Author - Jerry Paxton

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege Operation Para Bellum Detailed

2018/05/21

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

ATLANTIC CITY — May 20, 2018 — Today, Ubisoft^® announced the full details for Operation Para Bellum, one of the largest content updates yet for Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six^®Siege. Operation Para Bellum introduces two new defending operators, Alibi and Maestro, alongside an all new map, Villa, set in the Italian countryside. Year Three Season Two also brings a breath of innovation, including a new intel gadget, operator speed adjustments, various other gameplay improvements, and the all new Pick & Ban setting. A feature that evolves the way players engage with multiplayer. Operation Par Bellum will be available in June 2018.

In Operation Para Bellum, two Italian G.I.S. Operators join Rainbow as the unit raids a luxurious Tuscan villa, Rainbow Six Siege’s 20th map. The land belongs to the Vinciguerra, a dangerous crime family known for their smuggling activities. The house is their retreat, where they lead a lavish lifestyle and collect rare art pieces. Players will catch Villa in a snapshot in time: Vinciguerras are burning documents and transporting their holdings before the big raid. But they’ve got wind of Operation Para Bellum and fled, leaving everything in disarray with vital information ready for the taking.

New operator, Alibi, is an undercover infiltration specialists in the Italian Gruppo di Intervento Speciale (G.I.S.) unit. She is a cunning adversary with a gift for infiltrating dense networks of organized crime. Alibi is notable for her deployable Hologram, a mechanism that makes it difficult for enemies to positively identify her from her incredibly realistic projections.

New Operator, Maestro, is another member of the Italian, Gruppo di Intervento Speciale (G.I.S.) and participated in joint operations in Iraq, earning a facial scar from a roadside IED. Maestro is notable for his remote access turret, which is also bulletproof, capable of seeing through smoke, and able to fire low powered-laser beams.

Operation Para Bellum will also introduce the Pick & Ban system. This feature provides an extra layer of strategy between teams, as each side tries to counter their opponents’ picks during the banning phase. Players can even anticipate a thrilling twist at the last moment, when teams swap Operators for the unexpected 6th Pick.

Additionally game updates include:

Deloyable Bullet Proof Cameras
New Counter Defuser Animation
Dropshotting Adjustments
Weapon Sight Misalignment Adjustments
New Observation Tool Management
Operator Speed Adjustments
Echo Buff
Clubhouse Map Buff

The Test Server for Operation Para Bellum will go live on May 22. The Test Server is an alternative version of Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, allowing players to test upcoming gameplay features that will make their way into the main game itself. A consistent gameplay experience is not guaranteed on the Test Server. The Test Server is exclusive to Windows PC.

For more information about Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, please visit rainbow6.com

Age of Wonders: Planetfall Announced

2018/05/19

Jerry Paxton

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

STOCKHOLM – MAY 19, 2018 – Paradox Interactive today announced Age of Wonders: Planetfall, a new upcoming strategy game from Triumph Studios, creators of the critically acclaimed Age of Wonders and Overlord series. Slated for release for PC and console in 2019, Planetfall will bring all the exciting turn-based empire building and immersive tactical combat of its predecessors to an all-new sci-fi setting.

In Age of Wonders: Planetfall, players will emerge from the dark age of a fallen galactic empire to craft a new future for their people. Exploring the planetary ruins and encountering other surviving factions that have each evolved in their own way, players will unravel the history of a shattered civilization. Fight, build, negotiate and technologically advance the way to utopia, in a deep single player campaign, on random maps and against friends in multiplayer.

“We’re thrilled to finally announce our latest endeavor alongside Paradox,” said Lennart Sas, Triumph Studios CEO. “Age of Wonders: Planetfall is roughly three years into development, running on a new generation of our multi-platform Creator Engine. While the setting is new, we’re confident that Age of Wonders fans will feel right at home exploring the remnants of the Star Union. Our aim is to make a game that greatly expands upon its predecessors, and still employs the core principles that made Age of Wonders such a success.”

Key Features:

Strategic Turn-Based Sci-Fi Combat – Perfect your combat strategy in intense turn-based battles that offer tactical challenges, a large cast of races, units with customizable weapons, and destructible environments.
Discover a Rich Science Fiction World – Uncover the history of the fallen galactic empire as you explore lush landscapes, and experience the emergent story. Encounter NPC factions and rival houses, and discover hidden technologies that can strengthen your society and give you advantage over enemies.
Planetary Empire Building – Create your own unique House, and build prosperous colonies through economic specializations of planetary sectors and governing doctrines.
Multiple Paths to Victory – Achieve your end goals through conquest, diplomacy or doomsday technologies. Engrossing options with NPC factions and rival Houses won’t make the decisions easy!

