Archive - 2016

SEGA’s Motorsport Manager Announces Scott Speed as Ambassador

Irvine, California – July 28, 2016 Motorsport Manager™, an all-new and fully immersive motorsport management PC game experience, is proud to announce former Formula 1® driver and Global Rallycross winner Scott Speed as its brand ambassador.

Created by Playsport Games and published by SEGA, this new title is a highly detailed management experience for motorsport fans. Players are embedded in the exciting world of open-wheeled racing and take on the role of team manager. You own every decision in building your own team, starting with the construction of your own Headquarters and workshops, through staffing and recruitment to hiring the most experienced of drivers. Motorsport Manager then allows the player to tune the cars, develop new parts and create race strategies in real time. Not only do you make tactical race decisions but players can even participate in the political manoeuvring behind the scenes to secure an edge for their team. If you are a motorsports fan, this game will bring your fantasy of running your own team to life. Do you have what it takes?

Motorsport Manager™ allows players and fans of motorsports to explore all aspects of managing a racing team and who better than Scott Speed to talk about how the depth and realism come to life in this game?

Scott has excelled in a variety of racing disciplines throughout his career. Formerly a driver for the Scuderia Toro Rosso F1 team, he made his Formula One race debut in 2006; he became the first American to race in F1 since Michael Andretti in 1993. Speed later turned his career towards stock car racing; specifically NASCAR.

Currently competing with Andretti Autosport and Volkswagen to race for the Red Bull Global Rallycross Series Championship; his behind the wheel experience and off the track knowledge makes Speed the perfect ambassador for Motorsport Manager.

“Throughout my racing career, I’ve learned a lot about both sides of the pit wall,” said Speed. “Motorsport Manager really demonstrates how all of these dynamic and complex elements need to come together in order to win races and championships. There are so many moving parts that have never been put into one game before. In some ways, it’s even more absorbing than being the driver!”

Coming to PC and Mac in September 2016, Motorsport Manager™ promises to give motorsport fans the ultimate experience in motorsport management. The development team is very excited to be working alongside Scott. “He is a talented and gifted driver, who has excelled in a variety of different series,” said Christian West, Co-Founder and CTO of Playsport Games. “Not only does this require skill behind the wheel but also a great aptitude outside of the car – working with the team, sponsors and series officials. Motorsport Manager is about leading your team to success, which makes Scott the ideal person for us to be partnered with.”

For more information about Motorsport Manager, log on to http://www.motorsportmanager.com.

Follow us on social media for game updates and general motorsport chat at http://www.twitter.com/playmotorsport and http://www.facebook.com/playmotorsport

Total War: Warhammer Call of the Beastmen DLC Out Now

July 28, 2016 – Creative Assembly released Call of the Beastmen DLC Campaign Pack today for Total War: WARHAMMER. The first Campaign Pack introduces the Beastmen as a playable race in the Grand Campaign, custom and multiplayer battles, and in their very own Story Campaign, ‘An Eye for an Eye’. Masters of guerilla warfare, the Beastmen strike hard and fast, ambushing unsuspecting armies and blasting them with chaotic magic from The Lore of The Wild before vanishing into the gloom of the forest.

A Beastmen Grand Campaign may be led by one of two Legendary Lords from Warhammer Fantasy Battles – Khazrak The One Eye or Malagor The Dark Omen, each with their own skill trees, abilities, quest-chains, legendary items and new Grand Campaign start positions. In battle, they field hordes of twisted half-human aberrations such as Centigors, Minotaurs and the colossal Cygor, offering a uniquely swift and stunningly impactful play-style.

As part of Total War: WARHAMMER’s ongoing free content program, Call of the Beastmen also introduces the Amber Wizard hero for all players, regardless of purchase. Wielding the Lore of Beasts, the Amber Wizard can summon wild Manticores into the thick of battle.

For an in-depth look at the Beastmen in action check out our Beastmen campaign and battle lets-plays, and tune in to the livestream at 2PM BST today on https://www.twitch.tv/totalwarofficial

Call of the Beastmen is available now for Total War: WARHAMMER on Steam at http://store.steampowered.com/app/404012/

Total War: WARHAMMER is out now, for more details visit www.totalwar.com

Ghost in the Shell: First Assault Open Beta Now Live

LOS ANGELES – July 28, 2016 – After connecting with the game’s community through Early Access to improve and enhance the game, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – First Assault Online (First Assault) is in open beta. Players in supported regions can now experience the free-to-play online squad-based first-person shooter (FPS) on Windows PC via Steam or the Nexon Global Platform.

In tandem with the open beta launching today, Neople has also revealed a new update forFirst Assault titled “Up Close and Personal; Hand of Destiny”, which features a prototype of the upcoming ‘Ghost Assault Mode’. In a match of cyborgs versus “Ghosts,” where the latter is hackable by either team when killed, players must leverage cyberskills including Hyper Sprint and Therm-optic Camo in the battle to survive.

Also included in the update is new operative Kuro, another character created exclusively forFirst Assault to continue building the franchise and advance the story beyond its connection to “Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex”. Kuro hails from the Japanese self-defense forces, where he quickly racked up commendations for his combat skills. His career was nearly cut short by catastrophic injury, but he elected to undergo full-body prosthesis in order to remain combat-ready.  A specialist in electronic warfare to rival even Ishikawa, Kuro can shut his enemies down with EMP devices. It was for this talent that Chief Aramaki, also a JSDF veteran, brought him into Public Security.

In this gripping team shooter inspired by “Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex”, the critically acclaimed series based on Shirow Masamune’s original comic “The Ghost in the Shell”, players will become a member of the iconic Section 9, part of an elite force of operatives who connect through cyberspace to protect society and fight terrorists on the bleak streets of a futuristic Japan. Coordinating strategic attacks, hacking enemy weaponry and utilizing connected combat through SkillSync to link-up and share cyber skills with allies, First Assault allows players to dive beyond humanity, becoming a walking weapon capable of super human feats.

“Our team are dedicated fans of ‘The Ghost in the Shell’ franchise, and it’s important to us to bring this engaging world to life as an exciting sci-fi FPS in a way that will appeal to both established fans and newcomers to the IP,” said Jung Eik Choi, lead director of First Assaultat Neople. “Maintaining open communication with our community in the Early Access phase allowed us to improve many aspects of First Assault, including game experience, maps, modes, controls and more. We are so appreciative of the players who have been part of the journey so far, and are looking forward to sharing this truly collaborative effort with a wider audience in open beta.”

Improvements made to First Assault since its Early Access launch in December 2015 include:

  • Rebalances of Operative skills and weapons for better competitive play
  • Introduction of two in-progress “prototype” maps for player feedback, and three new official maps based on locations seen in the “Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex” anime
  • Addition of a new Operative, Maven, original to the game
  • Improved UI for menus

Neople will continue to add and iterate on new content throughout the open beta phase, sourcing ideas and feedback from their continued connection with the First Assaultcommunity.

Play First Assault free now on Steam or the Nexon Global Platform.

To learn more about First Assault, and to stay up-to-date on the latest news and announcements, join the community today: http://firstassaultgame.com.

Farming Simulator 17 Gameplay Trailer #1

July 28, 2016 – GIANTS Software invites you back to the range – the premiere agriculture series returns in Farming Simulator 17! In Farming Simulator, you take on the role of a modern farmer with hundreds of acres of agricultural freedom. You have access to the world’s latest equipment and vehicles, and choose from a plethora of different crops to yield and livestock to raise in a big open-world environment. Today’s trailer, From Seeds to Harvest, is the first in a series of gameplay videos where we will be showing the new content and features of Farming Simulator 17! In this first gameplay video, you’ll discover the basics of farming one of the new crops, sunflowers, using the latest brands, vehicles, and equipment in Farming Simulator 17!

Farming Simulator’s unique and all-encompassing farming experience is loved by players around the world. While the game is an accurate simulator at heart with deep management options, it is also a very accessible sandbox, with two huge maps and countless vehicles & equipment to use and play with. All the big farming manufacturers are here, and Farming Simulator 17 boasts the franchise’s largest roster yet with over 200 unique vehicles and equipment spanning 70 different brands! For the first time in Farming Simulator history, AGCO brands Challenger, Fendt, Valtra, and Massey Ferguson are available!

Potentially endless possibilities can also be opened up through user-created mods, which, for the first time in Farming Simulator history, are now available for both console and PC users. You can even let your friends visit and help you with your farm in online, mod-supported, multiplayer – up to 6 simultaneous farmers for consoles, and 16 for PC! Experience modern-day farming in the premier agricultural simulator Experience modern-day farming in the premier agricultural simulator – Farming Simulator 17!

Farming Simulator 17 will be available on October 25th on PS4, Xbox One, and PC.

Adult Swim’s 2016 Drive-In Tour Dates and Locations Announced

July 28, 2016 – Fans from all across the country can soon roll up with their crew to the 2016 Adult Swim Drive-In. They will enjoy a free magical night with Adult Swim, basic cable’s #1 network with millennials for over a decade, and get a first look at what’s on the programming horizon starting next month.

