Wizards of the Coast, a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc., unveiled today details for its upcoming slate of Magic: The Gathering releases through 2021.
The Magic team previewed the highly anticipated set Zendikar Rising – releasing on MTG Arena September 17 and September 25 for tabletop – by showing off first-looks at brand-new cards, new and returning card mechanics, and the set’s booster packs. The company also revealed exciting collaborations with AMC’s “The Walking Dead” and K-Swiss, set names and graphics for 2021, teased Magic: The Gathering Arena release on mobile, and much more.
Today’s announcements were part of the Zendikar Rising Debut Moment, a streamed event giving Magic players a look at what’s ahead for the entire brand, ensuring there’s something coming for everyone regardless of how they play.
Zendikar Rising
Zendikar Rising takes players back to the popular world where a new adventure lies around every corner. Over 20 Zendikar Rising cards debuted today, including all-new powerful Planeswalkers cards for Nahiri, and Jace, with art for a new Nissa. Players also got a glimpse of returning gameplay mechanics Kicker and Landfall, as well as new ones: Party and Modal Double-Faced Cards. Booster Fun and Set Booster packs were also previewed.
Set Roadmap for 2021 Also revealed today were upcoming sets in 2021:
Kaldheim – Magic’s Viking world – Winter 2021
Strixhaven – The most elite university in the Multiverse – Spring 2021
Adventures in the Forgotten Realms – Dungeons & Dragons comes to Magic – Summer 2021
Innistrad (two unnamed sets) – Werewolves and Vampires are back – Fall 2021
Time Spiral Remastered – Recapture the fun of a fan-favorite block
Modern Horizons 2 – A follow-up to the popular Modern Horizons set
New Secret Lair Drops Magic teased two upcoming drops from its highly collectable, lovingly curated line Secret Lair: Yargle Day and an exciting collaboration with AMC’s hit show “The Walking Dead.” Fans should follow @MTGSecretLair on Twitter for more news and availability.
Magic: The Gathering X K-Swiss Limited Edition Sneaker In collaboration with K-Swiss, the American heritage tennis brand, Magic unveiled a limited edition sneaker inspired by the iconic look of one of its most beloved characters, Jace Beleren. The reimagined Gstaad ’86 sneaker is crafted with premium leather overlays and underlays that are accented by glow-in-the-dark elements — the leather collar lining, printed designs, rubber outsole and extra laces. Metal lace clip-ons modeled after Jace’s character design and a debossed Magic: The Gathering logo at the tongue and a sublimated sockliner of Jace’s artwork complete the magical reinvention of this classic K-Swiss style. They are packaged with a special-edition box and tissue paper. The limited run sneakers go on sale today exclusively on Hasbro Pulse.
Magic: The Gathering Arena Comes to Mobile Magic confirmed what fans have long been asking for: the upcoming launch of Magic: The Gathering Arena for mobile devices. More details will be revealed soon.
‘Just Die Already’ Devs have said any ‘Cyberpunk 2077’ imilarities is “Purely Coincidental”…
Responding to suggestions that its latest trailer looks somewhat similar to Cyberpunk 2077, development studio DoubleMoose – the outfit behind forthcoming old people mayhem sandboxJust Die Already, also widely known within the industry as “DoubleWhat?”- has suggested any likeness is “err, <cough>, erm, purely coincidental.”
Hype for CD Projekt Red’s latest game is at an all-time high, though DoubleMoose co-founder Armin Ibrisagic has suggested the studio was in no way influenced by endlessly re-watching Cyperpunk 2077 trailers, over and over during the development of Just Die Already’s flash new promo.
“We talk a lot about Cyberpunk 2077 at the DoubleMoose office and the trailer kind of just ended up like this unintentionally,” offers Ibrisagic, sat in a home-made replica Cyberpunk jacket, complete with light-equipped pop collar. “Be cool, CDProjectRed. Don’t sue.”
