Archive - 2015

WildStar Free to Play Launch Trailer

2015/09/29

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

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. (September 29, 2015) – NCSOFT® and Carbine Studios™ announced today that WildStar is now free-to-play. Today, new and returning players in North America and Europe can get a free ticket to planet Nexus and experience all of the epic WildStar content that has been released over the past year.

“Today is an important milestone in WildStar’s history and the team has been working very hard to make sure the game is better than ever,” said Mike Donatelli, product director, Carbine Studios. “We received a ton of positive feedback from our fan base through our closed beta and have worked to create a game that is fun, accessible, and engaging for all players.”

Having originally launched with a subscription model in June of 2014 to critical acclaim, WildStar was the highest-rated MMO on Metacritic for the year. The game’s free-to-play launch marks a major moment in the game’s development, improving the overall experience for both old players and new. In addition to the new business model, the game is getting its most comprehensive update yet. Titled WildStar: Reloaded, the update brings new content, enhanced game systems, special in-game events and tons of quality of life improvements. Many players have returned to the community over the last few months, reinvigorated by the game’s improvements and new, exciting content.

Alongside the free-to-play launch and game update, NCSOFT and Carbine Studios revealed a brand new game trailer from Paris-based creative studio, Fortiche Productions, that can be viewed here:

To jump into WildStar today, players will simply need to create an NCSOFT account and download the client here: https://www.wildstar-online.com/en/freetoplay/.

About WildStar®

Critically acclaimed and now free-to-play, WildStar is a sci-fi MMO of epic proportions set on the mysterious planet Nexus. Blast off to a huge and amazingly vibrant world packed with unique characters, exotic locations, thrilling challenges, and dark mysteries. Experience exhilarating action combat, deep character customization, and one of the most powerful housing systems ever seen in an MMORPG as you work alongside the citizens of Nexus to solve the primordial puzzles of the universe itself.

For more on WildStar head over to: www.wildstar-online.com

About Carbine Studios™

Carbine Studios is a software development company focused on making high-quality, and conceptually innovative Massively Multiplayer Online games.

Located in Aliso Viejo, Calif., Carbine was founded in 2005 as a division of NCSOFT Corporation by a dedicated team of game industry veterans who have contributed to watershed franchises such as World of Warcraft, EverQuest, Diablo and Fallout. The studio is hard at work on their sci-fi themed MMORPG, WildStar. For more information on Carbine Studios, please visit www.carbinestudios.com.

About NCSOFT West

NCSOFT^® is the world’s premier publisher and developer of massively multiplayer online games, including the critically acclaimed Aion^®, Blade & Soul^®, Lineage^®, Guild Wars^® and WildStar^® franchises. NCSOFT West is a division of NCSOFT that holds operating responsibilities for North America, Europe, South America and Australia/New Zealand. More information can be found at www.ncsoft.com.

Logitech Announces G410 Atlas Spectrum TKL Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

2015/09/29

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Peripherals News

NEWARK, Calif. — Sept. 29, 2015 — Logitech (SIX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) today announced the Logitech^® G410 Atlas Spectrum TKL Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, an ultra-light keyboard featuring Logitech’s exclusive Romer-G™ mechanical switches. Offering 25 percent faster actuation than standard mechanical keyboards, the Logitech G410 Atlas Spectrum TKL Mechanical Gaming Keyboard features improved durability and intelligent RGB illumination in a tenkeyless design. It also includes Arx Control Integration, a Logitech G app that displays a wide range of in-game information on your mobile device.

“We worked closely with gamers of all ages and our eSports teams to create this ultra-light keyboard that is durable and comfortable,” said Ujesh Desai, vice president and general manager of gaming at Logitech. “The result is something that we think meets the needs of eSports athletes, but is also great for younger gamers looking to buy their first gaming keyboard.”