Each stop of the five-week, 10-city national tour, brings an ultimate exclusive sneak peek at un-aired episodes, never-before-seen pilots and specials, and loads of other Adult Swim favorites. Fans will also enjoy food trucks, free popcorn, concessions, games, and prizes. Vouchers for a free meal from one of the food trucks on-site will be handed out, while supplies last. Attendees can also bring their own picnic dinners, see the official site for more details.

The content, which will be shown on a massive 40-foot inflatable screen, will be updated periodically throughout the tour. The event is free to fans ages 18+ and RSVPs are required at AdultSwimPresents.com.

The Adult Swim Drive-In tour will include stops in the following cities:

Date                                      Venue                                                    City, State

August 18                            Balloon Fiesta Park                            Albuquerque, NM

August 22                            Blue Starlite Drive-In                        Austin, TX

August 26                            Old National Centre                          Indianapolis, IN

August 29                            Nissan Stadium                                   Nashville, TN

September 1                      South Drive-In Theatre                   Columbus, OH

September 6                      Belle Isle Park                                      Detroit, MI

September 8                      Soldier Field                                         Chicago, IL

September 10                   88 Drive-In Theatre                           Denver, CO

September 15                   CenturyLink Field                               Seattle, WA

September 17                   Portland Meadows                           Portland, OR

This is the Police New Release Date

MINSK, Belarus (July 28, 2016) – The grim strategy/adventure game, This is the Police, will soon be ready for digital download on August 2 for PC, Mac and Linux for $14.99. Later this year, the game will also hit the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One online stores.

Developer Weappy is aware that bringing out a game dealing with police in general these days is a hot topic. Please read what Development Lead Ilya Yanovich has to say in an open letter to the community: http://weappy-studio.com/2016/07/22/open-letter/

This is the Police will also be at Gamescom 2016 in Cologne, Germany. Anyone interested can play in Hall 8, booth #C020 beginning Thursday, August 18, located right next to an original former NYPD police car. Please pass by and say hello!

To make the waiting time more relaxed, we suggest enjoying a piece of This is the Police’s soundtrack:

Universal Studios Hollywood Unleashes Trio of Slasher Films for Halloween Horror Nights

Universal City, CA, July 26, 2016 – Freddy Krueger. Jason Voorhees. Leatherface. Michael Myers.  The four most terrifying names in horror come together at this year’s “Halloween Horror Nights” at Universal Studios Hollywood as the silver screen’s extreme serial killers bleed into a trio of all-new slasher-themed mazes, beginning Friday, September 16, 2016.

In “Freddy vs. Jason,” demented killer Freddy Krueger (A Nightmare on Elm Street) returns to the scene of the crime, this time accompanied by notorious hockey mask killer Jason Voorhees (Friday the 13th) to inflict twice as much terror. Inspired by New Line Cinema’s 2003 film that brought together the biggest horror icons in history, this new experiential maze thrusts guests into an epic battle in which the fate of only one killer will survive.

The unspeakable terror embroiled within “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Blood Brothers” maze, based on Tobe Hooper’s original film, will pit guests against the unsavory wrath of the demented killer, Leatherface, and his mentally unhinged brother, Chop Top, as they unite in misery to expand the family’s cannibalistic enterprise and slaughter a new generation of innocent victims. With the perverse duo at the helm of a grotesque BBQ restaurant staged inside a dilapidated roadside gas station, unwitting guests will soon realize that new terror awaits as the blood brothers continue their hedonistic prey on human flesh.

Escaped mental patient Michael Myers makes a homecoming return in “Halloween:  Hell Comes to Haddonfield,” an all-new maze inspired by the second film in the classic “Halloween” horror franchise. Echoing the infamous words uttered by the film’s Dr. Sam Loomis, “You can’t kill the Boogeyman,” the twisted maze will shed new light on the terrifying lunacy of Michael Myers as he scours the streets of Haddonfield and stalks the halls of Haddonfield Memorial Hospital in ruthless pursuit of his victims.

“Halloween Horror Nights” 2016 at Universal Studios Hollywood kicks off on Friday, September 16, 2016.  The popular event brings together the sickest minds in horror to immerse guests in a living, breathing, three-dimensional world of terror.  Featuring an all-new slate of unrivaled film production quality mazes, frightful scare zones and a fully re-imagined “Terror Tram” experience uniquely themed to today’s most definitive horror properties, “Halloween Horror Nights” will taunt, terrorize and torment guests with spine-chilling haunted attractions as part of Southern California’s most extreme Halloween experience. The all-new “The Walking Dead” permanent attraction, based on AMC’s hit show will further enhance “Halloween Horror Night’s” terrifying lineup.

