Archive - 2017

Divinity: Original Sin 2 Unveils its Undead Character Fane

GHENT, Belgium – Aug. 31, 2017 –  Larian Studios has today announced Fane, the sixth and final origin character in Divinity: Original Sin 2. Fane is undead, the final playable faction in the game, and appears as a ghoulish skeleton to the denizens of the world of Rivellon. Undead characters are much more than spooky skeletons, however, and include some fundamentally different gameplay mechanics in Divinity: Original Sin 2.

Larian Studios has also today unveiled full details on the Divinity: Original Sin 2 Collector’s Edition. One thousand units of the Collector’s Edition are now available for $169 on a completely new and revamped Divinity: Original Sin 2 website, including an all new online shop, at shop.larian.game. The Collector’s Edition includes:

  • A Steam key for Divinity: Original Sin 2
  • Box featuring art of each of the four major races of Rivellon
  • A combination velvet-lined dice tray and Dungeon Master’s Screen, featuring art of the Mask of the Shapeshifter on the outside, and the Hall of Echoes on the interior
  • A 10.2-inch figurine of Fane, featuring interchangeable skull head and rotating Mask of the Shapeshifter
  • A Chronicles of Reaper’s Coast lorebook
  • A Compendium of Riveollonian Artwork art book
  • Color printed map of Reaper’s Coast
  • Full Divinity: Original Sin 2 instruction manual

For a first look at the Collector’s Edition and Fane, check out a new Kickstarter update video at https://youtu.be/7B5rJ_VG7Lw.

Players of Divinity: Original Sin 2 can create their own custom undead characters as well, and can choose which race their character belonged to prior to their death. This means that players can choose from undead Human, undead Dwarf, undead Elf, or undead Lizard character models. Customer undead characters have the unique undead racial abilities and traits, not the traits of the race the character once lived as. When an undead character hides his face with a simple hood, citizens of Rivellon will perceive the character as it’s former living race.

Fane was an eager and ambitious scholar entombed by his elders for pursuing forbidden knowledge, and has emerged after centuries of isolation into a very different world than the one he left. Fane enters a Rivellon that fears the site of a fully animated skeleton strolling through town – when he reveals his true form people will flee in fear or attempt to fight him. He and other Eternal characters must disguise themselves with a magical item called the Mask of the Shapeshifter.

Creating the mask comes at a gruesome cost – a fresh corpse is needed and the face must be ripped from it. Once crafted, the Mask of the Shapeshifter allows undead characters to don the appearance and unique racial abilities of any other race in the game. For example, Fane can shift to a Dwarf for better prices from a Dwarven merchant, or shift to an Elf to dine on a corpse and learn their memories with the Elven racial ability Corpse Eater. Multiple masks can be made, and they can even be used by other living characters to disguise themselves as other races, allowing them to approach situations in new ways. If players decide to create their own character, or just play a different origin story, Fane will still appear in the game, where he can be recruited as a companion.

Fane and his origin story are the product of a collaboration between the Larian Studios writing team and famed RPG game writer Chris Avellone. The inclusion of the undead race were part of a stretch goal during Divinity: Original Sin 2’s Kickstarter campaign.

The first act of Divinity: Original Sin 2 is now available on Steam Early Access at http://store.steampowered.com/app/435150/. Download today or wait until launch for the full and final version on September 14th!

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Destiny 2 Live Action Trailer

August 31, 2017 – Activision, Bungie, 72andSunny, RSA Films, and Framestore have come together to create a blockbuster live-action trailer for the global launch celebration of Destiny 2, a first-person action game, and the evolution of its award winning, internationally acclaimed predecessor, Destiny.

The two-minute live-action spot, “New Legends Will Rise,” depicts Destiny 2’s heroic character, Cayde-6, as he rallies three Guardians into a battle to defend Earth against the invading Red Legion. The spot is directed by Kong: Skull Island Director, Jordan Vogt-Roberts, and set to ‘Sabotage’ by Beastie Boys.

Destiny 2 is available worldwide on Sept. 6 for PlayStation®4, Xbox One, and Oct. 24 on PC and as the first non-Blizzard game to be offered digitally via Battle.net®, Blizzard Entertainment’s online gaming service

  • The 60-second “New Legends Will Rise” live action film debuts on network television, Saturday, Sept. 2, in the Epic College Football Match Up between the University of Alabama and Florida State University.

