Whatboy Games today announced it will launch its debut title TRIALS OF FIRE on 9 April.
Trials of Fire is a single-player, turn-based strategy game set in a post-cataclysmic fantasy realm.
Embarking on their chosen quest into the desolate wastelands of Ashe, players guide a party of three Heroes in search of hope. The hope to save a forsaken people, the hope to survive in the brutal and barren wastelands, the hope that their party will live to fight again and write a new chapter in their enduring story.
Directed by the Lead Gameplay Programmer of Batman: Arkham Knight, Batman: Arkham City and Batman: Arkham Asylum, Trials of Fire plunges players into a vast and varied game world featuring a unique tactical, card-driven combat system, and branching narrative encounters with no easy choices.
Key Features
A new kind of deck-driven combat. Tactical, turn-based battles on hex-based maps combine party tactics, positional play and deck-building skill. Optimise each Hero’s capabilities by taking advantage of powerful card synergies and by combining Heroes’ individual skills and powers.
Game-changing loot and limitless combinations. Players are able to build out their party with any combination of nine unique character classes. Equip their Heroes with over 200 unique items and over 320 upgradeable Skill Cards. Every run will be different.
A vast and varied wasteland. Players traverse an immense overworld filled with combat and narrative encounters, choosing their own path and defining their own adventure as they search and fight for resources critical to their survival.
Play your way. Six different game modes and customisable quests allow gamers to tailor their play session how they want. Blast through a quick-fire combat run, endure an endless survival mode or take on unique, daily challenges.
Following seven years at Rocksteady heading up Marketing and PR for the Batman: Arkham series, co-Founder and Studio Director, Dax Ginn says: “Throughout the almost two years of full-time development in Early Access on Steam we have been able to deliver on the complete content plan for Trials of Fire and also build a community around the game of insanely dedicated players and collaborators. Trials of Fire would not be the game that it is today without the incredible support we’ve received from gamers around the world. We’ll be forever grateful for their feedback and help in shaping and improving the game to where it is now at full launch.”
Trials of Fire launches for PC on 9 April. Also launching on 9 April is the digital collector’s edition of Trials of Fire featuring bonus content including a digital map of Ashe, the complete original soundtrack by SCNTFC, and 100-page digital artbook. Both editions are available from the Steam online store.
Capcom’s genre-defining survival horror franchise reaches a monumental milestone yesterday with the 25th anniversary of Resident Evil.
Over the years, the popular series has shipped more than 107 million units, introduced some of video games’ most iconic characters and gameplay systems, and transcended beyond games to become a cornerstone of entertainment.
The next hotly anticipated entry in the game series is coming soon with Resident Evil Village releasing worldwide May 7, 2021 on PlayStation® 5, PlayStation® 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Steam and newly confirmed Stadia. Ahead of the launch, Capcom confirmed a new Resident Evil Showcase digital event will be coming in April and announced details for an open beta test for the upcoming multiplayer experience Resident Evil Re:Verse.
New game details will be revealed in a new Resident Evil Showcase digital event in April, giving fans a look at what’s in store for them when Resident Evil Village launches on May 7. The Resident Evil Showcase in January revealed information on significant new gameplay features and characters for Resident Evil Village as well as other brand updates, and the April event will follow suit with new game content and 25th anniversary news to share.
Follow the official @RE_Games channel on Twitter for more info soon including the exact time of the digital event and how you can tune in.
An all-star roster of fan favorite heroes and bioweapons come together to celebrate 25 years of Resident Evil in the upcoming multiplayer experience ResidentEvil Re:Verse. In Resident Evil Re:Verse, players start as human characters, hunting each other and collecting virus vials scattered across the map. When they are taken out, they resurrect as bioweapons to enact revenge. The more vials they collect, the stronger their bioweapon transformation will be – it will be up to each player to strategize between vial collection and a full-on offensive strategy. This thank you to fans will be available for free for those who purchase Resident Evil Village.
