Archive - 2017

Police Simulator: Law Enforcement becomes Police Simulator 18

2017/06/27
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

Moenchengladbach/Germany, June 27,  2017 – Dazzling blue lights, high-speed emergency drives and exciting investigative work: Last August publisher astragon Entertainment and Portuguese developer Big Moon Interactive first announced a new police simulation game, which will let players experience the exciting day-to-day policework of a real US police officer, under the working title Police Simulator – Law Enforcement. Today, astragon is very happy to show some first screenshots of the game which will be released as Police Simulator 18 in retail and as digital download at the end of 2017.

In Police Simulator 18 the player will slip into the role of a real US police officer – either male or female – and discover the interesting challenges and varied tasks that lie waiting for him in the streets of the sprawling US city of Loston Bay. The player can choose to go on patrol through three different city districts either alone in the game’s single player mode or together with a friend in the cooperative two-person multiplayer mode. The extremely expansive –  and thanks to the use of the Unreal® Engine 4 very lifelike – metropolis can be freely explored by the player either on foot or in one of three distinct patrol cars.

In addition to these police cars with their fully functional cockpits the virtual cop will of course also be able to use a broad range of authentic police equipment such as safety vests, handcuffs, flashlights, firearms and more.

Police Simulator 18 will be released for PC at the end of 2017. More information about the game will be coming soon.

Further information about the development of Police Simulator 18 will also be available on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/PoliceSimulator18/

GORN Gets VR Early Access Date

2017/06/26
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

SOUTH AFRICA – Prolific independent developer Free Lives (Broforce, Genital Jousting) and game label Devolver Digital have announced a blood oath partnership on GORN, the highly anticipated VR gladiator simulator, with plans to release the game on Vive via Steam Early Access on July 10 [http://www.gornvr.com].

GORN is a ludicrously violent VR gladiator simulator, made by Free Lives, the developers of Broforce and Genital Jousting. Featuring a unique, fully physics driven combat engine, GORN combatants will be able to creatively execute their most violent gladiatorial fantasies in virtual reality. Savagely strike down an infinite supply of poorly-animated opponents with all manner of weapons – from swords, maces, and bows to nunchuks, throwing knives, massive two-handed warhammers or even your blood-soaked bare hands. The only limits to the carnage are your imagination and decency, in the most brutal and savage VR face-smashing game ever produced by man.

“The Devolver Digital VR Division spent over a half million dollars to research what consumers wanted in a next generation virtual reality experience and the results were unanimous – they want to rip off someone’s arm and then beat that someone to death with said arm,” said Devolver Digital CFO Fork Parker.

For more information on GORN visit gornvr.com and follow @Free_Lives on Twitter.

ScareLA Announces Exhibitors and Attractions for 2017

2017/06/26
boothby
Geek News, Halloween, News

LOS ANGELES, CA – June 26, 2017 – Delivering on its commitment to offer bigger and better scares, ScareLA, the first Halloween convention of its kind will count with a substantial array of curated and unique exhibits showcasing scary goods and services at the Los Angeles Convention Center on August 5-6. Exhibits will include returning favorites Funeral Classics, Characters Unlimited, Reign of Terror, terrifying escape rooms, music and family-friendly activities and an all-new exhibit from Starburns Industries.

Monsters can look forward to:

  • Funeral classics will be displaying a Jack Pierce/James Whale Frankenstein Prop head at their booth.
  • Characters Unlimited will be featuring their specialized and affordable designs for life-sized talking characters.
  • Reign of Terror will have a frightening photo op for all attendees.
  • 60out Escape Rooms, Cross Roads Escape Games, and PuzzleMazement will offer terrifying escape rooms that will test the cleverness and agility of all monsters!
  • The best in Halloween music, including LA Fear, Nox Arcana – William Piotrowski and The Rhythm Coffin-Monster Rock n’ Roll.
  • Family-friendly exhibitors including, Broken Oar Productions, featuring “Monster Elementary”, an all-ages comedy adventure graphic novel series created by Nicholas Doan and Caanan Grall.
  • With many more monstrous exhibits and attractions to raise the Halloween spirit!

For the first time ever at ScareLA, production company, Starburn Industries (“HarmonQuest”, “Great Minds with Dan Harmon”, “Community”) will feature a dedicated booth where they will create a thrilling exhibit that will incorporate the cutting-edge technology that has elevated them to industry leaders, including stop motion and 2G/CG animation.

Tickets for the convention are still available for purchase, but all monsters must act now before quantities die out!

