Archive - 2013

PGA Tour 14 Sees Legendary Golfers Return

2013/01/08
Jerry Paxton
News, PlayStation 3 News, Xbox 360 News

pga-14-bobbyjones

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – Jan. 8, 2013 – Electronic Arts Inc., (NASDAQ: EA) announced today that fans will be able to battle nine of the greatest golf legends of all time in Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® 14. The all-new game mode, Legends of the Majors,  gives players a chance to travel back through time and relive the rich history of golf by matching up against the sport’s greatest legends, including Seve Ballesteros, Ben Hogan, Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Sam Snead, Lee Trevino and Tiger Woods. Players can work their way through these legends in various eras and take each of them down to earn their own seat at the table of golf legends.

Hoisting the Claret Jug, breaking Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major victories and slipping on the coveted Green Jacket are now all within a player’s reach. In Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 14 users, for the first time in franchise history, have a chance to go for the Grand Slam by playing historical events in all four majors, the Masters Tournament, U.S. Open, The Open Championship and the PGA Championship.  The game goes on sale in North America on March 26 and worldwide on March 28, for both the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, including support for the Kinect™ for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation®Move.

“This year’s edition of the game delivers a collection of innovative golf features that provide players an unprecedented chance to rewrite the record books,” said Mike Taramykin, Vice President of Tiger Woods PGA TOUR. “Players can earn legendary status by conquering the greatest legends of all time or challenge their friends on some of the world’s most renowned courses.  Without question, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 14 is the best edition the franchise has produced in years.”

Features in Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 14 include:

·         More Championship Courses – Featuring Augusta National Golf Club, the Old Course at St Andrews, Pinehurst No. 2 Restored and THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. This year’s game features the most courses ever offered on disc – a total of 20 courses.
·         Huge Player Roster – A robust roster of more than 35 playable golfers, representing both the PGA TOUR and LPGA, are featured in Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 14.  Compete against legends of the game and present-day stars including Bubba Watson, Keegan Bradley, Rickie Fowler, Lexi Thompson and Paula Creamer.
·         Look the Part – Step to the tee box on the game’s historic courses, experience unique era-specific gameplay visual treatments, wear classic attire and use equipment from golf’s rich history as you travel through time rewriting the record books with your own legacy.
·         Make Way for the Ladies – Another new feature to the Tiger Woods PGA TOUR franchise is the introduction of the LPGA.  Female created golfers can now compete on the LPGA and attempt to become a major champion by winning the Kraft Nabisco Championship. There are five playable LPGA golfers including 2012Rolex Player of the Year Stacy Lewis.
·         Golf Anytime in Any Condition – For the first time in franchise history, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 14features night golf.  Tee it up after the sun goes down and watch your drives streak through the night skies with an illuminated ball. In addition, new time-of-day settings allow fans to play golf in any condition at any time of day in conjunction with a live weather feed.
·         Members Only – Country Clubs are back and better than ever with the ability to invite up to 100 members, chat online, hold tournaments and track statistics to create the ultimate competitive environment.
·         Customize Your Swing – With 24 unique golfer swing styles available, you now have the ability to customize the type of golfer you want to be. Advanced shot shaping, enhanced strike meter and ball physics have all been improved to reflect a real-world golfing experience.
·         Never Play Alone – A new online experience allows you to play with up to 24 competitors at a time while an all-new dynamic stat tracking system feeds live data from the entire tournament field and makes you feel as if you’re in the mix of a real event.

More information about Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 14: The Masters Historic Edition will be coming soon.

The first game details, pre-order offers and downloadable content information for Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 14 were released today on the EA SPORTS Tiger Woods PGA TOUR website, with additional details to be released in the weeks leading up to the game launch.

Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 14 is developed in Orlando, Fla., by EA Tiburon and will retail for $59.99. Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 14 will be participating in the EA SPORTS Season Ticket program. Season Ticket subscribers will be provided full digital access to Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 14 three days before retail launch.

To see additional information regarding Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 14 and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 14: The Masters Historic Edition please visit www.easports.com/golf. For in-game assets, go to www.info.ea.com.

