Indie horror developer DarkStone Digital and horror publisher DreadXP are proud to announce that the hair-raising nightmare that is The Mortuary Assistant: Definitive Edition is now available on PC, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation! Grab your clipboard and embalming tools and prepare for new Haunt Events, cadavers, lore, and an endless embalming-only mode in the free update for PC and Nintendo Switch players and for the first time ever on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5! Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S will launch as early as next week!
River Fields Mortuary isn’t your average mortuary and its owner Raymond Delver isn’t your average mortician. As a newly graduated apprentice, Rebecca Owens has no idea of the dark secrets hidden within and beneath her new workplace. One night when you’re called in to handle some embalmings Raymond phones to break the news that there are demonic forces at work… and now you’re part of it.
Examine and prepare bodies with disturbingly realistic techniques including cleaning, embalming, jaw-wiring, and more. While some bodies require the basics before returning them to the morgue, others will need more of an esoteric approach to dispel the demons possessing them.
Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort prep for the new academic year with “Back to Hogwarts™,” a seasonal celebration from August 1 through September 1, that invites guests and fans to experience the magic of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” and flaunt their house pride: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw.
The start of the academic year is one of the most exciting times for a young witch or wizard as their journey begins from King’s Cross Station and Platform 9¾ leading to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. While every day is a perfect day to visit “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” “Back to Hogwarts” carries particular significance for Hogwarts students to proudly wear their house robes to strike a pose at the Hogwarts Express or raise their wands in solidarity of their individual Hogwarts house at Hogwarts Castle.
To prepare for the exciting academic year ahead, special “Back to Hogwarts” school bundles are available for purchase, including must-haves such as a backpack and journal themed to their preferred Hogwarts house as well as a Hedwig owl plush.
As “Back to Hogwarts” continues, a specially themed Iced Biscuit will debut on August 12, and will be available for purchase at Honeydukes™ within Hogsmeade at both theme park destinations, plus at Sugarplum’s Sweet Shop at Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando.
Skybound Games, a division of Skybound Entertainment, the creator-led, multi-platform entertainment company behind mega-franchises The Walking Dead, Invincible, Impact Winter, and more, today launches Closer the Distance, the story-driven slice-of-life simulator from award-winning indie developer Osmotic Games. Use ethereal abilities to discover the characters at the heart of a community, unearth its long-kept secrets, and guide your loved ones through unimaginable tragedy in this deeply emotional tale about loss, grief, and hope. Closer the Distance is available on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S for $19.99|€19.99|£15.99, with a bonus 10% discount offered on Steam at launch.
From the talented team behind the critically acclaimed Orwell, Closer the Distance tells a story about the connections between family and friends in the face of death. When a young woman named Angela dies suddenly in an unfortunate accident, it shakes the tight-knit community of Yesterby to its core. Playing as Angela from beyond the grave, you’ll use your ethereal abilities to explore Yesterby, unearth the many intimate stories and secrets lying beneath its surface, and help uplift and heal those you’ve left behind.
Closer the Distance combines engaging sim gameplay with a gripping narrative for a truly immersive experience. Key residents of Yesterby are fully simulated with their own complex emotions, memories, and relationships that develop over time with or without your input. But ultimately, the choices you make will determine the fate of Yesterby and its people.
A new chapter in the never-ending war for the galaxy will be written as Stardock and Ironclad Games announce that Sins of a Solar Empire® II is set to release on Steam on Thursday, Aug. 15. The sequel to one of the most beloved strategy titles of all time, Sins of a Solar Empire II will once again feature a seamless combination of real-time strategy and 4X gameplay, delivering sprawling empires, huge tactical fleet battles, and unforgettable gameplay moments that can only be found in Sins II. Players who wishlist now will receive a reminder when the game releases in just under two weeks, and Epic Games Store owners of Sins of a Solar Empire II will receive the full update coming to the Steam launch version of the game.
“It’s been amazing to see how hyped fans are for the release of Sins of a Solar Empire II on Steam,” said Brian Clair, Director of Publishing at Stardock Entertainment. “We have seen so many people who were fans of the original Sins, and Sins: Rebellion, sharing their excitement for this long-awaited sequel. Sins of a Solar Empire II will deliver epic galactic warfare and strategy to new players on Steam, and our existing players on Epic Games Store, as they will be continually supported with new content and updates. We can’t wait to share more with you and celebrate the launch of Sins of a Solar Empire II on August 15!”
Sins II will give players more tools than ever to form their own play styles as they battle, scheme, monopolize, and manipulate their way to victory. The sequel also introduces new emergent tactics and strategies that reward creative thinking. Players can protect vulnerable units by body-blocking missiles with their Titan, launch a surprise attack from a rogue asteroid when its orbit reaches the enemy’s back line, or guard themselves against a backstab with a time-locked alliance.
