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RUNE Early Access Date and Trailer

MADISON, Wis.  Aug. 28, 2018 – Human Head Studios and ESDF have announced with a new gameplay trailer that Runethe open-world viking RPG set in the end of days, will arrive on Steam Early Access on Sept. 19, 2018. Aspiring vikings can now pre-order Rune at a 15% discount at presale.runeragnarok.com to be granted a bountiful gift from the gods – a variety of tier-exclusive in-game and digital bonuses!

“With Rune Classic, we worked to push the boundaries of PvP, and with this spiritual successor, we’re now pushing even further with intense, brutal combat mechanics not often seen in these type of games,” said Human Head Partner and Project Leader, Chris Rhinehart. “Use your enemy’s strength against them – literally rip off their arm and then beat them to death with it!”

Rune is available to pre-order today at presale.runeragnarok.com. Players can choose between three unique Founder’s Packs – the Warrior Pack ($29.99), Berserker Rage Pack ($39.99) and God Slayer Pack ($59.99) – each of which can be pre-ordered at a 15% discount between now and Sept. 18 using the offer code “Rune15.” Each set contains a Steam Early Access copy of Rune (valued at $29.99 at launch), as well as a variety of exclusive in-game and digital surprises, including the game’s official soundtrack, special gear and more.

In addition, the first 10,000 people to pre-order Rune at any tier will receive a digital copy of 2000’s original Rune Classic.

Ahead of its Sept. 19 release, Rune will host another closed beta playtest this Saturday, Sept. 1, from 9:00 a.m. ET to 9:00 p.m. ET, with servers available in the U.S. and Europe. Players can sign up on the game’s official website for a chance to seeRune in action before it hits Steam.

Set in Midgard during Ragnarok, the end of days, Rune lets players align with their chosen god as they pillage villages for powerful weapons and armor, complete quests for their deity and receive blessings of strength and magic, all to save the realm from the trickster god Loki! Adventure by land and sea across a vast world of wonder and danger alone, with friends or against real opponents in PvP battles. Drink mead and vanquish monsters, beasts, the living and undead with brutal Viking power.

Development of Rune is funded in part by ESDF Management, a video game production and finance company. For more information, visit Rune’s official website, and follow the game on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

ROCCAT Launches Full Spectrum Dual Driver Headset

HAMBURG – August 28, 2018 – German gaming peripheral makers, ROCCAT, has announced the Score as the successor of its line of in-ear gaming headphones. Featuring a unique dual-driver design and Real-Voice mic, the Score was created for mobile gamers who expect in-ear headsets to provide the same big sound as the over-ear options normally used with desktop and console systems. Passive noise-cancellation adds to the headphone’s truly immersive gaming experience no matter where you are.

Designed in Germany, the headset features two high-grade neodymium drivers: a 10mm driver that provides deep bass and a 6.8mm driver that delivers crisp, clear mids and highs for a full spectrum of sound. A specially developed acoustic chamber compliments the drivers by effortlessly blending together the sounds for a high-quality audio while passive noise-cancelling blocks out distraction background noise.

Vocal clarity is supremely important for team centric games like Fortnite. The headset’s Real-Voice mic accurately transmits the full vocal range for crystal clear communication with your team while you’re gaming or during phone calls. An in-cable control allows users to mute the mic as well as play, pause and skip tracks for full control of your device with the click of a button. A PC adapter is also included to ensure compatibility with your desktop set up and console.

The Score comes equipped with adjustable memory-form cables to fit the contour of any ear to ensure a secure fit while on the go. An assortment of included ear tips ensures a comfortable fit for any ear size and shape.

The headset is currently available on Amazon and ROCCAT.org for $69.99.

About ROCCAT Studios

Founded in 2007 in Hamburg, ROCCAT designs the best gaming products in the world. We combine detail-loving German innovation with a genuine passion for what we do. The result is a forward-looking product portfolio adaptable to the gaming trends of tomorrow. The industry-leading experiences we develop are born of a deep affinity with gaming community that we ourselves are very much a part of. We achieve this by having an outstandingly talented team comprised of gamers, visionaries and industry experts.

Warhammer: Vermintide 2 Shadows over Bogenhafen DLC Launch Trailer

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – August 28, 2018. Independent developer Fatshark today announced that the first DLC to the million selling hit game Warhammer: Vermintide 2 is available on PC.