Aquanox: Deep Descent Gameplay Trailer

Vienna/Austria, Novi Sad/Serbia, August 31, 2017: Aquanox: Deep Descent’s new single and multiplayer demo was shown to press and consumers last week at gamescom in Cologne. Following the great reception it received, THQ Nordic and Digital Arrow are proud to present the gamescom gameplay trailer.

he atmospheric trailer begins by showcasing the oppressive and gloomy feel of the cold post-apocalyptic underwater world, accompanied by a minimal soundtrack, before launching into some exciting action scenes. By the end of the trailer, you will also get a glimpse of something that looks like a giant underwater creature – maybe a nod to some epic Pacific Rim-style monster fights coming in the future?

To learn more about Aquanox: Deep Descent visit our website: http://www.aquanox.com/ and follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AquaNoxOfficial/

Aquanox: Deep Descent will be available on PC, PlayStation™4 and Xbox One.

JAWS Pinball Trailer

August 31, 2017 – Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water…take on the terrifying great white shark in Jaws™ Pinball! Based on the blockbuster film, this virtual pinball experience lets you relive your favorite moments with a gameplay twist. Turn the tides by playing as the shark in several game modes or start modes based on select movie scenes!

Jaws™ Pinball will release in the upcoming Universal Classics™ Pinball collection for Pinball FX3 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC, and for Zen Pinball on iOS, Google Play and Mac. The collection also includes tables based on Back to the Future™ and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial™

Jaws Pinball Table Features:

  • Find and defeat the great white shark threatening Amity Island in Quint’s Main Modes!
  • Terrorize Amity Island’s local residents and visiting tourists in the Jaws Main Modes!
  • Keep the ball in play during the Raging Sea mode as the table becomes unsteady and the sea takes control!
  • Start different multiballs, play fast-paced frenzy modes and max out your score!
  • Set sail as night falls or navigate just before sunset!

Six Flags Great Adventure Unveils CYBORG Cyber Spin for 2018

JACKSON, N.J. — August 31, 2017 — Six Flags Great Adventure, in partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, on behalf of DC Entertainment, today announced that it will premiere the world’s first thrill ride themed to the DC Super Hero CYBORG in 2018. Inspired by the movement of a gyroscope, CYBORG Cyber Spin will deliver an unrelenting and intense anti-gravity experience as it whirls guests on three axes high above the ground.

“Six Flags leads the industry in thrill ride innovation; it is part of our DNA,” said Park President Neal Thurman. ”Six Flags Great Adventure is home to an unparalleled collection of record-breaking attractions and we are excited to be adding CYBORG Cyber Spin, the first of its kind in North America. Like the Super Hero CYBORG of the JUSTICE LEAGUE, this futuristic, hi-tech ride will be unlike anything our guests have ever seen or experienced before and it is the perfect new thrill ride to expand our new Metropolis section.”

CYBORG Cyber Spin features a unique futuristic triple box design that allows the gondola to spin around three separate axes while rotating forward, backwards and sideways simultaneously at up to 70 feet in the air for intense and continuous movement. Seated 24 across with over-the-shoulder harnesses, riders will experience a thrilling combination of negative and positive gravitational forces. By night—this bold, new attraction promises to light up the New Jersey skies beckoning thrill seekers from near and far.

CYBORG Cyber Spin highlights include:

  • Unpredictable flips and pivots at heights up to seven stories (70 feet) above the ground;
  • Floorless seats that leave riders’ feet dangling as they whirl through the air;
  • Dazzling nighttime light display; and
  • Located in Metropolis adjacent to JUSTICE LEAGUE: Battle for Metropolis.

CYBORG Cyber Spin is expected to debut in late spring of 2018. For more information about next season at Six Flags Great Adventure, visit https://www.sixflags.com/greatadventure/newfor2018

Six Flags Great Adventure is also announcing the start of 2018 Season Pass sales with its special Flash Sale through Labor Day weekend featuring the best deal of the year—savings up to 70% on a 2018 Pass.

