Games charity GamesAid, is holding their annual ‘Stand Up for GamesAid’ night on Tuesday 15th December hosted by top stand-up comedian Imran Yusuf and featuring awesome improv crew, Shoot From The Hip.
The event will be live streamed into your home and tickets cost just £5.
All profits from the evening will go to GamesAid who support charities across the UK working with children and young people.
Imran Yusuf is a long-term patron of GamesAid, has performed around the world, is an Edinburgh Festival award nominee, and has established a reputation as a warm, punchy and thoroughly charming comedian. Imran worked for Midway Games, Eidos, SEGA, Kuju and other games companies before his career in comedy. In January 2021 his stand-up special will be broadcast on Radio 4.
Shoot From The Hip are one of the country’s top improvisation comedy groups. Starting with no script the group will conjure up some top-flight comedy from suggestions that they will take from the audience watching at home. If you’ve not seen improv before, then they are not to be missed and have been lauded by Time Out, Metro and The Evening Standard.
The event is sponsored by world class, award-winning developer group Sumo Digital, world-renowned developer Studio Gobo and games financing specialists FactorTech
The Game Awards, the video game industry’s biggest annual year-end celebration, aired live in 4K UHD tonight from around the world, with special segments from Hollywood, London and Tokyo.
Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us Part II received top honors as the 2020 Game of the Year award recipient, plus Best Game Direction, Best Narrative, Best Audio Design, Best Performance, Innovation in Accessibility and Best Action/Adventure.
Some of the biggest names in Hollywood and video games including Brie Larson, Christopher Nolan, Gal Gadot, JackSepticEye, John David Washington, Josef Fares, Keanu Reeves, Nolan North, Reggie Fils-Aime, Stephen A. Smith, Tom Holland, Troy Baker joined in from around the world to take part in The Game Awards 2020 livestreamed event.
The show also included a special live performance by Eddie Vedder, lead singer of Pearl Jam, of “Future Days” from The Last of Us Part II soundtrack. Additionally, The London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) conducted by BAFTA and Emmy nominated composer Lorne Balfe, performed scores from the year’s stand-out games from London’s famous Abbey Road Studios along with a special performance of the music from Super Mario Bros. in honor of the game’s 35th anniversary.
While honoring the games and individuals who truly transformed entertainment, created camaraderie and community and pushed the envelope on innovation over the past year, The Game Awards – which celebrated its 6th anniversary this year – also featured incredible moments in gaming from the community and revealed a first look at titles from Square Enix, Bethesda, Annapurna Interactive, Epic Games, and more.
The comprehensive list of winners can be found below:
Game of the Year
The Last of Us Part II (Naughty Dog/SIE)
Best Game Direction
The Last of Us Part II (Naughty Dog/SIE)
Best Narrative
The Last of Us Part II (Neil Druckmann, Halley Gross)
Best Art Direction
Ghost of Tsushima (Sucker Punch/SIE)
Best Score and Music
Final Fantasy VII Remake (Nobuo Uematsu, Masahi Hamauzu, Mitsuto Suzuki)
Best Audio Design
The Last of Us Part 2 (Naughty Dog/SIE)
Best Performance
Laura Bailey as Abby, The Last of Us Part II
Games for Impact
Tell Me Why (Dontnod Entertainment/Xbox Game Studios)
Best Ongoing
No Man’s Sky (Hello Games)
Best Indie
Hades (Supergiant Games)
Best Mobile, Presented by LG WING, Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon
Among Us (InnerSloth)
Best Community Support
Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout (Mediatonic/Devolver)
SQUARE ENIX® gave gamers worldwide a special holiday treat with the reveal of an intense, battle-focused gameplay trailer for NieR Replicant™ ver.1.22474487139… during The Game Awards show 2020, which streamed tonight on over 45 video platforms across the globe.
The new trailer showcased the protagonist slashing through swaths of enemy Shades across different battlefields, giving an exciting first look at the highly anticipated prequel to NieR:Automata™, the cult classic action-RPG from acclaimed game director YOKO TARO.
The NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… Game Awards Gameplay Trailer is available at: https://youtu.be/Z1zDAn2sRQk
The game transports players to a dark, apocalyptic world where a young man embarks on a captivating quest to find the cure for his sister’s deadly disease – a quest that will make them question everything.
The company also announced the White Snow Edition of the game, a collector’s fantasy pack featuring a “Lunar Tear” Collector’s Box, Steelbook® Case, Pin Badge Set, Script Set, and Soundtrack CD Set available now for pre-order exclusively from the SQUARE ENIX Store for $159.99. Complete details on all editions of the game and pre-order bonuses are available at: http://www.niergame.com.
NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… will launch for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One family of devices including Xbox One X and PC (Steam) on April 23, 2021. The game is not yet rated.
Gayming Magazine are thrilled to announce that The Gayming Awards presented by EA Games will be exclusively broadcast worldwide on Twitch at www.twitch.tv/gaymingmag/, February 24th 2021, 20:00 GMT.
The Gayming Awards aim to commemorate the achievements of the wider, global gaming industry and how they have championed LGBTQ people through the creative medium of video gaming.
Alongside this announcement, Gayming Magazine will also be welcoming several new sponsors for the 2021 Gayming Awards. Xbox, PlayStation, Hangar 13, Sold Out Games and Rocksteady will be joining the cohort of sponsors already partnered with the event.
Each award category will be represented by a different sponsor, the list you can find below:
Game of the Year – EA Games
Gayming Magazine Reader’s Award – PlayStation
Best LGBTQ Indie Game – Xbox
LGBTQ Streamer of the Year – Twitch
Industry Diversity Award – Square Enix
Authentic Representation Award – Green Man Gaming
Best LGBTQ Character – Rocksteady
Best LGBTQ Narrative – Hangar 13
On the Gayming Awards, Erin Wayne, Head of Community and Creator Marketing at Twitch, had the following to say: “Twitch is a place where people from all walks of life come together to share experiences and build community. The LGTBQIA+ community is one of the most passionate, welcoming, and engaging communities on Twitch and we are proud to support and recognize their achievements. We look forward to being the home for this year’s Gayming Awards, as well as presenting the award for the LGBTQ Streamer of the Year.”
Gayming Magazine has also revealed the official Gayming Awards 2021 t-shirt, made in collaboration with Seven Squared. Proceeds from the shirt will be going to the video games mental health charity Safe In Our World. The t-shirt is available now at this link.
Kim Parker-Adcock, trustee of Safe In Our World, had the following to say on the collaboration, “We’re delighted to see Gayming Magazine and Seven Squared’s collaboration to create the official Gayming Awards 2021 t-shirt – this will support Safe In Our World in our mission and allow us to keep making positive change within the industry and beyond.”
Critically-acclaimed queer comedian Suzi Ruffell will be hosting the evening, best known for her appearances on Live At The Apollo, Mock The Week, Go 8 Bit and more. Suzi Ruffell has also had five sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Festival with stand-up shows racking up critical acclaim from reviewers and audiences alike.
Aspyr and Lucasfilm today announced the upcoming launch of the epic Star Wars™ single-player, RPG classic Star Wars™: Knights of the Old Republic ll™—The Sith Lords™ on iPhone, iPad and Android devices on December 18. Experience the fan-favorite optimized for mobile devices.
“Fans have been asking for a mobile version of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II for so long, and we’re thrilled to finally bring it to them,” said Elizabeth Howard, vice president of publishing at Aspyr. “We’re proud to continue working with Lucasfilm to bring classic titles like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II to modern platforms.”
Set five years after the events from the award-winning Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic, Sith Lords have hunted the Jedi to the edge of extinction and are on the verge of crushing the Old Republic. With the Jedi Order in ruin, the Republic’s only hope is a lone Jedi struggling to reconnect with the Force. As this Jedi, players will be faced with the galaxy’s most dire decision – follow the light side or succumb to the dark.
Key Features:
Choose the light or the dark side of the Force as you progress through the story.
The choices made will affect the player’s character, their party and those who may join the quest.
Add fan favorite characters to your party including HK-47, Canderous Ordo, and Kreia!
