Archive - 2014

Creative Labs Introduces the Sound Blaster X7

2014/09/03
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Hardware News, News

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SINGAPORE – September 3, 2014 – Creative Technology Ltd today announced the Sound Blaster X7, its most powerful and technologically advanced audio solution to date. Created to provide only the best audio experience for gamers, the Sound Blaster X7 incorporates Creative’s renowned audio processing technologies with the finest audiophile-grade components and specifications, coupled with a whole slew of advanced features to cover all aspects of usage on different platforms.

Designed to connect with a whole range of gaming and entertainment systems, the Sound Blaster X7 functions as an ultra high-end external Sound Blaster with an impressive 24-bit/192kHz high-resolution 127dB digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and 100W-capable audio amplifier. The result: the clearest, most powerful high-resolution audio experience for games, music and movies.

“The world has changed, and so must Sound Blaster. The answer is the Sound Blaster X7. Audio content for games, music and movies has changed so incredibly in detail and complexity in this day and age, and consumed on so many platforms – PCs, laptops, smart devices, TVs and game consoles to name a few – and by many different generations of users. Our goal is to allow all these users of all these platforms to enjoy the best audio in the way it’s meant to be heard, and in the way they want to hear it. That’s why we’ve created the Sound Blaster X7. It is absolutely the biggest, baddest, and boldest Sound Blaster to date,” says Wong Hoo Sim, CEO of Creative.

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“It boasts the biggest array of features of any Sound Blaster, including an unprecedented kick-ass built-in power amplifier, cross-platform connectivity, and our proprietary intelligent audio enhancement technologies. It is the baddest player in the arena of entertainment audio – we have spared no effort in spoiling our users with only the finest of the finest audiophile-grade components that deliver the absolute best audio performance. We have no concern for cost as long as our users get the best of the best. We splurged on exquisite Fine-Gold capacitors just to squeeze out that last drop of performance on top of the already superb audio quality. We even indulged our users’ wish to have swappable op-amps to customize their audio’s tonal characteristics. And the boldest, because we dared to overcome mountains of obstacles to create an ultra premium audiophile-grade device and fuse it with such a mind-blowing list of features; and then compress all of it into one stylish compact trapezoidal prism that can be easily connected to the PC and just about anything else. So if you’ve always aspired to pwn the Everest of Audio, seek no further. It’s here.”

The Sound Blaster X7 for Captivating and Adrenaline-Pumping Games

Users of the Sound Blaster X7 will gain full access to Creative’s extensive suite of advanced audio enhancement technologies through the built-in SB-Axx1 multi-core DSP that deliver an all-new standard of audio realism for games. This functionality is especially pertinent to capture and reproduce the incredibly detailed audio created alongside the immensely compelling graphics and expansive environments found in today’s popular gaming titles, such as Battlefield 4, Titanfall and Skyrim.

With the Sound Blaster X7’s massive connectivity options, users who game on PCs, laptops, game consoles, tablets, smartphones and even TVs can now enjoy the full benefits of these enhancement technologies. Upgrading to the external Sound Blaster X7 is a breeze – just plug and play!

The Sound Blaster X7 for Mellifluous and Beyond Pristine Music

Today, average users – and even audiophiles – store most of their music on their PCs, Macs, smartphones and tablets. The Sound Blaster X7 connects to these devices while boasting the finest components and top-notch specifications that allow users to enjoy ultra high-resolution music the way it was recorded in the studio.

These components and amplification capabilities allow the Sound Blaster X7 to deliver amazing audio quality even by audiophile standards on passive bookshelf and tower speakers.

Audiophile-grade components, features, and specifications:

  • Burr-Brown (PCM1794) 127dB digital-to-analog converter (DAC) supports high-resolution audio playback of HD audio tracks up to 24-bit/192kHz when connected to PC/Mac, including 24-bit/88.2kHz and 24-bit/176.4kHz
  • Texas Instruments (TPA6120A2) 600 headphone amplifier is capable of driving audiophile-grade headphones, with full and detailed clarity
  • High power, high efficiency Texas Instruments Class D amplifier (TPA3116D2) delivers up to 100W power (2 x 50W @ 4)* to passive bookshelf and tower speakers
  • Burr-Brown (PCM4220) 123dB analog-to-digital converter (ADC) delivers high quality, low noise analog line-in audio playback and audio recording of up to 24-bit/192kHz
  • Nichicon “Fine Gold” capacitors offers rich sound in the bass register and clearer highs
  • USB 2.0 Host connectivity allows direct streaming of high quality, lossless audio from Android and iOS devices
  • Asynchronous Mode USB Audio greatly reduces jitter and allows accurate high-resolution audio data transfer from the computer
  • Swappable op-amps for customizable tonality
  • ASIO support allows for reduced latency for a higher resolution audio experience
  • Gold-plated audio connectors create precise contact for low signal loss
  • *100W speaker output requires upgrade to high power adapter (24V 6A).
  • Supplied power adapter provides up to 2 X 38W @ 4.

