Archive - 2017

The Game Awards 2017 Announced for December 7

2017/11/09
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News

LOS ANGELES (November 9, 2017) – The video game industry’s biggest night, and one of the Internet’s biggest live stream events, is about to get even bigger. Today The Game Awards announced that its 2017 gala event, scheduled to air live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Thursday, December 7 in 4K Ultra HD format, will celebrate the best games, eSports, and members of the gaming community with a live stream available on more than 16 gaming and digital streaming platforms, including localized versions for Chinese, South Korean and Japanese audiences. In addition, fans will be able to vote on select categories using Facebook Messenger, Google Search, Twitter DM, and at TheGameAwards.com.

Hailed by The New York Times as “The Oscars of the gaming world,” The Game Awards reached over 8.5 million viewers in 2016. The show brings together game industry creators, eSports champions, digital influencers and Hollywood names for a night of awards, exclusive game world premieres, new game announcements and musical performances. The Game Awards is available to watch for free across almost every major mobile, desktop and console devices used to play video games. Live distribution partners for 2017 include AfreecaTV (South Korea), Facebook, GameSpot, KakaoTV (South Korea), IGN, NicoNico (Japan), Mixer, PlayStation Store, Steam, Tencent (China), Twitch, Twitter, UOL Jogos (Brazil), Xbox Live, YouTube (in 4K Ultra HD), and more to be announced. Highlights will also be featured in a Snapchat Live Story.

“The Game Awards unites the global gaming community, no matter who you are, where you live, or what type of video games you enjoy,” said Geoff Keighley, creator/executive producer of The Game Awards.  “This year we are excited to add even more partners to our distribution matrix, give fans new ways to interact with the show, and introduce several exciting new elements including The Game Awards Orchestra.”

Debuting at the 2017 show, The Game Awards Orchestra is all-star group of some of the world’s most talented orchestral and rock musicians. These acclaimed artists will be joined by special guests for a one-night-only performance of the music featured in video games of the past, present and future.

Fans can help pick the winners in select categories via online voting across several digital and social platforms, including TheGameAwards.com. The Game Awards is partnering with Google for a voting experience directly accessible on Google Search (simply type “The Game Awards voting” into the search bar for easy access to a voting ballot). Fans can also vote for certain award categories via Facebook Messenger and Twitter Direct Message.  Voting will commence on Tuesday, November 14 when the nominees are announced in more than 25 categories.

Globally, The Game Awards will once again partner with Tencent to air the show live in China, including on QQ.com.  In addition to watching a live translated version of the show and an exclusive pre-show, Chinese viewers can use WeChat, QQ.com and Tencent News App to vote on a special “Fans Choice Award,” based on nominees selected by Tencent’s gaming editors. The Game Awards will also air live translated versions of the show in other territories including Brazil (in partnership with UOL Jogos), Japan (in partnership with NicoNico), and South Korea (on KakaoTV and AfreecaTV).

On Twitter, The Game Awards will once again air live globally, creating a unified experience for viewers to watch and comment on gaming’s biggest night. In addition to an on-site activation at the event, this year a custom #TheGameAwards emoji will enhance the live conversation on Twitter, and, for the first time, users will be able to vote on select categories via Twitter DM. Live Twitter comments on breaking news and the results of Twitter user polls will be integrated into the broadcast.

The Game Awards is teaming up with Facebook for an integrated experience around this year’s Awards. In addition to airing The Game Awards on Facebook Live, Facebook Watch will be the exclusive home for a 5-week behind the scenes series, “The Road to The Game Awards.” Premiering the week of November 13th, this docu-reality series takes viewers behind the scenes during the final month of production on the awards.  Facebook will also create a special Backstage room at the show, where nominees and digital influencers can go live on their pages to interact with fans in real time.

Returning for 2017 is “The Game Awards Sale,” an opportunity for fans on PlayStation Store, Steam, Xbox Live and other platforms to purchase nominated games at a discount. More details on the sale will be released in early December.

The Game Awards is executive produced by Geoff Keighley and Kimmie H. Kim. LeRoy Bennett is creative director, and Rich Preuss is director.

