Archive - 2016

Thrustmaster Unveils Y-350X DOOM Edition Gaming Headset

Rennes, April 14, 2016 – Thrustmaster has created the ultimate detection weapon. A brand-new headset just issued by Thrustmaster’s R&D teams, the Y-350X is a technological powerhouse allowing users to quench their thirst for mass destruction. Officially licensed for both Xbox One and Windows, the Y-350X has met the challenge of harnessing the advantages of spatialized 7.1 virtual sound with no compromises in terms of power, thanks to the Y Power Pack – and ensures pinpoint precision, with the Y Sound Commander. More than just a headset, it’s a complete arsenal for relentless combat!

Arsenal #1: Y-350X

The Y-350X uses all of Thrustmaster’s R&D expertise to demonstrate its perfect mastery of audio technology, and meet the challenges that this degree of power gives rise to.

The incorporation of ultra-large 60 mm drivers – the most powerful to date in the world of console gaming – combined with boosted bass allows gamers to experience the full intensity of combat. The earpieces’ large design provides bass depth and power unmatched at this price point.

Since there’s no respite to be found for true gamers, total comfort and sound isolation are ensured thanks to the memory foam used in the ear pads.

Thrustmaster has selected AM3D technology as a key ally in this battle, allowing for 7.1 virtual sound on a level that’s rarely been heard until now.

When it all comes down to talent and tactical organization, knowing the terrain is essential in terms of detecting where opponents are coming from: it’s a question of survival. 7.1 sound lets you know exactly where everything is, so that you can plan your movements accordingly.

Thrustmaster has worked on the headset’s frequency response range, adjusting and optimizing it in an anechoic chamber. The goal was to let users experience a gaming environment with incredibly vivid bass response, while at the same time allowing them to understand this hostile world by way of details that only the Y-350X’s 7.1 sound spatialization, audio power and perfectly-calibrated medium and treble frequencies can provide – thereby enhancing gamers’ precision and agility.

Ready for multiplayer mode: the headset’s microphone is unidirectional, detachable and adjustable. It has been designed to target only the user’s voice, guaranteeing optimized, high-performance communication. In conjunction with the Y Sound Commander, all elements can be adjusted for incredible real-time precision with respect to in-game sounds and chatting.

The Y-350X features extended compatibility: Xbox One and Windows. *

Arsenal #2 (combined): Y SOUND COMMANDER

The key advantage for survival. Used with Xbox One Wireless Controller, Y Sound Commander is an audio control base which manages virtual 7.1 sound (enabled/disabled) and all volume, bass and chat level settings – right at your fingertips while using the controller. A unique feature in its category: it includes backlit real-time indicators for instant status overviews, allowing gamers to make quick adjustments and stay agile: volume / bass / chat and volume balance.

This arsenal is also equipped with a built-in sound card, so that gamers can manage all of this power without any interference.

Arsenal #3 (combined): Y POWER PACK

There can’t be any pauses – and that goes for your weapons too. The Y Power Pack has been designed with this in mind: it provides its own power source, so that you don’t run down your gamepad’s battery. With the Y Power Pack, the Y-350X headset is self-powered – for truly epic, extended battle sessions.

The Y Power Pack even lets gamers play and charge the headset at the same time: now there are no excuses for not keeping the fight going…

•    The Y-350X will be available from May 13, 2016, at a suggested retail price of $149.99 (taxes included).
•    To complete the range, a special DOOM edition of the best seller Y-300CPX, a universal gaming headset, will also be available from May the 13th at the suggested retail price of $59.99 (taxes included).

* Works with Xbox One Wireless Controller (sold separately).

Pre-Order DLC Announced for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan

April 13, 2016 – Activision Publishing, Inc., Nickelodeon and independent developer PlatinumGames Inc. have revealed two new sets of cosmetic character DLC that will be available to those who pre-order the upcoming third-person action game Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™: Mutants in Manhattan.

Those who pre-order Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan from GameStop will receive four unique Rock N Roll costumes for Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo to wear in game, while pre-orders from the PlayStation®Store, Xbox Games Store and Steam will earn four distinctive Samurai skins.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan is a fast and shell-shocking team brawler that pits players against the many menacing minions of the Foot Clan, as well as fan-favorite villains like Shredder, General Krang, Karai, Bebop, Rocksteady, Armaggon, Wingnut and Slash. Protect the streets of New York City alone or with up to four players in online co-op. The game features stylish 3D cel-shaded visuals and an original story with comic attitude from IDW Publishing series author Tom Waltz.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan is expected to launch in North America on May 24 as a retail and digital release on the PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems, Xbox One, Xbox 360, and Windows PC via Steam.

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Fallout 4: Wasteland Workshop Out Now

April 13, 2016 – Fallout 4’s second add-on, Wasteland Workshop, is available today for download worldwide on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC for $4.99! You can check out the trailer here.

With the Wasteland Workshop, design and set cages to capture live creatures – from raiders to Deathclaws! Tame them or have them face off in battle, even against your fellow settlers. The Wasteland Workshop also includes a suite of new design options for your settlements like nixie tube lighting, letter kits, taxidermy and more!

Expand the capabilities of settlements with Wasteland Workshop, then in May, travel beyond the Commonwealth to Maine for Far Harbor – the largest landmass Bethesda Game Studios has ever created for post-release content.

Stay tuned for more details on even more add-ons to be released in 2016 and on free updates like the Creation Kit, which will allow you to create mods on the PC and then share and play them across all platforms, including consoles.

For more information visit www.fallout4.com.

Armored Warfare Tier X Update Teaser Trailer

Amsterdam, The Netherlands – April 12, 2016 Developer Obsidian Entertainment and global publisher My.com are delighted to announce Update 0.15 will be bringing the first Tier 10 vehicles for Armored Warfare. Command the Challenger 2B Main Battle Tank, or outrun and outsmart your enemies in the SPHINX Armored Fighting vehicle. All of these six vehicles are cutting edge prototypes and concepts that might appear in service in the upcoming decade[S1] , but will be coming to Armored Warfare very soon.

Features introduced with Update 0.15:

  • The first six Tier 10 vehicles:
    • T-14 Armata (Main Battle Tank)
    • PL-01 (Light Tank)
    • Leopard 2A7-140 (Main Battle Tank)
    • SPHINX (Armored Fighting Vehicle)
    • XM1A3 (Main Battle Tank)
    • Challenger 2B (Main Battle Tank)
  • Two new PvE missions: Operations, Prometheus, and Meltdown will bring new challenges for players teaming up in Armored Warfare’s co-operative gameplay mode.
  • Garage UI Update: A revised User Interface based upon player feedback will enable players to efficiently filter which vehicles are shown among other enhancements.

Read the full preview on more upcoming features HERE: aw.my.com/gb/news/general/update-015-preview

Armored Warfare is a free-to-play massively multiplayer online tactical military game that puts the player into the world of modern warfare. In Armored Warfare, players get a chance to try the most powerful tools of destruction invented by mankind – from modern main battle tanks, to scouts and wheeled vehicles. Using modern defense systems like anti-missile protection and smoke grenades, various types of armor and ammunition, players can jump into fast paced battles both in PVP mode and a vast amount of PVE missions.

Download Armored Warfare for free today, visit: aw.my.com.To learn more about Armored Warfare, please visit aw.my.com, ‘Like’ it on Facebook, and follow its development on Twitter @ArmoredWar for all the latest developer updates and news.

Aliens vs. Pinball to Launch on Alien Day

San Francisco, CA – April 12, 2016 Zen Studios, a developer of hit digital franchises like Pinball FX2 and CastleStorm, is excited to reveal that it has teamed up with Fox Digital Entertainment to create an all-new pinball three-pack set in the blockbuster ALIEN Universe. Relive the terror in the Aliens vs. Pinball pack!

Aliens vs. Pinball is comprised of three distinct tables. In Aliens pinball, team up with the Colonial Marines as Ellen Ripley on a pinball table based on ALIENS, the 1986 blockbuster film. Face your fears and take on a deadly Alien threat on the Sevastopol Space Station as Amanda Ripley in the Alien: Isolation pinball table and feel the rush of the hunt as a young Yautja warrior in Alien vs. Predator pinball.

Featuring characters from the hit film franchise including Ellen Ripley, Aliens vs. Pinball offers a dynamic interpretation of the terrifying atmosphere and white-knuckle situations that have made the ALIEN anthology one of the most popular, frightening and enduring franchises in science-fiction.

Key Game Features

  • Join Ellen Ripley as she confronts her nightmares and help the Colonial Marines rid LV-426 of its Alien infestation in Aliens Pinball
  • Watch out for the merciless Alien stalking you on the Alien: Isolation pinball table
  • Defeat Xenomorphs and rise in Yautja society on the Alien vs. Predator table
  • Original iconic voiceovers and sound effects from films and videogames set in the ALIENS Universe
  • Leaderboards, score tracking, exciting social features, and more

The Aliens vs. Pinball pack will be released on consoles, PC and mobile platforms on ALIEN DAY, April 26th. For more information on Aliens vs. Pinball as well as other titles from Zen Studios, please visit blog.zenstudios.com.

Torn Banner Studios to Unveil Mirage: Arcane Warfare Demo at PAX East

April 12, 2016 – Torn Banner Studios, the Toronto-based developers of Chivalry: Medieval Warfare announced today that their upcoming PC title, Mirage: Arcane Warfare, will be playable for the first time at PAX East which runs from April 22 – 24 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (booth #10200).

Available for attendees to play will be a thrilling 6 vs 6 multiplayer combat experience across three stages in the Team Objective mode. Players will be able to choose from various classes which vary from backstabbing assassins to ranged magic casters, and will experience the game’s unique objective-based competitive gameplay in a live LAN environment against other PAX attendees.

In Mirage: Arcane Warfare, the calm of a strange fantasy world is shattered by ruthless civil war. Warriors armed with steel and magic bring violence and death as they do battle across a fantastical Arabian and Persian-inspired setting of desert sands, market bazaars and grand palaces. Built using the powerful new capabilities of Unreal Engine 4, Mirage: Arcane Warfare presents a visually stunning backdrop to some viscerally brutal multiplayer combat.

Slated for release on PC through Steam later this year, Mirage: Arcane Warfare will feature a range of diverse player classes each with their own unique weapon and skill sets, exotic fantasy locales, multiple multiplayer game modes including objective-based challenges, brutal gore and a host of other innovative new features.

Torn Banner Studios has released a new image to give attendees a sneak peek at what they can expect at PAX East. Catch up on the latest videos for Mirage: Arcane Warfare at the Torn Banner Studios YouTube channel.

Torn Banner Studios released their second Community Dairy for Mirage: Arcane Warfare focused on the playable characters which will be at PAX.  Join Character & Weapon Artist Dylan Brady, Programmer and “Lore Guy” Kevin Jay along with Senior Brand Manager Alex Hayter here. The Community Dairy video will also post on the game’s news blog following all the latest updates and news for the game at http://www.miragearcanewarfare.com/news/.

For more information visit MirageArcaneWarfare.com. Like their game’s Facebook page and follow it on Twitter @MirageGame for future news and updates.

Total War: Warhammer Playable at PAX East

Irvine, Calif.—April 11, 2016 – SEGA® Europe Ltd. is announcing to its fans and followers to get their bags packed and head to PAX East taking place in Beantown (Boston), April 22-24, 2016 as SEGA® and Creative Assembly will be offering public hands-on opportunities with two new extraordinary Quest Battles for the soon to be launching Total War™: WARHAMMER®.

The game will be playable at booth #8109, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10AM – 6PM. The booth will also be outfitted with key team members from Creative Assembly aiding you in, hopefully, victorious combat. They will also be giving presentations showing exclusive new campaign and battle content, along with daily live contests offering fans the chance to play live on stage and win some fantastic prizes. If you are media wishing to book an appointment, please reach out to the respective contacts below, and they will book you time for hands-on, as well as wanted developer interviews.

ABOUT THE BATTLES PRESENT AT PAX EAST:

The Amulet of Sea Gold’ – Balthazar Gelt, Supreme Patriarch of the Colleges of Magic, leads his men beneath the rough stone lintel of the ancient barrow mound. He feels the shadows crowd in upon him. Creeping despair writhes the hearts of the warriors as they descend. While this is not necessarily an evil place, it is a place of death; the spirits within resent the presence of the living. Gelt has fought the Undead before; he looks to the men, demands valor and then begins to channel the Winds of Magic.

‘Sword of Unholy Power’ – In the south of the Badlands at the southern edge of the Old World lies a bleak desert and piercing up into the sky is the Pillar of Bone, an ancient arcane fulcrum revered by the Greenskins who live near it. A massive Greenskin slaughter has transpired near this sacred place providing the right condition for the Undead Count to bind the necromantic energy into an artifact. However, he must destroy this Goblin Shaman and his underlings before any Greenskin reinforcements arrive!

Total War: WARHAMMER is a fantasy strategy game of legendary proportions which 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 24th 2016 and is available now to pre-order http://store.steampowered.com/app/364360/.

SteelSeries Apex M500 Mechanical eSports Keyboard Available Now

CHICAGO – April 11, 2016 – SteelSeries, leader and innovator in gaming peripherals, announces the availability of the SteelSeries Apex M500, a tournament-ready mechanical keyboard outfitted with Cherry MX Red gaming switches and SteelSeries Engine customization software.  Available for $99.99 / €119.99, the ultra-durable Apex M500 also features a traditional key layout for universality, Anti-Ghosting technology and blue LED backlighting.

“The APEX M500 is my new keyboard of choice. It’s a tank and lives up to the quality of the 6Gv2, the mechanical keyboard that I’ve been using for a year now,” says Kurtis “Aui_2000” Ling, Carry for Evil Geniuses Dota 2. “This keyboard is everything I think a majority of players look for when it comes to quality and feel, it’s going to be a product that will be used at the pro level for a long, long time.”

Cherry MX Red Switches

The #1 preferred choice of pro gamers worldwide, Cherry MX Red mechanical switches provide remarkable consistency and durability.  With the world’s best switch rating for gaming and a 50 million press guarantee, Cherry MX keys continue to be an essential part of any gamers arsenal.

SteelSeries Engine Software

SteelSeries’ acclaimed software delivers the ultimate level of individual customization for gamers.  Pros and enthusiasts can program individual keys for unique combinations, create advanced macros for faster gaming commands, launch game profiles automatically, and create unlimited profiles to unlock infinite gaming possibilities.

Cable Management and Anti-Ghosting

SteelSeries’ Apex M500 showcases a smart cable management system with three cable guides that adapts to your keyboard setup to eliminate tangles and interference.  It is also armed with 100% Anti-Ghosting technology with 104 key rollover to ensure precision no matter how fast you play.

SteelSeries Apex M500 mechanical gaming keyboard is now available in North America for $99.99 at Newegg and SteelSeries.com.  For more information about the Apex M500 or SteelSeries entire selection of gaming accessories, visit www.SteelSeries.com

Square Enix Announces PAX East 2016 Line-up

LOS ANGELES, CA (April 11, 2016) – Hands-on demos, previews and panels are just a few of the myriad of activities offered from SQUARE ENIX® during this year’s PAX East, taking place from April 22-24. The hands on offered at Booth #4044 will feature titles from the robust library of role-playing games ranging from: STAR OCEAN®: Integrity and Faithlessness™, HITMAN®, I AM SETSUNA,HITMAN® GO: VR Edition, Hitman Sniper™ – Death Valley Challenge Mode, KINGDOM HEARTS Unchained χ, FINAL FANTASY® XIV: Heavensward, FINAL FANTASY® XV , Sébastien Loeb Rally EVO and JUST CAUSE® 3: SKY FORTRESS.

The full lineup of titles from Square Enix include:

●      HITMANHITMAN is the sixth game in the blockbuster series and is the culmination of a journey started by Io-Interactive more than 17 years ago. It builds on the critically acclaimed and commercially successful foundation of games like Silent Assassin, Hitman Blood Money® and the recent Hitman: Absolution®.

●      STAR OCEAN: Integrity and Faithlessness – the sci-fi fantasy space saga set to launch on June 28.

●      I AM SETSUNA – the story of Setsuna and her sorrowful story portrayed through beautiful art design. This title is also the debut title from Tokyo RPG Factory, which aims to develop RPG’s by taking inspiration from the masterpieces of yesteryear with the latest technology.

●      KINGDOM HEARTS Unchained χ  (read as Unchained “Key”) – the first game in the series to come to iOS and Android devices that unlocks a new story connected to KINGDOM HEARTS III.

●      FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward – Face off against one of the new bosses in FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward, “Sephirot,” in the Primal Battle Challenge and win an exclusive “I BEAT SEPHIROT” T-shirt. Attendees will also be able to get a free Dragoon hat at the booth. With over five million registered accounts globally, Heavensward expands the critically-acclaimed MMO FINAL FANTASY XIV with a an all-new storyline surrounding the city of Ishgard and the Dragonsong War, a brand new race, new jobs and more.

●      PLATINUM DEMO – FINAL FANTASY XV – a demo that offers a glimpse into the final game as it whisks players away to a fragmented dreamscape of Noctis as a child. This storyline is unique to the demo and will not be available in the final version of the main game. Players who complete the demo will unlock the ability to name the Carbuncle summon and have it appear in the full game at launch.

●      HITMAN GO: VR EditionHITMAN GO is a turn-based strategy game where you will strategically navigate fixed spaces on a grid to avoid enemies, infiltrate well-guarded locations and take out your target on beautifully rendered diorama-style set pieces. You really have to think about each move and all the Hitman tools of the trade you would expect are included; disguises distractions, sniper rifles and even 47’s iconic Silverballers. Developed by Square Enix Montreal, HITMAN GO is set to arrive soon on Gear VR and Oculus Rift. This new adaptation offers a completely new take on the award-winning title, allowing for immersive interaction, while leveraging the attention to detail and craftsmanship of Hitman GO’s gorgeous dioramas.

●      JUST CAUSE 3 : SKY FORTRESS – 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. SKY FORTRESS contains a brand new set of missions that introduce a new threat – a huge and terrifying Sky Fortress and an army of deadly robotic drones.

●      S ébastien Loeb Rally EVO – Sébastien Loeb Rally EVO is a realistic off-road racing game that features more than 180 miles of accurately reproduced tracks, including the exclusive Pike Peak International Hill Climb, across eight different Rallies, five Rallycross circuits and 64 special stages. Players can drive over 58 cars from 16 different manufacturers, from the past until present, and customize and create the perfect match of aesthetics and racing performance.

●      MXGP 2MXGP 2 is the evolution of the previous Milestone Motocross title MXGP – The official motocross videogame. The game is based on 2015 FIM Motocross World Championship license. Built with motocross authenticity from licensed motorcycles, real riders and tracks, MXGP 2 brings the excitement of challenging other riders while embracing a fast, powerful motorcycle on mud-forged hills. Players take on circuits in a quest to grab hold of the world title at the Netherlands MXGP. The game includes both online and offline modes, vehicle and rider customization and indoor arena events.