For more information, visit www.scarela.com.

Nickelodeon Unveils San Diego Comic-Con Plans for 2017

2017/06/26
boothby
Geek News, News, SDCC

BURBANK, Calif.–June 26, 2017—Nickelodeon will immerse fans in three decades-worth of iconic characters and shows as it brings Rocko’s Modern Life, Hey Arnold!, SpongeBob SquarePants and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to life at Comic-Con International: San Diego 2017. From a 23-foot-tall pineapple under the sea to O-Town, Hillwood and the sewers of NYC, Nick will showcase its fan-favorite characters and popular shows with one-of-a-kind activations, panels, talent signings and interactive experiences.

Every day of the convention, Nickelodeon’s booth (#4113) will feature: a 23-foot-tall pineapple, housing an interactive gaming experience, allowing fans to literally step inside the world of SpongeBob SquarePants; a life-size replica of Helga’s shrine from Hey Arnold!; a retail area featuring a custom t-shirt station and one-of-a-kind, exclusive collectibles; costumed-character appearances; and autograph signings with the voice casts and creators from Rocko’s Modern Life, Hey Arnold!, SpongeBob SquarePants andTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Nick animation creators Butch Hartman (The Fairly OddParents), Chris Savino (The Loud House) and Billy Lopez (Welcome to the Wayne), and more.

Nickelodeon also will present four panels during the convention: Rocko’s Modern Life: Return to Earth!, a reunion with the original voice actors and sneak peek at the upcoming TV special; Hey Arnold!: From Hillwood to the Jungle!, celebrating the return of the beloved characters in the upcoming TV movie with past and present casts and a live musical performance; Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, a dive into the thrilling story arcs in season five; and SpongeBob SquarePants: The Legend of Boo-kini Bottom, a behind-the-scenes look at the new stop-motion Halloween special, along with a live table read of a classic episode picked by fans via social media.

The following is the full rundown of Nickelodeon’s activations:

 

PANELS

  • Rocko’s Modern Life: Return to Earth!

Thursday, July 20: Fans will be shouting, “Oh my!” and “SPUNKYYY!,” when Nickelodeon’s beloved and wacky series Rocko’s Modern Life lands in San Diego. Original show creator Joe Murray, Cosmo Segurson(director) and the voice cast of O-Town’s popular residents–Carlos Alazraqui (Rocko), Tom Kenny (Heffer), Mr. Lawrence (Filburt), Charlie Adler (Mr. Big Head and Mrs. Big Head)–will dive deep into the lore of this animated classic and what to expect from Rocko’s return to the TV screen, including an exclusive sneak peek at the special.  The panel will be moderated by Marc Snetiker (Entertainment Weekly).

  • Hey Arnold!: From Hillwood to the Jungle!

Friday, July 21: Rejoice in the return of Arnold, Gerald, Helga and all of the Hillwood neighbors, with the series’ classic voice actors Lane Toran (Arnold), Jamil Walker Smith (Gerald), Francesca Marie Smith(Helga), and Anndi McAfee (Phoebe) and the new generation of talent featured in the upcoming TV movie–Mason Vale Cotton (Arnold) and Benjamin “Lil’ P-Nut” Flores, Jr. (Gerald). This panel will also feature a live musical performance by composer Jim Lang and an introduction to never-before-seen footage of the TV movie by show creator Craig Bartlett. The panel will be moderated by Marc Snetiker (Entertainment Weekly).

  • Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Friday, July 21: Executive producer Ciro Nieli will explore the thrilling story arcs and give fans an inside look at season five of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  Joining the discussion are legendary creators and collaboratorsKevin Eastman and Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo), as well as the talented voice cast from the series: Sean Astin (Raphael), Rob Paulsen (Donatello), Greg Cipes (Michelangelo), and Eric Bauza (Tiger Claw).  The panel will be moderated by Andre Meadows (Black Nerd Comedy)

  • SpongeBob SquarePants: The Legend of Boo-kini Bottom

Saturday, July 22: Celebrate Halloween in July as Vincent Waller (supervising producer), Marc Ceccarelli (supervising producer) and Mr. Lawrence (story editor, voice of Plankton) are joined by Chris Finnegan,Seamus Walsh and Mark Caballero (Screen Novelties) to share behind-the-scenes footage from the upcoming SpongeBob SquarePants stop-motion special. Plus, see panelists Tom Kenny (SpongeBob), Bill Fagerbakke(Patrick), Rodger Bumpass (Squidward) and Carolyn Lawrence (Sandy) do a live table read of a fan-picked classic Halloween episode and also be on the lookout for a special appearance by one of Bikini Bottom’s spookiest citizens. The panel will be moderated by Claudia Spinelli (Executive in Charge, SpongeBob SquarePants, Nickelodeon).

