Archive - 2017

Star Trek Timelines Celebrates 1 Year Anniversary

2017/01/13

Geek News, Mobile News, News, Trailers / Videos

January 13, 2017 – Disruptor Beam is honoring the one year anniversary of their mobile game Star Trek Timelines with a celebration – and a new update later this month.

To observe the anniversary, Disruptor Beam is launching its Convergence Day Galaxy Event today through this weekend.

With this event, comes new crew: a new version of the popular and devious Ferengi Quark, who conceived of Convergence Day, and C.O.P. Founder Picard, a new version of the popular captain voted on by players during the event “The Second Battle of New York.” At the end of this event, with Captain Archer indisposed, qualifying players voted for Captain Picard to replace him as one of the founders of the Coalition of Planets. In addition, as players celebrate their own anniversaries of playing Timelines, they will receive a special reward avatar — Alfa 177 Canine. All players will also receive a Supply Kit, more crew slots and discounted Dabo Wheel pulls throughout the weekend.

In the coming weeks, Disruptor Beam will introduce The Gauntlet, an exciting new crew-based player-vs-player mode. While open to all players, The Gauntlet will especially challenge experienced Captains to make the most out of their crew’s abilities while competing against other experienced leaders. After assembling a team of five crackerjack crew, Captains will be able to face off against the chosen teams of up to 200 other Captains. Each Gauntlet contest will feature a different skill, so every entry will be different.

Since Star Trek Timelines’ January 2016 launch, Disruptor Beam has dramatically expanded the game’s scope with galaxy-changing storylines, player-vs-player ship battles, collaborative gameplay in fleets, hundreds of new crewmembers and other significant enhancements.

Star Trek Timelines is available as a free download for the App Store and Google Play, Facebook Games and Facebook Gameroom on Windows PC.

Players can follow new game developments by joining the Star Trek Timelines community and signing up for the Bridge Crew email list, joining the Disruptor Beam forums and following the game on Facebook and Twitter.

Monster Firecracker Pholite Speaker

2017/01/13

Ripper71

Geek News, News, Reviews, Tech News, Tech Review

I have used several wireless, portable speakers over the years. One of the first ones I had looked like a really large ice chest and ran off a half dozen “D” batteries. It gave some pretty good sound with a nice connection, the problem was its size and weight. Over the years there have been plenty of companies working on it and, thankfully, Monster (now Monster Cables) was among them and they felt that creating a unit with great sound was key but why not also add a speaker phone and photo fill illumination while they were at it. With that, they brought us the Monster Firecracker Pholite Speaker.

Light It Up:

I’ll be honest at first I thought the light option was a strange one. Everything else made total sense, if you are poolside during the summer you want to have a water resistant speaker that can fill the yard with beats and you don’t have to go grab your phone and possibly get it wet if you get a call, hit a button and away you talk (though it would be nice if you tell the person at the other end they have just joined the pool party). Aiding in preventing water, dust and other environmental damage is a rubber plate that covers a 3.5mm input in case your Bluetooth just isn’t doing the job and a micro mini port located under the same plate to make sure to keep a little sand from stopping the festivities.

It’s small yet looks and feels rugged, it has a solid screw down pack clip so you can clip it on, screw it tight and go hiking letting the group listen to your tunes while knowing if you take a bit of a slip you will still be fine and if you get a call after hitting a quick button you can continue your ascent hands free of the call. If you wind up hiking late you have a flashlight on your Firecracker you can fire up and keep safe on the trails which is a surprising recurring accident or death issue in any outdoor environment.

What is even more interesting about the flashlight on the Firecracker is that it isn’t just designed to be a flashlight it is also designed to be a filler light. Those into photography will usually get this reference immediately and those not into it will probably get it without realizing it. The name is somewhat straight forward in that it is a light that fills in area where there is too much shadow. For example if you have a friend you want to take a picture of in front of a building during a setting sun you would turn on this light and it is the proper kelvins to front light the subject to make them not look all shadowy. The 5000 degree kelvin light would also be great as a plugged in light for webcasters such as Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, and Periscope that can be adjusted to try to help remove some of the washed out look of the caster by turning down the brightness of the monitor and using the light at wherever fills in best.

Most importantly you have a Monster product which means you can rely on big boom coming from a little box.

