Big changes coming to BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle with version 1.30

A new patch is coming to BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle on Sept. 11, 2018, that will shift the balance of Arc System Works' tag fighting game.

Version 1.30 will bring changes to both BBTag's system, altering which system mechanics affect red health as opposed to normal health along with changes to Clash Assault, Resonance Blaze and Cross Burst.

In addition, each character in BBTag will see balance tweaks, although the number of those changes varies from one or two to more than 10.

Currently, the patch will be ready on Sept. 11 for the PlayStation 4 version of BBTag; there is no information about a Nintendo Switch or PC update at this time. Readers can check out the full list of changes on the official Arc System Works website.

Arc System Works announces ArcRevo World Tour

The makers of Guilty Gear and BlazBlue have announced a new circuit of events that will put more than $100,00 into the pockets of players.

ArcRevo World Tour will see players competing for cash prizes in BlazBlue Central Fiction, BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle and Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2 at tournaments across the globe. The action will start in the fall of 2018 and run for one year, culminating in the finals at ArcRevo America 2019 in Los Angeles, California.

So far 10 events have been named as ArcRevo qualifiers—Evo, Frosty Faustings, CEO and Texas Showdown in the U.S.; Revolution, Brussels Challenge and Headstomper in Europe; ArcRevo Japan and Evo Japan; and South East Asia Major—with more to be announced.

For more information on the ArcRevo World Tour, readers can check out the series' official website and watch the trailer after the jump.

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Blazblue Cross Tag Battle DLC release dates listed on Switch eShop

While only three of the six DLC character packs coming to BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle have been detailed, the Nintendo eShop has seemingly given players the information on when all six will become available to the public.

According to the digital store, players can expect Yang Xiao Long and character packs two and three—Aegis, Jubei and Carmine as well as Hakumen, Vatista and Naoto Shirogane—on June 19, 2018. The first unknown character pack, four, will follow on Aug. 6, while pack five launches on Aug. 21 and the final group on Sept. 4.

While this listing doesn't include any hints on what characters will end up in the game, it does let players know that the full cast will be available by the end of summer 2018. The game's first DLC pack—Platinum the Trinity, Kanji Tatsumi and Orie Ballardiae—and Blake Belladonna are currently available.

French Bread-focused Climax of Night event coming in November 2018

During Combo Breaker 2018, Ben "Shinobi!" Robinson announced a new event designed for fans of the fighting game developer named after baked goods.

Climax of Night: many breathe forfeit to champion's birth will be a two-day tournament taking place in Atlanta, Georgia, sometime in November 2018. The event will see French Bread games as the featured titles, with Melty Blood Actress Again Current Code, Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[st] and Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax Ignition in the spotlight. They will be joined by the new BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle to make up the main roster.

No other details about the event have been revealed at this time, but Robinson said on Twitter he hopes to have preregistration open in June before CEO. For more information on Climax of Night, readers can follow the event's official account and Robinson on Twitter.

BBTag gets European release date, beta, special edition

Fighting game fans in Europe who have been waiting for more details about the upcoming BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle have gotten their wish.

According to a press release from European publisher PQube, BBTag will release in that region on June 22, 2018. There will also be a beta test for PlayStation 4 much like the ones delivered in Japan and the United States from May 18-20, with 20 selectable characters and online play. After May 20, a four-character offline demo will be available until the game's release.

The game is also receiving a special edition from the UK's Rice Digital. The Phantom Field Edition will be available for both Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 for £79.99 and will include a "high-quality messenger bag," four posters of the main characters, the soundtrack and official artbook.

Arc System Works details BBTag beta for North America

After announcing a beta test for BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle in Japan, Arc System Works has revealed that North American audiences will also be getting access to the game's demo.

The details of the North American beta are very similar to the Japanese test. It will open first for PlayStation Network preorders on May 9, with the open beta starting on May 12. During this time, the game's 20 base characters will be selectable and Casual Lobby, Tactics Mode (Tutorial and Practice) and VS CPU will be available, with preorders also having access to local VS Mode to play offline against other people. This beta will end on May 14.

