Author - Jerry Paxton

The Next Great Starship Competition Announced for Star Citizen

2013/10/11

AUSTIN, TEXAS, October 11, 2013 — Legendary computer game designer Chris Roberts and his company, Cloud Imperium™ Games (CIG), have announced yet another way for fans of Star Citizen™ to be involved directly in the development of the highly anticipated space sim. The Next Great Starship™ is a modding competition for teams to design, model and rig a spaceship that will be integrated into Star Citizen. Teams of up to three people are eligible to enter the competition which carries a grand prize of $30,000. Sponsors for the competition include Alienware, AMD, Autodesk, Crytek, Cologne Game Lab, Wacom and YouTube. The contest was officially unveiled last night at the one year anniversary celebration for Star Citizen in Austin.

Teams can register for The Next Great Starship October 31 through December 31. A preliminary challenge involves the making of a fully designed wave particle cannon, submitted via a YouTube video to a nine member judging panel including Chris Roberts and other members of the CIG design and art team, Crytek and even some to-be-named celebrity judges. Those initial entries will be narrowed down to a final 16 and one of the 16 will be voted on by Star Citizen backers. Then those 16 teams will embark on making their Starship entries. Beginning January 31, 2014, episodes of The Next Great Starship will air once a week on the Roberts Space Industries™ (RSI)YouTube channel with each team providing a work in progress update to the judging panel. Judges will eliminate teams down to a final two which will compete live in front of the judging panel and the community during the final episode that takes place June 8 in Los Angeles.

“Our fans have been clamoring for a way to get even more involved in the making of Star Citizen and I think we’ve found the ideal solution,” said Chris Roberts. “What better way to become part of the game than to create a spaceship that you and your friends can actually fly and take into battle. The winners of this contest will have to travel through an amazing process to get to the end, but there will be no doubt after navigating the weeks and months of tough competition that these three individuals will deserve the crown as designers of The Next Great Starship.”

Prizes:

GRAND PRIZE: $30,000 in cash for the team members. Your Great Starship is included in Star Citizen and each member of your team receives the first production models off the press! As well as Autodesk Entertainment Creation Suite, Maya Premium and one high-end AMD based system with Radeon R9 290X (for each team member)
SECOND PLACE: $10,000 in cash for the team members. Alienware laptop, Autodesk Maya 2014, AMD Radeon R9 290X (for each team member)
THIRD PLACE: $5,000 in cash for the team members. Autodesk Maya LT, AMD Radeon R9 290X (for each team member)
SPECIALTY PRIZE: (to the most valuable player out of the remaining contestants among the final three teams voted on by the judging panel): One Cintiq Companion, the new Windows 8 “Make the World your Studio” tablet from Wacom
FINALIST TEAMS 4 THROUGH 16: $250 in RSI Credits (non-transferable/non-refundable)

For more information about The Next Great Starship and to enter the competition (beginning October 31) please go to www.RobertsSpaceIndustries.com.

Star Citizen is a crowd funded game that officially launched on October 10 of 2012. Since that time Roberts’ company has raised more than $21 million from backers all over the world making Star Citizen the top ranking crowd funded project ever.

Competition Video

Blood Bowl 2 First Screenshots

2013/10/11

Jerry Paxton

News, Screenshots / Photos, Windows PC News

October 11, 2013 — Blood Bowl 2, the sequel to the video game adaptation of Games Workshop’s famous board game that combines American football with a fantasy universe inspired by Warhammer, today unveiled its very first official screenshots!

The first playable team, fully modelled and animated, has just made an appearance on the pitch of the Blood Bowl 2 stadium. As you can see, the human players have the honour of entering the pitch first and will also be the stars of the massive solo campaign in Blood Bowl 2 as you lead the legendary Reikland Reavers and experience an epic saga packed with risk, dangers and spectacular matches on the way to winning the Blood Bowl.

These two screenshots show the human, Blitzer, one of the most versatile players on the human teams, in action and ready to face whatever the opposing team can throw at him!

Developed by Cyanide Studios, Blood Bowl 2 is even more ambitious than its predecessor, with a fabulous look and a variety of extra features. Its brand new graphics engine has been specifically developed for this sequel, enabling the game to display high-quality visuals, graphic and sound effects, taking the Blood Bowl licence to the next level. The animations, dynamic cameras that pack more punch to matches, the “Cabalvision” design of the interface and corrosive commentators Jim Johnson and Bob Bifford (who made a noteworthy appearance in the game’s first video teaser) faithfully recreate the thrills and fury characteristic of Blood Bowl’s intense matches.