August 31 through Sept. 4, guests will receive a free upgrade to a Gold Season Pass with every Pass purchased. Gold Season Passes include admission to both Six Flags Great Adventure and Hurricane Harbor, and any other Six Flags theme park, as well as free parking and special admission offers for friends.

2018 Season Passes provide unlimited visits any operating day for the rest of 2017 (including park admission to Fright Fest® and Holiday in the Park®), and all of 2018. Pass holders may also purchase a Premium Season Dining Pass, which includes a lunch, dinner, and snack during every park visit, plus they will receive a 2018 All Season Drink Bottle for unlimited drink refills.Premium Season Dining Passes may be used at any Six Flags theme park.

COMET TV Announces Godzilla Labor Day 2017 Marathon

COMET is showing a GODZILLA MOVIE MARATHON LABOR DAY MONDAY SEPTEMBER 4!

COMET is a new free network dedicated to science fiction programming. We are available on television, online at CometTV.com and on our free app on ROKU and APPLE TV. COMET offers a range of sci-fi movies, from cult classics to blockbusters, popular TV series and unique programming events.

Watch COMET and Space Out.

Storm King Comics Heading to Long Beach Comic Con

(Hollywood, CA-August 30th, 2017) Award winning comic publisher Storm King Comics announced it’s convention plans for the upcoming Long Beach Comic Con which runs  September 2nd-3rd in Long Beach, CA. Key talent behind John Carpenter’s Tales of Science Fiction: Vault, Co- Creator Sandy King and Writer James Ninness will be signing copies of both current issues of the three issue ongoing anthology series at booth 512. From Vault commemorative buttons to a panel where Sandy King will be speaking, Storm King Comics booth is the place to be this weekend.

Each $1 button purchase at the Storm King Comics booth  gets you entered into a MYSTERY BOX raffle. 4 buttons to choose from and each MYSTERY BOX includes over $50 of goods, some signed by the creators.  Sign up for the Storm King mailing list and get a FREE entry into the raffle. A few lucky winners will walk away with products signed by John Carpenter himself. Drawings occur once a day so make sure and stop by at the show so you don’t miss out!

Interested in learning where Sandy King and other writers come up with their ideas? Make sure and attend Writers’ Room: Where do Storytellers Come From? Four writers with very different career paths share their origins and discuss their newest projects.  They include writer/producer Sandy King Carpenter, animation and comics writer Adam Beechen, actor/novelist Neo Edmund, and comics and video game writer Tony Bedard tell their stories. Panel will take place at The Bridge on Saturday Sept 2nd from 4:30-5:30pm

Unable to make it to either show? No comic shops or shows near you? Visit http://www.stormkingproductionsstore.com/ for the finest in Storm King Productions products!

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GameStop Expo 2017 Post-Mortem

I get the chance to cover a lot of the gaming conventions that roll into Las Vegas and I love the GameStop Expo. In many ways, it is like a mini-E3!  It has many of the same photo op pieces such as the Mario “Capo” tank, Pickachu, Spiderman, Iron Man, and Freddy from 5 Nights At Freddy (it must have been about 10 feet tall).  There were lots of celebrities to get pictures with like Gary Payton, Alexa Bliss, Kirk Angle, and even a wandering Pickachu.  There was a surprisingly small contingency of cosplayers until I found out what other cons were happening this week and which ones were coming up (it has AX in it).

For a long while, the GameStop Expo was an industry-only event for GameStop employees. Now, however, it is open to the public and they even sell a VIP pass that garners the attendee a sweet swag bag. Of course, a huge draw for the convention was getting the chance to play demo builds of games that are not out yet: The Evil Within 2, Vampyr, the latest Super Mario Bros., Star Wars Battlefront 2, and a lot more. Speaking of Battlefront 2, that demo station had a never ending line that had to be cut off before the end of the day, it’s going to be a VERY popular title.  The Nintendo Switch was there for display and Nintendo of America reps were there to answer my questions. Considering how many controllers I have mastered over the years, the Switch Joy Con controllers will take a little while to “get”. The simple fact that moving the controller and splitting it in half was introduced it shouldn’t be that hard but I was instantly struggling, I think I almost caused the Nintendo rep teaching me to use them to have a breakdown – Sorry, Nintendo rep!

