Monthly Archives: March 2022

Train2Game News Future Games Show Spring Showcase

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The Future Games Show: Spring Showcase brought to you by GamesRadar+ returns on March 24 with a tantalizing look at some of the most exciting games coming this year.

The show will feature over 40 games, including eight never-before-seen world exclusives from publishers such as Frontier Foundry, Nacon and an upcoming games showcase from Team17.
 

The show will be broadcast on Thursday, March 24 at 15:00 PDT / 18:00 EDT / 22:00 GMT on Twitch, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and GamesRadar.

Featuring a mix of world premieres, developer interviews, trailers and new announcements, highlighting the best upcoming games on PS5, Xbox Series X, Switch, PS4, Xbox One and PC.
 

Daniel Dawkins, Content Director of Games and Film at Future said:
 

“The Future Game Show is back for 2022 and our new Spring Showcase event will be a truly multi-format experience showcasing the most exciting up-and-coming titles of 2022. Join us as we reveal some incredible new games, chat to the developers behind the scenes, and take a first look at new exclusive gameplay from some of 2022’s most hotly anticipated new releases.”
 

Look out for more exciting announcements about the Future Games Show: Spring Showcase in the coming weeks via the GamesRadar Twitter and just-launched Future Games Show Twitter channels, including the much-anticipated hosting details, and daily game reveals.
 

The Future Game Show is GamesRadar’s premiere digital games showcase, last year its three shows reached over 70 million views. The Spring Showcase will be the first of three shows planned for 2022, with additional shows planned for the Summer and Autumn.

Train2Game News LEGO Star Wars Skywalker Saga Character Packs Revealed

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Warner Bros. Games, TT Games, the LEGO Group and Lucasfilm Games today revealed details of the LEGO® Star Wars™: The Skywalker Saga Character Collection (Season Pass), which contains seven downloadable content (DLC) packs with playable characters from across the galaxy including many from outside the nine saga films.
 
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga will release on April 5th, 2022 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One consoles, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch™ and PC, in what will be the biggest and most visually striking LEGO Star Wars game yet.
 
At launch, The Mandalorian™ Season 1 and the Solo: A Star Wars Story Character Packs will be available for purchasers of the Character Collection or via standalone purchase. The Mandalorian Season 1 Character Pack will include the Mandalorian™ and non-playable Grogu™, Greef Karga, Cara Dune, IG-11 and Kuiil, and the Solo: A Star Wars Story character pack will include young Han Solo™, young Chewbacca™, young Lando Calrissian™, Qi’ra, Tobias Beckett and Enfys Nest.

Also available at launch will be The Classic Characters and The Trooper Pack. The Classic Characters Pack will include Luke Skywalker™, Princess Leia™, Han Solo, Darth Vader™ and Lando Calrissian. The Classic Characters Pack will be available for those who have early access from select retail partners and will be available for everyone on April 19th who purchases the Character Collection or via standalone purchase. The Trooper Pack includes Death Trooper, Incinerator Trooper, Range Trooper, Imperial Shore Trooper and Mimban Stormtrooper. The Trooper Pack will be available in early access for consumers who pre-ordered the digital version of the game, and available on May 4th for everyone who purchases the Character Collection or via standalone purchase.

On April 19th, the Rogue One: A Star Wars Story™ Character Pack will be available for purchase and will include Jyn Erso™, Bodhi Rook, Cassian Andor™, K-2SO, Chirrut Îmwe, Baze Malbu and Director Krennic. On May 4th, Star Wars Day, The Mandalorian Season 2 and Star Wars: The Bad Batch™ Character Packs will be available. The Mandalorian Season 2 Character Pack will include Ahsoka Tano, Boba Fett™, Bo Katan, Fennec Shand and Moff Gideon. Star Wars: The Bad Batch Character Pack will include Hunter, Wrecker, Tech, Crosshair, and Echo.