Optimized for mobile play with new touch screen controls
Availability: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic ll – The Sith Lords will be available for purchase in the AppStore and Google Play starting December 18 for $14.99 USD.
Are you ready to boldly go where no game has gone before? You are? Excellent, because Thunderbox Entertainment are looking for intrepid space explorers to help them put the final coat of polish on their new game, The Captain is Dead!
If you reckon you’ve got what it takes to kick alien ass, fix a busted spaceship, and save your crazy crew, then be sure to join the beta for this intense, Dilithium-fuelled strategy that’s the perfect mash-up of board and video game.
The only prerequisite to join in, is any kind of computer or mobile device! If you’ve got one of those, then you’ll be able to play the game for free for an entire month – all you have to do is sign up, and then let the dev team know if you spot anything a little bit woo (as they say in the Orion Nebula).
And don’t beat about the binary star system… be sure to proceed at maximum warp, because spots on the beta are limited to a few hundred per platform!
Featuring next-gen visuals from the 90’s, a banging, synthwave soundtrack, better-than-average voice acting, and more lasers than a Skrillex gig, The Captain is Dead will be dropping out of warp on Steam, iOS and Android on February the 1st, 2021… but all you speedy space cadets can join the beta to start playing before anyone else, so sign up today!
Motherboard is a platformer/platform game in a unique setting.
The game world is the interior of the computer, the components of which serve its inhabitants to live worry-free in the digital world. The player takes on the role of a Bit – experienced worker, who, just like other people of its kind, is involved in extracting energy created by the laser dragon.
When Motherboard is attacked by a terrible virus, the hero of the game goes on a lonely journey to the city’s capital – Procesopolis, with the mission to stop the spread of infection.
The land inside your computer is waiting for you to visit it. Each of the components is a city, a settlement, or land inside the game universe.
Experience an unforgettable adventure! Visit the soaring towers Procesopolis, explore the endless voodoo swamp, or try to climb into the rotating sun. From a great wake-up call, bits and bytes work to live, enjoy and by the way, make your computer work at 100%.
Take control of the young Bit, which was the only one to resist the dark forces and now uses them against the enemy. Rescue your brothers and sisters, find shelter, and get to know what is behind the attack. Every day you use your computer to watch a movie, talk to friends, or listen to music. Now the computer needs your help!
The shadow of an unknown hostile force infected the peaceful world of Motherboard. Whoever he reaches becomes his soldier. It is unknown where he came from. Is this the ancient evil that has always inhabited the underworld? Or maybe it comes from the Land of the endless light and darkness? No one knows, but the enemy must be defeated. Otherwise, Motherboard will no longer exist!
Motherboard is an action-adventure game, settled inside the computer! Take on the role of the Bit – one of the inhabitants of the motherboard and help him to save the world from viruses!
Ubisoft today announced the first UK Black Game Pros Mixer to be held on Friday, 11th December.
The online event, which is being held in Europe for the first time, will be hosted by co-founders Kurston Timothy, Development Tester at Ubisoft Toronto and Leon Winkler, Ubisoft Director of International Events and will feature a full programme of panels, key notes and interviews with some of the UK industry’s most successful black professionals.
The free event will take place from 3pm to 6pm GMT and complimentary tickets will be available from this link.
The mission of The Black Game Pros Mixer is to generate and foster more representation and diversity in the broader video game industry. The events facilitate networking and dialogue with relevant speakers as well as shine a light on under-represented job profiles to demonstrate the many pathways for people of colour to enter and thrive within the industry.
Leon Winkler, said, “It’s our goal to reach out to and actively engage with communities representing people of colour to show off how viable and diverse the opportunities within our industry are.” He added: “We’re delighted to be welcoming some of the most inspiring British professionals to contribute to this by sharing their experiences and knowledge about the UK industry, covering topics that are meaningful for both themselves and our community.”
The three-hour event will feature the following elements:
KEYNOTES:
Chella Ramanan, Jr Narrative Designer at Ubisoft Massive – How did I get into the Industry?
