Archive - 2016

Snow Enters Free-To-Play Open Beta On Steam

2016/01/28

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

STOCKHOLM – Jan. 28, 2016 – Poppermost Productions has announced that SNOW, the open world, winter sports game, has advanced into free-to-play open beta on Windows PC via Steam. This new phase of development launches with free-roam multiplayer for sharing the powder with friends, the introduction of competitive events and leaderboards, enhanced graphics, and an expanded mountain that now includes more than 20 unique areas to discover.

“Open beta is a huge leap forward in fulfilling SNOW’s promise of a fun and authentic sporting and exploration experience that’s totally yours to do with as you please, alone or with friends,” said Alexander Bergendahl, CEO at Poppermost. “Now the lifts are open to the whole world. Winter is finally here!”

As a free-to-play open beta, players have the option to purchase cosmetic items to customize their appearance, as well as access to premium events that unlock exclusive rewards not available in the store. Poppermost has partnered with a continually growing list of the world’s top winter sports pros, brands, and events to design slick clothing and equipment for the slopes and competitions to test your skills. Snowboarding and snowmobiling are also currently in development and will be unveiled to players during the Open Beta.

SNOW is expected to officially launch as a free-to-play game on PC and the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system later this year. Support for PlayStation VR and Oculus Rift is also in development. For more information, please visit SNOW’s official website at www.snowthegame.com, and follow the game on Facebook and Twitter.

Funcom Announces Open World Survival Game Conan Exiles

2016/01/28

Jerry Paxton

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

Oslo, Norway – January 28th, 2016 – “I walk in a land of desperation. A wasteland of the exiled and the outcast. Where the broken strive to build and the weak are crushed while the strong survive.”

These are the words of Conan the Barbarian as he strides across a desert wasteland, skulls and bones crushing beneath is sandaled feet, in the brand new cinematic trailer released today announcing Funcom’s new game ‘CONAN EXILES‘. Available on PC in Early Access this summer, with a full launch on both PC and console to follow, ‘CONAN EXILES‘ challenges players to survive, build and dominate in the brutal world of the greatest fantasy hero of all time: Conan the Barbarian.

“There is no better setting for an open-world survival game than the world of Conan,” said Joel Bylos, creative director at Funcom. “Hyboria is a harsh and unforgiving land where only the strongest can survive while the weak are swiftly cut down. Whether it is hunting animals for food, fighting monsters and other players, or building entire settlements, we want to make sure players feel like they are really fighting to survive and prosper in the most brutal fantasy world ever.”

‘CONAN EXILES’ is first and foremost a multiplayer game that can be enjoyed on both private and public servers, but it will also feature a single-player mode.

You are an exile, one of thousands cast out to fend for themselves in a barbaric wasteland swept in sandstorms and besieged by enemies on every side. Grow crops or hunt animals for food. Harvest resources to build weapons and tools. Build a shelter to survive. Ride across a vast world and explore alone, or band together with other players to build entire settlements and fortified strongholds. Unleash your fury in savage, fast-paced combat and execute bloody and bone-crushing attacks that will see heads rolling and limbs flying. Fight other players to dominate the exiled lands, and even call upon the wrath of the heavens to aid you by sacrificing enemy players on the alters of the gods.

“What Funcom is doing with ‘CONAN EXILES’ is capturing the essence of Conan and his world,” said Fredrik Malmberg, CEO of Conan Properties. “The fight for survival in Conan’s savage world has been chronicled in comics, movies, and novels, and now you too will get to experience the same struggle to achieve domination over the exiled lands.”

You can learn more about ‘CONAN EXILES’ on www.conanexiles.com. Follow the game on Twitter and Facebook for the latest updates. For more information about Funcom, please visit www.funcom.com.

Pre-Alpha Screenshots

Biostar Announces Racing H170GT3 Gaming Motherboard

2016/01/28

boothby

Geek News, Hardware News, News

January 28^th, 2016, Taipei, Taiwan – BIOSTAR proudly introduces the latest addition to its new flagship gaming series with the BIOSTAR RACING H170GT3. Meeting the needs of gamers’ by providing features perfect for an all-around gaming system. Like all BIOSTAR RACING series motherboards, the H170GT3 features improved features dedicated for gaming and entertainment with the RACING H170GT3 focusing on a balance of features and accessibility for light-purpose machines to heavyweight muscle rigs.

