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Assetto Corsa Compitizione Early Access Trailer

2018/07/31

Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

STAVELOT, BELGIUM – July 31st, 2018 – During the SRO press conference on Friday, July 27 – held during the 70th edition of the illustrious Total 24 Hours of Spa race – Kunos Simulazioni revealed the release date of Assetto Corsa Competizione, the new official Blancpain GT Series game published by 505 Games. The game will be accessible on PC via Steam’s Early Access program beginning Wednesday, September 12, 2018. Kunos also revealed a new trailer for the upcoming racing simulation game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI-Q-C0koSU.

In his speech, Marco Massarutto, co-founder and brand & product manager of Kunos Simulazioni, introduced some of the features offered by Assetto Corsa Competizione. Offering an extraordinary level of simulation quality that allows players to experience the unique atmosphere of this GT3 Series, the game features official drivers, teams, and all cars & circuits with the highest level of accuracy and attention to detail. Taking full advantage of Unreal Engine 4, Assetto Corsa Competizione will ensure the highest quality rendering with photorealistic weather conditions and graphics to reach a new standard in driving realism and immersion racing. Motion capture technology is used to create the animations of mechanics and drivers in an even more realistic fashion and guarantee a high level of player engagement during races, pit stops and driver changes.

Following the Early Access launch, in September Assetto Corsa Competizione will receive monthly expansion updates to introduce new cars, tracks and features until the final release of the game in early 2019. The final version of the game will also offer a wide selection of difficulty settings, and a deep and efficient rating system, able to offer the perfect multiplayer challenge for any type of driver – from newbies to skilled professionals. Kunos will optimize the game for competitive players with the full sets of racing classes and special events, and the option to face toughest challenge – a full 24-hour race, with options for driver swaps in both single and multiplayer modes.

During the Total 24 Hours of Spa racing weekend, a preview version of Assetto Corsa Competizione was playable in the paddock area of the Spa-Francorshamps circuit, thanks to a special videogame tournament officially supported by SRO Motorsports Group, organizer of the Blancpain GT Series. This was the first e-sports initiative proposed by SRO Motorsports Group for the Blancpain GT Series E-Sports, supported by Pirelli, AK Informatica, RSeat and Fanatec with amazing rewards for the best drivers. The top three virtual pilots of Assetto Corsa Competizione were officially celebrated on the circuit podium:

1st: Enzo Bonito (Italy)
2nd: Kamil Franczak (Germany)
3rd: Hany Alsabti (Germany)
The conference is accessible here:

Full SRO conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QH6pEZLOek
ACC presentation (starting at 45’37”): https://youtu.be/fQtiVpa6u4M?t=45m37s
For additional information about Assetto Corsa Competizione, check the Steam product page (https://store.steampowered.com/app/805550) and the official Assetto Corsa website, or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Shenmue I & II Story Trailer

2018/07/31

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Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

July 31, 2018 – To celebrate the upcoming re-release of Shenmue I & II on new platforms, we’ve worked with Corey Marshall, the English-version voice actor of Ryo Hazuki, to create a series of videos exploring the basics of the legendary saga – starting with the story! Watch the first episode HERE:

Exploring first and foremost the setting and story of Shenmue I & II, in this episode Corey guides us through Ryo’s tale of investigation and revenge for his father’s murder, and the mystery of the Dragon Mirror that his father kept hidden and eventually died to protect. Ryo’s quest of retribution against Lan Di, the man in the Chinese robes who assassinated his father before his very eyes, took him from the faithfully represented town of Yokosuka to different locations across China, meeting many allies along the way.

On August 21st, new players can get immersed into Ryo’s quest to find justice on PC, PS4 and Xbox One.

Shenmue I & II is now available for pre-order digitally on Steam, Xbox Marketplace and PSN with a 10% discount, and from SEGA approved digital retailers*. The physical edition is available to pre-order from US and EMEA retailers.

For all the latest information on Shenmue I & II, go to: https://shenmue.sega.com/

*Please check here for an exhaustive list of digital retailers and more details as to what constitutes a SEGA approved retailer.

McFarlane Toys Announces Fortnite Collectible Figures

2018/07/30

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Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

TEMPE, ARIZONA, — July 30, 2018 — McFarlane Toys today announced a new partnership with Epic Games to create a range of Fortnite™ premium collectible figures, related accessories and resin statues, in a deal brokered by IMG.