Tech Specs:

“Baby Blaster” form factor
Built in super-bright 7 hour flashlight
- High-intensity daylight, 5000K
- 500 Lumens
Pure Monster Sound™ wirelessly with NFC
Stereo (from 2 Full-Range Drivers) with passive bass radiator
High intelligibility mic for calls
25+ Hours of continuous play
Splash resistant (IPX-5)
Heavy-duty cabinet with color-matched strap and carabiner clip
Sealed Port for aux in (3.5mm) and power
Black, Gold, Red, Green Camo

Last Call:

Monster Firecracker Pholite is like a multi-army knife of sound, give giving big booms, solid pairing, great chat sound and even great multi-use light source all in one little box. Right now it is a little hard to find in the U.S. but it can be found on Monster’s website for about $130 dollars. Make sure to grab it on your way out the door so you will be ready for whatever life asks of you.

Monster Firecracker Pholite Review Score

[mks_icon icon=”fa-star” color=”#eeee22″ type=”fa”][mks_icon icon=”fa-star” color=”#eeee22″ type=”fa”][mks_icon icon=”fa-star” color=”#eeee22″ type=”fa”][mks_icon icon=”fa-star” color=”#eeee22″ type=”fa”][mks_icon icon=”fa-star” color=”#eeee22″ type=”fa”] (5 out of 5 Stars)

LucidSound Touts the LS20 Headset’s Advanced Features When Used with Nintendo Switch

2017/01/13

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Nintendo Switch, Tech News

San Diego, CA – January 13, 2017 – LucidSound, innovators of premium gaming audio hardware invite Nintendo^® gamers to make the switch to a better audio experience via the LS20 Amplified Universal Gaming Headset. Available for purchase today at all leading retailers, the LS20 features unrivalled, powered gaming audio, serving as the perfect partner to the new Nintendo Switch^™ Home Gaming System available from March 3, 2017.

With a modern, lifestyle appearance, strikingly different from traditional gaming headsets, the LS20 has been engineered for gaming-on-the-go. Featuring a compact, portable footprint, the headset houses superior quality, fully amplified gaming audio. With a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery, LS20 owners can enjoy rich audio via their Nintendo Switch and other gaming platforms for up to 20 hours per charge.

The LS20 is designed with the gamer in mind, featuring the acclaimed LucidSound ear-cup control which allow players to adjust audio simply by rotating their ear-cup and mute audio with a simple press. The radically innovative control scheme means an end to awkward buttons, switches, and dials, allowing gamers to adjust their audio without taking concentration away from the game.

“We engineered the LS20 from the ground up to provide next-generation audio and intuitive control to portable gamers and we believe our headset will prove to be the go-to choice for Nintendo Switch players,” said Chris Von Huben, CEO of LucidSound. “It’s clear that Nintendo has reinvented gaming yet again and our headset is ideally positioned to take advantage of the unique methods of play offered by the new console. Whether using at home or away, the LS20 provides modern gamers with a superior audio experience and we can’t wait to introduce the LucidSound difference to a wider audience come March 2017.”

40mm speakers with neodymium magnets provide deep bass and clear highs, complete with the carefully crafted, signature LucidSound audio acoustics. Bass-Boost enhances the low-end yet further, ideal for shooting games such as Splatoon^™ 2, and built-in mic-monitoring allows players to hear their own voice through the headset. Lastly, the LS20 features a removable boom mic as well as an integrated hidden mic, affording truly universal use and sporting an understated design that uses premium materials including an aluminium frame.

Available now at leading retailers for around $99.99, the LS20 Amplified Universal Gaming Headset is compatible with Nintendo Switch as well as a wide range of gaming formats including the PlayStation^®4, Xbox One, PC/MAC, mobile phones, and smart devices.

For global retailer information, please visit http://www.lucidsound.com/where-to-buy.html

For more information, visit lucidsound.com and follow LucidSound on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Vikings – Wolves of Midgard Gameplay Trailer

2017/01/13

boothby

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

Ridgewood, NJ – January 13, 2016 – Kalypso Media is excited to reveal a brand-new, action-packed gameplay trailer for upcoming action RPG Vikings – Wolves of Midgard. Taken from the very latest build of the game, the new trailer offers the best look yet at the environments gamers will be able to explore with their fully-customizable Viking warrior, as well as a sneak peek at the formidable bosses, spectacular magical abilities and deep progression systems that will keep them slaying Norse nasties for hours on end in the extensive campaign.

About Vikings – Wolves of Midgard:
Launching on PlayStation®4, Xbox One, Windows PC, Mac and Linux in early 2017, Vikings – Wolves of Midgard will transport you to the Shores of Midgard, a world based upon the mythology and history of the Vikings. Battle the fearsome Jotan, hordes of terrifying undead monstrosities and other myriad beasts of Ragnarok, either on your own or by teaming up with a friend via the online co-op multiplayer mode. Master mighty weapons, including sword and shield, two-handed hammers, dual-wielded axes and swift bows. Earn blood in battle to offer in tribute to the Gods in order to acquire and enhance devastating Spell Powers and other special unlockables. As well as the regular story mode (and New Game+), players can also test their mettle in the ‘Trials of the Gods’ – a special challenge mode that rewards the best warriors with special equipment and runes.