DAILY BOOTH ACTIVITY

  • SpongeBob Pineapple Experience: Attendees can step inside this 23-foot, larger-than-life pineapple straight from Bikini Bottom and immerse themselves inside the world of SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or The Loud House for an interactive game and video capture experience.
  • Customized T-Shirt Station: Set against a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles New York cityscape, fans can purchase a t-shirt from the retail shop and customize it on the spot with characters and art from their choice of seven fan-favorite Nick shows: SpongeBob SquarePants, TMNT, Hey Arnold!, Rocko’s Modern Life, The Loud House, Rugrats and Danny Phantom.
  • Hey Arnold! Photo Opp. featuring Helga’s Shrine: Fans can take photos with Arnold and Gerald, plus visit a replica of Helga’s shrine and have the opportunity to see their Hey Arnold! social media content appear in the shrine’s real-time feed.
  • Autograph Signings: Signing opportunities with Nickelodeon talent include: SpongeBob SquarePants voice talent; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles voice talent and executive producers; Hey Arnold!: The Jungle Movievoice talent and creator; Rocko’s Modern Life: Static Cling voice talent and creator; and Nick’s current series creators and executive producers Butch Hartman (Bunsen is a Beast), Chris Savino (The Loud House) andBilly Lopez (Welcome to the Wayne).
  • Costumed-Character Appearances: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; SpongeBob SquarePants and friends Patrick Star, Sandy Cheeks, Squidward Tentacles; and Saban’s Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Power Rangers Ninja Steel will make appearances at Nick’s booth at select times during the convention.
  • Retail: Attendees can purchase Comic-Con exclusive figures and collectibles, the summer edition of the Nick Box, t-shirts and more.
  • Giveaways:  Enter for a chance to win special prizes over the course of the convention.

E3 2017 Photo Gallery

2017/06/26
Jerry Paxton
E3, Geek News, News, Screenshots / Photos

Another E3 Expo has come and gone and, with it, all those great geeky moments! This year’s E3 Expo was slightly more chaotic, with the addition of 15,000 public passes sold for the event. The idea is interesting, but did not help me at all in covering it as it just crowded up the exhibit halls. I hope that, if they sell public passes next year, they make them one day only and for Thursday (or add Friday) as a public-specific day. But, I digress… Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo all had their wares on display while, once again, Electronic Arts hosted their own event some distance away from the convention center. I hope they just come back to the show next year – it makes things so much easier having it all in one place. Ubisoft wowed us once again with their upcoming South Park: The Fractured But Whole and we were blown away by Multiverse’s Seeking Dawn and THQ Nordic’s ELEX. I got my taste of a VR flight simulation with DCS F/A-18C and also enjoyed checking out some playtime with Activision’s Call of Duty: WWII. Overall, it was a great show!

Photo Gallery

Secret World Legends Launch Trailer

2017/06/26
boothby
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

OSLO, Norway – June 26, 2017 – Are you ready to discover the deepest, darkest and most shocking secrets of our world? The time is now! Today Funcom officially launched the shared-world RPG Secret World Legends™, and the game is available fully free-to-play via www.secretworldlegends.com on Windows PC. Reimagined and reborn from Funcom’s acclaimed massively multiplayer online game The Secret World, Secret World Legends features well over 100 hours of story-driven content that can be explored in entirety either alone, with a group of friends, or with strangers you meet in the online world.

“From the ambitious scale of its storytelling to the quality of quest design and voice acting, Secret World Legends delivers an experience unlike any other you can find in gaming,” says Executive Producer Scott Junior at Funcom. “It’s a captivating journey into the unknown with an adult setting and tone perfect for fans of deep, rewarding RPGs. And if you want, you can experience all of it with friends and strangers in this huge online world we’ve built. Or you can go at it alone – it’s completely up to you.”

Secret World Legends revamps the core gameplay experience to be more accessible to both newcomers and long-time fans, introducing stronger progression structures, streamlined quest flow, and improved visuals and UI. Combat is more dynamic than ever, redesigned from traditional MMO-style tab targeting to a more modern action-driven reticle system, and each of the game’s nine weapon types have been reengineered with new mechanics to offer a unique feel in battle.

