Game publisher NACON and developer Appeal Studios are pleased to announce a new video for the co-op action-adventure game Gangs of Sherwood. In the video, Game Director Andrea Di Stefano and Art Director Michael Defroyennes talk about how they adapted the legend of Robin Hood.
In Gangs of Sherwood, gamers can choose to play as four of the most famous heroes from the legend: Friar Tuck, Little John, Maid Marian and, of course, Robin Hood. The development teams also wanted to highlight the wonderfully rich lore of the legend by including lesser-known characters, such as Alan-a-Dale. As much focus has been placed on the antagonists, such as the charismatic Guy of Gisbourne, usually depicted as an assassin charged with killing Robin Hood, and the prioress of Kirklees, presumed responsible for Robin Hood’s death.
The story in Gangs of Sherwood is a unique take on the Robin Hood legend. It is a war story in which the heroes are leaders of a resistance against the evil Sheriff of Nottingham. Technological advancement plays a major role in the world, which adds a science-fantasy dimension to the game’s medieval world. “The new technology was made possible by the Lionheart, a unique stone brought back from the Crusades, which can be used to transform metal and give it magical properties,” said Andrea Di Stefano. “This swift technological progress has led to a revolution in transportation and the way the war unfolds. In our case, it is having a big impact on combat, on the way the characters interact with enemies and the power they can unleash, which results in explosive and spectacular battles.”
During their adventure, players will explore a wide variety of stunning environments, some of which will certainly be familiar. As Michael Defroyennes explains, “For example, we start in the village of Locksley, which is under siege, and there will be other iconic places, of course, such as Sherwood Forest and the city of Nottingham. We also wanted to highlight the bleak aspect of the various regions to show how the world is war-torn and the how pollution from technology has impacted the environment.”
Stay tuned! More information about the game will be shared soon on our social media channels!
Red Barrels, the independent game development studio based in Montréal, has officially launched Early Access for The Outlast Trials which is available now via Steam and Epic Games Store for $29.99 USD.
Stepping into Murkoff’s Sinyala Facility during Early Access, players will experience mind-numbing terror, whether surviving alongside friends or daring to go alone. Early Access includes all the main features of a classic Outlast game and will introduce a whole new program structure. Players will be pushed to their limits in new environments, new trials, several challenges and variators, a seasonal program, character and cell customization, full character progression with a narrative introduction and a surprising conclusion for each Reagent released, and more, gradually throughout the Early Access.
“We’re eager to see and hear how Reagents (players) perform in Murkoff’s experimental program during The Outlast Trials Early Access,” said Philippe Morin, Co-Founder of Red Barrels. “Feedback from players throughout Early Access is key to us delivering a more refined and balanced game. The Outlast Trials is our most challenging production and we’ll continue developing the game until we feel the game delivers our initial vision.”
The Outlast Trials, is a brand new take on the acclaimed Outlast survival horror series, set in the same terrifying universe as the previous titles, only this time you can choose to play on your own or with friends in a team of up to four people.
Set in the height of the Cold War era, players take on the role of test subjects abducted by the shadowy Murkoff Corporation. Imprisoned in a secret Murkoff facility, players will be thrust into a series of physical and mental ordeals, tormented by iconic characters, and challenged alone or in teams to survive with their sanity intact.
Independent game studio Yarrow Games, in partnership with leading independent video game publisher Versus Evil, are pleased to reveal that its upcoming deck-bulding roguelike Tamarak Trail is coming to Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms, where it will launch alongside the Steam release this summer. Tamarak Trail is a turn-based deck-building roguelike that uses customizable dice instead of cards.
As a member of a secret society named the Sturgeon Lodge it’s up to you to piece together the mystery of a decaying earth, hunt down the source of this corruption and put a stop to it at all costs.