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is available now for digital pre-order. Consumers that digitally pre-order the game will also unlock the Classic Obi-Wan Kenobi™ playable character that is exclusive to digital purchasers. The physical version of the Deluxe Edition will include an exclusive LEGO Star Wars minifigure, Luke Skywalker with Blue Milk mustache.

Join the LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga conversation on Facebook (LEGOStarWarsGame), Twitter (@LSWGAME), Instagram (LEGOStarWarsGame) and YouTube (LEGOStarWarsGame).

Train2Game News Games Talks Live Scotland Returns

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After a two year ‘IRL’ hiatus, Games Talks Live: Scotland makes its long-awaited, in-person return this month with three dates confirmed in Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Created by industry veteran Colin Macdonald in 2018, the Games Talks Live: Scotland event is an evening of short talks from guest speakers interspersed with general networking opportunities, aimed at encouraging collaboration and communication between local Scottish developers and visiting guests. 

The events run over three days, one in each of Scotland’s games hubs of Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow

  • Tues 8th March; Edinburgh (4pm till late, at The Liquid Room, 9c Victoria Street, Edinburgh EH1 2HE)
  • Weds 9th March; Dundee (4pm till late at Beat Generator, 70 North Lindsay St, Dundee DD1 1PS )
  • Thurs 10th March; Glasgow (4pm till late at Revolution, 84 Mitchell St, Glasgow G1 3NA)

Each evening will have an array of speakers from local developers, visiting publishers and others to be announced nearer the time. Speaking sessions will be interspersed with networking breaks to encourage everyone to get to know as many people as possible and help foster potential future collaborations. The golden rule of the event is there should be no recruitment activity – even from companies that are kindly sponsoring or speaking at the event.

“I started running the events pre-Covid because it seemed ridiculous that everyone in the Scottish games industry often only met in Brighton, San Francisco or Cologne.” said Colin Macdonald, Games Talks Live: Scotland organiser. “ I wasn’t sure what the appetite would be for bringing them back, but the number of incredible speakers who were eager to come and talk to all the talented developers in the Scottish games industry has blown me away. Although virtual events will now always have a place going forwards, it’s simply not the same as getting to meet people face to face.”

This year, Games Talks Live: Scotland is delighted to welcome Rami Ismail as the event keynote speaker for all three events. Rami is a Dutch-Egyptian industry ambassador and independent games developer with over 20 titles across PC, console, web, and mobile. His development of tools like the industry-standard dopresskit.com, his prolific and popular public speaking, and highly-regarded consultancy and insights have helped shape industry opportunities for game communities and independent game developers all over the world. 

In addition to Rami, Games Talks Live: Scotland is proud to announce the full in-person speaker line up for the three events. (E/D/G after each speaker signifies if they’re speaking at all cities, or just one/two events)

Tickets for the in-person events can be purchased here with pricing set at £10.00 for each event or £25.00 to attend all three. The talks will be streamed live on YouTube for people unable to attend in person. The link to this is available by signing up for a (free) livestream ticket here. Please note that there will not be any hybrid meeting opportunities for those watching virtually.

There will be a charity raffle held at each of the events with all proceeds going to theUkrainian Red Cross. 

Additional information on the events can be found here 

Train2Game News Hitman Sniper: The Shadows

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Square Enix Montréal™, the award-winning studio behind Hitman Sniper®, and the GO® series, today released its newest mobile title, Hitman Sniper: The Shadows.

The mobile sniper game is an action, role-playing game set in a wholly original Hitman story. As a member of The Shadows, players must embark on globe-trotting assignments, take down targets with stealth, engage in fierce competition, and build their reputation as the International Contract Agency (ICA) agents.
 

Watch the launch trailer

Hitman Sniper: The Shadows focuses on events following the disappearance of Agent 47 and follows the story of a group of assassins called The Shadows within the hidden world of assassination where a new criminal network threatens global stability.

“From the onset, our ambition was to deliver a high production value Hitman Sniper experience on mobile in terms of quality graphics, and gameplay,” said Simon Doongoor, Senior Producer for Hitman Sniper: The Shadows at Square Enix Montréal.