No rest for the Heroes. Shadows over Bögenhafen brings two new levels, quests and challenges, as well as cosmetics including skins, illusions, portrait frames, and hats.

After the huge success with the release of Warhammer: Vermintide 2 we remain focused on supporting the game with new content and experiences.” says Martin Wahlund, CEO Fatshark. “Shadows over Bögenhafen adds even more compelling content that should challenge and satisfy even the most hardened players, we’re really excited to announce its launch today on PC.”

Shadows over Bögenhafen
Shadows over Bögenhafen brings new content to Vermintide 2 with the impending destruction of the city of Bögenhafen. The heroes are tasked with investigating the source of the Nurgle infestation slowly consuming the city – starting in the disease-ridden slums The Pit and across the river in the Göttenplatz district.

Shadow over Bögenhafen Features

  • New Levels – The Pit, The Cleansing
  • Challenges
  • Quests
  • Skins
  • Portrait Frames
  • Illusions
  • Hats

Shadows over Bögenhafen ($9,99/€7,99/£6,99)
https://store.steampowered.com/app/828790/Warhammer_Vermintide_2__Shadows_Over_Bgenhafen/

SteelSeries Unveils Standalone GameDAC and Arctis Headphone Upgrades

CHICAGO – August 28, 2018 – SteelSeries, the global leader in gaming peripherals, announces the availability of the GameDAC gaming audio system to be purchased standalone and unveils updates of its award-winning Arctis line of headsets. The GameDAC, from the critically acclaimed Arctis Pro + GameDAC and the only ESS Sabre DAC in the market, is now compatible with all headphones and gaming headsets.

“We are diligent when it comes to getting user feedback and looking at what the community has to say about our products, so that we can then improve the performance where it is needed,” said Tino Soelberg, SteelSeries CTO. “Providing GameDAC as a standalone product and opening it to work with any headset is a great example of how we here at SteelSeries can quickly provide superior products to gamers.”

The SteelSeries GameDAC

The SteelSeries GameDAC is an audiophile-grade, dedicated high-fidelity USB DAC and amplifier specifically made for gaming. The GameDAC transforms any PS4 or PC into a high-performance audio source by bypassing the low fidelity, poor quality DACs found in typical console controllers, USB headsets and PC sound cards. Combined with the flagship Arctis Pro headset, the GameDAC was a part of gaming’s first complete high-fidelity audio system. Now, whether used with an Arctis, a separate pair of audiophile headphones, or any other gaming headset, the GameDAC enhances the experience with powerful, high-fidelity audio.

The GameDAC is powered by the legendary ESS Sabre DAC and amplifier with unsurpassed audio quality with 121dB of dynamic range and -115dB Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise. As gaming’s certified first Hi-Res Audio DAC, it ensures users hear high-fidelity 96 kHz / 24-bit audio at its purest full resolution with no downsampling. The power of the ESS Sabre chip inside makes bass sound tighter, individual sound effects more distinct and with the support of DTS Headphone:X 2.0, creates pin-point accurate positional cues.

The GameDAC also features an OLED screen for easy access to settings and controls without the use of additional software. This means PlayStation 4 gamers can fully customize their EQ, sidetone, toggle surround sound, configure their headset illumination as well as access their volume and ChatMix levels, without using a PC. PC gamers looking for an even deeper level of customization can use SteelSeries Engine software for total personalization.

“With the creation of the GameDAC and the Arctis Pro line, we challenged the norm of how gaming headsets should sound,” said Brian Fallon, Product Category Manager for Headsets at SteelSeries. “We’re happy to now open up the power of the GameDAC to headsets of all kinds to ensure that gamers everywhere can get the best audio experience possible regardless of what headphones they are using.”

The GameDAC is available now globally for $129.99 / €149.99 at SteelSeries.com.

The New Arctis 3, 5 and 7

The new Arctis 3, 5 and 7 still use all the best features of the original Arctis line including the Discord-certified ClearCast microphone, the best mic in gaming; low-distortion S1 speaker drivers for high-quality audio; the iconic ski-goggle headband design and exclusive AirWeave earcups. With the new generation, SteelSeries has taken the feedback received from gamers and refined the award-winning design.

