Archive - 2013

Razer Edge Gaming Tablet Sweeps CES 2013 Awards

2013/01/10

LAS VEGAS (CES 2013) – Razer™, the world leader in high-performance gaming hardware, software and systems, swept CNET’s 2013 “Best of CES” awards for the Razer Edge, the world’s most powerful gaming tablet. The Razer Edge won all three categories for which it was nominated: Best Gaming, People’s Voice—as voted by the CNET audience—and the coveted Best of Show award.

The Razer Edge was recognized for taking the concept of a tablet PC and applying it to gaming, and for demonstrating where tablets, computing and entertainment are heading in the future. The Razer Edge will be available for purchase in Q1 2013.

“The fact that PC gamers were able to make critical engineering decisions in designing the most decorated device at CES 2013 is amazing on its own,” says Min-Liang Tan, Razer co-founder, CEO and creative director. “Razer didn’t win these awards alone – the PC gamers of the world have won it together with us. We’ve emphatically said to the world at large: PC gaming is alive and kicking!”

Designed for PC gamers, the Razer Edge combines the best features of a tablet, PC and game console in one elegant touchscreen device. The Edge is the only tablet running true Windows 8 on both an Intel Core Processor and a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GPU. PC gamers helped shape the Razer Edge by way of a massive crowdsourcing effort put into place by Razer, whichtargeted millions of gamers to help determine final specifications for the tablet. Razer let its community decide the final chipset, weight, thickness, features and even price for the Edge, hosting the initiative on its social media pages, an unprecedented move for a hardware manufacturer.

The Razer Edge packs incredible performance in an ultra-thin, 2 lb. form factor with a gorgeous 10.1-in. touchscreen, DDDR3 RAM and a high-speed Solid State Drive for faster loading of Windows 8 and frequently-used games and programs. Since the Razer Edge runs true Windows 8, there are more applications available at launch then there are for any other tablet, with thousands of applications and games running straight-out-of-the-box. Additional accessories include a force-feedback gamepad controller, keyboard dock and docking station for gameplay on an HDTV.
The Razer Edge will be available in Q1, starting at $999.

CNET runs the official awards program at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), one of the most recognizable technology tradeshows in the world. The awards recognize the best and most innovative products at the show. In addition to acknowledgements from CNET, TechRadar named the Edge winner of their coveted “Best of CES 2013” award, while GottaBeMobile awarded the Edge “Best Gaming Device.” It also won “Best Tablet” from LAPTOP Magazine and was recognized by Popular Science with the “Product of the Future” award.

For more information, check out Razer’s social media pages at www.facebook.com/razer and www.twitter.com/cultofrazer.

Cyberpunk 2077 Teaser Trailer

2013/01/10

Jerry Paxton

News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

January 10th, 2013 — CD Projekt RED studio has released a brand new CG teaser trailer for their upcoming game, “Cyberpunk 2077”. The trailer shows a woman going on a rampage due to the amount of cybermodifications in her body. The Night City police try to intervene with the help of a member of an elite police called Psychosquad.

“The teaser shows how the Psycho Squad might acquire a new member. The Psycho Squad specializes in combating “psychos” – individuals who overuse implants and substances that boost or otherwise alter the human body. There comes a point when they overdose on these innovations, and their bodies start to rebel against their biological body parts as well as against all things organic around them. Simply put, they start killing people, who they now derisively call ‘meatbags.’

When a psycho goes on the rampage, strange things can happen. There’s going to be a lot of carnage, so the psycho might be taken down by regular police, but they’re not always able to get the job done. When things spin out of control, they call in MAX-TAC (Maximum Force Tactical Division), popularly called the ‘Psycho Squad’. And these guys are exceptional, these guys are crack troops. The fact that they’re proud of that name tells you a bit about their mindset. They wear a badge with their official emblem on their right sleeve, but their left is reserved for their unofficial Psycho Squad emblem. It’s primitively made and the image itself is on the crude side of things. It’s not unlike a badge special force operators might make and wear to distinguish themselves from the ranks of grunts in any theatre of war,” says Adam Badowski, head of CD Projekt RED studio.

The creators promise that “Cyberpunk 2077” will be true to the essence of the cyberpunk genre. Players will be thrown into the dark future of the year 2077 and into a world where advanced technologies have become both the salvation and the curse of humanity. A multi-thread, nonlinear story designed for mature players (a CD Projekt RED trademark) will take place in the sprawling metropolis of Night City and its surroundings. Players will have a chance to freely roam the open-world environment and visit places well known from the pen-and-paper RPG “Cyberpunk 2020®”, including a combat zone completely taken over by gangs, the legendary Afterlife joint and the nostalgic Forlorn Hope.