Embarking on this adventure, you can choose one of three characters; The Magician, the Tracker or the Detective, each with their own unique abilities and traits. Depending on your preferred playstyle, the character’s different skills and attributes allow you to craft a unique strategy for your character as they navigate the ominous trail. Procedurally-generated paths create a myriad of possibilities where you can encounter events, monsters, campsites, treasure and more. Every new discovery reveals new bonuses and strategies to explore.
To combat the monsters and nefarious foes you’ll encounter, you’ll have to be tactical in your dice-building, as each face could mean the difference between victory or defeat. Different dice sides can be used to attack directly, apply buffs and debuffs, inflict damage over time, defend yourself, to “flip” them to another side for combo awesomeness and much more. You can even apply “dice cores” to secure passive abilities. You’re given direct control of your dice rolls, and getting them to smack together allows you to create killer combo attacks. In true deck-builder fashion, dice faces can be customized with more abilities after each victory, adding new attacks, defenses and combinations to take forward into future battles.
With a beautiful hand-drawn illustrative style, the game’s art direction has many inspirations, including the Group of Seven, the Canadian landscape painters of the 1920’s, and illustrator Ivan Bilibin. Tamarak Trail takes its inspiration from roguelike deck builders like Slay the Spire, and pays homage to innovative titles like Dicey Dungeons and Peglin, which have influenced the game’s feel and mechanics. Add to that a diverse and horrific bestiary influenced by Northern Ontario’s wildlife, it culminates in a treacherous trail where danger and intrigue hides in every corner.
“Tamarak Trail is among the most deep, engrossing deck builders I’ve ever played,” said Steve Escalante, general Manager of Versus Evil. “We think Tamarak Trail has such wide appeal that we’re committed to bringing it to all major platforms right out of the gate. Thankfully you won’t have to wait too long to play it, as it’s launching this summer!”
The throne room is the center of royal power. This is where your vassals and courtiers plead their cases. This is where you gather the relics and artifacts that represent your power. And this is where your majesty is most obvious to all. Manage your regal reputation with the best propaganda tool available to a medieval ruler – the Royal Court.
Royal Court is the first major expansion for Crusader Kings III, now on XBox Series X|S consoles and Playstation® 5. Paradox Interactive’s revolutionary medieval strategy game now gives players the chance to rule their kingdom or empire from a specially designed throne room. They can collect and commission special items, set a budget for food and lodging, and answer the petitions of visitors and subjects as they bring their problems to the royal ear.
Features of Crusader Kings III: Royal Court include:
Throne Room: Available for king and emperor characters, this is a visual representation of your royal court, reflecting all the accumulated majesty and prestige of your dynasty.
Hold Court: Interact with vassals and courtiers as they come to you with their problems, seeking a royal judgement.
Grandeur: Increase the quality of life at your court with fancier trappings and better food, all the better to impress your rivals and attract higher quality guests.
Inspired People: Talented artists, craftspeople and thinkers can work on new projects, adding treasures and artifacts to your court.
Inventory System: Commission and collect special weapons, armor and regalia to outfit your character and boost their skills and prowess.
Hybrid Cultures: Make the most of a multicultural realm, developing a new way of life that is specifically adapted to your population and geography.
Cultural Divergence: Split from your traditional culture, adapting it into something new that better fits your aspirations.
The release of Royal Court is accompanied by a major free update to Crusader Kings III available for all players on console. This update includes the eagerly awaited character designer, which allows players to create their own starting character.
Crusader Kings III: Royal Court is now available for Playstation® 5 and Xbox Series consoles. Please check the relevant stores in your region for pricing.
When people talk about turn-based tactics games, very often Jagged Alliance is mentioned as one of the legendary forefathers of the genre. So creating a new installment in the series, almost 25 years after the first one has electrified gamers around the globe, is not a simple task: The memories of those iconic games remain cherished, but times have changed, and players now have different expectations. Nevertheless, developer Haemimont Games and publisher THQ Nordic are proudly adding the long-awaited “3” to the iconic title, indicating nothing less than: Jagged Alliance 3 shall be a worthy successor and an outstanding strategy game when it releases on July 14th, 2023 for PC!
