City of Industry, Calif. – October 10, 2017 – MSI, a world leader in gaming hardware, today announces the availability of the Vortex G25 gaming desktop. First announced at Computex Taipei 2017, the Vortex G25 features an 8thgeneration i7 processor and up to a GTX 1070 graphics card in a 2.5-liter chassis.
The Vortex G25 adopts the latest Intel 8th Generation Core processor based on the new Z370 platform. The Core i7-8700 processor features six cores for 12-thread computing and can be overclocked from 3.2GHz to 4.3GHz (Multi-Core). The Vortex also includes MSI’s Cooler Boost Titan technology which consists of dual blade fans with eight heatpipes to ensure proper cooling of the CPU and GPU, ultimately resulting in a 30% performance gain over the last generation of processors.
The Vortex G25 was designed for portable and convenient VR experiences. The front panel has a power jack to power VR headsets, an HDMI port and two USB 3.0 ports. MSI’s Nahimic VR software optimizes performance and virtual surround sound to make virtual reality even more immersive.
Traditionally, desktop computers are imposing and bulky, but the Vortex manages to put desktop power into a compact and aesthetically appealing body. The Vortex is also easily upgradeable. It’s equipped with pull-ring slotted screws, providing an easy way to remove the top cover for upgrades. The dual NVMe M.2 SSD by PCIe Gen3 / SATA-SSD Combo slots, 2.5” hard drive and dual DDR4-2400 slots are all upgradeable.
The MSI Vortex G25 is available at Newegg, Gentech PC, Mobile Advance, Excaliber, Xotic and will be available at Amazon soon. The Vortex G25 8RE is available for $1,999 and the Vortex G25 8RD for $1,499.
Ridgewood, NJ, October 10, 2017 — Following on from the successful launch of Sudden Strike 4 on Windows, Linux, Mac and PlayStation®4, Kalypso Media is excited to reveal the first official DLC expansion for its WW2 strategy heavyweight. Sudden Strike 4: The Road to Dunkirk will launch for Windows PC, Linux, Mac and PlayStation®4 via digital distribution platforms on October 20. The DLC offers four new single player missions based around one of the most intense and dramatic conflicts in the entire war, as the Allied forces made a desperate bid to rescue British, French and Belgian troops trapped in the eponymous French town, surrounded by the German army with seemingly no hope for escape.
In the German side of the campaign, players must break through the French defenses in the Battle of Lille to capture the town of Dunkirk and ultimately hunt down and destroy a British battleship. In the Allied campaign, players will launch a counter-offensive during the Battle of Ypres-Comines and attempt to evacuate as many soldiers as possible during Operation Dynamo itself. To aid in the battle, players will have two new commanders to choose from: French war hero Charles de Gaulle and British Expeditionary Force division commander Harold Alexander, further adding to your strategic options for each mission.
Last but not least, Sudden Strike 4: Road to Dunkirk will also see the introduction of 10 all-new units for players to deploy, including the German SIG 33 Bison artillery, the French Char B1 heavy tank, the British A10 Cruiser Mk. II medium tank and destroyer HMS Ivanhoe.
Sudden Strike 4: Road to Dunkirk will be available as DLC for the Windows PC, Mac, Linux and PlayStation®4 versions of Sudden Strike 4 on October 20, 2017 2017 via digital distribution platforms for $9.99USD/£7.99GBP/€9.99EUR.
CALABASAS, Calif. –Oct. 10, 2017– Starbreeze, Lion game Lion and 505 Games today released their thrilling period first-person shooter RAID: World War II on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Xbox One in North America for $39.99. The action-packed game will arrive on consoles in Europe, the Middle East and Asia on Friday, Oct. 13. Players who purchase the game on console will receive an exclusive in-game Golden Leather Jacket for their characters.
RAID: World War II is a four-player FPS that combines exciting cooperative gameplay and stealth mechanics. RAID’s unique character classes, special hero abilities, customizable weapons and uniforms, and real-world war-torn locations bring this surreal conflict to life as players fight for their freedom against the dastardly Nazi regime through sabotage, robbery and assassination. Four prisoners of war, freed by an ominous secret British intelligence officer named “Mrs. White,” must band together to take down Hitler and his Third Reich once and for all.
Players will utilize key game features to save Europe from the Nazi threat and get rich, including:
Class-based Gameplay – Choose from four different classes – Recon, Assault, Insurgent or Demolitions – each with their own highly developed skill tree that allows for various play styles;
War Cries – Each character class can unleash their own powerful War Cry to buff themselves or the entire team;
Character Customization – RAID’s four heroes represent the main combatants from the European theater of WWII: Great Britain, the USA, Germany and the Soviet Union. Each character possesses a unique look and customizable uniform;
Lethal Weapon Modifications – The Second World War was infamous for arming the world with experimental weapons that went “bang” in deadly fashion. RAID: World War II gives players access to an array of precision killing machines complete with upgrades like custom barrels, stocks, fore grips, optic sights and much more to satisfy a variety of tastes;
Operations Mode – Play through extended versions of your favorite missions with the “Operations” gameplay mode. Operations challenges players through a chained series of highly modified raids, featuring new storylines and added content and objectives;
Challenge Cards – By participating and completing successful raids, players will earn Challenge Cards that allow them to customize the rules of a raid in a give-and-take fashion. For example, enemy ammo drops will increase, providing players with more ammunition to hold enemies at bay; however, the damage inflicted by enemies will be greater;
Real-world Locations – Travel through real-world locations across war-torn Europe. From the mighty flak towers dominating the heart of Berlin to the idyllic bridge over the Elbe, players will bring destruction to the Nazis in every corner of Hitler’s Reich.
RAID: World War II is rated M (Mature) by the ESRB and PEGI 18. Follow the game on the web, Twitter and Facebook for more updates!
Burbank, Calif. – October 10, 2017 – Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today announced that Middle-earth: Shadow of War™, the epic follow-up to the award-winning Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor™, is available now for Xbox One, Windows 10 PC (Windows Store), Steam, PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®4 Pro. Xbox One X enhancements will be available timed to the launch of the console on November 7. Developed by Monolith Productions, Middle-earth: Shadow of War expands upon the studio’s innovative Nemesis System, which allows players to create and experience a personalized world that is unique to every gameplay session.
Middle-earth: Shadow of War continues the original narrative of Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, winner of more than 50 industry awards, with the return of Talion and Celebrimbor, known as the Bright Lord, who must forge a new Ring of Power and confront the deadliest of enemies, including Sauron and his Nazgûl, in a monumental battle for Middle-earth. This open world action role-playing game (RPG) is fueled by the Nemesis System, which now introduces Orc Followers who bring about entirely new stories of loyalty, betrayal and revenge, as well as the addition of massive Nemesis Fortresses, which require different strategies to conquer dynamic strongholds and create personalized worlds with more choices and opportunities than ever before.
“With Middle-earth: Shadow of War, Monolith Productions has advanced its innovative artificial intelligence technology, that is their Nemesis System from Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, to create a gameplay experience unlike any other,” said David Haddad, President, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “Players of Middle-earth: Shadow of War will encounter a totally personalized world that remembers their every move, which, along with a compelling story, should greatly please fans and new players.”
“We worked incredibly hard to massively expand Middle-earth: Shadow of War in every dimension, including the open world, the story, the RPG systems, the core gameplay and of course the personal player stories created through the expanded Nemesis System,” said Michael de Plater, Vice President, Creative, Monolith Productions. “As lifelong fans of all things Middle-earth, we are so grateful to have the privilege to bring to life the most incredible fantasy world ever, reimagined in a fresh way for fans and newcomers. We can’t wait to see the amazing stories players are going to create and share once they experience all that Middle-earth: Shadow of War has to offer.”
Players can experience the vast open world in a host of ways to create unique personal stories. With new and improved melee, stealth and ranged combat, expanded skills and the new Ring of Power, gamers can harness the power of the Bright Lord to dominate Mordor from within. Players will encounter new and familiar allies in their quest, including Eltariel, the elite Nazgûl hunter; Baranor, the Captain of Minas Ithil; Carnán, the mysterious spirit of nature and iconic characters such as Shelob and Gollum. Alongside these allies they will face an incredible diversity of deadly foes, including Orcs, Olog-hai, monstrous beasts, the ancient Balrog Tar Goroth, fire breathing drakes, the Nazgûl and ultimately the Dark Lord, Sauron himself.
Set between the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, Middle-earth: Shadow of War features a rich ecosystem of missions, exploration and a robust Orc society with diverse Orc cultures. Orcs enemies now belong to tribes, which extend their influence stemming from the Overlords ruling the mighty fortresses spread throughout the distinctive environments. Through Orc Followers and Nemesis Fortresses, players now have entirely new ways to experience the world, due to the choices and opportunities provided by the expanded Nemesis System. Whether spared, scarred, recruited or shamed, every Orc encounter will be remembered and help fuel the dynamics of society and conflict within Mordor, all brought to life by the innovative Nemesis System.
The Middle-earth: Shadow of War Standard Edition includes the main game and is available for $59.99. Also available now is the Middle-earth: Shadow of War Silver, Gold and Mithril Edition. The Middle-earth: Shadow of War Silver Edition is available for $79.99 and provides access to the Slaughter Tribe Nemesis Expansion, Outlaw Tribe Nemesis Expansion, Silver War Chest and main game. The Middle-earth: Shadow of War Gold Edition is available for $99.99 and provides access to the Slaughter Tribe Nemesis Expansion, Outlaw Tribe Nemesis Expansion, The Blade of Galadriel Story Expansion, The Desolation of Mordor Story Expansion, Gold War Chest, exclusive SteelBook® (physical editions only) and main game. The Middle-earth: Shadow of War Mithril Edition provides access to the Slaughter Tribe Nemesis Expansion, Outlaw Tribe Nemesis Expansion, The Blade of Galadriel Story Expansion, The Desolation of Mordor Story Expansion, limited edition 15 inch Tar-Goroth Balrog vs. Carnán Drake statue, collection of original lithographs, premium case with magnetic Ring, exclusive SteelBook®, official game music soundtrack, cloth map of Mordor, Gold War Chest, Mithril War Chest and main game, all for $299.99. The Mithril Edition is extremely limited worldwide. Interested parties should check with their local retailers regarding availability.
Players can also experience the Middle-earth: Shadow of War mobile game, available now as a free download on the App Store for iPhone and iPad and on Google Play for Android devices. Co-created by IUGO Mobile Entertainment, Monolith Productions and WB Games San Francisco, Middle-earth: Shadow of War mobile is an epic free-to-play strategy RPG that continues Talion’s journey through Mordor and unites Middle-earth’s greatest Champions together with the fiercest of Orcs in a quest to defeat the Dark Lord, Sauron.
For the latest information or to join the Middle-earth: Shadow of War conversation, visit us on Twitter (@ShadowofWarGame), Facebook (@ShadowofWarGame), Instagram (@ShadowofWarGame), YouTube (ShadowofWarGame), Twitch (MonolithLive), official forums (ShadowOfWar) or the official website (www.ShadowofWar.com).
STOCKHOLM – 10 October 2017 – His most grand and royal eminence, the Emperor of China, has sent an ambassador with intelligence on what to expect once you make his acquaintance in Crusader Kings II: Jade Dragon. In a new feature video from Paradox Development Studio, Henrik Fahraeus, the Game Director for Crusader Kings II goes through some of the changes and new systems coming in Jade Dragon, the newest update to Paradox’s best-selling medieval strategy game.
Jade Dragon expands on Crusader Kings II by introducing the power of a meddling foreign emperor, whose great energies cannot be contained in China alone. Can you channel this imperial ambition to bolster your own kingdom? Maybe you will become strong enough to claim the Middle Kingdom for your own dynasty.
Paradox has also announced that Jade Dragon will be sold for a suggested retail price of $14.99. The expansion will be available later this fall.
This week, Magic: The Gathering – the world’s leading strategy game which is enjoyed my millions – has revealed a brand new logo and redesign (as seen below).
The rebrand is in anticipation of Magic’s larger 25th Anniversary celebration, next year, which will switch focus from reflecting on the highlights of the past to an introduction of the bold steps planned for the future.
You can learn more by reading the story behind the rebrand/redesign here.
LONG BEACH, Calif., (Oct. 9, 2017) –The Queen Mary, dubbed one of the top 10 most haunted places on Earth by Time Magazine, is pleased to unveil the newly-intensified and re-inspired Ghost and Legends, opening to the public on Friday, October 20. Offered year-round, thrill seekers and scare enthusiasts are invited to board the haunted RMS Queen Mary to test their fears in the world’s largest interactive and fully immersive haunted attraction. Experience the spirit legends of the Queen Mary first-hand with all-new special effects, cutting-edge technology and, of course, the chance to encounter paranormal activity for a one-of-a-kind, spine-chilling, fun time.
“The new Ghosts and Legends offers guests an entirely different level of the traditional haunted experience. We crafted terrifying original stories and characters based the ship’s well-known paranormal tales and hot-spots onboard the Queen Mary to create a truly thrilling, immersive, and unique encounter,” said Brian Luallen, Director of Entertainment Events, The Queen Mary.
The reimagined Ghost and Legends elevates scares with innovative interactive technology and special effects including a tesla coil firing 3.4 million volt bolts of lightning at a frightfully intimate distance, massive water effects, fog projections with state of the art CGI specters, and a hand-held ghost tracking tablet given to select attendees for the tour. To further enhance the frights, tour groups will also be given a flashlight to guide their way through the dimly lit attraction. Thrill-seekers beware – the flashlights will be controlled by the twisted minds of the Ghost and Legends producers!
Ghost and Legends haunted experience aboard the Queen Mary will open on Friday, October 20 at 11 a.m. The year-round attraction will be open daily and runs every 30 minutes starting at 11 a.m., accommodating up to 30 guests per experience. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for children and are available at http://www.queenmary.com/tickets/. For more information, including hours or to purchase tickets online, please visit queenmary.com
Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor has pulled into port for yet another Halloween. With six returning mazes alongside the all-new “Feast” haunted house, does Dark Harbor 2017 sink or swim? Read ahead for our thoughts.
Entering Dark Harbor we headed straight towards the dome, excited to experience Circus, a favorite from past years. This brought us to the first notable change to this year’s event- The dome is closed off. Last year you could find Circus and Intrepid housed inside; This year they are out in the open. This is a welcome change as it condenses the event and kills off some of the more desolate open areas they’ve had in the past, making it feel a little less like you’re hanging out in the Queen Mary’s parking lot.
Wanting to give the sun a chance to go down before experiencing the more exposed attractions, we first headed into the ship itself. The design team at Dark Harbor has made wise use of the Queen Mary’s reputation as a haunted landmark, and uses its more notably reported spirits as the basis for attractions. First up was the returning story of Scary Mary in the maze Lullaby.
Lullaby is just as strong as ever this year. Telling the story of a young girl who drowned in the ship’s pool long ago, Lullaby’s talent delivered on all fronts. From priests in the opening moments of the maze sharing prayers at the girl’s funeral to the nannies watching over her in the afterlife and Mary herself, we were taunted nonstop by talent using creative dialogue and excellent teamwork in their scares. Lullaby also benefits from a redesigned layout this year, bringing guests down to ground level with the infamous swimming pool instead of keeping them above on the balcony as in previous years.
Following Lullaby we ventured into the all new maze Feast. Telling the story of the ship’s cook who was brutally murdered, locked in his own oven, Feast will ring familiar to fans of mazes like Slaughterhouse or Red Barn at Knott’s and Texas Chainsaw Massacre at Universal as guests are captured and prepared as the night’s meal. That’s about all it does, however. Our time in Feast was spent walking through rooms that were lit a little too well to experience a maze that was ultimately derivative of attractions we’ve seen elsewhere. Notable, though, was our first experience of the night with a bar inside a maze. After being treated to the first few rooms of the maze, guests have the opportunity to stop and order a drink before moving along. The room itself looked like it may hold no more than ~20 people, and that’s not counting the line snaking through to continue into the maze. I’m not sure how this will play out on a busy night but it was already a bit troubling even considering we were there for a media event with much lighter crowds.
Once the sun was down we headed outside for the cooler air of the mazes on dry land: Circus, Intrepid, and Deadrise.
Circus is deceptively long this year. From above it seems to have a very small footprint but make no mistake, this maze snakes back and forth for maximum effort, tightly winding in and around itself. Circus features largely the same gimmicks as last year save for a much more hidden bar than Feast. Keep your eyes peeled for a hidden door and ask nicely when you find it, you may be treated to an exclusive speakeasy where you can see stage acts perform and scare guests remotely from an arcade cabinet (that didn’t seem to be working on our trip through.) Circus is also home to a mirror maze that I got lost in for quite a while, making for a nauseating limbo. Kudos, Circus.
Deadrise is largely the same as it ever has been, you’ll either love or hate its aggressive sounds and water cannons.