EA SPORTS is one of the leading sports entertainment brands in the world, with top-selling videogame franchises, award-winning interactive technology, fan programs and cross-platform digital experiences. EA SPORTS creates connected experiences that ignite the emotion of sports through industry-leading sports videogames, including Madden NFL football,FIFA Soccer, NHL® hockey, NBA LIVE basketball, NCAA® Football, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR golf, SSX™ and Fight Night boxing.

For more information about EA SPORTS, including news, video, blogs, forums and game apps, please visithttp://www.easports.com to connect, share and compete.

Thrustmaster Unveils Y-Gaming Headset Line

2013/01/08
Jerry Paxton
CES, News, Tech News

headset

LAS VEGAS, January 8, 2013 – Thrustmaster, the innovative PC and console accessory brand, arrives today in the Gaming Headset market with some serious credentials, nearly 30 years of gaming experience have been combined with 20 years of audio expertise under the Hercules brand within the Guillemot Group.

Gamers are at the heart of everything we’ve done:

Thrustmaster’s Research and Development teams have built their Gaming Headsets range with one priority in mind: providing gamers with products which perfectly fit all of their needs.  To accomplish this, a wide-reaching international study was performed  with 3000 American and European gamers who played for 5 hours or more per week. This study allowed us to focus and combine our technical capabilities and audio expertise to create the first 3 solutions for gamers: the Y-250X for Xbox 360®, the Y-250P for PS3™ and the Y-250C for PC.

Accurate, perfectly-proportioned sound:

Thrustmaster’s 3 gaming headsets provide carefully-crafted audio performance.  They incorporate 50 mm drivers for bass response that’s higher than the mid-range frequencies, which are themselves more prominent than the high-range frequencies. This allows for an audio hierarchy which is perfectly in line with gamers’ expectations and needs: heavy explosions that can be heard from far away, natural voices that are easy to hear, and clear whizzing sounds from bullets that don’t get lost in the overall sound stage. In this way gamers can not only enjoy the signature audio experience of each game, but also hear all of the sound information contained in the game’s audio mix.  This will allow them to anticipate events and adapt their strategies to create a real  advantage over other players.

To achieve this result, a unique design, symbolizing the range, was developed based on a “Y” shape.  By incorporating large earpieces with this shape the player is provided perfect sound isolation, and it generates powerful acoustic amplification by acting as resonance chambers.

Optimized microphone and controls:

Thrustmaster’s Gaming Headsets feature detachable, unidirectional, ultra-high-performance microphones. Their design gives the gamer an advantage by only transmitting his or her voice without letting any surrounding noises in to muddy the sound. For even greater  precision a gain control feature has been added as well, allowing users to precisely adjust the microphone according to the environment that they’re in.

The control unit on each headset’s cable puts valuable adjustment options right at player’s fingertips, inclduing a microphone gain, game volume (on the PC version), seperate Chat volume, bass level and voice feedback level for the PS3™ and Xbox 360® versions. The microphone, like the headsets themselves, is adjustable and easily adapts to all head sizes and shapes.  These controls guarante total comfort even during long gaming sessions, and perfect communication.

The products in this range provide a level of versatility that gamers asked for during the study.  This includes watching a movie by removing the microphone, listening to music on MP3 players and smartphones (and taking calls on smartphone), and even playing on the Nintendo 3DS™, Sony PS Vita™ and Nintendo Wii U™ consoles.

Get the Thrustmaster Y-Gaming Headsets, and take your performance to the next level!  The headsets will be available shortly from all major retailers for $89.99.  Check out all of our products at www.thrustmaster.com.  For all assets please go to:  Thrustmaster.

Sennheiser’s PC 350 and PC 360 Headsets Redesigned

2013/01/08
Jerry Paxton
CES, News, Tech News

PC_350SEsm

Las Vegas, 8 January 2013 – Sennheiser announces the rebirth of two truly legendary gaming headsets. The sought after PC 350 and PC 360 have been reengineered to feature optimized comfort, design and virtual 7.1 surround sound. Both will be officially launching this week at CES, the World’s Largest Consumer Electronics Show.