The Sound Blaster X7 for Immersive and Explosive Movies

With the advent of high-speed broadband, users have easy access to HD and Ultra HD movies through download sites and streaming solutions such as Netflix. These sites and services have upped the ante of users’ expectations in terms of the visual quality of their entertainment, but they are often let down by subpar audio from inferior sound systems.

The Sound Blaster X7 will bring TV and movie audio to a whole new level of detail and realism. Users can connect the Sound Blaster X7 to their existing sound systems and enjoy the full suite of Sound Blaster processing for real-time audio enhancement. For instance, SBX Crystalizer™ is able to emphasize subtle audio details that were previously unheard, while SBX Bass enhances low frequency audio for an impactful experience, for example, with explosions in fast-paced action movies and shows. SBX Smart Volume on the other hand, intelligently minimizes abrupt volume level changes during playback and between commercials.

Users will also be able to enjoy a cinematic audio experience via the Sound Blaster X7’s built-in Dolby Digital decoding technology that delivers powerful 5.1 discrete channels of high-quality surround sound for supported content via their speaker systems.

Ultra High Fidelity Digital Audio Superhighway

The Sound Blaster X7 provides a digital audio superhighway starting right from the original uncompressed audio from the PC/Mac, through a high-speed USB 2.0 digital audio path, to a high-resolution 24-bit/192kHz 127dB DAC, immediately coupled directly to a powerful 100W built-in amplifier. Connect to any high-end passive speaker system that users have yearned for, and savor the deeply stirring music as it comes alive with stunning details!

Extensive Connectivity Options

The Sound Blaster X7 boasts a full range of convenient audio input and output connectivity options that allow it to serve as the ultimate audio upgrade for most sound systems.

Listen from all audio sources:

  • Digital High-Speed USB 2.0 connectivity to PC/Mac as an ultra high-end external Sound Blaster
  • Digital USB Host connectivity to select iOS/Android models for direct high quality, lossless audio streaming^
  • Optical S/PDIF-Input connectivity to televisions and gaming consoles
  • Features wireless Bluetooth 4.1 Low Energy connectivity and Near Field Communication (NFC) technology for one-touch Bluetooth pairing. Also supports HD audio codecs such as aptX® Low Latency and AAC for a wireless connection as good as a wired connection, and Creative Multipoint™ for up to two simultaneous Bluetooth connections
  • Features an RCA Line-In (Right and Left) option for analog connectivity to other various audio sources
  • Features a 3.5mm Mic-In
    • ^ Compatible with:
    • – iOS devices using Lightning connector (iPhone 5, 5S, 5C, iPad Air, iPad Mini)
    • – Android devices (Samsung Galaxy S4, S5, Note 2, Note 3; Google Nexus 5, Nexus 7; Sony Xperia Z Ultra; Xiaomi Redmi, Redmi Note, Mi 3; LG G2)

Play to any speaker system and headphones:

  • Gold-plated 2-Way binding post terminal connectors for passive bookshelf and tower speakers (bare wires/banana plug connectivity). Comes with a switch for impedance selection
  • 5.1 analog connectivity for surround sound
  • Optical S/PDIF-Output connectivity
  • 1/4″ (6.3mm) headphone out
  • 1/8″ (3.5mm) headphone out

Other Great Features

For additional real-time audio enhancement for music, movies and games, the built-in multi-core SB-Axx1 audio processor allows users to activate Sound Blaster’s intelligent processing capabilities via the SBX Pro Studio™ suite of technologies – all at a touch of a button. It can also be switched off when listening to lossless audio With the built-in beamforming CrystalVoice™ microphone array, the Sound Blaster X7 becomes an intelligent speakerphone for crystal clear voice calls when connected to PCs, Macs, smartphones and tablets. Users can even record their conversations when connected to a PC/Mac

