Author - Jerry Paxton

Elite: Dangerous Enters Premium Beta 2 with Trailer

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Cambridge, UK, 24th June 2014 – Frontier Developments plc (AIM:  FDEV), the leading independent game developer with studios in Cambridge, UK and Halifax, Nova Scotia, today released Elite: Dangerous Premium Beta 2.

The Premium Beta phase of development of Frontier’s epic multiplayer space game Elite: Dangerous continues with Premium Beta 2. There are significant improvements in many different areas, with major highlights being:

  • Three new star systems are available to explore and trade within, Aulin, LHS 3006 and Styx.
  • Giant Orbis class starports have been added, which are complex 8km diameter structures, larger and more luxurious than Coriolis star ports.
  • A new space ship type, the Hauler, is the first flyable Zorgon Peterson ship to be added.  It’s an entry-level trading ship, to follow on from the Sidewinder. It has four times the cargo capacity of the Eagle, the entry-level combat ship,
  • Additional language support has been added, with German as the first such language to be added to English.
  • A high resolution screen capture facility has been added (capturing at four times the current screen resolution)
  • Improved functionality in the installer, giving incremental updates going forwards.
  • Improved performance.

New video of the Orbis here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex2nGIvbiVI

“Feedback from Premium Beta 1 has been really helpful. We are continuing to refine endless details in addition to the ‘headline’ changes, and so Premium Beta 2 is another great step towards Beta.” said Frontier’s CEO David Braben.

You can play Elite: Dangerous  now via: Premium Beta.

The Elite: Dangerous Standard Beta is available to pre-order here.

The retail version of Elite: Dangerous is available to pre-order here.

Those who have already pre-ordered Standard Beta or the retail version can upgrade to Premium Beta and start playing Elite: Dangerous today.

Knott’s Scary Farm 2014 Dates Announced

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BUENA PARK, Calif. (June, 2014) – Knott’s Scary Farm, the largest, most haunted experience in Southern California, returns for 24 horrifying nights September 25 – November 1 and features the return of Elvira, the legendary Mistress of the Dark, endless horrifying mazes, and a thousand monsters lurking in the fog.

Event dates are: September 25, 26, 27, October 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31 & Nov. 1.  Knott’s Scary Farm is open from 7pm until 1am Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and until 2am Fridays and Saturdays.  Killer deals will be available later this summer when tickets go on-sale.

Back by overwhelming demand, Elvira, the legendary Mistress of the Dark, will headline the 1,800 seat Ghoul Time Theater twice nightly through the entire run of Scary Farm.  Elvira’s all-new show will feature her signature blend of comedy and sass, along with singing, dancing, and explosive special effects!

Elvira’s reign as the “Queen of Halloween” began in 1981 when she became the hostess of the local Southern California television show “Movie Macabre,” and went on to become the most widely recognized horror host in history.  In 1982 she became the Knott’s Scary Farm headliner, following in the footsteps of Sinister Seymour and Wolfman Jack.  Elvira again returned to Knott’s Scary Farm in 2013 to overwhelming demand for her smash show, Elvira’s Sinema Séance.

Also returning in 2014 are the terrifying secrets behind the locked doors in Skeleton Key Rooms.  First introduced in 2013, Fright Lane with Skeleton Key offers front-of-line access to all mazes and unlocks unnerving terrors in exclusive scenes in select mazes.  This year, Knott’s Scary Farm Skeleton Key rooms will be entirely new and more frighteningly interactive than ever.  Also new this year is the collectible keychain that commemorates your harrowing journey through the Skeleton Key rooms (while supplies last).  Fright Lane with Skeleton Key will go on sale with Knott’s Scary Farm tickets later this summer, and join the conversation using #ScaryFarm.

For more hair-raising information on the 2014 Knott’s Scary Farm terrifying event visit the website or stay tuned to the Knott’s Scary Farm Facebook page.

Metro Redux Release Date

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Deep Silver has announced that Metro Redux will be released on August 26, 2014 – and will include both remastered versions of Metro 2033 and Metro: Last Light.

