Author - Jerry Paxton

Offworld Launches New Squad Website and Game Update

Today, Offworld has launched a new website for its hit 50v50 military FPS Squad, featuring a redesigned homepage and a host of new resources for players, content creators and media alike. As well, Offworld has released Update 7.2 for Squad, introducing a pair of brand-new vehicles to the fray: the M1128 mobile gun system and the Quad Bike, both designed for unique strategic operations. With the addition of the M1128, players gain a powerful but nimble unit for supporting wheeled-vehicle and infantry attacks, while the agile Quad Bike is perfect for quick and precise movement across the battlefield. The M1128 will appear with the USA Faction’s 2nd Cavalry Stryker Brigade Motorized Unit, while the quad bike is available for the US Army and USMC Light Infantry units.

As well, to increase player agency and help cultivate a more dynamic combat environment, Update 7.2 implements a new map- and faction-voting system. At the end of each round of gameplay, players will be prompted to vote on the following layer and faction setup that their team would like to play. The vote is concluded when the voting time is up or when all the players have cast their ballot. When the layer and faction votes have both concluded, the next gameplay layer will be loaded based on the results.

In addition to the above, Update 7.2 also brings with it manual bolting for bolt-action rifles, quality-of-life improvements for various weapons and scopes, and a multitude of bug fixes.

Squad is a large-scale combined-arms multiplayer first-person shooter emphasizing combat realism through communication and team play, emphasizing strong squad cohesion mechanics and larger-scale coordination, tactics, and planning. It features 23 massive open maps, vehicle-based combined arms gameplay, and player-constructed bases to create a heart-thumping, visceral gaming experience with split-second decision-making in real-world scale firefights.

Universal Studios Announces Butterbeer Season Celebration

For the first time ever, Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood will celebrate Butterbeer™ Season, offering fans and guests a chance to enjoy Butterbeer in all-new ways within “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,™” beginning March 15 and continuing through April 30, 2024.

The celebration also marks the introduction of Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream counter within “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” at Universal Studios Hollywood. Opening on Friday, March 29, the all-new venue, located in Honeydukes™, will feature 10 decadent and savory soft serve ice cream flavors, including Butterbeer, Banana, Chocolate, Mint, Orange, Vanilla, Toffee Nut, Granny Smith Apple, Pistachio and Toffee Apple, served in a cup or waffle cone.

With a flavor reminiscent of butterscotch and shortbread, Butterbeer is a perfectly fine-tuned Wizarding World treat that includes cold, frozen, hot and non-dairy Butterbeer beverages along with Butterbeer fudge, potted cream and ice cream.

Throughout Butterbeer Season, both destinations will roll out delectable treats, including an ice lolly which features the rich palate pleasing Butterbeer flavor in popsicle form, in addition to the traditional items served daily. Plus, new Butterbeer caramels will only be available at Universal Orlando Resort. For a limited time only during this festive period, cold and frozen Butterbeer will be available for purchase in a special collectible silver stein.

Guests at Universal Orlando Resort can enjoy Butterbeer and celebrate the season at “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade” at Universal Islands of Adventures as well as at “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley™” at Universal Studios Florida.

For more information about “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” at Universal Orlando Resort, visit www.universalorlando.com, and at Universal Studios Hollywood, visit www.universalstudioshollywood.com.

Stellaris The Machine Age Expansion Trailer

Paradox Interactive today announced The Machine Age, a robotic expansion coming soon to the sci-fi strategy game Stellaris. Players overcome biological limitations of mind and flesh by developing their mechanical empires, as well as face a new endgame crisis and utilize cybertronic origins.

The Machine Age includes a range of additional reactive portraits, Civics, superstructures, Populations Traits, and music tracks.

CCP Games Reveals First Details On Project Awakening and Unveils PHASE III Playtest

Today, CCP Games is excited to reveal the first details about Project Awakening and announce PHASE III, the next closed playtest for the in-development title set within the EVE Universe, starting May 21, 2024.

With a 26-year studio history, Project Awakening represents the next step in CCP Games’ journey to create virtual worlds more meaningful than real life. Designed with player empowerment at its heart, Project Awakening is being developed as a single-shard survival experience built upon the principles of freedom, consequence, and mastery within a living universe. A universe that will evolve from the actions and efforts of its players.

As a single-shard survival experience, Project Awakening is set in the dark expanse of space where civilization has decayed in the ruin of its own ambition. Players will explore a hostile and dangerous cosmos as they fight to survive against what remains and attempt to rebuild a broken world.