The new line features a variety of new aesthetic changes compared to the original Arctis line. All new models feature added memory foam for enhanced comfort, and the headband on the Arctis 7 has been redesigned to closer resemble that of the Arctis Pro for an improved fit for heads of all sizes.

In addition to the aesthetic changes, the new Arctis 5 and Arctis 7 will receive several performance upgrades. The soundscape has been updated to support an extended bass response and the Arctis 5 and Arctis 7 will both receive an upgrade to DTS Headphone: X v2.0. Existing customers with the original Arctis 5 and Arctis 7 will also receive the performance upgrades through SteelSeries Engine.

The new Arctis 3, 5 and 7 are now available for $69.99/€99.99, $99.99/€129.99 and $149.99/€179.99, respectively. For more information about the complete line of SteelSeries Arctis headsets, visit https://steelseries.com/gaming-headsets/arctis.

Cyberpunk 2077 Gameplay Video and Director Commentary

August 27, 2018 – CD PROJEKT RED, creators of The Witcher and GWENT, are proud to present the first gameplay recording of their upcoming open world RPG — Cyberpunk 2077.

“What we’re releasing today was recorded from a game deep in development.” — says Adam Badowski, Cyberpunk 2077 Game Director and CD PROJEKT RED Head of Studio. “Since many of the assets and mechanics in the current version of Cyberpunk 2077 are most likely to be modified, we initially decided to show this gameplay only to media. Elements like gunplay (both in terms of visuals and how RPG stats influence it), netrunning, car physics, or the game’s UI — everything’s pretty much still in the playtest phase and we felt uneasy about publicly committing to any particular design. Animation glitches, work-in-progress character facial expressions, early versions of locations — all this made us hesitant to release what you’re about to see.”

“However, we are also well aware that many of you want to see what the media saw.” — adds Badowski. “Although this is probably not the same game you’ll see on your screen when we launch, we still decided to share this 48-minute video with you. This is how Cyberpunk 2077 looks today. Let us know what you think!”

Coffence PAX West 2018 Trailer

August 27, 2018 — Sweet Bandits Studios are excited to bring their new brawler Coffence to PAX West 2018. Coffence is a fast-paced blend of fighting games and twin stick shooters where coffee is literally your health bar. Every hit you take ejects the precious liquid up in the air for anyone to take. A new trailer showcases a range of fighters, from baristas to businessmen, fighting to the last drop.

Coffence features a variety of attacks each with their strengths and weaknesses, making reading your opponents a vital part of the fight. Employ precision-based ranged attacks and use surprising tactics not normally seen in fighting games in your quest to stay caffeinated. Consume enough coffee to unleash a powerful COFFEE BREAK technique and send your foes scrambling.

Features

  • Master a unique way to play where your character and cup-holding arm are controlled independently.
  • Coffee is the new health. Every hit ejects coffee in the air for any player to claim!
  • Face your friends in exotic locations ranging from office buildings to outer space.
  • Battle with up to four players.
  • Choose from a wide arsenal of cups from the lightning fast espresso cup to the massive coffee pot, each offering their own strengths and weaknesses.

Coffence will be located on the 6th floor at booth #7218 at PAX West 2018. The Sweet Bandits team will be available for interview appointments.

Battle for Azeroth Fastest Selling WoW Expansion

IRVINE, Calif.—August 23, 2018—When the Battle for Azeroth erupted worldwide last week, champions of the Alliance and the Horde around the globe were called upon to fight for their faction. Heroes everywhere turned out in force, and Blizzard Entertainment today announced that as of Battle for Azeroth’s first full day of launch on August 14, more than 3.4 million units of the latest World of Warcraft® expansion had sold through worldwide—setting a new day-one sales record for the franchise and making it one of the fastest-selling PC games of all-time.*

Battle for Azeroth is a definitive chapter in the Horde and Alliance conflict at the heart of Warcraft, and it’s been thrilling to see players representing their factions in record numbers and embarking on their war campaigns—not to mention joining in ourselves,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “But the launch is just the beginning of this conflict. More epic content is coming to World of Warcraft in the weeks ahead, and we can’t wait for players to experience the full story as it unfolds over the course of the expansion.”

