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Major Splatoon 2 Updates Add New Stages, New Modes and New Ways to Splat!

REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 21, 2017 – Nintendo continues to roll out additional content for the Splatoon 2 game for the Nintendo Switch system, and is now releasing two free software updates with a ton of new content and a new way to play. The first free update hits on Nov. 23 and adds a new stage for Salmon Run, new gear and new hairstyles for Inklings, as well as many other features, with additional new battle stages rolling out beginning Nov. 24. The second free update will be available mid-December and introduces a frantic new Ranked Battle mode called Clam Blitz, which involves picking up clams around the stage and trying to throw them into your opponent’s basket.

“These free new additions to Splatoon 2 deliver surprises to fans to keep the fun going,” said Doug Bowser, Nintendo of America’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “This new content significantly expands the game and provides a great value for players, regardless of whether they purchased it on launch day or have it on their holiday gift lists.”

The two free updates include the following content:

Nov. 23 Update

·      Four New Battle Stages: While four new battle stages are coming to Splatoon 2, they won’t all be available immediately after downloading the update. Like with previous additions, the stages will roll out over the subsequent weeks, giving players new surprises as they play throughout the holiday season and beyond. The first new battle stage, MakoMart, will be available to play on Black Friday, Nov. 24, with Shellendorf Institute, Walleye Warehouse and Arowana Mall coming soon. The new MakoMart stage is a giant superstore-style stage, so what better time to play than on Black Friday! Shellendorf Institute is new to the series, while Walleye Warehouse and Arowana Mall are popular stages returning from the original Splatoon game.

·      New Salmon Run Stage: Fan-favorite multiplayer mode* Salmon Run is getting a new stage. After downloading the update, Salmonid Smokeyard will be added to the stage rotation. In Salmonid Smokeyard, a wide gap on the beach divides two upper platforms, with fan lifts being the quickest way to traverse the two platforms. Teamwork is required to use the fan lifts effectively.

·      New Gear: Approximately 140 pieces of gear are being added to Splatoon 2. These include shoes, headgear and clothes, like a motocross mask, and additional winter clothing (perfect for the cold weather!), as well as returning items from the original Splatoon game.

·      New Battle Music: Two new bands have been gaining popularity in Inkopolis! The punk-flavored Bottom Feeders and classically trained avant-garde-style Ink Theory are contributing new songs to the already music-rich game.

·      New Hairstyle: When customizing an Inkling, four new hairstyles will be available to choose from – two each for female and male characters.

·      Higher Level Caps: Currently, players are maxed out at Level 50. After downloading the update, the new maximum level will be raised to 99. If players talk to Judd when they reach Level 99, they’ll have the option to reset their level display to Level 1 so they can continue raising their level.

·      New amiibo Functionality: Tapping a compatible amiibo figure after the update will let players take and share in-game photos in preset locations in Battle Stages, in addition to being able to take photos in Inkopolis Square. Players can also add fun filters to their images.

·      Convenient Gear Swapping: Players that want to change gear between battles in Regular Battle, Ranked Battle and Splatfest Battle (Solo) won’t have to exit to the lobby anymore! After downloading the update, gear can be swapped out without leaving the match room, making it quicker to get back to splatting. For Regular Battle, this also means players can play the next battle with the same players.

Mid-December Update

·      Clam Blitz: In Clam Blitz, competing Inklings are tasked with collecting clams scattered around the stage. After one is picked up, the clam follows the player. The objective is to throw the clam into the basket near the opponent’s base. The first team to score 100 points wins! But, of course, this being the fiercely competitive world of Splatoon 2, things are not as easy as they seem. The baskets are protected by a barrier, which much be destroyed first. After collecting 10 clams, the player will earn a Power Clam. These super-powered clams are the key to breaking the barrier, so strategy will definitely be involved in which clams are used to destroy the barrier and which are used to earn points. Not to mention the extra-satisfying opportunity to steal opponents’ clams by splatting them…

Splatoon 2 is now available in stores, for digital purchase on the official website or in Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch at a suggested retail price of $59.99. The upcoming software updates are both free and can be downloaded starting on Nov. 23 and in mid-December. For more information about the game, visit http://splatoon.nintendo.com/.

