Author - Jerry Paxton

VAMPIRE: The Masquerade – Swansong Dev Diary

NACON and Big Bad Wolf Studio are pleased to release a new video for Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong. This developer diary focuses on the core elements that the game experience is based on.

Eliott Hipeau, Lead Quest Designer at Big Bad Wolf, first talks about the studio’s DNA and what makes their games unique. Like The Council, Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong is a story-driven RPG. The various branching storylines depend on the player’s choices but also on how they shape the game’s three vampire heroes. Every player can use the character sheets to determine their heroes’ strengths as well as level up their skills and vampiric Disciplines in a unique way. This opens up fresh approaches to solving problems and moves the story forward in a specific direction.

In the world of Vampire: The Masquerade, vampires live among mortals, hiding their monstrous nature. The social interactions stemming from this dynamic are central to the game, forcing the player to use their heroes’ powers to cover their tracks and convince others to reveal their secrets. The RPG component takes on even more significance because every NPC has their own statistics, so the player must use their skills and Disciplines to gain the upper hand in “dialogue fight”.

All the action takes place in Boston, where players will explore many fascinating locations ranging from sumptuous luxury homes to the city’s underground where countless secrets are buried. Scheming is rife in a vampire community that has been plunged into an unprecedented crisis, and it is up to the player to unravel the threads of the mystery.

In this narrative RPG adapted from the 5th edition of Vampire: The Masquerade, the player takes control of 3 vampires belonging to different clans of the Camarilla, the secret society to which most vampires belong. Weaving between their intertwined tales, the player has to confront the different points of view of his characters to unravel fact from fiction. With whispers of conspiracy, murder and power struggles, the player must protect his clan, discover the truth and above all enforce the Masquerade, the vampire law designed to conceal the existence of creatures of the night from humans.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong will be available on
PC (Epic Games Store) and consoles on May 19, 2022.

Follow this link to download assets of Vampire – The Masquerade : Swansong

House Flipper 2 Official Teaser Trailer

With House Flipper marking almost 4 years of active development, gathering more than 3 million players from all around the world, and being released on all the major platforms, we’re finally getting some hints about the continuation of this simulator genre bestseller.

Watch the House Flipper 2 reveal trailer
The game currently stands on a vast amount of gameplay additions, including two free and three paid DLCs, as well as an impressive collection of community-generated content thanks to the Steam Workshop support – not to mention all the seasonal updates being released every couple of months.

The developers decided to take a bow towards their most dedicated fans and went ahead with sharing a sneak peek in the form of an official cinematic teaser on their recent live stream. The sequel announcement was full of easter-eggs, one of them being a QR code redirecting to the houseflipper2.com website. Can you find the other ones?

The upcoming months also seem to be very exciting for House Flipper players, as House Flipper: Pets DLC – the looming addition to the game is making its’ way towards the finish line.

Watch Pets DLC brand new teaser
In May, a range of animal species is finally showing up in this interior design and fixer-upper-oriented title! A major change regarding the gameplay? Maybe! But the developers assure that the DLC stays close to the roots of the original House Flipper.

Pets DLC offers a handful of long-awaited flipping mechanics, 10 unique properties in a completely new environment, and more than 300 items. Of course, on top of that, we have the addition of pets and all the special interactions connected to them.

The press kit for both House Flipper 2 and the Pets DLC is available under the following link: https://pr-outreach.com/en/game/house-flipper-2,26.

ELEX II Explanation Trailer Released

Magalan is full of secrets. To stand a chance against the threat from the skies, Jax has to explore the open world, learn skills and find new equipment. He’ll need to form bonds with the factions and make allies, find vendors and teachers, and visit the most notable places of the world. Magalan is full of choices. What will your combat style be, what weapons will you use? Will you join the Clerics, the Berserkers, the Outlaws, the Morkons or the Albs – or maybe go faction-less? Who will your companions be, how will people remember you? Will you be a good guardian or a ruthless slayer? The choices are yours, create your own story in ELEX II on March 1st, 2022.

Pre-Order available
ELEX II will release on March 1st, 2022 for PC, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Xbox One™, and the Xbox Series S/X™. ELEX II is available for pre-order now, the SRP is $ 49.99 | € 49.99 | £ 38.99 on PC and $59.99 | € 59.99 | £ 48.99 on consoles.