After the beta completes, an offline demo of BBTag will become available. This will remove the Casual Lobby, leaving only Tactics and VS CPU for players who do not preorder the game, while those who have will continue to be able to play offline VS Mode. In addition, preorders will still have access to all 20 characters from the online beta, while those who do not will only have access to Ragna, Hyde, Yu and Ruby.

Currently this beta will only be open to PlayStation 4 users; there are no details on a North American Nintendo Switch demo at this time. For complete details on the beta and demo, readers can head over to the Arc System Works website. 

Hakumen, Vatista, Naoto Shirogane coming as DLC for BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle, open beta test announced for Japan

Arc System Works has released information on the three more characters coming to BBTag, as well as the game's upcoming open beta test.

In a new trailer, BlazBlue's Hakumen, Persona 4 Arena's Naoto Shirogane and Under Night's Vatista have all been revealed as new additions to the title. They represent the third of six DLC packs of fighters that will be added to BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle after its release.

ASW also announced a public beta test for Japanese players. Both PlayStation 4 and Switch players will be able to participate in the beta, but the details for each are different. Players on PS4 will be able to check out the demo on May 9 if they digitally preorder, with the normal demo running from May 12-14. Meanwhile, the Switch demo will only run from May 11-14. According to AFGCNews on Twitter, during the test players on both systems will have access to the casual online lobby, VS match and Tactics Mode (a mixture of Tutorial, Challenge and Mission modes).

After the beta period ends on May 14, however, players will still have access to a playable version of BBTag. Those that preorder the game on PS4 will be able to use all the game's characters and play Tactics Mode, VS CPU and normal Versus Mode, while those who didn't preorder and Switch players will be limited to using Ragna, Hyde, Yu and Ruby in Tactics and VS CPU modes.

With the Japanese beta coming so close to the game's release, it will be interesting to see if players in North America will be given a similar demo. Readers, meanwhile, can check out the new character trailer after the jump, and details on the beta can be found at the AFGCNews Twitter account.

BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle releases for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Steam on May 31, 2018, in Japan and June 5, 2018, in the rest of the world.

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Collector's Edition of BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle revealed

Arc System Works has unveiled the special version of BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle that will be available to buyers in North America.

The Collector's Edition will include special packaging, a SteelBook game case, the BBTag soundtrack CD, a soft cover art book and acrylic stands for Ruby Rose, Ragna the Bloodedge, Hyde Kido and Yu Narukami. It does not come with the game's DLC characters included.

According to Arc System Works, the BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle CE will cost players $99.99 and will be available for preorder exlcusively on the Arc System Works web store starting on May 4, and will also be available on the Rooster Teeth store when the game releases on June 5, 2018. The Collector's Edition will be produced for both PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch.

In addition, ASW also released the first trailer featuring the game's English dub, which can be seen after the jump.

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Aegis, Jubei, Carmine announced for BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle

The second of six DLC character packs for the upcoming Arc System Works crossover game has been unveiled.

Persona 4's Aegis, BlazBlue's Jubei and Under Night's Carmine will be coming to the game, bringing with them their signature moves and playstyles. Much like the first DLC pack, this second reveal also includes one character from each franchise, which may be a trend for the remaining four.

BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle is scheduled to add 20 characters as DLC, including the free Blake Belladonna and Yang Xiao Long. There will be six DLC packs of three characters each, which will cost players $4.99 or they can purchase all DLC together for $19.99. Readers can check out the trailer after the jump.

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BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle open beta coming to PlayStation 4 in Japan, digital preorders gain additional access

BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle will have an open beta test in Japan before its May 31 release date, and players who digitally preorder the game on PlayStation 4 will get extra days to play it.

According to the Japanese PlayStation website, the beta will take place sometime during mid-May for five days. Only two of those days, however, will be open to the general public, while the the other three are being held for players who purchase the digital version of the game. Preorders for the game started on March 13 in Japan.

