Archive - 2016

Escape from Tarkov Environmental Screenshots

2016/03/16

Jerry Paxton

GDC, Geek News, News, Screenshots / Photos, Windows PC News

March 16, 2016 – Battlestate Games, the creators of the hardcore online shooter Escape from Tarkov, are happy to reveal the latest package of screenshots showcasing the game locations that change dynamically over the daytime hours. The shots are made in the vicinity of the industrial plant, featuring a wide, open-air territory. This is one of the large scenario locations open to Escape from Tarkov players for exploration, reconnaissance, and combat.

In the links below, the developers describe the process of creating a rich and devastating world – from architectural elements, to weapons and characters.

View the first Escape from Tarkov Developer Diary HERE: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJfcaCmMy7c

Watch the Second Escape from Tarkov developer diary HERE: www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUwNFRGD-dA

You can find all the current assets HERE: reverbinc.com/media/escapefromtarkov/

Did you miss Escape from Tarkov’s kickass announcement trailer? Watch it now HERE: www.youtu.be/IPlnHe9l34E

Escape from Tarkov is a hardcore online game that combines FPS/TPS with RPG elements. The game events unfold in the sealed off Russian city of Tarkov, which has become a scene of a local conflict between two private military companies. As a hazardous environment combat simulator, the game uses multiple system modules for ultimately immersive gameplay and a complete feeling of reality. The closed beta-testing of Escape from Tarkov is planned for 2016. Interested in testing your mettle? Sign up now for the Beta on the official game Website at: www.escapefromtarkov.com/.

To stay up to date on current development be sure to follow Battlestate Games on Twitter and “Like” the game on Facebook.

Rift Launch Title Chronos Goes Gold

2016/03/16

Jerry Paxton

GDC, Geek News, News, Windows PC News

AUSTIN, TX, March 16, 2016 – Gunfire Games, a leading independent developer of video games, announced today that Chronos, their Virtual reality role-playing game available only on Oculus, has gone gold and will be ready for launch March 28.

Chronos will be launching day-and-date with Rift. As a premium VR title on Rift, Chronos will be priced at $49.99 USD and is rated comfortable.

In a recent tweet, Oculus Founder Palmer Luckey (@palmerluckey) said of the game: “Chronos is like OG LOZ on VR steroids, it has more depth than almost any other VR game at this point.”

“It feels great to finally be here, so close to the finish line,” said David Adams, President of Gunfire Games. “It’s awesome to work on a launch title for exciting new hardware like Rift and to be part of such a huge launch. We can’t wait for March 28 to arrive so players can get their hands on both Rift and Chronos.”

Pick up your headset and jump into the world Gunfire Games has created in Chronos. Chronos is an atmospheric RPG that chronicles a hero’s lifelong quest to save their homeland from a great evil. Grow wiser, stronger and more powerful as you explore the depths of the mysterious labyrinth. But beware, it takes a heavy toll – each time your hero dies, they lose a year of their life!

Paradox and Obsidian Announce Tyranny RPG

2016/03/16

Jerry Paxton

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

IRVINE, Calif. and STOCKHOLM – Mar. 15, 2016 — Obsidian Entertainment and Paradox Interactive today announced Tyranny, a brand-new role-playing game (RPG) coming to Windows, Mac, and Linux PCs. Tyranny, designed and developed by the studio behind award-winning titles such as Pillars of Eternity, Fallout: New Vegas, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II, introduces players to an original fantasy world where a brutal clash between good and evil has taken place – and evil emerged triumphant. A nonlinear story challenges players to find their role within the dominant empire and live with the outcomes of difficult, morally unclear decisions.

“Four years ago, we hoped the world wanted to be reacquainted with classic, story-rich RPGs. As it turned out, the answer to that was an emphatic ‘yes,’” said Feargus Urquhart, CEO of Obsidian Entertainment. “Since then, there’s been a renaissance in RPGs thanks to games like Pillars of Eternity, Wasteland 2, Divinity: Original Sin and others. What’s incredible is that we’ve been able to continue evolving the types of RPGs we make since Obsidian was founded in 2003. With Tyranny, we love the twist we’ve put on the world which started with the premise ‘What if evil already won?’ Coupled with that is our ongoing dedication to giving our players games full of choice and consequence. Games they can play not just once, but many times.”

In Tyranny, the grand war between good and evil is over – and the forces of evil, led by Kyros the Overlord, have won. The Overlord’s merciless armies dominate the face of the world, and its denizens must find their new roles within the war-torn realm. Players interact with the populace to inspire loyalty, disgust, or fear as they roam the world as an officer in Kyros’ forces, empowered to act as both judge and executioner.

“In Obsidian, we’ve identified a partner whose development and design ideals are a perfect match for our own,” said Fredrik Wester, CEO of Paradox Interactive. “We’ve been involved with Tyranny from the ground up, and are proud to be working with the Obsidian team on the creation of this unique world. This will mark a bold step for Paradox into the RPG genre, and we can’t think of a better partner to have for the journey.”

Tyranny is scheduled to release in 2016. For more information about Tyranny, visit http://tyrannygame.com/.

Vampire Counts Faction Announced for Total War: Warhammer

2016/03/16

Jerry Paxton

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

March 15, 2016 – In the forsaken lands of Sylvania, the sun refuses to rise. Twisted, buckled trees and a windless mist herald the advance of a darkness that has haunted the nightmares of men for millennia. An unliving host advances, a tide of resurrected corpses, driven on by necromantic magic and the immortal will of their masters.

Far from home, an Empire Witch Hunter seeking the source of this corruption will soon find that there are fates in the Old World far worse than death. The Vampire Counts have arisen, and today in this brand new in-engine trailer, they are unleashed. Vampire Counts join the Greenskins, Dwarfs and Empire as the fourth playable race in Total War: WARHAMMER.

To view the new Vampire Counts for Total War: WARHAMMER, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj605sogy3I

All tremble before the Midnight Aristocracy! Led by Mannfred von Carstein, chief acolyte of necromantic magic and the Vampire Counts’ most cunning son, battalions of age-dead soldiers march forth to claim the Old World in the name of the undead. Moldering legions of Grave Guard, Skeletons, colossal aberrations and bat-winged beasts lay siege to gigantic Dwarfen citadels whilst Mannfred himself prowls the skies on his ferocious Zombie Dragon. The Vampire Counts are masters of Death magic and necromancy and those that stand and fall before their might will not remain fallen for long.

An exclusive Vampire Counts battle will be streamed live for the first time today at 6:00pm PDT/1:00am GMT atwww.twitch.tv/totalwarofficial. This stream will also be available to watch on the Total War Twitch channel later, for those unable to watch the stream live.

A fantasy strategy game of legendary proportions, Total War: WARHAMMER combines an addictive turn-based campaign of conquest and empire-building with explosive, colossal, real-time battles, all set in the vivid and incredible world of Warhammer Fantasy Battles. Total War: WARHAMMER will release on May 24^th 2016 and is available now to pre-order http://store.steampowered.com/app/364360/.

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Indiana Jones Confirmed to Return in 2019

2016/03/15

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Movie News, News

March 15, 2016 – Indiana Jones will return to the big screen on July 19, 2019, for a fifth epic adventure in the blockbuster series. Steven Spielberg, who directed all four previous films, will helm the as-yet-untitled project with star Harrison Ford reprising his iconic role. Franchise veterans Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall will produce.

“Indiana Jones is one of the greatest heroes in cinematic history, and we can’t wait to bring him back to the screen in 2019,” said Alan Horn, Chairman, The Walt Disney Studios. “It’s rare to have such a perfect combination of director, producers, actor and role, and we couldn’t be more excited to embark on this adventure with Harrison and Steven.”

Famed archaeologist and explorer Indiana Jones was introduced in 1981’s Raiders of the Lost Ark – one of AFI’s 100 Greatest American Films of All Time – and later thrilled audiences in 1984’s Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, 1989’s Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and 2008’s Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. The four films have brought in nearly $2 billion at the global box office.

Razer Shipping New Version of OSVR HDK

2016/03/15

Jerry Paxton

GDC, Geek News, News, Tech News

SAN FRANCISCO (GDC 2016) – The OSVR content platform is expanding and the most recent version of the OSVR HDK is shipping now, according to organizers of Open Source Virtual Reality (OSVR), a worldwide leader in open software and hardware for virtual reality.

With the onboarding of Crytek into the OSVR ecosystem, Crytek’s CryENGINE now natively supports OSVR. This effectively contributes to the enabling of any OSVR-compatible HMDs, including the OSVR HDK, for content developed on CryENGINE, adding to the wide range of content possibilities available through OSVR.

Crytek’s creative director for CryENGINE, Frank Vitz, said: “The open standard encouraged by OSVR corresponds with our own desire to give CryENGINE users total freedom of choice in VR development. We’re excited to be supporting a platform that is designed to accelerate progress and expand the audience for VR, and we look forward to seeing how OSVR developers harness CryENGINE to create innovative experiences.”

In addition to recently announced SteamVR contributions, additional content now compatible with OSVR include Lira, inCellVR, Windlands, DCS World, M.A.R.S. Universe, Warthunder, the BIVROST Media player and more.

The updated OSVR HDK (v1.4) features a new diffusion film technology applied on top of the existing display for improved visuals with reduced screen door effect. Combined with its custom-crafted premium optics, this upgrade provides best-in-class image quality while maintaining low system requirements. A diffusion film upgrade for the OSVR HDK v1.3 will be made available for standalone purchase for end users to easily upgrade their existing HDKs.

“The Hacker Development Kit has always been about maximizing quality while minimizing system requirements, allowing us to make VR more accessible to enthusiasts, aspiring developers and gamers,” says Christopher Mitchell, OSVR lead, Razer. “The inclusion of the diffusion screen makes it possible for us to deliver an improved visual experience without compromising this great accessibility.”

Extra options for improved comfort also accompany the latest OSVR HDK in the way of extra padding for the cheekbones and rubber inserts for the nose bridge.

The HDK v1.4 is available now and can be purchased for $299.99 at Razerstore.com. The Diffusion film V1.3 upgrade will be available in April 2016.

Also announced today, VR enthusiasts, developers and gamers can order the OSVR faceplate with Leap Motion as an upgrade module, beginning in April.

OSVR hardware with embedded Leap Motion technology is compatible with Leap Motion’s recently announced Orion beta software. Orion is built from the ground up for VR and offers developers highly accurate hand and finger tracking. The OSVR faceplate with Leap Motion can be purchased as a bundle with the OSVR HDK v1.4 for $349.99, or separately for $74.99.

Parties Interested in OSVR and related developments can head down to Razer’s San Francisco headquarters opposite the Moscone Center during GDC. Razer is opening its doors to show attendees during GD to demo OSVR upgrades and share experiences with the OSVR HDK. Razer’s San Francisco office is located at 201 3rd Street, Suite 900, in San Francisco.

The OSVR supporter list has grown to more than 300 members across a broad array of organizations in technology, entertainment and education with new partners like Zeiss, Crytek, Futuretown, ST Microelectronics and NYU Shanghai. A complete list of OSVR users is online at www.osvr.org/partner.html“

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain Cloaked in Silence Launch Trailer

2016/03/15

Jerry Paxton

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

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – Mar. 15, 2016 – Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. announced today that the ‘CLOAKED IN SILENCE’ DLC campaign for METAL GEAR ONLINE, the dedicated, squad-based multi-player component of the best-selling METAL GEAR SOLID V: THE PHANTOM PAIN, is now available. The ‘CLOAKED IN SILENCE’ Expansion Pack includes three new maps (CORAL COMPLEX, RUST PALACE, AZURE MOUNTAIN) and a new character, Quiet.

Players who purchase the ‘CLOAKED IN SILENCE’ Expansion Pack will also have unlimited access to SURVIVAL, a new win-streak mode arriving April 7. All players can also try out the new maps for free in SURVIVAL matches, with a limit of 10 attempts per week (the number of free available attempts will reset every Tuesday during the scheduled maintenance).

METAL GEAR SOLID V: THE PHANTOM PAIN, including METAL GEAR ONLINE, is currently available for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, the Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft and Steam for an SRP of $59.99. It is also available on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360 for an SRP of $49.99.

For the latest news and updates on METAL GEAR ONLINE, visit: www.konami.jp/mgs5/tpp/en/online/index.php5.

Samurai Warriors 4 Empires Launch Trailer

2016/03/15

boothby

Geek News, News, PlayStation 3 News, PlayStation 4 News, PS Vita News

BURLINGAME, Calif.—March 15, 2016—KOEI TECMO America today announced that Samurai Warriors 4 Empires has shipped to stores and is now available across North America for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system for an MSRP of $49.99. The game is also available for PlayStation®3 as well as the PlayStation®Vita handheld entertainment system via digital download for $39.99. To celebrate the game’s launch, KOEI TECMO has unveiled a brand new trailer.