●      HITMAN: SNIPER – DEATH VALLEY CHALLENGE MODEHITMAN: SNIPER is a competitive sniper game for iOS and Android with numerous missions full of creative opportunities to manipulate guards, the environment, and targets to complete the hit. Take on the role of Agent 47 and scope in on your marks using skill, subtlety, smarts and subterfuge to complete your contracts. Spend your hard earned blood money on a wealth of powerful rifles and authentic, game-changing upgrades. Engage your friends in leaderboard driven challenges and prove you have what it takes to be the deadliest marksman around. The Death Valley Challenge Mode will push players to master a completely new environment with a fast-paced, nerve-wracking, wave-based, zombie survival game mode that will challenge their mechanical skills and reactivity.

Square Enix will also host a number of panels at the show giving fans an opportunity to converse with the creatives behind the games.

Meet the Cast of Deus Ex: Mankind Divided®
April 22 – Albatross Theater from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Greg Miller hosts Elias Toufexis, Victoria Sanchez and Chimwemwe Miller, the actors who respectively play Adam Jensen, Alex Vega and Elias Chikane in Deus Ex: Mankind Divided. They will share insight into their characters’ personalities and relationships, as well as their experience working on a game with a rich story and setting such as DEUS EX®. You will also have the opportunity to ask them your questions about their work on the game and their careers as actors!

Panelists: Greg Miller (Moderator), Elias Toufexis (Actor – Adam Jensen), Victoria Sanchez (Actress – Alejandra Vega), Chimwemwe Miller (Actor – Elias Chikane)

Lara Croft®: The Undisputed Queen of Gaming
April 22 – Albatross Theater from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

TOMB RAIDER® embodies the spirit of discovery, the thrill of the unknown, and the promise of adventure. At its heart is Lara Croft, a force within the gaming industry who has made an indelible mark on virtually every facet of entertainment, and reaches millions of people around the world. In short, Lara Croft has been a cultural icon for 20 years. Join Crystal Dynamics® and special guests to explore Lara’s impact on gaming, and how she continues to break down barriers within the industry.

Panelists: Greg Miller (Moderator), Alexa Ray Corriea (Gamespot), Meagan Marie (Crystal Dynamics), Nathan McCree (Core Design), Kam Yu (Crystal Dynamics), Jason Botta (Crystal Dynamics)

Following the panel, Crystal Dynamics will be hosting a cosplay gathering. The gathering will take place from 4:30 – 5:30 PM, and those who attend in costume will receive special #TombRaider20 swag and professional photos. All Lara iterations – classic or current – as well as other characters from the franchise history are welcome to attend. More information can be found here:https://www.facebook.com/events/1048258078577902/

Looking Heavensward
April 23 – Albatross Theater from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/finalfantasyxiv

Join FINAL FANTASY XIV producer/director Naoki Yoshida and lore team representative Michael-Christopher Koji Fox as they answer questions live about the game’s first expansion pack – Heavensward. Perhaps some of your intriguing questions may lead to Yoshida letting something slip before the PR team has a chance to stop him! Panelists will include Naoki Yoshida, Michael-Christopher Koji Fox and Square Enix Assistant Director of Community, Matt Hilton.

HITMAN: You Know His Number
April 23 – Albatross Theater from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Io Interactive will take you on a grand tour through the now live world of assassination. What happens in between episodes? What is the idea behind ELUSIVE TARGETS and many other online components? How to craft an enticing story arc over several seasons? Rest assured fellow agents, all those questions will be answered. You can also expect many little surprises, like a live visit to Episode 2’s sunny coastal town Sapienza and other sneak peeks.

Panelists: Greg Miller (Moderator), Torben Ellert, Michael Voigt, Sven Liebold

Additionally, Greg Miller and Kinda Funny will have a community meetup sponsored by HITMAN from8:00 p.m. – 1:30 a.m., April 23 at Coppersmith (40 W. 3rd, Boston, MA).

About Square Enix, Inc.

Square Enix, Inc. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX, EIDOS® and TAITO® branded entertainment content throughout the Americas as part of the Square Enix group of companies. The Square Enix group of companies operates a global network of leading development studios and boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property, including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 110 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 66 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 45 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix, Inc. is a U.S.-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.

More information on Square Enix, Inc. can be found at http://na.square-enix.com/.