Exclusive Romer-G Mechanical Switches

The Logitech G410 Atlas Spectrum features exclusive Romer-G mechanical switches that register your key presses up to 25 percent faster than competing mechanical switches. With an actuation point of 1.5 mm, Romer-G switches receive commands more quickly, giving you an edge in competitive games where every millisecond matters. With improved durability at 70 million keystrokes, up to 40 percent longer than others on the market, you can play with confidence knowing that your keyboard can survive.

Ultra-light, Tenkeyless Design

With all the vital keys for gaming, the Logitech G410 Atlas Spectrum can be easily carried to LAN events or a friend’s house, and fits into smaller gaming spaces. Without the number pad or macro keys, you get extra space to make wide motions with your mouse. Plus, the compact design brings your hands closer together for improved comfort, which is particularly important for low DPI-gamers.

Intelligent Full Spectrum RGB Illumination

Central backlighting makes it easier to find the right keys in-game and in the dark. When paired with Logitech Gaming Software, you can individually customize the lighting in every key from a palette of 16.8 million colors. With the software you can synchronize lighting patterns across Logitech G devices, mark keys by color to keep track of spells and other commands, change colors to match your setup, or create customized game profiles. You can also control the brightness to create the perfect lighting for your gaming environment. The Logitech G410 Atlas Spectrum delivers uniform lighting coverage on the keys for a clean, readable look.

Arx Control Integration

Logitech Arx Control is a free mobile app for iOS® or Android™ that allows your mobile device to display in-game information, vital system statistics and more. The Logitech G410 Atlas Spectrum comes with an Arx Control dock − a convenient phone or tablet stand that can be pulled out and placed anywhere on your desk − to use while you access Arx Control.

Pricing and Availability

The Logitech G410 Atlas Spectrum is expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe beginning in October 2015, for a suggested retail price of $129.99 and €149. For more information, please visit gaming.logitech.com or our blog.

About Logitech
Logitech designs products that have an everyday place in people’s lives, connecting them to the digital experiences they care about. Over 30 years ago Logitech started connecting people through computers, and now it’s designing products that bring people together through music, gaming, video and computing. Founded in 1981, Logitech International is a Swiss public company listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (LOGI). Find Logitech at www.logitech.com, the company blog or @Logitech.

Daybreak Games Crowns H1Z1 Invitational Winners

2015/09/28

boothby

Geek News, News

SAN FRANCISCO – Sept. 28, 2015 – Daybreak Games has declared Twitch personalities Ninja and MrGrimmmz as the victors of its first-ever H1Z1 Invitational at TwitchCon this weekend. The two champions received $19,932 apiece, with the rest of the $173,320 overall prize pool distributed incrementally between the remaining top 10 finishers.

Tyler Blevins aka Ninja – a former Halo world champion – hails from Illinois and has been streaming games on Twitch for about three years, boasting over 100,000 followers. MrGrimmmz, from California, had logged more H1Z1 Battle Royale matches than any of the other participants in the last few months, with his viewers having watched him play more than 20,000 minutes of H1Z1.

The H1Z1 Invitational consisted of two standard Battle Royale matches, with half of the prize money split among the top 10 finishers of game one and the other half divided among the top 10 finishers of game two. With no repeats in the top 10, Ninja and MrGrimmmz faced different opponents in the final fight – Ninja overcame well-known League of Legends broadcaster Trick2g while MrGrimmmz won an exciting shotgun shootout with JoshOG. The H1Z1 Invitational was MrGrimmmz’s first tournament and Ninja’s first PC tournament.

The H1Z1 Invitational pitted more than 55 of Twitch’s most popular broadcasters, including LIRIK, Sodapoppin, summit1g, LegendaryLea, and Towelliee, against one another in PLAYERUNKNOWN’s Battle Royale, the nail-biting last-man-standing mode found in the zombie survival game H1Z1. They were joined by four players chosen from the H1Z1 community through Daybreak’s Road to TwitchCon competition. One player also earned a seat in the Invitational on-site, winning the Qualification Championship Battle Royale the day before the tournament.

