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Expanded Dark Souls 2 coming to smite Xbox One, PS4 owners


You might have thought that buying into the new generation of consoles would protect you from the gleeful, maniacal punishment of the Dark Souls series, but you were wrong. Namco has revealed that a new edition of Dark Souls 2, subtitled Scholar of the First Sin, is headed to Xbox 360, PS3, PC and now, for the first time, Xbox One and PS4.

On all platforms – according to Namco – the expanded edition of the game packs some new features, including improved balance, new NPCs, an expanded story, and new item descriptions. These improvements will also be available to existing Dark Souls 2 owners via a free update. Meanwhile, the Xbox One, PS4 and DirectX 11 PC versions of the game will offer "enhanced graphics," with Namco explaining to Joystiq that this includes higher resolution textures and improved lighting effects, among other things. Furthermore, these versions of the game will increase the maximum number of online players.

Of course, it wouldn't be a proper re-release without packing in some DLC, and all versions of Scholar of the First Sin will include all three of Dark Souls 2's DLC episodes. Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin is set to arrive on April 7, 2015 – just after Bloodborne, developer From Software's newest game, hits the shelves.


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DEATH BECKONS ONCE AGAIN WITH
DARK SOULS™ II: SCHOLAR OF THE FIRST SIN
FOR THE PLAYSTATION 4 SYSTEM, XBOX ONE, PLAYSTATION 3 SYSTEM, XBOX 360 AND PC

New Challenges and Deeper Lore Await New and Returning DARK SOULS II Players

SAN JOSE, Calif., (November 25, 2014) – The undead curse continues to spread across the kingdom of Drangleic with DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin, available April 7, 2015 across the Americas for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One®, all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation® 3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® games and entertainment system from Microsoft and PC from BANDAI NAMCO Games America Inc.

Developed by renowned Japanese video game development studio FROMSOFTWARE, DARK SOULS II: Scholar of the First Sin is a compilation of 2014's critically acclaimed title, DARK SOULS II along with its three DLC chapters; CROWN OF THE SUNKEN KING, CROWN OF THE OLD IRON KING, and CROWN OF THE IVORY KING along with an array of all-new content. DARK SOULS II: Scholar of the First Sin will take advantage of the power of the PlayStation 4 system, Xbox One, and DirectX11 PCs with enhanced graphics in addition to brand new game content including an expanded story featuring additional in-game events and NPC character along with new deadlier enemies and gameplay improvements.

"DARK SOULS II launched in March 2014 to critical acclaim garnering a MetaCritic.com rating of 91%," said Chris Gilbert, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for BANDAI NAMCO Games America Inc. "With DARK SOULS II: Scholar of the First Sin Edition, FROMSOFTWARE is inviting players back to the kingdom of Drangleic to experience its improved gameplay mechanics, gorgeous next-gen graphics, and uncover new unknown dangers and lore."

DARK SOULS II: Scholar of the First Sin will also be available for the PlayStation 3 system, Xbox 360, and DirectX 9PCs. This version will include all three DLC missions (CROWN OF THE SUNKEN KING, CROWN OF THE OLD IRON KING, and CROWN OF THE IVORY KING) as well as a large-scale update (ver.1.10) which will add new features including an additional NPC to seek out along the treacherous quest through Drangleic as well as expanded story, in-game events, improved balance, and online matchmaking functionality.

Gamers who already own DARK SOULS II for any platform will receive the ver.1.10 update free of charge.

DARK SOULS II: Scholar of the First Sin is rated "T" for Teen and will be available in April 7, 2015 for the PlayStation 4 system, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 system, and PC. More information on DARK SOULS II: Scholar of the First Sin is available at www.facebook.com/bandainamcous, www.darksoulsii.com, and www.bandainamcogames.com.
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About BANDAI NAMCO Games America Inc.
BANDAI NAMCO Games America Inc., part of BANDAI NAMCO Holdings Inc., is a leading global publisher and developer of interactive content - including all major video game consoles, iOS, mobile and online. The company is known for creating and publishing many of the industry's top video game franchises, including PAC-MAN®, TEKKEN®, SOULCALIBUR®, NARUTO™, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN™, Dragon Ball®, GALAGA®, RIDGE RACER® and ACE COMBAT®. More information about the company and its products can be found at www.bandainamcogames.com or www.facebook.com/BandaiNamcoUS.

DARK SOULS™ II & ©2014 BANDAI NAMCO Games Inc. ©2011-2014 FromSoftware, Inc.

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Press Release © 2014 BANDAI NAMCO Games America Inc.