The new Sennheiser PC 350 Special Edition and the PC 363D surround sound gaming headsets were designed for quality-conscious gamers who seek nothing but the best. Their closed design ensures hat sound is not transferred to your partner you become fully immersed in your games.

Sennheiser has developed the PC 350 Special Edition and the PC 363D for two specific types of players:

The ‘Pro’ Player

The PC 350 Special Edition, which is a professional noise-blocking headset, will keep you gaming in private. Even at full volume, more than 95% of the audio remains inside the headset, you can immerse yourself in the game while those around you don’t hear a thing. This is optimal for professional gamers at LAN events, or for home players who don’t want interruptions.

The Special Edition also features the most accurate sound reproduction in a gaming headset today. Utilizing Sennheiser’s “Eargonomic Acoustic Refinement” technology, the headset channels audio signals directly into your ears, rather than onto them.

Creating a Deeper Audio Experience for Gamers
The PC 363D Surround Sound, which delivers full virtual 7.1 Surround Sound with Dolby® Pro Logic® IIx, creates a much deeper audio experience allowing you to accurately pinpoint the direction of engine roars, shots or explosions. Designed for long hours of gaming, the PC 363D also features an open acoustic design, which lets air flow through to keep you extra comfortable at all times.

Engineered for quality and comfort
Both headsets feature German-engineered technology with speakers manufactured at Sennheiser’s own facility in Ireland. In addition to having a pro noise-cancelling microphone, each headset features dedicated controls on the specially designed metal ear cups and microphone boom, making volume control and mute functions easy and intuitive.

“Our earlier headset models from 2008 and 2010 are among the most sought after headsets by gamers. We revisited these designs to see how we could make our gaming headsets even better, using what we know today,” says Product Manager Christian Ern of Sennheiser Communications.

The PC 350 Special Edition and PC 363D Surround Sound are available as of this month and carry a Sennheiser two-year worldwide warranty.

Captions:
1. The Sennheiser PC 350 Special Edition headset
2. The Sennheiser PC 363D Surround Sound headset

The Sennheiser Group, with its headquarters in Wedemark near Hanover, Germany, is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of microphones, headphones and wireless transmission systems. The family-owned company, which was established in 1945, recorded sales of around €531 million in 2011. Sennheiser employs more than 2,100 people worldwide, and has manufacturing plants in Germany, Ireland and the USA. The company is represented worldwide by subsidiaries in France, Great Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark (Nordic), Russia, Hong Kong, India, Singapore, Japan, China, Canada, Mexico and the USA, as well as by long-term trading partners in many other countries. Also part of the Sennheiser Group are Georg Neumann GmbH, Berlin (studio microphones and monitor loudspeakers), and the joint venture Sennheiser Communications A/S (headsets for PCs, offices and call centres).

You can find all the latest information on Sennheiser by visitingwww.sennheiser.com.

Turtle Beach Unveils New Headsets for CES 2013

2013/01/08
Jerry Paxton
CES, News, Tech News

xp510A

VALHALLA, N.Y. – Jan. 8, 2013 – Turtle Beach, U.S. based pioneer and market-leader in gaming headsets, is showcasing its new high-end wireless and SEVEN Series wired gaming headsets during the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), at the Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall 1 – Booth #20618, from January 8 to 11, 2013. The new line-up reinforces Turtle Beach’s commitment to portability – headsets that are designed to work across consoles, PCs and mobile devices – and represents a strategic expansion in the PC and mobile categories. All of Turtle Beach’s gaming headsets feature the sound quality and comfort that have made the company No. 1 in the industry.

The New High-End Headsets for the Wireless Gaming Category

Ear Force XP510 for Xbox and Ear Force PX51 for PlayStation3

Already the best-selling premium wireless headset company, two new models expand Turtle Beach’s high-end for wireless gaming. Featuring Turtle Beach’s proprietary digital signal processor (DSP), Dolby® Digital surround sound, Dual Band Wi-Fi for an interference-free connection, a rechargeable lithium polymer battery and Bluetooth technology, the Ear Force XP510 and Ear Force PX51 are the most technologically advanced headsets ever designed for console that are also perfect for gaming, movies and music on mobile devices.