“We wanted this game to be the start of something new rather than a sequel. This vision freed us to move in a different direction, such as introducing The Shadows, and allowed us to create a deeper game experience for players.”

Unique Playable Characters
At launch, Hitman Sniper: The Shadows features six sniper assassins, each with their own backstories, play styles, personalities, and abilities. This diversity provides players with more freedom and flexibility in how they approach the game and each contract.
Each assassin is early enough in their careers to allow for a lot of room to grow, giving players the chance to evolve them into ICA agents.

New Locations
The game features new locations, each with different vantage points and time of day, giving players more choices and opportunities to eliminate targets. Each location has unique targets and becomes an exploratory environment, a distinct storytelling space with distinct challenges.

“We’re all fans of the franchise, so we wanted to ensure that the hidden world of assassination translated into an experience that fulfills both the fantasy and provides a great player experience, said Audran Guerad, Lead Artist for Hitman Sniper: The Shadows at Square Enix Montréal. “The cinematographic art direction and the high level of details of our maps offer players the most immersive experience possible. We want to be a reference in the sniper market for visually compelling games.”

Multiple Modes
Players are encouraged to manipulate enemies and leverage the environment around them for the perfect shot and are rewarded for their creative kills.

  • Players can play in campaign mode to learn about and eliminate targets while mastering their skills.
  • The game also features a PvP mode where players compete against other players to build their reputation. Precision and creativity are key to winning contracts in this mode.

“We wanted to give players the familiar adrenaline rush they’d experience watching a big screen spy or action movie where multiple assassins are competing for the same contract,” stated Simon Doongoor.

For Players, by Players, and With Players
Fans are invited to contribute to the game’s evolution through a direct line to the dev team and other Hitman Sniper players on Discord, making Hitman Sniper: The Shadows a game that welcomes feedback and that is created for players, by players, and most importantly, with players.

“We have been working closely with the community since the start of the project,” concluded Simon Doongoor. “Their feedback has been instrumental in the making of Hitman Sniper: The Shadows and we can’t wait to see where they will take It next.”

Details

  • Launch March 3, 2022
  • Available on iOS and Android
  • Not available in China, South Korea, Japan, Belgium, and The Netherlands.
  • Category: action/sniper
  • Rated: 17+

 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HitmanSniperOG
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HitmanSniperOG
Website: https://www.hitmansniper.com
Discord: https://discord.gg/k5GB35Kk

Train2Game News Resident Evil 2, 3, And 7 Remastered

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Experience three acclaimed Resident Evil™ titles like never before when Resident Evil™ 2, Resident Evil™ 3 and Resident Evil™ 7 biohazard arrive on PlayStation® 5 and Xbox Series X|S later this year.

Developed using Capcom’s proprietary RE Engine, all three titles will tout cutting-edge features including ray tracing, high frame rate and 3D audio to enhance the immersion of the award-winning experiences.

For PlayStation 5 players, all three titles also feature engaging DualSense™ support for Haptic Feedback and Adaptive Triggers.

Players who previously purchased Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3 or Resident Evil 7 biohazard on PlayStation® 4 or Xbox One are eligible for an upgrade at no additional cost through the PS4™ to digital PS5™ upgrade option or Xbox Smart Delivery system. Fans will be able to re-experience the spine-chilling horrors and incredible visuals of these fan-favorite titles on the latest generation of consoles. An upgrade patch will also be available for PC users at no additional cost.


About Resident Evil 2

Based on the original genre-defining masterpiece, Resident Evil 2 has been completely rebuilt from the ground up for a deeper narrative experience. Using Capcom’s proprietary RE Engine, this reimagining of Resident Evil 2 offers a fresh take on the classic survival horror saga with breathtakingly realistic visuals, heart-pounding immersive audio, a new over-the-shoulder camera, and modernized controls on top of gameplay modes from the original game.