In the U.S., Sony has not currently opened preorders for the game on the PlayStation web store, so it will be interesting to see if a similar offer is made to players in the region. BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle releases in North America for the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Steam on June 5, 2018.

BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle to feature dual audio, U.S. pricing detailed

Arc System Works has unveiled more information about the U.S. release of its upcoming tag fighting game.

BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle will ship in the United States featuring voice options for both English and Japanese, a feature that was lacking in BlazBlue Central Fiction to some players' dismay. This will include all characters in the game, which will give the title the English voice debuts for Under Night In-Birth fighters and some from BlazBlue.

Meanwhile, in terms of pricing, BBTag will cost players $49.99 for both physical and digital versions of the game, although those who buy digital can opt for a $69.99 version that will include access to all the DLC as it becomes available. For those who buy the DLC separately, each of BBTag's six packs will cost $4.99 apiece, or $19.99 for the entire Cross Tag Character Collection. The first pack, containing Orie, Kanji and Platinum will be free to players for two weeks after the game's launch, and RWBY's Blake Belladonna and Yang Xiao Long will always be free downloads.

BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle comes to the U.S. for the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Steam on June 5, 2018.

Platinum the Trinity, Orie, Kanji Tatsumi will be BlazBlue Cross DLC

Arc System Works has revealed the first of six three-character DLC packs that will come to BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle once it has been released to the public.

BlazBlue's Platinum, Under Night's Orie and Persona 4 Arena's Kanji will be joining the cast as the first paid downloadable content. Previously announced RWBY characters Blake Belladonna and Yang Xiao Long are free DLC.

Arc also revealed the Japanese pricing for BBTag's DLC, with the all-in-one pass costing players 2,400 yen (roughly $22) while individual packs of three characters will each cost 600 yen (roughly $5.60). It is interesting to note that this first DLC pack contains one character from each of the three ASW franchises in the game, so it's possible this could be a precedent for the other five bundles.

Readers can check out the introduction trailer after the jump. The next character reveal will come in March, and according to the voice clip at the end of the video it may feature Izanami among others.

BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle releases on May 31, 2018, in Japan and June 5, 2018, for the rest of the world.

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Yang Xiao Long joins BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle

During the games lineup announcement for Evolution 2018, a video from Arc System Works revealed another RWBY character will be coming to BBTag.

Yang Xiao Long is the last of the series' fourth protagonists to be announced for BBTag. However, she will be free DLC for the title along with the previously announced Blake Belladonna. According to Arc System Works' Toshimichi Mori, the company plans to have those characters available for players as soon as possible.

No in-game footag of Yang was shown at this time. BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle comes home on May 31, 2018, in Japan and June 5, 2018, for the rest of the world.

Evolution 2018 lineup announced

In a sit-down interview with Mark Julio on Red Bull eSports, Joey "Mr. Wizard" Cuellar revealed the games that will be part of Evo 2018.

The Evolution staff has chosen eight games for competition at this year's Evo: Tekken 7, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition, BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle, Guilty Gear Xrd Rev. 2, Injustice 2, Super Smash Bros. Melee and Dragoin Ball FighterZ.

Cuellar also revealed that Rev 2, Melee, T7, SBFZ and SFV will be the five games that are featured in the stadium during Evo Sunday finals.

In addition, Arc System Works made two announcements in videos. The first showed BBTag's Toshimichi Mori revealing that RWBY's Yang Xiao Long will be coming to the game and that both her and Blake Belladonna will be free DLC coming out soon after the game's release. The second featured Guilty Gear's Daisuke Ishiwatari saying that the game's new balance patch will be coming to the PC and console platforms in March 2018. 

Registration for Evo 2018 starts on Feb. 15 at 12 p.m. PST on the official Evo wbesite. Evolution 2018 is coming Aug. 3-5 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevadad.