Electronic Arts, Motive Studios and Lucasfilm unveiled a new look at the authentic single-player story featured in Star Wars™: Squadrons, the highly anticipated space dogfighting experience set in the beloved Star Wars™ galaxy, with an all-new trailer as part of Geoff Keighley’s Opening Night Live show at Gamescom 2020.
The all-new single-player trailer expands on the story of Star Wars: Squadrons and the alternating perspective players will experience as they go back and forth as two customizable pilots on opposing missions to safeguard the newly formed New Republic, or to help restore order to The Galactic Empire.
In addition to the new trailer, Motive has released the fourth Star Wars: Squadrons’ Pilot Briefing here, with commentary from Star Wars: Squadrons Writer Joanna Berry. The blog provides an overview of the narrative featured in Star Wars: Squadrons and how it relates to the overall Star Wars storyline, as well some background on the two key squadrons: the New Republic’s heroic Vanguard Squadron, and the Galactic Empire’s fearsome Titan Squadron.
Beyond Azeroth’s shattered sky,a realm of infinite afterlives awaits: the Shadowlands, where mortal souls go to reckon with their pasts, discover new purpose . . . or suffer an eternity of torment.
On October 27, the heroes of the Horde and the Alliance will forge their own fate in the next world as World of Warcraft®: Shadowlands, the eighth expansion for Blizzard Entertainment’s acclaimed massively multiplayer online role-playing game, launches around the globe.
Upon entering the Shadowlands, Azeroth’s champions will encounter an otherworld in disarray. Virtuous souls are being wrongfully cast into the eternal darkness of the Maw, while the Covenants—powerful factions who hold dominion over the afterlife’s disparate realms—face ruin and strife as the flow of the Shadowlands’ essential anima mysteriously dwindles. As an ancient, long-bound evil gathers the strength to break its chains, players must carve their path through the uncharted reaches of the beyond, forge a pact with the Covenant that most aligns with their own principles and purpose—and ultimately restore balance to the hereafter.
“In Shadowlands, players will explore one of the Warcraft universe’s most mysterious undiscovered frontiers,” said J. Allen Brack, president of Blizzard Entertainment. “And in selecting a Covenant to align themselves with, they’ll face one of the most challenging decisions they’ve ever made in the game—one that will impact nearly every aspect of their experience with this expansion. We can’t wait to see what paths players choose when Shadowlands launches this October.”
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands is loaded with content and features that give players whole-new ways to discover and shape their characters’ destinies:
§ Explore Warcraft’s Afterlife—Discover the wonders and horrors that await in the world beyond the veil. Ride across the gleaming fields of Bastion, lose yourself among the gothic spires of Revendreth, find yourself at the crossroads of fate in the eternal city of Oribos, and much more.
§ Pledge Yourself to a Covenant—Align with one of the Shadowlands’ four Covenants, each with unique story campaigns, gameplay features, and powers that they bestow upon those who pledge themselves to their cause. Choose between Bastion’s valiant Kyrian or Revendreth’s prideful Venthyr, fight for the mighty Necrolords of Maldraxxus, or seek renewal with the wild Night Fae of Ardenweald.
§ Ascend the Tower of the Damned—The vilest souls in existence are locked away in Torghast, an otherworldly prison ruled by the terrifying entity known as the Jailer. This ever-changing, roguelikechallenge is open to solo players and groups of up to five, and those who brave its trials will earn materials to commission rune-carved legendary equipment of their choosing.
§ Rise as a Death Knight—Bolvar Fordragon, the former paladin who once wore the helm of the Lich King to keep the Scourge at bay, seeks to bolster the Death Knights’ numbers—now, all Allied Races as well as pandaren can join their unholy ranks. (Available with pre-purchase.)
§ And More. . .—Endure the Jailer’s watchful eye in the Maw, where the challenge mounts the longer you linger; Soulbind withkey characters of your chosen Covenant to share their distinct powers; choose how to restore your Covenant’s Sanctum to glory . . . Shadowlands is unlike anything ever before experienced in World of Warcraft.
