an engaging entertainment experience. Users can interact with the robot through 42 voice commands, enabling hands-free control for conversion, walking, and various stunning stunts.

Controlling Grimlock has never been easier thanks to the accompanying app. With Bluetooth BLE 5.0 connectivity, users can remotely control the robot’s auto-conversion, movements and impressive actions directly from their mobile devices. The app also offers an immersive “MiniTheater” feature, allowing users to enjoy captivating solo performances in SoloPlay mode or coordinate thrilling displays in MultiPlay mode. Collaborate with either Flagship or Elite Optimus Prime to defeat the Decepticons in epic battle reenactments and prepare for future adventures with other Robosen TRANSFORMERS robots.

To further elevate the playability of Grimlock, Robosen provides four programming modes. Users can create new actions for the robot using block-based programming, where modules can be dragged to set angles and speeds, replicating classic scenes from the movies. Intelligent manual manipulation allows for direct adjustments of joints to quickly create robot movements. Voice programming offers a hands-on approach, allowing users to give multiple command words in sequence and easily create customized robot performances. For those seeking the ultimate programming experience, computer-based 3D programming software is recommended to unlock Grimlock’s full potential.

“We invite fans and collectors to embrace the future of robotics and experience the unmatched craftsmanship and innovation with our latest edition to our collection,” said Sean Tang, Director of Robosen USA. “We’re excited for them to own the most powerful Dinobot in the world.”

“Robosen continues to impress with their cutting-edge tech masterpieces. The state-of-the-art engineering on this incredible new Grimlock robot represents the Transformers brand in a way that has never been done before—until today, and we’re excited to showcase the beloved Dinobot for our fans at San Diego Comic-Con,” said Casey Collins, President of Global Licensed Consumer Products and Business Development, Hasbro. “Our Transformers Robosen line proves our ongoing commitment to innovation and powering the imagination of future generations for years to come.”

Each purchase of the Grimlock Auto-Converting Robot includes a collector’s coin featuring a unique serial number, adding an exclusive touch to this collectible. Furthermore, the robot comes with accessories such as the Crown, Galaxial Rocket Launcher, and Energon Sword, enhancing the play and display possibilities for enthusiasts.

This Way Madness Lies is Coming to Nintendo Switch

Developer Zeboyd Digital Games and publisher Limited Run Games announced today that Pre-Orders have begun for popular RPG, This Way Madness Lies, coming to Nintendo Switch on July 25, followed by a PlayStation 5 launch later this year. Limited Run Games will also release physical editions for both platforms. This Way Madness Lies first launched for PC on Steam in November of 2022 to critical acclaim, garnering a Metacritic score of 84 with PC Gamer calling it “A fun and engaging RPG with beautiful graphics and a bouncy pace.”

The game will launch on Nintendo Switch on July 25th. Pre-Orders for the game on Switch can be found HERE. The launch date for the PlayStation 5 version will be announced soon.

“I believe that the world needs more quality RPG’s that don’t take dozens of hours before they get good. Something that’s all killer, no filler, and fun for the whole family. This Way Madness Lies is great for when you need a burst of turn-based goodness, or just want to hang out with the members of the Stratford-Upon-Avon High Drama Society. And now that it’s coming to the Nintendo Switch, the fun doesn’t have to stop even when you’re suffocating in a crowded subway car or at an outdoor party you’d rather not be attending,” commented Robert Boyd , Founder of Zeboyd Digital Entertainment LLC (also Designer, Director, Programmer, Writer, and Assistant Lemur Keeper Second Class).