Square Enix

2024 Game Developers Choice Awards Honors Iconic Composer Yoko Shimomura With Lifetime Achievement Award and Industry Veteran Fawzi Mesmar With Ambassador Award

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 9, 2024

Lifetime Achievement Award honoree Yoko Shimomura is a respected Japanese composer and pianist who has delighted players across the world thanks to her work on many iconic game soundtracks.

Key Points: 
  • Lifetime Achievement Award honoree Yoko Shimomura is a respected Japanese composer and pianist who has delighted players across the world thanks to her work on many iconic game soundtracks.
  • Fawzi Mesmar, recipient of this year’s Ambassador Award, is an award-winning creative director, game designer, author, public speaker and mentor whose career has spanned over two decades in the games industry.
  • Recipients of the Lifetime Achievement and Ambassador Awards were chosen by this year’s Game Developers Choice Editorial Committee, following suggestions from the International Choice Awards Network (ICAN).
  • For more details on the Game Developers Conference, please visit the GDC’s official website , or subscribe to regular updates via Facebook , Twitter , or RSS.

The Legend of Zelda, Baldur’s Gate 3 and COCOON Lead Finalists for the 24th Annual Game Developers Choice Awards

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 16, 2024

The finalists for the 24th Annual Game Developers Choice awards, the leading peer-based video game event celebrating the industry’s top games and developers, have been revealed.

Key Points: 
  • The finalists for the 24th Annual Game Developers Choice awards, the leading peer-based video game event celebrating the industry’s top games and developers, have been revealed.
  • The Game Developers Choice Awards are uniquely positioned as the leading video game awards that are nominated by, voted on, and decided by video game developers within the industry.
  • Any video game that was released and made publicly available during the 2023 calendar year is eligible for free nomination for the 2024 Game Developers Choice Awards.
  • As in years past, the Game Developers Choice Awards will be live-streamed alongside the Independent Games Festival Awards on the official GDC Twitch channel .

FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Named “Most Anticipated Game” of 2024 at The Game Awards

Retrieved on: 
Friday, December 8, 2023

During The Game Awards 2023, FINAL FANTASY™ VII REBIRTH, which will launch exclusively for the PlayStation®5 (PS5®) console on Feb. 29, was honored with the award for “Most Anticipated Game” of 2024.

Key Points: 
  • During The Game Awards 2023, FINAL FANTASY™ VII REBIRTH, which will launch exclusively for the PlayStation®5 (PS5®) console on Feb. 29, was honored with the award for “Most Anticipated Game” of 2024.
  • “I am excited and humbled to bring the iconic Aerith’s voice to life on ‘No Promises to Keep’ in FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH,” said Allred.
  • FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH follows the first game in the trilogy, FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE, released in 2020 to universal acclaim from players and critics around the globe.
  • FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH will be available for the PS5® console on Feb. 29, 2024.

Elixir Games Announces Strategic Acquisition of LitLab Games

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 6, 2023

BARCELONA, Spain, Dec. 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Elixir Games, a leading web3 gaming distribution platform backed by Square Enix, today announced the acquisition of LitLab Games, the renowned creators of 'CyberTitans.'

Key Points: 
  • BARCELONA, Spain, Dec. 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Elixir Games, a leading web3 gaming distribution platform backed by Square Enix, today announced the acquisition of LitLab Games, the renowned creators of 'CyberTitans.'
  • This strategic acquisition for Elixir Games mirrors successful growth strategies of industry giants such as Steam, with its ownership of 'CS:GO,' and Epic Games, the proprietor of 'Fortnite.'
  • By acquiring LitLab Games, Elixir Games not only strengthens its position in the gaming market, but enriches its diverse portfolio, emulating the most successful models in the game launcher sector.
  • LitLab Games' CEO, Danyil Shatko, added, "During this year, we have grown together with Elixir Games thanks to the fact that our objectives and teams complement each other perfectly.

Atlas Raises $6M To Launch 3D Generative AI Platform Accelerating the Future of Gaming and Virtual Worldbuilding

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 14, 2023

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Atlas, a 3D generative AI platform that partners with game developers and brands to build virtual worlds and experiences in a fraction of the time, officially launches today after two years in stealth. This follows the close of two funding rounds: a $4.5M round led by 6th Man Ventures (6MV) and a $1.5M round led by Collab+Currency. Other participants include the a16z Scouting Fund via Shrapnel, Contango, Gaingels, GFR Fund, New Renaissance Ventures, Square Enix and Wagmi Ventures. The new funding will be used to accelerate the expansion of Atlas' suite of developer solutions - which already allows current partners to rapidly scale asset development by up to two hundredfold while lowering production times by half - and the buildout of a self-service 3D AI creator platform.

Key Points: 
  • "We're thrilled to partner with such innovative leaders who share our vision for the future of content creation," said Ben James, CEO, Atlas.
  • "With our official launch and round close, Atlas will continue to develop our 3D AI using our unique, creator-first systemic approach so we can help more builders create the next evolution of gaming and virtual experiences."
  • Atlas' proprietary software was built in-house by a best-in-class team with over 50 years of combined knowledge in AI, gaming and design.
  • While Atlas is currently only available for enterprise and commercial use, alpha testing for a public platform will begin in the coming months.

