Gaming
Laser League Launches its Open Beta
Indie publisher 505 Games and BAFTA award-winning development studio Roll7 today announced the upcoming open beta for Laser League, the arcade-style multiplayer action sport of the future. The open beta will begin on Friday, Jan 26, 17:00 (GMT) and run through MON, Jan 29, 6:00(GMT) on Steam for PC. All players who participate will receive exclusive in-game bonus items, including the Al Shama OASIS 401 Limited Edition Kit, unique emojis and character portraits.
Catch a glimpse of the fast-paced fun in a new video released today:
Three futuristic international stadiums will be available in the open beta, bringing players a variety of twelve maps, each with a different gameplay style, including:
- Empire Campus Stadium (London, UK)
- Gauntlet: Restrictive map that quickly escalates in complexity
- Spin Cycle: Defensive map with perpetual long lasers
- Geng Hao Megaplex (Tianjin, China)
- Warzone: Multiple short firing nodes
- Crusher: Short moving lasers trap players
- Silvertip Arena (Detroit, USA)
- Y-Control: Long central orbiting lasers and shorter rotating lasers
- Prime: Interlocking lasers that allow players to expand control by owning the center of the map
International players can join the Laser League open beta by joining servers in North America, Europe, Russia and Singapore to experience this content and more, choosing from six classes – each with a unique ability – in their attempt to dominate the pitch and climb the leaderboards. Available classes include:
- Blade: Offers a short-range attack to eliminate opponents
- Smash: Provides a longer-range dash attack, to send opponents flying across the pitch
- Snipe: Allows players to drop a marker and trace a line across the pitch, then teleport back, eliminating anyone in their path
- Ghost: Gives players a few seconds of invincibility to safely grab laser nodes or revive teammates
- Thief: Delivers opportunities to steal laser nodes that have been activated by the opposition
- Shock: Lends powers of electricity to stun rivals
Like all great sports, Laser League is simple to pick up and play, but rewards dedication with deeply strategic possibilities as players learn the complexities of classes and maps. In the open beta, players will be able to gain XP and progress to the highest levels, unlocking customizable items, but progress will be wiped for the upcoming Early Access.
Events
Power League Gaming and HUAWEI AppGallery Team Up for AppGallery Gamers Cup x Yalla Ludo Tournament
Power League Gaming has announced its latest account win with HUAWEI AppGallery taking on the role of event and production management partner for the AppGallery Gamers Cup x Yalla Ludo Tournament in Egypt. Held on September 6th at the Westin Cairo Golf Resort and co-sponsored by the Egypt Tourism Authority (ETA) and the Egyptian Esports Federation (EEF), the tournament was a joint initiative between AppGallery—HUAWEI’s official app distribution platform—and Yalla Ludo, the region’s leading mobile board game app. Featuring fierce competition among 32 players and a total prize pool of $20,000 awarded to the top winners, the event aimed to enhance Yalla Ludo’s presence within HUAWEI AppGallery’s expanding app ecosystem.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Power League Gaming’s long-standing partnership with HUAWEI AppGallery, reflecting its commitment to promoting the AppGallery Gamers Cup (AGC). Power League Gaming was exclusively chosen for this project over competitors from Egypt and the UAE, highlighting the agency’s unmatched expertise in the region and its ability to deliver world-class event management solutions tailored to the evolving needs of the gaming industry.
Celebrating the renewed collaboration, Mathew Pickering, CEO of Power League Gaming, said: “We’re thrilled to join forces with HUAWEI AppGallery once again for the AGC x Yalla Ludo tournament. This partnership is more than just an event; it’s a chance for us to push the boundaries of what’s possible in gaming in the MENA region. At Power League Gaming, we’re committed to crafting an unforgettable experience that not only engages participants and viewers but also sets a new standard for event excellence. The tournament turned out a resounding success, enhancing HUAWEI AppGallery’s brand presence and deepening our connection with the gaming community.”
As the chosen event and production management partner, Power League Gaming delivered a comprehensive range of services to ensure a seamless and engaging tournament experience. These services included venue build and design, 3D renders and mock-ups, complete venue audio-visual setup (AV)-LED screens, technical support, complete branding production, all creative design elements and a full broadcast and esports solution, including broadcast asset designs and implementation. Power League Gaming also managed staffing and technical expertise to deliver a flawless event.
