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Train2Game News Tomb Raider 25th Anniversary

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Square Enix® and Crystal Dynamics® today kicked off a year-long 25th anniversary celebration of TOMB RAIDER®, the iconic videogame series that debuted in October 1996.

Fans can access the 25th anniversary webpage at https://tombraider.com/25

Tomb Raider’s star, famous archeologist-adventurer Lara Croft, has become a powerful force in the gaming industry and beyond, and has made an indelible mark on virtually every facet of entertainment.

From being named an ambassador for scientific excellence to appearing live on tour with U2, Lara Croft has touched the lives of tens of millions of people around the world. With over 30 video game titles released and hundreds of awards, the heroine has been a cultural icon for 25 years on gaming screens and Hollywood silver screens alike, battling T-Rexes, unearthing ancient artifacts, and saving the world from an apocalypse or two.

Lara has had adventures in dozens of countries, explored the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Andaman Seas, ventured to Antarctica and the Arctic Circle, and rediscovered Atlantis and the lost island of Yamatai.

“Over the last 25 years Tomb Raider has become more than a game and Lara Croft has risen to become a cultural icon,” said Scot Amos, Head of Studio at Crystal Dynamics. “We’re so proud to be a part of this rich tapestry of adventure, but we recognize the true credit belongs to the fans! The amazing Tomb Raider community has made all of this possible and we look forward to celebrating with them his historic milestone and for many decades to come.”

Tomb Raider’s year-long celebration of its 25th anniversary will feature in-depth explorations of the major games released in the franchise, including nostalgic media deep from the archives, developer interviews, community activities, live playthroughs, and more.

Over the coming months, developer Crystal Dynamics will re-visit the lineup of major Tomb Raider games, focusing on one game each month. Fans of Tomb Raider and Lara Croft can look forward to additional franchise announcements over the course of the year.

Tomb Raider games are currently available on all modern gaming platforms, from PC to console, Stadia, and mobile.

Train2Game News Interactive Futures

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February’s Interactive Futures event will welcome Caroline Dinenage MP, the Minister of State for Digital and Culture, to open the conference’s discussions about talent in the games industry – and the career opportunities available to children and young people in Leamington Spa and beyond.

Interactive Futures (www.interactive-futures.com) takes place from Tuesday, February 16 to Saturday February 20 as a virtual event. It will provide practical advice and guidance to students, young people and children – plus their parents – on how to navigate their pathways into the games industry.

Conservative MP for Gosport, Stubbington, Lee-on-the-Solent and Hill Head, Caroline Dinenage was appointed Minister of State for Digital and Culture at the DCMS in February 2020. She has also held roles in Government within the Women, Equalities & Early Years departments, amongst others.

Her keynote at Interactive Futures will take place on the morning of Wednesday, February 17.

Other confirmed Interactive Futures 2021 speakers include:

Rick Gibson, CEO of the BGI – which runs the annual Games Education Summit – will be hosting a keynote panel session discussing how Leamington Spa studios are working with educators to support and nurture the next generation of video games creators.

Dr Jo Twist, CEO of Ukie, will deliver a keynote speech outlining how the games trade body is working hard to provide educational resources for all ages – and why it’s important that the UK games industry nurtures its future pipeline of talent.

Declan Cassidy, Chief Executive of Into Games, will discuss why it’s important for the industry to support and advise children from as young as primary age about a career in games.

Interactive Futures is hosted by the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP), Warwickshire County Council and Warwick District Council.

Sarah Windrum, board director at the CWLEP and chair of its Digital and Creative Business Group, said: “This is a really exciting line-up of speakers led by the Minister of State for Digital and Culture Caroline Dinenage MP which is a real coup for the event in its third year and testament to the hard work of the team.

  “Interactive Futures is an ideal opportunity for students and parents to find out more about a sector which offers a really wide range of careers and to hear about the importance of the industry throughout the UK and particularly in Coventry and Warwickshire.”

The full Interactive Futures programme (https://interactive-futures.com/conference-2021/) will include a series of dedicated conference sessions for primary school children, secondary school children and young people, Further Education and Higher Education students.