Balanced and Tuned

The BIOSTAR RACING H170GT3 simplifies decision-making for gamers by providing a platform which can scale with the gamer. Supporting the latest 6^th-generation Intel Core processors, the RACING H170GT3 enables gamers to have the latest technology powering their systems for the best experience when they play. Support for high-speed storage via M.2 and SATA Express enables high-speed access to data so games load faster so you can get to the action quicker. Gamers will also be able to show-off their personal style via VIVID LED DJ and 5050 LED FUN features allowing customizable lighting for gamers who want a color-themed rig.

The BIOSTAR RACING H170GT3 supports dual-GPU configuration via AMD Crossfire for upgraders looking to get more FPS in their systems with another AMD Radeon GPU which supports AMD Crossfire technology. The motherboard has optimal spacing in-between the PCI-e X16 slots for maximum airflow so both cards operate at optimal conditions.

With upgraders in mind, BIOSTAR has placed legacy PS/2 ports in the RACING H170GT3 to allow players who prefer legacy peripherals to still use their devices on this motherboard. Support for dual HDMI output and DVI are also available on this motherboard together with plenty of USB3 ports for your high-speed devices.

Super 5 Design

Biostar has built the RACING series motherboard from the ground up, taking into consideration the ever-changing needs of gamers and enthusiasts. The new BIOSTAR RACING Series is proud to introduce the Super 5 Design Concept:

Super Face – all new RACING design theme for visual appeal
Super Power – powerful hardware design
Super Sound – signature BIOSTAR HI-FI audio experience
Super Easy – User- friendly design and accessible touch control
Super Fun – unique DIY concept for enthusiasts and modders

BIOSTAR 6+ Experience

The new BIOSTAR RACING Series will carry on the exclusive BIOSTAR 6+ Experience feature set which delivers the best BIOSTAR has to offer: Speed+, Audio+, Video+, Durable+, Protection+ and DIY+.

For more information on the RACING H170GT3 go to http://www.biostar.com.tw/app/en/mb/introduction.php?S_ID=824

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Galactic Civilizations III: Mercenaries Announced

2016/01/28

Jerry Paxton

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

Plymouth, MI. – January 27, 2016 – Today, Stardock announced that the first expansion to its popular 4X space strategy game Galactic Civilizations III is in development and will launch next month. Galactic Civilizations III: Mercenaries will add an all-new campaign, Galactic Bazaars, new races, and the ability to recruit elite units with special abilities and more.

In Mercenaries, players will be able to visit new Intergalactic Bazaars, where they can hire mercenaries to assist in expanding across the galaxy. With over 70 unique mercenary ships and multiple Bazaars to discover on each map, Galactic Civilizations III: Mercenaries offers hours of unique gameplay.

“Each mercenary sets their own hiring price in terms of money and resource,” said Paul Boyer, Lead Designer of Galactic Civilizations III. “Because there are a finite number of mercenaries, each civilization is competing for their services. When one is hired by one civilization, it is no longer available to the others.”

Galactic Civilizations III: Mercenaries also includes two new factions: the Arceans and the Torians. The Arceans are an ancient and honorable civilization of warriors and the Torians are an aquatic species seeking to escape the slavery of the Drengin. Both races come with new traits, abilities, and tech trees. The Torians are also the subject of a new campaign available within the expansion.

The campaign for Galactic Civilizations III: Mercenaries centers on the peaceful Torian race who have long been enslaved and farmed for their meat by the cruel Drengin. To free the Torians, players will need to explore and discover mercenaries, then hire them to aid in escaping from their oppressors. Players will strive to liberate the Torians and help them rebuild their shattered civilization while staying out of reach of the Drengin.

Along with the Mercenaries expansion, Stardock is releasing the v1.6 update to the base game, which is a free update for all Galactic Civilizations III game owners. Improvements include more detailed match results, AI improvements, visual updates and balance improvements.

Galactic Civilizations III: Mercenaries release on February 18, 2016 and will cost $19.99.

For more information about Galactic Civilizations III and its current updates and DLC, please visit www.galciv3.com.