Today Capcom announced PlayStation® 4, Xbox One and Steam players can participate in an open beta test for Resident Evil Re:Verse taking place April 7 at 23:00 h PDT / April 8 07:00 h BST / 08:00 h CEST, through to April 11 at 22:59 h PDT / April 12 06:59 h BST / 07:59 h CEST. Players who participated in the earlier closed beta test and still have the game installed on their hardware can play via a game update once the open beta is live. New players will be able to pre-load the open beta content starting April 5. All open beta participants will need a registered Capcom ID to play.
Pre-orders for Resident Evil Village are available now, with digital Standard and Deluxe Edition options for all platforms, plus physical Standard and Collector’s Edition for console players.
The digital Deluxe Edition includes the base game and a digital “Trauma Pack,” which consists of additional in-game content including a Samurai Edge weapon, Resident Evil 7 biohazard-inspired found footage screen filter, tape recorder save point option, immediate access to an especially challenging difficulty setting, and more. The physical Collector’s Edition includes the Deluxe Edition content plus a striking statue of franchise veteran Chris Redfield, a SteelBook case, art book, a cloth map of the village and an A4 print showing the key art. Resident Evil Village will be eligible to upgrade from PlayStation 4 to the digital PlayStation 5 version and will support Smart Delivery for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles.
Resident Evil 7 biohazard Gold Edition will be available on Stadia as an individual purchase option and will be free with Stadia Pro beginning on April 1, 2021. Players can also delve into the rich library of titles from Resident Evil with several discount promotions across multiple platforms in celebration of the 25th anniversary.
Please check respective digital storefronts in the coming weeks for sale promotions.
IDW Publishing (OTCQX: IDWM) and SEGA® of America, Inc. today announced a special comic book collaboration celebrating 30 years of the video game sensation-turned-pop culture icon, Sonic the Hedgehog™.
Timed to the speedster’s 30th trip around the sun this June, IDW will release the Sonic the Hedgehog 30th Anniversary Special, a super-sized 80-page comic book featuring three tales of colorful heroes and dastardly villains, sure to tug at the heartstrings of fans of all ages!
With the franchise entering a new decade, the anniversary issue will feature the writings of New York Times best-selling authors Gale Galligan and the McElroy Brothers to bring a fresh spin to the Blue Blur’s next chapter.
“We’re celebrating a major milestone for the world’s coolest hedgehog, so we needed creators who could capture the vibrant comedy and action of Sonic in style,” said IDW editor David Mariotte. “The 30th Anniversary Special features possibly the greatest creative lineup ever assembled on a single issue of Sonic!”
For this spectacular tribute comic, IDW has tapped Gale Galligan, known for her illustration work on The Babysitters Club, along with Justin, Travis and Griffin McElroy, podcasters recognizable from The Adventure Zone and the wildly popular My Brother, My Brother, and Me. This group of newcomers will be contributing their first-ever Sonic adventures alongside fan-favorite and longtime scribe Ian Flynn and artists Mauro Fonseca, Reggie Graham, Aaron Hammerstrom and Thomas Rothlisberger.
“Seasons of Chaos,” the first of three stories featured in the 30th Anniversary Special, comes courtesy of Flynn, Hammerstrom and Graham, and sends Sonic on a mission from pleasant spring valleys to winter wonderlands in search of Chaos Emeralds alongside his friends Miles “Tails” Prower, Knuckles the Echidna, Amy Rose, Mighty the Armadillo, and Ray the Flying Squirrel.
“Sonic has been central to my creative career for fifteen years,” said Flynn. “I’ve had the pleasure of writing the little blue hedgehog in a variety of media, and he in turn has introduced me to an army of artists and editors who have helped me grow as a professional (and made me look good). I’ve had a long run with Sonic, and I hope that continues for years to come!”
The vile Dr. Eggman takes center stage in the second story, with the surprisingly poignant “Dr. Eggman’s Birthday” by Galligan and Rothlisbeger… because this momentous occasion belongs to the bad doctor, Sonic’s 30-year long nemesis, as much as it does to the Blue Blur.