As Azeroth’s defenders continue to explore new regions in search of allies and resources, preparations are being made for the next great confrontation in the ongoing war:

  • In the coming weeks, players will be able to charge into Battle for Azeroth’s first Warfront, Stromgarde—a 20-player co-op battle for control of a key strategic stronghold in the Arathi Highlands.
  • On September 4, the gates will open to Battle for Azeroth’s first raid—Uldir, an ancient titan facility housing horrific Old God experiments gone awry.
  • Also on September 4, the expansion’s first PvP season and first Mythic Keystone dungeon season will commence. The Mythic Keystone dungeon will feature a unique “seasonal affix”—Infested—that introduces new challenges based on the corrupted denizens dwelling in the Uldir raid.
  • Beyond that, additional updates are in the works that will provide even more content for players on an ongoing basis, including the ability to recruit the Kul Tiran humans and Zandalari trolls as playable Allied Races. More information on future updates will be shared at a later date.

T.Flight Hotas 4 Ace Combat 7 Skies Unknown Edition Announced

Rennes, August 21, 2018 – Thrustmaster is partnering with publisher Bandai Namco to release a new, limited-edition T.Flight Hotas joysticks featuring the landmark game Ace Combat 7.

Gamescom: A top-flight launch!

Thrustmaster is present at Gamescom on the publisher’s booth in order to show off the seamless compatibility between the flagship game Ace Combat 7 and the limited-edition T.Flight Hotas 4.

Visitors attending Gamescom in Cologne will be able to play with the new T.Flight Hotas 4 Ace Combat 7 Skies Unknown Edition joystick during its first-ever public appearance! The setup has been designed by the two partners for this event offering a demo of the new story in the iconic Japanese dogfight arcade game. The T.Flight Hotas 4 joystick offers a brand-new level of gaming realism for Ace Combat by providing a new way to play.

Both dynamic and accessible, while maintaining a level of realism, this demo for Ace Combat 7 Skies Unknown with the new Thrustmaster joysticks shows off the comfort, natural feeling and unparalleled precision that ensures the player can bring all of their fighting instincts and piloting reflexes to the game.

Something new for the players

The efficiency and ease of play offered by the T.Flight Hotas range of joysticks is a surprise to nobody, but Thrustmaster is setting the bar even higher and aims to enhance the way its community plays the games and the overall gaming experience even further.

This close collaboration with the developers of Ace Combat has allowed for full integration of the Thrustmaster joystick making the game more precise and more fun than ever in this latest release from the Japanese publisher.

Although the game is optimized for a third-person view (seen from outside the plane), it is also a thrill to use the T.Flight Hotas 4 Ace Combat 7 Skies Unknown Edition in first-person mode (viewed from inside the cockpit) especially for more experienced pilots.

This release is a celebration for fans of the franchise and other flight game enthusiasts, and Thrustmaster has made sure to keep everyone in its community to mind when releasing the two versions of the joystick:

  • T.Flight Hotas 4 (for PlayStation®4)
  • T.Flight Hotas One (for Xbox One®)

The T.Flight Hotas Ace Combat 7 Skies Unknown Edition joysticks will also be compatible with all other games that earlier versions of this  joystick are compatible.

Box contents:

  • Limited-edition joystick
  • Throttle
  • Allen wrench
  • User guide and warranty information

These new joysticks will be available when the game is released and more details will be coming soon.

Something for the Helicopter community as well!

Thrustmaster is also proud to be present on the ‘Air Missions: Hind’ booth to demonstrate joystick helicopter piloting prowess with the T.Flight Hotas 4!

Demo stations will be available to let you appreciate the smooth and dynamic handling of the gameplay via joystick (throttle and joystick combo in a single device) for a complete gaming experience and even deeper immersion.

Beginners, have no fear: a layout featuring all of the controls and buttons will be displayed next to the joysticks.

Official Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 4K PC Gameplay Trailer

August 23, 2018 – Today Activision and Treyarch released a new 4K PC gameplay trailer for Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, located here:

Speaking of PC, in case you missed it, also announced this week was the Blackout PC Open Beta start date: September 15. Fans who pre-purchase the game get one day early access. For more information, visit callofduty.com or follow @callofduty on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.”

