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Survival Game Aloft Now in Early Access

Oslo, Norway – January 15, 2025 – Publisher Funcom® and developer Astrolabe® Interactive Inc. are thrilled to announce that Aloft ® has entered Early Access. The feel-good sandbox survival game, priced at 24.99€, lets you restore the ecosystems of a shattered world, solo or in groups of up to 8, by harnessing the wind and exploring the skies in your personal skyships, built from entire floating islands.

Set your gaze skyward with today’s Launch Trailer:



The world of Aloft is one of floating islands shaped by the wind. Soar between them on your customizable glider, gathering resources and discovering ancient technology as you go. Transform any island into your home above the clouds, and harness the wind with crafted sails, rudder, and helm. Farm, cook, care for animals, and restore the balance of nature by combating the spreading corruption.



Aloft has already attracted praise, attention, and community feedback through various successful demos! These included the first biome in the game with some demo players even reaching over a hundred hours building and decorating their ideal home in the sky! With today’s Early Access Launch, the game has grown into three full biomes which is set to expand further throughout the Early Access period.



Creativity and community lie at the heart of Aloft. Player-built skyships can be shared directly on the Steam Workshop for others to enjoy, and you can even bring along your entire skyship when joining a friend’s game, making it possible to create a whole moving village of eight skyships in co-op.

The Early Access Roadmap highlights main features planned for future updates. Initial updates will focus on quickly addressing any potential bugs that appear with launch, after which the team will move on to expanding the game with quality-of-life improvements and new features. This flexible roadmap allows for adjustment of priorities based in large part on community feedback.

Aloft is available right now for 24.99€, on Steam Early Access: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1660080/Aloft/

ABOUT ASTROLABE
ASTROLABE® Interactive Inc. is an independent developer and publisher of video games and board games based in Montreal, Canada. Since 2018, Astrolabe has provided entertainment and gamification solutions on a dozen of gaming projects such as ‘Aloft ®’, ‘Sacrifice Your Friends’ and ‘Gaslands: Refuelled (FR)’. For corporate information please visit www.astrolabe.games.

ABOUT FUNCOM
Funcom is a developer and publisher of online games for PC and consoles. Funcom has provided outstanding entertainment since 1993 and continues to expand its track record of more than twenty released games. Titles include ‘Conan Exiles’, ‘Metal: Hellsinger’, ‘Aloft’, ‘Dune: Spice Wars’, ‘Secret World Legends’, ‘Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures’, ‘The Longest Journey’, ‘Anarchy Online’, and ‘Dreamfall: The Longest Journey’. For corporate information, please visit www.funcom.com.

Chris Jones Gaming creativity article image

Creativity Unleashed: AI and More

Tips for Personal and Professional Inspiration

Author: Micah Norris, a Chris Jones Gaming contributor

Creativity is a powerful force that fuels innovation, problem-solving, and personal growth. Yet even the most creative minds can hit a block. Reinvigorating your creativity is essential for overcoming these moments and unlocking new opportunities. From adopting energizing habits to upgrading your knowledge base, here are some time-tested tips to help you reignite your creative energy.

Transforming Your Perspective Through Photography

Photography offers a unique opportunity to see the world from new angles and discover beauty in everyday life. By capturing images that resonate with your sense of wonder, you not only preserve moments but also inspire others with your unique vision. This practice encourages you to slow down and observe the intricate details of your surroundings, transforming your perspective and enhancing your appreciation for the mundane. As you experiment with various angles, lighting, and compositions, your creativity blossoms, leading to personal growth and the development of a distinctive photographic style.

Revitalizing Your Creativity with a Career Shift

Embarking on a new career path can be a powerful way to reinvigorate your creativity. Pursuing an online psychology degree offers a flexible and enriching opportunity to transition careers while maintaining your current job. This approach allows you to delve into the complexities of human behavior and psychological theories, equipping you with the skills to make a meaningful impact in others’ lives. The flexibility of online programs enables you to balance work and study effectively, enhancing your time management and problem-solving abilities; click here to learn more.