Nominees for The Game Awards will be announced at 10 AM ET / 7 AM PT on Tuesday, November 14.  News on world premieres, presenters, honorees, and other musical performances will be announced in the coming weeks leading into the live show on Thursday, December 7.

Tickets to attend The Game Awards are now on sale for purchase via AXS.com, including a special VIP package with a pre-show reception.

For more information and to stay up to date on the latest announcements, please visit www.thegameawards.com

Soft-Tones Pillow Speakers Review

2017/11/09
Ripper71
Geek News, News, Reviews, Tech News, Tech Review

During my favorite holiday, Halloween, I got sick with a massive fever, sweats, etc. I am very lucky to be married to a nurse who kept me from well.  Upon returning to to the West coast, I hit the pillow and slept for 30 hours straight!  Unbeknownst to me, the Soft-Tones Pillow Speakers by 2breathe would be waiting for me so I could do some product testing while trying to heal and rest!

To properly test the Soft-Tones Pillow Speakers, I had my wife lay in the bed next to me to see how much of the sound a person next to me would hear and possibly be interrupted by. The Soft-Tones Pillow Speakers claim to be directional and low-annoyance, but I wanted to know for sure!

First I started with a no-name pillow speaker from another company.  That model comes in the shape of a bear’s head and is extremely soft, however the speaker is just a disc sewn into the pillowing so when listening to music the bleed out is really strong, my wife could hear the music almost as good as I could! The pillow is also pretty small so it shifts around during sleep. On a hygienic note, the slip cover can be removed so that it can be cleaned.

Since that was a no-go, I returned my attention to the Soft-Tones Pillow Speakers, which have an unusual design where they are semi rigid going across in what look like a large eye mask shape pad. Each end of the pad has a small driver, allowing you to basically have a pair of stereo speakers next to your head.  The section under your head has a little give, allowing the ear pieces to bend slightly toward your ears.  This directional audio made it so my wife could barely hear the music.  If I rolled onto my side in my sleep, my ears would position naturally over the speakers by slipping into foam which cups the ears when in them then pops back into shape.

While both pillow speakers had stereo cables to running down to your input device, the Soft-Tones Pillow Speakers went the extra mile by having breakaway cable in case you are listening to your phone and go to leave the room forgetting it is plugged in.  It will simply pop loose and you can plug it in later.  This is also nice if you want to use a different length of cable!

Both have the ability to store their cables during travel, and either one can have the pillow unzipped and tuck the cord inside. However, the Soft-Tones Pillow Speaker also has an outside pocket to store the cable in. 2breathe, the company behind the Soft-Tones Pillow Speaker, did a great job on thinking about practical usage of the unit.

A couple things I would have liked to see in the Soft-Tones would be a strap to fasten it to your favorite pillow. Also, some additional give between the speakers and a head strap would be good to make sure the headset moves with you precisely and lowers the bleed out even more.  These really aren’t a consideration on the no name pillow speaker I compared the Soft-Tones with since it is considered a fluffy pillow with a speaker and has really bad bleed out anyways.

Back To Rest With Soft-Tones:

Soft-Tones by 2breathe showed up at just the right time to bring some great comfort in a time of need.  With stereo sound but minimal bleed over this is a great system for someone who wants to rock all night in their sleep and party every day.

Soft-Tones Pillow Speakers Review Score

[mks_icon icon=”fa-star” color=”#256ce8″ type=”fa”][mks_icon icon=”fa-star” color=”#256ce8″ type=”fa”][mks_icon icon=”fa-star” color=”#256ce8″ type=”fa”][mks_icon icon=”fa-star” color=”#256ce8″ type=”fa”][mks_icon icon=”fa-star-o” color=”#256ce8″ type=”fa”] (4 out of 5 Stars)

You can get your own Soft-Tones pillow speaker at the product’s official website.

