'One Piece: Burning Blood' release date, characters: Game gets new Marineford arc gameplay trailer

While the specific release date of the upcoming game in the "One Piece" franchise is slated for mid-2016, fans can't help but get excited for the title as another gameplay and story trailer makes its way online.

The new "One Piece: Burning Blood" footage features events in the Marineford arc in the long-running manga series. While the new trailer showcases action-packed fights that will take place as the story progresses, the video also confirmed previous rumors that the upcoming title will boast of an expanded character roster.

According to Design & Trend, the footage confirmed that "One Piece: Burning Blood" will feature series heavyweights like Sengoku the Buddha, Dracule Mihawk, Bartholomew Kuma, Gekko Moriah, and Admiral Borsalino Kizaru as playable characters.

Additionally, the appearance of Blackbeard in the arc means that the pirate will also be one of the fighters in the character roster. This has already been announced by publisher Bandai Namco, according to Gematsu. However, seeing Marshall D. Teach (the real name of Blackbeard) make his appearance via the trailer finally confirms that he will be part of the upcoming game.

The new video also confirms a previous announcement by Bandai Namco. The trailer dovetails with the special "Marineford Edition" of the game, which is a limited run as the publisher will only release 5,000 units of the exclusive version. The "Marineford Edition" of "One Piece: Burning Blood" will have exclusive bonus figures, Whitebeard himself plus his grave (the arc's climax ended with Whitebeard's death), along with a franchise artbook. According to GameSpot, other exclusive bonus items for DLC like 4th Gear Luffy are also slated to come out.

"One Piece: Burning Blood" will release for the PS4 and Xbox One on May 31 in North America and June 3 in Europe. There will also be a PC version (via Steam) that will roll out after the European release.

" data-caption="null" data-credit="Bandai Namco via Gematsu">
News
Christians urged to speak out against 'conversion practices' bill
Christians urged to speak out against 'conversion practices' bill

The call comes amid warnings from The Christian Institute that the proposals could threaten parental guidance and pastoral ministry.

Churches challenged to make single Christians feel fully part of church life
Churches challenged to make single Christians feel fully part of church life

Churches need to move beyond assumptions that marriage and family are the normal markers of a fulfilled Christian life and create communities where single people are fully valued, speakers at the inaugural Single Friendly Church Network conference have said. 

Liechtenstein Prince blocks abortion law reform, advocates greater support for mothers
Liechtenstein Prince blocks abortion law reform, advocates greater support for mothers

Liechtenstein’s Hereditary Prince Alois has refused to approve legislation that would have eased the country’s abortion restrictions, arguing that greater efforts should instead be made to support pregnant women.