Polaris Sector is coming on PC and Mac on March 22

2016/01/27

Jerry Paxton

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

January 27, 2016 – Most of the factions in the universe have always perceived Polaris as a lifeless and mundane part of the galaxy. But treasures are usually well hidden, and only the few who are able to see through mysteries and shadows can reach them.

Leading the aggressive Drills, the mystic Magellans or another of the 9 playable races, players will have to quickly learn the cultural codes of the sector if they want to survive in such explosive environment. An ambassador from another empire knocks at your door offering a non-aggression treaty? He’s certainly gaining time because his new battleship prototype is still in the orbital shipyard. Your latest spy report indicates that a specific faction has not found any technologies over the past few years? Keep an eye on them, because they are certainly investing massively in fundamental science research and you may want to have them on your side in a few decades. There is no true friendship among the stars and players are likely to understand this, too late…

This ambitious 4X space strategy game will be available on March 22. DeveloperSoftWarWare is currently putting the finishing touches to Polaris Sector, focusing on the balancing between the factions and the optimization of the game mechanics.

EA Play 2016 Save the Date Announced

2016/01/27

Jerry Paxton

E3, Geek News, News

We’re excited to announce EA Play, an all-new event experience in Los Angeles and London this June built around our players and bringing our latest games to life.

Putting our players first is the driving force behind everything we do. We’re excited to announce EA Play, an all-new event experience in Los Angeles and London this June built around our players and bringing our latest games to life. Please visit ea.com/Play2016 to learn more about these events and how you can come to Play.

Rise of the Tomb Raider: PC Tech Feature

2016/01/27

boothby

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

January 27, 2016 – Rise of the Tomb Raider launched on Xbox One to critical acclaim in November of 2015, securing over 60 award nominations and 27 wins. The momentum continues with the PC release on January 28.

This tech-centric feature details improvements available on the PC, such as anisotropic filtering, tessellation, dynamic foliage, and through a partnership with Nvidia, a high-end ambient occlusion technique called HBAO+. Crystal Dynamics and Nixxes worked tirelessly to push the PC version to new heights, giving players unprecedented visual fidelity and the most realistic-looking Tomb Raider adventure to date.

Preorder the Digital Deluxe edition of Rise of the Tomb Raider to get launch-day access to Endurance Mode and Baba Yaga: The Temple of the Witch. Future content includes a steady stream of outfits, weapons, expedition cards, and the third major DLC drop, Cold Darkness Awakened. Choose your pre-order option at BuyROTTR.com

Battlefleet Gothic: Armada Trailer and Pre-Order News

2016/01/27

Jerry Paxton

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

January 27, 2016 — Battlefleet Gothic: Armada, the new space RTS set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe from Games Workshop, today unveils the Narrative Trailer. This video, composed from some of the game’s cinematics, introduces the ambitious solo campaign which will plunge players into the heart of the spectacular void battles of the 12th Black Crusade of Abaddon.

Great care has been taken with the campaign of Battlefleet Gothic, through its story and realisation. Many cinematics, astutely mixing game sequences with artwork created by talented artists, support the story and the major events of the campaign, which are sometimes influenced by the success – or failure – of the missions. The Gothic Sector is in constant evolution, and new threats often make an appearance such as the Ork pirates, or the Eldar corsairs. The Chaos forces will often launch assaults on Imperial worlds, while your allies will request your support. Quite often, multiple events will arise simultaneously, requiring you to take critical decisions and bear the weight of their consequences, such as different access to resources, or available allies… in the end, your decisions will influence the unfolding of the Gothic War itself.

We are also thrilled to announce the beginning of pre-orders for Battlefleet Gothic: Armada. In order to reward the commitment of players who will support us during the pre-order phase, and those who will join the community during the first couple of months following the game’s launch, we decided to offer to these “early adopters”, for free, an additional faction – the Space Marines – which will be available to play a few weeks after launch. This additional faction will be playable in battles played in both Multiplayer modes and in skirmish against the AI. Players who pre-order the game will also receive access to the Multiplayer Beta, that will start a few weeks before the official launch.

The Joker Hits Six Flags Great Adventure in Spring of This Year

2016/01/27

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Screenshots / Photos

JACKSON, N.J. ─ January 27, 2016 ─ Chaos reigns supreme at Six Flags Great Adventure in 2016 as one of the world’s most iconic DC Comics Super-Villains commandeers the park’s 14^th and most unique scream machine in its history,The Joker.

