Wakefield, UK – 31st July 2015 – Games industry veteran Team17 today announced 2 new and exciting additions to its hugely successful Worms series which will be unveiled at this year’s gamescom in Cologne, Germany.
Mickey Torode, Team17’s Marketing Director said, “2015 is a special year for us as it marks both Worms 20th birthday and Team17’s 25th anniversary. Moving into 2016, dubbed “The year of the Worm”, will mark the start of the celebrations of 21 Years of Worms”
Worms WMD features a fresh, brand new look 2D cartoon-inspired worm as well as gorgeous hand drawn landscapes. For the first time ever players will be able to use exciting new vehicles and even enter buildings which will add new strategic elements of gameplay to the traditional wormy warfare.
Worms WMD will be heading to Xbox One and PC in 2016 but Team17 are excited to be showing the game at this year’s gamescom to allow fans an early look at just some of what is to come! Attendees will be able to get an exclusive first hands-on with the explosive game at Team17’s booth in Hall 10.1 throughout Thursday 6th August – Sunday 9th August.
Team17 will also be showing a variety of games from their indie label which will be available to play throughout the show including Beyond Eyes, Sheltered, Strength of the SWORD: ULTIMATE,Penarium and Team17 developed title The Escapists The Walking Dead.
In other Worms’ news, Team17 have also today announced the forthcoming arrival of Worms 4 on mobile!
Worms 4 is the definitive handheld Worms experience featuring an all new enriched look and improved design for mobile featuring smaller landscapes, smaller teams and shorter match lengths making action packed battles easily doable whilst on the go.
Players will be able to take part in turn-based synchronous online multiplayer matches played out in real time, battle their way through 80 single player missions, collect over a hundred weapon upgrades and duel across 5 different themes.
Worms 4 is due for release on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch in August 2015.
Worms WMD is due for release on Xbox One and PC in early 2016.
To keep up to date with all the information on Worms please visit www.team17.com, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Larkspur, Calif., July 30, 2015 – Deep Silver and inXile today announced that the acclaimed post-apocalyptic PC best-seller, Wasteland 2 is coming to the Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, and the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system on October 13th in North America. Wasteland 2: Director’s Cut will be playable at gamescom 2015 at the Deep Silver booth in Hall 9.
Wasteland 2: Director’s Cut takes last year’s critically acclaimed PC release through a complete visual overhaul; it features a more sophisticated lighting system, upgraded environments and improved textures as well as brand new, higher quality character models. All major speaking parts and NPCs have also received new voice-overs, and weapon sounds have been revisited in order to provide more variety and punch. inXile has implemented additional gameplay advances such as improvements to combat encounters, additional passes to balancing, enhanced cut scenes plus all-new “Precision Strike” and “Perk & Traits” systems. Most importantly, the game’s UI and control scheme have been completely reworked and optimized for consoles.
Key Features:
The Director’s Cut: Overhauled graphics with fully redone character and level art, voice-over expanded with tens of thousands of lines, and new features make this the definitive version of Wasteland 2.
Turn-Based Tactical Combat: Tackle explosive and deadly squad-based combat encounters against the wasteland’s raiders, mutants, robots and more that will test the limits of your planning and tactics.
Your Squad Your Way: Don’t feel like finding the key for a door? Pick the lock, bash it down with your boot or just blow it open with a rocket launcher!
A Huge Reactive Story: With hundreds of choices and consequences at your disposal, with both short and long term reactivity to the players choices and 80-100 hours of gameplay, no two players will have the same experience.
Huge & Customizable: Dozens of hours of gameplay. Hundreds of characters. Thousands of available combinations for your Rangers’ appearance. More than 150 weapons. Dozens of skills!
Enhanced Classic RPG Game Play: Classic RPG game play ideas updated with modern design philosophies.