The AppGallery Gamers Cup x Yalla Ludo Tournament not only celebrates the collaboration between these two dynamic brands but also highlights the growing influence of mobile gaming in the region. With the MENA region’s gaming market value expected to reach $10 billion by 2027*, fueled by the growing number of gamers and the rising popularity of mobile games, the tournament was perfectly positioned to capture the vibrancy of the region’s gaming scene.
Through this partnership with HUAWEI AppGallery, Power League Gaming has delivered a premier gaming event, captivating audiences and further establishing its presence in the competitive gaming market. For more information about Power League Gaming, visit powerleaguegaming.com.
Gaming
TMNT: Mutants Unleashed Gameplay Trailer is Out
Outright Games, the leading publisher of family-friendly interactive entertainment, in collaboration with Paramount Game Studios, is excited to reveal the thrilling new gameplay trailer for the highly anticipated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants Unleashed. Developed by AHeartfulofGames, this story-driven 3D Brawler/Platformer game will be released on 18th October 2024 and will be available to play on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam.
Continuing the story of Paramount Pictures’ 2023 hit Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, fans of the beloved franchise can get ready to team up with everyone’s favourite heroes in a half shell, taking on missions solo or teaming up with a friend in up to 2-player co-op. The new gameplay trailer showcases the acclaimed 3D-meets-2D art style of the movie and sees players take control of Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo, each with their unique combat style and unlockable skill tree. It also offers a glimpse at the game’s original storyline, as the pizza-loving crime fighters battle to save New York City from a rising Mewbie threat.
Narrated by fan-favourite character April O’Neil in the style of her captivating ‘O’News Casts, the trailer also showcases all-new original mutants and their difficulty-enhancing mutations, all designed by the film’s lead character designer, Woodrow White. Fans can also get a feel for the expansive New York City environments, from the tops of skyscrapers to down in the sewers, from pizza parlours to a concert led by Bebop and Rocksteady.
Stephanie Malham, Managing Director of Outright Games said, “With 2024 marking the 40th anniversary of this incredible franchise, it has been a pleasure to work with Paramount Games Studio to bring this extraordinary world to life. We hope this new gameplay trailer will whet the appetite of TMNT fans old and new!”
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants Unleashed will be coming to PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam on 18th October 2024. The Deluxe and Collector’s Edition physical releases are available to pre-order from specialist retailers now.
Gaming
Gosu Academy Announces UAE Expansion
Gosu Academy, a leading provider of esports coaching and education, has announced its expansion into the UAE. The company’s entry into the region comes at an opportune time, as the gaming industry is poised to contribute over $1 billion to Dubai’s GDP by 2033, with an estimated 30,000 jobs to be created.
The announcement further aligns with Gosu Academy’s mission to empower individuals through exceptional education in gaming and esports, supporting the UAE’s ambition to become a global esports hub. Established by seasoned professionals with over twenty years of expertise, Gosu Academy started its journey in the United States and Europe before expanding to Asia.
Gosu Academy is expanding into the UAE to take advantage of the nation’s dynamic gaming community and its progressive esports initiatives, having already established a footprint in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia. Having trained more than 14,000 students globally, the academy’s expansion to the UAE marks a pivotal step in its global growth strategy.
F. Javier Bernal, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Gosu Academy said, “This market presents tremendous opportunities, and we are eager to enhance the region’s fast-developing esports landscape. In line with the Dubai government’s focus on this sector and the vision of the Dubai Program for Gaming (DPG) 2033, which aims to create jobs and bolster innovation, we strongly believe that Gosu Academy, through our expertise, can contribute significantly to this initiative. At the same time, Abu Dhabi’s ambitious project to build an Esports Island reflects its distinct approach, focusing on creating a dedicated hub for global esports events and immersive gaming experiences. We aspire to cultivate a new wave of gaming and esports experts in the UAE, establishing the nation as a frontier in this sector, with both Abu Dhabi and Dubai playing complementary roles in driving the future of esports.”
Braeden Plein, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Gosu Academy, remarked, “Our mission is to redefine the future of gaming and esports by equipping individuals with essential skills and knowledge for success. DPG 2033, which aims to generate 30,000 jobs in this sector, resonates deeply with our objectives. We are dedicated to advancing this vision and providing our best support in achieving the economic target of USD 1 billion in the Gaming industry by nurturing outstanding talent and providing meaningful employment opportunities within the industry.”