Those eager to get more information about Age of Wonders: Planetfall can sign up for the newsletter, and help unlock special community rewards at www.aow-planetfall.com.

Imperator: Rome Announced

2018/05/19

Jerry Paxton

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

STOCKHOLM – 19 May 2018 – What we think of as “western civilization” was not guaranteed. Imagine Alexander’s empire centralized under one successor. Italy might never have been unified under Roman rule, strangling a juggernaut in its cradle. A world without Caesar. Now you can explore these alternate histories in Imperator: Rome.

The masters of historical strategy have returned to the days of legions and legends. Paradox Development Studio is happy to announce Imperator: Rome, an upcoming grand strategy game set in the classical world from the glory days of Athens to the establishment of the Roman Empire four centuries later. Rule any nation on the most detailed Paradox map ever stretching from the Pillars of Hercules to the far reaches of of India, allowing you to build an empire to dwarf that of Alexander. Govern republics or monarchies, balancing the factions, and keeping the loyalty of your most capable generals.

Imperator: Rome’s features include:

Character Management: A living world of characters with varying skills and traits that will change over time. They will lead your nation, govern your provinces and command your armies and fleets. We also introduce our new, more human-like character art.
Diverse Populations: Citizens, freemen, tribesmen and slaves – each population with its own culture and religion. Whether they fill your armies, fill your coffers or fill your colonies, keep an eye on their happiness – your success depends on their satisfaction.
Battle Tactics: Choose your approach before battle to counter the stratagems of your foes.
Military Traditions: Each culture has a unique way of waging war. Romans and Celts have different options available to them. Unlock unique bonuses, abilities and units.
Different Government Types: Manage the senate in a Republic, hold your court together in a monarchy, answer to the clans in a tribal system.
Barbarians and Rebellions: Migrating barbarians may sack or settle your best land, while disloyal governors or generals can turn against you – taking their armies with them!
Trade: Goods provide bonuses to their home province. Will you take advantage of stockpiles for local strength or trade excess goods to spread the wealth around?
Provincial Improvement: Invest in buildings, roads and defences to make your kingdom stronger and richer.

Imperator: Rome is scheduled for a 2019 release.

https://www.paradoxplaza.com/imperator-rome/IMIM01GSK0000001-MASTER.html

Little Nightmares Complete Edition Nintendo Switch Launch Trailer

2018/05/18

Jerry Paxton

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

SANTA CLARA, Calif., (May 18, 2018) – Leading interactive entertainment media publisher and developer BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. today announces that LITTLE NIGHTMARES™ Complete Edition, a spine-tingling tale from Tarsier Studios is now available digitally in the Americas for the Nintendo Switch™. LITTLE NIGHTMARES Complete Edition is also available in digital and physical form for the PlayStation 4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One, and PCs via STEAM®.

The Maw’s demand for more victims never subsides! Now its hunger and horrors will claim owners of the Nintendo Switch™. LITTLE NIGHTMARES Complete Edition has been re-tailored for the Nintendo Switch, featuring 720p (upscale) resolution and 30FPS when the game is experience in Handheld Mode and 720p (native) resolution and 30 FPS in TV mode. Players can now enjoy this uniquely frightful experience anytime and anywhere on the Nintendo Switch.

The LITTLE NIGHTMARES Complete Edition will also contain content from previous pre-order bonuses such as the Upside-Down Teapot and Scarecrow Mask. All of the additional stories from The Secret of the Maw Expansion Pack are included to heighten the eerie experience. LITTLE NIGHTMARES Complete Edition will enable players to experience separate stories through the eyes of Six – the game’s main protagonist – and The Runaway Kid. Lastly, players will be able to outfit Six and The Runaway Kid with an exclusive Pakku Mask, which can be unlocked in the Extras menu once a PAC-MAN amiibo™ is scanned.

LITTLE NIGHTMARES Complete Edition for the Nintendo Switch is rated T for TEEN by the ESRB and is available now for digital purchase on the Nintendo Switch eShop. LITTLE NIGHTMARES Complete Edition is also available digitally and in physical boxed copies for the PlayStation®4, Xbox One, and PCs via STEAM® (digital only).

To learn more about BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc.’s products go to: http://www.bandainamcoent.com/home.html or follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/BandaiNamcoUS or join the conversation on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/bandainamcous.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Announces New Experiences, Food, and Show

2018/05/17

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News

Universal City, CA, May 17, 2018 — From the moment guests enter The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” at Universal Studios Hollywood, they are transported to Hogsmeade village, which this summer will introduce new wand magic experiences, authentic costume replicas, lunchtime menu items and the popular return of “The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle.”