DJI Unveils Mavic 2 Pro and Mavic 2 Zoom Drones

August 23, 2018 – DJI, the world’s leader in civilian drones and aerial imaging technology, today introduced a new era for camera drones with two additions to its iconic Mavic series: Mavic 2 Pro, the world’s first drone with an integrated Hasselblad camera, and Mavic 2 Zoom, the world’s first foldable consumer drone with optical zoom capability.

The Mavic 2 is the most advanced DJI camera drone ever built, designed for professionals, aerial photographers and content creators. Incorporating the iconic folding design of the world’s most popular Mavic Pro, the Mavic 2 is a powerful platform with new gimbal-stabilized cameras and advanced intelligent features like Hyperlapse and ActiveTrack for easier and more dynamic storytelling. With an impressive flight time of up to 31 minutes and a more stable video transmission system, Mavic 2 delivers the optimal flight experience for capturing epic shots.

“When the Mavic Pro was launched two years ago, it redefined the way people looked at a drone and expanded possibilities for creators around the world,” said Roger Luo, President at DJI. “Today, we enter a new era of aerial photography with the introduction of DJI’s new flagship product, the Mavic 2 series. The Mavic 2 Pro and Mavic 2 Zoom will enable photographers and videographers to take their inspirations to the air quickly and elevate their creative ideas to new heights.”

Mavic 2 Pro: Superior Image Quality with Hasselblad

Co-engineered in partnership with Hasselblad, the leading manufacturer in medium format photography, the Mavic 2 Pro is the world’s first drone with an integrated Hasselblad camera for outstanding image quality with superior light and color performance. Housing a 1-inch CMOS sensor with a 10-bit Dlog-M color profile, the camera captures four times as many levels of color per channel compared to Mavic Pro to provide maximum flexibility for photo and video editing. The Mavic 2 Pro can capture 20-megapixel aerial shots with utmost color accuracy using Hasselblad’s unique Hasselblad Natural Color Solution (HNCS) technology, while an adjustable aperture from f/2.8-f/11 provides more control across a wide variety of lighting conditions. With 4K 10-bit HDR support, the Mavic 2 Pro can be plugged into a 4K TV with HLG and will play back footage with the right color tones.

Mavic 2 Zoom: A Dynamic Perspective with Optical and Digital Zoom

Powered by a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor, the Mavic 2 Zoom is DJI’s first foldable consumer drone with zoom, providing a dynamic perspective that ushers in a new era of creative storytelling. With the Mavic 2 Zoom, you can get closer to your subject at a moment’s notice by combining two-times optical zoom (24-48mm) with two-times digital zoom to simulate a 96mm telephoto lens that captures lossless video in full HD resolution. Hybrid auto-focus on the Mavic 2 Zoom combines phase and contrast detection for higher focus accuracy with an increased focus speed of up to 40% faster than before. Shoot vivid 12-megapixel photos or take advantage of the new Super Resolution feature that uses optical zoom to automatically capture and stitch nine photos together for a highly detailed 48-megapixel image, making it an ideal option for landscape photography.

Exclusive to the Mavic 2 Zoom, the new Dolly Zoom QuickShot mode opens a new visual language for storytelling that was previously reserved for professional cinematographers. It creates an otherworldly warped perspective by automatically zooming in as it flies away from its subject, keeping the subject the same size while the full background of the scene is revealed.

Mavic 2 Series: DJI’s New Flagship Consumer Drone with Powerful Camera Options
Both cameras capture vivid 4K ultra-high definition video with extreme detail, recording at a maximum bitrate of 100 megabits per second using the H.265 compression codec to give you an exceptional degree of latitude in post-production workflows. For photographers, new Enhanced High Dynamic Range capabilities blend a sequence of photos for ghost-free high dynamic range, giving the Mavic 2 Pro an impressive 14 stops of dynamic range and Mavic 2 Zoom up to 13 stops.