The new Fortnite branded collection will feature seven-inch premium figures from the Fortnite franchise and high-end accessories.

“The Fortnite brand has taken on global status and continues to grow each day. The game, with its sense of skill and irreverent fun, now has hundreds of character options to choose from, which is a tremendous blueprint for making any successful toy and action figure line,” said Todd McFarlane, CEO and Founder of McFarlane Toys.

“The developer’s art team at Epic Games wants to bring that same attitude into the creation of their toys, and everyone here at McFarlane Toys will be doing all we can to bring Fortnite fans the very best products,” said McFarlane. “With such a deep and visually interesting library to choose from, I have no doubt that we will be able to showcase both current and ‘classic’ looks from the Fortnite franchise. After talking with some of the top creators at Epic Games, I’m delighted they are as stoked about our partnership to make cool toys as we are!”

Donald Mustard, Worldwide Creative Director of Epic Games commented: “We’ve been fans of Todd and McFarlane Toys for years and years, and it’s been a dream come true to have an opportunity to collaborate with them. I’ve seen some of the prototypes and they’re so sweet… I think players are just going to be blown away.”

Launching in Fall 2018, the collection will be available for purchase from mass retail stores.

Fortnite is the action building game from Epic Games that lets you drop into a massive 100-player PVP Battle Royale or team up with friends in a co-op campaign to Save The World against a horde of monsters. Craft and loot in giant worlds where no two games are ever the same. Fortnite™ Battle Royale is free and available on PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, iOS, and soon, Android.

Halloween Horror Nights Reveals Stranger Things Maze Key Art

2018/07/30

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Geek News, Halloween, News

Universal Parks & Resorts, July 30, 2018 – Things are about to get turned upside down at Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights’ with the first look reveal of the “Stranger Things” maze key art designed exclusively by Kyle Lambert, the official illustrator of the mega-hit Netflix original series.

Featuring the series’ cast standing adjacent to the predatory Demogorgon, the ominous image depicts a nearly palpable account of what guests can expect to experience when the “Stranger Things” maze debuts as part of “Halloween Horror Nights” this fall.

The “Stranger Thing” maze, inspired by season one of the Netflix series, will come to life at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort, beginning, Friday, September 14, and at Universal Studios Singapore, beginning Thursday, September 27, 2018.

The parallel universe, referred to as the Upside Down, that terrorized the small town of Hawkins, Indiana in “Stranger Things,” will bring the chittering, predatory Demogorgon to “Halloween Horror Nights” to stalk unwitting guests as they encounter iconic scenes, characters and environments from the mesmerizing series.

Working collaboratively with Netflix, along with the creators and executive producer of the blockbuster series—Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer and Shawn Levy, the mazes will be authentic representations of “Stranger Things,” designed to transport guests into artfully recreated scenes and storylines. From the menacing Hawkins National Laboratory, under the U.S. Department of Energy, to the Byers home adorned with an erratic display of flashing Christmas lights and the eerie Upside Down woods oozing a shower of floating orb-like spores, the chilling new mazes will offer surprising twists and unexpected turns around every corner.

Universal Studios’ “Halloween Horror Nights” is the ultimate Halloween event. For more than 25 years, guests from around the world have visited “Halloween Horror Nights” to become victims inside their own horror film. Multiple movie-quality mazes based on iconic horror television shows, films and original stories come to life season after season, while the streets of each park’s event are transformed into highly-themed scare zones with menacing scare-actors lunging from every darkened corner.

For more information about “Halloween Horror Nights” visit www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com.

Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor Unveils Revamped Experience for 2018

2018/07/30

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Geek News, Halloween, News

LONG BEACH, Calif., (July 30, 2018) – Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor, Southern California’s most authentically terrifying haunt, will once again rise from the depths on September 27, drenched in legend and oozing with a sordid past. Regarded as one of the most haunted places on Earth, the Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor is a thrill-seekers’ delight, blurring the lines of history and hysteria, and for the 2018 season, the event will disorient fans with an entirely NEW park footprint along with NEW maze designs, INTERACTIVE alternate paths, and THRILLING live entertainment.