In terms of sheer sound quality, my iPad 2 has served me well over the years. However, it can’t cover half the distance across our room and barely across our bed – it just doesn’t have the volumne. This may not be so bad when playing video games or movies with tons of explosions but if anyone talks quietly playing anything on it their words are completely lost. As a result I am always looking at little portable speakers with good sound clarity in case I want to stream a music app but excellent sound levels and battery life in case I am watching a series poolside. Enter: the G-Project G-Tube Bluetooth capsule speaker.
Features: BIG SOUND, SMALL PACKAGE – G-TUBE’s sound is delivered through stereo 1.25” speaker drivers, pumping out surprisingly powerful sound for its small size. Now if you’re shopping around for small speakers in this class, everyone is going to tell you that theirs has “great sound for its size”… and while you can’t hear G-TUBE virtually, we can tell you that the same engineers and designers that have unleashed the best reviewed line of outdoor speakers in history, put all their brain and ear power into making sure G-TUBE lives up to the G-Project reputation.
SPLASH PROOF, BUILT TOUGH – IPX5-rated water resistance (a fancy way of saying it’s designed to withstand water splashing from all angles) makes G-TUBE the perfect companion to take to the ocean, lake, pool or shower. Built with a rugged housing structure, wrapped in a full steel grill with protective elastomer on the ends and center to protect it from everyday use and abuse.
PORTABLE PERFORMANCE – G-TUBE has a built-in rechargeable battery for up to six hours of play time. It’s easy to charge – just plug it into any USB phone charger or computer. G-TUBE also has a convenient metal loop so you can use a carabiner or lanyard to hang it from a tree branch, bag or backpack.
HEADPHONES OUT – Plug your headphones into G-TUBE’s headphone jack to stream music wirelessly and keep your phone safe in your bag or backpack.
ALWAYS IN CONTROL – Playback and volume buttons let you quickly adjust the volume or skip back to listen to your favorite song again so you can leave fragile phones or tablets stored safely in your pocket or bag.
Hands On:
To start off testing the little speaker, I went with playing a video game on our television set while also streaming the television show Strike Back on the iPad 2. Whispers to duck were followed by great blasts through the speaker, all completely clear and audible. I found myself watching the iPad 2 and pausing the game even though I was streaming an episode I had already seen. The sound quality was so nice that it overpowered my multi-tasking desires. After a few hours I went back to gaming, forgetting to turn the speaker off.
Following a six hour gaming marathon, I went to listen to some music in the pool only to discover the speaker was still turned on. No problem, it turned out to have plenty of energy left with over 6 hours of playtime and another 6 hours turned on. Blutooth pairing was quick and easy with my smartphone. I put the speaker by the pool and listened to music occasionally, reaching over and adjusting the volume or skipping a track. The area for line in, line out, and charging all screw shut with a waterproof seal to add protection to the inside of the G-Tube and to better survive the waves made as people cannon balled into the pool. Splashes weren’t a worry and the sound carried crystal clear whether playing some heavier bass or songs where clear notes made the music. G-Tube is not designed for block rockin’ beats, mind you, it is a careful balance between size and sound and performs this balancing act exceptionally.
The last couple of tests were of its line-in and line-out functions, so I ran a line-in from the iPad 2 and then my computer – both giving great quality sound as if they were designed to go together and professionally hardwired instead of simple audio jacks. The final test was the one I was most excited for since it really opened up possibilities. I connected my smartphone to the speak via Bluetooth and then put on a pair of headphones. The phone went onto a table and then into a bag on a table. In both cases, the situation provided stable, great connections. The sound was just like I was plugged into the phone instead of the speaker and I walked around the house listening to it on headphone with no reception issues. The great thing about this speaker is that if you are going someplace where your phone can be damaged, you can seal it up in an all weather proof bag but still listen to music on it through the speaker hanging off a clip or a bit of a pocketful in your pants. If something damaging happens you would have to replace the G-Tube which is built for durability rather than you pocket computer/phone which costs a lot more and is far more vital.
Final Thoughts:
I see the G-Tube not only being great for around the house and listening in place of the underwhelming speakers on the iPad 2 but I also see this being used heavily in travel by me so that I can listen to my music while keeping my phone safely stowed. I could even see pairing it up with other speakers with line-in and line-out so that an even fuller sound experience could be had. Whether on the go or just improving your device’s sound, the G-Project G-tube is a great choice for your audio needs.
DEMON SALOON, WESTERN FRONTIER – Publisher Gambitious Digital Entertainment and developer CreativeForge Games have performed ritualistic blood sacrifice and joined spiritual forces on the successful Kickstarter project, Hard West – a classic Western tale of supernatural chaos and revenge coming to the PC platform in Autumn 2015 (http://store.steampowered.com/app/307670/). Hard West will make its press debut in the business area of gamescom, and will be shown at PAX Prime in the PAX Rising section of the show in booth #4043.
Originally successfully backed on Kickstarter to the tune of almost 5,000 backers, Hard West features a deep narrative of choice and fate, where the Luck of the Draw acts as your unique guardian in this brutal, beautiful, inspired classic world presented in a way no human has ever experienced.
Follow Warren on his descent into the darkest recesses of the human soul, and try to survive in a world full of hard choices and even harder consequences. Because in the frontier world of Hard West, death is a constant presence and the black pacts which you make with forces beyond human comprehension will forever haunt all those around you.
Hard West combines the imaginative minds of the dangerously creative Polish developers to tell a deeply riveting tale which was written in collaboration with Haris Orkin (Company of Heroes 2, Dying Light and Call of Juarez series), and features an original score composed by Marcin Przybylowicz (The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt).
Hard West features compelling tactical turn-based combat where players control 1-4 posse members dead-set against a world of satanic cults, arcane rituals, spirits and demons. Collect and master a range of western-inspired special abilities and create powerful combos to customize your gunslingers. You’ll need them at their deadliest.
Ridgewood, NJ – July 30, 2015 – Citizens of Tropico rejoice! You asked, and your beloved leader listened. That’s right, the wait is finally over as El Presidente has declared that Tropico 5 is confirmed to launch on Xbox One in spring 2016! Not only will fans of the bearded despot be able to get to their hands on the latest installment of the highly acclaimed dictator sim for their Xbox One console, but they will also receive exclusive extra content.
Tropico 5Xbox One Edition will contain the full version of the game plus the ‘Bayo del Ofato,’ ‘Big Cheese,’ ‘Mad World,’ ‘Generalissimo’ and ‘Joint Venture’ add-ons, the first expansion pack ‘Waterborne,’ and five new, exclusive Xbox One sandbox maps as well as a new controller-optimized user interface and of course – Xbox Live Achievements. That’s a lot of content for your Tropican dollars!
Tropico 5 Xbox One Edition will launch in spring 2016 and more information on the title will follow soon. Keep up to date with all the latest Tropico news on the official website www.worldoftropico.com or like us on Facebook.
Austin, TX – July 30, 2015 – A trio of like-minded independent companies, video game developer Stoic, miniatures board game creator MegaCon Games, and video game publisher Versus Evil today announced The Banner Saga: Warbands, a miniatures board game based on the successful and critically acclaimed video game franchise The Banner Saga. With production already underway, a Kickstarter campaign will also be announced soon.
While no details about the miniatures board game have been released yet, an interest list is now forming and the MegaCon Games team, who are currently attending GenCon in Indianapolis this weekend at booth 1449, are soliciting fan interest for the forthcoming release. A website has been set up at www.bannersagawarbands.com for fans to receive more information as it becomes available.
July 30, 2015 — Wargaming is excited to announce WG Labs, a lean and agile platform designed to foster innovation within the video games industry. This platform will support external development teams in game creation and publishing, as well as generate, evaluate, and launch in-house products that go beyond the company’s paradigm.
WG Labs is interested in seeing playable prototypes and Alpha/Beta/Pre-Release versions of games. There are no restrictions in regards to platforms. WG Labs is looking to collaborate with development teams who are able to deliver a truly exceptional product in line with their own vision. In this partnership, WG Labs provides support in game production, monetization, analytics, marketing, customer services, QA, as well as other areas.
“Working with NGD Studios has been a very positive and rewarding collaboration,” said Victor Kislyi, Wargaming CEO. “Thoroughly impressed with their work, the project served as inspiration for us to create an actual innovation center within the company. WG Labs is set to become a breeding ground of ideas that inspire and resonate with both consumers and companies, and allow us to further foster partnerships like this.”
To learn more about WG Labs and also submit your project, please visit:
July 30, 2015 – Chicago, IL/ You wake up in a base on a new, unexplored planet. Your ship is torn to pieces and your gear is scattered. Why are you here? What was your mission? How will you ever get back home to your family?
Corpse of Discovery Debut Teaser
Coming soon to PC, Corpse of Discovery is a thought-provoking game of exploration and adventure spread across a myriad of beautiful, procedurally generated worlds. As an astronaut searching for answers, you’ll explore uncharted planets and embark upon missions, each revealing a different understanding of what has happened and why you are there.
Each planet has a different objective to tackle, such as mapping the planet and finding limited resources, all to benefit the Corps. While contending with intense heat, harsh storms, and other environmental hazards, players will need to be resourceful and remain driven, always remembering the ultimate objective: to get home to their family.
Throughout development of Corpse of Discovery, Creative Director Chip Sineni’s goal has been to dissect and examine the tough balance between work and personal life. He drew closely from his own experiences, even incorporating his own family into the game through voiceovers and imagery so he could spend more time with them during the game’s development.
As an examination of our values and motivations in today’s workhorse society, Corpse of Discovery ultimately asks us, “What sacrifices will we make to be successful?”
July 30, 2015 – Where diplomacy fails, nuclear war prevails in Act of Aggression’s dramatic new super-weapons trailer, showcasing the intimidating nuclear arsenals of all the techno-thriller factions in the new RTS from Eugen Systems, coming to PC on September 2!
Each of the three futuristic military factions not only holds an inventory of unique and specialized military equipment and units, but also access to a variety of end-game oriented super-weapons, featuring the latest in conventional and prototypical boom.
Tactical super-weapons are a viable option for defensive players who wish to exhaust the enemy’s economy while they stockpile tactical weaponry rounds for a surprise strike, as well as players rich in the game’s primary resources to finish off their opponent with a bang.
To defend yourself from your enemies’ tactical strikes, one anti-super weapon unit is also available per faction.
The US dominate with the Peacekeeper missile silo holding the LGM-118, and defend with the MIM-104 Patriot launcher, unlockable under DEFCON 1. The Omega Blitzer is the weapon of choice for the Chimera, a multi-shot long-range rail-gun with a wide spread. Uniquely, their defense is mobile under the name of the Antey, a mobile anti-tactical weapon. As for the Cartel… we’ll be learning more about them during Gamescom 2015 in only a few days!
No nuclear superpower would be complete without upgrades, so you’ll be able to upgrade your anti-tactical facilities by increasing aspects such as damage, range, and accuracy. For example, the Antey launcher tubes can be upgraded to double the number of tubes for extra security.
You can dive right into the mushroom-cloud now and start playing by pre-ordering Act of Aggression on Steam, where you’ll be treated to the US Army and Chimera factions, including multiplayer, skirmishes, and comp-stomp prior to the game’s September 2nd launch date. The Cartel will be revealed and unleashed during Gamescom 2015!
Universal City, Ca., Orlando, Fla., July 30, 2015 – The nation’s insatiable appetite for AMC’s “The Walking Dead” will continue to terrify Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort when the most intense moments from season 5 of the critically-acclaimed, Emmy Award®-winning television series take a bite out of “Halloween Horror Nights,” beginning Friday, September 18, 2015.
