Daily News! Daedalus arrives on Samsung Gear VR, VR Karts launches on PSVR, and Cities: Skylines – Mass Transit launches today!!

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In the press today…

Daedalus, the first VR experience of indie studio Vertical Robot arrives on Samsung Gear VR

The Spanish indie studio Vertical Robot has just launched their first VR title: Daedalus, a part platformer, part exploration game set in a spectacular oneiric and surreal world developed for Samsung Gear VR. Daedalus, architect and creator of fantastic mechanical artifacts, was imprisoned by the king Minos to prevent him from sharing his knowledge of Creta’s Labyrinth with others. Every night, in his dreams, Daedalus explores the intricate labyrinths aboard his own winged creations, trying to relive every step, each leap, each flight to freedom, in an attempt to escape his own tragedy.

In Daedalus, the player will have to discover the labyrinth’s exit by finding the platforms that unlock the next level, while exploring mysterious, dream-like environments. As the levels progress, both architecture and difficulty grow increasingly complex. The player will boost, glide, ride wind shafts, use trampolines and activate mechanisms. Thanks to the impressive graphics, the well thought out environments and carefully designed mechanics, the player will enjoy complete immersion in the game, he will truly feel as if he were inside this dream-like labyrinth that he has to escape.

The Development process
Daedalus began as a prototype VR locomotion system for one of the games the studio is currently developing. The challenge was to create a sort of jetpack locomotion system that would permit freedom of movement and was comfortable using just the Gear VR’s Touchpad. To achieve this, we developed a system that gives the player a helping hand when navigating the environments that proved to be a success. Later on, when the Samsung Gear VR Controller was announced, they saw it as a perfect match. They were able to decouple the direction of your movement from that of the headset allowing for even more precise control and freedom.
The art side has let itself be influenced by brutalism, surrealism and the likes of Escher and Dali. They feature realistic lighting and a strong emphasis on color.

Additionally, one of the features that makes Daedalus stand out as an authentic virtual reality experience is the fact that the team has managed to include a great deal of high-end graphical features. Notably HDR Lightmaps, Filmic Tonemapper, GPU Particles, specular roughness and even Pre-calculated fluid simulations. Samsung S8 phones even feature Parallax Corrected Cubemaps and Normal Maps. Since the game relies on creating a dream-like atmosphere, music played a very important role in the development. The team was lucky enough to enlist the help of award-winning composer & sound designer Eduardo de la Iglesia to create the sound FX and compose its unique soundtrack.

VR KARTS COMES CAREERING ONTO NEW TRACKS AS IT LAUNCHES TODAY ON PSVR

Perp and Viewpoint Games are thrilled to announce that as of today PSVR gamers in Europe can strap on their helmets and join the fun in their charming VR racer. In VR Karts players can hop in the driver’s seat of their own customised kart and race against each other through stunning environments as they collect power ups and use weapons to gain the upper hand over other racers.

VR Karts features a host of mad weapons to bamboozle rival drivers, from beehive bombs to crippling EMP strikes which reverse an opponent’s steering. Players can use the unique head targeting that only VR can provide to take out rivals and cross the finish line first! Create your own style by selecting your kart and racer colours, then add custom props for extra style. Players can select from an array of helmets, visors and even choose their own horn sound. Learn each tracks shortcuts and hazards to shave a fractionof a second off your lap record and compete with other drivers using the lap time leaderboards.

VR Karts offers twelve unique tracks. Choose to race through a grand castle, boost across the line on a sunset beach or race wheel to wheel with rivals through a twisty cave circuit. Players can battle for first place in six player races across the different environments. Win races to climb the leaderboards and become the best online VR Racer! Prefer to play solo? Pit yourself against AI racers in Rookie, Amateur and Pro Cups which each feature unique tracks.

The fun and family-friendly racing game is designed specifically for Virtual Reality, making it an exceptionally smooth driving experience. VR Karts launched on Oculus and Vive in 2015 and the latest version introduces a host of new features. PSVR players can enjoy improved weapon handling and AI with more complex race tactics and weapons usage, a more realistic world scale for super comfortable VR racing and an improved collision system to control spin-outs. The PSVR release also features the new unique PlayStation control mode using the DualShock4 as a steering wheel and additional customisation prop packs are available via DLC.