CrystalVoice FX allows users to morph their voice into different characters (male, female, orc, alien, elderly, robot, scrappy kid, and more) in games, chats, phone and video calls, and recordings

Total audio control over Sound Blaster X7 on any platform – PC, Mac, iOS or Android. The Sound Blaster X7 Control Panel for PC/Mac users, while the Sound Blaster Central mobile application for iOS and Android devices gives users full access to customize their audio settings, like a remote control right in the palm of their hand

Pricing and Availability

The Creative Sound Blaster X7, priced at USD399.99, will be available in December 2014 at the online store at creative.com.

For in-store availability, please refer to local authorized dealers.

For more information about the Creative Sound Blaster X7, please visit www.soundblaster.com/X7/.

MXGP – The Official Motocross Videogame Release Date

2014/09/02
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PlayStation 3 News, PlayStation 4 News, PS Vita News, Windows PC News, Xbox 360 News

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SAN JOSE, Calif., (September 2, 2014) – BANDAI NAMCO Games America Inc. and developer Milestone, one of the most recognized racing videogame developers and publishers for consoles and Windows PC, announced today that MXGP – The Official Motocross Videogame will launch at retailers in the Americas for the Xbox 360 games and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 and PlayStation®4 computer entertainment systems and will be available as a digital release on the Xbox 360, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®Vita handheld entertainment system and PC on November 18, 2014. MXGP – The Official Motocross Videogame captures the adrenaline-fueled and demanding FIM Motocross World Championship, complete with 60 riders, 60 bikes and 14 tracks (18 for the PS4™ version) from the official MX1 and MX2 classes.

MXGP – The Official Motocross Videogame takes players from the ground of the motocross track to the heights of championship victory, with diverse tracks spanning the globe. With motion captured rider animations, realistic bike physics, dirt systems and deforming terrain that dynamically changes the texture of the track, MXGP – The Official Motocross Videogame offers players unparalleled realism as they zoom through each sweeping turn and breathtaking jump. Each of these tracks has lush textured trees and vegetation, fans, balloons and racing flags to bring players straight into the visceral experience of the race. The PlayStation®4 system version of MXGP – The Official Motocross Videogame includes even more content with additional tracks, the ‘Red Plate’ feature of real Motocross racing, changing color of the controller depending on Bike’s RPM, Yebis 2 and F-Mod technology and more power to the players.

Gamers can live out their own exhilarating run to the world championship with the MXGP – The Official Motocross Videogame career mode. Players begin by signing contracts with official MX teams, and then their career will take them through the white-knuckle, race-by-race climb from unknown rookie racer to the worldwide renown of being the champion.

“True fans will love the authenticity of MXGP – The Official Motocross Videogame. With each rider, bike and track, they’ll see the love of the game and the eye for detail that the team has put into the production,” said Chris Gilbert, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at BANDAI NAMCO Games America Inc. “But most importantly, the game is a blast to play for newbies to the sport; who can now experience the thrilling jumps, the heated takeovers and the mud! This is a down-and-dirty racer, and I think gamers of all stripes will love it.”

MXGP – The Official Motocross Videogame is scheduled for release in the Americas on the Xbox 360, PlayStation®3 and PlayStation®4 computer entertainment systems and will be available as a digital release on Xbox 360, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®Vita system and PC on November 18, 2014. For more information on BANDAI NAMCO Games America Inc. game titles and products, please visit http://bandainamcogames.com.

Star Trek Online: Delta Rising Features Voyager Cast Members

2014/09/02
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Windows PC News

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REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – September 2, 2014 – Today, Perfect World Entertainment Inc. and Cryptic Studios announced the addition of three actors from Star Trek: Voyager who will be joining the current cast of in-game characters in Star Trek Online: Delta Rising. In continuation with the Voyager theme ofStar Trek Online: Delta Rising, Jeri Ryan (Seven of Nine), Ethan Phillips (Neelix), and Robert Picardo (The Doctor) will join Garrett Wang (Harry Kim) and Tim Russ (Tuvok) to reprise their characters from Voyager when Star Trek Online: Delta Rising launches later this fall.

Set 32 years after the events of Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek Online: Delta Rising will bring players into the Delta Quadrant – a mysterious region of space recently made easily accessible through an ancient Iconian gateway. As players explore uncharted worlds and interact with alien species, they will partner with well-known crew members of U.S.S. Voyager to investigate an unknown enemy presence.