About Metro Redux

Deep Silver today confirms that Metro Redux will hit stores on August 26th in North America. The boxed copy of Metro Redux contains remastered versions of both Metro 2033 and Metro: Last Light, with all previously released add-on content. Both campaigns can be tackled in ‘Spartan’ or ‘Survival’ play styles, and the legendary Ranger Mode is also included in both games. Metro 2033 Redux and Metro: Last Light Redux are also available separately as digital download only.

MSI Teams Up with iBuyPower for Customized Gaming Notebooks

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City of Industry, Calif. – June 24, 2014 – MSI Computer Corp, a leading manufacturer of computer hardware products and solutions, announces the immediate availability of customizable gaming notebooks via iBUYPOWER’s Optiboost program.  Current customizable models include the GP60 and GP70 Leopard, GT70 Dominator and GT70 Dominator Pro, and the GE70 Apache Pro.

Designed to offer a new level of personalization, iBUYPOWER’s Optiboost program allows users to configure their system by upgrading its processor, memory, video card, hard drives, optical drives and wireless adapters.  It also allows users to personalize the gaming laptop with a selection of operating systems, software choices and peripherals.

“Individuality is a big part of the mobile gaming experience and MSI is confident that iBUYPOWER’s Optiboost program will deliver the ideal combination of customized performance and value,” said Andy Tung, President of MSI Pan America.  “We are making mobile gaming personal again.”

“MSI and iBUYPOWER gives gamers a level of high performance never seen before,” stated Darren Su, vice president of iBUYPOWER.  “The ability to customize, delivered with exceptional price-performance value, means users will receive their gaming notebooks the way they like it.”

For more information about MSI’s selection of gaming laptops, including full specs and high resolution images, please visit www.msimobile.comusgaming.msi.com. For more information about iBUYPOWER’s OptiBoost program with MSI, please visit http://www.ibuypower.com/Product/MSI.

Cris Velasco Returns to CoH2 for Expansion Score

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Los Angeles (June 24, 2014) – Award-winning composer Cris Velasco provides the original score for Relic Entertainment’s Company of Heroes™ 2: The Western Front Armies. Depicting some of the most high-profile conflicts in the darkest days of World War II, Company of Heroes 2: The Western Front Armies brings players back to the Western Front first introduced in the original award-winning Company of Heroes™. Velasco’s main theme for The Western Front Armies was recorded with the Capellen Orchestra and is available for streaming at https://soundcloud.com/monarch-audio.

“Cris Velasco has written an inspired score for Company of Heroes 2: The Western Front Armies,” said Relic Entertainment Audio Lead David Renn. “The theme song, recorded live by the Capellen Orchestra, conveys the tragedy, heroism, and tenacity of the American forces as they fought the resurgent Oberkommando West in the last major offensive against the Allies in 1944. The score perfectly captures the scale and importance of this ferocious battle and evokes those feelings in both the quiet and intense moments of gameplay.”

A prolific and versatile composer, Cris Velasco has become one of the most sought-after composers in interactive entertainment, scoring many major titles including Company of Heroes 2, Mass Effect 3, God of War Trilogy, Darksiders and Borderlands 1&2. Velasco’s music is performed in symphony concerts worldwide and has received numerous accolades including “Best Original Score” from the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences, “Best Original Music” nomination from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, NBC News’ “Best Video Game Music of the Year,” GameTrailers’ “Best Soundtrack of the Year” and IGN’s “People’s Choice Award – Best Overall Music.”

Company of Heroes 2: The Western Front Armies is the first standalone multiplayer release for Company of Heroes 2. The Western Front Armies introduces two unique collections of new content – the US Forces and the German Oberkommando West. Each army has distinctive tactical gameplay options, new infantry, team weapons, vehicles, abilities and upgrades on a total of eight seasonal multiplayer maps set on the Western Front. The Western Front Armies also includes an extended progression system that introduces other unique content into the game and enables players to dive deeper into the tactical and strategic aspects of the game than ever before.