“When my sister and I were little, we borrowed the Sonic the Hedgehog OVA from our local video library and proceeded to watch it about a billion times,” said Galligan. “I still remember quoting it back and forth with her for weeks after that! Sonic has held a special place in my heart ever since. I’m thrilled to be able to contribute to the 30th Anniversary Special, and I can’t wait to send my sister a copy!”
Finally, in the action-packed and laugh-inducing third story “Sonic Learns to Drive” by the McElroy Brothers and Fonseca, Sonic’s up against a tough challenge: when the fastest thing alive can outrun any car, will Sonic have the patience to learn what to do behind the wheel… or will he finally get left in the dust?
The Sonic the Hedgehog 30th Anniversary Special will be available with multiple cover variants for retailers and fans to enjoy, including Cover A by Sonic Team, Cover B by Christina-Antoinette Neofotistou, and two retailer incentive editions featuring art by Patrick Spaziante and Tyson Hesse, respectively.
For ardent Sonic enthusiasts, IDW will also be producing the Sonic the Hedgehog 30th Anniversary Celebration: The Deluxe Edition, a hardcover version with special bonus content and a level of added prestige for $19.99 USD. Hitting stores on October 5, 2021, the Deluxe Edition features an additional story by Gale Galligan, a cover gallery, a “From Script to Comic” feature and much more.
As another way to commemorate 30 years of Sonic, IDW will release Sonic the Hedgehog: The IDW Collection, Vol. 1 for $59.99 USD on June 22, 2021, debuting a new line of oversized Sonic hardcover editions that will encompass the ongoing series, annuals and mini-series in the recommended reading order.
Featuring everything a beginner could need and everything a diehard could want, the first volume collects issues #1-12 of IDW’s Sonic the Hedgehog comics, comprising the complete “Fallout,” “The Fate of Dr. Eggman” and “Battle for Angel Island” story arcs.
For information on how to acquire Sonic the Hedgehog comics and graphic novels from IDW, please contact your local comic shop or visit www.comicshoplocator.comto find a store near you.
SQUARE ENIX Ltd. today announced Life is Strange: True Colors™ during the company’s showcase livestream, SQUARE ENIX PRESENTS.
This newest entry in the franchise has been created by Deck Nine Games, the developers behind Life is Strange: Before the Storm, in collaboration with Square Enix External Studios. Presented by musical artist and social media star, mxmtoon, Life is Strange: True Colors took centre stage during the digital show, where its new protagonist, her dynamic supernatural power and a thrilling mystery was introduced. The company also announced the Life is Strange Remastered Collection, a new edition of the critically acclaimed Life is Strange and Life is Strange: Before the Storm game featuring all new enhanced graphics and animations.
For the first time in the franchise, there will be no more waiting for the next episode – players will be able to experience Life is Strange: True Colors in one single release.
Brought to life through full performance capture tech by rising talent Erika Mori, players will navigate Haven Springs as Alex Chen who has long suppressed her ‘curse’: the psychic power of Empathy, a supernatural ability which allows her to experience, absorb and manipulate the strong emotions of others – which she sees as blazing, colored auras. When her brother dies in a so-called accident, Alex must at last embrace her volatile power to find the truth – and uncover the dark secrets buried by a small town. Alex Chen’s journey and power is yours to control, and her future is in your hands.
Players’ time exploring Haven Springs will be underpinned by the exclusive soundtrack, with new tracks by mxmtoon and Novo Amor, and licensed songs including Radiohead, Phoebe Bridgers, Gabrielle Aplin, and much more.
Jeff Litchford, Vice President at Deck Nine Games stated, “It has been such an honor to return to the vibrant, emotive, and impactful world of Life is Strange. We are delighted to share this new story with you: a story of empathy, human connection, and the struggle to find a place to call home. All of the advancements in storytelling, development technology, and premium voice acting that we have made since Life is Strange: Before the Storm will allow players to be more immersed in the compelling world of Life is Strange: True Colors than ever before.”
Also announced during the show, the Life is Strange Remastered Collection. This collection will contain remastered editions of Life is Strange and Life is Strange: Before the Storm, featuring improved visuals and animations. The collection will be available as part of the Ultimate Edition of Life is Strange: True Colors and as astand-alone edition later this year.