Sian-Selina Grant, Partnerships Manager at Newzoo – Data and the UK Gaming Industry
PANELS:
Breaking into the UK Games Industry: including panelists Rosemary Buahin (Games Category Lead, Xbox UK and Ireland), Lauren Dillon (Sr. Account Director at Premier PR London) and Adam Campbell (Director of product at Azoomee and founder of POC in Play) – Moderated by Leon Winkler
Being and staying successful in the UK Gaming Industry: with Stephanie Ijoma (founder of NNESAGA), Marcus Bronzy (award winning presenter) and Timi-Abajomi Ofarn (co-founder of The Nerd Council) – Moderated by Kurston Timothy
Making the Industry truly diverse: including panelists such as Mr Midas (award winning Video Game TV Presenter and Content Producer) and Nigel Twumasi (co-founder of Mayamada – The World’s First Manga Network) – Moderated by Kurston Timothy
INTERVIEWS:
Mr Midas (Interviewed by Leon Winkler)
Stephanie Ijoma (Interviewed by Leon Winkler)
Ahead of The Black Game Pros Mixer – UK Edition, Ubisoft will be hosting another edition of the event for those working in the African games industry on 3rd December in partnership with the FEJA game event, for more information, please visit the following link.
Materia Collective is pleased to present A Merry Hyrule Christmas, a festive collection of music paying tribute to The Legend of Zelda and several beloved Christmas carols.
Produced by Eric Buchholz (Hero of Time) with a merry band of arrangers, these clever arrangements will bring cheer to both Christmas music and The Legend of Zelda fans.
With grandiose orchestra and choir combined with epic rock stylings, A Merry Hyrule Christmas has something for everyone.
The full tracklist for A Merry Hyrule Christmas is as follows:
01. Kakariko Village
02. O Sacred Light
03. Clock Town Sleigh Ride
04. Silent Knight
05. Carol of the Goddess
06. Dragon Roost Hymn
07. Din Rest Ye Merry Deku Scrubs
08. The Twelve Days of Christmas
“A Merry Hyrule Christmas is the first album to combine music from The Legend of Zelda franchise with classic holiday tunes of various genres,” comments arranger and producer Eric Buchholz. “We have Zelda music with a Christmas twist, as well as Christmas music with a Zelda twist!. My goal was to create an album of videogame music that could blend in seamlessly with classic holiday tunes. I love the idea of folks being able to ‘trick’ their parents, grandparents, and family into listening to videogame music—without them realizing it!”
Immersive in-game advertising, where non-interruptive brands ads are seamlessly integrated into gameplay, is emerging as an important new monetization channel, with 46.3% of mobile game developers citing it as a key opportunity for 2021.
In a global mobile developer survey by InGamePlay brand advertising platform, AdInMo, confirms that In-App Purchases (65.8%) and in-game advertising (53.8%) are still the most popular forms of monetization, but it is immersive brand ads, also known as dynamic in-game advertising, which are expected to see the largest growth next year.
While interstitials (33%) and rewarded videos (40%) are currently the most popular in-game ad formats, more than a quarter of developers (26.7%) are planning on trialling dynamic in-game advertising within the next six months. Casual and hyper-casual mobile games are driving this trend, with 62% of developers planning to integrate the new ad formats in 2021.
Developers of Free-to-Play games must consistently balance retention and a quality player experience with the need to monetize. The limitations of performance marketing ads, which force the player to leave the game, is driving developer to seek new non-interruptive ad formats. 75% of developers surveyed rated ‘does not interrupt gameplay’ as their top feature in a monetization platform, even higher than ease of SDK integration (66%).
Kristan Rivers, CEO, AdInMo, said: “If gamers can’t or won’t actively spend on in-game content, advertising is the best method of generating revenue.
“Developers clearly hate having to interrupt the player experience or worse force players to leave the game. InGamePlay brand ads are click-free and allow developers to earn new revenues, advertisers to engage new mobile audiences and most importantly players to carry on playing.”
This exclusive and previously unreleased survey data is from a study carried out in conjunction with Pocket Gamer’ in August and September 2020.
The Train2Game Blog 