Igniting Creativity Through Global Culinary Exploration

Diving into the world of global cuisines can be a transformative way to rejuvenate your creativity and inspire new ideas. By sampling innovative dishes like Korean tacos, which blend the spicy tang of kimchi with the savory richness of bulgogi, or Thai pizza, which marries the zest of lemongrass with the umami of fish sauce, you not only indulge in a delightful culinary experience but also gain a deeper appreciation for the cultural narratives behind these flavors. This trend of global flavor fusion is a celebration of cultural diversity that broadens your understanding of the world.

Boosting Creativity Through Historical Insights

Exploring historical sites and museums can be a powerful way to ignite your creativity, offering a window into the past that fuels both personal and professional growth. These institutions act as guardians of cultural heritage, presenting art and artifacts that mirror the values and challenges faced by societies over time. By engaging with these exhibits, you gain a richer understanding of the context behind artistic expressions, which can inspire fresh ideas and perspectives.

Unleashing Creativity Through Music

Engaging with music is a powerful way to relieve stress and boost creativity. By immersing yourself in soothing melodies or crafting your own compositions, you can achieve a sense of calm that clears mental clutter. This clarity not only enhances your mood but also improves decision-making and productivity. As you navigate life’s challenges, music therapy offers a unique avenue for self-expression and emotional regulation, making it easier to manage stress and enhance creativity.

For me, indie folk music has been a profound source of creativity and reflection. The raw, heartfelt lyrics and soothing acoustic melodies of artists like Bon Iver or Fleet Foxes have a way of transporting me to a space where ideas flow effortlessly. I often listen to this genre while journaling or brainstorming, as its introspective quality helps me connect with my emotions and clarify my thoughts. I remember one particular evening when I was struggling to develop a concept for a personal project. As the gentle strumming of a guitar played in the background, I suddenly found myself envisioning a whole new direction, inspired by the music’s themes of simplicity and connection. Indie folk reminds me to embrace authenticity in my creative work, so it’s an essential part of my process.

Incorporating Memory Exercises

Boosting your memory can unlock a wealth of past experiences and knowledge, essential for personal and professional growth. Engaging in activities like memorizing song lyrics or playing musical instruments can stimulate your brain by involving multiple senses and complex skills. For instance, London taxi drivers who memorize city maps experience lasting changes in brain structure, enhancing cognitive function. Similarly, creating and memorizing challenging lists, such as grocery items, can improve recall abilities and provide mental stimulation.

Engaging in Interdisciplinary Collaborations

Engaging in cross-disciplinary learning can significantly enhance your creativity by exposing you to a variety of perspectives and ideas. By collaborating with educators from different fields, such as pairing a biology teacher with a technology teacher, you can gain insights that transcend traditional subject boundaries. This approach not only fosters innovation but also equips you with a holistic understanding of complex problems. Initiatives like interdisciplinary hackathons demonstrate how students can tackle challenges requiring knowledge from multiple STEM areas.

Enhancing Creativity with the Power of AI

AI is revolutionizing the creative process by acting as a versatile tool that empowers individuals to generate, refine, and execute ideas more efficiently. With advanced algorithms and machine learning capabilities, AI can analyze patterns, suggest innovative concepts, and even create original content across various mediums, including writing, visual arts, music, and design. For instance, AI-powered tools can assist writers in brainstorming plot ideas or crafting engaging content, while artists can use AI-generated suggestions to explore new styles or compositions. Additionally, AI helps streamline repetitive tasks, such as photo editing or formatting, allowing creators to focus on the more imaginative aspects of their work. By offering personalized insights and expanding the boundaries of what’s possible, AI becomes a collaborative partner, unlocking new levels of creativity and innovation.

Reinvigorating your creativity is about rediscovering the joy of exploration and the courage to try new approaches. By nurturing your curiosity, embracing challenges, and seeking inspiration in unexpected places, you can reignite your creative energy and use it as a springboard for personal and professional achievements. Remember, creativity thrives on practice and persistence – every small step toward thinking differently can lead to meaningful breakthroughs.