Those who are really in the know of this particular event go and check the GameStop mini stores built into the expo floor and the benefits room.  They look like GameStop shops but all the inventory is either drastically discounted, rare to find or, in some cases, both.  I missed a big one and saw just about everyone walking around with a Disney Treasures boxes clutch tightly to them so I couldn’t even see in the bags. They had $2 shirts, $5 hoodies and their wall of shirts that would be between $15-$20 in the stores were all $10.  Those who were seeking out rare Funko Pop! Vinyls figures needed to just keep checking back throughout the day to see what new stock came out, we got a few hard to find horror ones that showed up midday and were gone in minutes.

There were a couple vendor aisles which I don’t remember from two years ago when it was last in Las Vegas, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t there.  Also, it felt like there weren’t as many booths as in previous years but that is possible that I am remembering when it was last here it was for employees so lines were shorter and smaller crowds make a place feel bigger.  Either way I highly recommend going to the GameStop Expo and am anxiously awaiting its return!

Photo Gallery

H1Z1: King of the Kill Update Adds Tons of New Content

SAN DIEGO – Aug. 30, 2017 – Daybreak Games has released its largest update of the year for the massive arena shooter H1Z1®: King of the Kill®. The update introduces a new weapon — the Hellfire 4-6 submachine gun — and revamps the game’s core mechanics and gunplay to provide players with the best combat experience yet.

The Combat Update further increases the pace and action of H1Z1 by simplifying navigation mechanics, improving combat mechanics and weapon roles, and more. Highlights include:

  • New Weapon: Players now have the option to spray down opponents with the fast-firing Hellfire 4-6 submachine gun, which was designed for close-quarter fights.
  • Intuitive Gunplay: All guns have been rebalanced to give each weapon a distinct play style and have been modernized with improved weapon ballistics, hitmarkers, recoil and animation for better proficiency and precision.
  • Dynamic Cameras: The camera system has been improved to better showcase characters and make it easier to move and loot around the world.
  • New POIs: Five new points of interest have been added to increase variety in fights and to the map: East Valley Shopping Center, Harris County Fairgrounds, CWP Water Treatment Authority, CWP Utilities Compound 62, and a remade Sunny Pines residential area.
  • Improved Navigation: The compass has been updated to ease navigation through the world, including the ability to place a waypoint marker on the map.
  • And More: Various world systems improvements have been implemented, the ability to shred footwear has been added, bleed mechanics have been simplified, and throwables have been upgraded to be more efficient to use and equip.

The Combat Update also introduces a new Skirmish mode, Weapon Roulette. In Weapon Roulette, players start the match with a random gun equipped with infinite ammo with no other guns or ammo spawned into the map to loot. At certain population thresholds during the match, all players will have their current weapon replaced with a new weapon and ammo at random.

The Combat Update is another major step in realizing the game’s vision, which was outlined in H1Z1 General Manager Anthony Castoro’s recent letter to the community: https://www.h1z1.com/king-of-the-kill/news/producers-letter-combat-update-test-august-29.

For a complete list of patch notes for the Combat Update, visit: https://www.h1z1.com/king-of-the-kill/update-notes/combat-update-live-patch-notes-august-2017.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus – Blitzmensch TV Clip

August 30, 2017 – In the world of Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, the TV show Blitzmensch subverts the heroic American archetype and twists it into propaganda to fit the needs of the Nazi regime. Blitzmensch might be masquerading as family-friendly fun, but it won’t fool the resistance, which B.J. Blazkowicz is rallying to repel the repulsive Nazis from his homeland. Watch this episode of Blitzmensch, plucked straight from the world of Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus.

Blitzmensch Description

Holterdiepolter! It’s official – Blitzmensch is a blast! General Engel’s favorite TV show is getting bigger and better each year! Päng! Blitzmensch and his partner Fräulein Fox save the world from capitalism, communism, and degenerates every day in this amazing show celebrating die Überlegenheit – the superiority – of the Reich and the Aryan race. Ach, nee! Who will be this week’s baddie? The evil Money Grubber? The notorious Proletariat-Man? The vicious Mr. Yankee Monkey? Don’t miss a single episode of Blitzmensch!

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus releases October 27 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC.