Archive - 2017

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Xbox One X Enhancement Update Released

2017/12/20
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Geek News, News, Xbox One News

12/20/2017 – CD PROJEKT RED, creators of The Witcher series of games, announce the release of the Xbox One X upgrade patch for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. In addition, the studio announces that an upgrade patch introducing HDR support will soon be released for the PlayStation 4 Pro computer entertainment system.

The Xbox One X upgrade patch for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt introduces a number of graphical features and tweaks to the game across two visual fidelity options — 4K Mode and Performance Mode.

In 4K Mode, the game and all its additional content will run in 4K resolution (or supersampled on a non-4K display), featuring enhanced shadows, ambient occlusion and texture filtering, as well as higher resolution textures and gameplay at 30 fps. Switching to Performance Mode will enable dynamic resolution scaling, rendering the game at a resolution of minimum 1080p and up to 4K, while targeting 60 fps during gameplay. Both modes will additionally feature support for HDR, making the game look more vivid when played on an HDR-capable display. Additional information regarding the Xbox One X upgrade patch and how to toggle between the different visual fidelity modes is available here.

The PlayStation4 version of the game received a similar upgrade patch for the PlayStation4 Pro system earlier in October, which introduced 4K resolution and enhancements such as improved ambient occlusion, texture filtering, as well as an all-around performance boost. Users of the PlayStation4 Pro system can expect an additional upgrade patch, featuring support for HDR and a number of technical tweaks improving the overall experience, to be released in the near future.

War Thunder Update 1.75 Brings New Aircraft and Light Tank Additions

2017/12/20
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Windows PC News

Wednesday, 20 December 2017 — Gaijin Entertainment today released Update 1.75 “La Resistance” for its vehicular combat MMO War Thunder. Besides adding more than a dozen aircraft, new locations, and a new reconnaissance mechanic for light tanks, the update introduces the previously announced Ground Forces research tree for France. Furthermore, the update sets the stage for the popular New Year’s marathon, where players can obtain tanks and aircraft unique to this year’s event.

The French Ground Forces research tree starts with a staggering amount of 35 vehicles from Rank I all the way to Rank VI, encompassing early tanks of the 1930s as well as modern vehicles from the late stages of the Cold War. The production of the most modern model inWar Thunder, the AMX-30V2, began in 1982 and it is still in service today with several armies worldwide.

Together with the French Ground Forces comes the new combined battles location “Maginot Line”, portraying one of the sectors of France’s famous fortification line against Germany with its bunkers, a small town and even a medieval castle. Another new location, “Middle East”, sees combat between a ruined city and an oil plant located in the blazing desert sand.

A new reconnaissance game mechanic has been introduced for light tanks of all nations, which greatly expands the teamplay value for this type of vehicles. Now, light tanks can transmit information about enemy vehicles to their teammates and can assist all allies with repairs on the battlefield. More information is available here:

https://warthunder.com/en/news/5193-development-new-opportunities-for-light-vehicles-en

The air forces of War Thunder have received more than a dozen of new machines, including the twin-engined World War II machines Yak-2, Yak-4 for the Soviet Union and the British Whirlwind. New post-war fighters wait for the US and Japan, with the F3D-1 Skyknight and F-86-F40 Kyokko, respectively.

To celebrate the festive season, pilots and tankers of War Thunder can obtain unique Premium vehicles for free. For pilots, the P-40C for the USA and a captured Fw 190 A-8 in the French tree are available, while tankers can get the British wheeled armored car AEK Mark II, which is equipped with a tank turret, and a German Panther tank that is disguised as an American M10 tank destroyer. Specifically created for the New Year’s marathon this year, these vehicles can only be obtained during this event by fulfilling specific tasks available from 22 December to 22 January. Further rewards include boosters, decals and 3D decorative items.

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 Adds Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 DLC Pack

2017/12/20
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Geek News, News, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 News, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

December 20, 2017 – Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today announced the release of a new downloadable content pack for LEGO® Marvel Super Heroes 2 featuring a level and characters inspired by Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. The pack, priced at $2.99, includes a thrilling new level, inspired by the unforgettable opening scene of the movie, where players battle a giant alien monster known as the Abilisk. The pack also adds playable characters Star-Lord (variant), Kraglin, Stakar Ogord, Tullk, Rocket (Ravager variant), and Ego, letting players utilize their unique special abilities as they face off against the diabolical, inter-dimensional creature.

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 is an all-new, epic adventure and sequel to the smash hit, LEGO Marvel Super Heroes. This original branching storyline, co-written by award-winning comics writer Kurt Busiek, transports players into a cosmic battle across a myriad of Marvel locations ripped from time and space into the incredible Open Hub World of Chronopolis. Packed with signature LEGO humor for fans of all ages, gamers will go head-to-head with the time-travelling Kang the Conqueror in this fun-filled journey spanning the Marvel Universe.

The Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 pack can be purchased separately or as part of the Season Pass which includes six Level Packs and four Character Packs. The Season Pass is available for $14.99 or as part of the LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 Deluxe Edition, which features the main game, access to the Classic Guardians of the Galaxy Character Pack, and an exclusive Giant-Man LEGO Minifigure (Minifigure only available in the physical version of the Deluxe Edition).

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 is available on PlayStation®4, Xbox One®, Nintendo Switch™, and Windows® PC.

Follow LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LEGOMarvelVideoGame

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LEGOMarvelGame

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/LEGOMarvelGame

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/LEGOMarvelVideoGame

Warhammer: Vermintide 2 Console Announcement

2017/12/19
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Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – DECEMBER 19, 2017. Independent developer Fatshark today announced that Warhammer: Vermintide 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the multi-million selling game Warhammer: End Times – Vermintide, is heading for Sony PlayStation 4™ and Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft.

“Although speculations have been correct all along, today we are happy to start talking more console specifics as the Xbox One and PlayStation versions have been confirmed” says Martin Wahlund, CEO of Fatshark.

Console Pre-Order will begin in 2018. The PC Pre-Order is live now: http://store.steampowered.com/app/552500/Warhammer_Vermintide_2/

Vermintide 2 is a visually stunning and ground breaking melee action game pushing the boundaries of the first person co-op genre. The game introduces the dark, bloody and twisted Chaos as an enemy faction. Other new features include 15 hero careers, new environments, talent trees and the proprietary Heroic Deeds System.

Beta Sign ups

For more information, visit http://www.vermintide.com/.

South Park: The Fractured But Whole Danger Deck DLC Launched

2017/12/19
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Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

SAN FRANCISCO — December 19, 2017 — Today, Ubisoft and South Park Digital Studios announced that South Park™: The Fractured But Whole™ Danger Deck add-on content is now available on PlayStation® 4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One and PC. From the creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and developed by Ubisoft San Francisco, Danger Deck adds a brand-new challenge arena to South Park: The Fractured But Whole. Danger Deck is available for the suggested retail price of $5.99 or as part of the season pass available for $29.99.

The challenging Danger Deck will teleport you to never-before-seen locations throughout South Park to engage in enemy encounters custom-crafted by the Freedom Pals. These increasingly difficult encounters will test the limits of any superhero. The combat will incorporate a variety of enemies from the game, such as the King Crab, Coked-Out Cops, Rebecca the Raisins Girl and Aunt Sheila. You’ll be rewarded with items and costumes that are also usable on alternate playthroughs of the game.

In addition to Danger Deck, the South Park: Fractured But Whole season pass will include the forthcoming add-on content From Dusk Till Casa Bonita, a new story where players team up with The Coon and Mysterion to defeat a demonic presence at Casa Bonita, as well as Bring the Crunch, which will introduce a new story and an all-new superhero class.

For more information about South Park: The Fractured But Whole, please visit southparkgame.com, and for the latest on all Ubisoft games, please visit news.ubisoft.com.

Shooty Fruity Launch Trailer

2017/12/19
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Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

Farnborough, UK. (December 19, 2017) — nDreams, the UK’s leading purveyor of virtual reality produce, has announced that Shooty Fruity is now ripe for consumption on PlayStation®VR, HTC Vive and Oculus Rift, priced at €19.99/$19.99/£15.99.  Designed from the ground up for VR and motion controllers, Shooty Fruity challenges players to scan, pack and serve across multiple jobs, all whilst firing stacks of guns at mutant fruit.

Featuring unique multi-tasking gameplay mechanics only possible on VR platforms, blast perilous pomegranates, bloody blueberries, savage strawberries, and more hilariously deadly fruit while doing your job.  Progress through your career from a produce scanning, pistol wielding inductee to a Gatling Gun-firing human blender!  Newly revealed content, hot off the Super Megamart conveyor, include the game’s third job role – Packing parcels in the warehouse – and the Slow-mo power up, which takes bullet-time combat to a new level of berry-bursting depravity.  In between the numerous shifts, new weapons can be purchased in the staff room, the game’s central hub where players can also customize and test their load out, including, automatic shotguns, rocket launchers and more, or check out their high scores on the leaderboard arcade machine.

You can check out the game and the newly revealed features in the launch trailer here:

“I must admit, nothing is more satisfying after braving the holiday crowds and queues than playing Shooty Fruity and unleashing my rocket launchers on bags of mutant fruit, splatting their overripe assets all over the place,” said Patrick O’Luanaigh, CEO/Store Manager at nDreams, “We can’t wait to see what new Shooty Fruity employees make of its unique blend of multi-tasking VR-only gameplay”.

You can sign up to your new job by purchasing the game at:

Epic Car Factory Trailer and Pre-Orders

2017/12/19
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Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

Wiesbaden, 18 December 2017 –  Assemble Entertainment announces the release of Epic Car Factory. The retro-styled business simulation is being developed by Epic Devs and will be released early 2018 at a price of €14.99 for PC, Mac and Linux (SteamOS) on digital portals such as Steam. Assemble also published a first trailer and starts the pre-order on Steam with a 15% discount!

Epic Car Factory lets you be the CEO of your very own car company. You are responsible for developing, building, and marketing vehicles for the world stage. Try to stay in the black while navigating the tumultuous market and striving to beat out the competition. To thrive you’ll need more than heart and determination. You’ll need to hire the right people, focus on the right projects, research the right parts, decide which customers to court, and make the tough calls. Your company will succeed or fail based on the choices you make!

Epic Car Factory is a grand business simulation game filled with…

  • Car Development (over 70 cars types to research)
  • Research (24 different parts with 5 quality levels)
  • Employees (over 40 possible employees, different professions and training options)
  • Contract Jobs (Dozens to help supplement your factories income)
  • Advertising and marketing (to help get the product to the buyer)
  • Random economic Events (Because the market is volatile)
  • Dynamic time control (Make every second count or skip ahead weeks)
  • And more!

Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville at Universal CityWalk NYE Celebration Announced

2017/12/19
Jennifer Paxton
Geek News, News

Universal City, CA, December 18, 2017 – It’s another day in paradise as Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville restaurant at Universal CityWalk rings in 2018 with its premier New Year’s Eve celebration featuring a telecast of Jimmy Buffett’s Nashville concert, live music, a buffet dinner, Margaritas and Caribbean themed party favors.

The party starts at 8:30 p.m. and will culminate with a midnight Margarita toast along with a live steel drum performance, a telecast of Jimmy Buffett’s New Year’s Eve concert, lots of dancing and an array of palate-pleasing dining options. Fun party favors, including straw hats, colorful leis and NYE themed noise makers, will add to the festivities as guests bid a fond farewell to 2017 and welcome 2018.

The festive evening will begin the moment guests enter Margaritaville where they will be greeted with a specialty “Who’s to Blame” Margarita and tray passed hors d’oeuvres, including Ahi Poke Nachos, Chicken Skewers and Chimichurri Carne Asada.  A full Caribbean themed dinner buffet featuring such favorites as Cheeseburger in Paradise sliders, Crab Cake Sliders, Sweet Chili Salmon and Guava Glazed Barbeque Chicken will complement the selection of mouth-watering desserts, including Banana Bread Pudding, Key Lime Pie and Warm Flourless Brownies.

For more information and to make reservations, guests can visit http://www.citywalkhollywood.com/MargaritavilleNYE. Space is limited and the New Year’s Eve festivities at Margaritaville will sell out.

Margaritaville is more than a restaurant, it’s a state of mind as the spirited new venue brings a seaside retreat to Universal CityWalk that continues to resonate as one of L.A.’s most influential lifestyle centers. Margaritaville is now open, serving lunch and dinner.

Margaritaville at Universal CityWalk Hollywood invites guests to escape the everyday as they dine in a casual environment amid palm trees, thatched enclaves, island music and surfboard tables and enjoy hand-crafted cocktails, live music and entertainment and signature dishes such as LandShark Lager Fish & Chips, Jimmy’s Jammin’ Jambalaya ®, Volcano Nachos or a Cheeseburger in Paradise ®. 

The venue’s expansive 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar located at the center of the restaurant offers a selection of refreshing specialty drinks, including the Who’s to Blame® Margarita or the 5 o’Clock Somewhere boat drink.

For over 20 years, Universal CityWalk has boosted the city’s rhythm through a foundation built on providing memorable entertainment experiences.  With a series of dramatic enhancements currently underway from new restaurants, shopping experiences and visually-aesthetic design features to its multi-million dollar Universal Cinema renovation, the spotlight shines brightly on CityWalk as it continues to invest in an ambitious revitalization and remain best in class.

This significant undertaking coincides with Universal Studios Hollywood’s recent epic transformation in which 75 percent of the world-class theme park was completely reimagined.

Introduced in 1993, CityWalk was constructed in collaboration with visionary architect Jon Jerde as the prototypical one-stop leisure destination that redefined the mall of yesteryear as a vibrant multi-sensory outdoor complex. With grand neon signs and larger-than-life decorative sculptures complimenting the diverse offerings, this whimsical street was reflective of L.A.’s eclectic landscape and distinguishing characteristics.

More information on Universal CityWalk is available at www.CityWalkHollywood.com or at http://www.citywalkhollywood.com/Dine/Casual-Dining/Jimmy-Buffett-s-Margaritaville/. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.

Margaritaville is a global lifestyle brand inspired by the lyrics and lifestyle of singer, songwriter and best-selling author Jimmy Buffett, whose songs evoke a passion for tropical escape and relaxation.

Margaritaville features ten destination resorts/hotels across the Southeast United States and Caribbean and 23 additional locations in active development, four gaming locations and more than 60 food and beverage locations including signature concepts such as Margaritaville Restaurant, award-winning JWB Prime Steak and Seafood, 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill and LandShark Bar & Grill. More than 15 million travelers every year change their latitude and attitude with a visit to a Margaritaville resort, residential real estate destination, vacation club, vacation home rental and restaurant.

Consumers can also escape everyday through a collection of Margaritaville lifestyle products including apparel for men and women, footwear, frozen concoction makers, home décor and more. Additionally, the brand’s food, beverage and spirits lines – including Margaritaville tequilas, rums, LandShark Lager – deliver authentic, tropical escapism to fans around the world. Margaritaville, a state of mind since 1977.