Discover the latest updates and thrilling game releases at Chris Jones Gaming and dive into a world of adventure and excitement today!

KILL KNIGHT Launches on Epic Games Store

PlaySide Studios is excited to announce that KILL KNIGHT is now available on the Epic Games Store, bringing the pulse-pounding action and critically acclaimed gameplay of this ultra-responsive, top-down action shooter to even more players. Additionally, for 24 hours, KILL KNIGHT will be available for free on the Epic Games Store, allowing new players to dive into the Abyss guilt-free.

Celebrated as one of the best-reviewed games of the year on Metacritic, KILL KNIGHT offers an electrifying mix of layered gameplay, retro-inspired visuals + blood-pumping music. Players must weave through their arsenal, exploit enemy weaknesses, enact brutal executions, manage resources and unleash destructive wraith blasts to lay carnage upon endless demonic hordes.

GAME FEATURES:

  • Fast and visceral top-down, push forward combat that rewards aggression and precision
  • Descend through five fatal layers, each more deadly than the last
  • Four distinct difficulty settings to choose between and overcome
  • Complete challenges to unlock powerful weapons, augments and abilities
  • Ascend the global leaderboards, and compete for high-score supremacy

The Epic Games Store release will also feature the latest KRYSTALIZED UPDATE, which includes powerful new equipment, weekly challenges and updated game modes, designed to both test the most veteran of players and welcome newcomers alike. Speaking of newcomers, tweaks have been made to the lowest difficulty level (Regret) to ensure it is a little more manageable to overcome.

UPDATE FEATURES:

  • New Equipment:
    • INCULCATORS (Pistol): Fires puncturing shards that spike into enemies.
    • DREADFALLER (Heavy Weapon): A laser caster that emits combusting plasma beams and ruptures foes.
    • HOLLOWBRANDT (Sword): Utilises powerful jumping slam attacks that convert kills into empowered heavy weapon shots.
    • UMBRARITE (Armor): Spawns a vengeful Shade to assist in combat.
  • Expanded Augments:
    • METICULOUS AZURITE: Restores heavy ammo when firing Wrath Bursts.
    • ABYSSAL FLOURITE: Pulls in Health Shards when Quick Absorbing.
  • Updated SEVER Mode: Encounter powerful Krystalized Demons that unleash enhanced attacks and offer bonus Carnage Score when slain.
  • New WEEKLY DESCENT Mode: Compete in randomized weekly challenges, featuring rotating equipment and layers. Leaderboards refresh weekly for ultimate bragging rights.
  • DEMON BESTIARY KODEX: Unlock lore and insights on every Demon by spending TOKKENS.

KILL KNIGHT is now available on the Epic Games Store. It’s free for 24 hours, so don’t miss your chance to grab it while it’s available at no cost. After the 24-hour free period, the game reverts to its full price. Stay up to date by checking out KILL KNIGHT on X and TikTok, and following Playside on InstagramFacebook, and YouTube.


ABOUT PLAYSIDE STUDIOS

PlaySide Studios is an award-winning, independent video game developer and publisher based in Melbourne, Australia – behind games such as Age of Darkness: Final Stand, and the Dumb Ways to Die franchise, as well as the publishers for MOUSE: P.I. For HireThrive: Heavy Lies the Crown, and Dynasty of the Sands.

Team Phoenix – the development team at PlaySide behind KILL KNIGHT – consists of a small team of experienced, talented developers, tasked with driving innovation and showcasing PlaySide’s internal development capabilities. KILL KNIGHT marked the premier console project for PlaySide Studios – following more than a decade of game development, with over 70 titles launched across mobile, PC, and VR/AR. 

PlaySide Studios’ recent original IP launches have included the award-winning RTS Age of Darkness: Final Stand, and have seen the studio recognised as Studio of the Year at the Australian Game Developer Awards 2023. 