Total War: ROME II Empire Divided DLC Release Date

2017/11/08
boothby
Geek News, News, Windows PC News

November 8, 2017 – It is the crisis of the third century. A string of inept emperors and usurpers vying for power have torn the Roman Empire into three factions, and with barbarians and Eastern Empires ready to exploit the chaos, it’s do-or-die time. On November 30th, players can reunite the empire or tear it down in this new, grand-scale campaign pack for Total War: ROME II.

Total War: ROME II – Empire Divided features a host of new content to give a new lease on life to ROME II; including 10 different playable factions, new victory conditions and new campaign features such as plagues, cults and banditry. Empire Divided also puts a heavy focus on telling the stories of the characters and powers involved in this rich and fascinating period.

Also joining Empire Divided on November 30th is the free Power & Politics patch update. This update overhauls ROME II’s political system to create a more subtle and intriguing experience with farther-reaching consequences.

Full details on Empire Divided, plus info on how ROME II players can gain entry to the Power & Politics open beta, can be found in the Empire Divided Q&A.

Total War: ROME II – Empire Divided is available now to pre-order through Steam now:
http://store.steampowered.com/app/694880

Total War: ROME II is currently available through Steam here: http://store.steampowered.com/app/214950/Total_War_ROME_II__Emperor_Edition/

Nyko Releases Charge Base and Thin Case for Nintendo Switch

2017/11/08
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Nintendo Switch, Peripherals News

LOS ANGELES – November 8, 2017 – Inventive console accessories manufacturer Nyko Technologies today launched Charge Base and Thin Case, two new accessories for the Nintendo Switch™. Charge Base is a Type-C charging dock that stores and charges the Nintendo Switch and two Joy-Cons, serving as a secondary charging station. Thin Case protects the exterior of the Switch and Joy-Con without adding bulk, offering an ultra-portable, dockable solution with a tempered-glass screen protector to prevent blemishes and impact damage. Charge Base and Thin Case are now available at GameStop, Amazon and Nyko.com with an MRSP of $29.99 and $12.99, respectively.

“We continue to look for ways to offer added convenience and sleek protection for Switch owners, and Charge Base and Thin Case are must-haves for any Switch owner,” said Chris Arbogast, Nyko’s VP of Sales and Marketing. “Charge Base allows gamers to play and charge in tabletop mode simultaneously, while Thin Case, unlike most protective cases, can remain attached while docking the Switch and includes a tempered glass screen protector.”

Charge Base key features

  • Conveniently stores and charges the Nintendo Switch and two Joy-Con
  • Plugs into any wall outlet to recharge
  • Serves as a secondary charging dock
  • Acts as a stand while the Nintendo Switch is charging

Thin Case key features:

  • Protects the exterior of the Nintendo Switch and Joy-Cons
  • Allows Joy-Cons to be removed while Thin Case is attached
  • Can remain attached while docking the Nintendo Switch
  • Includes one tempered glass screen protector

**Please note: The Charge Base and Thin Case are not compatible with each other and are intended to be used separately.

To learn more about Nyko and its various products, visit:

2K Previews WWE SuperCard Season 4

2017/11/08
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Mobile News, News

November 8, 2017 – 2K today announced new details surrounding key features in WWE SuperCard – Season 4, the action-packed collectible card-battling game with more than 15 million global downloads to date. Arriving with Season 4 are a new unified leaderboard and league system for PVP game modes, as well as the series debut of the PVP-centric Elimination Chamber mode:

Unified PVP Leagues – Overview:

  • Weekly Leagues will appear for one of three game modes – ‘War’ (previously known as Ranked Mode), ‘Royal Rumble’ and ‘Elimination Chamber,’ with only one of the three game modes active at any time for players to compete for spots on their PVP league leaderboard;
  • Leagues consist of 30 players who are battling their way through four different tiers – Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. There will also be Global Leaderboards and Rewards;
  • At the end of each League, the top five players will move up a tier, while the bottom five will move down a tier. Competitive Points (CP) are rewarded to players based on their final league standings. The new week will always start and end on a Monday.

Unified PVP Leagues – Rewards:

  • Players will earn Competitive Points (CP) for winning matches and a chance to earn additional end of week CP for performance and placement;
  • CP can be used in the new CP Store to purchase cards, packs and card backs.