New Intelligent Tools For Epic, Cinematic Shots
The Mavic 2 is the ultimate tool for aerial content creation with new intelligent flight modes that make capturing professional-quality results almost effortless. A new Hyperlapse feature[1] produces establishing shots that show the passing of time, which you can share to social media immediately. JPEG and RAW photos can be simultaneously saved on a Micro SD card or the internal storage, leaving more room for post editing. Choose between Circle, Course Lock, Waypoint or Free mode to create timelapses with a simple tap of a button in the DJI GO 4 Mobile App:

  • Free– pilots the drone manually while shooting a Hyperlapse video.
  • Circle– automatically flies the drone in a circular pattern around a subject you select to create a timelapse video that captures the action.
  • Course Lock– keeps the camera fixed on shooting subject while the drone flies in a straight direction to create a unique perspective.
  • Waypoint– plans a complex flight path based on both altitude and GPS coordinates to capture complex shots.

Keeping a moving subject in the frame is now easier than ever with ActiveTrack 2.0. This enhanced auto-track feature delivers a powerful combination of autonomous tracking and obstacle sensing capabilities never before seen in a DJI drone. Using the main camera and the front dual vision cameras, the Mavic 2 creates a three-dimensional map of the area in front of it, and uses new trajectory algorithms to analyze motion and predict the subject’s path up to three seconds in the future. When tracking a target, the Mavic 2 can recognize and avoid obstacles while shooting your target without interruption. It can stay on target, even if your subject momentarily goes behind an obstacle, and can track the subject at higher speeds of up to 44 mph (72 km/h).[2]

Safer, Smarter and Stable Flight

The Mavic 2 delivers autonomous flight capabilities that help you capture shots with even more confidence in complex environments. A fully upgraded FlightAutonomy[3] system transmits data to a more powerful central processor for more accurate obstacle sensing and safer flight. For the first time ever in a DJI drone, Mavic 2 has 10 sensors on all sides of the aircraft to automatically detect obstacles in its path and help prevent collisions[4], allowing you to focus on capturing the perfect shot.

An improved Advanced Pilot Assistance System (APAS) allows the aircraft to analyze its surrounding environment and automatically fly around obstacles without stopping. In addition, the Mavic 2 has a Bottom Auxiliary Light that turns on automatically to ensure safe and precise landings in low-light situations.

A newly designed OcuSync 2.0 video transmission system enables a more stable connection between the drone and its remote controller. The system features stronger interference resistance and auto-switching capabilities that support both 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz frequency bands with the capability to use different frequencies for uplink and downlink data streams. It delivers 1080p video transmission feeds at a distance of up to 8 km[5], allowing you to instantly edit and upload Full HD footage directly from the video cache in the DJI app in a wider variety of situations. Original resolution photos in JPEG can be saved directly to your mobile device, so you can immediately share what you create without the need to transfer files from the drone.

Aerodynamic Design and Extended Flight Time

The Mavic 2’s redesigned, more aerodynamic airframe reduces body drag by up to 19% compared to the Mavic Pro, allowing the Mavic 2 to fly at speeds of up to 44 mph (72 km/h) in Sport mode. Combined with a more efficient, quieter propulsion system and noise reducing propellers, the Mavic 2 has a maximum flight time of up to 31 minutes.

To ensure crisp photos and smooth, shake-free footage, the Mavic 2 houses an ultra-precise three-axis mechanical gimbal to stabilize its camera even during high-speed motion. Photos and videos can be saved directly to the drone using its 8 GB onboard storage. All DJI users have control over how their data is stored and managed, as part of DJI’s commitment to protecting its customers’ data.

A redesigned remote controller features detachable control sticks for ease of storage and portability. The Mavic 2 is compatible with DJI Goggles with the gimbal (yaw) control range up to -75°– +75° in Head Tracking mode, offering users a more immersive FPV flight experience.[6]

Price and Availability

The US retail price of a Mavic 2 Pro, including the drone, battery, remote controller, charger, and four pairs of propellers, is $1,449 USD. The US retail price of a Mavic 2 Zoom, including the drone, battery, charger, remote controller and four pairs of propellers, is $1,249 USD. A Fly More Kit, including two additional batteries, a multi-battery charging hub, a car charger, a battery to power bank adapter, two pairs of propellers and a carrying bag, retails at $319 USD. A gimbal replacement service exclusively for Mavic 2 will be available soon.

Starting today, the Mavic 2 is available for purchase at store.dji.com and the four DJI Flagship Stores. For more information on all the new features and capabilities of the Mavic 2, please visit https://www.dji.com/mavic-2.