PlayStation
https://thqn.net/elex2-ps

Xbox
https://thqn.net/elex2-xbox

PC
ELEX II on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/900040
ELEX II on GOG.com: https://www.gog.com/game/elex_ii
ELEX II on the Epic Games Store: https://www.epicgames.com/store/p/elex-ii

Moonshine Inc Steam Next Fest Trailer

Klabater invites players to take a sip of Moonshine Inc, recently featured by major YouTuber Raptor and with a free demo, out now on Steam as part of Steam Next Fest! Leave the big city for the Appalachian mountains and step into a story full of colorful characters to build an illegal brewing operation into a moonshine empire right under the nose of the law.

Ferment & Distill Moonshine

Moonshine Inc. lets players harness the real chemistry behind moonshine distillation to create mind blowing batches of booze for the thirsty masses suffering from sobriety! Featuring a rich fermentation and distilling crafting system created in collaboration with Dr. Andrzej Żywociński from the Institute of Physical Chemistry at the Polish Academy of Sciences, Moonshine Inc. aims to recreate the craft and life of a real American moonshiner as authentically as possible.

Build a Business Empire

Manage your employees and delivery network to produce and sell thousands of liters of moonshine! With management systems created in collaboration with Dr. Marcin Wardaszko of Kozminski University who has published papers on game design and business simulations, you’ll have to strategically build your fledgling moonshine business into an empire, one batch at a time.

Outwit the Law

Keep your head down and the booze brewing as you buy, expand, and upgrade your illegal, hidden bases across a huge map! Moonshine Inc.’s Red Flag Police System intelligently controls the behavior of the local police and federal agents who are constantly closing the net around your operation. You’ll be harassed by corrupt sheriffs, a particular ATF agent, and even a corrupt governor, but with the help of your younger sister Elly-Jane and old grand-uncle Donald, you’ll fight the odds, the competition, and Johnny Law all at once if you have to.

Return to Kurgansk VR Launch Trailer

Gaijin Entertainment and Yadon Studio announce that Return to Kurgansk VR has launched on Steam. This is a significantly expanded and reworked VR reimagination of the Shadows of Kurgansk horror game focused on survival in the post-Soviet post apocalypse world. The game is exclusive for VR and supports Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift and Oculus Quest (via Oculus Link) devices.

Once upon a time, the search for an endless source of energy led to disaster, and now the lands around Kurgansk are infected and cursed, and the locals have lost their minds. The player got into these deadly places by mistake and is trying to find his way back, fighting against hundreds of evil monsters. In order not to die, he collects supplies, hunts, crafts weapons, and equipment, solves the secrets of Kurgansk and explores abandoned objects. The reimagination adds new dungeons, gear, and characters not seen in the original Shadows of Kurgansk, and many locations and 3D models are redesigned.

Interaction with objects and battles with enemies in Return to Kurgansk VR are adapted for VR devices so that the player immerses himself completely in the cursed world of Kurgansk. Surround sound and compelling visuals help the player get into the role of a hero and feel when he is hungry, injured or starting to go crazy. A large open world and fast-paced battles that involve both short-range and long-range weapons set Return to Kurgansk VR apart from most modern VR experiences. A full exploration of Kurgansk in the game will take more than 20 hours.

Return to Kurgansk VR has been developed by Yadon Studio with the support of Gaijin Entertainment as a part of the novice developers support program.

Crytek’s Hunt: Showdown Celebrates 4th Anniversary

Diehard fans and new players alike are invited to jump into the bayou and celebrate Hunt: Showdown’s fourth anniversary since its original release in early access. To mark this milestone, Hunt: Showdown is thanking the community with bonus Twitch Drops in-game content, as well as new artwork and a special anniversary sale on Steam.

There has never been a better time to join Hunt’s more than 3.5 million unique players, a number that continues to grow year-on-year. The bayou is a strange and dangerous place – just ask the 1,595 people killed by doors or 276 killed by horses – and everyone’s invited to the anniversary celebrations by hunting down bounties… and each other.

Fatih Özbayram, Senior Producer for Hunt: Showdown, said, “The whole team has worked really hard over the past four years to make Hunt a special experience for everyone. Every match tells a unique story, and that’s why people come back to the bayou again and again.

“We’re constantly looking to keep the game fresh with updated content and events – over the past year we’ve added a new map and new boss, and held events including Light the Shadow and As the Crow Flies – and we can’t do that without our amazing and welcoming community. By putting players first and listening to what they want from Hunt, we’re able to create a gaming experience that is truly special.”