Interactive sessions will also be featured, courtesy of Digital Schoolhouse and Into Games, while one-to-one Portfolio Reviews and Advice Clinics will run throughout the four days.

It’s free to attend and tickets are available now – https://interactive-futures.com/tickets-2021/.

Train2Game News Robert Yang Receives Gayming Icon Award

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Gayming Magazine is proud to reveal that renowned game developer Robert Yang will be the recipient of the Gayming Icon Award at this year’s Gayming Awards.

The Gayming Icon award is given to an individual that has significantly contributed towards furthering the status and increasing the visibility of the LGBTQ+ community in the gaming industry.

Described as “one of the most controversial game developers in the world”, Yang has been the driving force behind potentially the purest definition of “queer games”. His work, including historical bathroom simulator The Tearoom and male shower simulator, Rinse and Repeat, explores the world of gay relationships and intimacy.
 

Yang has previously called for the games industry to be more open about topics like sexuality, noting how queer sexual content is banned or minimized in certain areas. Importantly, this is framed through a lens of respect and consent with Yang calling the industry to be more open in regard to sexuality and sexual content.

Upon accepting his award, Robert Yang wanted to share the following message: “Thanks for naming me the Gayming Icon this year. The goal of my games has always been to explore gay and queer sexuality in games, and it’s always very motivating and encouraging to know there’s an audience for this type of work. Thanks for your time and attention. I also want to thank the countless trans women who pioneered so much queer game design practice before me — yet so many have been forced out of games by right-wing harassment movements or by the larger lack of institutional support from the industry. Let us remember that better representation means more than diverse fictional characters, it also means empowering and supporting real marginalized people and their real lives.”
 

Robin Gray, founder and editor of Gayming Magazine had the following to say on Yang’s award: “The Gayming Awards celebrates all types of queer games as art forms. Robert Yang’s work in celebrating and exploring consenting gay intimacy, sex, and kink is something that should be widely celebrated, not shied away from. He has single-handedly defined a whole genre of gay games and I am so proud that we have chosen him to be the recipient of our Gayming Icon Award for 2021.”
 

Previously, Robert Yang was an Assistant Arts Professor at NYU Game Center. He holds a BA in English Literature from UC Berkeley, and an MFA in Design and Technology from Parsons School for Design. Find out more about Robert Yang at his website: debacle.us
 

The Gayming Awards 2021, presented by EA Games, exclusively on Twitch, will broadcast February 24th at 20:00 GMT. As with the Gayming Icon Award, the nominations and winners of each category have been voted upon by a committee of LGBTQ+ video game industry professionals.
 

You can find out more information on the 2021 Gayming Awards here: http://gaymingawards.com

Train2Game News Age Of Rust Crypto Treasure Hunt

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Unlock the secrets of a post-apocalyptic universe in Age of Rust, a single-player RPG (roleplaying game) and crypto treasure hunt launching on Steam on March 19th.

US-based indie developer SpacePirate Games combine combat and stealth play mechanics with an NPC-driven story, AAA graphics and cerebral gameplay into an epic treasure hunt for a grand prize of 20 Bitcoin (BTC), worth over $650,000 at the time of writing.

This bounty hunt will be complemented by additional prizes of 4 BTC and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) backed with Enjin Coin (ENJ).

The Age of Rust will go on sale on March 19th on Steam for $14.99. Wishlist the game on Steam now to stay updated and start your adventure and treasure hunt as soon as the game is available!

“When we first started working on Age of Rust in 2014, we decided to do a treasure hunt to teach people about cryptocurrency and provide a fun onramp into this new world of blockchain,” said Chris LoVerme, CEO of SpacePirate Games.

“We set aside 24 BTC, which was worth about $20,000 at the time. We had no idea that this bounty would grow to be so valuable, as the roots of the idea were planted back when Bitcoin was virtually unknown. We believe Age of Rust is not only a fun RPG adventure that players will love, it will also serve as a great, easy introduction to the exciting world of blockchain gaming just as it’s really starting to take off.”