Life is Strange: True Colors will be available physically and digitally in three editions; the Standard Edition, the Deluxe Edition and the Ultimate Edition. Full details on each Edition can be found at lifeisstrange.com. Customers who pre-order Life is Strange: True Colors now will receive 4 additional in-game outfits for Alex.
Life is Strange: True Colors is slated for release on PlayStation 5®, PlayStation 4®, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC Steam, Windows Store, and Google Stadia on September 10, 2021.
The total raised for GameBlast21, the UK’s largest charity gaming weekend, has been confirmed at £228,300 ($317,800).
It’s more than double the original fundraising target for the event, and one of the biggest totals in its eight-year history.
Gamers across the UK and beyond took on gaming marathons and game-themed events over the weekend of 26-28 February to raise money for the charity, who help people with physical disabilities to experience the fun and inclusion of video games.
As well as the hundreds of individual gamers and communities who took part, many major names in the games industry supported the event, including Twitch, EA DICE, Mediatonic, SEGA Europe, Unit 2 Games, Fanatical, Insert Coin Clothing and Turn 10 Studios, alongside a host of esports teams and popular streamers.
In addition, several other companies including HyperX, Noblechairs, Fierce PC and Big Potato Games, showed their support for by creating some awesome limited-edition products and running giveaways to reward people for taking part.
“We’d hoped to raise £100,000 this year,” said Becky Frost, the GameBlast Event Coordinator, “so we’re amazed and humbled by the final figure. To have the support of so many gamers is a huge boost for the charity, and we’ve been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of everyone involved. As result of their generosity, many hundreds of people will be able to enjoy the magic of video games for many years to come. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who took part.”
The dates for GameBlast22 have been announced as 25-27 February 2022.
Six nominees for the all-new EE Game of the Year Award are announced ahead of the British Academy Games Awards on Thursday 25th March 2021.
Brought to fans by EE, the UK’s number one network for gaming, the new award is the only category to be voted for by the global community of games fans. The shortlist was decided by a panel of games experts* who were tasked with nominating six games that have resonated most with players around the world – capturing our imaginations and keeping us entertained and connected over the past year.
However, the jury panel have handed over control, with the decision now in the hands of the public.
This is the last week that the public can vote, with voting for EE Game of the Year open until 12:00PM on Monday 22nd March 2021 at ee.co.uk/BaftaGames.
The EE Game of The Year nominees for 2021 are:
ANIMAL CROSSING: NEW HORIZONS is a life simulation game developed and published by Nintendo. A carefree life is just beyond the horizon! Step off the plane and onto your very own deserted island where new friends, discoveries and opportunities are waiting for you. There are lots of ways to play Animal Crossing: New Horizons together with friends and family – locally or online. Share gifts, compete in bug contests or just enjoy one another’s company – there’s always more fun to be had with friends! Seasons change, time passes, and residents get on with their day – even when you’re not around, life on your island goes on. Experience every season and all the unique things that each one brings to your new home! Paradise is what you make it in Animal Crossing: New Horizons for Nintendo Switch.
CALL OF DUTY: WARZONE is the hit free-to-play, free-for-everyone online experience developed by Infinity Ward and Raven Software that has dropped millions of players into the fictional world of Verdansk. Explore a massive battleground with up to 150 players, where you drop in, armour up, loot for rewards, and battle your way to the top. The game is available on PlayStation® 5, PlayStation® 4, the Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, and on PC.
GHOST OF TSUSHIMA is an open world action-adventure game set in feudal Japan, developed by Sucker Punch Productions and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. In the late 13th century, the Mongol empire has laid waste to entire nations along their campaign to conquer the East. Tsushima Island is all that stands between mainland Japan and a massive Mongol invasion fleet led by the ruthless and cunning general, Khotun Khan. As the island burns in the wake of the first wave of the Mongol assault, samurai warrior Jin Sakai stands as one of the last surviving members of his clan. He is resolved to do whatever it takes, at any cost, to protect his people and reclaim his home. He must set aside the traditions that have shaped him as a warrior to forge a new path, the path of the Ghost, and wage an unconventional war for the freedom of Tsushima. The game is available on PlayStation® 4.