Unified PVP Leagues – Momentum System:

  • The Momentum System is an exciting new way for players to get a head start on the competition. Momentum is earned throughout play to unlock powerful boosts for the next League, which are called Momentum Slots;
  • There are up to five Momentum Slots that can be unlocked for each week’s League, and WWE Superstars who are placed in these Momentum slots gain a stat boost before each match.

Elimination Chamber – New Game Mode:

  • Elimination Chamber is a brand new game mode included in the unified PVP system;
  • This mode uses female WWE Superstars for players to build decks of 10 cards to face off;
  • The key to winning in this mode is to have an intimate knowledge of female Superstar cards and which types of matches were previously held.

For additional information on the unified leaderboard and league system for PVP game modes, as well as the new Elimination Chamber mode coming in WWE SuperCard – Season 4, check out the blog post from developer Cat Daddy Games here: http://www.wwesupercardgame.com/season-4-preview-unified-pvp-leagues-and-the-elimination-chamber/.

Insta360 Releases Waterproof Housing

2017/11/08
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Tech News, Trailers / Videos

November 8, 2017 – Insta360 today launched the waterproof housing accessory for its 4K 360-degree action camera, the Insta360 ONE. The easy-to-use housing is backed with an IP68 rating, meaning that it’s protected against dust, splashing and submersion in water.

Once users pop their ONE into the housing, the camera is operable with a simple button on the outside of the housing or via Bluetooth control.

With the new housing, which weighs only 3.17 ounces (90 grams) and has a 9HD hardness rating, users will be able to capture stunning 360 video in a huge range of settings – from white-water rafting to rainforest treks. 

The housing protects the ONE from water at depths of up to 30 meters. The camera, however, is not specifically designed for underwater video capture – the refraction that light undergoes as it passes through water can result in stitching lines between the images captured by the ONE’s two lenses.

But thanks to the ONE’s unique FreeCapture function, users can easily reframe the best parts of an underwater 360 video as standard, “flat” content to avoid stitching lines.

In any non-submersed scenarios, the waterproof housing can be used to output fully spherical, seamless 360 video and photos, stitched with Insta360’s industry-leading algorithm.

Available now at Insta360’s online store https://mall.insta360.com/product/one and our official Amazon store at http://bit.ly/insta360Amazon, the Insta360 ONE Waterproof Housing is priced at $49.00 USD.

A new version of the Insta360 ONE app, which will be released by Nov. 17, is needed when using the waterproof housing. Users should update the ONE app before using the waterproof housing.

TPCAST Now Available for US Pre-Order

2017/11/08
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Tech News

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Nov. 08, 2017 — TPCAST, the first to market a wireless Virtual Reality (VR) solution for Head-Mounted Display (HMD) announces the launch of its Consumer Edition Wireless VR Adapter supporting the HTC VIVE. The TPCAST adapter will be available for pre-order through the primary web and retail stores throughout the US and Canada.

The TPCAST wireless adapter is a breakthrough in the field of VR, solving one of the most significant physical obstacles – the cumbersome wiring between the PC and the headset. The wireless adapter is a small device attached to the top of the Vive HMD replacing the cables connecting the PC video and USB to the headset.  The adapter provides users an immersive VR experience including full-range motion capabilities without any impact on video quality and resolution. The adapter works perfectly with graphics intensive applications and with user extreme movement, without adding delay or affecting the experience quality.  The Adapter includes a battery that powers the HMD, allowing up to 5 hours of operation.

“Following the pent-up demand in the North American market we’re excited to bring our revolutionary wireless technology to users,” said Michael Liu, founder, and CEO of TPCAST. “Gone are the days when VR users must settle for the tethered experience; North American users can now experience true freedom – the freedom to explore a beautiful scene, to turn 360 degrees, jump, and even flip without impediment. We believe this industry milestone changes the game for VR unleashing it into a wireless world.”