Death Rises in Azeroth
Prior to the expansion’s release, Azeroth will begin to bear the effects of Sylvanas’s actions during a special pre-launch in-game event: “Death Rising.” This limited-time event will send players to the frozen wastes of Icecrown, where the veil between worlds has been shattered—and the reawakening of the undead Scourge heralds the stirring of more sinister forces.
The “Death Rising” event is part of the major pre-expansion game update to prepare for Shadowlands’ release, which also includes a newly revamped leveling experience that takes players to the new pre-Shadowlands level cap of 50, the addition of an epic introductory adventure for players new to World of Warcraft set on the accursed island of Exile’s Reach, a variety of updates to classes and abilities in preparation for the expansion, and more.
Choose Your Path Into the Shadowlands
Players who wish to prepare for their journey into the Shadowlands today can pre-purchase the expansion now at www.worldofwarcraft.com. World of Warcraft: Shadowlands is available in a range of editions to suit players’ interests:
§ Shadowlands Base Edition (£34.99, digital only), which comes with the expansion only, and provides a new lower entry point compared to previous expansions.
§ Shadowlands Heroic Edition (£49.99, digital only), which comes with the expansion; a character boost so players can be ready to enter the Shadowlands at launch; and the Ensorcelled Everwyrm mount, which additionally provides access to a quest line through which players can earn the Vestments of the Eternal Traveler transmogrification set.
§ Shadowlands Epic Edition (£69.99, digital only), which includes everything in the Heroic Edition plus the Anima Wyrmling pet; the Wraithchill cosmetic weapon effect; the Eternal Traveler’s Hearthstone, which provides a unique visual effect; and 30 days of game time.
§ Shadowlands Collector’s Edition (£109.99 SRP, retail only), a limited-edition boxed set that comes with the Epic Edition content along with mementos to adorn the physical realm, including four pins bearing the sigils of the Covenants; a mouse pad reflecting the shattered sky over Icecrown; a hardcover Art of the Shadowlands book; and a key to download the Shadowlands soundtrack. The Collector’s Edition is scheduled to begin shipping from retailers starting October 13, 2020; check with your local store for pre-order availability or information regarding their shipping policies. Players who pre-purchased a digital copy of Shadowlands and who upgrade to the Collector’s Edition will automatically be credited Blizzard Balance†† based on their original purchase (some restrictions apply; read Blizzard’s Collector’s Edition article for details).
All bonuses from the Heroic and Epic Editions are unlocked immediately upon pre-purchase. In addition, pre-purchasing any edition of World of Warcraft: Shadowlands will open the ability for players to create Pandaren and Allied Race Death Knights.
Spokko, member of the CD PROJEKT Family, announces The Witcher: Monster Slayer — a free-to-play, augmented-reality, location-based RPG for iOS and Android mobile devices set in The Witcher universe.
Developed and published by Spokko, The Witcher: Monster Slayer takes place before the events of The Witcher series of games. Monsters are freely roaming the land in great numbers, and the relatively new role of ‘witcher’ has become indispensable around the Continent. Monster Slayer challenges players to become elite monster hunters, using advanced augmented reality features that transform the real world into the dark fantasy realm of The Witcher.
Featuring console-grade visuals, Monster Slayer lets players explore the world around them while tracking, studying, and fighting monsters both new and familiar, using time of day and real-life weather conditions to gain the upper hand.
Preparation is key in order to defeat tougher enemies, as players will need to brew powerful potions and oils, craft bombs and monster bait, and upgrade their character before putting these beasts to the sword and signs in first-person AR combat. In addition to battling monsters lurking close-by, the game also contains rich, story-driven quests inspired by other games from the series, taking players on full-fledged adventures that thrust them into the heart of what it means to be a professional monster slayer.The Witcher: Monster Slayer is coming to iOS and Android, with launch dates for both versions set to be revealed later this year. For more information, please visit the official The Witcher: Monster Slayer website.