The Twitch Drops campaign, which includes four Legendary Weapons and a Legendary Hunter for use on PC, Xbox and PlayStation, starts February 23 at 10 a.m. ET and runs until Tuesday, March 1, at 10 a.m. ET. Drops are open to all – simply watch your favorite Hunt: Showdown Twitch streamers to start collecting free rewards.

Hunt’s new key art branding, reflecting its unique PvPvE gameplay, will appear across all Hunt: Showdown channels and will be available to players to download as wallpaper.

New to Hunt? Check out our social media channels (YouTube|Twitter|Instagram) to view the 50 Ways To Die videos, which give some hints and tips on what not to do, and our Beauty of Hunt video, which will go live soon showcasing some of the incredible locations and scenery that’s waiting to be discovered.

PC players can grab Hunt: Showdown plus four DLCs for 65% off as part of the Anniversary Bundle, available on Steam until Thursday, March 3.

SpellForce III Reforced Delayed Until June 2022

The development of SpellForce III Reforced is going to take a little bit more time. In order to reach our goal of bringing the best RPG/RTS to consoles, developer Grimlore Games and publisher THQ Nordic want to make sure the game is in the best possible shape before it gets released. That’s why game development will continue until June 7th, 2022.

SpellForce III Reforced Console Edition Overview
On June 7, 2022 SpellForce III Reforced will be playable on PlayStation®4 and Xbox One™ as well as PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series S/X™ at an SRP of $39.99/€39.99/£34.99. In addition to the SpellForce III Reforced base game, both expansions will also be available on June 7, 2022. “Soul Harvest” and “Fallen God” will each be sold separately at an SRP of $19.99/€19.99. Both expansions feature their own single-player campaign with 30+ hours of gameplay, as well as new units and more. The whole package, called SpellForce III Reforced Complete Edition, is also available at an SRP of $59.99/€59.99.

Preorders for all editions are available now:

SpellForce III Reforced:
Xbox: http://n.thq.com/W53q30rRTnz
PlayStation: http://n.thq.com/T34B30rRTnD

SpellForce III Reforced Complete Edition:
Xbox: http://n.thq.com/7ibT30rRTnH
PS4 SIEA: http://n.thq.com/y8ZP30rRTnT
PS5 SIEA: http://n.thq.com/URwc30rRTnX

Carbon Based Lifeforms Unveils Free to Play Sci-Fi MMO Hyperspace

Carbon Based Lifeforms, a new game development studio based in Edinburgh, Scotland, today announces Hyperspace. The studio’s first project is a free-to-play science fiction massively multiplayer online (MMO) sandbox game. Set in an all-new universe created by Carbon Based Lifeforms, and drawing from the classic aesthetic of the golden era of 1970s science fiction, Hyperspace gives players the freedom to choose their own life and style of play – whether they want to be a galaxy-spanning explorer, a high-tech craftsman, or a rebellious intergalactic outlaw.

Hyperspace tells a tale of galaxies on edge and rife for exploration and domination. When an experiment to create a stable wormhole between two galaxies went wrong they were instantly merged into one. Eons later and as four economic territories vie for control, the impacts of that devastation still ripple through the new galaxy as the disparate species struggle to get along. Yet there are still opportunities to get out there, discover the past and make a better future. Or at least make a tidy profit on the side.

Hyperspace players can create their character based on one of eight playable races, each with their own expanded lore and culture within a much larger universe, and participate in several activities with classes which include; Hunter, Gatherer, Explorer, and Trader, allowing them to customize their experience to suit their style of play. The space-themed gaming experience transports players to an expansive galaxy that’s filled with thousands of star systems, multiple territories, and four galactic currencies, giving users endless opportunities within an ever-evolving sandbox.

“We are very excited to announce Hyperspace. We know that this game will mean a lot to the sci-fi gaming community, because it means a lot to us as fans of MMOs and science fiction ourselves. Our goal is to bring old school classic cosmic adventure into the next generation of sandbox MMOs with a vibrant player-driven economy and hugely expansive narrative to explore. We can’t wait to show you more, and hope you’ll join us on this journey… it’s going to be something special.” – Theo Priestley, CEO – Carbon Based Lifeforms

Core Game Features

  • Explore in Style | Build your ship and explore the galaxy, trade across the depths of space or hunt down valuable bounties. With a huge array of different options, players can outfit their vessels to fit their play-style.
  • Unparalleled Customization | In the vastness of the galaxy there are some colorful characters to encounter. Play as one of eight different races from the hulking Carbaryl to the insectoid Krivak, Each with a deep lore and history of how they made it to the stars.
  • Your Place in the Universe Matters | Become a bounty hunter, weaponsmith, explorer, trader, or scout with various factions in space. Chart new routes through the galactic map or wait in ambush as others float too far from safety. Either way, Hyperspace hosts plenty of options for progression.
  • The Universe Has a History | Tapping into the lore is important to us at Carbon Based Lifeforms, we will be announcing our partnerships with several sci-fi writers to create an even greater depth, before you dive into the galaxy.
  • Make Your Name, Make a Living | Whether you choose to craft your way to fame, or collect bounties on the outlaws of the galaxy, you’ll be able to make a fortune in-game, and be offered the chance to turn it into real-life money should you choose.

