Author - Jerry Paxton

MONOPOLY GO! Out Now on iOS and Android

Leading video game company Scopely, together with Hasbro Inc., today announced the global launch of the free-to-play mobile game “MONOPOLY GO!” Reimagining one of the most beloved games in the world, “MONOPOLY GO!” blends classic MONOPOLY game-play with entirely new experiences and imaginative worlds to explore. “MONOPOLY GO!” is one of the most immersive MONOPOLY games yet, with a complete MONOPOLY universe of its own.

“MONOPOLY GO!” transports players into a rich universe filled with iconic MONOPOLY features and visuals, along with beautiful scenery and lively animations. Designed to be highly social, the game connects the global community of MONOPOLY fans, while encouraging friends to work together and boost each other’s fortunes. “MONOPOLY GO!” also preserves the franchise’s competitive spirit, sparking friendly (or heated) rivalries as players strive to build their empires.

MONOPOLY has been an enduring part of popular culture for more than 85 years, played by more than one billion people across generations and geographies. Fans of all ages and backgrounds will enjoy “MONOPOLY GO!’s” mix of classic and new features, characters, and more, including:

  • Classic Fun: Roll the dice and move across the MONOPOLY board with beloved tokens like the Racecar, Top Hat, and Battleship. Collect properties, build houses and hotels, pull chance cards, and even get sent to jail.
  • Empire Building: Build a real estate empire filled with noteworthy landmarks to increase your net worth and unlock more than 100 new boards. All landmarks can be upgraded to showcase your tycoon status and reap even bigger rewards. 
  • New and Familiar Faces: Fan favorite characters like Scottie and Mr. MONOPOLY help guide players through world-famous cities and fantastical locales. A new set of loveable and memorable personalities, including the skilled appraiser Sofia Wattsitworth and Benjamin Basu, an entrepreneurial banker, infuse the game with humor and charm. 
  • Community Connections: Mini-games such as “Community Chest” let friends work together to earn money and rewards. 
  • Competitive Play: Go head-to-head with players around the world to knock down each other’s property landmarks or steal money from one another during a fantastically fun Bank Heist. 
  • Rich Sticker Albums: Collect hundreds of unique stickers to complete beautiful albums, trade, and meet other players through the “MONOPOLY GO!” Sticker Trading Group.
  • Daily Events: Daily tournaments and ever-evolving mini-games to earn more rewards and connect with the global MONOPOLY community. From limited-time Chance Cards to days-long milestone events, there’s always something new to discover. 

Massimo Maietti, vice president and general manager of “MONOPOLY GO!” at Scopely shared: “Bringing the iconic MONOPOLY experience to life in an all-new way has been an extremely exciting journey, and we are thrilled that players are now able to engage in the adventure! We look forward to continuing to create an ever-evolving game for players to enjoy today and for years to come.” 

Dudu Dahan, president, games for the casual division at Scopely added: 

“Our Scopely Studios around the world have created a dynamic, visually beautiful, highly social experience designed to appeal to MONOPOLY purists and newcomers alike; and we continue to be energized to work alongside our amazing partners at Hasbro with another exciting expansion to our portfolio.”

Cynthia Williams, President of Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro Games at Hasbro shared: 

“MONOPOLY is truly an enduring global phenomenon and a part of popular culture. The original game has been adapted for hundreds of destinations around the world, pioneering a localized approach that helps players connect with and celebrate the unique character of the places they call home as well as learn about new cultures. With ‘MONOPOLY GO!,’ we can unite the worldwide community of MONOPOLY fans in truly unprecedented ways. We think this fresh take on the MONOPOLY experience will continue to bring friends and families together, whether they choose to boost each other’s fortunes or claim their own riches.”

“MONOPOLY GO!” is created, live operated, and published by Scopely, and is the latest in Scopely’s highly diverse slate of games, including “Stumble Guys,” “Yahtzee® With Buddies,” “Star Trek™ Fleet Command,” Scrabble® GO,” “MARVEL Strike Force,” and more.

To stay up-to-date on all things “MONOPOLY GO!” follow @monopolygoon Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.“MONOPOLY GO!” is available now worldwide as a free download on iOS via the App Store and on Android via Google Play.

Ghostwire: Tokyo Spider’s Thread Launch Trailer

Starting today, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Game Pass players can now officially get their hands on Tango Gameworks critically acclaimed, super-natural action-adventure game Ghostwire: Tokyo. In addition, Tango Gameworks has also released the Spider’s Thread Update to all platforms (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC), which brings an all-new game mode, new areas to explore, extended story cutscenes, and expanded combat options.

The Xbox launch of Ghostwire: Tokyo will include all the updates made to the game since its original release, as well as feature the Spider’s Thread Update making it the most complete version of the game. All players can look forward to new content including the Spider’s Thread game mode, featuring new areas to explore with enemies to face and skills to face them. Additionally, this update comes with an assortment of quality-of-life fixes.