Set within a dark and mature story universe, Secret World Legends plunges players into a sweeping adventure into the supernatural underbelly of myths and legends that exists in the shadows of our own realm. Travel the globe in pursuit of mysterious forces threatening the world, using your wits and abilities to solve complex investigations and uncover the truth. The developers will be continuing to add content and new storylines going forward, finally allowing them to bring the story of The Secret World forward in new, exciting directions. Secret World Legends is currently available on www.secretworldlegends.com, and will also launch on Steam on July 31.

For more information on Secret World Legends, including a detailed breakdown of the game’s features, visit www.secretworldlegends.com.

Arizona Sunshine PSVR Launch Trailer

2017/06/26
boothby
Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos

Rotterdam, NL – June 26, 2017: Vertigo Games and Jaywalkers Interactive are proud to announce that Arizona Sunshine, the award-winning and popular zombie VR FPS, will be available for PlayStation®VR in the PlayStation®Store from tomorrow, June 27, 2017. The PS VR version takes advantage of the PS4™ Pro with enhanced visuals and includes a challenging additional game mode designed for use with the PS VR aim controller.

Watch the PS VR launch trailer here:

To celebrate the much-anticipated PS VR launch, the Arizona Sunshine Launch Edition will be on offer for a limited time only. From launch day through July 4, 2017, it will be available at 10% discount and comes with an exclusive Arizona Sunshine PS4™ theme.

On PlayStation®VR, explore Arizona Sunshine‘s post-apocalyptic VR world using teleportation or locomotion (free) movement with any controller, and opt for optimal immersion with the PS VR aim controller or two PlayStation®Move motion controllers to dual-wield your weapons and handle your gear and consumables with real-life movements.

Arizona Sunshine was released on PC on December 6th, 2016 and went on to earn sales of more than $1.4m in its first month of release. It was awarded UploadVR’s VR Game of the Year 2016.

Arizona Sunshine will be available tomorrow June 27, 2017 in the PlayStation®Store for PlayStation®VR on PS4™ and PS4™Pro.

For more news about Arizona Sunshine, find us on Facebook and Twitter or visit www.arizona-sunshine.com.

F1 2017 to Feature Classic Williams Cars

2017/06/23
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Tech News, Trailers / Videos, Xbox One News

Larkspur, Calif. – June 23, 2017 – Williams has become the latest team to have iconic cars recreated in F1™ 2017, the official videogame of the 2017 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™. Codemasters® and Deep Silver have today released a brand new trailer showcasing the two classic Williams cars, including one that was previously unannounced. The video can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaD4PEdXHmI. Further classic cars will be unveiled in the coming weeks.

F1 2017 features a deep career mode, numerous multiplayer enhancements, and a brand new ‘Championships’ game mode as well as the return of classic cars. Both the 1992 Williams FW14B and the 1996 Williams FW18 will be playable in F1 2017 when it releases on PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One, the all-in-one entertainment system by Microsoft, and Windows PC via Steam worldwide this summer on August 25.

1992 Williams FW14B – Driven by Nigel Mansell and Riccardo Patrese during the 1992 Formula 1™ season, the FW14B was the dominant car in which Mansell won the Drivers’ Championship, with a then record breaking nine wins in the season.

1996 Williams FW18 – The most successful car of the 1996 season, winning 12 of the 16 races, with Damon Hill triumphing eight times to Jacques Villeneuve’s four, winning Hill the Drivers’ Championship title, and Williams the Constructors’ Championship.

Claire Williams, deputy team principal, Williams Racing said, “The FW14B is one of our most iconic cars and one of my personal favorites. With Nigel Mansell behind the wheel, it was a force to be reckoned with and provided one of our greatest eras as a team in Formula One. The FW18 of 1996 is statistically our most successful ever car, winning 12 out of 16 races, six of which were one-two finishes, on our way to securing the Constructors’ title. We are delighted that these cars are being included in this year’s new F1 game for 2017. It is a special year for us as we celebrate our 40th anniversary, so a perfect moment to celebrate two cars that we are so proud of at Williams. We hope that gamers will love driving them as they remember some great moments from the history of our sport.”

Follow Codemasters F1 games blog (http://blog.codemasters.com/f1/) and social channels on Twitter (@codemasters) and Facebook ( www.facebook.com/codemasters) for future news, YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/user/formula1game) for video content, and visit the product website for additional information (www.codemasters.com.) Further details will be released on the upcoming game soon.