Features of Vikings – Wolves of Midgard:

Fantasy Meets Nordic Mythology: Travel the realms of earthly Midgard, freezing Niflheim and boiling Balheim, either as a fierce Viking warrior or merciless shieldmaiden.
The Deadly Fimbulwinter: Withstand the deathly colds and protect yourself from exposure to nature’s wrath in order to survive.
Tribute to the Gods: Collect blood from fallen enemies and sacrifice it at the altar to gain gifts from the Gods to enhance your powers.
Berserker Rage: Let your anger take hold by activating Rage Mode to overwhelm your enemies in bloodthirsty combat.
The art of combat: Perfect your skills with each weapon to unlock their true potential, including swords, bows and spell-powered canes.
The Power of the Gods: Make the abilities of the Gods your own by equipping power-infused amulets, like the Talismans of Thor or Loki. Put your new skills to the test by competing in the Trials of the Gods to earn further rewards.
Teamwork: Team up with a friend and journey to the Shores of Midgard together in an epic two player online co-op mode. Choose between four difficulty levels to suit your skills and talents. Do you dare attempt the unrelenting hardcore mode?
The Clan of Wolves: Restore and rebuild your village and lead your clan to glory. Upgrade buildings such as weaponsmith, armorer, runesmith, and mead hall to unlock more content and better equipment.
Legendary Weapons: Gather the scattered fragments of mythical weapons and armors to take on the most fearsome creatures of the realms.
A Class of its Own: Become even more powerful in the next life by attempting New Game+, and push your Viking warrior or shieldmaiden to their limit.
Destructible Environments: Utilize your surroundings by burying your foes under falling rocks or pushing them off high cliffs.

Vikings – Wolves of Midgard will be available in early 2017 on PlayStation®4, Xbox One, Windows PC, Mac and Linux. Steam users can pre-purchase Vikings – Wolves of Midgard now at a 15% discount, while also securing an exclusive pack containing an additional outfit for both male and female warriors, consisting of an additional tattoo, hairstyle and clan symbol, as well as a new beard style for male characters and tribal jewellery for female characters. Also included is a digital artbook showcasing a range of stunning illustrations and paintings, and a digital soundtrack featuring the game’s sweeping, atmospheric musical score. For more information, please visit www.kalypsomedia.com.

Ubisoft Announces Games for Nintendo Switch

2017/01/13

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Nintendo Switch

SAN FRANCISCO — January 12, 2017 — Today, Ubisoft^® announced that Just Dance^® 2017, Rayman^® Legends Definitive Edition and Steep™ will be part of the lineup for Nintendo Switch™.

Ubisoft has been at the forefront of the constantly evolving video game industry, leading development of exciting games for each new platform launch. For years, Ubisoft and Nintendo have been partnering to deliver original, creative and memorable entertainment gaming experiences.

Nintendo Switch combines the best of two worlds: mobile handheld and traditional at-home console gaming. This new console brings Ubisoft and its teams new opportunities to express their creativity, develop fresh ways to play and push the industry boundaries once again.

“Ubisoft will initially be bringing Just Dance 2017, Rayman Legends Definitive Edition and Steep to the Nintendo Switch. We’re proud to be working closely with Nintendo on this new console, making sure players can enjoy great games on a device that shares the same philosophy these games: great accessibility and the ability to bring people together,” said Xavier Poix, Ubisoft managing director, French Studios. “These three games are just the beginning. We will share more about other exciting projects for the Nintendo Switch at a later date.”

Just Dance 2017 – Dancing with anyone – anywhere, anytime

2017 will be the first Ubisoft game released for Nintendo Switch at launch. The chart-topping dance track, “How Deep Is Your Love” by Calvin Harris & Disciples, will be available as an exclusive track for Nintendo Switch owners via Just Dance Unlimited.* This hit song joins 40 tracks already available in the game, including “Sorry” by Justin Bieber, “Lean On” by Major Lazer Ft. MØ & DJ Snake, brand-new hits like “Don’t Wanna Know” by Maroon 5, party favorites like “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” by Beyoncé and classics like “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen. Nintendo Switch players will also have three months of free access to Just Dance Unlimited, the dance-on-demand subscription streaming service, which offers more than 200 additional songs and access to exclusive tracks, with new hit songs added all the time.