For more about PlaySide Studios, check out our website: https://www.playsidestudios.com/

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Survival Game Aloft Now in Early Access

Oslo, Norway – January 15, 2025 – Publisher Funcom® and developer Astrolabe® Interactive Inc. are thrilled to announce that Aloft ® has entered Early Access. The feel-good sandbox survival game, priced at 24.99€, lets you restore the ecosystems of a shattered world, solo or in groups of up to 8, by harnessing the wind and exploring the skies in your personal skyships, built from entire floating islands.

Set your gaze skyward with today’s Launch Trailer:



The world of Aloft is one of floating islands shaped by the wind. Soar between them on your customizable glider, gathering resources and discovering ancient technology as you go. Transform any island into your home above the clouds, and harness the wind with crafted sails, rudder, and helm. Farm, cook, care for animals, and restore the balance of nature by combating the spreading corruption.



Aloft has already attracted praise, attention, and community feedback through various successful demos! These included the first biome in the game with some demo players even reaching over a hundred hours building and decorating their ideal home in the sky! With today’s Early Access Launch, the game has grown into three full biomes which is set to expand further throughout the Early Access period.



Creativity and community lie at the heart of Aloft. Player-built skyships can be shared directly on the Steam Workshop for others to enjoy, and you can even bring along your entire skyship when joining a friend’s game, making it possible to create a whole moving village of eight skyships in co-op.

The Early Access Roadmap highlights main features planned for future updates. Initial updates will focus on quickly addressing any potential bugs that appear with launch, after which the team will move on to expanding the game with quality-of-life improvements and new features. This flexible roadmap allows for adjustment of priorities based in large part on community feedback.

Aloft is available right now for 24.99€, on Steam Early Access: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1660080/Aloft/

ABOUT ASTROLABE
ASTROLABE® Interactive Inc. is an independent developer and publisher of video games and board games based in Montreal, Canada. Since 2018, Astrolabe has provided entertainment and gamification solutions on a dozen of gaming projects such as ‘Aloft ®’, ‘Sacrifice Your Friends’ and ‘Gaslands: Refuelled (FR)’. For corporate information please visit www.astrolabe.games.

ABOUT FUNCOM
Funcom is a developer and publisher of online games for PC and consoles. Funcom has provided outstanding entertainment since 1993 and continues to expand its track record of more than twenty released games. Titles include ‘Conan Exiles’, ‘Metal: Hellsinger’, ‘Aloft’, ‘Dune: Spice Wars’, ‘Secret World Legends’, ‘Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures’, ‘The Longest Journey’, ‘Anarchy Online’, and ‘Dreamfall: The Longest Journey’. For corporate information, please visit www.funcom.com.

Chris Jones Gaming creativity article image

Creativity Unleashed: AI and More

Tips for Personal and Professional Inspiration

Author: Micah Norris, a Chris Jones Gaming contributor

Creativity is a powerful force that fuels innovation, problem-solving, and personal growth. Yet even the most creative minds can hit a block. Reinvigorating your creativity is essential for overcoming these moments and unlocking new opportunities. From adopting energizing habits to upgrading your knowledge base, here are some time-tested tips to help you reignite your creative energy.

Transforming Your Perspective Through Photography

Photography offers a unique opportunity to see the world from new angles and discover beauty in everyday life. By capturing images that resonate with your sense of wonder, you not only preserve moments but also inspire others with your unique vision. This practice encourages you to slow down and observe the intricate details of your surroundings, transforming your perspective and enhancing your appreciation for the mundane. As you experiment with various angles, lighting, and compositions, your creativity blossoms, leading to personal growth and the development of a distinctive photographic style.

Revitalizing Your Creativity with a Career Shift

Embarking on a new career path can be a powerful way to reinvigorate your creativity. Pursuing an online psychology degree offers a flexible and enriching opportunity to transition careers while maintaining your current job. This approach allows you to delve into the complexities of human behavior and psychological theories, equipping you with the skills to make a meaningful impact in others’ lives. The flexibility of online programs enables you to balance work and study effectively, enhancing your time management and problem-solving abilities; click here to learn more.

