XSEED Games Shares Details on Upcoming Entries, Tips its Hand on Sales Figures, and Highlights Accolades

Torrance, Calif. — March 11, 2016 — In celebration of the upcoming five-year anniversary of the North American debut of developer Nihon Falcom’s award-winning RPG adventure, The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky, XSEED Games, the independent-minded console publishing brand of Marvelous USA, Inc., today revealed details on upcoming entries in the series via brand new information and assets. XSEED Games is proud to show off the first ever English-language screenshots of The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II, which is slated to launch this coming fall. Additionally, XSEED Games is now officially confirming their localization of The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky the 3rd, the much anticipated continuation of the epic saga begun in The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky and continued in The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC, for release on Windows PC in 2017.

To further mark the occasion, the original Trails in the Sky is being offered digitally at 50% off its regular list price, both via the PlayStation^®Store and various Windows PC outlets, for one full week starting today. Its sequel, Trails in the Sky SC, is also being offered at 30% off during that same timeframe.

Furthermore, XSEED Games has shared that among all English releases of The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky, The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC, and The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel, the Trails franchise has sold a combined total of more than 350,000 units to date. Hailed as one of the largest, longest, and most meticulously detailed turn-based RPG series of all time, the Trails saga is developer Nihon Falcom’s most popular and best-selling franchise in their entire 30+ year history.

“These last five years have been quite an adventure for us,” said Ken Berry, Executive Vice President of XSEED Games. “While we’ve had our share of struggles with the series in regards to its often lengthy and arduous localization, I can say with confidence that what we’ve achieved far outweighs any hardships. We are without question committed to our fans, and are absolutely humbled by their overwhelming support. And in return, we promise to do our best to ensure that these two entries in Nihon Falcom’s beloved Trails series receive the same amount of dedication that previous releases have seen.”

Slated for release this fall for the PlayStation^®3 computer entertainment system and the PlayStation^®Vita handheld entertainment system, The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II picks up one month after the decisive collision which changed the fate of the entire nation of Erebonia in Trails of Cold Steel, with a renewed sense of hope as Rean tirelessly works to right the wrongs that have led the country to disarray.

Planned for release in 2017, more information on the exciting third and final chapter of the Trails in the Sky series, The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky the 3rd,will be shared in the coming months.

Here are some of the great things that press outlets have had to say about the The Legend of Heroes: Trails series of RPG adventure titles:

“…Trails in the Sky plays less like an old-school game and more like how we remember an old-school game, full of life and joy and charm.”
–Kotaku, Best JRPG of the Decade (So Far)

“The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC is just what fans were hoping for…”
–PlayStation Universe, 8.5/10

“…every component is so well-done and wonderfully paced that no part outstays its welcome, making The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel one of the most absorbing JRPGs I’ve encountered…”
–Game Informer, 8.5/10

“The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel is a godsend for Vita fans.”
–PlayStation LifeStyle, 9.5/10

About The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II picks up one month after the decisive collision which changed the fate of the entire nation at the conclusion of Trails of Cold Steel. The speedy, tactical turn-based combat with the newly-developed “ARCUS” system returns with all the bells and whistles players fondly remember together with a new Overdrive mode, new means of transportation both across the land and sky, new allies, new dangers, and a renewed sense of hope as Rean tirelessly works to right the wrongs that have led the country to disarray. Cross-Save functionality between the game’s “PSVita” and PS3^TM editions returns, and clear data from the first game grants bonus stats and extra items, while also remembering the many relationships cultivated during the earlier time spent at Thors Military Academy to allow for more personalized conversations throughout the story.

About The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel expands Nihon Falcom’s acclaimed Trails franchise, improving on the series’ formula while delivering an expertly told, standalone narrative that both series fans and newcomers alike will enjoy. Taking place on the same continent as fan-favorite Trails in the Sky, Trails of Cold Steel further explores Erebonia and gives players a chance to delve deep into the inner political conflicts of this oft-mentioned and powerful empire. Players take on the role of elite military students at a time of great turmoil, who enjoy school life as they bond with fellow students to earn new abilities in battle, and then utilize those abilities via tactical turn-based combat, which is complemented by the newly-developed “ARCUS” system. Best of all, the game features Cross-Save functionality between the game’s “PSVita” and PS3^TM editions, allowing players who own both versions to play anywhere.

Published by XSEED Games in North America, The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel is now available in that region for PS3^TM and “PSVita” systems. The limited Lionheart Edition has a suggested retail price of $49.99, and the standard edition of the game is available in stores for $39.99 as well as digitally via the PlayStation^®Store. The title has been rated “T for Teen” by the ESRB.

About The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in The Sky SC  picks up mere hours after the conclusion to The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky, with Estelle traveling across Liberl in search of Joshua. Her journey involves more than seeking loved ones, however, as the Bracer Guild also tasks her with unraveling the mysteries behind the newly unveiled Society of Ouroboros. Nihon Falcom’s celebrated Sound Team jdk returns with a massive and highly lauded score that perfectly complements the tumultuous resolution to one of the most moving and expansive JRPGs ever created. The series’ staple strategic turn-based system with unmatchable customization has been taken even further with all new arts, crafts, upgraded orbments, and combo attacks. The meticulously detailed land of Liberl awaits the player’s return with new quests, mini-games and collectibles to offer, along with a host of both new and familiar locations that are populated with hundreds of unique NPCs, each featuring his or her own story to tell.