Learn more about all that’s coming with the Spider’s Thread update here.

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun Release Date Trailer

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun, the bloody and explosive homage to the retro shooters of yore set in Games Workshop’s iconic universe, will launch on May 23, 2023. Coming to PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam, the game is open for pre-order now on all platforms (except Nintendo Switch).

Focus Entertainment, Auroch Digital and Games Workshop combined their passion to bring this exciting new addition to the Warhammer 40,000 universe to life. Boltgun is a neo-retro, over-the-top shooter driven by unrestrained nostalgia for the fast-paced FPS action of the ‘90s — a stunningly modern boomer-shooter with fluid gameplay and glorious sprite art.

Step into the ceramite-armored boots of a mighty, battle-hardened Space Marine — charge, shoot and chainsword your way through the ruinous forces of Chaos. Unleash your holy arsenal to purge the creatures of darkness in an implacable pixel bloodbath!

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

Sniper Elite 5 Death From Above Trailer

Rebellion, one of the world’s most successful independent video games developers and publishers, has today launched Death From Above, the latest content pack for Sniper Elite 5’s Season Pass Two, and a free No Cross multiplayer map called The Dam. Death From Above delivers a brand new rifle in the shape of the Pedersen as well as a British Dazzle skin for all weapons, a British Bomber skin for Karl and an Air Auxiliary Skin for Monika.

The Pedersen rifle was proposed as part of a program to adopt a semi-automatic replacement to the M1903. It features no scope options but is arguably best-in-class for ironsight usage and is capable of firing fast, accurate shots at medium range, with great overall stability. Players will also receive the striking British Dazzle weapon skin for all weapons. This pays homage to the dazzle camouflage design used on British tanks during desert campaigns. Finally, both Karl and Monika receive new character skins. The British Bomber skin for Karl gives him a distinct aviator look while the Air Auxiliary skin for Monika reflects the uniforms worn by the women’s air-corps whose job was to transport new or repaired planes to active military airfields throughout the UK.

Developed in partnership with Flix Interactive, Death From Above is available as an individual purchase, priced at $9.99 or as part of Season Pass Two. The Season Pass also includes the previously released Rough Landing pack and two future content packs and is priced at $29.99.

Additionally, all players will receive a new No Cross multiplayer map called The Dam for free as part of the latest title update for Sniper Elite 5. This new map takes players to the remains of a dam that has been partly destroyed by the Allied bombing campaign. A river and broken bridges divide the two sides of the map with one side providing ample cover and sniping positions thanks to a tangle of pipework and industrial railings. Players on the opposite side can utilize the higher, more natural terrain to their advantage.

The critically acclaimed Sniper Elite 5 offers an unparalleled tactical sniping experience and is available on Xbox Game Pass, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Steam, the Epic Games Store and the Windows Store.

To keep up to date with all the latest Sniper Elite 5 news please visit sniper.com and follow the game on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Destroy All Humans! 2 – Reprobed Single Player Edition Coming to PS4 Xbox One

Attention, inhabitants of Planet Earth! The Furon Empire has deemed it necessary to grace even your elderly gaming consoles called “PlayStation®4” and “Xbox One”, with the release of the Destroy All Humans! 2 – Reprobed “Single Player” edition. Even with your primitive technology, you shall be able to grasp a small taste of Furon superiority!

This “Single Player” edition does not offer any cooperative multiplayer or other such inferior modes. It is designed for those who prefer to play alone, as true Furon warriors do.

Do mark your calendars for June 27th, 2023, when this magnificent game will be available for purchase on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 at the suggested retail price of $ 29.99 / € 29.99 / £ 24.99, a small price to pay for the privilege of experiencing the superiority of the Furon Empire!

Syntech Launches New 6-in-1 USB-C Docking Station for Steam Deck

Syntech, an innovative manufacturer of quality and affordable electronic accessories and consumer technology products, has today announced the launch of its new 6-in-1 USB-C Docking Station for Steam Deck. Providing users with 6 different ports to meet most needs, and the ability to output to a 4K monitor or TV at 60Hz, it is a handy and ergonomically designed gadget to complement a Steam Deck gaming setup. The Syntech 6-in-1 Docking Station for Steam Deck is available for £39.99/$39.99 on Amazon UK and Amazon US

Perfectly compatible with Valve Steam Deck, the docking station is equipped with a HDMI 2.0 4K@60Hz output, a Gigabit Ethernet input, 3 X USB-A 3.0 output, and a USB-C 3.0 for full speed charging. This allows it to not only expand connectivity for a Steam Deck, but alsotidy up cabling, and provide a stable base for the device when not in use. Designed to add extensibility to a gaming setup, it helps to connect the Steam Deck to a wide variety of monitors, controllers and peripherals – or can be set up on a work deck or charge on a nightstand. With an impressive 4K@60Hz output, gamers can enjoy a HD visual gaming experience in the comfort of their own home and the Gigabit Ethernet allows the download and playing of games without any hindrance. Easily making any gaming setup neater by minimising messy cables, it can also be used as a base for other devices that use a USB-C port such as a smartphone, tablet or a Nintendo Switch. Perfect for ensuring there are no distractions and everything is within easy access!