Powered by the Carbon Development Platform and MUD by Lattice, CCP Games is creating a persistent world bound by digital physics, where composability and programmability will enable players to build and collaborate on top, outside of and within the emergent game environment – unlocking boundless creativity for third-party development via blockchain technology and cryptography.

To participate in the development of Project Awakening, players can now apply to join PHASE III, the next closed playtest starting May 21, 2024. PHASE III will allow players to engage with programmable game systems and build their own features and functionality within the world. As part of the playtest, an online hackathon will enable builders to showcase their ideas to CCP, with the winning teams given the opportunity to visit the studio headquarters in Iceland.

As part of today’s news, CCP Games is also excited to announce its commitment to making the Carbon Development Platform open source, allowing programmers and game developers to access the Carbon game engine framework and additional components for free.

“We have been co-developing games with players for over 20 years: by making the Carbon Development Platform open source we are now taking the next step in this journey. Our vision is to open up game development to everyone. Whether you are a player, a developer, or a programmer, we want to empower you in building virtual worlds. As part of this, we are excited to reveal the first details about Project Awakening, which embodies this philosophy. Players will have a new series of tools at their disposal to add their own features and functionality to the experience, a new way of leaving their mark on the world. If you are a builder and want to be a part of this journey, then apply to PHASE III and join this new extension of the EVE Universe,” said CCP Games CEO, Hilmar Veigar Pétursson.

“We’re excited to bring the Carbon Development Platform to our creative community, allowing them to harness the power of the Carbon game engine,” said CCP Games Senior Development Director Ben Hunter. “We look forward to sharing more details and insight on how the public will be able to access Carbon in the future.”

“We are proud to reveal our partnership with CCP Games. Integrating MUD with Project Awakening will enable the creation of an autonomous world bound by digital physics,” said Lattice CEO Justin Gilbert. “A universe where actions have consequences, which exists on rules as concrete as our own reality.”

For more information on Project Awakening and to apply to PHASE III, visit the official website www.projectawakening.io

Highwater Out Now

How do you cope with a world-ending climate catastrophe? By taking a super relaxing boat trip! The megachill developers at Demagog Studio have announced that the award-winning narrative-driven adventure / strategy hybrid Highwater has landed on Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store today. Download the game during launch week to enjoy a 20% discount.

Winner of the Gold NYX Awards for Best PC Visual Art and Best PC Indie, Highwater has players float freely across vast waterways with a group of eccentric pals as they attempt to sneak onto a rumored rocket to Mars and begin new lives on the red planet. Use classic turn-based combat and items in your nautical environment, like oars, harpoons, fishing rods and more, to sideline the seafaring scoundrel you’ll encounter on your voyage.

When the waves have settled, soak in the sights and turn up the cozy vibes with Pirate Radio’s original zen tunes. Who said the end of the world had to be so dry?

Amid the Great Climate Catastrophe, a flooded safe zone called Hightower rests between the world’s only remaining dry regions: the ravaged War Zone and the fortified ultra-rich city of Alphaville. What’s left of humanity will drown soon.

When protagonist Nikos hears rumors of a rocket to Mars, he decides to set sail on a make-or-break journey across the War Zone, over Alphaville’s impenetrable walls, and onto what he hopes is his ticket to survival. Can he make it there in one piece? Probably not. It’s a good thing he’ll enlist the help of a few buddies along the way.

Together with Nikos’ misfit crew, players can discover islands, gather resources, and battle insurgents using a turn-based combat system designed to reward the high sea’s best tacticians and puzzle solvers. Tactfully interact with the environment to change the tide in a moment’s notice. Knock down a tree, ram a shopping cart, or duck behind a worn out car – those sailor scum won’t know what hit them.

Will you make it to Mars or settle for a watery grave? It’s time to hoist the anchor and set sail, rocketman.

“Highwater tells an emotional story about friendships and survival in a flooded post-apocalyptic world equally disturbing and beautiful,” said Rogue CEO Matt Casamassina. “And it belongs to a much larger universe that spans three self-contained games.”

Highwater is the first chronologically in a trilogy of games set in a shared Demagog Studio-developed universe. The others, Golf Club Nostalgia and The Cub, complete the series.

Atmospheric adventure Highwater is out now across Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. Download the game during launch week to enjoy a 20% discount. For more information on Rogue Games, follow us on Twitter, join the conversation on Discord, and visit us on the official Rogue Games website.