As one of the 22nd’s century’s most prolific weaponized cipher-hackers, you were sequenced and stored away for future use. Forgotten for centuries, you wake up in the year 4424 to the desolate and dilapidated remnants of humanity’s once great creation. In a post-apocalyptic wasteland with a healthy dose of cyberpunk aesthetics, you must fight, hide and hunt for special items to help you survive and progress through perplexing puzzles. But Age of Rust is more than just a danger-fraught journey with secrets to uncover and treasure troves to progress; it’s an immersive, cryptocurrency-enriched experience with an innovative new class of weapons and items with real-world value and blockchain-verified ownership, which can be used in various games across the metaverse.

Season 1 of Age of Rust contains approximately 40 hours of gameplay, with 3 Seasons planned in total. However, earning the BTC bounty by discovering easter eggs and solving puzzles could take much longer, possibly even years. The winner of the largest bounty will claim 20 BTC (approximately $650,000); the next-biggest bounty is 4 BTC, with over 35,000 smaller bounties to win and more than 250,000km2 of landscape to explore. As bounties are discovered, they will be removed from gameplay, with ownership of the item passed onto the player.

Follow Age of Rust on social media to stay up to date!

Train2Game News RuneScape Celebrating 20 Years

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As part of RuneScape’s programme of 20th anniversary-themed content, the first instalment of ‘Once Upon A Time’, the living game’s multi-part anniversary storyline, launches in-game today. 

Titled ‘Foreshadowing’, it begins a celebratory adventure that will run across the entire year and sees players journeying through the living game’s past, present and future as the story unravels.

In Once Upon A Time: Foreshadowing, players will meet both allies and antagonists who will establish the story’s themes and plot.

Players will encounter Relomia, emissary of the now deceased Sliske, as she attempts to find her place in a world without her idol and long-time players will recognise a few familiar faces as her adventure unfolds.

Completing Foreshadowing rewards players with a new kind of hat called ‘Relomia’s Party Hat’, paying tribute to the beloved and much sought-after party hat. 

While RuneScape has already received more than 1,000 game and content updates in its two decades, 2021 is packed with 20th anniversary excitement and much more for both RuneScape and Old School RuneScape.

Discover more about RS20 today at https://www.runescape.com.

Train2Game News Antstream Arcade Adding More Retro Titles

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Leading retro games platform Antstream Arcade is today adding beloved retro classic Star Wars titles to its extensive library of fully licensed games. 

These iconic games will be made available on a single platform for the first time, including the entire Super Star Wars series for the SNES and Star Wars for the NES. Adventure game classics like Grim Fandango, and titles from the Monkey Island series will also be coming to the platform.

Starting today, subscribers to the Antstream service will be able to play the following classic Super Star Wars titles: 

  • Super Star Wars (SNES, 1992)
  • Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (SNES, 1993)
  • Super Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (SNES, 1994)

All the games available via Antstream Arcade’s cloud-based streaming service are available using any 4G connection or better, and are playable on almost any device for the cost of a single flat monthly subscription. Expanding Antstream Arcade’s library of classics and curios, this will take the total number of licensed games to 3786, with 5-7 new games being added to the platform every week.  

Steve Cottam, CEO of Antstream, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be bringing the retro Star Wars series to customers, taking us one step closer to delivering thousands of iconic games to the global gaming community through the power of streaming technology. The fact we’ll be able to play Star Wars for the SNES on their laptop, Grim Fandango on their TV or Day of the Tentacle is a massive win for both existing and new audiences.” 

This latest news follows recent announcements of collaborations with retro gaming giants Taito, Atari and Bandai-Namco – making Antstream Arcade’s library the world’s largest collection of retro games. With playable titles ranging from definitive classics to obscure curios, Antstream Arcade represents the only way that gamers are able to access many classic games of the past. 

Antstream Arcade also provides something new for players, with many games on its platform featuring challenge modes, tournaments and international leader boards, giving retro gamers old and new a modern social aspect to classic games.

Thanks to Antstream Arcade’s streaming technology all these games can be played on TVs, laptops, desktops, tablets and of course mobile phones, bringing more iconic games to a wider audience than any platform ever before.  