With a gentle flick of the wrist and just the right touch, guests can cast spells throughout “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” at dazzling wand magic locations. This summer’s installation of two additional spells ups the tally to 15 thrilling wand magic experiences to practice. The Incendio fire-making spell will conjure flames of varying size based on skill level, and the Alohomora spell will unlock a series of intricate locks that may reveal the fiery breath of a creature hidden behind a secret door.

Three Broomsticks expands its lunchtime menu with a selection of traditional British fare, including:

Ploughman’s Lunch, featuring an imported selection of ham, salami, country paté, English cheese, homemade pickles and a warm scotch egg served with bread, cranberry chutney and grain mustard
Cheese Toastie with Chicken, featuring grilled English Cheddar cheese with chicken, crispy bacon, mustard and sliced tomato topped with a sunny side egg served with a fresh salad or potato wedges
Sunday Roast Sandwich served on a freshly baked baguette filled with warm prime rib, caramelized onions, English Cheddar, horseradish sauce and homemade garlic pickles served with fresh salad or potato wedges

Guests can channel their inner wizards at Gladrags Wizardwear with a wide array of apparel inspired by the films. The billowing house robes worn by the students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and accompanying house uniforms, including hand-loomed cardigans from Scotland, scarves and ties are available for purchase. New to Gladrags Wizardwear this season is a high-end replica of Professor Severus Snape’s robe, as well as a replica of Hermonione’s dress worn at the Yule Ball as seen in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, which is now available in adult and children’s sizes.

Other wizard attire includes a replica of the cardigan worn by Neville Longbottom in the Battle of Hogwarts scene in the film series finale. Select attire is available in a variety of sizes from toddler to adult.

Just like the talking mirror in the Harry Potter films, Madam Malkin’s Talking Mirror makes quite a reflective entrance this summer, located in the corridor between Dervish and Banges™ and Gladrags Wizardwear. Speaking with an English accent, the Talking Mirror will entertain guests with a variety of complimentary remarks.

“The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle” returns for a limited time only, beginning Sunday, June 24.

As night falls on Hogsmeade village, “The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle” shines brightly with an awe-inspiring spectacle that showcases the four houses of Hogwarts: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin, and culminates with awesome beams of lights that fan into the night sky. The colorful state-of-the-art light display and special effects projection is accompanied by a special musical arrangement created by Academy® award-winning composer John Williams based on his original scores composed for the film series. The musical arrangement that emanates in a surround sound environment was conducted by prolific arranger William Ross and recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra in London.

Inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters that were brought to life in the Warner Bros. films, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” at Universal Studios Hollywood is a masterful recreation, faithful to the visual landscape of the fiction and films, including as its iconic focal point, Hogwarts castle.

From its snow-capped roofs and cobblestone streets to the historic British sensibilities that characterize the whimsical look and feel of the land, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” transports guests of all ages to the very places they watched on the silver screen.

The architecturally stunning land also includes the captivating and highly acclaimed “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” thrill ride, enhanced with 4K-HD and ride film projecting at an astounding rate of 120 frames-per-second for an even more immersive glimpse into Harry Potter’s world, as well as “Flight of the Hippogriff™,” Universal Studios Hollywood’s first outdoor family coaster.

“The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” resonates with immense detail, inviting guests to enjoy authentic food and beverages at multiple locations, including Three Broomsticks and Hog’s Head pub, as well as the Magic Neep and Butterbeer carts. A foray through the shops adds to the authenticity of the land with such retail venues as Honeydukes™, Ollivanders™, Owl Post™, Zonko’s™ Joke Shop, Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, Dervish and Banges™, Gladrags Wizardwear, Filch’s Emporium™ of Confiscated Goods and the Hogsmeade™ Station.

Additional information on Universal Studios Hollywood is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com. Join the conversation online using #WizardingWorldHollywood. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.

Largest Touring Observation Wheel Comes to The Queen Mary

2018/05/17

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News

May 17, 2018 – For the first-time ever, The Observation Wheel at the Queen Mary will make its debut appearance at the historical ocean liner with daily rides starting Friday, May 18 through Sunday, June 17. Believed to be the largest traveling observation wheel in the Western Hemisphere, guests can sip on beverages (alcohol is available for purchase), enjoy company of up to 6-8 people per cabin, and take in the birds-eye view of the picturesque Long Beach sky line and the majestic Queen Mary within the climate-controlled cabins. Enjoy the one-of-a-kind Observation Wheel with family and friends during the day starting at 11am, or dazzle-up the experience and enjoy the Observation Wheel after dark as the ride impresses with over half a million LED lights.