Remember that Nintendo Switch features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/switch/.

*Additional games and systems are required for multiplayer mode, and are sold separately.

About Nintendo: The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Nintendo Switch system and the Nintendo 3DS family of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo has sold more than 4.5 billion video games and more than 710 million hardware units globally, including Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems, as well as the Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS family of systems, Super NES, Nintendo 64, Nintendo GameCube, Wii and Wii U systems. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known, household names, such as Mario, Donkey Kong, Metroid, Zelda and Pokémon. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Americas. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company’s website at http://www.nintendo.com.

 

Source: PR Email

Max – The Curse of Brotherhood launches Dec 21st on Nintendo Switch!

VVVVVV available on the Nintendo Switch eshop!

SANTA ANA, California, November 17, 2017—Starting today, Nintendo Switch owners in North America and Europe can download and play VVVVVV, the incredible gravity-disrupting new retro game from Nicalis, Inc.

By distilling the video game art form into its essential elements, VVVVVV presents a gameplay experience of exceptional purity and clarity of vision. As the brave Captain Viridian, the player moves left and right but cannot jump. You avoid enemies and obstacles by reversing the pull of gravity with the touch of a button. There are no weapons, tools or ability upgrades—only an expansive, cleverly designed world that you explore at your own pace, searching for your spaceship’s lost crew one screen at a time.

“Like many of the essential classic video games, VVVVVV uses solid colors and basic shapes to get information into your brain as quickly as possible, so you can focus on the gameplay and let your imagination fill in the abstract details,” says Nicalis president Tyrone Rodriguez. “It’s almost like a pre-1980 game in that way, except it’s huge and it has an awesome, super-catchy soundtrack!”

The Switch version of VVVVVV includes multiple unlockable game modes like Time Trials, No Death Mode, Flip Mode and more, all of which can be played with a new two-player cooperative option. Its high frame rate of 60 fps ensures responsive controls, smooth animation and precision maneuvering.

Developed by distractionware and Nicalis, Inc., VVVVVV is now available for Nintendo Switch as a digital download from the Nintendo eShop. MSRP is $9.99 (North America) or 9,99€ (Europe). The game has been rated E by the ESRB

About Nicalis, Inc.
Based in Southern California and founded in 2007, Nicalis, Inc. is currently celebrating its 10th year as a leading developer and publisher of highly polished, retro-inspired video games. Its best-selling recent releases include Cave Story+ for Nintendo Switch and The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ for Switch and PS4.

About distractionware
Terry Cavanagh is an independent game developer from Monaghan, Ireland, currently living in London. He is the creator of Don’t Look BackVVVVVV and the award-winning Super Hexagon.

Source: PR Email

RIVE will have a 15% introductory discount for the first 2 weeks after release!

Worms planning to infiltrate the Nintendo Switch on Nov 23rd!

Kid Tripp lands Nov 23rd on Nintendo Switch!

The End Is Nigh arrives Dec 12th on Nintendo Switch!

SANTA ANA, Calif., November 13, 2017—We don’t yet know when the apocalypse will take place, but we do know the exact date on which Nicalis, Inc., will release its next great video game, The End Is Nigh. The super-challenging retro-inspired action/platformer will be available on December 12 as both a physical retail package and a digital download from the Nintendo eShop.

The End Is Nigh is the newest game from award-winning designer Edmund McMillen, creator of indie-game sensations like The Binding of Isaac and Super Meat Boy. It stars Ash, a little anthropomorphic globule who sets out to find himself a friend in the aftermath of a global catastrophic event. Ash must avoid mutated monsters, lethal hazards and deadly pitfalls as he navigates the wasteland, picking up collectable tumors and playable mini-game cartridges along the way.

“The key themes are survival and the basic human need for friendship,” says Nicalis president Tyrone Rodriguez. “But The End Is Nigh is also a parable about persistence, facing adversity and maintaining a positive attitude in unbelievably stressful situations. You get a rush of pride and delirious satisfaction every time you clear a screen.”