Published by XSEED Games in North America, The Legend of Heroes: Trails in The Sky SC is now available on the PS^®Store for the PSP^® system and worldwide for Windows PC. The PSP^® system release is compatible with the “PSVita” system and PlayStation^®TV, and has been rated “T for Teen” by the ESRB.

About The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky
Developed by legendary RPG specialists Nihon Falcom, the multi-part story told in  The Legend of Heroes: Trails in The Sky  represents an entirely new standalone entry in the timeless  The Legend of Heroes series. In The Legend of Heroes: Trails in The Sky, players take on the role of junior bracers Estelle and Joshua Bright as they journey across the land on behalf of the Bracer Guild, a non-governmental organization that deals in work ranging from odd jobs to national disputes to uphold peace across the continent. Throughout their adventure, players can expect to learn the full depth of these characters' origins and motivations through dialogue-driven cutscenes and lengthy side-quests.

This legendary fantasy epic boasts over 100 hours of potential gameplay for players to sink their teeth into alongside an engaging narrative that encompasses everything from politics, economics, and conspiracy, to tourism, traditions, and even a cat-speech dictionary. The game also features a meticulously customizable combat system, a massive cast of characters from all walks of life, a variety of landscapes, an in-game newspaper that publishes new issues as the story progresses, and much more.

Published by XSEED Games in North America, The Legend of Heroes: Trails in The Sky is now available for the PSP^® system and worldwide for Windows PC. The digital PSP^® system release is compatible with the “PSVita” system and PlayStation^®TV, and has been rated “T for Teen” by the ESRB.

For more information on The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky, The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC, and The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel, please visit http://trailsinthesky.com/.

For more information on XSEED Games products, please visit  www.xseedgames.com . Fans can also follow XSEED Games on Facebook at  www.facebook.com/XSEEDGames and on Twitter at  www.twitter.com/XSEEDGames . 
 

Submitted by: E. Thomas

Obliterate your enemies with powerful magic or silence them with a sword in a new multiplayer FPS project from the creators of Chivalry: Medieval Warfare set to debut at GDC

TORONTO, CANADA, March 9th, 2016— Torn Banner Studios, the creators of the popular first-person medieval combat simulator Chivalry: Medieval Warfare are proud to finally reveal to their fans a first look at their upcoming magic and blood-soaked title, Mirage: Arcane Warfare.  To introduce their newest IP Torn Banner has released a gameplay trailer which can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/0rBFSkJELuw. Additionally, the official website has launched offering more details about the game: MirageArcaneWarfare.com. The game will make its debut at GDC 2016 (San Francisco, March 14-18) – interested media can schedule a private meeting to learn more about the new game.

In Mirage: Arcane Warfare, the calm of a strange fantasy world is shattered by ruthless civil war. Warriors armed with steel and magic bring violence and death as they do battle across a fantastical Arabian and Persian-inspired setting of desert sands, market bazaars and grand palaces. Built using the powerful new capabilities of Unreal Engine 4, Mirage: Arcane Warfare presents visually stunning backdrops to some viscerally brutal multiplayer combat.

"Our last game Chivalry was about chopping off people’s heads with a sword. Mirage takes that core gameplay DNA and explodes with a range of new bloody, brutal combat possibilities thanks to the addition of powerful magic” said Steve Piggott, Torn Banner CEO and game designer on Mirage: Arcane Warfare. “Mixing in the elements of fantasy and magic allow us to add entirely new components and levels of complexity to that core team-based combat concept that we find so much fun to play.”

“Our artists have created a rich and unusual world in Mirage, full of colour, character and a unique setting that is so rarely explored in video games,” according to Torn Banner environment artist Lucas Annunziata. “Working with Unreal Engine 4 has not only helped us bring to life the exotic locales of Mirage, it also gives us the tools to make magic effects that dazzle and bloody gore that make us cringe.”

Slated for release on PC through Steam later this year, Mirage: Arcane Warfare will feature a range of diverse player classes each with their own unique weapon and skill sets, exotic fantasy locales, multiple multiplayer game modes including objective-based challenges, brutal gore and a host of other innovative new features. Currently in development, Torn Banner will roll out more information and progress about Mirage: Arcane Warfare in the coming months.

Torn Banner will have a private meeting room off site during GDC week on Wednesday, March 16 and Thursday, March 17. Interested media are invited to schedule a meeting to reserve a session with the team to learn more about Mirage: Arcane Warfare.

For the latest information on Mirage: Arcane Warfare, please visit @MirageGame on Twitter, on Facebook or go to MirageArcaneWarfare.com.

About Torn Banner Studios
Torn Banner Studios is a small indie games studio that makes BIG games. Based in Toronto Canada, Torn Banner Studios was founded in 2012 by a group of passionate game developers who are dedicated to creating powerful and unique games for a dedicated audience of fans. The nucleus of the team first came together from a group of modders who created a well-known Half-Life 2 mod called Age of Chivalry. Their first full game, Chivalry: Medieval Warfare, was a critical and commercial success and has driven the dedicated team at Torn Banner to continue to develop great games and ongoing content for their passionate community of fans. For more information visit  TornBanner.com or follow @TornBanner.

Submitted by: E. Thomas