In the latest trailer, we’re gonna spill the beans on what Jagged Alliance 3 brings to the table – and what it doesn’t. Battle-hardened mercenaries who’ve conquered the previous installments might scoff and say, “Been there, done that.” But for you unfortunate souls who’ve never tasted the thrill of a Jagged Alliance game yet (shame on you!), this rad new trailer will answer the burning question you’ve been dying to ask: What is the gameplay like? Does it focus on tactics or strategy? Is there a crafting system? And so much more… Find all the answers you seek in the thrilling new trailer!
Mod support coming soon after launch
After Jagged Alliance 3 has launched, the developers will focus on giving the players the exciting opportunity to customize the game according to their preferences. Initially offering basic mod support, allowing players to modify weapon statistics, adjust difficulty levels, and even display the “chance to hit” percentage, the mod support for Jagged Alliance 3 will continue to expand and evolve post-launch. In due course, players will wield a powerful tool that empowers them to create and share their own campaigns, introduce new mercenaries, and explore possibilities beyond our current imagination!
Jagged Alliance 3 is currently in development for PC and is set to release on July 14th, 2023 at an SRP of $ 44.99 / € 44.99 / 39.99 £ and will receive a launch discount of 20% on Steam – wishlist here: https://thqn.net/ja3-steam
Collector’s Edition
The Jagged Alliance 3 Tactical Edition is available for pre-order now at an SRP of € 129.99 / £ 114.99 and will release along with the game on July 14th, 2023. Please note: this edition is strictly limited.
More information about the game is available in our biweekly Twitch streams, tune in Thursdays at 11 AM EST / 17:00 CEST on THQ Nordic’s Twitch Channel: https://www.twitch.tv/thqnordic
PRISMATIKA and Galaxy Grove today announce Station to Station, a brand new minimalist, voxel-art railroad building simulator, which will be pulling into Steam later this year.
In Station to Station, players are tasked with transforming a small rural world into a vibrant, lush environment full of life and colour by placing stations and creating connections to foster growth and expansion. Grab your conductor’s hat and watch the beautiful, tilt shift-inspired, voxel-art world come to life in the brand new announcement trailer:
Aspiring conductors will hop on board and steam through a variety of colourful biomes, breathing new life into dry desert sands, and transforming untamed mountain terrain. As the tracks are laid down a tranquil world will spring to life with an ever-widening tapestry of flora and fauna!
For those seeking to test their management and planning skills, each of the game’s levels offer their own optional challenges, stack bonuses, and unique mechanics tied to every biome. Whether seeking relaxation or mental stimulation, Station to Station has something for everyone!
Station to Station Features:
Enjoy your journey as you embark on a relaxing and peaceful experience
Take in the views with beautiful, colourful voxel art
Upgrade your experience as optional strategic gameplay allows players to earn high scores
Today, Ubisoft announced that Trackmania is now available to play on Xbox One, Xbox Series X | S, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5. Players can also access the game on PC on Ubisoft Connect, Epic, Steam, Amazon Luna* and Ubisoft+, Ubisoft’s subscription service.
The legendary Trackmania hits the consoles with racing still as thrilling as ever thanks to crossplay and crossprogression. Since its launch on PC in July 2020, the game has continued its pursuit of enrichment, bringing new features to feel the joy of racing.
Trackmania offers a unique direct racing experience for players to compete and climb leaderboards on more than 1000 tracks, with a new one every day. Players can also team-up with their friends in two different game modes, Ranked and Royal, and join casual daily competitions. With their different progress in the races, players will unlock new prestige skins, medals and trophies to reward their skills. An official Esports circuit is also available for players looking for new challenges, in addition to many events organized by the community.
Creativity is the fuel of Trackmania’s community with more than 2000 car skins shared by players for everyone to enjoy. Furthermore, this console launch comes with a Track Editor especially designed for console players and hundreds of new blocks dedicated to gameplay and styling, completing a collection of more than 3000 pieces. New collections of pictures inspired by Ubisoft games are available to create and customize in game Clubs with players favourite franchises.