There’s no life counter in The End Is Nigh; you’re free to try and fail as many times as it takes to conquer each challenge. Ash’s plight is accented by the game’s dramatic soundtrack, a collection of classical music themes arranged by the fan-favorite game music composition team known as Ridiculon.

The End Is Nigh will continue the Nicalis tradition of high-quality physical packaging with fun and collectable bonus items inside the game box. The initial print run of retail copies will include the Game Card along with a full-color instruction booklet and a squishy Ash toy made of sticky silicone. Squishy Ash makes a fine friend and can recreate scenes from the game by clinging to walls and dropping into crevices in your own home.

Developed and published by Nicalis, Inc., The End Is Nigh will be available for Nintendo Switch on December 12 as both a physical retail release (in North America) and a digital download from the Nintendo eShop (in both North America and Europe). Suggested retail price is $29.99 (NA) or 29,99€ (EU). The game has been rated M by the ESRB.

About Nicalis, Inc.
Based in Southern California and founded in 2007, Nicalis, Inc. is currently celebrating its 10th year as a leading developer and publisher of highly polished, retro-inspired video games. Its best-selling recent releases include Cave Story+ for Nintendo Switch and The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ for Switch and PS4.

Source: PR Email

Rocket League now available on Nintendo Switch!

SAN DIEGO, CA – November 14, 2017 – Independent video game developer and publisher, Psyonix, announced today that Rocket League® is now available on the Nintendo Switch™ console for $19.99 USD (or regional equivalent) in the Nintendo Switch eShop.

Developed by Psyonix and ported by Panic Button, Rocket League on Nintendo Switch includes the features, upgrades and content that millions of players worldwide have come to know and love, along with support for all of the console’s various play modes including Local Multiplayer. It will also include exclusive Battle-Cars and Customization items as special unlockables.

Boasting a community of more than 37 million players, Rocket League is now available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, and Windows PC, Mac, and SteamOS via Steam.

 

ABOUT ROCKET LEAGUE®
Winner or nominee of more than 150 “Game of the Year” awards, Rocket League is one of the most critically-acclaimed sports games of our generation. Boasting a community of more than 37 million players, Rocket League is a high-powered hybrid of arcade-style soccer and vehicular mayhem with easy-to-understand controls and fluid, physics-driven competition. Available on Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One, Windows PC, Mac, and SteamOS via Steam, Rocket League includes more than 100 billion possible customization combinations, a fully-featured offline season mode, multiple game types, casual and competitive online matches, and special “Mutators” that let you change the rules entirely.

To learn more about Rocket League, please visit www.RocketLeague.com, “Like” it on Facebook, and follow it on Twitter @RocketLeague for all the latest developer updates and news.

 

ABOUT PSYONIX
Based in San Diego, CA, Psyonix is a critically-acclaimed independent video game developer and leading experts in Unreal Engine technology. For more than 15 years, the studio has been a driving force behind some of the most successful games in the industry, including Gears of WarMass Effect 3XCOM: Enemy UnknownBulletstormUnreal Tournament IIIUnreal Tournament 2004, and the award-winning Sports-Action hit, Rocket League®.

 

ABOUT PANIC BUTTON
Panic Button was founded in 2007 by long-time, experienced game developers. The Austin, TX studio is driven to “Make Good Games with Good People,” and specializes in challenging work-for-hire, co-development, original intellectual property, and specialized services like digital publishing. Projects include Rocket LeagueDOOM, the Disney Infinity franchise and Octodad: Dadliest Catch.

Rocket League, Psyonix, and all related marks and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Psyonix Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Source: PR Email

Ittle Dew 2+ lands today on Nintendo Switch!

SANTA ANA, Calif., November 14, 2017—Video game publisher and developer Nicalis, Inc. is pleased to announce that Ittle Dew 2+ is launching today at major North American retailers and in the Nintendo eShop. The company’s newest Nintendo Switch production is a “puzzly adventure” starring a feisty heroine named Ittle Dew and her traveling companion, a sarcastic flying fox named Tippsie.

