FTS: "TANUKI: Pon's Summer" Revealed at Xbox Tokyo Game Show Broadcast (PC, Xbox)

CRITICAL REFLEX & DENKIWORKS REVEAL TANUKI: PON’S SUMMER AT THE XBOX TOKYO GAME SHOW 2024 BROADCAST

Bike through a picturesque Japanese village, deliver mail, land sick tricks and make friends in this Japanese summer adventure, coming to Xbox and PC

TOKYO – Sept. 26, 2024 – Look at the little guy go! At the Xbox Tokyo Game Show 2024 Broadcast, CRITICAL REFLEX and indie developer Denkiworks officially revealed TANUKI: Pon’s Summer, a colorful, epic, and chill adventure about an adorable BMX-riding mailman set in a delightful Japanese town. Who said hardcore can’t be cute?! TANUKI: Pon’s Summer is coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC via the Microsoft Store and Steam.

Step into the furry paws of Pon and BMX in style as a part-time mailman in a picturesque Japanese town, delivering packages, pulling off tricks, and helping locals with quests. In this awesome summer adventure, you’ll enjoy fun activities like bug catching, plating sushi, baseball, sumo and more while unlocking a variety of decorations to restore the Great Tanuki Shrine for the end-of-summer Matsuri festival! Experience village life and create your own unique story as you befriend (or annoy) a cast of quirky townsfolk and manage your relationships with an intuitive, emoji-based dialogue system!

Key Features

• Ride your bike freely while doing sick BMX tricks, grinds, flips and stunts
• Deliver packages and complete odd jobs around the village as a part-time mailman
• Enjoy summer activities like bug catching, karaoke, fishing, baseball and more
• Make friends with – or even upset – the quirky townsfolk with a fun emoji-based dialogue system
• Unlock different decorations to restore the Great Tanuki Shrine
• Explore a lovingly crafted world inspired by the developers’ lived experiences in Kyoto, Aomori, Sapporo and Beppu. Hot summer days in Japan await!

Enjoy the Full Xbox Tokyo Game Show 2024 Broadcast and... game on!

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Gaming To The Rescue: Gaming Put Fun Back Into His Life

Names slightly altered to so the individuals aren't easily identified.

This is a very random topic since it's fresh off of a conversation I had with a guy who's in a much better place right now, thanks to gaming. Shout out to Phil (& Ben). So Phil is dealing with a situation where his roommate jumped into a new place before the end of his lease with Phil... because the guy met someone special who wanted him to move in after a month. (Yeah, that's a wholeeeeee different topic for another day.) So now... Phil is working 10 hours per day on a job that was already bringing him stress while working the standard 40 hours/week. Now he has to work 50 to 60/week until he can move into a 1 bedroom apartment free of his current lease or find a roommate until his lease comes to an end... next summer. Next... Summer. He has a window to get out at the top of the new year, but that's not exactly a week or even a month away. I mentioned legal action, which he's already considering, but... he's on the fence about it. Definitely jacked up, but he's making it work.

The topic of gaming came up, when I suggested a few things to keep his stress down. It's no mystery that gaming can relieve stress... but he was on the fence about gaming until he heard Benny and another co-worker talking about Madden. One thing led to another, and he got an Xbox to play with them online. What started with him playing games here and there, turned into him connecting with them online and playing at a set time for a set amount of time per day.

He said the gaming won't change his annoying (fill in the blank) supervisor, but he said the gaming put fun back into his life... which wasn't there even prior to this situation. But doing something you like to do provides instant gratification after a long day, relieving that stress takes the edge off, and he boosted his social connection with Benny and whoever their fellow co-worker is. We've mentioned some of these things before, but it's really cool to hear how gaming made a positive impact on his life at this time. It didn't change the job, but he looks forward to something after work and talking with a few of his co-workers based on a mutual activity.

Speaking of a mutual activity, it didn't stop there because now they're working out together and sharing meal plans and things like that. I asked him if he thought this would've occured if his roommate didn't move out, and he didn't think so. So the glass is half full and with working out he feels even better, so after moving not only will he still have his game time, lower rent, a steady workout regimen, but he appears to have new friends. He didn't even realize what he gained, but what an awesome trade off it is.

So don't sleep on gaming and connection with those of likemind. Friends weren't even on his radar, and a number of people feel like making friends is like climbing a mountain (nowadays)... but common ground can connect us in more ways than we realize. Oh, by the way... Psychology Today, says that you get a dopamine release from gaming, which is also known as the "happiness hormone". This helps improve your mood and overall well-being. Work-Life Balance immediately comes to mind, and different genre's can serve up different benefits to a degree as well. Open-world and sandbox games allow for creativity and freedom, which is why some of us (i'm in this boat as well) can get wrapped into a game for hours because it gives us the tools to build.