Attempts to evade the terror of the undead and the inhumane brutality of mankind will be the underlying theme of these mazes as guests navigate authentic three-dimensional recreations of one of television’s most talked about shows, “The Walking Dead.”
Following in the footsteps of “The Walking Dead” cast, guests will begin their journey at the Terminus safe-haven compound, where an unspeakable hunger has consumed the demented souls of those dwelling within. As the chaos ensues, guests will encounter even greater atrocities as they stumble upon dismembered “W” walkers, witness the horror of victims besieged by the living dead, and step onto the loading dock of the Del Arno Food warehouse to face hordes of “W” walkers.
“I couldn’t be more delighted to continue and expand ‘The Walking Dead’ universe with Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando than by having fans experience some of the most harrowing and suspenseful moments of our show,” said Greg Nicotero, executive producer and special effects makeup supervisor for “The Walking Dead.” “‘Halloween Horror Nights’ is the gold standard to which all other Halloween-themed events try to emulate, so to bring authentic walkers to this event, alongside other horror greats, is the ultimate thrill.”
“We love giving fans of ‘The Walking Dead’ as many ways as possible to experience the series, so we’re thrilled to be collaborating once again with the teams at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando on these mazes that really bring the intensity of the show to life,” said Theresa Beyer, senior vice president of promotion, activation and partnerships for AMC. “We’re excited to have fans come face to face with some of the most memorable and shocking scenes of season 5.”
This year, when Universal Studios Hollywood introduces the all-original “The Walking Dead: Wolves Not Far,” it will come to life as the biggest, longest, most gruesome maze ever built at the West Coast destination of “Halloween Horror Nights.” This all-new experience will feature twice as many, never-before-seen walkers and will be situated within an entirely new theme park location.
“Just like the fans who wait anxiously for the next episode or season return of ‘The Walking Dead,’ this phenom of a show has become a ‘Halloween Horror Nights’ tradition and our guests look forward to a new ‘Walking Dead’ maze each year,” said John Murdy, Creative Director at Universal Studios Hollywood and Executive Producer of “Halloween Horror Nights.” “We’re fortunate to have the expertise of the show’s creative team working collaboratively with us to create an authentic living representation of the series, and for fans, our maze experience is the next best thing to living in the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse.”
Universal Orlando’s “The Walking Dead” maze will feature hordes of walkers and eerily recreate the scenes, settings and terror that guests have seen on their TV screens. The twisted minds of Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights team are using first-ever tactics to bring the horror of season 5 to life in this year’s maze – even placing guests in the iconic flooded food bank scene where they’ll be surrounded by hundreds of gallons of water as flesh-hungry walkers attack.
“We’ve been fortunate to recreate many horrific moments over the past few years, and as the series raises its own bar every season, so have we with our environments, said Michael Aiello, Director of Creative Development for Universal Orlando’s Entertainment team. “Faithfully representing season 5 has brought with it all-new elements, and we will literally place our guests in the lead role as they escape hordes of walkers.”
Universal’s “Halloween Horror Nights” is the ultimate in extreme Halloween events. For more than 20 years, guests from around the world have visited “Halloween Horror Nights” in Orlando and Hollywood to become victims of their own horror movie. Multiple movie-quality haunted houses are constructed throughout the event, inspired by iconic slasher films, hit horror movies and television series or hauntingly real original stories. Numerous scare zones also infiltrate “Halloween Horror Nights,” designed to provoke an unrelenting sense of fear and terrorize guests as they navigate the darkness from one frightening maze to another.
Additional details about Universal’s “Halloween Horror Nights” will be revealed soon. For more information about “Halloween Horror Nights” at Universal Studios Hollywood or Universal Orlando Resort, visit www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com.