Samurai Warriors 4 Empires blends the best of the tactical action gameplay with an easy-to-learn, in-depth strategy system to create the most exciting installment in the Empires franchise yet! Regulate foreign affairs, and form political and military strategies with the new Castle feature, and personalize your character and castle with new customization options. Rise through the ranks to eventually rule the entire land!

Samurai Warriors 4 Empires marks the return of the Empires brand in the Samurai Warriors universe after a nine year hiatus. Since the 2007 release of Samurai Warriors 2 Empires for the PlayStation®2, Samurai Warriors has grown to become one of the most successful and acclaimed titles in the Warriors franchise.

Published by KOEI TECMO, Samurai Warriors 4 Empires is now available for purchase in North America. This title has been rated “T for Teen” by the ESRB.

For more news and information on Samurai Warriors 4 Empires, please visit the official website at www.koeitecmoamerica.com/sw4e/, Like KOEI TECMO America on Facebook at www.facebook.com/koeitecmous, and become part of the #KTfamily by following KOEI TECMO America on Twitter at @KoeiTecmoUS.

Krytac War Sport Licensed LVOA-C M4 Airsoft Rifle Review

2016/03/14

Jerry Paxton

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

Krytac’s latest airsoft electric gun is the War Sport Industries licensed LVOA-C M4 airsoft rifle. A true work of airsofting art, the Krytac War Sport LVOA M4 is an immaculate recreation of the real steel firearm – perfect for not only training purposes but, also, playing airsoft! Featuring the War Sport Industries LVOA handguard/rail system and top hat flash hider (included separately in the box), this is one sweet-looking airsoft rifle. The biggest difference between this and the real steel variant is that the Krytac version comes with their proprietary stock, which I am a huge fan of for its battery space and ergonomics.

Internally, the Krytac War Sport LVOA M4 airsoft rifle features the Krytac Nautilus 8mm version 2 gearbox with all the features it was lauded for in the Krytac Trident line of AEGs. Features such as a lightweight polymer piston with 4 metal teeth, and the 2nd to last tooth absent. Additionally, its cylinder head is padded with a rubber piece to optimize the AoE and absorb energy from standard wear – greatly increasing its lifespan. The rifle even features the Krytac high torque motor, which is a very good motor in an out of the box AEG – most stock motors don’t even come close to its build quality.

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Specifications

Length: 675mm (26.5″) – 787mm (31″) (Adjustable)
Weight: 2.5kg (5.5lbs)
Inner Barrel: 363mm
Muzzle Velocity: ~400 FPS (Measured with 0.20g BBs)
Thread Direction: 14mm Negative
Gearbox: Ver 2 Full Metal, Fully Upgradeable
Motor: Long Type
Fire Modes: Semi/Full-Auto, Safety
Package Includes: Gun, Magazine, Front and Rear Sights, Manual
Battery: 9.6v 1600mAh Butterfly Type (Battery not included. Wired to the stock with Small Tamiya connector)
Hopup: Yes, Adjustable

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Features:

Fully licensed receiver and design from War Sport Industries
Unique wolf grey finish
Custom licensed LVOA handguard
Warsport GP compensator
5 position collapsible stock
Krytac low-profile motor grip
Ambidextrous sling plate
Ambidextrous selector switch

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The Krytac War Sport LVOA is available in several colors. AirsoftGI has the airsoft rifle in both foliage green and flat dark earth, while Evike has the rifle in foliage green and wolf grey. My personal choice in picking the rifle up was to use Evike’s 10 magazine deal and the wolf grey variant of LVOA M4. I couldn’t be happier with it – the rifle performs flawlessly and just feels incredibly solid to field in outdoor field games. I can’t wait to take it to the next Lion Claws event to get some mud on it! The biggest issue I have had with the Krytac LVOA M4 is that it only ships with one small rail segment – my preference would have been for Krytac to throw at least one more in the box.

I played several games over at SC Village in Norco, CA with the Krytac War Sport LVOA M4 and was consistently impressed. It is made from an aluminum allow, which is light weight and strong – however, it feels more front-heavy than most M4s thanks to the robust hand guard. Thankfully, it is not an issue that will deter from your gameplay experience. I am also happy to say that the rifle seems to take most magazines without issue. I have tested it with STANAG style Elite Force midcap magazines as well as KWA K120s and even some fat mags – everything seems fine so far. If I run across a magazine type that won’t fit or feed properly, I will update this review – also, feel free to comment below with your magazine recommendations.