You also have your cognitive benefits that help with problem-solving, mindfulness and flow, etc. So for those of you who find yourselves busy busy and stressed out, consider picking up a game controller.

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Iron Meat: A Nostalgic Ride Down “Contra" Street

If you’re a fan of classic 2D run-and-gun shooters, then “Iron Meat” is a game that will take you on a nostalgic journey down “Contra Street.” While it isn’t trying to be a direct clone of the iconic Contra series, Iron Meat brings back that familiar feeling in its own unique way. With animations reminiscent of a “Heavy Metal” animated film, this game will have you reminiscing about the good old days of arcade gaming (minus the quarters).

Iron Meat is a fast-paced, run-and-gun shooter that immerses players in a world overrun by The Meat—an all-consuming interdimensional biomass. Players will battle against mutated victims and machines, dodge bullet barrages, and crush bosses in nine levels of gore-ific brutality. As Vadim, you must fight back against The Meat and stop the terrors spawned from scientist Yuri Markov’s experiments on the Moon.

Key Features:

• Multi-Phase Boss Fights: Iron Meat pays homage to classic run-and-gun titles with intense boss fights that have multiple phases. With three difficulty settings, players can test their skills, with higher difficulties offering even more challenging boss battles.
• Multiplayer Couch Co-Op: Take on The Meat invasion with a friend in 2-player couch co-op mode. Double the firepower, double the carnage, and double the MEAT!
• Over 30 Unlockable Skins: Customize your character with over 30 unlockable skins. Mix and match parts to create unique combinations, from a shark head on a robot body to a cowboy with demon wings.

Iron Meat isn’t just about nostalgia; the devs are delivering a fresh, 2D experience that makes you want to dive back into the world of classic arcade shooters through a game that the devs want to be bad ass in its own right. Whether you’re gunning down grotesque creatures or dodging environmental hazards, Iron Meat offers an action packed ride from start to finish. Grab another player... because it just makes sense.

If you’re lucky enough to score a physical copy, thumbs up! If not, no worries—it’s available digitally on Switch and PS5 for 10% off until October 10th. Suit up with a friend and… game on!

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Is the Google TV Streamer (4K) worth a gamers money?

Is the new Google TV Streamer (4K) worth the $99.99 price tag? Let’s check the specs and find out why this Google Home device may or may not be worth your time and your dime as a gamer!

Hey there, tech enthusiasts! It’s your girl Sophima, bringing you the latest scoop on tech with the Google TV Streamer (4K). So, is this sleek little streaming gadget worth your hard-earned cash? Let’s dive into the specs and see if its worth more than a glance.

First off, let’s talk about the design. The Google TV Streamer (4K) is cute! With its compact dimensions of 6.4 x 3 x 1 inches and a weight of just 5.7 ounces, it’s a perfect fit for any entertainment setup. Available in chic colors like Hazel and Porcelain, it blends seamlessly with your decor. Plus, it’s made with at least 65% recycled plastic, so you can feel good about your eco-friendly choice.

Now, onto the specs. This device supports up to 4K HDR at 60 frames per second, delivering stunning visuals with Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG. The audio experience is equally impressive with Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby Atmos support. With 32GB of storage and a 22% faster processor than its predecessor, you can enjoy smooth navigation and quick app switching.

Connectivity? Check! The Google TV Streamer (4K) comes with Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.1, and an Ethernet port for uninterrupted streaming. It also features USB-C and HDMI 2.1 ports. The cable is not included, so if you don't have one just add it to your cart to enjoy the 4K visuals of this device. And let’s not forget the smart home integration with Matter and Thread support, making it easier than ever to control your smart devices right from your TV.

Just so you know, this device can also play Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, but it requires a bit of setup since there isn't an official Xbox Game Pass app for Google Play Store for Gogole TV. This isn't the desired route for anyone who isn't comfortable going off of the beaten path, so stick with what Google has to offer if you're uncomfy with this. On the otherhand, you have options like the Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max for nearly half the price at $59.99, and that has Xbox Game Pass at the ready + Luna Gaming! Add an Xbox controller to the party, and you're gaming with the Fire Stick for a combined price similar to Google's TV Streamer. I get that their focus revolves around the Google Home ecosystem, but there's a little gamer in all of us, so at least present what's available for our enjoyment!

So, what do you think? Is the Google TV Streamer (4K) worth the $99.99 price tag or did they miss the mark? That's all I have for now, but make sure to high five someone's grandparent, don’t forget to bookmark SDGT Entertainment for more. And as always, don’t forget to… game on!

Sophima

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