“One of our goals at Vive X is to strengthen and enrich the Vive Ecosystem, and that is precisely what we’re doing,” said Marc Metis, Global Head of Vive X.  “Our investment in TPCAST was to help expedite bringing a wireless VR solution to market, and we’re very excited that wireless VR solutions are now available in multiple markets.”

TPCAST is working closely with HTC to identify top developers who can take advantage of the wireless adapter. TPCAST is providing early access to the technology to key

developers from a wide range of industries including Oil & Gas, Education, Medical, and Entertainment.

The TPCAST Consumer Edition Wireless Adapter was designed by TPCAST for the Virtual Reality HMD.  The adapter for VIVE was tailored to support the HTC VIVE HMD. The kit consists of five parts: PC TX Module, RX Module, a router and a battery. The kit provides 2K resolution with a transmission delay of less than 2ms. By going wireless, consumers and enterprises can now enjoy the VR experience tangle-free on VIVE at home, work, or at any other locations.

Pricing & Availability
The TPCAST Wireless Adapter for Vive is available to for pre-order, at a price of US$299, via retail sites such as Amazon, NewEgg, and TPCAST’s website, as of November 8th, shipping will start November 24th.

About TPCAST
Creator of the first commercial wireless virtual reality solution, TPCAST’s vision is to unleash the VR world by making all HMDs wireless. The company’s patented technologies enable highly efficient bi-directional communications between the PC and a VR HMD with near-zero latency.  Its mission is to work with all parties in the VR industry including HMD manufacturers, game developers, content providers, GPU makers, and key VR technology providers to deliver the best wireless VR experience to consumers and enterprise users.

SAG-AFTRA Approves Interactive Media Video Game Agreement

2017/11/07
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Industry News, News

LOS ANGELES (November 7, 2017) – In national voting completed today, members of SAG-AFTRA voted overwhelmingly to approve the successor to the Interactive Media Video Game Agreement by a vote of 90 percent to 10 percent.

The terms of the tentative agreement, which was reached on September 22, include a new bonus structure that provides additional payments to performers based on number of sessions worked. The bonus payments, which are due no later than the release date of the game, begin with an additional $75 payment on the first session and totaling $2,100 after 10 sessions worked.

The deal also contains new transparency provisions that will enhance the bargaining power of our members’ representatives by requiring the companies to disclose the code name of project, its genre, whether the game is based on previously published intellectual property and whether the performer is reprising a prior role. Members are also protected by the disclosure of whether they will be required to use unusual terminology, profanity or racial slurs, whether there will be content of a sexual or violent nature and whether stunts will be required.

In addition, the deal includes an employer commitment to continue working with SAG-AFTRA on the issue of vocal stress during the term of the agreement.

SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris said, “This agreement is the first step towards streamlining the work our members do in the video game industry. The deal includes significant improvements in the area of transparency and the payment structure ensures that our members are compensated fairly for their work. I am excited for what this means for our members moving forward.”

Says SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director David White, “I’d like to thank our Chief Contracts Officer Ray Rodriguez as well as our Interactive Negotiating Committee for leading these negotiations. This negotiation was hard fought and hard won. We achieved a stronger successor agreement and I am proud of the results.”

Adds Keythe Farley, chair of the SAG-AFTRA Interactive Negotiating Committee, “The bonus payments we asked for are now part of the video game industry and are a base from which to build upon. I’m excited for all that we have achieved.”

The agreement does not include several proposals sought by management, including a provision that would have fined performers for being late or distracted at session, another that would have required agents to submit performers for low-paying “atmospheric voice” sessions or face fines and a possible revocation of their union franchise, and another that would have allowed employers to use their permanent staff to do covered work outside of the collective bargaining agreement.

Informational voting cards were mailed to approximately 7,200 affected members of SAG-AFTRA, of which 10 percent voted. The final vote was certified by Integrity Voting Systems, an impartial election service based in Everett, Washington.

The agreement becomes effective November 8, 2017 and expires November 7, 2020.

The National Board unanimously approved the tentative agreement on October 9, 2017, ending a strike against 11 video game companies that began on October 21, 2016.