“This coming season attendees are invited to descend into Dark Harbor’s newly, Omni-immersive and hyper-enhanced mazes for its darkest season yet,” stated Charity Hill, Executive Producer of Dark Harbor. “With a myriad of voluntary experiences, alternate paths, secret bars, and hidden passages we are proud to deliver a choose-your-own-adventure mega haunt.”

Put on a detective’s hat and retrace the steps of Samuel the Savage to solve the gruesome murders in B340. Re-live childhood nightmares playing hide-and-seek with Scary Mary and her sinister teddy bear in Lullaby. Escape the Ringmaster’s big top before becoming a specimen in the oddities museum of Circus. Head to boot camp with Half Hatch Henry for a reimagined storyline of the fan-favorite maze, Deadrise, to experience Captain’s rigorous training camp. Feeling Intrepid? Traverse the John Brown Shipyard and try to hide from the lurking creatures in the Scottish Highlands aboard Iron Master’s express train to hell. Clock-in to a shift aboard the infamous Grey Ghost and avoid Chef’s chopping block while working up an appetite for flesh in the maze FEAST.

At Midsummer Scream on Sunday, July 29, the producers of Dark Harbor announced a devilishly-perfect addition to their creative team, the sinister & twisted mind of Jon Cooke. The NEW Dark Harbor Production Designer brings with him over a decade of experience designing some of SoCal’s most celebrated theme parks and haunted attractions.

As Dark Harbor’s darkest and most sinister season approaches, those daring enough to set foot on property will navigate a bone-chilling 9-degree Ice Bar, dodge hundreds of devious entities, seek out hidden havens, indulge in devilish treats, imbibe intense concoctions, survive Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch Sinister Swings, brave the Panic 4D Experience, and white-knuckle death-defying aerial and fire stunts for the haunt’s most frighteningly immersive season yet.

Let the countdown begin: 6 blood-curdling mazes, 5 weeks of terror, 3 new secret bars, 2 electrifying stages, 1 way out…

The annual haunt returns to the Queen Mary on September 27 and continues to scare those who dare on select nights through November 2. General Admission ticket prices start at just $20 online with optional limited upgrades to Fast Fright, Evil Express, VIP, Ultimate Scream, Creepy Cabanas, and Private Patios (available while supplies last). For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit www.queenmary.com/dark-harbor.

Planet Alpha Release Date Trailer

2018/07/30

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Geek News, News, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

31^st July 2018, UK – Team17, a global games label, creative partner and developer of independent, premium video games and Denmark based independent developer Adrian Lazar of Planet Alpha ApS game studio have today announced that their mysterious, beautiful platform adventure game PLANET ALPHA, will be launching on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch™ and PC on the 4^th September.

To celebrate the game’s forthcoming launch, a new trailer has been released today which showcases some of the threats and danger you’ll come across as you explore the strange alien world you find yourself upon. You’ll have to combine fast platforming action with stealth and creative puzzle solving to survive and uncover the truth.

PLANET ALPHA is an atmospheric side-scrolling platform adventure game. Combining fast platforming, creative puzzles, stealth mechanics and a unique art style to create an unforgettable experience.

PLANET ALPHA is heading to Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch™ and PC on the 4^th September 2018.

To keep up to date with all the information on PLANET ALPHA please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and join us on Discord.

Star Wars: Episode IX Cast Announced Including Carrie Fisher

2018/07/27

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Geek News, Movie News, News

July 27, 2018 – Star Wars: Episode IX will begin filming at London’s Pinewood Studios on August 1, 2018. J.J. Abrams returns to direct the final installment of the Skywalker saga. Abrams co-wrote the screenplay with Chris Terrio.

Returning cast members include Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, and Billie Lourd. Joining the cast of Episode IX are Naomi Ackie and Richard E. Grant, who will be joined by veteran Star Wars actors Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, and Billy Dee Williams, who will reprise his role as Lando Calrissian.

The role of Leia Organa will once again be played by Carrie Fisher, using previously unreleased footage shot for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. “We desperately loved Carrie Fisher,” says Abrams. “Finding a truly satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker saga without her eluded us. We were never going to recast, or use a CG character. With the support and blessing from her daughter, Billie, we have found a way to honor Carrie’s legacy and role as Leia in Episode IX by using unseen footage we shot together in Episode VII.”