HADES is a roguelike dungeon crawler developed and published by Supergiant Games. Players control Zagreus, the son of Hades, as he attempts to escape from the Underworld and his father’s clutches, at times aided by blessings bestowed on him by the Olympian gods. Each escape attempt presents different combinations of chambers filled with foes and rewards, as well as unique story encounters. Zagreus will inevitably die during his journey, but his immortality means he can always try again. The story continues unfolding from one play-through to the next, and players can use found resources to improve abilities or unlock new weapons, raising their chances of success next time. The game is available on Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Nintendo Switch.
THE LAST OF US PART II is Naughty Dog’s most ambitious project in the studio’s more than 35-year history. From its acclaimed story and performances to its industry-leading advancements in graphics, audio, dialogue, representation, and accessibility, The Last of Us Part II explores mature themes about love, loss, and the obsessive nature of vengeance by challenging players to experience its harrowing story from opposing perspectives as Ellie and Abby. As each character’s journey unfolds and intersects, The Last of Us Part II prompts difficult questions about empathy and the lengths we would go to in order to bring justice for the people we love. The game is available on PlayStation® 4.
VALORANT is the free-to-play, competitive 5v5 character-based tactical shooter for the PC developed by Riot Games. A precise and lethal multiplayer game with high-fidelity gunplay, a diverse arsenal of guns, agents with unique abilities, and competitively tuned maps for thousands of hours of play. Optimised to perform on a wide variety of PC hardware, allowing for a global audience to compete; and demonstrated by the game’s best-in-class game server quality, global infrastructure, and proprietary anti-cheat technology, Riot Games is committed to preserving the core tenets of the tactical shooter genre and upholding the competitive integrity of the gameplay experience.
Dr Jo Twist OBE, Chair of the Games Committee at BAFTA, said: “In a year when games have been an invaluable way to stay socially connected and entertained for so many around the world, we are delighted to be working with EE to give the global community of games fans the chance to choose their favourite. The shortlisted games are all excellent contenders and I look forward to seeing which title the public choose to crown our first ever winner of the EE Game of the Year Award.”
Producer and Presenter Aoife Wilson, Head of Video at Eurogamer and member of the EE Game of The Year 2021 jury panel, said: “It’s a great honour to have been a jury member for the first ever BAFTA EE Game of the Year Award. It’s a particularly important award because in the last year, games have done more to bring people together than ever before. Games have the power to connect, to heal, to teach and to empower, and that’s never been clearer or more needed than right now. In a year where we’ve been separated physically, it’s very special that players now have the power to celebrate the games that have meant so much to us. It’s an incredible shortlist, and I can’t wait to see which of the amazing games featured will be voted the winner.”
Kirk McKeand, Editor-in-Chief at TheGamer.com and EE Game of the Year juror, added: “Enjoying video games is one of the only things we can do safely at the moment. Video games have been a sanctuary this last year – they allow us to travel, be with friends, and experience touching stories. We can empathise with characters, socialise with loved ones, and compete with rivals. Everyone is looking to games for a different reason, and I think the jury reflected that variety in the shortlist. On top of that, critics are often a bit disconnected from the audience. We play a lot of games, and we do so within strict time-constraints and a need to get to the next piece of coverage. That’s why it’s important for the fans to have a voice in an award like this.”
Pete Jeavons, Director of Marketing Communications for BT and EE, said: “We are thrilled to unlock the public vote, bringing fans closer to the action. The jury panel have done their part and now it’s over to the public to decide who will be crowned the first ever EE Game of the Year Award winner at this years’ BAFTA Games Awards!”
Voting for EE Game of the Year is open until 12:00PM on Monday 22nd March 2021 at ee.co.uk/BaftaGames. The EE Game of the Year winner will be announced at the BAFTA Games Award on Thursday 25th March 2021.
Evercade, Codemasters, and The Oliver Twins are delighted to share the news of the first donation to the National Videogame Museum.