ABOUT OBSERVATION WHEEL:
The Observation Wheel was built in the Netherlands and arrived in the United States in 2017. This is the first time a wheel of this size will be in the Long Beach area, and will be arriving from the Coachella Valley, where it was home to the recent desert festivals. At 50m/164ft-tall, La Grande XL is believed to be the largest travelling observation wheel in the Western Hemisphere. Built to a design by Ronald Bussink Professional Rides, the R50XL construction was transported to the USA from the Netherlands on 22 trailers/containers.

WHERE:
The Queen Mary
1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802

WHEN:
Friday, May 18 – Sunday, June 17
Daily, 11am – 10pm

TICKETS:
Tickets are available at longbeachwheel.com

Observation Wheel Adult (12-59) Admission is $15
Observation Wheel Military (ID Required) Admission is $10
Observation Wheel Child (4-11) Admission is $10
Observation Wheel Senior (60+) Admission is $10

Spintires: MudRunner ‘The Ridge’ DLC Announced

2018/05/17

Jerry Paxton

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

May 17, 2018 – Spintires: MudRunner is the ultimate off-road experience, taking players on hostile roads and harsh environments. Available on PC and consoles, Spintires: MudRunner is releasing the free Ridge DLC on the 29th of May, a free content update that includes a new map, new vehicles, and new add-ons to explore and experiment with. The Ridge is a coastal map split in half by a mountain ridge. Players will need to take a lot of care if they’re looking to cut time by travelling across the center.

In addition to a brand new map, two new vehicles are being introduced, the D-538, a heavy duty tractor, and the B-6A, a lightweight tractor. These two vehicles can be used on any map, provided you have enough progression points unlocked. Completing The Ridge requires players to utilize a new type of delivery gameplay called Scavenging. Logs are now scattered across the map, and players will have to find them at various locations in the wild to complete deliveries and earn unlock points.

Spintires: MudRunner offers incredible content and unique experiences – it’s a genre of its own, reinventing the rules and offering new challenges for players looking for emergent encounters and true-to-life off-roading situations. Dedicated players and driving enthusiasts will appreciate the hyper-realistic driving sensations thanks to an advanced physics engine, a differential transmission system, soft-tire simulation, as well as realistic interactions between vegetation, mud, water, and your vehicle.

Spintires: MudRunner’s next free content DLC, The Ridge, is coming to PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Steam on May 29.

Sennheiser Announces CX Sport Wireless Headphones

2018/05/17

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Tech News

Old Lyme, CT — Sennheiser’s new CX SPORT brings joy to any workout with brilliant sound. The in-ear Bluetooth headphones offer the freedom of wireless listening in an ultra-lightweight, splash- and sweat-resistant design.

Designed to move, the new CX SPORT features ergonomic fins that keep the earbuds comfortably secure. The headphones can either be worn around the neck or in front, with a cable organizer that adjusts the cable length, and an optional clip that can be used to fix the CX SPORT on the workout shirt. With a choice of three fin sizes and a selection of four sizes of ear adapters, it is easy to find a perfect fit that blocks outside noise and helps athletes stay focused.

Thanks to Sennheiser’s exacting quality standards, the CX SPORT is tough enough to take on any challenge with extra assurance provided by splash and sweat resistance. The headphones are equipped with a proprietary speaker system from the audio specialist, delivering clear, detailed sound with an enhanced bass response.

“For many, headphones are a true workout essential. We have designed the CX SPORT to deliver everything athletes need to get the most out of their workout session – great sound, secure fit and a robust but lightweight design”, said Marcel Salzmann, Product Manager at Sennheiser.

Breadth of features, slimline design

Despite its slim design, the CX SPORT has a breadth of advanced features to keep pace with everyday life. Multi-connection capability allows the headphones to be connected to up to two devices simultaneously. Meanwhile, Bluetooth 4.2 and Qualcomm® apt-X™ ensure uncompromised wireless Hi-Fi sound. When using the CX SPORT for watching videos, Qualcomm® apt-X™ Low Latency compatibility keeps the audio transmission perfectly in sync with the visuals. Ease of use is ensured by a three-button inline remote control for managing music and calls, as well as by convenient voice prompts that provide notifications of pairing and battery status.

The CX SPORT has a six-hour battery life, which can be fast charged via USB in just ten minutes to offer a further hour of playback, and fully charged in 1.5 hours. The headphones come supplied with a neoprene carry pouch.