Homefront: The Revolution Xbox One X Enhancement Update

2017/11/07
boothby
Geek News, News, Xbox One News

Larkspur, Calif.  –  November 7, 2017 – Deep Silver and Dambuster Studios today confirmed the details of the Homefront: The Revolution Xbox One X Enhanced Update. Xbox One X users will benefit from improved visuals and performance when playing Homefront: The Revolution.  The update includes the following:

  •     The game is rendered in 3200 x 1800 which is a four times increase over the standard Xbox One version. This resolution will provide superior image quality on 4k TVs and a crisper, super-sampled image on 1080p TVs.
  •    All HUD and UI elements are rendered in native 4K for the highest quality image.
  •    The Time Splitters 2 arcade machine content is now rendered in native 4K.
  •    The game takes advantage of Xbox One X’s increased memory which will support more high quality textures on screen at any given time.
  •    Frame rate performance is further improved.
  •    HDR support has been added to both the Xbox One X and Xbox One S hardware.

Players that already own Homefront: The Revolution can download the update today and enjoy all of the enhancements. For those that would like to purchase the game, the full range of content including the main game and all DLC is available through Deals with Gold with discounts of up to 70 percent off. The deals will be available from today until November 14, 2017. A free trial is also available on both Xbox One and PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, containing the entire first ‘Red Zone,’ offering up to four hours of single player gameplay, and unlimited access to ‘Resistance Mode,’ the online co-operative mode in Homefront: The Revolution.

For more information and to get the latest updates on Homefront: The Revolution, follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @HomefrontGame or on Facebook at Facebook.com/HomefrontGame, or visit Homefront-Game.com.

Respawn Launches New Line of Gaming Chairs

2017/11/07
boothby
Geek News, News, Tech News

HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C. – November 7, 2017 – OFM, a leading workplace furniture company, today announced the launch of a new gaming furniture brand, RESPAWN. With decades of experience in ergonomics, OFM created RESPAWN to deliver quality, accessible gaming furniture without sacrificing comfort or performance. The first RESPAWN products to market are a lineup of eight racecar-style PC gaming chairs that are designed to suit a range of gamers’ needs, including a range of adjustable seat depth, tilt, and arms, ergonomic comfort, and a variety of personalized colors and materials selection.

More information on the gaming chair lineup from RESPAWN visit: RespawnProducts.com. The chairs are now available for purchase via Amazon, NewEgg, Rakuten and via the official RESPAWN website.

“Gamers have specific ergonomic and aesthetic needs that aren’t met by standard office chairs, and many of the seating options out there are outrageously priced or offer features that don’t provide comfort in a stylish way,” said Blake Zalcberg, CEO of OFM, Inc. “We knew that there was a need in the  market that we could fulfill based on our 20 years of experience at OFM, and decided to create the RESPAWN brand. RESPAWN delivers an affordable and durable product designed specifically for gamers.”

The RESPAWN chair lineup has eight different options so gamers can select their preferred type of comfort, style and functionality. Features include:

  • Ergonomic Comfort: Whether the chair has a steel tube frame design encased in molded foam to provide highly-contoured support, or if it boasts segmented padding for a cushier feel, chairs have an adjustable headrest and lumbar support pillows to provide comfort that lasts. RESPAWN-200 and RESPAWN-205 feature reinforced mesh backing to increase airflow to regulate body temperatures and enable lightweight support.
  • 4D Adjustability: Find optimal positioning by raising or lowering the chair, tweaking the height and depth of armrests or reclining from 90-130 degrees on the RESPAWN-100, RESPAWN-105, RESPAWN-110, RESPAWN-200 and RESPAWN-205 and up to 180 degrees on the RESPAWN-104, RESPAWN-115 and RESPAWN-120. Each chair has a full 360 degrees of swivel rotation to enable dynamic movement.
  • Premium Make: Upholstered in bonded leather in your choice of bold, contrasting colors, or in a darker professional-looking option, all RESPAWN chairs have up to a 275-pound weight capacity for long-lasting use.
  • Warranty and Support: All chairs are backed by the RESPAWN Limited Lifetime warranty with dedicated year-round representative support.