Offering something for nearly every taste, Ittle Dew 2+ contains a carefully curated balance of weapons-based combat, deep exploration, intense boss battles, charming storytelling, brain-teasing puzzles and treasure hunting. The expansive island environment holds more secrets than most players will ever be able to discover, with a series of challenging dungeons that can be explored in any order.

“If you’re looking for a colorful, long-lasting adventure with memorable characters and endless surprises, then Ittle Dew 2+ is the perfect game for you,” says Nicalis founder and president Tyrone Rodriguez. “And if you go for the Game Card version at retail, you’ll get some really cool bonuses, like a tear-resistant island map and an adorable instruction manual.”

“In many ways, Ittle Dew 2+ is one of the most appealing games we’ve ever released,” adds Nicalis executive producer and CEO Victor Rodriguez. “It’s challenging, but it’s also very gentle. It’s retro, but it’s also very modern.”

Developed by Ludosity AB with Nicalis, Inc., Ittle Dew 2+ is now available for Nintendo Switch as both a physical retail release (in North America) and a digital download from the Nintendo eShop (in both North America and Europe). Suggested retail price is $29.99 (NA) or 29,99€ (EU). The game has been rated E10+ by the ESRB.

About Nicalis, Inc.
Based in Southern California and founded in 2007, Nicalis, Inc. is currently celebrating its 10th year as a leading developer and publisher of highly polished, retro-inspired video games. Its best-selling recent releases include Cave Story+ for Nintendo Switch and The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ for Switch and PS4.

About Ludosity AB
Ludosity makes kick-ass computer and video games for multiple platforms. The company was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Skövde, Sweden.

Source: PR Email

Frozenbyte Provides Free Content Expansion To Has-Been Heroes!

The expansion adds tons of new content for players to discover and includes the Trine heroes – Amadeus the Wizard, Pontius the Knight, and Zoya the Thief – as playable characters once you have unlocked the Epic Quest mode. The Epic Quest mode will be a true test of skill for the most veteran players as the heroes have no starting spells! Complete with custom animations (Amadeus attacks with a box!) and beautiful 2D visuals in the style of Has-Been Heroes, the Trine heroes definitely need to perform some heroic deeds to complete this quest from another universe!

We’ve also added a new region to the main game called the Sky Temple. Each Sky Temple run will include unique twists, new enemies and new bosses!

Updates to the main game include:

* 8 Young Heroes to unlock
* New “Sky Temple” region
* 120+ new spells
* 150+ new items

For players looking for another challenge, the expansion also brings two new game modes: “Challenge Mode” and “Seed Mode”. Challenge mode is a single difficult battle with pre-set loadout of characters, items, and spells. By completing a Challenge players unlock a new Young Hero. Seed mode allows players to share a seed number with friends and play the exact same game/run with a timer upon completion. Use this to host a competition between you and your friends and compare strategy.

I also want to post this message from us developers:

We are grateful that so many people have enjoyed the game and despite some of the criticism, we feel that we succeeded in making the game we wanted to make. Has-Been Heroes is tough but also a lot of fun when you understand the mechanics. Maybe we would do certain things a little differently, and we’d try to ease in the player (and reviewers) a lot better, but as far as the core game and gameplay mechanics, we’re happy. It’s been fun to see that a lot of you have been too!

So a big thank you to everybody who’s bought and enjoyed the game, it means a lot to us!

The free expansion is our way to thank you back, we started working on it in the spring and summer, and what started out as “let’s do a little bit of extra content” turned out to be a pretty major content add-on. Actually at some point we thought we should put a price on it, but after a while we figured that we rather have everybody have access to the same content and new features.

I hope this expansion gives everyone playing some hours of additional fun – or in other words, another 100 hours? 🙂 In addition to that, from a development standpoint this was a handy way for us to keep the team together “in-between” projects. A lot of the guys and gals who were on the Has-Been Heroes team are now working on our next game, Nine Parchments, coming out by the end of the year, and the experience we gained on working on Nintendo Switch has been super helpful with Nine Parchments too.

So in summary, thank you to everyone out there reading this and playing the game! We hope you continue to have fun. 🙂

– Joel, Frozenbyte team, developers of Has-Been Heroes

Source: Frozenbyte Website

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