Author - Jerry Paxton

Spintires: MudRunner ‘The Ridge’ DLC Announced

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

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

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

Universal City, CA, Orlando, FL (May 16, 2018) – Beginning September 14Universal 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.

MotoGP 18 Features Trailer and Details

Milano, May 15th 2018: After announcing MotoGP™18 is going to release on June 7th, Milestone is glad to reveal all the new features included in the game that make it the best choice for all those who want to live the MotoGP™ experience as never before.

Set to be a reboot of Milestone’s flagship title, MotoGP™18 has been developed starting from scratch from the very basics: a new engine, enhanced graphics, reworked physics, faithful reproduction of all elements in game and a new compelling career mode are only some of the elements that will make this year’s MotoGP™ videogame the most immersive and realistic MotoGP™ experience ever.

TECHNOLOGY

  • Unreal® Engine 4

The introduction of Unreal® Engine 4 represents the definite step forward both in terms of graphics and gameplay. The Milestone team has been able to reach incredible enhancements in terms of visual quality: lighting effects on tracks and bikes has become more realistic than ever, recreating all light reflections down to the smallest details. Taking advantage of the extremely improved particle effects, the team has been able to improve the weather effects as well as effects on track, like audience smoke celebrations.

  • 3D scanning technology

Using the innovative 3D scanning technology, this year all the MotoGP™ riders’ faces have been introduced in the game. All faces have been recreated through a structured light 3D scanner, able to read the curves and color of their faces, giving a real-time 3D model, which was later refined by the artists.

  • Drone Scanning system

The Drone Scanning System has been used to reproduce all tracks, riders and bikes down to the smallest details.  Tracks have been reworked, so that the layout is now extremely faithful to the real one, ensuring also a precise reproduction of altimetry.

INNOVATION

  • Cut Scenes

This year, MotoGP™18 will feature for the first time more than 30 cut scenes; from the MotoGP™ podium to celebrate your victory to the parc fermé for Moto2 and Moto3 and the starting grid and boxes. There will also be standard cut scenes as well as customized ones, reproducing iconic gestures of each MotoGP™ rider.

  • MotoGP ID

MotoGP ID aims to present to the player a series of statistics and details on his performances, comparing them also with other players online. With the MotoGP ID each player will have an overview of hours played, number of races, poles, wins, podiums and much more.

  • Spectator Mode

The spectator mode, available online, is designed to follow other players with different cameras. Thanks to a selection of TV cameras, players will be able to follow the race in various positions alongside the track and go to the on-board cameras of various riders to get a first-person view of different trajectories and riding styles. Thanks to the introduction of the spectator mode, everyone will have the feeling of watching a live real MotoGP™ race.

  • Tutorials

MotoGP™18 will feature brand new and interactive tutorials, divided into 3 levels, which will teach the player about acceleration, braking and how to manage trajectories.

PHYSICS

  • Realistic Physics

The physics have been completely reworked: thanks to realistic physics simulation, the game faithfully reproduces the behavior of bikes for a driving experience which is as close to reality as ever. To make the game accessible also to less-expert players, MotoGP™18 includes several riding aids to offer a more enjoyable simulation at every level.

  • Enhanced AI

Performance of the AI has been improved, as well as scalability: when choosing the highest level of difficulty, the AI will turn into the most engaging challenge for the player. Due to the increased scalability, each gamer will be able to find the level of difficulty that suits his abilities and driving style.

  • Scalable damage system

In the case of falls, bike and rider will be damaged, both from an aesthetic and functional point of view. Scratched fairings and suits realistically represent the consequences of each mistake. According to the level of simulation being played, the bike will be able to undergo a certain number of falls until it stops completely.

  • Tyre Management

One of the most crucial aspects of a real race is certainly the tyre management: in MotoGP™18, it will be extremely important to learn how to manage the duration of tyres during practice sessions, qualifying rounds and races. Gamers will be able to check the state of tyres via consumption indicators: this way, players will adapt their driving style in order to maintain optimum tyre conditions.

CAREER

  • Road to MotoGP™

In MotoGP™18, players can build their story in Career mode, making their own way up the ladder of success, starting from the minor categories until they reach the top class. Players begin their career in the lower category, the Red Bull MotoGP™ Rookies Cup, with the aim of reaching and becoming the new MotoGP™ champion.

  • Reputation

One of the most important indicators of the status of the career is the reputation, which highlights general progress of the player within the career, giving him an idea of how popular he is within the MotoGP™ environment. Reputation grows depending on race positions and team’s objectives. The higher the reputation is, the higher the possibility is to get a contract from a prestigious team.