Star Trek Online is a free-to-play massively multiplayer online game where players can pioneer their own destiny as Captain of a Federation starship or become a Klingon Warrior and champion the Empire through the far reaches of the galaxy. Its last expansion, Star Trek Online: Legacy of Romulus, added the option for players to rebuild the Romulan legacy as the commander of a Romulan Republic Warbird. In Star Trek Online players have the opportunity to visit iconic locations from the popular Star Trekfiction, reach out to unexplored star systems and make contact with new alien species.

 

To download and play Star Trek Online today for free, please visit the official website at:www.startrekonline.com

Wargame Red Dragon Announces The Second Korean War Expansion

2014/09/02
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Windows PC News

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Sept 2, 2014 — Wargame is back with a second dose of free DLC for the million-selling franchise’s third installment, Wargame Red Dragon. In this new expansion for the spectacular real-time strategy game from Eugen Systems, which will patch automatically into the game today, 12 new units and an additional full-length story campaign are added, which takes the war to 1992 continuing the alternate-history narrative.

Fielding some of the most advanced military technology of the time, The Second Korean War will see China, North Korea, and the Soviet Union pit themselves against the might of the United Nations’ coalitions. Armed with the Patriot missile system, the USA buffs their anti-air defenses, as do the Chinese with the JH-7. The South Korean K9-Thunder marches onto the field, to the detriment of the USSR’s elite Spetsnaz GRU infantry units.

In the all-new campaign, a coup against Mikhail Gorbachev succeeded in 1991, a year prior to the events of the narrative. The former guard succeeds Gorbachev, and restores Soviet order, bringing them closer to the communist leaders in Asia, as leaders in the West grow ever-distant from the Soviet super-power. After a year of friction, the entire Korean peninsula is at war as the Soviets and UN coalitions take their increasingly distant ideologies onto the battlefield.

And there’s more good news: Wargame is the Midweek deal on Steam! From tonight until Thursday, September 4, you can buy Wargame Red Dragon at an amazing 50% discount, while the price of the new Wargame Franchise Pack, which now includes all 3 Wargame games, has been slashed by 60%. AirLand Battle and European Escalation, for their part, are both enjoying a 75% discount.

DCS: Bf 109 K-4 Kurfürst Now Available for Pre-Order

2014/09/02
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

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DUXFORD, UK, August 29th, 2014 –DCS: Bf 109 K-4 Kurfürst is now available for pre-purchase!

The Fighter Collection and Eagle Dynamics are happy to announce that DCS: Bf 109 K-4 Kurfürst is now available as a pre-purchase from the DCS e-shop at: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/shop/. The pre-purchase provides both a 20% discount off the retail price and access to the Open Beta coming later this year.

In addition to the 20% purchase discount, pre-purchasers will receive a 20% full-price value in bonus points for future purchases!

http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/faq/bonus_rules/

Teaser Video:

Like previous DCS World titles, DCS: Bf 109 K-4 Kurfürst features a painstakingly reproduced model of the aircraft, including the external model, fully interactive cockpit, mechanical systems, and a Professional Flight Model (PFM). Along the lines of our DCS: P-51D Mustang and DCS: Fw 190 D-9 Dora titles, DCS: Bf 109K-4 Kurfürst places you behind the controls of a powerful, propeller-driven, piston engine combat aircraft. Designed long before “fly-by-wire” technology was available to assist the pilot in flight control or smart bombs and beyond visual range missiles were developed to engage targets with precision from afar, the Kurfürst is a personal and exhilarating challenge to master. Powerful and deadly, the last production model of the only single-engined German fighter to see service throughout World War II, the Kurfürst provides an exhilarating combat experience to its drivers, and a worthy challenge to all fans of DCS: P-51D Mustang.

Key Features of the DCS: Bf 109 K-4 Kurfürst:

• Unmatched flight physics that allow you to truly feel what it’s like to fly this legend.
• Highly detailed, six-degrees-of-freedom (6 DOF) cockpit.
• Interact with cockpit controls with your mouse.
• Accurate Bf 109 K-4 model, squadron markings, and weapons.
• Detailed modelling the Bf 109 K-4 instruments, weapons, engine, radios, fuel, and electrical systems.
• Fly along with fellow DCS: Fw 190 D-9 Doras as you battle DCS: P-51D Mustangs in single and multiplayer games.