For more information on “Cyberpunk 2077” visit http://cyberpunk.net.

Trailer

Amazon AutoRip Program Launches

2013/01/10

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News

SEATTLE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jan. 10, 2013– (NASDAQ: AMZN)-Amazon today announced the launch of Amazon AutoRip, a new service that gives customers free MP3 versions of CDs they purchase from Amazon. When customers purchase AutoRip CDs, the MP3 versions are automatically added to their Cloud Player libraries, where they are available, free of charge, for immediate playback or download – no more waiting for the CD to arrive. Additionally, customers who have purchased AutoRip CDs at any time since Amazon first opened its Music Store in 1998 will find MP3 versions of those albums in their Cloud Player libraries – also automatically and for free. More than 50,000 albums, including titles from every major record label, are available for AutoRip, and more titles are added all the time – customers can just look for the AutoRip logo.

“What would you say if you bought music CDs from a company 15 years ago, and then 15 years later that company licensed the rights from the record companies to give you the MP3 versions of those CDs… and then to top it off, did that for you automatically and for free?” said Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com Founder and CEO. “Well, starting today, it’s available to all of our customers – past, present, and future – at no cost. We love these opportunities to do something unexpected for our customers.”

AutoRip features include:

Free digital copies: Amazon customers who purchase AutoRip CDs get free MP3 versions of the albums delivered directly to their Cloud Player libraries – automatically, immediately, and at no cost – no more hassling with ripping CDs and finding a way to get them onto your favorite devices.
For CD purchases dating back to 1998: MP3 versions of AutoRip CDs that customers have purchased since the launch of Amazon’s music store in 1998 will also be delivered to their Cloud Player libraries for free.
Enjoy everywhere: Music can be played instantly from any Kindle Fire, Android phone or tablet, iPhone, iPod touch, Samsung TVs, Roku, Sonos, and any web browser, giving customers the freedom to enjoy music from more devices than any other major cloud locker music service.
Free storage and backup: All AutoRip MP3s are stored for free in customers’ Cloud Player libraries and do not count against Cloud Player storage limits. Customers can buy music and know that it is safely stored in Cloud Player and accessible from any compatible device.
High-quality audio: AutoRip music is provided in high-quality 256 Kbps MP3 audio.

AutoRip is available for industry-wide top-sellers like “21” by Adele; new and recent releases like “¡Uno!”, “¡Dos!” and “¡Tre!” by Green Day, “Overexposed” by Maroon 5, and “The Truth About Love” by P!nk; classics like “Dark Side of the Moon” by Pink Floyd and “Thriller” by Michael Jackson; and Amazon customer favorites like “I Dreamed A Dream” by Susan Boyle, which was the most pre-ordered album of all time on Amazon.

In many cases, customers can buy an AutoRip CD, including the free digital copy, for less than they would pay for only the digital album at iTunes.

AutoRip is the latest in a series of new digital music features from Amazon launched in recent months. The Amazon MP3 Store recently expanded its catalog to offer more than 21 million songs and everyday low prices on best-selling albums, many starting at $5. In June, Amazon launched Cloud Player for iPhone and iPod touch. In July, Amazon added new scan and match technology that enables customers to import music into Amazon Cloud Player by scanning their iTunes and Windows Media Player libraries and matching songs on their computers to Amazon’s music catalog. All matched songs – even music purchased from iTunes or ripped from CDs – are upgraded to high-quality 256 Kbps audio and are made available instantly in customers’ Cloud Player libraries, making it even easier for customers to enjoy their entire music collection anywhere. More recently, Amazon made Cloud Player available on Samsung TVs, Roku and Sonos, further extending Cloud Player’s accessibility.

Harpoon – Ultimate Edition Gets Improvements and Fixes in New Patch

2013/01/10

Jerry Paxton

News, Windows PC News

1 Comment

Arlington, VT, January 10, 2013 – Matrix Games (www.matrixgames.com) and Advanced Gaming Systems (www.advancedgaming.biz) are happy to announce the release of the v3.11.1 update for the Advanced Naval Warfareportion of the powerful modern naval strategy game Harpoon – Ultimate Edition.

This comprehensive update adds in an updated Database, perfect for scenario creators and editors to tailor their scenarios to their choosing with more variety. The update also fixes and improves the Boarding and Takeover feature for those daring players that bring the fight to their enemies in the water just that much closer! Other additions include a new victory condition that requires the possession of certain units, which works similar to the Protect Unit victory condition.