The vast majority of the prize pool was fueled by community purchases of the H1Z1 Invitational Crate Key, which offered players exclusive in-game emotes, skins and more. Over 140,000 concurrent viewers tuned in to Twitch to watch the triumph and heartbreak of the H1Z1 Invitational unfold live.

For more information on the event, prize pool and individual participants, please visit www.h1z1.com/invitational.

About H1Z1 & Battle Royale

Enter a world that has been overrun by zombies and fellow survivors since the H1Z1 virus outbreak. Fight for your life against the infected and against the brutality of others as you attempt to live and see another day. Will you survive?

Created by PLAYERUNKNOWN, Battle Royale is the ultimate survival game-mode in H1Z1, where the most skilled players prove they have what it takes to be the last one standing.

H1Z1 is currently a Steam Early Access title. More information can be found on the official website at www.H1Z1.com, or the H1Z1 Steam page.

About Daybreak Game Company

Daybreak Game Company LLC is a worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games and emergent gameplay. Best known for its blockbuster hits and franchises such as EverQuest®, EverQuest®II,PlanetSide®2, DC Universe™ Online, H1Z1™, Landmark™ and the highly anticipated EverQuest Next™, Daybreak creates, develops and provides compelling online entertainment for a variety of platforms.

To learn more, visit www.DaybreakGameCompany.com.

SOMA Transmission 1

2015/09/28

Jerry Paxton

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

September 28, 2015 – Dive deeper into the world of SOMA to uncover more about the events and stories preceding the game with the live-action mini-series from Frictional Games and Imagos Films.

A new episode will be available daily, Sept. 28 through Oct. 5, through the Frictional Games YouTube channel.

From Frictional Games, creators of Amnesia: The Dark Descent, SOMA is a sci-fi horror game that questions our concepts of identity, consciousness, and what it means to be human.

SOMA is available for $29.99 on PS4 via the PlayStation Store, and for PC (Windows/Mac/Linux) via digital distributors including Steam, GOG.com, and Humble Store.

For more about SOMA:
http://www.somagame.com

Square Enix Unveils 2015 New York Comic-Con Line-Up

2015/09/28

boothby

Geek News, News

LOS ANGELES (September 28, 2015) – Square Enix® today announced its lineup and events for New York Comic-Con 2015, being held at Javits Center Oct. 8-11. The company will be showcasing a mix of new releases and highly-anticipated games, including presentation demos for the upcoming Deus Ex: Mankind Divided® and HITMAN®, and hands-on opportunities for Just Cause® 3, the critically-acclaimed Life is Strange®, DRAGON QUEST HEROES®: The World Tree’s Woe and the Blight Below™, FINAL FANTASY EXPLORERS®, and the award-winning mobile puzzler Lara Croft® GO will also be available.

Square Enix will share what goes on behind the scenes at Avalanche Studios and Eidos Montreal, with developer panels for Just Cause 3 and Deus Ex: Mankind Divided during the show.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided – Creating the World of 2029
Friday October 9, 7:45 PM – 8:45 PM, Room 1A21
Meet the development team for Deus Ex: Mankind Divided: Jean-Francois Dugas (Executive Game Director) and Jonathan Jacques-Belletête (Executive Art Director), as well as Elias Toufexis, the actor behind the voice of Adam Jensen. Get an exclusive look at the game, as the team provides insights into the creativity, goals and inspiration that shape the world of Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, set in the year 2029. They will also answer questions about the game and their experiences as game developers.

Just Cause 3 : Choose Your Own Chaos
Saturday October 10, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM, Room 1A21
Join Square Enix and key members of Avalanche Studios as they discuss the series’ inspiration and distinctive style and talk about the upcoming action and destruction of Just Cause 3. With over 400 square miles of complete freedom from sky to seabed and a huge arsenal of weaponry, gadgets and vehicles, prepare to unleash chaos in the most creative and explosive ways you can imagine.