“We always saw VR Karts as a console game so this launch is really special to us. We wanted to create a game that’s a joyful pick-up-and-play racer but at the same time an incredibly smooth VR experience and we’re so proud of the PSVR version.” said Neil Campbell, Co-founder of Viewpoint Games. “VR Karts really showcases just how fun racing games can be on VR. We’re looking to publish games that really demonstrate the best of their genre and Viewpoint Games have massively delivered,” said Rob Edwards, MD and Founder of Perp.

VR Karts is available to purchase today on the PlayStation Store, watch the launch trailer here

Cities: Skylines – Mass Transit Launches Today

Paradox Interactive and Colossal Order are careening off the rails and taking to the skies with Cities: Skylines – Mass Transit, available today for a non-massive transaction of $12.99. Planes, trains, automobiles and more are featured in this expansion for the critically acclaimed city-builder, including new public transportation options such as blimps, monorails, cable-cars, blimps, ferries, and (in case you missed it) blimps. Mass Transit is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux PCs here – click it to write your own ticket: https://www.paradoxplaza.com/cities-skylines-mass-transit

Design public transport as you’ve never seen it before, top-down and under your control. Whether your goal is efficiency or mayhem, Cities: Skylines – Mass Transit lets you control the commute of your citizens over, on, or underground. Manage the madness with more moving machines than most metropolises can master.

Cities: Skylines – Mass Transit

The people of your city have got places to go and you’ve got ways to get them there with exciting new features such as:

• All’s Fare: Add ferries, blimps, cable cars, and monorails to move your citizens around town, and move valuable fare dollars into your bank account..
• A Hubba Burnin’ Love: New transit hubs help handle the hubbub of public transport by connecting your transit together, letting citizens hop from line to line as they puzzle their way through the city.
• That’s my Traffic Jam: Conduct the masses across bridges and canals in your great orchestra of a morning commute, and dream up new ways to go with the traffic flow.
• Chirper Capita: We liked it so we put a new lid on it for Chirper.

Rockstar Cities: Skylines players can also take the mute out of their commute with the Rock City music pack, releasing alongside the expansion for $3.99. The music pack adds a new DJ and 16 songs with everything from grunge and classic rock to sleaze rock and metal to help you rock the suburbs.

MOBIUS FINAL FANTASY CHALLENGES PLAYERS WITH NEW HARD MODE DIFFICULTY

SQUARE ENIX is asking players to up the ante in MOBIUS FINAL FANTASY, the popular RPG for mobile, with the addition of an all-new Hard Mode difficulty for the game’s story. Starting today, fans can follow the Azure Witch and embark for Primordia once again in the new “Chapter I: Blank Slate (Hard Mode),” which will allow players to join grueling battles and fight tougher enemies for a chance to earn increased rewards. “Chapter II: Hope and Prophecy (Hard Mode)” will be available to all players on May 23.

MOBIUS FINAL FANTASY’s May updates also continue today with the addition of brand-new Ability Cards and a new Supreme Card, granting Warriors of Light more ways to combat their enemies. New multiplayer “Taunt” cards featuring Cerberus, Vanadis, Loxley, Titania, Jupitera and Sabnock will allow players to provoke and force enemies to attack. Fans will also recognize FINAL FANTASY VI’s martial arts master, Duncan Harcourt, in the new and powerful “Duncan: FFVI” Supreme Card, which will be available to summon from now until June 1, 2017.
The full calendar of May in-game events can be found here: https://goo.gl/dKIjGZ.

MOBIUS FINAL FANTASY is now available as a free download on the App Store, Google Play and in full HD on Steam.

‘Phantom of the Kill’ Launches First Anniversary Celebration

gumi Inc. and Fuji&gumi Games today announced that the global version of Phantom of the Kill is holding a special event to celebrate the first anniversary of its release, available in North America and Europe in 121 countries in the Google Play Store and 138 countries in the iOS App Store.

First Anniversary Quest and 6-Star Units
To celebrate this anniversary, the highest unit rarity has risen from five stars to six stars. A special Event quest makes six-star capable units available to all is open now. Now is your chance to experience power at a new level!