Train2Game News Hideo Kojima Honored At NYGAC

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The New York Videogame Critics Circle will honor world-renowned game creator Hideo Kojima, with its Andrew Yoon Legend Award in advance of the 10th Annual New York Game Awards ceremony later this month.

Hideo Kojima is awarded with the Legend Award tomorrow via Twitch and YouTube starting at 8pm ET. The Legend Award recognizes individuals and organizations that exhibit a significant, sustained body of work that shows exceptional achievement and innovation.

Past recipients of the Legend award include Reggie Fils-Aimé, Jade Raymond, Richard Garriott, Todd Howard, Rockstar Games, Ralph Baer and earlier this month, Jerry Lawson, Brenda Romero and John Romero.

“There’s no one like Hideo Kojima; he’s proved that he’s a legend among legends,” said Reggie Fils-Aimé. “In the game industry that has always focused on franchises and marketing, Mr. Kojima has always been honest with us and himself. Yes, Mr. Kojima can market with the best of them, but he knows how to tell a unique, epic story as clearly and robustly as anyone, and he injects you with something brand new every time he releases a game.”

“I’m very thankful for the New York Game Awards Legend Award; it’s a great honor,” said Hideo Kojima. “The word “legend” does kind of suggest someone with one foot in the grave, but I’m not quite a legend yet, so I’ll try my very best to live up to the award.”

“In New York magazine, I wrote that Mr. Kojima’s “intent is for players to find connection and relief through the experience” in DEATH STRANDING; but beyond human connection, his strong writing and thoughtful directing prove he’s a true artist,” said Harold Goldberg, founder and president of the New York Videogame Critics Circle.

Kojima is a writer, director and producer of some of the most celebrated video games; from Metal Gear Solid to DEATH STRANDING, Hideo Kojima’s creations are critically acclaimed for their cinematic presentation, creativity and innovation. With this, he’s regarded as one of the most influential game designers in the world.

Streaming of the Andrew Yoon Legend Award recipients lead up to the New York Game Awards 10th anniversary show on January 26; the previously ticketed and in-person-only event streams free for all to attend via Twitch and YouTube, with pre-show at 7:30pm ET and Awards starting at 8pm ET via Twitch and YouTube.

The annual New York Game Awards, presented by the New York Videogame Critics Circle, goes global with a virtual-only event, allowing for a group of presenters and performers that’s incomparable, including former Legend Award winners, performances by new and returning musical guests and a collection of industry greats.

The Awards celebrate the NYVGCC’s non-profit work in underserved communities, as well as the best games and game developers in the industry.

NYVGCC members are a culturally diverse and passionate group of videogame journalists from media outlets including Tom’s Guide, CNET, Time and The Washington Post; view a full list of members here.

For more information on getting involved through volunteering or fundraising with the NYVGCC, click here.

Train2Game News Kingdoms of Amalur Re-Reckoning

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THQ Nordic today confirmed that Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is scheduled for Nintendo Switch release on March 16, 2021!

This release will mark the handheld debut of the RPG franchise long coveted for gameplay that combines might, finesse and sorcery.

The game comes with three DLC’s: The Teeth of Naros, Legend of Dead Kel and Weapons and Armor bundles. Switch™ players will experience an unprecedented amount of gameplay – hundreds of hours of exploration, dynamic combat and adventuring await!

In addition, THQ Nordic confirmed plans for the adventures in Amalur to continue later this year with the brand new Kingdoms of Amalur expansion: Fatesworn.

From the minds of the bestselling author R.A. Salvatore, Spawn creator Todd McFarlane, and Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion lead designer Ken Rolston, comes Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning.

Remastered with stunning visuals and refined gameplay Re-Reckoning delivers intense, customizable RPG combat inside a sprawling game world. Uncover the secrets of Amalur, from the vibrant city of Rathir to the vast region of Dalentarth to the grim dungeons of the Brigand Hall Caverns. Rescue a world torn apart by a vicious war and control the keys to immortality as the first warrior ever to be resurrected from the grips of death.