The Console version will feature the same Accesses as its PC version with a free Starter Access, a Standard Access for $9.99 per year and a Club Access for $29.99 per year or 59.99$ for three years. These three levels of engagement aim to fit every player’s gaming preference from regular updated content to full customization features and pro-level competition.
However, the game is not only enjoyable behind the wheel; since 2021, Trackmania is the 1st most viewed racing game worldwide on Twitch, with 30 million hours watched. *
With the release of Trackmania on consoles, the community will enjoy the pleasure of the race and test their skills altogether, longtime players and new ones alike.
For the latest on Ubisoft’s games, visit Ubisoft News at news.ubisoft.com.
FEAR FEST 2023 will take place on September 6th and 7th, 2023, and will feature two nights of fright that you won’t want to miss. Both events will be streamed exclusively on IGN’s YouTube and Twitch channels.
The first day of FEAR FEST 2023 will be September 6th, 2023, and kicking off the celebration will be BLACK SUMMER. Join Feardemic and a cast of some of the best content creators in horror as we showcase the most anticipated horror games coming your way in 2023 and 2024, plus a ton of indie horror that we’re going to cover in gruesome detail.
On the second night, you will be part of history as Feardemic and IGN present the first-ever Horror Game Awards. This is your chance to celebrate the best horror games of 2022 and honor the developers who made them. The awards will be hosted by some of the most famous names in horror and broadcast live from the most haunted theater in Krakow – the European capital of horror. And the best part? – The winners will receive a golden bat trophy!
Who wouldn’t want a bat-shaped trophy?
But how will the winners be chosen?
By you, of course. In July 2023, Feardemic will launch the Horror Game Awards website where you can vote for your favorite horror games in 15 different categories. The Horror Game Awards will be a true reflection of your voice as a fan of horror.
Scott Millard, CEO of Feardemic said about Fear Fest: “We created this event in 2022 as a tribute to our horror community, and it turned out to be a huge success. We were amazed by the enthusiasm and support from the developers, content creators, and fans. This year we wanted to make this event even better and more valuable for horror fans, so we decided to have two nights of horror: one to whet our appetites for the games coming soon and one to celebrate the games of the past year. And of course, IGN was the natural partner for FEAR FEST and we are so excited to be working with them on this project”
Wojciech Piejko, Game Director/ Designer at Bloober Team added: ‘’We are proud to call Krakow our home. This city has inspired us to create games, stories and characters that reflect its rich culture and history. The trace of Krakow can be found in every game we create. Its rich history, the spirit of past eras, as well as the voices of people who create them – all this inspires us and gives the rhythm of our work. This city likes horror. We want its home here. We want to share this with the world, which is why we founded Feardemica and are the patrons of Fear Fest and Horror Game Awards. We are happy to invite the most brilliant minds of horror to Krakow for the Horror Game Awards’ gala later this year.’’
Michael Peyton, Director of Events and Partnerships at IGN said: “The Horror genre is one of the most dynamic and exciting areas of gaming that we cover at IGN. We’re excited to partner with Fear Fest and exclusively stream these events in September, bringing our audience closer to some of the games they’re most excited about.
Luigikid, Content Creator with a million YouTube subscribers added: “Horror games are not just about scaring us, they’re about giving us the power to face, understand and conquer our fears! Feardemics’ dedication to creating an entire event around horror games is a statement to the genre’s power to impress and inspire and a love letter to the community that has formed around it. Through these games, we can confront our own psyche, push ourselves to our limits, and discover that we are capable of more than we ever imagined. It’s fantastic to be part of an event that recognizes content creators’ important contribution to the horror games industry, whilst at the same time we can also support the developers that make games that keep our channels exciting”
As part of the announcement events on May 15th (Today) at 1200 HRS CEST, Feardemic’s Fear Fest presents one of the most formidable Digital Dragons panels on Horror ever assembled. Entitled “The Science of Horror” and featured on the main stage at Digital Dragons. Mateusz Witczak, one of Poland’s top games journalists will host an intimate discussion with Wojciech Piejko (Bloober Team), Mikael Kasurinen (Remedy Entertainment), Tom Heaton (Supermassive Games) and Kelvin Moore (Sumo Nottingham) about what it takes to make some of the world’s most successful horror games.