  • Bike Development

Players will be able to enhance some parts of the bike, improving its performance in every race throughout the season. There will be different areas for bike developments:

  • Engine: players can choose whether to work on acceleration or on top speed

  • Brakes: gamers will select modular or aggressive brakes for their perfect bike

  • Suspensions: it is possible to focus on cornering angle or braking stability

  • Frame: possibility to push on stability at speed or agility changing direction

  • Aerodynamics: the user will choose whether to work on aerodynamics to achieve greater stability or higher speed.

This way, gamers will be given the possibility to create a bike which is aligned with their driving style.

MotoGP™18 will give players the opportunity to take part in the best motorcycle racing show on earth, featuring all the official content from 2018 MotoGP™ season, with all riders, official rosters from MotoGP™, Moto2™, Moto3™ and Red Bull MotoGP™ Rookies Cup and all 19 official tracks, including the new Buriram International Circuit in Thailand.

MotoGP™18 will be released on June 7th on PlayStation®4, Xbox One, Windows PC®/STEAM, launching shortly after on Nintendo Switch™.

Follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and on the official Website. Official Hastag: #MotoGPvideogame

Universal Classics Pinball Out Now for Pinball FX2 VR

San Francisco, CA – May 15, 2018 – In collaboration with Universal, Zen Studios announced that one of its most critically acclaimed video pinball packs enters virtual reality today on Oculus Rift, Oculus Go and Gear VR. Now available for Pinball FX2 VR, Universal Classics Pinball includes immersive new features for fan-favorite tables inspired by E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Jaws and Back to the Future.

As with previous Pinball FX2 VR releases, Universal Classics Pinball places pinball machines in the middle of iconic locations, including the forest behind Elliot’s house, a beach villa looking out to an Amity Island sunset, and Hill Valley’s historic town square—complete with a familiar clock tower. Players can expect to see E.T. elongate his head to see what’s happening during his pinball adventure, just as a shark fin circles the Jaws table and Doc Brown drives—or flies!—his time machine as players engage with Back to the Future.

Universal Classics Pinball earned a 90 on Metacritic (Xbox One) for its non-VR Pinball FX3 release last September. The Pinball FX2 VR version features every bit of film-adapting gameplay that resonated so well with critics and fans alike, from E.T. collecting candy in a cornfield to Marty McFly showcasing his skills at arcade shooting and players braving the open waters in a shark cage for an exciting multi-ball mode.

“For Zen Studios’ first-ever VR tables inspired by popular films, we’re offering up three of the most popular ones we’ve created in recent memory,” says Mel Kirk, Zen’s Vice President of Publishing. “We know that VR players are as hungry as a great white on the Fourth of July for quality new content, and Zen is happy to deliver with Universal Classics Pinball.”

Universal Classics Pinball is available now for $19.99. For more information, please visit www.pinballfx.com and blog.zenstudios.com.

HITMAN: Definitive Edition Launch Trailer

May 15, 2018 – Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today released the HITMAN: Definitive Edition, which is available in retail stores beginning today for PlayStation 4 Pro, PlayStation 4, Xbox One X and Xbox One. Developed by IO Interactive, the HITMAN: Definitive Edition brings together all previously released content* and game updates from the first season of HITMAN, in addition to new in-game disguises for Agent 47 inspired by classic IO Interactive titles – Freedom Fighters, Kane & Lynch and Mini Ninjas – celebrating the Danish studio’s 20th anniversary.

The HITMAN: Definitive Edition features the following content:

  • IO Interactive’s 20th Anniversary Outfit Bundle – Three new outfits inspired by Freedom Fighters, Kane & Lynch and Mini Ninjas

  • HITMAN Season One (Main Game) – Seven exotic locations from the first season, including Paris, Sapienza, Marrakesh, Bangkok, Colorado and Hokkaido, along with the ICA Facility

  • HITMAN Game of the Year Edition Content – Four missions from the Patient Zero Campaign, three themed Escalation Contracts that unlock three unique weapons, as well as the Clown Suit, Cowboy Suit and Raven Suit from the recent Game of the Year Edition digital release

  • HITMAN Summer Bonus Episode – Featuring ICA bonus missions in Sapienza and Marrakesh

  • HITMAN: Blood Money Requiem Pack – Including the Requiem Suit, Pale Duck Explosive and ICA Chrome Pistol

  • All featured Contracts, Escalation Contracts, Challenge Packs and game updates from HITMAN Season One and the HITMAN Game of the Year Edition

Please note that a portion of add-on content is not pre-loaded on the HITMAN: Definitive Edition disc and requires an internet connection. Additional content is approximately 12-24GB depending on platform.

*Elusive Targets that have already run and ended may not be available again as these are time limited events.

To learn more about the HITMAN: Definitive Edition, please visit www.hitman.com or join the HITMAN conversation on Twitter (@Hitman), Facebook (@Hitman.US), Instagram (@Hitman_Official), YouTube (Hitman) and Twitch (Hitman).