With Bluetooth enabling cable-free wireless chat, the Ear Force XP510 and PX51 headsets allow gamers to take phone calls and stream music easily. Immersive Dolby® Digital surround sound while playing games or watching movies ensures an audio experience that rivals even the highest-end home theater sound system. Powered by a rechargeable battery with a 15 hour lifespan, these headsets deliver signal processed sound for uncompromised audio across any entertainment scenario. These two models continue the evolution of a new breed of wireless gaming headset that serves as the ultimate “secret weapon” in the arsenal of serious gamers seeking unmatched audio quality, sonic control and a competitive advantage.

  • XP510 MSRP $289.99; Availability Q1 2013
  • PX51 MSRP $269.99; Availability Q1 2013

Ear Force SEVEN Series

Tournament-grade quality and functionality is now available for everyone.                     

2013 marks the much-anticipated release of Turtle Beach’s SEVEN Series, the ultimate option in versatility for avid gamers on the move. Featuring the most precise and powerful tournament-grade audio headsets, first announced at the 2012 Entertainment Electronics Expo, the Ear Force XP SEVEN for console gaming; Z SEVEN for PC gaming; and M SEVEN for mobile gaming comprise the SEVEN Series and raise the bar for wired headsets.

The SEVEN Series provides total portability to meet the cross-platform needs of active gamers by leveraging a modular design for total performance control. Gamers are increasingly playing across multiple screens, with 24 percent regularly gaming on a console, PC and or mobile device in 2011*. Using unique interchangeable cable kits, the SEVEN Series uses the same headset across any platform – console, PC, Mac or mobile – and delivers a high-quality audio experience. A removable boom microphone and in-line microphone provide additional flexibility.

The SEVEN Series headsets for console and PC come with Turtle Beach’s state-of-the-art, touch capacitive Audio Control Unit which gives players the ability to instantly change the mix of game, chat and microphone audio levels to provide a competitive advantage in changing game situations. Using Turtle Beach’s Advanced Sound Editor (ASE), gamers can also replace the standard audio presets with up to eight game and eight chat audio presets – for over 64 possible preset audio mixes –  to match their personal or team preferences. Audio presets to enhance the audio quality of music and movies are also available via Turtle Beach’s thriving audio preset community.

Complementing the SEVEN Series gaming headsets is the TM1 audio mixer designed for console and PC use. Optimized for LAN multiplayer gaming, the TM1 enables tournament-grade quality and functionality for consumers and tournament organizers. The TM1 offers communication for up to six players on the same team, or two teams of three players, as well as a number of input and output features such as a broadcast feed. When combined with the Audio Control Unit, the TM1 represents the most powerful revolution in game tournament audio to date.

The SEVEN Series is the official audio headset platform for Major League Gaming, the world’s largest competitive video game league, which exclusively uses the Ear Force SEVEN Series PC and console headsets, Audio Control Units and TM1 tournament mixers during all MLG Pro Circuit tournaments. For the first time in Q1 2013, consumers will be able to purchase this tournament-grade equipment for home use.

  • XP SEVEN MSRP $279.95; Availability Q1 2013
  • Z SEVEN MSRP $249.95; Availability Q1 2013
  • M SEVEN MSRP $149.95; Availability Q1 2013
  • TM1 MSRP $249.95; Available now

Turtle Beach Upgrades PX21 Headset and Releases Ear Force PX22

Turtle Beach is announcing the Ear Force PX22, a universal wired headset that upgrades the Ear Force PX21 to offer additional benefits for an enhanced gaming experience. Licensed by MLG, the high performance PX22 features cross platform capabilities and amplified stereo sound. It will also offer variable Bass and Treble Boosts, Dynamic Chat Boost™ and a 4-pole connector for compatibility with mobile devices. By strengthening its feature set and usability, the PX22 will upgrade the overall experience of the popular Ear Force PX21. First launched in 2009, the PX21 ranks as the #4 best-selling third-party gaming headset of all time according to the NPD Group.