DreadXP Bringing Horror to PAX East 2024

Leading independent games publisher DreadXP is excited to bring a large portion of its catalog, including upcoming releases, to play on the show floor of PAX East 2024. The horror-focused company is known for its successful fan-acclaimed releases, and recently announced that it’s publishing Paranormal Activity: Found Footage, the video game based on the world-renowned films. Set on uplifting the community of independent game developers, DreadXP works every day to find great games and bring them to the spotlight they deserve. The publisher is bringing its horror magic to PAX East and will be showcasing The Mortuary Assistant: Definitive Edition, Dread Delusion, and Heartworm, in addition to a few upcoming launches along with some previously released titles, and will feature some of the game developers behind these games at its booth.

Having completed your degree in mortuary sciences, you have taken on an apprenticeship at River Fields Mortuary. Over the past several months, you have logged many hours aiding the Mortician in daily tasks along with learning the ins and outs of the embalming process as well as how to properly handle and care for the deceased.

Late one night, you are called into work to handle some embalmings. Death doesn’t keep day time hours. But there is something different about these bodies because there is something different about you. The phone rings with the Mortician on the other end. The rumors are true, and you can not leave.

The Mortuary Assistant: Definitive Edition will be playable on PC and PS5 ahead of its console launch on all platforms later this summer. Brian Clarke, developer of The Mortuary Assistant, as well as Paranormal Activity: Found Footage, and Co-Director of DreadXP, will be available there every day for questions and interviews.

Dread Delusion is an open world RPG brimming with strange places and dark perils. Carve your own path through the flying continents of a shattered land. Discover curious towns, unearth occult secrets, master powerful magic – and change the world through your choices.

Dread Delusion will feature an up-to-date version of the Early Access build.

Pass through the threshold and enter a world born of memories. Defend yourself with a camera while solving death’s mysteries in a reverent evolution of 90’s survival horror, integrating both fixed cameras and over the shoulder perspectives. These features combine with an emotional and psychologically-focused narrative to compose a nostalgia-charged love letter to genre progenitors Silent Hill, Resident Evil, and Dino Crisis.

The public Steam demo of Heartworm will be available to play at the show. Vincent Adinolfi, Lead Developer of Heartworm, will be available for questions and interviews at the booth on Friday the 22nd.

Battlefield 2042 | Season 7: Turning Point Gameplay Trailer

Electronic Arts and DICE have dropped the highly-anticipated release date for Battlefield 2042’s Season 7! Called “Turning Point,” the update promises a massive surge of content following the wildly popular Season 6. DICE wants to keep the hype going with tons of new maps, weapons, and unlockables to keep players hooked into Battlefield 2042. Mark your calendars– Season 7 explodes onto the scene on Tuesday, March 19. This is set to be the biggest content drop since BF2042’s launch in 2021! Highlights include two new maps, the XFAD-4 Draugr vehicle (coming later), the Predator SRAW gadget, and a killer arsenal: the AK5c assault rifle, SCZ-3 submachine gun, and DFR Strife light machine gun.

Police Simulator: Patrol Officers Gets Major Update

Three exciting new features are being released today for Police Simulator: Patrol Officers! The popular police simulation from publisher astragon Entertainment and developer Aesir Interactive is receiving its thirteenth free content update with the First Aid Update, which allows police officers to provide First Aid directly on site, along with many other improvements. In addition, the Warden Police Vehicle DLC is available from today, which supports officers with underbody lighting and LED displays in everyday police work. If you want to expand your vehicle fleet with more than just one vehicle, you can now purchase all previously released vehicle DLCs, including the brand new Warden Police Vehicle DLC, with the new Garage Bundle.

Actively supporting the emergency services

With The First Aid Update, injured civilians can have two different degrees of injury: slight and critical injuries. Players are now able to provide First Aid to injured people directly at the scene until the emergency services arrive. This includes performing CPR on unconscious or immobilized persons by pressing the indicated button at the right moment, as well as applying bandages to injured persons to treat their wounds. In the event of critical injuries, the emergency services will use a stretcher to transport the patient to the ambulance. In addition to First Aid, update 13 brings the option to the game to change the skins of your downloaded mods within the garage.

Secure accident scenes even more efficiently

The Warden Police Vehicle is equipped with an LED display on the roof of the vehicle. This display shows predefined texts for various situations: “DO NOT PASS” to prohibit other drivers from overtaking, “PULL OVER” to ask drivers ahead to pull over, or “ACCIDENT” to warn pedestrians of an accident scene and prevent them from crossing. In addition, special underbody lighting ensures that the vehicle is clearly visible even in the dark, which is particularly helpful when securing accidents during the night shift.