The Fear Fest events are also supported by Digital Dragons and the City of Krakow, the European city of Horror.
So, mark your calendars for FEAR FEST 2023. We guarantee you an unforgettable experience with Two Nights of Fright…
But only if you dare to join us…
For more information about FEAR FEST, please visit our website at fearfest.online.
The long-awaited premiere of the free Gunsmith Simulator: Prologue, one of the most fascinating simulation games, is today! Our team shares this news a few hours before the release so that you have enough time to get ready for this incredible experience in the world of guns. Book your evening now to let yourself explore the secrets of various types of weapons.
To heat up the climate around the game, we recommend you watch the TRAILER:
Once again, Gunsmith Simulator: Prologue is an immersive Simulator which will take you into the Gunsmith’s world so you can master the skills of making and crafting guns. Experiment with various models, personalize them the way you like and get to know the mechanics. During the gameplay, you’ll be learning to assemble and disassemble as well as repair and modify a gun. After having created your workpieces, you’ll be testing them on a virtual shooting range and checking their functionality. Are you up for hitting a bullseye? Enter the world of guns and find out what awaits you in Gunsmith Simulator: Prologue!
NACON and Cyanide Studio are proud to show the first gameplay images of Tour de France 2023 in a new trailer. The latest edition of the iconic cycling game boasts a range of improvements, including the new “Downhill of the Moment” game mode. Tour de France 2023 will be available on 8 June 2023 on PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC (Steam and Epic Games Store). Pro Cycling Manager 2023 will release on the same date on PC (Steam).
From Bilbao to Paris, never ease up in Tour de France 2023
The official game of the Tour de France is back. In Tour de France 2023, players get on their bikes to race in a group of major races in the cycling calendar – the Tour de France, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Flèche Wallonne, Paris-Nice, Critérium du Dauphiné, Paris-Tours, Paris-Roubaix – and experience the excitement of each event. During the game, players become a rider for one of the 27 World Tour and Pro Tour teams in different game modes.
Explore all the new features in Tour de France 2023:
As well as the “Race of the Moment”, which was introduced in the previous edition, a new challenge has been added: the “Downhill of the Moment“. This new game mode takes place solely on downhill stretches and so requires unique strategies. Players can then compare their ranking with other competitors from all over the world.
More realistic rating system: the introduction of Agility and Medium Mountain ratings can lead to unexpected incidents, such as falls within the peloton, and also has an effect on what path the riders take.
More strategic gameplay: players can devise different strategies depending on their team members and their statistics.
Updated rider equipment, now rated based on quality.
Distinctive bibs added: “Super Combative” and “Best Team” for a greater challenge.
Various technical improvements: including collisions, AI behaviour and the path riders take in downhill stretches.
Tour de France 2023 will release on 8 June 2023 on PS5™, PS4™, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC (Steam and Epic Games Store)
Pro Cycling Manager 2023
Pro Cycling Manager 2023, the leading cycling management game, returns this year and offers players the chance to be the sports director of their own cycling team. In Pro Cycling Manager 2023, players scout and select riders from every World Tour and Pro Team professional team. They then need to be prepared to take part in over 130 races available in the game.
Explore all the new features in Pro Cycling Manager 2023:
Improved user interfaces with a redesign of the “race results” page and a brand-new “race page”.
A new training system: management of the training calendar and tasks so priorities can be set. The training locations have also been changed to be real-life places that are well known by cycling fans.
Official races with all ASO races (Tour de France, Paris-Roubaix, Paris-Nice).
A redesigned world ranking, now based on the real-life system and UCI points classification.
A new system for managing nation registration for the World Championships.