Overwatch 2nd Anniversary Celebration Announced

May 14, 2018 – Blizzard and the Overwatch team are excited to celebrate our 2-Year Anniversary! From May 22nd through June 11th, players can login to Overwatch on PC, PlayStation and Xbox One to experience the event.

The anniversary will bring in a host of new content, including more than 50 new cosmetic items and the new Deathmatch map, Petra! Additionally, the event will bring back all seasonal cosmetic items, as well as most of the past seasonal brawls. Please see below for additional details:

NEW ITEMS

  • The Anniversary event will include more than 50 new items, including 8 new Legendary skins and 3 epic skins
  • New dance emotes have been added for Doomfist, Moira, and Brigitte

YOUR FAVORITES ARE BACK

  • The Anniversary event will bring back previous seasonal cosmetic items including your favorite dance emotes from last year’s event
  • Past seasonal brawls are returning to the Arcade and will be rotated daily, including those found in Overwatch: Archives

NEW MAP

  • The Anniversary event will introduce the brand-new Deathmatch map, Petra.
  • In addition to Petra, Deathmatch will include a new “Competitive Mode,” which will include placement matches, skill rating tiers, and leaderboards

LOOT BOXES

  • Players who login for the Anniversary event will receive one bonus Legendary Anniversary Loot Box, which will guarantee one Legendary item
  • Players who purchase the 50 Loot Box Bundle will receive one bonus Legendary Anniversary Loot Box
  • All previous Seasonal Event loot will be included in loot boxes during the duration of the event

FREE WEEKEND

  • Overwatch and the Anniversary event will be playable during our Free Weekend event, which will run from May 25th through May 28th
  • For those playing Overwatch on PlayStation, a PlayStation Plus account WILL NOT be required to play during Free Weekend

LEGENDARY EDITION

  • A new version of Overwatch, Legendary Edition, will be released digitally on May 22nd
  • Legendary Edition will include sets of Legendary, Epic and Origin skins for a total of 15 skins with purchase

Divinity: Original Sin 2 Definitive Edition Xbox One Game Preview Announced

May 14, 2018 – Prepare to embark on one of the grandest RPG adventures ever in DIVINITY®: ORIGINAL SIN 2 DEFINITIVE EDITION, the multi award-winning, single-player and cooperative multiplayer fantasy RPG. Beginning on May 16th, Xbox Game Preview will give players special access to the first three hours of DIVINITY®: ORIGINAL SIN 2 DEFINITIVE EDITION’s gameplay, for free! Players can then choose to unlock the entire First Act of the game – approximately 20 hours of adventuring – by purchasing the game. Players will also be able to pick-up from the progress made during this special access preview upon the full launch of DIVINITY®: ORIGINAL SIN 2 DEFINITIVE EDITION in August.

Xbox players will explore a world of near-limitless possibilities. Players will gather their party, master elements, and forge friendships and rivalries on their quest to ascend to divinity.

To watch how the team at Larian Studios developed the console experience in DIVINITY®: ORIGINAL SIN 2 DEFINITIVE EDITION, check out the video at the following YouTube link (ready for embedding):

DIVINITY®: ORIGINAL SIN 2 DEFINITIVE EDITION will be available physically and digitally in the Americas for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 in August 2018.

Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn Secret Day One DLC Announced

MAPLEWOOD, N.J., and WATFORD, United Kingdom – May 14, 2018 – Saber Interactive and Wired Productions have today revealed that the physical retail edition of Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn will feature the super-secret day one additional DLC content – ensuring fans who purchase the physical edition at launch get more Fu than they could have possibly imagined!

Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn will be bundled as a physical boxed product with the unannounced ‘Bonus FU’ DLC at major retailers for £24.99/€29.99/$29.99 on the PlayStation®4 system and Xbox One and £34.99/€39.99/$39.99 on Nintendo Switch™. The additional Bonus FU will not only raise a few eyebrows on launch day when it’s revealed but will extend the gaming experience with new levels and a bonus famous main character.

“Since its unveiling to the press and public at recent expos and hands-on events, the reception to the Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn has been terrific,” stated Leo Zullo, Managing Director at Wired Productions. “Better than we could have ever imagined, and certainly settles the score of ’94 and puts right the legacy of Shaq Fu. So much so, that we wanted to make the physical retail edition something truly memorable for gamers who prefer something more tangible and collectable. When they open up their box copies we’re genuinely intrigued and excited to gauge players’ reactions to the additional DLC content.”

Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn is an intense, action-packed beat ‘em up which sees players take on the role of the unstoppable Shaquille O’Neal as he fights his way through the hordes of hell and Hollywood. Master devastating combos, battle outlandish celebrity bosses and take on all comers with an array of weapons, including katanas, shuriken and baseball bats. Channel Shaq’s alter egos, Big Daddy O and Big Diesel, in epic battles in the successor to the worst game ever on a mission to restore Shaq’s legacy.