About Resident Evil 3

Resident Evil 3 tells the story of S.T.A.R.S. member Jill Valentine as she escapes from a crumbling Raccoon City and the relentless Nemesis. Capcom’s proprietary RE Engine combines photorealistic visuals and a modernized control scheme with the series’ intense combat and puzzle solving to deliver the action-packed final chapter of Raccoon City’s collapse.


About Resident Evil 7 biohazard

Resident Evil 7 biohazard set a new course for the Resident Evil series when it released, leveraging its roots while opening the door to a truly terrifying horror experience. A dramatic new shift for the series to first-person view in a photorealistic style powered by Capcom’s proprietary RE Engine, Resident Evil 7 biohazard delivers an unprecedented level of immersion that brings the thrilling horror up close and personal.

Train2Game News Dead By Daylight Board Game

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Level 99 Games, acclaimed publisher of video-game-inspired board and card games, today announced a partnership with Behaviour™ Interactive to release a board game based on the hit multiplayer action horror video game, Dead by Daylight. Players are invited to back the Kickstarter campaign starting March 29, 2022.

The board game aims to be a tabletop version of the popular hide-and-seek video game. Two to four players will take on the roles of Survivors, while one will play the role of the savage Killer. In this fast-paced game, Survivors will attempt to discover and repair generators to escape the Trial Grounds, while the Killer must anticipate their moves to hunt them down and sacrifice them one by one.

 

The board game includes familiar staples of the video game—distinct Survivor and Killer personas, items, perks, interactive props, and the Trial Grounds. The game is accessible for players of all skill levels, and the wide variety of play options allow groups to tailor the game to their tastes. 

 

Dead by Daylight: The Board Game will be available for pre-order on Kickstarter in two versions. The standard edition is priced at $49.99 USD and includes 6 Killers, 7 Survivors, and 2 maps. The collector’s edition is priced at $99.99 USD and includes 16 Killers, 17 Survivors, and 4 maps. The featured Survivors and Killers are drawn from the original cast of Dead by Daylight, and include the complete roster of characters up through the All-Kill DLC, which was released in March of 2021.

 

Both editions include everything needed to play, including highly detailed miniatures of the Survivors and Killers. The collector’s edition includes additional miniatures, such as miniature hooks upon which the Killer can sacrifice their victims, and miniature generators upon which the Survivors can display their progress towards escape.

 

“As fans of the original video game, we worked hard to capture the tension between the Survivors and the Killer on every turn,” says D. Brad Talton Jr, the designer behind the game. “The moment when you commit to your move and then have to hold your breath while the Killer makes their play—to me that’s the essence of Dead by Daylight.”

 

“I am probably the biggest board game nerd that I know and Dead by Daylight: The Board Game is just an amazing experience. Many of us, on the DbD team, are huge board game fans, so our expectations were high. When we were presented this project, we were all impressed and excited,” shares Mathieu Côté, Game Director, Dead by Daylight. “Level 99 have managed to perfectly adapt the Dead by Daylight experience to a board game: the Killers VS Survivors asymmetrical gameplay, the unexpected surprises, the game loops, everything is there. And with almost all original characters present, all the different perks there’s a lot to discover and love in this. I’m definitely ordering my copy, and I recommend our fans do too!”

 

Fans are invited to reserve a copy of the Collector’s Edition by backing the Kickstarter starting March 29th. They can expect to receive their copy in time for Halloween 2022, at the same time the retail edition will hit stores.

Train2Game News Hiro Capital II Announced

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Hiro Capital – the leading specialist European VC focused on Videogames, Metaverse Technologies, Creator Platforms and Gamified Fitness – today announces the launch of HIRO CAPITAL II, a €300m ($340m) fund focused on backing the world’s emerging Gaming and Metaverse innovators.

Hiro II will be announcing its first investments in April.
 
Hiro’s new fund invests in entrepreneurial teams at Seed, A and B across the UK, Europe and North America (and selectively ROW), building innovative and disruptive leaders in Games, Esports, Creator Platforms and Gamified Fitness.
 