Composer John Williams, who has scored every chapter in the Star Wars saga since 1977’s A New Hope, will return to a galaxy far, far away with Episode IX.

Star Wars: Episode IX will be produced by Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, and Michelle Rejwan, and executive produced by Callum Greene and Jason McGatlin. The crew includes Dan Mindel (Director of Photography), Rick Carter and Kevin Jenkins (Co-Production Designers), Michael Kaplan (Costume Designer), Neal Scanlan (Creature and Droid FX), Maryann Brandon and Stefan Grube (Editors), Roger Guyett (VFX Supervisor), Tommy Gormley (1st AD), and Victoria Mahoney (2nd Unit Director).

Release is scheduled for December 2019.

World of Warships Sharks vs Eagles Event Announced

2018/07/27

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Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

July 27, 2018 – World of Warships, the massively multiplayer naval battle game from developer and publisher Wargaming, today launched a new in-game event we think your readers would be interested in. The new event, dubbed Sharks vs. Eagles, coincides with Update 0.7.7.

In Sharks vs. Eagles, players choose to fight for either competing team, earning points by winning battles and completing missions. At the end of each day, the points earned will be converted to containers that are delivered to each team. These containers hold extra supplies, cosmetics, coal (in-game currency) and more!

Sharks vs. Eagles also adds a new Loyalty feature to World of Warships, where players can be bribed by the other team to abandon their comrades and fight alongside their foes. By switching sides, players will earn bonuses, but, by staying loyal to their team, players can also earn special event tokens, which they can exchange for team flags, patches, containers and unique camouflage paint jobs for their warships.

Along with the new event, which is part of Update 0.7.7, there are several changes and additions being made to World of Warships.The biggest changes come in operations Narai and Raptor Rescue, both reworked from their original launch to offer more gameplay options and graphical updates. Operation Narai has players battling to secure a coastal landing zone for troops making an amphibious landing, while Operation Raptor Rescue has players taking control of support ships that must escort the Raptor, a massive aircraft carrier, as it attempts to break out of a blockaded Naval base.

Head over to worldofwarships.com now to sign up for World of Warships and choose whether you’ll play for the Sharks or Eagles in the new event!

MOSS Soundtrack Available Now

2018/07/27

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Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

Seattle – July 27, 2018 – The world of Moss will soon extend beyond the virtual reality headset with the release of the Moss Soundtrack, dropping across major digital retailers August 3, 2018. As a special thank you to fans, Polyarc is gifting the full digital soundtrack to everyone who has purchased or will purchase Moss through PlayStation®Store, Steam, Oculus, Viveport, GameStop or one of the many physical retail locations by August 17, 2018. For all other music enthusiasts, the Moss Soundtrack is now available for pre-order at digital retailers such as Bandcamp, iTunes, Google Play, and Amazon.

Composed by two-time BAFTA award-winning composer Jason Graves, the soundtrack brings to life the melodic and playful adventure in Moss from the hero Quill’s perspective. Graves accomplishes this by employing small and intimate-sounding instruments — flute, oboe, Celtic harp, English hammered dulcimer, acoustic guitar, and classical violin — all composed, arranged, and produced in a pastoral soundscape with enchanting Waltz-esque flair. The soundtrack consists of 11 in-game tracks for more than 57 minutes of music, including the bonus track “Home To Me,” featuring Malukah. Three tracks (“The Clearing,” “Cinder Skies,” and “Home To Me”) can be sampled via Bandcamp.

For soundtrack collectors and fans of physical versions, Polyarc also opened pre-orders for a limited run of premium CD and vinyl albums. The album covers feature a Moss storybook design highlighted with gold foil. Inside the CD digipak, gamers are treated to art from the in-game collectable tapestry and environment. For the vinyl album, which features eight of the tracks, the black record label features a full color tapestry. Both the CD and vinyl albums can be pre-ordered at Materia Collective and Bandcamp.

In addition to the soundtrack, Polyarc is offering a Moss game + Moss Soundtrack bundle on PlayStation®Store for $29.99 starting August 3, 2018. The bundle promotion is available to everyone in North America and PlayStation®Plus subscribers in Europe for two weeks only. Following that, all players can purchase the game + soundtrack bundle for $34.99. The new bundle will also be available on Steam starting August 17, 2018 for $34.99.