The eight Classic F1 cars revealed to date are listed below, with four still be announced in the coming weeks:

  • 1988 McLaren MP4/4
  • 1992 Williams FW14B
  • 1995 Ferrari 412 T2
  • 1996 Williams FW18
  • 2002 Ferrari F2002
  • 2004 Ferrari F2004
  • 2007 Ferrari F2007
  • 2010 Red Bull Racing RB6

The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle Starts Tonight

2017/06/23
boothby
Geek News, News

Universal City, CA, June 23, 2017 – Beginning this evening, guests are invited to see “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” in a whole new light when Universal Studios Hollywood debuts its all-new “The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle,” featuring a dazzling light projection experience against the backdrop of Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

As night falls on Hogsmeade village, “The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle” will shine brightly with an awe-inspiring spectacle that showcases the four houses of Hogwarts: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin and culminates with awesome beams of lights that fan into the night sky.

The colorful state-of-the-art light display and special effects projection, designed to dance across the stunning Hogwarts castle, will be accompanied by a special musical arrangement created by Academy Award-winning composer John Williams based on his original scores composed for the film series. The musical arrangement that will emanate in a surround sound environment was conducted by prolific arranger William Ross and recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra in London.

“The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle” will take place multiple times a night during its summertime run.

Inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters that were brought to life in the Warner Bros. films, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” at Universal Studios Hollywood is a masterful recreation, faithful to the visual landscape of the fiction and films, including as its iconic focal point, Hogwarts castle.

From its snow-capped roofs and cobblestone streets to the historic British sensibilities that characterize the whimsical look and feel of the land, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” transports guests of all ages to the very places they watched on the silver screen.

The architecturally stunning land also includes the incredibly captivating and highly acclaimed “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” thrill ride, now enhanced with 4K-HD and ride film projecting at an astounding rate of 120 frames-per-second for an even more immersive glimpse into Harry Potter’s world, as well as “Flight of the Hippogriff™,” Universal Studios Hollywood’s first outdoor family coaster.

“The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” resonates with immense detail, inviting guests to revel in J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World with the opportunity to enjoy authentic food and beverages at multiple locations, including Three Broomsticks™ and Hog’s Head pub, as well as the Magic Neep and Butterbeer™ carts.

A foray through the shops adds to the authenticity of the land with eight retail venues and locations, including Honeydukes™, Ollivanders™, Owl Post™, Zonko’s™ Joke Shop, Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, Dervish and Banges™, Gladrags Wizardwear and Filch’s Emporium™ of Confiscated Goods.

More information is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com. Join the conversation online using #WizardingWorldHollywood. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.

Farming Simulator 17 Platinum Edition Announced

2017/06/23
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Screenshots / Photos, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

Farming Simulator 17 Platinum Edition will release on November 14 and promises to be the most complete experience for Farming Simulator players. In addition to the huge content brought by Farming Simulator 17, the Platinum Expansion will offer a load of new features enriching the gaming experience on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC/Mac.

With the Platinum Expansion, discover a new South American playground, and its authentic landscapes, unique vegetation, railway network, local cows and sugar cane fields offering a total change of scenery and more gameplay possibilities! Enjoy even more choice in how you want to develop your farming enterprise, assugar cane is added to the existing variety of crop types waiting to be harvested by the CASE IH A8800 MR sugar cane harvester. In addition to this machine from CASE IH Austoft®, world leader in cane-harvesting technology, famous brands from South America, Poland and Australia have also been added, including Stara, Doble TT, Bizon and Gessner Industries for the first time in the series, bringing the number of vehicles and tools present in the game to over 275 authentic farming vehicles and equipment from more than 80 manufacturers!


To enjoy this new content on PC and consoles, you have multiple solutions:

  • For PC/Mac players of Farming Simulator 17, the Platinum Expansion will be available on November 14 in retail stores (PC) and for download (PC/Mac), adding this new content to your game. If you’re a new PC/Mac player, it will also be available as a full Farming Simulator 17 Platinum Edition game, available in a boxed version (PC) and for download (PC/Mac).
  • PS4 and Xbox One players of Farming Simulator 17 will be able to download the Platinum Expansion from their consoles from November 14. Seasons Pass owners will be able to download the Platinum Expansion from their consoles, as part of the Seasons Pass content. If you’re a new PS4 and Xbox One player, it will also be available as a full Farming Simulator 17 Platinum Edition game.

Farming Simulator 17 Platinum Edition, and the Platinum Expansion will be available November 14th2017 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC/Mac.