Following the launch of The Oliver Twins Collection cartridge, exclusively for the Evercade Retro Gaming console, it was announced that all profits from this would be donated to the National Videogame Museum in Sheffield.
Today Evercade and Blaze Entertainment are happy to announce that the first payment of donations for over £11,000 has been made to the National Videogame Museum. The funds raised from all sales of The Oliver Twins Collection Cartridge from Evercade will continue to be donated until 31st December 2021, meaning that more donations will be made in the future.
Rick Gibson, CEO of the charity the BGI which runs the National Videogame Museum, said: “We have been preserving and displaying the Oliver Twins’ important work for the nation for many years and their support has been pivotal. We’re delighted and grateful for such generosity from Philip and Andrew, Codemasters, and Evercade. Thank you!”
“We’re absolutely delighted that the Evercade fans have responded so well to The Oliver Twins Collection,” said Andrew Byatt, Managing Director of Blaze Entertainment. “One of the key things about Evercade and its community is the desire for preservation of gaming history and the industry that forms an incredibly formative part of gamer’s lives. It’s our pleasure to donate these funds to the museum to help further their efforts and we hope that we can have just as healthy a donation in the future.”
“We loved seeing The Oliver Twins Collection added to the already impressive Evercade library and it’s been great to see fans old and new enjoying the games we created almost 30 years ago,” said Philip Oliver. “As patrons of the National Videogame Museum, it’s great to see our collection has raised these funds and we hope it will continue into the future. We also want to also thank Codemasters and Blaze Retro for supporting this great charity,” added Andrew Oliver.
“It’s incredible to see how much love there is for both the Oliver Twins and their early Codemasters titles,” said Jonathan Bunney, SVP Publishing at Codemasters. “The Collection, which wouldn’t be complete without Dizzy, is a time capsule for the die-hard Codemasters fans, and we’re proud to contribute towards such a worthwhile charity as the National Videogame Museum.”
The National Videogame Museum was originally opened in 2016 in Nottingham, before moving to Sheffield in 2018 and then taken over by the BGI in 2020, which is now a registered charity. The Coronavirus crisis has affected the NVM, as it has multiple places over the last year, although the NVM managed to briefly reopen.
The Evercade is a handheld retro gaming console that features curated collections of games from historic publishers like Codemasters, Team 17, Atari, Namco, Data East, and many more, all officially licensed. These are released in the form of physical propriety cartridges that work with the Evercade handheld console. The Oliver Twins Collection cartridge is one of 14 currently available since its launch in June 2020, and the Evercade will have over 250 games available by the end of 2021.
SQUARE ENIX® today announced the debut of a new video program called SQUARE ENIX PRESENTS, a series of shows in which the company will reveal new games, updates and news directly to the global gaming community throughout the year.
The first show, debuting on March 18 at 10:00 a.m. PDT / 1:00 p.m. EDT on Square Enix’s official Twitch and YouTube channels.
These shows will run approximately 40-minutes and include the world premiere of the next game in the critically acclaimed and award-winning Life is Strange™ series, featuring an all-new protagonist wielding an exciting new power.
The show will also feature trailers, gameplay videos and announcements for the following:
Outriders™, the high-intensity RPG-shooter set in an original dark and desperate sci-fi universe, coming out on April 1
Balan Wonderworld™, which arrives on March 26
The ongoing celebration for the 25th anniversary of TOMB RAIDER®
Marvel’s Avengers, the story-driven, third-person action-adventure game from Crystal Dynamics
Upcoming action shooter Just Cause® Mobile
New mobile game announcements from the award-winning Square Enix Montréal studio
A look at a few of the whimsical games from Square Enix sister company TAITO
To receive event updates and other Square Enix news, sign up to become a Square Enix Member; and be sure to subscribe to Square Enix’s official Twitch and YouTube channels ahead of the showcase on March 18.
Video game playing rose to a new level, with UK consumers’ time playing up 4 percent over last year.