Hyperspace is open for pre-registration on the game’s website, at www.hyperspace.game. Players who sign up now will gain access to news as it becomes available and will be the first to receive updates on upcoming alpha and beta testing phases. More game details, and first gameplay videos, will be available in the coming weeks and months at the official site and the social media channels below.

Carbon Based Lifeforms are also delighted to be working with such talents as award-winning composer Austin Wintory, FRAG Games, and Astrofish Games in the development of the first gameplay demonstration of Hyperspace and into the future.

Former Witcher and Cyberpunk Co-Devs to Develop New RPG

Konrad Tomaszkiewicz (Game Director – The Witcher 3, Head of Production/Secondary Game Director – Cyberpunk 2077) has assembled a new pack at startup studio, Rebel Wolves. Driven by the desire to build a passionate team dedicated to creating vibrant virtual worlds, filled to the brim with powerful emotions and unique experiences, Konrad envisioned a new studio with a united goal of doing things differently while also putting the team first at all times.

“For all of us here at Rebel Wolves, video games were always something we felt destined to do—something ingrained in our DNA. Personally, I couldn’t be happier to have banded together with friends who share this passion. We’re developing a video game we’d like to play in a way that games should be made. We want to evolve the cRPG genre by creating unforgettable stories and stirring deep emotions, all while working as a tightly knit team united by a shared goal and ambition. Collectively, we envision Rebel Wolves as a place where experienced game developers can reignite their passion, where they can focus on their craft and pour their love into an amazing, ambitious title. We want to stay small and agile—a place where people know and care for each other.” – Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, Rebel Wolves CEO and Game Director.

Rebel Wolves was born with aspirations of breaking away from the weight of AAA development studios and approaching every goal as a team. A lone wolf may be powerful, but true strength lies in the pack. In the coming months, Rebel Wolves will be hiring to fill various roles at the studio, both in-house and remote, and you can reach out to office@rebel-wolves.com for more information.

Bringing together a talented team of industry veterans from projects such as The Witcher Series, Cyberpunk 2077, Thronebreaker, and Shadow Warrior 2, Rebel Wolves is a new studio built on the foundations of fairness, teamwork, and openness. Unified by the mission of putting the team first—ALWAYS—they believe that happy people create great games as they endeavor to revolutionize the RPG genre with their first project. The first of a planned saga, Rebel Wolves’ first title is AAA dark fantasy built inside the Unreal 5 engine.

“In order to create truly great games, we won’t chase trends or numbers. Our goal is clearly defined: to create memorable games, tell moving stories, and evoke visceral emotions. It’s ambitious, true – and I’m glad it is. Art needs ambition. I don’t want to create another game. I want to work on titles people will remember.” – Jakub Szamałek – Narrative Director & Main Writer.

Rebel Wolves is formed by Design Director Daniel Sadowski (Witcher 1, Nitreal Games, Growing Up), Narrative Director and Main Writer Jakub Szamałek (Witcher 3, Cyberpunk 2077, Thronebreaker), Animation Director Tamara Zawada (Witcher 3, Shadow Warrior 2, Capcom Vancouver), Art Director Bartłomiej Gaweł (Witcher 1-3), CFO Michał Boryka, and Studio Head Robert Murzynowski.