ABOUT DCS WORLD

Digital Combat Simulator World (DCS World) is a free-to-play digital battlefield game, focusing on a military aircraft, ground unit, and naval simulation. It includes a FREE TF-P1D Mustang and a Su-25T attack aircraft. DCS World includes a vast mission area of the Caucasus region that encompasses much of Georgia – the location of the 2008 conflict. Further maps will be available in 2014.

Additionally, DCS World includes: 

• Powerful mission and campaign editors
• Multiplayer
• Massive inventory of air, land and sea combat units and weapons
• Advanced AI
• Fast mission generator
• Dynamic weather and seasons
• Training missions
• Mission replay system
• Pilot log book

This all allows the creation of engaging, real-world combat missions in this flashpoint region. DCS is a true “sandbox” simulation that can and will cover multiple time periods covering many types of combat and civilian units. DCS World allows both realistic game play and more relaxed game play to suit the player.

Download DCS World for free from: www.dcs-world.com

About The Fighter Collection

The Fighter Collection, as well as developing software for the entertainment and serious game markets, also operates, rebuilds and maintains Europe’s largest collection of airworthy WWII fighters and is based at Duxford Airfield, in the UK. For more information visit our websites: http://www.fighter-collection.com/

 

Saints Row: Gat Out of Hell Announced

2014/09/02
Jerry Paxton
News, PlayStation 3 News, PlayStation 4 News, Windows PC News, Xbox 360 News, Xbox One News

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August 29, 2014 – Seattle, Wa. – Johnny Gat is larger than life in Volition’s Saints Row®: Gat Out of Hell standalone expansion, announced today at the Penny Arcade Expo (PAX). In Gat Out of Hell players take on the role of Johnny Gat as he is sent into hell via a nefarious spirit board incident and left to combat demons, the horrors of the underworld (including prominent historical figures) and, of course, the Devil himself.

About Saints Row: Gat out of Hell

After the space faring antics of Saints Row IV, many fans asked what we could do next… the answer? Shoot The Devil in the face. Play as either Johnny Gat or Kinzie Kensington as you tear apart Hell in a quest to save the leader of the Saints’ soul. Historical icons, old friends, older enemies, a talking gun, a full length musical number, and a whole lot of other shenanigans all await you in the open world standalone expansion playground that is Saints Row: Gat Out Of Hell.

Gat out of Hell is the standalone expansion to the award-winning and multi-million selling Saints Row IV from Deep Silver and will launch on January 27, 2015 in the Americas and January 30, 2015 in international territories for last gen and new gen console platforms as well as PC.

About Saints Row IV: Re-Elected

In Saints Row IV, the head honcho of the Saints has been elected to the Presidency of the United States. But the Saints are just getting started. Now the larger-than-life insanity of the Saints series gets a new twist with a catastrophic alien invasion, and the aliens have transported the Saints to a bizarre Steelport simulation. Wield gargantuan superpowers and fight to free humanity from alien granddaddy Zinyak’s mental grasp. Escape the simulation that’s trapped the Saints crew, or die trying.

With Saints Row IV: Re-Elected, players will now be able to enjoy all the antics of the blockbuster release on their new gen consoles. Re-Elected also launches on January 27, 2015 in the Americas and January 30, 2015 in international territories .

For more information about the Saints Row universe, please visit one of the following official sites:

Web: http://www.saintsrow.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/saintsrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/saintsrow
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/saintsrow

This War of Mine Now Available for Pre-Order

2014/08/31
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Screenshots / Photos, Windows PC News

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August 29, 2014 – We have some good news for everyone who’s waiting for 11 bit’s much-anticipated game, This War of Mine. Starting today, you can pre-order the game exclusively at the Games Republic store.

Buying the game during this pre-order phase guarantees that you’ll be able to play the game on day one, with the added bonus of saving 10% on each copy! The regular price of the game is set for $19.99, coming to $17.99 with the pre-order discount.

Buy your copy of the game today at:
https://gamesrepublic.com/game/strategy,this-war-of-mine,148.html

The exact date of the launch will be revealed in upcoming weeks. Along with the pre-order, we are revealing a pack of news screenshots taken from the game.

You can expect more info on the game soon!

PAX Prime 2014 Screenshots