Playable demos and presentations will be available in Booth #1604.

LIFE IS STRANGE
Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system
Developer: DONTNOD
ESRB: Mature
Availability: Now Available (Episodes 1–4)
Summary: Developed by DONTNOD Entertainment, the Paris-based studio who released their debut game REMEMBER ME™ last year the game takes place in the fictional town of Arcadia Bay, Oregon, where senior student Max Caulfield returns after a 5 year absence. Reunited with her former friend Chloe, the pair begin to uncover the uncomfortable truth behind the disappearance of fellow student Rachael Amber.

LARA CROFT GO
Platform: Android, iOS, Windows Mobile
Developer: Square Enix Montreal
Availability: Now Available
Summary: Lara Croft GO expands the turn-based puzzle gameplay and takes you on an adventure set in a long-forgotten world. Explore the ruins of an ancient civilization, discover hidden secrets and face deadly challenges as you uncover the myth of the Queen of Venom. Attendees will witness a never-before-seen take on the iconic franchise featuring challenging gameplay, gorgeous visuals and a mesmerizing soundtrack, all at your fingertips.

DRAGON QUEST HEROES: The World Tree’s Woe and the Blight Below
Platform: PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system
Developer: Omega Force from Koei Tecmo Games
ESRB: T for Teen
Availability: Oct. 13, 2015
Summary: DRAGON QUEST®, one of the most iconic RPG series from Japan, will be transformed into a full-scale action RPG in the West. Players must rise up against insurmountable odds, challenge swarms of enemies and conquer gigantic monsters. It is filled with characters and monsters designed by world-renowned artist Akira Toriyama. Also, Yuji Horii, director and creator of DRAGON QUEST, and Koichi Sugiyama, the renowned composer closely tied to the series, are closely involved in bringing this title to life. The demo area allows fan to take on and challenge the all-mighty monster, Gigantes.

JUST CAUSE 3
Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Windows PC
Developer: Avalanche Studios
ESRB: RP
Availability: December 1, 2015
Summary: The Mediterranean republic of Medici is suffering under the brutal control of General Di Ravello, a dictator with an insatiable appetite for power. Enter Rico Rodriguez, a man on a mission to destroy the General’s hold on power by any means necessary. With over 400 square miles of complete freedom from sky to seabed and a huge arsenal of weaponry, gadgets and vehicles, prepare to unleash chaos in the most creative and explosive ways you can imagine.

FINAL FANTASY EXPLORERS
Platform: Nintendo 3DS™ hand-held system
Developer: Square Enix
ESRB: E10+ (Everyone 10+)
Availability: January 26, 2016
Summary: FINAL FANTASY EXPLORERS focuses on cooperative play with friends and utilizes a refined party system allowing Explorers to master over 20 new and familiar jobs—including Knight, Monk, Black Mage and White Mage—to defeat the realm’s mightiest monsters and even recruit them for battle. Players will have the ability to call upon the powers of eidolons like Ifrit and Bahamut, as well as transform into other legendary characters from the FINAL FANTASY series via the Trance feature.

DEUS EX: MANKIND DIVIDED
Platform: PlayStation®4 system, Xbox One®, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, Windows PC
Developer: Eidos-Montréal (a Square Enix studio)
ESRB: RP
Availability: February 23, 2016
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, the sequel to the critically acclaimed Deus Ex: Human Revolution®, builds on the franchise’s trademark choice and consequence and action RPG-based gameplay, to create both a memorable and highly immersive experience. Players will once again take on the role of Adam Jensen, now an experienced covert agent, and will gain access to his new arsenal of customizable state-of-the-art weapons and augmentations. With time working against him, Adam must choose the right approach, along with whom to trust, in order to unravel a vast worldwide conspiracy.

HITMAN
Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Windows PC
Developer: IO Interactive (a Square Enix studio)
Availability: TBD
HITMAN will see players perform contract hits on powerful, high-profile targets in exotic locations around the world, from the highly fashionable Paris and sunny coast of Italy to the dust and hustle of the markets in Marrakesh in this creative stealth action game. Gameplay focuses on taking out targets in huge and intricate sandbox levels with complete freedom of approach. Where to go, when to strike and who to kill — it is all up to you. And for the first time, HITMAN will lead with a digital release inviting players into a world of assassination.

Additionally, limited quantities of the BATMAN™: ARKHAM KNIGHT PLAY ARTS® –KAI- ARKHAM KNIGHT limited color edition figure will be available for purchase at the Square Enix booth, and are also available for pre-order at the Square Enix Online Store (http://bit.ly/1PqVIJK).

For more information, please visit http://na.square-enix.com/.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Hearts of Stone Expansion Pack Screenshots

2015/09/28

Jerry Paxton

Comics News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Screenshots / Photos, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

September 28, 2015 – Step again into the shoes of Geralt of Rivia, a professional monster slayer, this time hired to defeat a ruthless bandit captain, Olgierd von Everec, a man who possesses the power of immortality. The expansion lets you choose your own way through an adventure that includes recruiting a crew of break-in artists, spending a night partying with a ghost and outsmarting the most bizarre creatures Geralt has ever faced.

Launching October 13th, 2015, Hearts of Stone packs over 10 hours of new adventures and introduces new characters, powerful monsters, unique romance, and a brand new storyline shaped by gamer choices. The expansion also introduces a brand new system of Runewords that significantly affects gameplay. Each Runeword will impact a different aspect of in-game mechanics and will allow the players to experiment with various strategies and tactics.

Screenshots

Romero’s Aftermath Goes Into Open Beta

2015/09/25

Jerry Paxton

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

LOS ANGELES – September 24, 2015 – In a collaboration between horror film director George C. Romero and independent video game publisher Free Reign Entertainment, Romero’s Aftermath, the only free-to-win massively multiplayer online (MMO) survival horror game, releases today into Open Beta. Players interested in testing their survival skills in Romero’s Aftermath can play for free by visiting and downloading from the game’s official website at https://www.willyousurvive.com/. The game is also available for download on Steam at http://store.steampowered.com/app/349700/.

“I’ve long been a fan of survival horror games and when I had the opportunity to collaborate on Aftermath, I jumped at the chance to bring my experience working on horror films into a new medium,” said George C. Romero. “Free Reign has built a great title that I think players are going to love, whether they’re new to the survival horror genre or a huge fan like myself.”

Set in an expansive open world filled with lush forests, deserts and fully explorable towns, Romero’s Aftermath has players battle zombies, compete against other survivalists, and use their survival skills such as trapping and cooking animals to stay alive. In Romero’s Aftermath, gameplay is strictly “Free to Win,” which means what happens to a player depends solely on their skills. Romero’s Aftermath costs nothing to download and play, and the only purchasable items are cosmetic skins, customizations and boosts that allow players to acquire certain in-game items more quickly (if they don’t have the time to put into exploring). However, every item can be acquired during play by exploring, looting, trading or defeating other survivalists.

“Working with Cameron on Aftermath is a dream come true for anyone developing a survival-horror game,” said Adam Skidmore, Design Lead on Romero’s Aftermath. “His knowledge and expertise in the genre combined with Aftermath‘s unique gameplay experience will usher in a new era of what survival horror MMOs can be, and we look forward to seeing how players respond to the game.”

For more information on Romero’s Aftermath please visit the game’s official website.

Laylax Named Krytac’s Japanese Distributor

2015/09/25

Jennifer Paxton

Action Sports, Airsoft News, Articles, Geek News, News

September 25, 2015 – California, United States – KRYTAC, KRISS Group’s premier brand of training weapons and recreational shooting products, is proud to announce Laylax Inc, a premier source of airsoft upgrade parts and accessories, as the exclusive distribution partner for Japan. Initial availability of KRYTAC models and accessories will begin in November 2015.