Inside the box, you will find a gas block unit that you can install for a more realistic look. Once you remove a few screws, the handguard slides forward an off the outer barrel without issue. You simply put the gas block system in place then slide the handguard back on, making sure it lines up. Very simply. Another cool addition is the metal “top hat” style flash hider that is included alongside the traditional orange flash hider. Installing the top hat unit is also fairly straightforward and adds an extremely realistic look to the AEG.

Overall, the Krytac War Sport LVOA M4 is an excellent airsoft rifle which represents the good build quality Krytac has been known for since their launch. The Krytac LVOA M4 is available now at several online retailers:

AirsoftGI, Evike, AirsoftExtreme

[easyreview title=”Krytac War Sport Licensed LVOA M4 Airsoft Rifle Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”5″ ]

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Accessory Power GOgroove AirBand Wireless Bluetooth Headset Review

2016/03/14

Ripper71

News, Reviews, Tech News, Tech Review

When I was a young man I used to wear my headphones everywhere constantly listening to my favorite tape of the time. If you are thinking of the average headphones of today your imagination might be a bit off, these were little plastic arms with circular ear pods. The full ear coverage of the 70s had been replaced with the little portable pods and the concern for bleed out was replaced with with a minor concert for bleed in, very minor concern taking a big back seat to portable. It was all about that Walk Man on your hip and durability and lightweight of the headphones. New eras which were mostly cycles of the eras before would come back with some technological edge and so has the ear pods with a terrific example to be found in the GOgroove AirBand Wireless Bluetooth Headset.

Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP
Adjustable headband design
Onboard playback controls
Integrated Microphone
30ft wireless range
Rechargeable battery with 8 hours of audio playback
AC adapter included

Hands On:

There are a lot of benefits to this style of headset such as that it drowns out exterior noise. If you have are sensitive to in-ear designs, that should not a concern with these, as they tend to be able to be knocked around and still maintain playable position. The open cup design means less ear sweat and people trying to talk to you can hear bleed out so they know you can’t hear them. These were all the reasons why this particular design was slow to drift from the marketplace back in the 80s and 90s. The full ear cups tended to be weighty as well and so the ear pods were a nice lightweight replacement and the following design that when into the ear like an IFB were often uncomfortable in people’s ear canals.

So with all this in mind I thought of some of the few drawbacks of the old ear pods and the biggest were more designs of the Walk Man itself, all the controls were on the Walk Man and the cable to the headset was constantly getting in the way. I made my own case for my Walk Man in Leather Working class in high school so I could try not to knock it off my waste every time I changed tracks or rewound my favorite song. My design looked great, got an A, but still didn’t solve the problem.

So here we are now decades later and the fashion cycle has come around again. We are still using big old headsets like we had in the 60s and 70s but we are incorporating new technology such as wireless play and play/calls from our cellphone. Still they are bulky. In an attempt to bypass the bulky we are into the ear IFB style and people are still plenty uncomfortable if not moreso these days with things being jammed in their ear. They do it for the purpose of fitness and stability which makes sense but doesn’t make it any more comfortable.

Enter The Gogroove AirBand Wireless Bluetooth Headset. I cannot say strongly enough how much I wish this headset had been around when I was strength and cardio training in my teens. The ear pods are actually more comfortable than they were back in day while at the same time having better ear stability. One of the major tests that companies like to do with ear buds is to have an athlete put them in then run in place or do high jumps. This doesn’t really simulate running cross country or obstacle course jumping but the AirBand would hand such exertions easily. When using wireless electronics then playback time definitely is important but whether you are working out or just at work 9 hours of playback (my test results) with a few hours of recharge should get you through it.

Trying to think of any problems or concerns the only one I really came up with is there is some minor bleed out. This really won’t matter unless you are in a work or other sensitive environment where lyrics may want to be taken into consideration (ie. dropping f-bombs on a preschool class).

Last Play:

The GOgroove AirBand Wireless Bluetooth Headset is the headset I have been waiting to come back into style for walks and hikes, I just wish I had had them when I was most vigorously in my body training. I will put it to good use now though with my physical therapy which when I find a product that can help I consider a blessing.

[easyreview title=”Accessory Power GG AirBand Wireless Bluetooth Headset Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”4″ ]