Sins of a Solar Empire II Key Features:
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Three unique playable races including the Advent, Vasari, and TEC return with two sub-factions that utilize unique items, mechanics, and Empire Systems to achieve total victory
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Orbiting planets that dynamically alter the map during play, requiring players to gradually shift their strategies as new challenges and opportunities present themselves
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Enhanced tactical battles and deeper combat simulation featuring tracking turrets and missiles that can be blocked by ships or shot down
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Minor factions that provide unique capabilities to players that befriend them through a new influence system
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New economy model that allows players to truly customize their worlds to fit production needs
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10-player multiplayer matches that allow players to seamlessly join or resume games
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Build and command thousands of high fidelity ships that are effortlessly powered by a new 64-bit multicore engine
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Capital ships that can be equipped with special augmentations to be more effective in battle
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New in-game mod browser allows for easy installation for mods and maps
Step into “Downtown,” a dynamic new area teeming with urban charm. Whether renovating a chic city loft or tackling unique job assignments, this new setting offers endless possibilities for creativity and exploration.
150 New Items to Transform Your Space
This update introduces a whopping 150 new items to jazz up your renovations:
Playful beach toys, perfect for summer vibes
Stylish accessories like flip-flops and sunglasses
Realistic garden additions, including weeds and a cozy campfire
Urban decor like benches, fire hydrants, and traffic lights
Expansive balcony doors and charming awnings
Fresh plant options like rhododendrons and decorative moss
Adorable bee-themed kitchen decor and Cozy Rosie patio furniture
There is an array of doors, towels, and classic musical instruments to choose from
A chic new bedroom set with a hidden door for the Valenti collection
Enhanced Features and Settings
Explore new features that enhance your House Flipper experience:
Customize your spaces with 13 new images for Custom Pictures.
Chat with clients after completing jobs for a more immersive experience.
Enjoy new visual and audio effects when items hit boundary walls.
Adjust the new Chromatic Aberration setting for a unique visual twist.
Use the new unstuck button if you find yourself in a jam.
Check out items from the new FixeD! Brand—looking familiar?
Quality of Life Improvements
We’ve made several changes to improve gameplay:
Adjustable curtains that can now be opened and closed.
Items can be placed freely on scaffolding and in the atlas.
Copy surface styles onto items, similar to walls.
A new confirmation prompt when starting a new game to protect your progress.
A “continue” button for archival jobs lets you pick up where you left off.
Fridges, microwaves, and ovens now feature interior lighting.
Large items now require holding the left mouse button to sell, preventing accidental sales.
Store categories are now more intuitively organized.
Bug Fixes and Enhancements
The update also squashes several pesky bugs and brings improvements, ensuring a smoother experience for all players.
A new judgment day arrives from Skydance, Production I.G, Masashi Kudō and Mattson Tomlin. Today, Netflix debuted the main trailer for the much-anticipated anime series TERMINATOR ZERO.
There is no fate when TERMINATOR ZERO premieres JUDGMENT DAY August 29, 2024 only on Netflix.
Independent game studio Drop Bear Bytes is excited to announce that their isometric RPG Broken Roads is out now on Nintendo Switch for $34.99 / £31.49 / €34.99 with an additional limited 20% off launch discount, and PlayStation and Xbox consoles for $39.99 / £32.99 / €39.99. Broken Roads is developed by a passionate indie team of CRPG fans led by Colin McComb, who previously worked on Planescape: Torment and Fallout 2. The game released earlier this year on PC and other consoles and received multiple updates that expanded and improved the experience.
“We’re all really happy to see Broken Roads launch on Nintendo this week” said Craig Ritchie, Game Director at Drop Bear Bytes. “We designed the game to run great on handheld from the beginning and we’re excited to see what Switch players think of it, especially since they’ll be experiencing the best version of the game from day one.”
To commemorate the Nintendo Switch launch, a new trailer was revealed today, which you can watch below.
“This narrative-driven RPG is absolutely massive in scope and size, bringing focus to meaningful philosophical choices and exploration of a beautiful Australian post-apocalyptic setting” – GamesRadar+
“If you like a unique story, an intense adventure and a real sense of decision making, I think this game will be perfect for you and that you’ll enjoy it a lot. Seriously.” – GameReactor
Zen Studios — the leading global producer and publisher of digital pinball video games — today cordially invites you to attend the most regal of events. The kingdom of Florian and the chaotic sandbox of Coffee Stain North will soon be welcomed into Zen Studios’ Pinball FX with the release of The Princess Bride and Goat Simulator-themed pinball tables. Gentlefolk and gentlegoats alike can partake in the festivities when the two pinball tables are released on August 29, 2024, as DLC for Pinball FX on PC and consoles!
This is not your basic, average, everyday, ordinary, run-of-the-mill, ho-hum pinball table. Based on the classic 1987 fantasy comedy film, The Princess Bride Pinball takes Pinball FX players to a world of treachery, peril, revenge… and a bit of kissing. The table features iconic characters such as Inigo Montoya and adapts unforgettable scenes from the film into peak pinball challenges.