  • Ear Force PX22 MSRP $79.95; Availability Q2 2013

New Range of Headsets Arrive and Boost PC Gaming Audio

Ear Force Z SEVEN, Ear Force Z300 and Ear Force Z22 for PC gaming

In 2013 Turtle Beach is releasing a collection of gaming headsets that will provide superior quality, comfort, control and customization to meet the unique needs of PC gamers. From the SEVEN Series, the Z SEVEN will be the first gaming headset available for gamers in need of a tournament grade audio that can also deliver an extraordinary experience with movies and music.

The Z300 headset further supports Turtle Beach’s commitment to PC gaming with an advanced wireless solution that includes high-end features such as Dual Band WiFi for an interference-free connection, a rechargeable lithium polymer battery with a 15 hour lifespan and Bluetooth technology. The Z300 is the only Bluetooth enabled PC headset capable of answering calls or streaming music via a mobile device while playing a game.

Lastly, Turtle Beach is releasing the new USB powered Z22 headset for PC gamers in search of a high value audio experience. With full mobile compatibility and analog inputs, the Z22 is the first PC headset featuring Chat Boost, variable Bass and Treble Boost for a powerful audio performance across the sonic spectrum.

Both pricing and availability for the Ear Force Z300 and the Z22 headsets will be released in the coming months.

When combined with the Turtle Beach’s competitive advantage in distribution and retail point-of-sale presence, the company expects the new range of PC headsets to deliver innovative features and superior audio quality to PC gamers. According to The NPD Group, in 2012 Turtle Beach led all first and third party manufacturers on sales, in units and dollars, of gaming headsets.

Mobile Headset Sales Poised for Growth as More Gamers Turn to Mobile Gaming

Gaming is both a driver and a beneficiary of the huge growth in the mobile device market. After checking email, gaming represents the second most frequent use of a tablet**, and ranks ahead of making phone calls, emails and texting on smartphones. Mobile device unit sales now exceed PC sales, and for the first time in 2012 broadband use on mobile devices exceeds use on PCs***.

As the displays, processing power and battery life of mobile devices has improved; mobile video games have increased in quality and complexity. As the excellence of games and gameplay continues to improve on mobile devices, more consumers will seek a superior audio experience to compliment the raised mobile standard.

Only Turtle Beach has a full line of mobile gaming headsets to fill that need, delivering excellent audio quality at all price points. With an emphasis on portability – headsets that are designed to work across consoles, PCs and mobile devices – Turtle Beach has a distinct advantage with gaming enthusiasts who are likely to play games on multiple platforms. And within the category, only Turtle Beach is delivering a robust retail point-of-sale presence, with superior product packaging and in-store kiosks. As mobile gaming accessories emerge as a category, no gaming headset company is positioned as well as Turtle Beach to benefit and support the expanding market.         

Visit www.turtlebeach.com to sign up for updates or follow Turtle Beach on www.facebook.com/turtlebeach or twitter.com/turtlebeach/ for special content, additional product details, pre- and on-sale info and other special news and alerts.

Majesco and Disney Team Up for Phineas and Ferb Games

2013/01/08
Jerry Paxton
News

phineas

EDISON, NJ  – January 8, 2013 – Majesco Entertainment Company (NASDAQ: COOL), an innovative provider of games for the mass market, announced today a relationship with Disney Interactive to start development of original video games based on the animated hit Disney television series Phineas and Ferb.

“We are thrilled to be teaming up with Disney to bring a new Phineas and Ferb game to market across multiple platforms,” said Jesse Sutton, Chief Executive Officer, Majesco Entertainment. “Phineas and Ferb is known for fun-filled adventures and hilarious gags that appeal to a universal audience, and we’re creating a game that leverages the characters and brand attributes of the highly successful series.”

The new game will be developed for retail consoles and gaming handhelds, including smartphones and tablets, and is scheduled for release in August 2013.

For more information on Majesco Entertainment, please visit www.majescoent.com, ‘Like’ us on Facebook or follow the company on Twitter @Majesco.