Knott’s Boysenberry Festival Returns for 2022

The Knott’s Boysenberry Festival is our annual food-inspired event that celebrates the park’s historic roots by highlighting the little berry that started it all, the boysenberry. Guests will have the opportunity to indulge in a tantalizing lineup of dishes ranging from savory foods with a boysenberry twist to one-of-a-kind specialty desserts and drinks that you can only find at Knott’s Berry Farm during this time of the year. In addition to the numerous food and drink offerings, the Knott’s Boysenberry Festival offers a wide selection of local crafters, live music, musical stage shows and fun activities for guests of all ages to enjoy. The Knott’s Boysenberry Festival runs a full extra week this year starting March 18, operating daily through April 24, 2022. This year’s event will introduce entirely new food offerings featuring a selection of more than two dozen food and drink items. A few new items to note include:

  • Crab Sushi Roll with a Boysenberry Aioli
  • Chicken Dumplings with a Boysenberry Wonton and a Teriyaki Dipping Sauce
  • Boysenberry Horchata
  • Chicken Cordon Bleu with a Boysenberry Cheese Sauce
  • Trio of Sausage with Peppers and Onions on Boysenberry Polenta
  • Spring Fling Salad with Shrimp and a Boysenberry Vinaigrette
  • Boysenberry Filled Donut Open Faced Chicken Sandwich with an Aioli Drizzle
  • Deconstructed Lemonade with Blackberries, Loganberries, and Red Raspberries
  • Boysenberry Rocky Road Brownie
  • Boysenberry Pie Bars
  • Boysenberry Slushy Mudslide (alcoholic)
  • Boysenberry Seltzer
  • Prosecco with Hibiscus and Boysenberry
  • Boysenberry Sweet Tea with Vodka

A great way to indulge in the new boysenberry food items during the festival is by purchasing a tasting card priced at $50 (or $45 for season pass holders). The tasting card will offer six tastings from a selection of 25 boysenberry-inspired dishes and drinks. A variety of signature boysenberry items will also be available for purchase a la carte. Tasting cards are available at Knotts.com or at the theme park.

Guests can also create over 75 unique boysenberry-inspired creations with limited edition merchandise found throughout the park. This year’s new merchandise includes a selection of packaged food items perfect for take-home souvenirs like the new boysenberry microbrew BBQ sauce, boysenberry crème brulé coffee, boysenberry brownie cookies, boysenberry pepper bacon spread and boysenberry balsamic grilling glaze. The Berry Market, located in the California Marketplace, also features signature boysenberry items like the refreshing boysenberry sarsaparilla and our classic jams and preserves. Unique boysenberry-inspired artisan products will also be available at the Boysenberry Festival Craft Fair returning with 30 local craft vendors. Each crafter features its own boysenberry-themed items.

Knott’s Boysenberry Festival also offers endless entertainment throughout the park. From musical performances to fun interactive games, there is something for every member of the family to enjoy.

  •                       Guests are invited to join Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the entire Peanuts Gang in the musical stage show Snoopy’s Boysenberry Jamboree! The show is sure to have families dancing and singing along at the Calico Mine Stage
  •                       Knott’s pays tribute to its past at the legendary Bird Cage Theatre with a special presentation of the brand-new comedy melodrama, Riverboat Revenge. All aboard for this boysenberry bon voyage!
  •                       Get in on the fun with some of the craziest and messiest games in Calico. Try your berry best in our Boysenberry Fun and Games, including the wildly entertaining Boysenberry Pie Eating Contest.
  •                       Young ones and young at heart are invited to cozy up to the cutest critters on the farm, including horses, sheep, goats and other furry friends. Old MacDonald’s Barn pays tribute to one of the farm’s original attractions.
  •                       A classic returns! Travel back to the ’80s as you dance the night away to the decade’s best songs at Knott’s Totally Tubular 80’s Dance Party.
  •                       Pull up a chair as our blues trio, the Boysenberry Blues, conjures up some of the smoothest tunes performing at the Boardwalk BBQ patio.
  •                       You can also grab a seat (and a plate!) at Fireman’s BBQ, where various musical duos take the stage with a selection of bluegrass and country tunes, they will have your toes a-tappin’ and your hands a clappin’!
  •                       Enjoy the sounds from South of the Border in Fiesta Village as the Mariachi Angelitas present a lively show filled with rich history and tradition.
  •                       Grab a slice of history in our museum History of the Boysenberry dedicated to the berry that started it all!

The Boysenberry Festival is included with admission to Knott’s Berry Farm or with a special Knott’s Hotel Boysenberry Package that includes overnight accommodations steps from the park, a tasting card, parking and more. Additional costs apply for food tasting experiences within the event. Knott’s will have extended hours on select days March 18 – April 24, allowing guests extra time to take advantage of the limited-time offerings.

The best way to savor every day of the Knott’s Boysenberry Festival and all of the other Seasons of Fun is with a 2022 Season Pass! Get unlimited visits, food and merchandise discounts, plus so much more! For more information about Knott’s Berry Farm, please visit knotts.com or download the Knott’s Berry Farm app for your smartphone. Join the conversation using the hashtag #BoysenberryFestival