The CX SPORT is available now at the Sennheiser webshop and will be available worldwide from June at a price of $129.95 USD (MSRP).

RIDE 3 Announcement Trailer

2018/05/16

Jerry Paxton

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

Milan, 16h May 2018: Milestone, one of the leading and longest established racing game developer in the world, is glad to announce its successful IP dedicated to all two-wheels lovers is returning for the third chapter this year, releasing on November 8th on PlayStation®4, Xbox One and Windows PC/STEAM.

RIDE franchise is one of the most consolidated in Milestone’s portfolio, a series of titles dedicated to all motorbikes’ fans. The series has established itself as a tribute to the motorbike culture, recognized as unique in its genre thanks to the extremely wide offer, with RIDE 2 winner of the Guinness World Record for Most licensed bikes in a videogame, and to the game experience it offers.

While continuing the franchise’s tradition, RIDE 3 has been revised especially in terms of realism, customization and for the variety of content included: a mix of elements that make this third edition of RIDE the ultimate motorbike encyclopedia, a realistic and adrenalin-packed title dedicated to those addicted to racing.

RIDE 3 has a whole new heart, Unreal Engine 4, and a completely revised experience: whilst maintaining the identity of the series, this title brings a bunch of new features and elements that will make the player feel the adrenaline like a real rider. The list of tracks has been increased to satisfy everyone’s tastes and needs: there will be GPs and Supermoto tracks for those who wants to feel like professional riders, Country and City circuits to ride in the most iconic places around the world, Road Races to race on road circuits and Drag Races for those who love acceleration races that take place on straight tracks.

Engagement of players will be brought to the next level in this chapter of the series, especially thanks to the innovative customization options which include an innovative Livery Editor, to expand the customization to a completely new standard, where players will be given a unique limit when customizing their bikes: their creativity.

These are only some of the innovations that RIDE 3 is set to bring to the players, and if that’s not enough, key features of the game will also include:

More than 230 bikes at DayOne divided into 7 categories, including a new one;
12 brand new tracks, for a total amount of 30 tracks;
Diverse customization possibilities, which will enable players to customize their bikes both from a mechanical and aesthetic point of view.

Mechanical customization options will include more than 500 customizable bike parts: players will be able to create their perfect ride deciding whether to pimp their engine or intervene on brakes and suspensions, as well as modify the transmissions or adjust the wheels as they prefer. Aesthetic customization will include an innovative Livery Editor for limitless creativity, to design the livery of your dreams and share it online;

Extreme realism reached thanks to the introduction of Unreal Engine 4, used for the first time in a RIDE title, which ensures a great visual rendering as well as detailed particle and lighting effects and a photorealistic level of the environments. Moreover, with the new graphic engine Milestone’s team has been able to include night modes for the first time in a ride title. Last but not least, the Drone Scanning System has been used to reproduce all tracks down to the smallest detail;
A completely revised career mode based on volumes, a unique experience that tells the story of a specific bike category, manufacturers or iconic tracks;
Improved AI, a new physics simulation and a revised collision system.

Trick ‘r Treat Coming to Halloween Horror Nights

2018/05/16

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Halloween, News, Trailers / Videos

Universal City, CA, Orlando, FL (May 16, 2018) – Beginning September 14, Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort will bring Legendary Pictures’ cult Halloween classic Trick ‘r Treat to life in all-new Halloween Horror Nights mazes that dare guests to live by the rules or suffer the consequences.

Based on the critically-acclaimed and fan-favorite movie directed by Michael Dougherty, the “Trick ‘r Treat” maze will transport guests to Warren Valley, Ohio on Halloween night to celebrate the holiday’s dark traditions. Recreating some of the anthology’s most iconic scenes, the disturbing new maze invites brave thrill-seekers to become entwined within the secrets of this sleepy suburban town.

Guests will experience some of the film’s most grisly scenes and encounter hauntingly familiar characters. They will meander through Mr. Kreeg’s infamous house, watch as college students viciously transform into bloodthirsty werewolves and dismember the town, as well as come face-to-face with Sam – the spirit of Halloween – who readies to punish those who break the holiday’s tradition.

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” in Hollywood and Orlando 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. And, the streets of each coast’s event are transformed into highly-themed scare zones where menacing scare-actors lunge from every darkened corner.

Additional details about Universal Studios’ “Halloween Horror Nights” will be revealed soon. Select tickets and vacation packages for Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights are on sale now. For more information about “Halloween Horror Nights” at either Universal Studios Hollywood or Universal Orlando Resort, visit www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com.