The Western Front Armies launches on June 24, 2014. Each individual army will also be available as a standalone purchase via digital download, providing new players with a minimal entry point into the massive Company of Heroes 2 multiplayer community. For more information visit http://www.companyofheroes.com.

The Settlers – Kingdoms of Anteria Announced

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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – June 23, 2014 – Today Ubisoft announced that its Blue Byte® studio is developing The Settlers – Kingdoms of Anteria, the latest installment in the world-famous building strategy franchise, which will be released in 2014.

“By reinventing our approach to the franchise, The Settlers – Kingdoms of Anteria offers players a brand new experience full of new possibilities to explore,” said Christopher Schmitz, Director of Product Development at Blue Byte. “Without a doubt, this is the most innovative Settlers’ game we have ever created.”

To get a glimpse at the future of The Settlers’ franchise have a look at the first video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNljxdmtNYQ.

Stay informed about The Settlers – Kingdoms of Anteria by signing up at http://www.thesettlers.com/.

BRAVEN Releases Rugged BRV-BANK Backup Battery

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Provo, Utah – June 23, 2014 – BRAVEN announces the immediate availability of the BRV-BANK, the world’s smartest and first Bluetooth® Smart-enabled, rugged portable backup battery with 6,000mAh of power.  The IPX5 water-resistant and shockproof BRV-Bank transforms into the ultimate outdoor companion through its proprietary app and rugged USB flashlight, and quickly charges even the most energy demanding tablets, smartphones, GPS or GoPro cameras with two USB outputs and a combined output of 3.4A.

BRAVEN’s BRV-BANK can be remotely controlled through its Remote Battery Monitor App, which offers users the ability to locate the Battery Bank, monitor its power levels, individually turn on and off each port to conserve power, and activate its two additional features: Bear Mode and S.O.S.  The Bear Mode activates your smartphone’s motion sensor, sending signals to the bank to sound an alarm and activate the connected USB flashlight when your phone is moved. Turning on the S.O.S. mode activates the universal distress signal by sending a visual morse code for “S.O.S.” using the connected USB flashlight.

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“The BRV-BANK is designed for outdoor enthusiasts and should be inside every backpack or emergency preparedness kit,” says Andy Fathollahi, Chief Executive.  “It has the power to charge all of your devices and the toughness and features to withstand anything Mother Nature throws at it.”

The BRV-BANK comes with a variety of accessories, including a reinforced lanyard for hanging and easy carrying, a ruggedized microUSB cable for worry-free charging under the harshest conditions, and a convenient USB flashlight.  BRAVEN’s Remote Battery Monitor App can be downloaded on the App Store and on Google Play.

The ideal companion for all outdoor adventures, the 6,000mAh BRV-BANK can fully charge most smartphones three or 4 times and is now available for $129.99.

For more information about the BRV- BANK or the entire line of BRAVEN Bluetooth speakers, visit www.braven.com.  Visit our YouTube page to see the BRAVEN speakers in action.

Hellraid: The Escape iOS Launch Date

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Warsaw, Poland – June 23, 2014 — Techland and Shortbreak Studios are pleased to announce that their latest mobile title Hellraid: The Escape will be released on Apple devices on July 10, 2014. Due to its high-quality visuals, the game will only be compatible with iPad 2 & newer, iPhone 4S & newer, and iPod Touch 5th Generation.

Hellraid: The Escape is an adventure game set in the dark fantasy universe of Techland’s Hellraid for PC and consoles. Players are trapped in a magic prison having only their cunning as their weapon. As every riddle in the game is unique, their attempt to escape will not only put their puzzle-solving skills to the test, but also challenge their reflexes and quick thinking.

Built using the latest version of the Unreal® Engine 3 technology,Hellraid: The Escape stands out among other mobile games offering stunning visuals of PC and console quality.

Hellraid: The Escape is a Universal App that includes no in-app purchases or pay-to-win elements and will be expanded with free updates in the future.

For more information about the game please visit escape.hellraid.com.