The possible uses of the Warden Police Vehicle are presented in the DLC’s release trailer:

The complete vehicle fleet with the new Garage Bundle

The new Garage Bundle offers all previously released vehicle DLCs for Police Simulator: Patrol Officers in one convenient package, including the brand new Warden Police Vehicle DLC:

  • Warden Police Vehicle DLC
  • Multipurpose Police Vehicle DLC
  • Urban Terrain Vehicle DLC
  • Compact Police Vehicle DLC
  • Guardian Police Vehicle DLC
  • Surveillance Police Vehicle DLC

Watch the Garage Bundle trailer to see all the vehicles in action once again:

The First Aid Update (update 13) is available now for free. The Warden Police Vehicle DLC can be purchased for 2.99€ / $2.99 USD or the regional equivalent on all platforms. The Garage Bundle, which contains all the vehicle DLCs released to date, is available at a special price of 11.99€ / $11.99 USD or the regional equivalent on PC, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. The main game is available for PC, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. More details about upcoming features can be found on the Trello board.

Darrington Press Launches Open Beta Playtest for Daggerheart Fantasy TTRPG

Today Darrington Press, the publishing arm of Critical Role, officially launched the open beta playtest for Daggerheart, an original fantasy tabletop roleplaying game set to release in 2025. From March 12 through the summer, playtesters aged 18 and above are encouraged to create characters, immerse themselves in the game, dissect its components, and provide honest and open feedback through online surveys on the Daggerheart website.

“Daggerheart is not a finished product yet, and in order to get there, we need people to play it and break it. No, seriously!” said Lead Game Designer Spenser Starke. “This phase of playtesting will help us gather the much needed information from YOU to create the best game possible, and we need your help to do that.”

Daggerheart is a fantasy tabletop roleplaying game of brave heroics and vibrant worlds that are built together with your gaming group. Create a shared story with your adventuring party, and shape your world through rich, long-term campaign play. When it’s time for the game mechanics to control fate, players roll one HOPE die and one FEAR die (both 12-sided dice), which will ultimately impact the outcome for your characters. This duality between the forces of hope and fear on every hero drives the unique character-focused narratives in Daggerheart.

In addition to dice, Daggerheart’s card system makes it easy to get started and satisfying to grow your abilities by bringing your characters’ background and capabilities to your fingertips. Ancestry and Community cards describe where you come from and how your experience shapes your customs and values. Meanwhile, your Subclass and Domain cards grant your character plenty of tantalizing abilities to choose from as your character evolves. Craft your unique character through the cards you choose and the story you tell, and become the hero you want to be!

Daggerheart’s Open Beta Playtesting has three ways for people to participate:

  • At Home: Download playtest packets from Daggerheart.com or DriveThruRPG and play the game at home.
  • Digital Playtest: A character creation tool in partnership with Demiplane, set to host the Daggerheart NEXUS for playtesting materials.
  • In-Person Playtest: Select Darrington Press Guild stores will be offered physical playtesting packets to host playtesting sessions at their store.

As part of the Daggerheart Open Beta Playtest launch, and in celebration of their 9th anniversary, Critical Role is rolling out multiple exciting pieces of content, including deep dives into Daggerheart, further details on how to play, and more throughout the day on Critical Role’s Twitch (twitch.tv/criticalrole) and YouTube (youtube.com/criticalrole) channels. And to wrap up this exciting day, the cast of Critical Role will be playtesting Daggerheart live at 7pm Pacific!

For more information on how to participate in the Daggerheart Open Beta Playtest, visit daggerheart.com.

Hollywood Animal Shameless Sequel Trailer

Your film unexpectedly became the highest-grossing picture of 1959. Where do you go from here? Of course, you capitalize on your success by cutting all possible corners and making an epically monstrous sequel! After all, that’s exactly what our latest gameplay showcase video is all about. In Hollywood Animal, you run a movie studio over the course of decades, and you’re free to grow it however you please — even if it means turning it into a soulless corporate juggernaut:

“There’s something strangely satisfying about doing things in games that you hate seeing done in real life,” say the developers from Weappy. “You might not find a single cinephile who rejoices in assembly-line filmmaking. But when you find yourself in the manager’s chair, responsible for the survival of a business, like you do in our game, all those time-tested tropes and outrageous cliches suddenly gain a new appeal.”.

Whether you’re driven by love of the art or counting cold hard cash, you’ll get to run your dream film studio in Hollywood Animal. Just so long as you can make ends meet and the money rolling in this freeform film studio management game.