The 6-in-1 Dock is ideal for those that are on the go and wish to take their dock with them when traveling thanks to its lightweight, durable and sturdy design. Placing a focus on performance, it may be small but it is also high quality and made of ultra-high temperature laminated PCB and tough ABS+PC materials. Also included are Anti-Slip thumb grips for the Deck, which improve accuracy and sensitivity when controlling games to give users an advantage when playing.

Compared to the square design of competing products on the market, the innovative round base design of the Syntech 6-in-1 Dock has a more streamlined and minimalist appearance, and matches perfectly with Steam Deck. The design of the base is larger and more stable which helps to enhance support stability and the silicone Anti-Slip pad further enforces this as it prevents the Steam Deck falling backwards. The dock is also compatible with most protective cases/covers.

A cleverly designed round chassis also prevents blockage of vents, to avoid overheating the Deck. The built-in superior smart chip also expands the compatibility of the USB-C hub with most Type-C devices, such as phones, tablets and laptops.

Pricing and Availability

The Syntech 6-in-1 Docking Station for Steam Deck is available for £39.99/$39.99 on Amazon UK and Amazon US

Action Adventure Game Strayed Lights Gets New Pre-Order Trailer

Developer Embers has shared a new pre-order trailer for upcoming action adventure game Strayed Lights, set to launch April 25 for $24.99 across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam, the Epic Games Store, and GoG. Pre-order today via the game’s official website and receive the 120-page Strayed Lights digital art book plus the title’s soundtrack composed by the Grammy award-winning Austin Wintory for free.

In the new video, players will discover some of the glowing wildlife, treacherous environments, and merciless monsters that lie at the heart of Strayed Light’s meditative journey. The road to transcendence will require confrontation with eerie creatures that reside inside and outside the soul. Are you willing to open your eyes and take the first step?

In Strayed Lights, players will join an unbalanced being of light and darkness as it sets forth through a dreamlike world in order to achieve awakening. As the being grows from a lost child to a determined adult, players will venture across misty mountains, dark caves, broken cities, and luminescent ruins. Violent shadow creatures will stand in the tiny light’s path, but these monsters are meant to be soothed, not slaughtered.

Strayed Lights will challenge players to confront the monsters through a dynamic color-coordinated combat system. Shift between orange and blue states of being to parry enemy attacks and absorb their energy. Counter, strike, and parry with precision to unleash powerful bursts of energy capable of inflicting incredible damage. Master the moving masterpiece that is Strayed Light’s combat flow to quell a monster’s unrest and free them from their inner demons.

“Strayed Lights is a story about soothing overwhelming emotions corrupting us and restoring balance,” says Alexandre Arramon, co-founder and creative director at Embers. “In a few weeks, we hope action adventure fans of all ages will be able to relate to the tiny light’s journey of awakening and embark on their introspective odyssey. With an immersive soundtrack composed by the talented Austin Wintory and art that evokes a hand-painted feel in 3D, Strayed Lights is being made to inspire people everywhere to have a moment to feel their emotions.”

Strayed Lights’ Key Features:

  • Combat: Absorb the energy of your opponents with a familiar but innovative and challenging combat system
  • Creatures: Face your inner demons and soothe immense creatures who succumbed to their emotions
  • Journey: Unlock abilities and progress towards awakening while seeing your character grow from a newborn to an ascended being
  • World: Travel through dreamlike forests, misty valleys, broken cities and dark caves, search for ancient relics to reveal the history of these lands, and enjoy an ambitious soundtrack by Austin Wintory.

Strayed Lights will launch April 25 for $24.99 across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam, the Epic Games Store, and GoG. Pre-order today via the game’s official website to receive the 120-page Strayed Lights digital art book and the soundtrack composed by the Grammy award-winning Austin Wintory for free.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor – Final Gameplay Trailer

Today at Star Wars Celebration in London, Respawn Entertainment, EA, and Lucasfilm Games debuted the action-packed launch trailer for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Developed by the veteran team at Respawn under the leadership of game director Stig Asmussen, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor will debut on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC on April 28.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is the sequel to 2019’s blockbuster hit Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and follows the continuing epic adventures of Jedi Knight Cal Kestis as he enlists the help of old friends and new companions in his fight against the growing threat of the Empire across the galaxy.