Earlier this fall, the world’s largest theme park announced “Total Mayhem,” which quickly became one of the world’s most anticipated new coasters of 2016. But behind the scenes, criminal mastermind The Joker was secretly plotting to take over the new 4D, free-fly coaster and name it as his own.

“The Joker is undeniably one of the greatest DC Comics Super-Villains ever created. Only someone with his warped sense of humor could provide this level of insanity ─ or spinsanity ─ with a new, vertical coaster that delivers gravity-defying somersaults with utter unpredictability. It is the perfect addition to our dynamic line-up of award-winning roller coasters because this ride delivers total mayhem with its next-generation, cutting-edge thrills,” said Six Flags Great Adventure President John Fitzgerald.

After being lifted straight up a 12-story, 90-degree hill, this 4-D, free-fly coaster will wreak havoc as riders flip head-over-heels at least six times along the weightless journey. Thrill seekers will experience exhilarating leaps and dives along a horizontal plane, along with unexpected drops as they tumble from one level to the next. The wing seats amp up the pandemonium since riders will experience all of this chaos with no track above or below ─ just the sky, ground and adjacent Great Lake churning around them.

The unique design of The Joker features:

Massive, imposing, floating and twisting I-box track frame in a unique two-tone design
One-of-a-kind onboard magnetic technology featuring smooth head-over-heels free-fly flips providing guests the feeling of weightlessness as they soar outside the confines of a traditional track
4-D wing vehicles that seat up to 8 per vehicle with a total of 5 vehicles
Face-off seats that allow riders to face each other as they tumble head over heels
A 120-foot-tall, 90-degree hill that is ascended by an elevator-style, chain link lift
Two beyond 90-degree “raven” drops giving the sensation of free-falling

The Joker is expected to wreak total mayhem beginning in the spring of 2016, and join the ranks of all legendary roller coasters at Six Flags Great Adventure.

For more information about the 2016 season at Six Flags Great Adventure, visit www.sixflags.com/greatadventure

The Walking Dead Daryl with Chopper Building Toy Set Review

2016/01/26

Ripper71

Geek News, Misc Review, News, Reviews

When I was younger, I used to do puzzles and play with Lego blocks for hours on end. The only limitation to them seemed to be my imagination. As I grew older, I got shamed out of Legos (I could have been a professional! That exists now!) and the subject matter of the harder puzzles were often the most boring such as an all blue sky or a field of wheat. Nowadays though thanks to McFarlane Toys there is a whole bunch of building sets that combine puzzling and building blocks. Recently I got the pleasure of playing with The Walking Dead Daryl With Chopper Building Set.

Hands On:
There are 154 pieces to this set which is actually one of the more simple of the sets and affordable. 44 pieces of it are weeds so there is some optional parts that can be added depending on how weedy you want it. Honestly the weeds were the only part of the set that felt a bit monotonous, it felt like I was putting in hair plugs on a bald man. Strange analogy I know but seem to fit so well.

The base consists of asphalt and dirt stuck building block style to a base pieces. These were pretty easily put together and quickly as was the guard railing. Putting Daryl and the zombie together took seconds.

Probably the most challenging part to put together was Daryl’s chopper which starts in so many pieces even Daryl might have thought to just go looking for another bike, but that is the challenge for the builder and by far the most fulfilling part of the build. You take your time and go little part by part starting with an empty frame and bare rims. When you finish it placing Daryl on it’s back is a pleasure and will have you looking for someplace to display it.

I found the single walker and Daryl to be a bit lonely though and picked up some of the individual mystery packs of characters to try to fill the weeds with walkers and a couple humans. Luckily the they are all set to the same scale so you can add individual mini figures to different sets without worry about matching.

Last Look:
My guess is that once you get your hands on The Walking Dead Daryl With Chopper Building Set you will want to start building other more complicated ones such as the Governor’s Den or the Prison sets (oh how I want these!) and before you know it you will have a whole bunch of builds that you can customize by mixing and matching. I have always had McFarlane toys on my wish lists and I expect that to continue for years to come.

[easyreview title=”TWD Daryl With Chopper Building Set Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”4″ ]