Here’s how players who purchase Moss through August 17, 2018 can download the soundtrack for free:

Steam: Gamers will find the soundtrack in the DLC section of Moss as part of the game update hitting August 3, 2018. Players have until August 17, 2018 to download the MP3 files before the soundtrack is removed from the DLC section of the single game purchase.
PlayStation®VR: Gamers can go to the Moss Soundtrack page in the PlayStation®Store and are eligible to purchase the soundtrack free of charge through August 17, 2018.
HTC Vive: HTC will send gamers an email with a code allowing them to redeem and download the soundtrack from Bandcamp after August 17, 2018.
Oculus Rift, Amazon, GameStop and Physical Edition: Polyarc will send gamers a code allowing them to redeem and download the soundtrack from Bandcamp after August 17, 2018. Gamers need to send soundtrack@polyarcgames.com proof of purchase by August 18, 2018 to be eligible.

Revered as one of the best VR titles to date because of its intuitive gameplay, creative design, and high degree of artistic polish, Moss brings a unique experience to gamers around the world. In Moss, players guide a young mouse hero named Quill on an epic journey while also manipulating the field of play as their own character and key ally to Quill. Moss brings together classic components of a great game — characters, combat, and exploration — with the exciting, interactive opportunities of virtual reality.

Moss is rated E10+ by the ESRB. For more information, visit www.polyarcgames.com and follow the official Polyarc channels Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.

Star Control: Origins Beta Update 3 Brings Fleet Battles

2018/07/26

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Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

Plymouth, MI. July 26, 2018 – Today, Stardock released the beta 3 of Fleet Battles for the highly anticipated science-fiction adventure game, Star Control®: Origins™. The beta is available to anyone who pre-orders Star Control: Origins and includes the ability for online and local play with others.

In Star Control: Origins, you explore the galaxy, investigate new worlds, contact new civilizations, and battle hostile aliens in Star Control: Origins. You are the captain of Earth’s brand new, state-of-the-art ship, The Vindicator. Your mission is to gather together allies to fight an ancient alien menace that threatens to annihilate the human race.

Fleet Battles is a mode within the main game that allows players to assemble different ships in a fleet and engage in battle with fleets controlled by either the computer, humans via the Internet, or even friends sitting at the same PC. Players are also able to use the integrated ship crafting system in Fleet Battles to create vessels of their own and share them online via Steam Workshop.

Beta 3 sees several new additions to Fleet Battles, including two new ships: the Arilou Observer and the Kzanti Intimidator. Each ship comes with its own loadout of new weapons, like a cloaking device that provides temporarily invisibility, an octomator that fires in eight directions at once, a repulsor that damages enemy ships and propels them away, or proximity mines, which blow up when an enemy ventures too close.

A feature called “scavenging” has also been added in this update. At the start of every battle, wreckage from destroyed ships will be scattered across the arena. Scavenge the wrecks by flying over them and gaining acceleration, health, energy regeneration, and speed bonuses. These bonuses not only apply to the ship currently in battle, but also to every other ship in the fleet waiting to get in on the action.

Each match starts with a random number of wreckages. Every time a ship is destroyed during the match, it leaves behind another wreck for the next match. New end match screens detailing fleet conditions and battle readouts have also been added.

Several other additions accompany the Beta 3 release, including two new maps and improved multiplayer performance. Players can also now press the ‘tab’ key to highlight their ships on screen so that they’re easier to locate when a match begins. An AI v.s. AI mode and updated fonts and UI polish have also been included.

Stardock has also released alien content packs as part of Star Control: Origins. The first of these are available early for anyone who pre-purchases the base game. In addition to concept art and lore, each content pack features new music by Mason Fisher and Riku Nuottajärvi, an original composer for Star Control II. Many packs will also feature the original alien tracks by Star Control II composer Dan Nicholson.

The first sets released include the Arilou™, the Chenjesu™, and the Mowlings™. These are available for download today from the Stardock store and via Steam.

The final version of Star Control: Origins will release on September 20, 2018. Users can pre-order the game now at a discounted price and receive instant access to the Fleet Battles beta.

Star Control: Origins is available for pre-order from Stardock, GOG, or Steam for $34.99.