Pinball FX’s The Princess Bride Pinball Key Features:
Climb the Cliffs of Insanity and start a Duel with Inigo Montoya
Give the right answer to Vizzini in the Battle of Wits mode and see your scores rise
Free Westley from the Machine by shooting the lit lanes
Prove your skill by going through the Super-Mega-Multi-Monster skillshots
Storm the castle in Wizard Mode and let true love prevail
Get ready to experience the wildest pin-baaa-ll game, inspired by the absurdity of developer Coffee Stain North’s Goat Simulator 3! From headbutting bumpers to launching yourself through loops, every move you make in Goat Simulator Pinball will leave a trail of chaos behind.
Pinball FX’s Goat Simulator Pinball Key Features:
Guide Pilgor to The Big Red Button and start a nuclear apocalypse
Overcome an alien invasion by hitting little UFOs
Attend Farmer’s Got Talent and impress all the judges with spectacular shots
Take the Farmer’s tractor and launch it over the mini playfield jump ramp
Battle against the villainous Farmer to escape his simulation in Wizard Mode!
Bring in your bounty, dead or alive! Aspyr is thrilled to release STAR WARS: Bounty Hunter in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games today on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam for SRP $19.99. This new title brings the original STAR WARS: Bounty Hunter (2002) to modern platforms with an updated camera system, modern control options, multiple visual enhancements, improved environmental textures, new dynamic lighting effects, and a new flashlight tool for navigating the galaxy’s darkest places.
Become the most feared bounty hunter in the galaxy! As Jango Fett, you’ll jump, jetpack, blast and strafe in this iconic action-adventure game featuring a variety of visual and gameplay improvements on modern platforms, as well as Steam Deck support, mouse and keyboard controls on PC, and several DualSense controller features for PlayStation 5 players.
And for the first time ever, upon completing the campaign, you’ll unlock a new Boba Fett skin for the next playthrough, paying off a notorious easter egg from the original game!
Key Features
Let the Hunt Begin: In this classic third-person action-adventure, you’ll play as Jango Fett, Prime Clone of the Grand Army of the Republic, hired to capture a deranged Dark Jedi.
Relive the Timeless Tale: Experience the legendary bounty hunter fantasy set before the events of Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones™. Face off against foes and maneuver through acrobatic battles in this adaption optimized for today’s consoles and hardware.
Armed to the Teeth: Fight your way through the galaxy’s underbelly, equipped with Dual Blasters, your Flamethrower, Whipcord, and pure Mandalorian Rage.
Revamped Camera System: The in-game camera has been completely reengineered to deliver a modern, intuitive, and reliable experience, giving players more freedom to shoot, evade and jetpack than ever before.
New Control Options: Choose between two distinct control schemes — modern controls for a contemporary gaming experience, or legacy controls which mimic the classic feel of STAR WARS: Bounty Hunter’s original release. PC players can also experience the game with mouse and keyboard for the very first time!
Today, KOEI TECMO America and developer Omega Force revealed the first storyline details of their upcoming 1 vs. 1,000 action game, DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS, available in 2025 for PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC via Steam®. Promising to deliver the most intense action of any Warriors title to date, DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS introduces fans to a heroic martial artist destined to overcome the immense odds as he fights his way through waves of enemies across the battlefields of the ancient Three Kingdoms.
DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS introduces a new, deeper interpretation of the traditional Three Kingdoms storyline, which depicts ancient Chinese history. The story begins the year before the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the dawn of an era of great upheaval, when the protagonist — a martial artist with amnesia — visits a village suffering from famine. Here, he meets Zhang Jiao, a long-haired man who offers a helping hand to people, and Guan Yu, a bearded warrior who denounces the injustice of government officials, and together they fight against the forces of corrupt officials.
The immersive story is experienced through the amnesiac protagonist, weaving through history as a single hero. Throughout the game, episodes of the Three Kingdoms are described in greater clarity and detail, delivering a clear and engaging experience not only for fans of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms and DYNASTY WARRIORS franchises, but for those who have not experienced them before.
DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS delivers an overwhelming sense of realism on every battlefield, with the largest number of soldiers in the series’ history, intermingled and fighting with their own individual wills. Enemy soldiers attacking in cooperation are extremely formidable, and you must not only fight with your own skills, but also charge forward with your allies to clear the way. Once you push up the battleline and are prepared to fight, you and your allies can charge into the massive armies of enemies, experiencing a sense of realism of the battlefield in an unprecedented scale where thousands of soldiers collide!
The protagonist of this title throws himself into the battlefield alongside the heroes of the Three Kingdoms, wiping out swarms of enemies using swords, fists, and various other weapons. By meeting certain conditions, players can temporarily control Guan Yu and other officers marching forth by your side. Officers with strength worthy of “exhilarating 1 vs. 1,000 action” will become the protagonist’s most reliable allies.
Away from combat, DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS displays the vast world of the Three Kingdoms on a continental map, enabling players to choose which battlefield to participate in. Also, players can interact with heroes and walk around freely on their way to the next major battlefield.
To help introduce fans to the new game, Akihiro Suzuki, the general producer of DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS, alongside producer Tomohiko Sho, recently released a new video, outlining their expectations for their upcoming epic tale of the Three Kingdoms.