EVGA Unveils X299 DARK Motherboard

2017/12/18
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Hardware News, News

December 18th, 2017 – EVGA introduces you to the ultimate in raw performance for the next-gen Intel® Extreme lineup, the EVGA X299 Dark. The Dark is crafted from the ground up to be the performance apex with everything you need to make a record-breaking benching run or a 24/7 number cruncher, and nothing you don’t – a board that is as reliable as it is fast. The EVGA X299 Dark has all of the current gen top-tier component support, including:

  • 2x M.2 Key-M slots / 1x M.2 Key-E slot
  • Intel® Optane™ Memory Ready
  • 2x U.2 Ports
  • USB 3.1 Type-A / Type-C
  • Up to 64GB of 4000MHz+ (OC) Quad-Channel RAM on Skylake-X CPUs
  • Up to 32GB of 4133MHz+ (OC) Dual-Channel RAM on Kaby Lake-X CPUs
  • 2x Intel® GbE LAN with teaming support
  • EVGA’s Full Featured GUI UEFI/ BIOS
  • Legacy LGA20XX Socket Backplate for custom CPU cooling solutions (optional)

There is much to be said about a beautifully-engineered motherboard designed to handle the highest loads or the most extreme conditions, let alone the rigors and abuse constantly demanded by the best overclockers in the world and still look good doing it. This was achieved, in part, by using:

  • 12-Layer PCB
  • Highly-Efficient 16-Phase PWM
  • 100% Solid State Capacitors
  • 300% Higher Gold Content in CPU Socket
  • External BCLK / Clock Generators
  • 8 SATA Ports – 6 from Intel PCH / 2 from ASMedia ASM1061
  • Triple BIOS Select Switch
  • PCIe Disable Switches
  • ProbeIT Connector
  • PS/2 Port
  • Creative Core3D Audio
  • Intel® VROC Header

Although the X299 Dark does not feature RGB LED support, it politely reminds you that you can’t see pretty in the Dark. This board is engineered for the ultra-enthusiast, including these features:

  • Active PCH & M.2 cooling
  • 4-Way SLI Support
  • Multi-Function POST Indicator
  • Visual Guide / Bench table
  • PCIe / DIMM Status LEDs
  • Right Angle Power / Fan / and USB3.0 Headers

The X299 Dark proves once again that until you have used it, you don’t know the power of the Dark side of the EVGA motherboard lineup.

For more details, please see here:  https://www.evga.com/articles/01168/evga-x299-dark/

For Honor: Season 4 – Frost Wind Festival Launch Trailer

2017/12/18
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Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

SAN FRANCISCO — December 18, 2017 — Today, Ubisoft announced that For Honor will host a winter event, the Frost Wind Festival, across all available platforms from December 21, 2017 to January 4, 2018. During the event, players can participate in a new Brawl mode and loot exclusive winter-themed cosmetic gear.

Starting December 21, the Frost Winds will blow through the world of For Honor to bring forth an icy battlefield. Players will be able to access a new 2v2 Brawl mode, Ice Brawlers, where they will fight atop a lake of thin ice. As the battle continues, they must be wary of the cracking ice that will eventually lead them to an icy grave.

The Frost Wind Festival also brings winter-themed rewards that players can use to customize their heroes. Battle outfits, new weapons, mood effects, emotes, and more can be obtained by playing any game mode during the event. In addition, for a limited time, players can access a new Mask outfit, which are unique per faction, for a discounted price of 15,000 Steel per Hero. A bundle featuring winter-themed items, which will dynamically change based on owned items, will also be available for each Hero starting on December 28.

Developed by Ubisoft Montreal in collaboration with other Ubisoft studios,* For Honor offers an engaging campaign and thrilling multiplayer modes. Players embody warriors of the three Great Factions – the bold Knights, the brutal Vikings and the deadly Samurai – fighting to the death on intense and believable melee battlefields. The Art of Battle, the game’s innovative combat system, puts players in total control of their warriors, allowing them to utilize the unique skills and combat style of each hero to vanquish all enemies who stand in their way.

For more information about For Honor, please visit forhonorgame.com and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/ForHonorGame and on Twitter at twitter.com/ForHonorGame.

For the latest on For Honor and other Ubisoft games, please visit ubiblog.com.