To get the update, visit the download page or select “Check for Update” from the game menu. The v3.11.1 update is comprehensive and will bring all versions of Harpoon – Ultimate Edition to version 3.11.1. For more information, visit the official product page on the Matrix Games website.

Please note that this update only applies to the Advanced Naval Warfare portion of Harpoon – Ultimate Edition.

Matrix Games is part of the Slitherine Group

Serious Sam Double D XXL Trailer, Release Date

2013/01/10

Jerry Paxton

News, Trailers / Videos, Xbox 360 News

SOMEWHERE IN INDIA, Jan 10, 2013 – The dangerous triad of Mommy’s Best Games, Devolver Digital, and Mastertronic have announced that Serious Sam Double D XXL will launch February 20, 2013 on Xbox LIVE Arcade.

Serious Sam Double D XXL has been rebuilt and reloaded with all-new features, missions, and weapons with a wild campaign cooperative mode featuring titular Serious Sam and his brother-in-arms, Dan “Huff” Huffington. The revolutionary Gunstacker goes even deeper with over 30 new guns to mix and match for some of the most ridiculously awesome action ever to grace Xbox LIVE Arcade.

“The Serious Sam fans have been great to us so we’re all pretty excited to bring the madness of Serious Sam Double D XXL to a new audience through Xbox LIVE Arcade,” said Nathan Fouts, founder and lead designer at developer Mommy’s Best Games.

Serious Sam Double D XXL hits Xbox LIVE Arcade at 800 Microsoft Points with all new features, achievements, and a robust leaderboard so co-op buddies can compete for bragging rights in campaign missions and tough-as-nails challenge maps.

“The Devolver Digital team has admired Mommy’s Best Games’ games since their releases on the Xbox LIVE Indie Games channel,” notes Fork Parker, CFO of Devolver Digital, co-publisher of Serious Sam Double D XXL. “It’s pretty magical to see their first release on Xbox LIVE Arcade and we’re proud to be a part of it all.”

Serious Sam fans can follow development updates and news for Serious Sam Double D XXL at the official Facbook fan page at facebook.com/SeriousSamDoubleDXXL and on Twitter via @DevolverDigital.

Trailer

G-Form Reveals G90 Sports Action Phone Case

2013/01/10

Jerry Paxton

CES, Mobile News, News, Tech News

LAS VEGAS – Jan. 10, 2013 – G-Form, a company known for its revolutionary impact absorbing Reactive Protection Technology (RPT) offering protection for both athletes and electronic devices, debuts the G90 case for the first time at CES 2013. After a year of research and feedback from extreme hard core athletes, G-Form was able to manufacture the world’s first case to truly turn any smartphone or iPod touch into a sports action camera. The G90 case integrates unique, multiple proprietary and patent pending technologies allowing smartphones and iPods to be flat mounted as extremely low profile, aerodynamic and sleek as sports action cameras, rivaling and exceeding the other well known sports cameras on the market. www.youtube.com/G90

G-form’s patent pending technology allows smartphones or iPods to take images at a 90° angle while mounted flat. The same technology also allows the lens of the device to simultaneously increase the field of view to capture all the action in a 140º wide angle format. The G90 case attaches to almost any surface and offers both a full waterproof enclosure and skeletal back. The case can aerodynamically adhere to a helmet, skateboard, surfboard, bike handlebar and more making it far less intrusive than any sports action camera on the market. The G90 is even capable of taking video from the underside of a skateboard where no other sports action camera can go.

G-Form has incorporated its RPT® impact technology to the G90 case to ensure the enclosed device receives the best possible impact protection available. G-form has dropped an RPT® protected iPhone from near space with zero damage and the same technology is at work in the G90. Additionally, the G90 brings the computing power of your smartphone together with the sports camera to let you run powerful apps while users edit, share or live stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth directly from the device.

“The G-form G90 is like no other product on the market,” said Rick Garrard, G-form’s director of research and development. “It literally transforms a smartphone or iPod into a true sports action camera – without compromise. Many people have tried to use smart phone or iPod as sports cameras with cases and mounting systems, and it just doesn’t work due to the very awkward non-aerodynamic shape of the devices in normal video orientation and the narrow field of view – not to mention the risk of breakage. The G90 case solves all those problems.”

The G90 case will be available beginning June 2013 for a variety of devices including Samsung S4, iPhone 5, iPod touch gen. 5, and more.