Intrepid is a marked improvement over last year. Last year Intrepid felt half finished. It was a dark maze full of bare walls and confused talent. This year its moved to the previous location of mazes like Village of the Damned and Voodoo, even reusing some of their sets to great effect. Whereas last year you found yourself aboard a haunted train and little else, this year the train takes you to various foreign lands (including Castle Greyskull, apparently.) The variety really helps to mix up the flat tone of last year’s maze and Intrepid found itself home to one of our favorite scares this year. There is a room in the latter half full of fog and lasers and the monsters on opening night used it to great effect to seemingly appear and disappear in front of our eyes. Hopefully they can keep up this energy throughout the rest of the season as it was one of the few times a more stoic member of our group ended up shaken by a scare.
Rounding out the night were U340 and Soulmate back on board the ship. The only change between either of them this year is a flipping of Soulmate’s layout. Soulmate sends you through in the opposite direction from past incarnations of the maze and it suffers for it. It may not seem like all that big of an issue until you realize that Soulmate used to end in a larger room simulating a ballroom dance floor. This was a great finale using multiple mannequins and talent and this year you are simply dumped out into a hallway. Other than that disappointment, Soulmate and U340 are the same strong mazes they’ve been in the past.
Overall, Dark Harbor was a fun experience. There are some nitpicks I have logistically, such as overpriced flat soda and poor line control practices, but we were there for a preview event. I’m sure things will smooth out as the year goes on. Is it worth your money? If you’ve been in the last year or two I doubt you’ll see anything all that new. If you’re looking at a busy Haunt season and money is tight, maybe wait a year and let it refresh a little more for yourself. I’ve gone every year for quite a while and it can get a bit monotonous without things changing in a more exciting way year to year. But, if you’ve never been or you’re a true Dark Harbor fan, I have no doubt that you’ll love your time at the Queen Mary this October.
Quick takes:
Lullaby: Stronger than ever in its third year. A+
Feast: Weakest of the bunch. Bland and derivative. D
Circus: A mirror maze from hell and great use of the “secret bar.” A
Intrepid: A much needed facelift over last year. B
Soulmate: Backwards layout ruined a fantastic finale room from previous years. B
Deadrise: Loud and wet. C
U340: Still an entertainingly claustrophobic experience. B
SAN FRANCISCO — October 9, 2017 — Today, Ubisoft® announced that Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon® Wildlands will offer a free weekend on PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One and Windows PC from October 12–15. In addition to having full access to the base game’s content, new players will get the chance to experience Ghost War, the new free PvP update for Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands, which will be available as a free update on all available platforms starting tomorrow, October 10.
New players will be able to pre-load the game starting today, October 9 on Uplay PC. In conjunction with this free weekend, there will be 50% discount on all editions of the game. Players who purchase the full game will see all their progress carry over from the free weekend. Please visit www.ghostrecon.com/freeweekend to register, pre-load the game on PC and get all detailed information about the free weekend.
Ghost War is a 4-versus-4 team deathmatch experience that builds on the tactical squad play from the main game, where strategy is equally as important as skill. Using one of the 12 distinct classes, each with their own varied characteristics, weapons, perks and customization options, players will engage with enemies across eight unique maps. Ghost War also integrates new PvP mechanics, including suppressing fire and sound markers, to create a strategic and intense team-based multiplayer mode.
Additionally, the development team is planning to expand the PvP experience by adding new classes, new maps and new modes over the next few months, while continuously working on balancing and quality of life updates. All new maps and modes will be free for all players. All new classes will be unlocked with Prestige Credits gained through progression and available free with a one-week early access for all Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands Season Pass owners.
Developed by Ubisoft Paris*, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands is a military shooter entirely playable in up to 4-player co-op or single-player from beginning to the end. Players have total freedom of choice to accomplish their missions how they want and watch as the world reacts to their actions. Players can choose to move quietly in the night, go in hot at dawn, or work together to execute a sync shot that takes out enemies in one fell swoop. Each choice has a consequence, and players must improvise or adapt their plans to ensure the completion and success of each mission.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. (October 8, 2017)—Lucasfilm announced today that the trailer for Star Wars: The Last Jedi will debut on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” on Monday, October 9, during halftime of the National Football League (NFL) game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears in Chicago. The game starts at 5:15 p.m. PDT/8:15 p.m. EDT.
Following the trailer launch, tickets to the highly anticipated cinematic event will be on sale everywhere movie tickets are sold.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi opens in U.S. theaters on December 15.
The MSI Vortex G25 is available at Newegg, Gentech PC, Mobile Advance, Excaliber, Xotic and will be available at Amazon soon. The Vortex G25 8RE is available for $1,999 and the Vortex G25 8RD for $1,499.