Square Enix Ltd., today revealed a brand-new look behind the creation of the beloved FINAL FANTASY® CRYSTAL CHRONICLES®, featuring fascinating insight and amusing anecdotes from FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES Producer Akitoshi Kawazu and Art Director and Character Designer Toshiyuki Itahana.
Within the ‘Inside FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES Remastered Edition’ video, players can learn about the creation of the original game in 2003, including the inspirations and challenges the development team faced when creating the innovative and much-loved action-RPG classic, ahead of the release of FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLESRemastered Edition launching on August 27th.
In FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES Remastered Edition, adventurers can embark on an enchanting fantasy adventure either solo or with friends via online multiplayer with cross-play functionality. Including a host of new and updated features such as updated graphics, a newly-composed soundtrack, new high-difficulty dungeons, a new Mimic mode feature and more, FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES Remastered Edition invites newcomers and seasoned players alike to take up the crystal chalice and explore a world unlike any other.
FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES Remastered Edition will be available on the Nintendo Switch™ system, PlayStation®4 system, the App Store® and Google Play™ Store on 27th August 2020*. Players on the PlayStation®4 system can pre-order the game now to receive an exclusive theme featuring stunning artwork of the game’s beloved characters. To pre-order the game on PlayStation®4, click here.
To watch the ‘Inside FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES Remastered Edition’ featurette, visit https://youtu.be/rFszE0sydNc
Today, global esports organization Generation Esports (formerly High School Esports League), in partnership with top esports and gaming hardware sponsors, kicked off the “Social Distancing Cup” — a free online charity tournament to support communities nationwide affected by COVID-19.
The Social Distancing Cup is a month-long tournament series with open enrollment in the continental U.S. featuring competitive matches in League of Legends, Rocket League, and Teamfight Tactics. This exciting tournament rocks a $30,000 USD prize pool, with winnable real-world goods such as ASUS Republic of Gamers and TUF Gaming laptops, hardware, and merchandise, custom Generation Esports jerseys and mugs from Skullz, Viewsonic gaming monitors, Zaxby’s vouchers, and Dr. Squatch Soap.
Generation Esports — in partnership with non-profit partner Varsity Esports Foundation (VEF) — created the Social Distancing Cup to engage with esports competitors who are isolating themselves or quarantined because of the COVID-19 pandemic and to fundraise for low-income families during this unprecedented global crisis.
Publisher and co-developer Dotemu (publisher of Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap, developer of Windjammers 1 and 2) with co-developers Lizardcube (Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap) and Guard Crush Games (Streets of Fury) announced today that Streets of Rage 4 will be dishing out the knockouts with unlockable classic characters and music from Streets of Rage 1 & 2 for fully nostalgic brawls.
Streets of Rage 4 will be released this spring for PC, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One for $24.99, with the release date to be confirmed.
Dotemu released an action-packed gameplay trailer today which reveals some of Streets of Rage 4’s tributes to the original trilogy, including unlockable pixel art characters with movesets and abilities unique to their respective games; Streets of Rage’s fighters can call the cops for their special moves, while Streets of Rage 3’s characters can sprint and roll through environments.
These retro characters combine with Streets of Rage 4’s five hand-animated leading fighters to bring the total playable roster’s count to 17.
For a full nostalgic trip, players can also switch to the series iconic original soundtrack, handing out beatdowns backed by tracks from Streets of Rage 1 and Streets of Rage 2. Taking down thugs with these timeless songs cranked up makes for an incredibly satisfying retro experience.
Streets of Rage 4 is the first entry to the mainline series in more than 25 years. The revival merges classic Streets of Rage elements with fresh directions for more combat possibilities, strikingly fluid hand-drawn art, and an inventive, distinct soundtrack led by Olivier Derivière which incorporates worldwide talent, including significant contributions from series composers Yūzō Koshiro and Motohiro Kawashima.
Sony has officially announced the PS5 controller, dubbing it the DualSense controller, and it looks radically different from the company’s previous designs.
It’ll launch alongside the PS5 console before the Christmas holiday this year.