Igniting Creativity Through Global Culinary Exploration

Diving into the world of global cuisines can be a transformative way to rejuvenate your creativity and inspire new ideas. By sampling innovative dishes like Korean tacos, which blend the spicy tang of kimchi with the savory richness of bulgogi, or Thai pizza, which marries the zest of lemongrass with the umami of fish sauce, you not only indulge in a delightful culinary experience but also gain a deeper appreciation for the cultural narratives behind these flavors. This trend of global flavor fusion is a celebration of cultural diversity that broadens your understanding of the world.

Boosting Creativity Through Historical Insights

Exploring historical sites and museums can be a powerful way to ignite your creativity, offering a window into the past that fuels both personal and professional growth. These institutions act as guardians of cultural heritage, presenting art and artifacts that mirror the values and challenges faced by societies over time. By engaging with these exhibits, you gain a richer understanding of the context behind artistic expressions, which can inspire fresh ideas and perspectives.

Unleashing Creativity Through Music

Engaging with music is a powerful way to relieve stress and boost creativity. By immersing yourself in soothing melodies or crafting your own compositions, you can achieve a sense of calm that clears mental clutter. This clarity not only enhances your mood but also improves decision-making and productivity. As you navigate life’s challenges, music therapy offers a unique avenue for self-expression and emotional regulation, making it easier to manage stress and enhance creativity.

For me, indie folk music has been a profound source of creativity and reflection. The raw, heartfelt lyrics and soothing acoustic melodies of artists like Bon Iver or Fleet Foxes have a way of transporting me to a space where ideas flow effortlessly. I often listen to this genre while journaling or brainstorming, as its introspective quality helps me connect with my emotions and clarify my thoughts. I remember one particular evening when I was struggling to develop a concept for a personal project. As the gentle strumming of a guitar played in the background, I suddenly found myself envisioning a whole new direction, inspired by the music’s themes of simplicity and connection. Indie folk reminds me to embrace authenticity in my creative work, so it’s an essential part of my process.

Incorporating Memory Exercises

Boosting your memory can unlock a wealth of past experiences and knowledge, essential for personal and professional growth. Engaging in activities like memorizing song lyrics or playing musical instruments can stimulate your brain by involving multiple senses and complex skills. For instance, London taxi drivers who memorize city maps experience lasting changes in brain structure, enhancing cognitive function. Similarly, creating and memorizing challenging lists, such as grocery items, can improve recall abilities and provide mental stimulation.

Engaging in Interdisciplinary Collaborations

Engaging in cross-disciplinary learning can significantly enhance your creativity by exposing you to a variety of perspectives and ideas. By collaborating with educators from different fields, such as pairing a biology teacher with a technology teacher, you can gain insights that transcend traditional subject boundaries. This approach not only fosters innovation but also equips you with a holistic understanding of complex problems. Initiatives like interdisciplinary hackathons demonstrate how students can tackle challenges requiring knowledge from multiple STEM areas.

Enhancing Creativity with the Power of AI

AI is revolutionizing the creative process by acting as a versatile tool that empowers individuals to generate, refine, and execute ideas more efficiently. With advanced algorithms and machine learning capabilities, AI can analyze patterns, suggest innovative concepts, and even create original content across various mediums, including writing, visual arts, music, and design. For instance, AI-powered tools can assist writers in brainstorming plot ideas or crafting engaging content, while artists can use AI-generated suggestions to explore new styles or compositions. Additionally, AI helps streamline repetitive tasks, such as photo editing or formatting, allowing creators to focus on the more imaginative aspects of their work. By offering personalized insights and expanding the boundaries of what’s possible, AI becomes a collaborative partner, unlocking new levels of creativity and innovation.

Reinvigorating your creativity is about rediscovering the joy of exploration and the courage to try new approaches. By nurturing your curiosity, embracing challenges, and seeking inspiration in unexpected places, you can reignite your creative energy and use it as a springboard for personal and professional achievements. Remember, creativity thrives on practice and persistence – every small step toward thinking differently can lead to meaningful breakthroughs.