Founded in 2018, Hiro’s name was inspired by Hiro Protagonist, the sword-wielding, Metaverse-hacking samurai hero of Neil Stephenson’s seminal Snowcrash, a novel about video games, VR, digital assets and the neocortex.

Since launch, Hiro has been investing in sci-fi, story-telling IPs and the deep future of games and metaverse technology. Hiro believes strongly in Games as a force for good.
 
Building on the momentum of Fund I
 
Between 2019 and 2022, Hiro has made 21 Series A and B Games and Metaverse investments across the UK, EU and USA. The Hiro 1 portfolio is now c.80% invested and is performing strongly, across fast-growing investments such as Polyarc (Seattle) , FitXR (London), FRVR (Lisbon), Keen Games (Frankfurt), Snowprint (Stockholm), LOCO (India) and LIV (Prague). Hiro Capital also co-led a $22m investor consortium alongside Blackrock and Westerly Winds, as part of a Series C round in London-based gamified femtech star Elvie. Hiro’s investors included some of the world’s largest games and technology companies.
 
“We have been believers in the Metaverse since we created the fund in 2018. Our goal with Hiro is to bring founder-focused venture funding to Games studios and Metaverse technology creators. In 2022 we are at a pivotal moment in the very early phases of the Metaverse, VR, AR and Web3 — these revolutions will take at least a decade and much of the creativity and technology innovation will start in Games. As a team, we have the experience and networks to support the incredible talent that we find across Europe, the UK and beyond. Our new fund gives us more firepower to find and develop emerging stars and level them up to global scale.” Luke Alvarez
 
Hiro Metaverse Acquisitions 1
 
In Jan 2022, Hiro Capital 1 became the lead sponsor in a new acquisition vehicle focused on the Videogaming and Metaverse sectors. Hiro Metaverse Acquisitions 1 began trading on the LSE on Feb 7th, only the second ever SPAC to list in London. Hiro MA1 raised £115m (c.$150m) to target Games and Metaverse acquisitions in the $600m-$2.25bn range.

Investing in Games and the Metaverse
 
With Hiro Capital 1, Hiro Capital II and Hiro MA1, Hiro’s AUM total c.$650m, entirely focused on Games and Metaverse innovators in the UK, Europe and beyond.
 
Partners with deep knowledge of gaming
 
The three Hiro founding partners have co-founded startups generating billions of value in exits, have completed five public IPO’s and have scaled six >$500m-sized games companies.
 
Hiro Managing General Partner, Luke Alvarez, founded Inspired Entertainment, a >$600m EV Nasdaq-listed Virtual Sports games technology leader. Luke is also co-founder of Sknups — a Web3 games skin platform — and was a founding director of The Cloud Network, an early public access cloud platform backed by Accel and acquired by Sky.
 
Hiro General Partner, Cherry Freeman, co-founded the global community and e-commerce brand LoveCrafts and has spent 10 years working and angel investing in venture-backed tech companies including Elvie, New Voice Media and Mimecast (currently being acquired for $5.8bn) .
 
Hiro General Partner Sir Ian Livingstone is the co-founder and former chairman of Eidos plc (Lara Croft:Tomb Raider), co-founder of Games Workshop (Warhammer) and co-author of the Fighting Fantasy gamebook series. Sir Ian was also an early investor and chairman of Playdemic (sold to EA for $1.4bn in 2021), Tonic Games (sold to Epic in 2021) and Sumo plc (sold to Tencent for $1.3bn in 2022). Ian is also the founder of the Livingstone Academy, a creative, games and compsci focused UK Academy school. Sir Ian is passionate about games and technology playing a key role in educating the next generations of kids.
 
In addition to the success of Hiro Capital I, on Jan 1 2022 Ian Livingstone CBE became Sir Ian Livingstone CBE as he was formally knighted by HM Queen Elizabeth II for his services to the videogames industry.

For more information on Hiro Capital go to https://hiro.capital/