Blood Bowl 2 also has a host of new features in both Solo and Multiplayer modes that make it more accessible for first-time players and more enjoyable for seasoned veterans. The stunning and ambitious Solo campaign puts players at the head of one of the most famous teams in Blood Bowl’s universe, who will compete in some original and truly unique matches to take their team to the top. League mode allows players to manage their own team, club and even stadium, as all these features are fully modular! We will soon reveal some substantial and striking innovations that make Multiplayer mode even more thrilling!

Over the coming weeks and months we look forward to releasing more screenshots, new information about features, solo and multiplayer modes and, of course, the first Blood Bowl 2 game videos!

Screenshots

SOMA Gameplay Teaser Trailer

2013/10/11

Jerry Paxton

News, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

October 11, 2013 – Strange occurrences are disrupting the routines of the PATHOS-2 research facility. The radio is silent. Behavioral anomalies of the machines are increasingly dangerous, if not… malevolent. The facility is devolving into chaos. No weapons, and the only escape is practically unthinkable.

From Frictional Games, creators of the groundbreaking Amnesia and Penumbra series, SOMA is an aberrant tale of scientific inquiry and survival; an entropic exploration of synapse and circuit that wades through the delusions of human consciousness.

View the debut trailer:

Three years in the making, SOMA is a unique continuation of Frictional Games’ signature style of explorative horror, provocative storytelling, and unfathomable tension, free of distractive cut-scenes and combat. SOMA is coming to PC and PlayStation 4 in 2015.

The Dark Eye – Demonicon Goes Gold

2013/10/11

Jerry Paxton

News, Windows PC News

October 11, 2013, Ridgewood, NJ – Kalypso Media is pleased to announce that the Windows PC version of The Dark Eye – Demonicon, its dark fantasy action-RPG, has gone gold. Check out the brand new screens released today for a further look into the deep combat system, rich environments and gruesome monsters. Versions of The Dark Eye – Demonicon for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system will follow in 2014.

Demonicon returns players to the fantastical but twisted world of Aventuria, the setting of the classic pen & paper RPG ‘The Dark Eye’. In the game, you witness the fate of a young man named Cairon and his sister Calandra, as they struggle with destiny, demonic forces and the harsh wastes of the Shadowlands.

The Dark Eye – Demonicon is a thrilling action-RPG set in the extraordinarily popular universe of ‘The Dark Eye’, a richly crafted fantasy universe beloved by fantasy gamers throughout the world.

Demonicon tells the tragic story of a brother and sister who become pawns of sinister forces in a world of cruelty and depravity. In this bleak yet magical world, their affection is both a blessing and a curse. Both are constantly threatened by mortal danger and demonic temptation, and must find a way through their tortured lives by facing serious moral decisions. Their common destiny will determine that of the entire continent, and will be decided by the choices they make. Hordes of fiends block their way to freedom and peace, and only through battle and magic they will truly become free of the darkness.

Features of The Dark Eye – Demonicon

A third-person action-RPG featuring brutal melee attack combos and dazzling magic spells
Powerful storytelling with an elaborate narrative rich with twists, as well as believable conflicts and ethical decision-making opportunities
Action-packed battles, where pin-point timing and clever tactics play important roles
Unique magic system: a dark talent grants the player devastating mystical powers
Important events in Demonicon will be part of ‘The Dark Eye’ universe’s history
State-of-the-art 3D visuals using the powerful “Vision” engine

For more information on The Dark Eye – Demonicon, please visit www.worldofdemonicon.com, or like the game on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheDarkEyeDemonicon.

Rocksmith 2014 Session Mode Details and Trailer

2013/10/10

Jerry Paxton

Mac PC News, News, PlayStation 3 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox 360 News

SAN FRANCISCO, CA. – October 10th, 2013 – Today, Ubisoft® has released a trailer showcasing Session Mode, a new groundbreaking feature of Rocksmith® 2014 Edition.

Jam with any type of band in any style, any scale, any key, anytime you want. In Session Mode, you’ll lead an intelligent band that plays along with you and follows your lead, and in the process you’ll learn to improvise and create your own music. Jam side-by-side with a friend in Multiplayer mode, and create your own band experience in the comfort of your living room.

“Session Mode is a technological breakthrough when it comes to music software, and we are proud to be including this mode in the all-new Rocksmith 2014 Edition. It’s the closest experience you can have to actually jamming with a real band and is a better alternative than playing with static backing tracks or a metronome,” said Tony Key, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Ubisoft North America.