The desire to stay connected and entertained while stuck at home during the pandemic has driven online gaming popularity – more than a third of UK gamers (37 percent) have made new friends through online gaming in the last year. In fact, gamers in the UK are now playing video games an average of seven hours 10 minutes each week according to the “State of Online Gaming 2021,” a report commissioned by Limelight Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq: LLNW), on global gaming preferences and habits.
New data shows that the increases in gaming over the last year are driven by gamers’ desire for social connections. Over a third of UK gamers (37 percent) say they’ve made new friends through online games in the past year and 15 percent say the ability to interact with other players is extremely important. Opportunities for interactivity and social engagement are likely drivers for video game adoption with the majority (51 percent) of UK gamers saying they started playing online video games in the past year.
Additional findings from the report include:
Performance drives demand for next-generation consoles. Three quarters (74 percent) of global gamers are interested in purchasing a new console, due to updated technology (32 percent) and faster game play (31 percent). Gamers in China are most likely to consider upgrading their console (92 percent).
Gamers demand fast gaming experiences. Fast performance is extremely important to 35 percent of UK gamers, the lowest response among all countries surveyed. In addition, 87 percent of UK gamers say the process of downloading games is frustrating.
Binge-gaming reached an all-time high. The average global gamer has played video games consecutively for five hours and six minutes, which is a eight percent increase from last year. Sessions in the UK were 4 percent higher than the global average, at five hours and 18 minutes per week. Young gamers ages 18 to 25 have binge-gamed for the longest at an average of nearly six hours.
Video games have become a spectator sport. Over half (56 percent) of global gamers say they’ve started to watch others play video games in the past year. The proportion of UK gamers watching others play video games online on a weekly basis reached a tipping point in the past year, increasing from 49 percent to 53 percent.
Playing video games is the top entertainment choice for many. Nearly half of UK gamers (44 percent) say they prefer to play video games versus watching a movie or TV show.
“Video gaming has evolved into a social platform. Gamers want interactive, high performance, disruption-free experiences that allow them to connect with others and play longer,” said Nigel Burmeister, Vice President at Limelight Networks. “This evolution is putting pressure on gaming companies to match this demand and requires technology investments like edge computing to deliver high-quality gaming environments to users across the globe.”
The “State of Online Gaming 2021” report is based on responses from 4,000 consumers in China, Germany, India, Indonesia, South Korea, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vietnam, ages 18 and older who play video games. This included 500 respondents in the UK.
Indie game developer Pixel Ghost Studios is proud to announce the release of Realm Engine, a system-agnostic Virtual Tabletop worldbuilder aimed at RPG enthusiasts.
Created by Blake Johnson, Realm Engine is available as a FREE download via STEAM™ and is continuously being updated with additional content and features.
Realm Engine allows for images of created maps to be exported for easy integration to other platforms and includes 100s of high-quality assets supporting a diverse range of campaign styles from arid deserts to ocean-based campaigns.
Currently in Early Access, you can make or furnish each room in a crowded Inn or map out large village scenes for a chase scene. The base world supports 250 x 250 and the upcoming Elite version for later release will support unlimited sizes. Scenes can be set with dynamic weather and you may control fog, rain and the sun using intuitive sliders to tailor your needs. The dynamic lighting allows you to create very realistic scenes and light-levels experienced by the players. With a little practice you can achieve just the right mood for your setting. Fog-of-war is supported as well and adds an additional layer of realism.
Realm Engine has 3D terrain sculpting options that enable you to build mountains, valleys, rivers, islands and almost anything you can imagine. Alternatively, using a single click, you can create randomly generated environments. From the TableTop there is projector and second-monitor support, capable of delivering an amazing experience for those who want to utilize its in-person/tabletop features through the use of an external screen.
Realm Engine has a thriving community supporting the creation and development of upcoming content and features. An online multiplayer feature is currently in the works for BETA Testers via Patreon. The project is a labor of love and more than 8000+ hours of development has gone into the current build.
At its core, Realm Engine is a world builder that supports the building and running any game of your choice and with more than 500+ of placeable assets, interactive doors, locks and lighting, there is plenty to get you up and running.
The Train2Game Blog 