The PS5 controller design reveal includes some of what the leaks predicted: adaptive shoulder button triggers with haptic feedback, a built-in microphone so you can talk to friends without having to wear a headset, and a new ‘Create’ button that replaces the PS4 Share button.
In addition, Sony is moving the previous DualShock 4’s LED Lightbar from the top of the controller to the surrounding of the touchpad on the PS5. It’s supposed to give the LED a larger look and feel, according to the company.
What’s interesting (and going be divisive) is the DualSense two-tone color scheme that’s black-and-white and devoid of color on the face buttons. Triangle, Circle, Square and Cross (or X) are still here, but they don’t sport their usual hues.
Sony says that this is a “radical departure from our previous controller offerings and captures just how strongly we feel about making a generational leap with PS5.” The black-and-white design is likely to extend to the PS5 console, which is different than the usual black color Sony has chosen for its console launches since the PS2.
Sony hasn’t revealed exact PS5 controller specs, and there are a number of details we’re eager to hear about, including the expected battery life. It did say, however, that the team made sure “to maintain a strong battery life for DualSense’s rechargeable battery, and to lessen the weight of the controller as much as possible as new features were added.”
Nine years after its original release, Deep Silver today announced that Saints Row® The Third™ has been completely remastered and will release on Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and PC on May 22nd.
Every weapon has been remodelled, every car has been redesigned and a vast proportion of the city has been retextured; Saints Row® The Third™ has received a full makeover. With around 4,000 assets reworked, the complete update has been expertly handled by Sperasoft. It has transformed environments, character models and visual effects, enhanced graphics and incorporated a new lighting engine.
In addition, all three expansion mission packs and more than 30 pieces of DLC from the original version have been remastered and are included in the package for hours of additional gleeful gameplay. The remastered edition will inspire new gamers and original fans to revisit the reworked city of Steelport and revel in the glorious world of the Saints.
Story: Saints Row® The Third™ Remastered gives you control of the Saints at the height of their power, and you live the life to show for it. This is your City. These are your rules. Remastered with enhanced graphics, Steelport the original city of sin, has never looked so good as it drowns in sex, drugs and guns.
Years after taking Stilwater for their own, the Third Street Saints have evolved from street gang to household brand name, with Saints sneakers, Saints energy drinks and Johnny Gat bobblehead dolls all available at a store near you. The Saints are kings of Stilwater, but their celebrity status has not gone unnoticed. The Syndicate, a legendary criminal fraternity with pawns in play all over the globe, has turned its eye on the Saints and demands tribute.
Refusing to kneel to the Syndicate, you take the fight to Steelport, a once-proud metropolis reduced to a struggling city of sin under Syndicate control. Take a tank skydiving, call in a satellite-targeted airstrike on a Mexican wrestling gang, and fight against a highly-trained military force by your lonesome in the most outlandish gameplay scenarios ever seen.
Key Features:
The Full Package, Remastered – With enhanced graphics, improved lighting, reworked environments, and visual effects, Steelport and The Third Street Saints have never looked so good. City of Sin – Disrupt and dismantle the Syndicate stranglehold on weapons, cybercrime, and criminal rackets. Discover the secrets of Steelport, where there is action on every street corner, for better or, more likely, worse. Weapons of Crass Destruction – It’s one thing to defeat your enemies. It’s another to humiliate them. Hover jets, human cannonball cars and outrageous melee weapons are all part of the fun. Crazy Character Customisation – Create the most outlandish characters ever seen, from washed-up celebrities to maskless ninja pirates. Inside every sinner, there is a Saint. Who will you become? Over The Top Co-op – Fly solo or play online with a homie. Give freefall skydiving a try, landing in your partner’s flaming pickup as you make a desperate run toward a heavily armed Syndicate base. Steelport is always more fun with a friend.
All DLC included – All three expansion mission packs and more than 30 pieces of DLC from the original version.
For more information on Saints Row® The Third™ Remastered on Microsoft Xbox One, Sony PlayStation®4 and PC head over to www.saintsrow.com
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