Gamebanshee reports that 1C has announced two RPGs at PAX East, Fell Seal: Arbiter's Mark and Eternity: The Last Unicorn.

1C Company didn't spill any announcements about a new King's Bounty title, unfortunately, but they did lay out plans to feature a turn-based fantasy/steampunk RPG called Fell Seal: Arbiter's Mark and a Norse-based RPG entitled Eternity: The Last Unicorn during their PAX East lineup this year. In fact, those two games - and others - are the highlights of their lineup trailer:

loading...

[...]
Thanks Couchpotato!

Gamewatcher reports that 1C is set to announce three new games at PAX. 1C has previously developed the Kings Bounty series.

Here is how 1C Publishing are describing their three games, which will be playable on day one of the show:

• a unique, hand-drawn strategy RPG game
• a magic-based arena fighting game
• a Nordic-themed action RPG

The strategy RPG sounds most likely to be a King's Bounty game as that fits the genre, and the "hand-drawn" aspect sounds like an interesting way to bring the series up-to-date. The last game in the series, King's Bounty: Dark Side, came out four years ago in 2014 - and, it should be pointed out, was announced in April that year.

[...]

Russian publisher 1C has an Easter sale through their Yuplay digital arm, with titles like the King's Bounty, Star Wolves and Konung series discounted.

Thanks, Svein.

The 1C online shop has a 60% off everything sale.  Titles include the King's Bounty series, Space Rangers series, Star Wolves series and pretty much any other Russian title you can think of.  Thanks, Svein.

RPGVault had a chance to talk with Anatoly Subbotin of publisher 1C Company (Kings Bounty) about the state of game development in Russia at the recent trade show in Moscow, called Igromir. It's mostly an overview of the event and how it's grown over the years, but here's how Subbotin sees it's relevance to Russian dvelopers:

The biggest surprise at Igromir this year was seeing the numbers of people and companies that were willing to come and participate in the expo, and that showed interest in the market. This applied on the press side as well. It wasn't just members of the specialty game media, but also general interest newspapers and web sites that were there to cover the event, indicating that our industry is becoming bigger and more important. It is no longer considered to be some sort of small business for enthusiasts only.

I guess this is the most important impression I have after the show. The Russian market is becoming important for both foreign publishers and local citizens, not only gamers. It is certainly becoming more attractive in terms of business and revenue potential, and also more accessible for ordinary people, not only hardcore players. The industry is growing and it is great to be connected with the process as well as to lead the race.

Is 1C the only one left standing in Russia?  They sent over this PR, announcing the acquisition of BUKA:

1C COMPANY AND BUKA LTD. ANNOUNCE ACQUISITION DEAL

MOSCOW, Russia – July 17, 2008 – Leading Eastern and Central European publisher 1C Company officially announced today that it has signed an agreement in which it has acquired one of the largest Russian publishing and distribution companies, BUKA.

1C and BUKA are two of the most well known brands in the Russian games and multimedia market. Future cooperation opens new horizons for the strategic development of both companies.

A merger is currently not planned, but managers of both enterprises will try to make the best use of the synergy in their publishing, distribution and marketing activities. This approach will give both 1C and BUKA a chance to develop even faster, outstripping the market’s rate of growth.

“BUKA is one of the oldest players on the Russian game market. I always admired the company, its corporate culture, staff, management and operational efficiency,” said Boris Nuraliev, Director of 1C Company. “The mutual potential of 1C and BUKA opens new unique opportunities and will help us to achieve success on this challenging and rapidly growing market. It will be an honor for us to develop such a well-known and popular brand.”

“We have received offers from several potential buyers, however 1C’s advantages were obvious. 1C is our long-term partner. We have experienced firsthand what 1C’s basic principles are – to be honest to partners, customers and employees,” comments Igor Ustinov, Chairman of Board of Directors of BUKA. “We highly estimate our staff and the brand that we were developing through all these years. Therefore one of the main aims for shareholders was to leave the company in good hands.”

1C has unveiled an online distribution system called Buy & Download (catchy) that might offer a solution to getting some of those pesky Russian projects that never get a Western release. Currently, 23 games are on offer including RPG-ish titles such as Ascension to the Throne, BorderZone, Konung 2 and Star Wolves 2. Hopefully some of the more compelling upcoming titles like Katauri's King's Bounty will be added in due course.

If you're worried about giving your credit card details to the Russkies, the system is apparently operated by the UK-based Metaboli.

Not too long after signing with Atari for NA distribution, 1C continues to find distributers for its PC games, this time in an agreement for global digital distribution of 7 titles with Fireglow Games. You can read the details here at gamesindustry.biz.