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes Announced

2013/01/08
Jerry Paxton
News, Nintendo Wii U News, PlayStation 3 News, PS Vita News, Windows PC News, Xbox 360 News

legomarvel530

Burbank, Calif. – Jan. 8, 2013 – Marvel Super Heroes are assembling for an action-packed, brick-smashing good time!  Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, TT Games, The LEGO Group and Marvel Entertainment announced today that LEGO® Marvel™ Super Heroes will be available beginning Fall 2013 for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, the Wii U™ system and Windows PC, as well as the Nintendo DS™ handheld system, Nintendo 3DS™ handheld system and PlayStation®Vita handheld entertainment system.  LEGO Marvel Super Heroes is the first installment in the highly successful LEGO videogame franchise to feature famous Marvel characters.

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes complements the LEGO Marvel Super Heroes construction toy collection, which brings the characters, vehicles and action of Marvel’s renowned universe to the world of LEGO build-and-play adventure. There are currently eight iconic scenes from the X-Men, Iron Man and Spider-Man franchises available and more construction sets tied to the new Iron Man 3 feature film will launch later this spring.

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes offers an original storyline in which Nick Fury calls upon Iron Man, the Hulk, Thor, Spider-Man, Wolverine and other heroes spanning the Marvel Universe to save Earth from such threats as the vengeance of Loki and the hunger of Galactus, Devourer of the Worlds.  LEGO and Marvel fans will enjoy classic LEGO videogame adventure and humor, while playing as their favorite Marvel characters.

“We’re very excited to bring a myriad of classic Marvel characters to life in LEGO form for some fun, family-friendly gameplay in LEGO Marvel Super Heroes,” said Tom Stone, Managing Director, TTGames Publishing. “Players will brave the ultimate mission to save the world as they explore famous landmarks in LEGO New York and take the adventure beyond Earth to iconic locations in the Marvel Universe.”

“Fans of both LEGO and Marvel have wanted this game for years, and we’re addressing that demand with more Marvel Universe characters than ever in a console game,” said TQ Jefferson, Vice President, Games Production, Marvel Entertainment.  “If you’re a fan of Spider-Man, the Avengers, Fantastic Four, X-Men, Guardians of the Galaxy or scores of other Marvel characters, this is the game for you.”

In LEGO Marvel Super Heroes, players will unlock more than 100 characters from across the Marvel Universe, including fan favorites like Spider-Man, Iron Man, Wolverine, Captain America, the Hulk, Thor, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Deadpool, Loki and Galactus!  The game will pack in a plethora of super-cool character abilities, combat-like action sequences, epic battle scenes, puzzle-solving and a unique story told with playful LEGO humor.

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes is being developed by TT Games and will be published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.  For more information, please visit http://videogames.lego.com/en-us/lego-marvel-super-heroes.

Scosche Unveils boomBOTTLE Wireless Cycling Speaker

2013/01/08
Jerry Paxton
CES, News, Tech News

scosche-bottle

LAS VEGAS – January 8th, 2013– Unveiled at CES 2013, boomBOTTLE is a wireless omnidirectional outdoor speaker with weatherproof housing, designed to fit in most water bottle cages for streaming music while biking, hiking, camping and more.  The Innovations and Design Award Honoree connects to iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Android devices and more via Bluetooth to deliver remarkable sound on the go.

Dual 40mm drivers produce rich, deep audio with amplified acoustics for even the loudest of outdoor environments.  The integrated passive subwoofer features a ported enclosure for enhance bass performance.  boomBOTTLE’s built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to 10 hours of continuous playback on a single charge.   A wireless range of 33 feet eliminates the need for unruly wires and tangles.

The one of a kind speaker was designed with a durable, non-slip and shock proof TPU exterior, strong enough to withstand drops or vibrations caused from rough terrain riding.  The large rubberized buttons make it easy to skip tracks and adjust volume even during active use.

The IP4X rated splash proof casing protects boomBOTTLE from unexpected weather, sweat and other moisture.  A top flap opens to reveal safely hidden charging and audio ports.

The easily portable boomBOTTLE also makes for a great media speaker in the gym, garage or dorm room.  It delivers the same impressive acoustics when playing movies, TV shows, or games on a connected mobile device.

The dynamic speaker also includes a built-in microphone, for use as an enhanced speakerphone, capable of delivering crisp, clear echo-free phone conversations. A 3.5mm auxiliary input is also included for use with non-Bluetooth enabled devices.

boomBOTTLE will be on display along with all of Scosche’s award winning products and apps in the North Hall, Booth 3806 at the Las Vegas Convention center January 8-11th, 2013.