Discover the latest updates and thrilling game releases at Chris Jones Gaming and dive into a world of adventure and excitement today!

KILL KNIGHT Launches on Epic Games Store

PlaySide Studios is excited to announce that KILL KNIGHT is now available on the Epic Games Store, bringing the pulse-pounding action and critically acclaimed gameplay of this ultra-responsive, top-down action shooter to even more players. Additionally, for 24 hours, KILL KNIGHT will be available for free on the Epic Games Store, allowing new players to dive into the Abyss guilt-free.

Celebrated as one of the best-reviewed games of the year on Metacritic, KILL KNIGHT offers an electrifying mix of layered gameplay, retro-inspired visuals + blood-pumping music. Players must weave through their arsenal, exploit enemy weaknesses, enact brutal executions, manage resources and unleash destructive wraith blasts to lay carnage upon endless demonic hordes.

GAME FEATURES:

  • Fast and visceral top-down, push forward combat that rewards aggression and precision
  • Descend through five fatal layers, each more deadly than the last
  • Four distinct difficulty settings to choose between and overcome
  • Complete challenges to unlock powerful weapons, augments and abilities
  • Ascend the global leaderboards, and compete for high-score supremacy

The Epic Games Store release will also feature the latest KRYSTALIZED UPDATE, which includes powerful new equipment, weekly challenges and updated game modes, designed to both test the most veteran of players and welcome newcomers alike. Speaking of newcomers, tweaks have been made to the lowest difficulty level (Regret) to ensure it is a little more manageable to overcome.

UPDATE FEATURES:

  • New Equipment:
    • INCULCATORS (Pistol): Fires puncturing shards that spike into enemies.
    • DREADFALLER (Heavy Weapon): A laser caster that emits combusting plasma beams and ruptures foes.
    • HOLLOWBRANDT (Sword): Utilises powerful jumping slam attacks that convert kills into empowered heavy weapon shots.
    • UMBRARITE (Armor): Spawns a vengeful Shade to assist in combat.
  • Expanded Augments:
    • METICULOUS AZURITE: Restores heavy ammo when firing Wrath Bursts.
    • ABYSSAL FLOURITE: Pulls in Health Shards when Quick Absorbing.
  • Updated SEVER Mode: Encounter powerful Krystalized Demons that unleash enhanced attacks and offer bonus Carnage Score when slain.
  • New WEEKLY DESCENT Mode: Compete in randomized weekly challenges, featuring rotating equipment and layers. Leaderboards refresh weekly for ultimate bragging rights.
  • DEMON BESTIARY KODEX: Unlock lore and insights on every Demon by spending TOKKENS.

KILL KNIGHT is now available on the Epic Games Store. It’s free for 24 hours, so don’t miss your chance to grab it while it’s available at no cost. After the 24-hour free period, the game reverts to its full price. Stay up to date by checking out KILL KNIGHT on X and TikTok, and following Playside on InstagramFacebook, and YouTube.


ABOUT PLAYSIDE STUDIOS

PlaySide Studios is an award-winning, independent video game developer and publisher based in Melbourne, Australia – behind games such as Age of Darkness: Final Stand, and the Dumb Ways to Die franchise, as well as the publishers for MOUSE: P.I. For HireThrive: Heavy Lies the Crown, and Dynasty of the Sands.

Team Phoenix – the development team at PlaySide behind KILL KNIGHT – consists of a small team of experienced, talented developers, tasked with driving innovation and showcasing PlaySide’s internal development capabilities. KILL KNIGHT marked the premier console project for PlaySide Studios – following more than a decade of game development, with over 70 titles launched across mobile, PC, and VR/AR. 

PlaySide Studios’ recent original IP launches have included the award-winning RTS Age of Darkness: Final Stand, and have seen the studio recognised as Studio of the Year at the Australian Game Developer Awards 2023. 

For more about PlaySide Studios, check out our website: https://www.playsidestudios.com/

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