BBTag DLC, release decisions discussed in recent interview

A recent Famitsu interview with BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle Director Toshimichi Mori has unveiled new details about the choices the team at Arc System Works has made while developing the game.

In the interview (via Ryokutya and Siliconera, respectively), Mori points to many decisions being seemingly based on making the game more accessible for the largest number of people. The game will come out on console to avoid giving arcade players a head start with the game, and was designed with a gamepad as the main control scheme.

Furthermore, BBTag is being released at a lower price point so that players are encouraged to try the game out. While Mori did not discuss the exact price of the game's DLC characters, he did say that when combined with the cost of the base title buyers would only be spending slightly more than the cost of a normal game. He also said that if BBTag is successful, he would like to continue supporting the game in the future.

BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle comes home on May 31, 2018, in Japan and June 5, 2018, for the rest of the world.

Release date, cast size, first DLC announced for BBTag

After the conclusion of the BlazBlue Central Fiction tournament at Arc System Works' Fighting Game Awards 2017, the company revealed new information about BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle.

Arc System Works first offered the game's release dates: May 31, 2018, in Japan and June 5, 2018, for the rest of the world. In addition to that, ASW confirmed that the game will have a total of 40 characters, including DLC, when the cast is complete. The game's first confirmed DLC character will be Blake Belladonna from RWBY.

BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle will also be playable at Evo Japan 2018, and the build will feature all 20 characters that have been shown to be part of the base game to this point.

Lastly, ASW revealed that there will be a special edition of the game that will feature a collaborative illustration by Tochimichi Mori from ASW, Shigenori Soejima of Atlus, Seiichi Yoshihara of French-Bread and Rooster Teeth's Ein Lee as well as a DLC season pass, an art book and console-specific bonuses.

Readers can check out the game's latest trailer, including Blake's reveal, after the jump.

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Iron Tager, Makoto Nanaya, Nu-13, Es join BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle

Four more BlazBlue characters have been revealed as part of the cast of BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle.

Tager, Makoto, Nu and Es were featured in the game's first reveal video showing only characters from one of the franchises that will take part in the crossover title. Each comes to the game with their trademark attacks and fighting style.

Arc System Works claimed the next announcement will be coming in "early 2018," and again left a clue for players at the end of the video with BlazBlue's Azrael telling other off-screen participants "Isn't this just the best hunting ground ever!"

Readers can check out the new trailer after the jump. BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle releases in early 2018 for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Steam.

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Gordeau, Yukiko Amagi and Azrael cut in on BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle

Arc System Works has revealed the next set of characters that will be included in its upcoming crossover fighter.

Gordeau from Under Night In-Birth, Yukiko Amagi from Persona 4 Arena and Azrael from BlazBlue will each bring their unique fighting style to the title when it comes home.

Arc System Works did not reveal a time frame for the next set of character reveals, but left a hint at the end of video with BlazBlue's Noel asking other off-screen participants "Eh? You guys are...also into this?"

Readers can check out the new trailer after the jump. BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle releases in early 2018 for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Steam.

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Arc System Works America to publish BBTag in North America

Arc System Works has announced the first project for its new North American office: publishing the upcoming dream tag fighter, BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle, in 2018.

In a posting on the company's Japanese website, ASW also laid out a more detailed plan for its U.S. office, stating that Arc System Works America will conduct distribution, marketing, promotion, customer support, licensing and localization of Arc System Works titles in the region going forward.

In this way, the company hopes to provide news updates and information simultaneously across different regions.

BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle is scheduled for release on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Steam in early 2018.

Noel, Chie and Waldstein join BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle

Arc System Works has revealed the next three characters joining the upcoming crossover game.

Noel Vermillion from BlazBlue, Chie Satonaka from Persona 4 and Waldstein from Under Night In-Birth will all be part of the game that releases in early 2018.

According to the trailer, the next character reveals for the game will be coming in late November. BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle is coming to PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Steam.

Readers can check out the trailer after the jump.

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