  • Build the ideal character for the most intense combat, choosing from a countless combinations of skills, abilities, weapons and pieces of armor
  • The revolutionary Destiny system allows you to continuously evolve your character class to your style of play
  • Seamlessly integrate magical and melee attacks as you take on scores of enemies in grand fight sequences and finish them off with brutal Fateshift kills
  • Extend your experience in Amalur with all DLC from the original release, from Teeth of Naros to Legend of Dead Kel and more!
  • Hundreds of hours of RPG play await! Travel from the vibrant city of Rathir, to the vast region of Dalentarth, and the grim dungeons of the Brigand Hall Caverns as you uncover the secrets of Amalur!
  • Explore deep levels of lore in a universe steeped in 10,000 years of fiction created by New York Times bestselling author R.A. Salvatore
  • Enjoy countless side quests rich in political intrigue, romance, sinister magic, and even whimsy – all central to the primary mission
  • Rescue a world torn apart by a vicious war and control the keys to immortality as the first warrior ever to be resurrected from the grips of death
  • Explore a sprawling game world hailed as having “more content than any single-player game deserves!”
  • Improved graphical fidelity in Re-Reckoning

Enjoy the trailer below…

Train2Game News Power of Audio in Gaming

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Premium audio brand EPOS has revealed its first ever virtual gaming event for media and video game fans everywhere, “The Power of Audio in Gaming.”

The special online broadcast is set to deliver a unique and graphically mesmerizing behind-the-scenes look at the future of gaming audio, told by key representatives from EPOS and others from the video game industry. EPOS’ “The Power of Audio in Gaming” event will commence at 9:00 a.m. GMT or 6:00 p.m. GMT on Wednesday, Jan. 27.
 

During the event, EPOS fans, press, gamers and audiophiles alike will discover fascinating insights from guest speakers about the importance of lifelike audio in gaming, and how it drives the development of audio equipment. Similarly, attendees will learn about how the brain interprets audio, and how EPOS builds upon over 115 years of experience to use this knowledge to further the audio experience of gaming. A panel of renowned figures from the gaming audio world will also converge to discuss live the future of the industry in 2021 and onwards.
 

A full agenda for “The Power of Audio in Gaming” follows:
 

  • Welcome – Jeppe Dalberg-Larsen, EPOS President
  • 15-Minute Keynote: “Brain Hearing – How the Brain Processes Sound” – Jesper Kock, VP of Research and Development
  • Expert panel: “What Does the Future Hold for Audio in Gaming?” – Five key industry leaders, led by Danish tech journalist David Guldager
  • 15-Minute Keynote, EPOS Products: “Unleashing the Power of Audio in Gaming” – Andreas Jessen, Senior Director, Gaming
  • Conclusion – Maja Sand-Grimnitz, Global Head of Marketing, Gaming

Live interpretations for the event will be provided in French, German and Japanese.

“EPOS is thrilled to welcome media and fellow gaming and audio enthusiasts to our first ever event for EPOS in Gaming,” said Maja Sand-Grimnitz, Head of Global Marketing, Gaming at EPOS. “We look forward to discussing the future of audio in gaming with industry leading experts, sharing our passion, knowledge and exciting new releases with viewers from the comfort and safety of their homes.”

Media and viewers interested in attending can visit the official EPOS landing page to register for access to the event. The event will take place in two sessions, at 9:00 a.m. GMT or 6:00 p.m. GMT on Wednesday, Jan. 27.

More details about “The Power of Audio in Gaming” can be found on the official EPOS website. 

Train2Game News Making It Home Vehicle Builder

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Making it Home is a vehicle building game where your vehicle is the level.

Design, drive, automate and defend your vehicle as you try to get home on time for your daughters birthday.

The game has been in early access on steam and itchio since August 2020.

Our latest big update has added Steam workshop integration to share your vehicles with the community and lots of new challenges to test your design skills.

The game is being developed by Pill Bug Interactive, a two person studio based in Wales UK. Pill Bug Interactive has released two games previously, most notably Cycle 28 which was nominated for a Welsh BAFTA.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tmngFboQyE

You can get the game on STEAM by going to https://store.steampowered.com/app/1098220/Making_it_Home/