Taking place in London, England from April 7-10, Star Wars Celebration is a four-day event filled with major announcements, immersive exhibits, an interactive show floor, screenings, exclusive merchandise, celebrity guests, panels, autograph sessions, fan-inspired activities, costumes and other surprises celebrating all things Star Wars! Star Wars Celebration is the ultimate fan experience focused on the galaxy far, far away…

Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster Series PS4 and Switch Release Date Trailer

SQUARE ENIX® today announced that the beloved FINAL FANTASY® pixel remaster series, previously only available on Steam® and mobile platforms, is launching digitally for PlayStation®4 (PS4™) console and Nintendo Switch™ system on April 19, 2023*. The pixel remaster series which comprises of FINAL FANTASY I through FINAL FANTASY VI, brings all the magic of the originals combined with quality-of-life upgrades while staying faithful to the retro design of these masterpieces.

In FINAL FANTASY pixel remaster series, players can expect some unique features for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch version, including the option to switch between the rearranged and original-based soundtrack for the game, as well as a choice of in-game fonts – players can now opt to play using the game’s default font or a pixel-based font. Additionally, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch players can also expect additional boost features to expand gameplay options, including switching off random encounters and adjusting experience gained multipliers between 0 and 4.

All six titles in the FINAL FANTASY pixel remaster series will be available to digitally purchase individually or as a complete series in the FINAL FANTASY I-VI BUNDLE from PlayStation™ Store or Nintendo eShop. Starting today, players can pre-order the Nintendo Switch version digitally. Players who purchase the Nintendo Switch version by May 25, 2023 will receive two themed Wallpapers based on the individual games(s) purchased from the FINAL FANTASY pixel remaster series. Players who purchase the complete series in the FINAL FANTASY I-VI BUNDLE will receive all 12 themed Wallpapers.

Players who purchase the digital edition of the game(s) on PlayStation 4 between April 19, 2023 – May 25, 2023 will receive a Theme and Avatar in accordance with the individual games(s) purchased from the FINAL FANTASY pixel remaster series. Players who purchase the complete series in the FINAL FANTASY I-VI BUNDLE will receive every Theme and Avatar included with the individual games which is a total of six Themes and six Avatars.

The FINAL FANTASY pixel remaster series is also available for purchase as part of the FINAL FANTASY I-VI Bundle on Steam, the App Store®, Google Play™ and the Amazon App Store.

To learn more about each game in the FINAL FANTASY pixel remastered series, visit the official website for more information at: https://ffpixelremaster.com/

*FINAL FANTASY pixel remaster on PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch will be available to download from 8:00am PDT / 11:00am EDT on April 19, 2023.

Penny Arcade Raises 424K in Acquisitions Incorporated: The Series 2 Kickstarter

Penny Arcade’s popular live-play D&D series founded in 2008, Acquisitions Incorporated, rolled a natural 20 with its now closed Series 2 Kickstarter, exceeding its original goal by 170% for a whopping $424,478 earned in total! Having secured its Series 2 funding, this fantasy startup is ready to celebrate their 15th year of growth in style.

The successful funding of Series 2 will enable the pioneering live show to build upon its impressive legacy with bigger and more elaborate productions, highlighting the narrative prowess of dungeon-masters Jeremy Crawford, Lead Rules Designer of Dungeons and Dragons, and Series 1’s Chris Perkins, Senior Story Designer of Dungeons and Dragons.

As a pivotal trailblazer in the space, Acquisitions Incorporated paved the way for a new era of roleplay adventure podcasts, including household names like Critical Role and Dimension20. Now in its 15th year, its fandom and franchise have grown significantly to include annually anticipated live performances at Penny Arcade Expos (PAX), its own tabletop board games, and even an official D&D Sourcebook published in 2019.

“We’re basically a classic punk band getting the crew back together to show these kids how a real party’s supposed to go down, with more excessively nerdy fantasy stage designs, of course,” said Jerry Holkins, co-founder, Penny Arcade. “Our entire cast is incredibly thankful to all of our backers and we can’t wait to make some magic for the world this summer.”

Acquisitions Incorporated: The Series 2 will star:

  • Jerry Holkins, co-founder of Penny Arcade and Acquisitions Inc.
  • Mike Krahulik, co-founder of Penny Arcade and Acquisitions Inc.
  • Jasmine Bhullar, Streamer and veteran of TTRPG live plays including Critical Role, Dimension20, and Penny Arcade’s Court of Cups
  • Anna Prosser, Producer, performing artist and mainstay in TTRPG actual plays including Acquisitions Incorporated and Dice Camera Action
  • More returning friends and special guests to be announced soon!

Acquisitions Incorporated: The Series 2 will kick off this September 2023. For further information, please visit Penny Arcade’s official website or follow Penny Arcade on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.