Three New Premier Web3 Games Commit to Building on Immutable zkEVM

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 2, 2023

SYDNEY, Nov. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading web3 gaming platform Immutable today announces that three new upcoming games — GensoKishi Online, Cursed Stone, and Sailwars — have committed to building on Immutable zkEVM, a Zero-Knowledge (ZK) proof-based scaling rollup that is fully compatible and equivalent to the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), tailored specifically to the needs of web3 game developers.

Key Points: 
  • "It's inspiring to see more studios embracing Immutable to really level up their game," said Andrew Sorokovsky, VP of Global Business Development at Immutable.
  • By leveraging Immutable zkEVM, builders can access all of the tools they need to begin enhancing their games through digital asset ownership.
  • Several game studios have already committed to building their web3 titles on Immutable zkEVM.
  • Immutable zkEVM ecosystem partners also include major platforms like AQUA Marketplace, TokenTrove Marketplace, BlockScout, GameStop, AtomicHub, and others.

Final Fantasy XIV fans fear the game's new colonial storyline – here’s why they don’t need to

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 29, 2023

The game’s producer, Naoki Yoshida, announced the expansion at the end of July 2023 during an official fan festival.

Key Points: 
  • The game’s producer, Naoki Yoshida, announced the expansion at the end of July 2023 during an official fan festival.
  • He explained that the story will begin with playable characters being invited to the New World.
  • These concerns about the way in which Latin American history and culture will be reflected in the game are understandable.

Final Fantasy’s track record

    • When asked about the absence of non-white characters, he stated that this was because the game world was based on medieval Europe.
    • Whether intentional or not, this white washing of European history ignores the continent’s racially diverse past – a misconception historians are already struggling to counter.
    • While it’s still too early to tell, Final Fantasy XIV’s story has a track record of taking the historical realities of imperialism seriously, despite its fantasy setting.
    • Like many other games in the series, the plot of Final Fantasy XIV centres around a struggle against the oppressive expansion of an empire.

Changes for Stormblood

    • The game’s second expansion, Stormblood, draws attention to the ways in which local elites have sometimes collaborated with imperial rulers.
    • This is an aspect of imperial history that historians such as Tanja Bührer are keen to analyse.
    • It demonstrates that imperial relationships are not simply static interactions between colonisers and the colonised.
    • Fordola Lupis is an antagonist in the story who serves the Garlean Empire after her home nation, Ala Mhigo, is annexed.

Mad Mushroom Announces Mike Silbowitz as CEO, Leading the Charge to Revolutionize Indie Gaming

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, August 10, 2023

AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mad Mushroom , the next-generation influencer-owned indie video game publishing company, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Mike Silbowitz as its CEO.

Key Points: 
  • AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mad Mushroom , the next-generation influencer-owned indie video game publishing company, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Mike Silbowitz as its CEO.
  • Mad Mushroom's vision is to transform the indie gaming industry by harnessing the power of gaming influencers and media platforms to provide indie game developers with unparalleled game visibility, marketing, and distribution.
  • "I am honored and excited to lead Mad Mushroom as its CEO," said Mike Silbowitz.
  • Through their collaboration with influential creators in the OTK sphere, Mad Mushroom aims to give indie games the exposure they deserve.

The Colombian Video Game Industry Stands Out: A Look at Its Growth, Opportunities, and International Recognition

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 24, 2023

These companies are collaborating with international giants like Atari, Cartoon Network, MGM, and Disney Interactive Studios.

Key Points: 
  • These companies are collaborating with international giants like Atari, Cartoon Network, MGM, and Disney Interactive Studios.
  • Timba Games, with their title Arcanepunk, presents a modern reinterpretation of the breakout genre, taking block-breaking to new levels of fun.
  • Colombia draws strength from these specialized professionals in the sector and is clearly undergoing a process of growth and consolidation in the video game industry.
  • These companies are a clear example of the quality and potential of the Colombian video game industry.

WebX Conference Welcomes Distinguished Guests: Japan PM, Yuga Labs CEO, Kabosu (Doge), Desdemona (AI Robot)

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 10, 2023

Tokyo, July 10, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  WebX, Asia's leading Web3 conference (July 25-26), is thrilled to announce the participation of more esteemed guests at this year's event: Japan prime minister Fumio Kishida, Yuga Labs CEO Daniel Alegre, the Dogecoin dog Kabosu, and the groundbreaking AI robot Desdemona (Made by Hanson Robotics, sister to Sophia the Robot).

Key Points: 
  • WebX is a conference dedicated to bridging divides - Web2 and Web3, Japanese and English, Japan and the rest of the world.
  • Japan has the potential to become Asia’s Web3 hub, and this inaugural WebX conference is both a recognition of and a launchpad for that potential.
  • Prime Minister Kishida speaking at WebX underscores the Japanese government's recognition of the significance of Web3 technology in shaping Japan's digital future.
  • Kabosu, the beloved Shiba Inu famously known as Doge, will bring a touch of charm and humor to the conference.