More accessible than ever, Just Dance 2017 can now be played anywhere, with up to six players at the same time using a Joy-Con™ controller or by using the Just Dance Controller app (which turns your smartphone into a controller).

Rayman Legends Definitive Edition – Exploring Rayman’s legendary worlds

Players’ all-time favorite, Rayman, is back in the game thanks to Rayman Legends Definitive Edition, the ultimate version of the critically acclaimed Rayman Legends created by Michel Ancel. This edition includes all the game’s traditional features, such as Kung Foot, plus some brand-new surprises. Nintendo’s history has included the Rayman brand since the franchise’s beginning, with titles such as Rayman^® Advance for Game Boy Advance, Rayman^® 2 The Great Escape for Nintendo 64 and Rayman Raving Rabbids^® for the launch of Wii™.

Rayman, Globox and the Teensies are off wandering through an enchanted forest when they discover a mysterious tent filled with a series of captivating paintings. As they look more closely, they notice each painting seems to tell the story of a different mythical world. While focusing on a painting that shows a medieval land, they are suddenly sucked into the painting, entering the world, and the adventure begins. The gang must run, jump and fight their way through each world to save the day and discover the secrets of every legendary painting.

Steep – Experiencing action sports in the beautiful open world of the Alps

In Steep, players drop in to the Alps and ski, snowboard, wingsuit and paraglide through the game’s massive open world playground, filled with exhilarating activities and breathtaking views. Developed by Ubisoft Annecy, Steep is designed for a culture that’s all about sharing experiences with the world. Steep features seamless multiplayer, populating the world with players as they naturally explore the Alps. Players and friends across the globe can take on challenges together or compete with each other to snag the top spot on the leaderboard. The open world of Steep will be further enriched by the majestic slopes of Alaska in a free update available this year.

*“How Deep Is Your Love” by Calvin Harris & Disciples is available through Just Dance Unlimited and can be accessed either via the free trial or by subscribing. The track will be available for all platforms later this year.

GameSir G3s Gamepad Review

2017/01/13

Ripper71

News, Peripheral Review, Peripherals News, Reviews

I game a lot, someone might say I’m always gaming (I have a game running in the background right now). I started at about 5 years old and the only thing I collected more than game systems is game controllers and setups. The controller that comes with the system isn’t always what the player will find fits their gaming style best but sometimes, such in the case of the GameSir G3s Gamepad, one controller can be the one to rule more than one system.

Game On:

First off the controller looks like a PlayStation 3 controller and quickly and easily pairs with the systems. The controller is a little lighter weight than the normal PS controller for a reason we will get up to later and as a result can be far more comfortable for much longer. This also is nice in case you decide to add adapters or extra padding to your controllers making it become so that some parts like KontrolFreeks FPS stick extender.

One of the best reasons the controller also works with Android phones which attach onto the GameSir G3s’ individual mobile bracket that can be connected around the controller and expanded to fit your Android device in. Then you simply connect to the two systems, download a couple games and away you go on a portable system using a full size console controller. This of course makes the device a bit top heavy but since you can screw down the desired angle of the device onto the top so you will have it as forward, back, or evenly heavy as you find comfortable. The bracket folds up nicely in your pocket when you aren’t using it so that it is always handy.

Another nice aspect of the GameSir’s versatility is that it goes great with Window’s PC systems using a USB dongle so it is wireless and if you are more used to PlayStation controllers than Windows ones this is a great opportunity to use that style. The GameSir G3s also works with Smart TV/boxes

Tech Specs:

32-bit high-speed MCU chip, high sensitivity and on time response.
Support iCade, X-input, D-input and Android native mode games.
Lasts for 18 hours working time, built-in rechargeable battery, double shock vibration.
Multi-Platforms: Android/Windows/PS3. Connection: 2.4GHz/Bluetooth 4.0/ Wired connection.
Free App “Happy Chick”game emulator brings you more authentic gaming experience, you can scan the QR Code in User Manual to install it.

Game Over!:

GameSir’s G3s is the controller you want around your house and on the go. Whether it is your Android, Smart TV, PC or gaming console the G3s is the controller you need. It usually retails for about $80 dollars but, right now, it is priced at 60% off on Amazon so get it while the getting is good!