Available Units:

• Laevateinn (Fire)
• Tyrfing (Fire)

Event Period: Midnight May 18 — May 31 11:59 PM (PDT)

The Lazuli Recruiter will also feature six-star capable units. These are only the first of many to become six-star capable from now on!

Visit Phantom of the Kill on Facebook, Twitter, and in-game news for details:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/potk.GL/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhantomKillGL

About Phantom of the Kill
“Phantom of the Kill” has over 4 million downloads, and has also won the Google Play 2015 Best Game award. This mobile tactical RPG game has been localized into English and released in 121 countries in the Google Play Store and 138 countries in the iOS App Store, mainly in North America and Europe.

The 3D battle will change dramatically with a flick of a finger. You can enjoy the dramatic story with the mysterious girls with their legendary weapons. The opening animation created by Mamoru Oshii is a must see!

Turn the tides of war with a swipe of your finger in this tactical role-playing game that combines strategy with drama!

Nintendo Unleashes a Barrage of Details for the New ARMS Game for Nintendo Switch

Nintendo premiered a new Nintendo Direct video presentation all about its upcoming ARMS game for the Nintendo Switch console – with a little surprise from everyone’s favorite Inklings in the Splatoon 2 game as part of a bonus trailer at the end. ARMS was created by many of the same team members that developed the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe game for Nintendo Switch, promising the same level of polish and competitive action as the hit racing game. The Nintendo Direct video detailed many new features about ARMS, including key characters, attributes and the game’s numerous multiplayer battle modes, as well as information about a free Global Testpunch demo for the game that starts at the end of May.

“With games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, ARMS and Splatoon 2, the next few months will be a summer of social competitive gaming on Nintendo Switch,” said Doug Bowser, Nintendo of America’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “This Nintendo Direct presentation offered great reasons why ARMS is perfect for players of all ages, whether they are familiar with fighting games or not.”

To view the Nintendo Direct video in its entirety, visit http://www.nintendo.com/nintendo-direct . Some of the highlights revealed in the video include:

ARMS

• Combat Customization: After selecting a character, players will have the opportunity to equip two ARMS, one on the right and one on the left. These ARMS range from standard fists to things like boomerangs and missiles, offering a wide variety of close- and long-range attacks, as well as offensive and defensive options.
  • Types – Dozens of ARMS can be selected in the game, each with its own special power and handling ability. Different types range from the Toaster, which unleashes a flaming punch, to the Tribolt, which shoots three bolts horizontally. Some ARMS even boost defense, like the Guardian, which can be used as a shield.
  • Attributes – There are seven different ARMS attributes in the game, each with its own specialty: Fire, Electricity, Wind, Ice, Stun, Explosion and Blind. Different ARMS have different attributes, so it’s a good idea to mix and match for a strategic advantage.
  • Weight – When equipping the many different types of ARMS, weight is an important factor in determining performance. Weight affects momentum, so players have to keep this in mind when selecting ARMS. Stronger ARMS are more powerful but slower, while multi-hit ARMS are quick but have lower individual power. Punches can even run into each other while fighting, with the heavier ARMS knocking the lighter ones away.
  • Upgrade ARMS – As players fight through ARMS, they will rack up hard-earned in-game currency for use at the ARMS Getter, where players can use their skills to earn new ARMS and the ability to upgrade previously owned ones.
• Versus Mode: ARMS is filled to the brim with fun modes that offer a variety of ways to challenge other fighters.
  • Fight – In this main multiplayer* mode, two fighters battle against each other one-on-one to claim victory. During the fight, bombs and other healing items drop in, adding some strategic options to the proceedings.
  • Team Fight – In this mode, two players are attached by strings and must team up to battle another team of two. Attacks can hit allies, so watch out for friendly punches!
  • V-Ball – Similar to volleyball, but much more awesome. V-Ball is a sport that involves knocking an explosive ball into the opponent’s court.
  • Hoops – Grab opponents and shoot them into the net (or even dunk them for extra satisfaction) in this hard-core game of ARMS-style basketball.
  • Skillshot – Break as many targets as possible using the versatile powers of ARMS.
  • 1-on-100 – Defeat 100 enemies in a row, one at a time, in this progressive battle mode.
  • ARMS Test & Training – In Test mode, players can try out randomized ARMS combinations, while Training lets them practice a number of varied drills.
• Multiplayer* Gaming: Playing with friends either locally or online is easy when using one of the various multiplayer modes in ARMS.
  • Grand Prix – Win 10 straight matches in Grand Prix and players will face a final opponent to be crowned the ARMS champion. (This mode is played locally with one or two players.)
  • Party Match – By connecting the Nintendo Switch console to the internet, players can battle with up to three other ARMS players at a time that are in the same lobby as them. One lobby can hold up to 10 systems, but with up to two players per system, 20 players can potentially get together in the same lobby.
  • Ranked Match – In this time-honored coliseum, players compete online in 1-v-1 battles. By winning a match, a player’s rank goes up, while, conversely, losing will make that rank go down. While waiting to play a Ranked Match online, players can participate in any other mode to pass the time (and tighten up their skills).
  • Local Wireless Mode: When playing in Local Wireless mode, up to eight players with eight separate systems in the same room can gather in an in-game lobby and battle up to three other players at a time like in Party Match.
• ARMS Update: In the future, Nintendo will release free software updates that add new fighters, stages and ARMS to the game. These free updates will occur after the game launches, so watch for additional details!
• Global Testpunch: Like Splatoon 2 and Splatoon before it, ARMS is offering free trial periods to try out the game and get a taste of what it’s like before launch. But instead of a Global Testfire, these free demos will naturally be called the Global Testpunch. The first blocks of time will be allocated throughout the weekend of May 26-28, and the second blocks on June 2-4. To participate, simply download the free Global Testpunch demo in Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch before the trials begin. Check http://arms.nintendo.com/ for updates about specific timing.
• Characters: Over the course of the Nintendo Direct presentation, the 10 key playable fighters in ARMS were unveiled. Each with his or her own fighting style, the game’s playable characters are full of personality.
• • Spring Man – This passionate fighter’s bouncy hairstyle might look fake, but his passion for fighting is definitely real.
  • Ninjara – Using his nimble movements and ancient ninjutsu, Ninjara can disappear and warp somewhere else even in mid-air or when guarding.
  • Master Mummy – As the only character that can restore health while guarding, Master Mummy is a force to be reckoned with.
  • Min Min – With her ramen noodle arms, Min Min’s spin kick and throws are deliciously powerful.
  • Kid Cobra – A fan of selfie sticks and livestreaming, this hip fighter pounces on opponents with a charged-up dash.
  • Ribbon Girl – Possessing next-level jumping skills, Ribbon Girl violates the laws of physics with her unbeatable power.
  • Helix – Who is Helix? He’s an experiment gone wrong, that’s who. His springy body lets him move in unpredictable ways.
  • Mechanica – This mechanical genius dons a homemade power suit that can hover above the competition.
  • Byte & Barq – Two fighters in one! This robot fighter and his robot canine companion battle together to unleash devastating combo attacks.
  • Twintelle – As an A-list actress, Twintelle uses her celebrity status to render her opponents utterly star struck as she walks the red carpet to victory.

Splatoon 2

• Splatoon 2 Single-Player Mode: At the end of the Nintendo Direct presentation, a new trailer for Splatoon 2 debuted, showing off the game’s single-player mode. In a shocking twist, Callie – of Squid Sisters fame – has gone missing and her right-tentacle squid Marie tasks the player to search for Callie and the Great Zapfish. Players can use different weapons in single-player mode to overcome obstacles, defeat enemies and take down towering bosses – weapons like the Roller, Slosher, Splatling or the new Dualies. The single-player mode is designed to teach players tips and tricks that they can then use in multiplayer. For more on the Squid Sisters, check out the Squid Sisters Stories here.

ARMS launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch on June 16. For more information about the game, visit http://arms.nintendo.com/. Splatoon 2 launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch on July 21. 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 accessories are required for multiplayer mode and are sold separately.

That’s all for news today!
~Ciao!