“Laylax Inc. was the obvious partner to represent KRYTAC in Japan,” states Tim Seargeant, Marketing Manager for KRYTAC. “Their longstanding reputation and commitment to the growth of the community fit perfectly with our strategy to bring KRYTAC to Asia. We’re excited to expand the KRYTAC brand across the globe and to be doing so with an esteemed partner such as Laylax Inc.”

“Owning real firearms is prohibited in Japan, which is why airsoft enthusiasts admire real gun manufacturers,” according to Masaki Koshida, Senior Licensing Manager at Laylax Inc. “When KRISS Group launched KRYTAC it excited the Japanese airsoft community and they have been keeping a watchful eye on the brand. We feel honored to have been chosen as the official distribution partner and we are ready to establish KRYTAC in Japan.”

Starting this fall, all variants of the Trident M4 series will be available to Japanese airsoft enthusiasts. Also part of the initial release, the Officially Licensed Warsport LVOA AEG will be available for pre-orders.

All airsoft models will be compliant with Japanese muzzle velocity regulations.

For more information on KRYTAC, please visit www.krytac.com. For more information on Laylax Inc., please visit www.laylax.com.

New Screenshots from Funcom’s The Park

2015/09/25

boothby

Geek News, Halloween, News, PlayStation 4 News, Screenshots / Photos, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

Oslo, Norway – September 25th, 2015 – Funcom is excited to reveal three new screenshots from ‘The Park’. For the first time ever you can see some of the characters which will feature in the game as well as the mysterious locations players will explore when ‘The Park’ launches in October.

‘The Park’ is a first-person psychological mystery thriller where you step into the shoes of a mother whose son has gone missing at the mysterious Atlantic Island Park. When night falls and the lights go out, what follows is a terrifying and emotional story set against the backdrop of an amusement park where nothing is ever quite what it seems.

“It is great to see how the game is moving along,” says Funcom Creative Director Joel Bylos. “Characters, sound, cinematics, environments, story and gameplay are all coming together. ‘The Park’ is in its last phase of polish and the team is very excited to launch the game in October.”

Screenshots

Turtle Beach Releases Ear Force Recon 50 Headphones Series

2015/09/25

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Tech News

San Diego, CA – September 24, 2015 – Leading-edge audio technology company and #1 in gaming audio, Turtle Beach Corporation (NASDAQ: HEAR), today announced the Ear Force® Recon 50 series gaming headsets will be available at retail starting tomorrow, September 25, 2015. Turtle Beach’s Recon 50 series, including the Ear Force Recon 50 for PC, the Ear Force Recon 50X for Xbox One and the Ear Force Recon 50P for PlayStation®4, are the Company’s latest entry-level, over-ear gaming headsets that provide features no gamer should be without, and will be available directly from Turtle Beach and at participating retailers for a MSRP of $39.95.

The full list of features for the Ear Force Recon 50 series gaming headsets includes:

Comfortable Design – Weighing-in at just seven ounces, these super lightweight and comfortable over-ear headsets and are perfect for hours-long, marathon gaming sessions.
Great Sound – The Recon 50 series gaming headsets feature large, full-range 40mm Neodymium speaker drivers that deliver sizzling highs and thunderous lows while the synthetic leather-wrapped ear-cups provide improved bass response and noise isolation.
Convenient Controls – In-line controls place Mic Mute and Master Volume conveniently at your fingertips.
Mic Check – An adjustable, high-sensitivity boom mic picks-up your voice loud and clear for in-game and online chat, and can be removed when listening to music and watching movies.
Compatibility – The Recon 50 series gaming headsets are compatible with virtually any device with a standard 3.5mm jack, including the new Xbox One controller and other Xbox One controllers via the Ear Force Headset Audio Controller (sold separately), PlayStation 4 controllers, PC, Mac, mobile and tablet devices.

For more info on the latest Turtle Beach gaming headsets and accessories, visit www.turtlebeach.com, and be sure to follow Turtle Beach on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.