Follow Scosche at twitter.com/scosche or facebook.com/scosche for the latest news on all of the company’s award-winning products.

XCOM: Enemy Unknown Free Second Wave Content Released

2013/01/08
Jerry Paxton
News, Screenshots / Photos, Windows PC News

2KGMKT_XCOMEU_Screenshot_SecondWaveClassicMode

New York, NY – January 8, 2013 – 2K Games and Firaxis Games announced today that Second Wave content is now available for XCOM®: Enemy Unknown for Windows PC, the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. The Second Wave content allows fans to choose a variety of new gameplay modifiers to enhance the XCOM: Enemy Unknown experience after completing the main campaign. The Second Wave content is available free of charge and is issued via a downloadable* title update to XCOM: Enemy Unknown.

The XCOM: Enemy Unknown Second Wave content offers a series of advanced gameplay options that unlock a new level of depth, challenge and replayability. The Second Wave content includes:

  • Damage Roulette: Weapons have a wider range of damage.
  • New Economy: Randomized council member funding.
  • Not Created Equally: Rookies will have random starting stats.
  • Hidden Potential: As a soldier is promoted, stats increase randomly.
  • Red Fog: Combat wounds will degrade the soldier’s mission stats.
  • Absolutely Critical: A flanking shot guarantees a critical hit.
  • The Greater Good: Psionics can only be learned from interrogating a psionic alien.
  • Marathon: The game takes considerably longer to complete.
  • Results Driven: A country offers less funding as its panic level increases.
  • High Stakes: Random rewards for stopping alien abductions.
  • Diminishing Returns: Increased cost of satellite construction.
  • More Than Human: The psionic gift is extremely rare.

The Second Wave content is the second of two add-ons for XCOM: Enemy Unknown. With the Slingshot Content Pack, the first add-on content for XCOM: Enemy Unknown, players meet an enigmatic Triad operative, divert an alien ship’s course, and do battle with the aliens in the skies over China in a new set of linked Council missions. The Slingshot Content Pack includes three new maps tied to the Council missions, a new playable squad character with a unique story and voice, and new character customization options. The Slingshot Content Pack is available for $6.99 (PlayStation®Network) / 560 Microsoft Points (Xbox LIVE® online entertainment network) / $6.99 (Windows PC).

Developed by the strategy experts at Firaxis Games, XCOM: Enemy Unknown has won more than 50 end-of-year awards worldwide to date. Released in October 2012 to wide critical acclaim, XCOM: Enemy Unknown received review scores of 5 out of 5 from GameSpy, 9.1 out of 10 from GameTrailers.com, and 9.5 out of 10 from Game Informer – earning “Game of the Month” honors in their November 2012 issue. In XCOM: Enemy Unknown, players oversee combat strategies and individual unit tactics, as well as base management and resource allocation while playing as the commander of a secret global military organization, XCOM. With equal emphasis on deep strategy and intense tactical combat, XCOM: Enemy Unknown allows gamers to control the fate of the human race by defending against a terrifying global alien invasion.

A free playable demo* of XCOM: Enemy Unknown is available for Windows PC via Steam, Xbox 360 and PS3™. Gamers who download the demo will be guided through two levels of the single-player tutorial campaign, experiencing the combat controls and effective tactics for defending humanity against the alien threat. The two tutorial missions will also introduce players to the XCOM base, where soldier training and researching alien technology takes place, and offers a chance to experience the tactical and strategic layers of XCOM: Enemy Unknown.

XCOM: Enemy Unknown, the Slingshot Content Pack and the Second Wave content are all available now for Windows PC, Xbox 360 and PS3™. XCOM: Enemy Unknown is rated M for Mature by the ESRB.

For the latest news and information on XCOM: Enemy Unknown, become a fan on Facebook.

* Xbox LIVE® online entertainment network for Xbox 360, PlayStation®Network for PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system or Internet connection and acceptance of Steam Subscriber agreement required.

2K Games is a division of 2K, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).

All trademarks and copyrights contained herein are the property of their respective holders.