About G-Form
G-Form is committed to making the worlds most advanced protective gear using state of the art technology. Founded by athletes who use the products themselves and compete, G-Form uses Reactive Protection Technology or RPTTM, which is a composite blend of PORON®XRD™ material and proprietary G-Form materials and technology. Impact Protection, Revolutionized.

Hitman HD: Trilogy Limited Edition Announced

2013/01/10

Jerry Paxton

News, PlayStation 3 News, Xbox 360 News

LOS ANGELES (Jan. 10, 2013) – Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of SQUARE ENIX® interactive entertainment products in the Americas, and IO Interactive A/S, a Square Enix studio, today confirmed details for the HITMAN® HD: TRILOGY limited edition. Set for release on January 29 in North America, the limited edition includes an art book with 22 artist reinterpretations of classic moments throughout the Hitman series.

To celebrate, Square Enix also announced www.WhoIs47.com, a site where fans can buy one-of-a-kind autographed lithographs that will be showcased in the limited edition for $47 each. The site also serves as the hub for an art contest where fans are encouraged to submit their own art paying homage to their favorite moments from Hitman Contracts®, Hitman 2: Silent Assassin® and Hitman Blood Money®. The grand prize winner will receive a custom Agent 47® Xbox® 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. More information and official rules for the contest can be found at: www.WhoIs47.com.

HITMAN HD: TRILOGY is a deadly combination of games including Hitman Contracts, Hitman 2: Silent Assassin and Hitman Blood Money. Players will experience over 75 hits across more than 40 intense levels across three classic Hitman games, all presented in glorious HD. HITMAN HD: TRILOGY will be released for PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360 for $39.99 in North America. HITMAN HD: TRILOGY also includes HTIMAN®: SNIPER CHALLENGE™, the stand-alone sniper experience given to those who pre-ordered HITMAN: ABSOLUTION. Items unlocked in this version of the HITMAN: SNIPER CHALLENGE are not transferable to any other game.

The standard and limited editions of HITMAN HD: TRILOGY are scheduled for release in North America on January 29, 2013 for $39.99 for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, and Xbox 360. HITMAN® HD: TRILOGY is rated M for Mature. Please visit the ESRB website for more information about ratings.

Gazillion Unmasks Founders Program for Marvel Heroes

2013/01/10

Jerry Paxton

Mac PC News, News, Windows PC News

SAN MATEO, Calif. — Marvel fans and gamers assemble! Gazillion Entertainment today announced the Founders Program for Marvel Heroes, the highly anticipated free-to-play MMO action-RPG launching in Spring 2013. The Marvel Heroes Founders Program lets players purchase limited-edition digital Founders Packs for access to their favorite heroes, unique costumes, early game access, and in-game currency that can be used to buy even more heroes and costumes at launch. The value-packed Marvel Heroes Founders Program is available for purchase for a limited time only through Starter, Premium and Ultimate packs at https://founders.marvelheroes.com.

The Marvel Heroes Founders Program digital packs include:

Starter – There are 16 different Starter Packs available. Each pack includes one of 16 Super Heroes to play at launch, one bonus costume for the chosen hero, $10 of in-game currency and two days head start prior to launch. Each Starter Pack will be available for $19.99.

Premium – There are seven different Premium Packs available that will come equipped with a team of four heroes from across the Marvel Universe, including X-Force, Uncanny X-Men, Marvel Knights, Avengers, Marvel NOW, Marvel Classic and a special Deadpool pack (Why? Because he made us do it). Players will also receive four bonus costumes for their team, $30 in-game currency and four days head start prior to launch. The Premium Pack is available for $59.99.

Ultimate – The optimal value of the Founders Program, the Ultimate Pack includes access to ALL heroes available in Marvel Heroes at launch, ALL launch costumes plus four Ultimate Pack exclusive costumes (Maestro Hulk, Wolverine Weapon X, Spider-Man Symbiote and the Iron Man 3 Movie Armor), $50 in-game currency, seven days head start prior to launch, a permanent 5% experience boost, a permanent 5% item find boost, and more. The Ultimate Pack is available for $199.99.

“Our team is hard at work to make sure Marvel Heroes is true to hardcore players, Marvel fans and the most casual of gamers through deep, MMO action-RPG gameplay, an expansive interactive storyline and easy-to-play experience,” said David Brevik, president and chief operating officer, Gazillion Entertainment. “We’ve built Marvel Heroes from the ground up to be a free-to-play game where players can find and collect nearly every hero and costume in the game just by playing. The Founders Program gives players the opportunity to play as their favorite hero from the day we launch in addition to enough in-game currency to buy more heroes and costumes as we release new content.”