Updates on “Halloween Horror Nights” at Universal Studios Hollywood are available online atHalloweenHorrorNights.com/Hollywood and on Facebook at: “Halloween Horror Nights – Hollywood,” on Instagram at@HorrorNights and Twitter at @HorrorNights as Creative Director John Murdy reveals a running chronicle of exclusive information. Watch videos on Halloween Horror Nights YouTube and join the conversation using #UniversalHHN.

Universal Studios Hollywood is The Entertainment Capital of L.A. and includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour. As a leading global entertainment destination, Universal Studios Hollywood delivers highly themed immersive lands that translate to real-life interpretations of iconic movie and television shows. Recent additions include “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter TM” which features a bustling Hogsmeade village and such critically-acclaimed rides as “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” and Flight of the Hippogriff™, Universal Studios Hollywood’s first outdoor rollercoaster.  Other immersive lands include “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” and “Super Silly Fun Land” as well as “Springfield,” hometown of America’s favorite TV family, located adjacent to the award-winning “The Simpsons RideTM.” and the all-new “The Walking Dead” permanent daytime attraction.  The world-renowned Studio Tour is Universal Studios Hollywood’s signature attraction, inviting guests behind-the-scenes of the world’s biggest and busiest movie and television studio where they can also experience such authentic and immersive thrill rides as “Fast & Furious—Supercharged.”  The destination also features the Universal CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex, including the Universal CityWalk Cinemas and the “5 Towers” state-of-the-art outdoor concert venue.

FREDDY VS. JASON and all related characters and elements © & ™ New Line Productions, Inc. (s16)

Titanfall 2 Inside Development Series – Servers

July 27, 2016 – Last week, the team at Respawn Entertainment began their Titanfall 2 – Inside Development series. This week, Jon “Slothy” Shiring, Lead Engineer on Titanfall 2, gives fans insight into how Respawn are approaching Servers for the upcoming Titanfall 2 Multiplayer Technical Test as well as the games launch onOctober 28. Learn more here: http://www.titanfall.com/en_us/news/inside-development-servers/.

On Thursday, July 28 at 2:30pm, Slothy will take to the Titanfall Twitter account to answer fans questions related to Servers as well as other general Titanfall 2 topics. Fans wanting to submit questions to Slothy should use the hashtag #TF2ServerQA for a chance to get your questions answered.

The Undead Team Arrives in Blood Bowl 2

July 27, 2016 – Blood Bowl 2, the sequel to the video game adaptation of Games Workshop’s famous board game that combines American football with the fantasy world of Warhammer, welcomes a new race on its pitch: The Undead. The monstrous new team with their fearsome “Regenerate” skill are available today on PS4, Xbox One, and PC.

We remind you that PC/Mac Steam players of Blood Bowl 2 can still benefit from THE FOUNDERS INCENTIVE: If you purchase the game before their release, you will receive the Necromantic and the Nurgle teams for free.

The entire Blood Bowl franchise will be featured on Steam Midweek Madness this week! Get the classic game at 75% off! Blood Bowl 2 and its respective DLCs are also on sale, making it the perfect time to begin your new journey as an Old World coach.

The Undead Team

Death comes often for Blood Bowl players, and the souls of the most passionate sometimes rise up again to relive the scenes of their former glory. The Undead team, raised by the Liche-lords of the Old World, have the unique skill “Regenerate” which makes them very difficult to kill. They have incredibly agile players, the Ghouls and the Wights, but they are often too fast for their shambling, but fearsome, Mummy teammates to keep up.

Finally, two Star Players are joining the Undead: Ramtut III is a mighty and powerful mummy who has spent countless years on the pitch. Morg n’ Thorg, someone who has faced Ramtut on the pitch and lived, happens to be his sworn nemesis. Vampire Count Luthor Von Drakenborg carries impressive stats and the Hypnotic Gaze ability, and is one of our most fearsome Star Players yet!

Coming soon, the Necromantic and the Nurgle! Stay tuned, sports fans!

Supernatural Interviews at the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con

We got the chance to sit in on some really interesting press roundtables while at the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con. Here is our video interview round-up from Warner Bros. popular horror/action show, Supernatural, where the cast talks about the show’s upcoming 12th season.

Jensen Ackles (Dean Winchester)

Jared Padalecki (Sam Winchester)

Samantha Smith (Mary Winchester)