GameSir G3s Gamepad Review Scored:

The Dwarves Gets Performance Patch

2017/01/12

boothby

Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

Vienna/Austria, Bremen/Germany – January 12, 2017 – Continuing in 2017, KING Art will not cease to work on The Dwarves. As we already announced in December with the release of the patch for Xbox One, The Dwarves has now received a performance patch on all platforms. Apart from performance improvements, it has also fixed one or two bugs. Exact patch notes below:

PS4

Decreased loading times between different scenes (the game loads most scenes at least twice as fast)
Decreased restart times in battles (65-75% faster restart times)
Improved performance through better audio playback handling
Removed framerate stutters due to audio processing in combat
Fixed an error in battle of Mifurdania
Fixed an error in the Golem battle
Fixed “Greater Healing Potion”
Improved performance in Toboribor
Improved moving on the worldmap
Fixed an error in portrait icons

Xbox One

Decreased loading times between different scenes (the game loads most scenes at least twice as fast)
Decreased restart times in battles (65-75% faster restart times)
Fixed an error in battle of Mifurdania
Fixed an error in the Golem battle
Fixed “Greater Healing Potion”

Removed framerate stutters due to audio processing in combat
Decreased loading times between different scenes
Decreased restart times in battles
Fixed an error in battle of Mifurdania
Fixed an error in the Golem battle
Fixed “Greater Healing Potion”
Fixed an error in portrait icons

After today’s patch, the next thing KING Art will work on is a content patch for The Dwarves. The patch is expected to release in March 2017 on all platforms and, among other things, offers the so-called “Challenge Mode”, a new game mode, which confronts players with various challenges on different maps, i.e. standing against new enemies as long as possible, or defeating a specific amount of enemies as fast as possible etc. Stay tuned!

WWE 2K17 Gets PC Release Date

2017/01/12

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Windows PC News

January 12, 2017 – 2K today announced that WWE 2K17, the latest addition to the flagship video game franchise, will be available worldwide for Windows PC on February 7, 2017.

Delivering the largest roster in WWE video games history alongside other fan-favorite features, WWE 2K17 for Windows PC will mirror the in-game content offered in WWE 2K17 for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft. Fans can choose between the WWE 2K17 Standard Edition ($49.99) and the WWE 2K17 Deluxe Edition ($74.99), as well as purchase the WWE 2K17 Season Pass ($29.99).

In addition, all WWE 2K17 DLC released to date for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 will be available for PC immediately at launch. Any future DLC released after the February 7 PC launch will be available on PC at a later time.

For more announcement details, including links to pre-order retailers, check out the blog post here: https://wwe.2k.com/news/wwe-2k17-pc-release

For more information on WWE 2K17, including the game’s Downloadable Content and Season Pass Program, please visit wwe.2k.com, like the game on Facebook, follow the game on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #WWE2K17 or subscribe on YouTube.

Developed collaboratively by Yuke’s and Visual Concepts, a 2K studio, WWE 2K17 is rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB and available worldwide for the PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems, Xbox One and Xbox 360.

LEGO CITY Undercover Official Trailer

2017/01/12

Jerry Paxton

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

January 12, 2017 – Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and TT Games today released the first trailer for LEGO® CITY Undercover™, featuring Chase McCain, a police officer who goes undercover and dons multiple disguises to hunt down the notorious – and recently escaped – criminal, Rex Fury, to put an end to his city-wide crime wave.

LEGO CITY Undercover features more than 20 unique districts to investigate, filled with car thieves to bust, vehicles to navigate, mischievous aliens to capture, hilarious movie references to discover, lost pigs to rescue and of course, hundreds of collectibles. Bringing together witty, original storytelling with signature LEGO humor, this open-world LEGO adventure creates a fun-filled experience for players of all ages, coming to the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One®, Nintendo Switch™ and PC for the first time in Spring 2017.

Styx: Shards of Darkness Stealth Trailer

2017/01/12

Jerry Paxton

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

January 12, 2017 – Styx: Shards of Darkness is Cyanide Studio’s upcoming Stealth Adventure game arriving March 2017 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. Today, watch Styx subvert Elven defenses in a stealthy attack that sees him using throwing daggers, knives, traps and even chandeliers to distract and kill his enemies, and steal the coveted Quartz, a source of magical power.

As a nimble Goblin, Styx’s strengths are boosted by a magical Amber flowing through his veins, allowing him a plethora of magical abilities such as amber vision, a short-lived invisibility, and even the possibility to clone himself. As well as these, Shards of Darkness introduces crafting, allowing Styx to create tools and gadgets to distract, disable, and kill his foes.

Use both magic and mayhem to infiltrate huge environments on the hunt for Quartz in Styx: Shards of Darkness, releasing March 2017 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC! You can preorder the game now on STEAM to get 10% off and exclusive access to the Akenash set, donning the outfit and dagger from Styx’s first adventure.