Marvel Heroes is created by David Brevik, the visionary behind Diablo and Diablo II, set in the expansive Marvel Universe. Featuring an original storyline created by Marvel super-scribe Brian Michael Bendis, players collect and play as iconic Marvel Super Heroes, including Iron Man, Thor, Wolverine, Hulk, Spider-Man, Captain America and many more. Players will be able to suit up as their favorite heroes in Spring 2013 to battle notorious Marvel Super Villains (Magneto, Doctor Octopus, Madame Hydra, the Kingpin and more) en route to stopping Doctor Doom from destroying the world with the power of the Cosmic Cube.

Marvel Heroes will be available in Spring 2013 as a free download for PC and will be available for Mac OS post-launch. Marvel Heroes Founders Packs are available for purchase now at the following link: https://founders.marvelheroes.com.

You can find out more information on Marvel Heroes at https://www.marvelheroes.com follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/MMMSociety or like us on Facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/marvelheroes.

ARCHOS Introduces the New TITANIUM Line at CES

2013/01/10

Jerry Paxton

CES, News

CES, Las Vegas – January 10, 2013 – ARCHOS, an award-winning innovator in consumer electronics introduces the Titanium line in its Elements range of tablets.

This range offers high-end specifications at an aggressive price and all tablets will feature:

High Definition IPS display capacitive multi-touch screen
Dual core CPU at 1.6 GHz with Quad core GPU, with 1080p video decoding
Sleek aluminum design
Android 4.1 ‘Jelly Bean’ with the 700,000 applications on Google Play and the Archos Media Center applications

The ARCHOS 70 titanium (7 inches), priced at 119€, $119, £99 offers similar features to competitors such as Amazon, at a better price point.

The ARCHOS 80 titanium (8 inches), priced at 169€, $169, £149 has been designed to offer similar user experience as the iPad mini, for a fraction of the price.

The ARCHOS 101 titanium (10.1 inches), priced at 199€, $199, £169, is around 30 per cent cheaper than competition with comparable features.

The ARCHOS 97 titanium HD (9.7 inches), with a resolution up to 2048 x 1536 pixels is priced at 249€, $249 and £199, and aims to be an alternative to the new iPad for half the price.

Path of Exile Launches Open Beta on January 23

2013/01/10

Jerry Paxton

News, Windows PC News

Auckland, New Zealand–January 10, 2013–Grinding Gear Games announced today that the highly anticipated action role-playing game (RPG) Path of Exile (ed. note: Check out our PREVIEW article of the game) will enter Open Beta on January 23. The game is currently in Closed Beta but has already raised over USD$1.8 million in crowd-funded support, with those supporters gaining early access to the beta. Act 3 of the Path of Exile story will also be unveiled, in which players will explore abandoned docks, markets, temples and sewers in the ruined city of Sarn to further uncover the dark truth of their exile.

“We’re excited to have reached the point where we can finally throw open the doors and invite everyone in,” said Chris Wilson, producer for Grinding Gear Games. “We have one of the best and most supportive communities on the Internet, and their input has been invaluable in making Path of Exile what it is. We hope they’ll be delighted with all the new content.”

Current players have until the Open Beta to purchase the special in-game kiwi bird pet. The permanent pet is the national symbol of New Zealand and is exclusively available to Closed Beta players. Additionally, there will be no further character wipes once Open Beta launches.

Path of Exile was recently named “Players’ Choice Best Upcoming Game” by Indie DB. Over 78,000 readers voted in the awards.

Path of Exile is a PC online action role-playing game set in a dark fantasy world. Featuring ethical microtransactions, the game is free-to-play, but not pay-to-win. Playing as one of six character classes, players find themselves banished for their past misdeeds to the dark fantasy world of Wraeclast. There, they will encounter hundreds of species of opponents laden with loot and mysterious artifacts as they explore the abandoned continent.

Key features of Path of Exile:

A dark and deep action RPG
Build unlimited unique characters on a gigantic skill tree
Combine over 110 skill gems to create unique combat strategies
Explore a dark and gritty world rendered from a fixed 3D perspective
Download and play for free, but never ‘pay-to-win’
Explore randomly generated levels for extreme replayability
Craft weapons, magic items and even end-game maps to become more powerful
Cooperate or compete with thousands of other exiles in a persistent online world
Ascend online ladders in every game mode
Battle in PVP tournaments for worldwide recognition

View gameplay footage at www.youtube.com/grindinggear, or HD trailers are available fromwww.pathofexile.com/video