Jerry Cantrell, vocalist and lead guitarist for Alice in Chains said, “Rocksmith’s new session mode feature is one of the most innovative music technologies in recent history and gives you the experience of playing with a real band that actually adapts to you.”

Rocksmith® 2014 Edition allows players to plug any real guitar or bass directly into their Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the Sony PlayStation® 3 computer entertainment system, PC or Mac® to begin their musical journey. Rocksmith 2014 Edition will launch on October 22, 2013.

For the latest information on Rocksmith® 2014 Edition, please visit: http://www.Rocksmith.com

Trailer

First Campaign Episode for Arma 3 Gets Release Date

2013/10/10

Jerry Paxton

News, Windows PC News

Prague, Czech Republic, Thursday 10th October 2013 — Bohemia Interactive today announced the release date for the Survive campaign episode of Arma 3. Dropping in as free DLC on Thursday October 31, players take on the role of a regular soldier stationed in the Republic of Altis & Stratis.

“Our first campaign episode, ‘Survive’, introduces players to Ben Kerry, a regular soldier who’s part of a NATO peacekeeping mission in the Mediterranean. Following a couple of years of uneasy cease-fire, this US-led deployment is now in the process of a staged drawdown. The vacuum left by withdrawing forces is being rapidly filled by the opposing CSAT faction, creating the conditions for, one might say, a flashpoint” , explains Jay Crowe, Creative Director on Arma 3.

“Of course, it’s not just about our own story, but another opportunity to provide yet more building blocks for the platform – new weapons, animations, 3D objects, scripted modules – each designed to grant content creators even greater freedom to create and share their own content. Looking forward to the forthcoming episodes, we’ll continue to expand Arma 3’s sandbox with additions such as new vehicles.”

Arma 3 features the large open terrains of ‘Altis’ (270 km²) and ‘Stratis’ (20 km²), 12 singleplayer showcases, 3 factions showcases, 9 multiplayer scenarios, 10 firing drill challenges, more than 20 vehicles and 40 weapons, 5 factions, the scenario editor and modding support. The singleplayer campaign is deployed across 3 free DLC episodes after release.

People can purchase the regular Arma 3 (44.99 EUR/39.99 GBP/59.99 USD) or the Arma 3 Digital Deluxe Edition (49.99 EUR/42.99 GBP/64.99 USD) from Steam and Store.bistudio.com. A boxed version of Arma 3 is also available at many of the major retailers.

Thorsday Deals for October 10th

2013/10/10

Jerry Paxton

Action Sports, Airsoft News, Articles, News

The folks at AirSplat have posted up their next round of Thorsday Deals. Check out the full list below or over at their official blog.

CYMA AK47 Full Metal Airsoft Rifle AEG

Reg. $168.99 Thorsday $145.99

WE M92 METAL Gas Blowback Airsoft Gun L

Reg. $109.99 Thorsday $99.99

Hakkotsu Airsoft Goggle Face Mask Black

Reg. $22.99 Thorsday $18.99

DeepFire M150 Airsoft AEG Upgrade Spring

Reg. $14.99 Thorsday $9.99

JG M4 AEG Hi Cap Magazine 300 Rounds

Reg. $14.99 Thorsday $9.99

AirSplat 1×40 Rifle Red Dot Scope 40mm

Reg. $21.99 Thorsday $18.99

Nc Star Tactical Rifle Scabbard Bag TAN

Reg. $29.99 Thorsday $21.99

TSD M9 CO2 Gas Airsoft Gun Pistol SILVER

Reg. $43.99 Thorsday $34.99

SpellForce 2 – Demons Of The Past Pushed Back

2013/10/10

Jerry Paxton

News, Windows PC News

Vienna, AUSTRIA (October 10th 2013) – To ensure a fully formed gaming experience, Nordic Games has announced it will now release SpellForce 2 – Demons Of The Past on January 16th 2014 due to additional features in the multiplayer department.

Demons Of The Past will feature the popular free game mode, where the tales of the single player campaign can be experienced in a new way i.e. with other players cooperatively. To top it off, a new survival mode will be implemented with distinctive objectives and gameplay. More detailed information on the specifics of the new modes will be released in due time.

“We had the choice to either release the single player part first, then follow-up with the new multiplayer modes later, or release it all in one go. We opted for the latter,” said Gennaro Giani, Localization and Production Manager at Nordic Games. “Of course, this was not an easy decision to make, but it reflects our uncompromising standards when it comes delivering a comprehensive gaming experience to every fan/gamer out there.”

Demons Of The Past is the final in the endearing SpellForce 2 series and like its earlier incarnations is a mix between an RPG and RTS that puts players right at the centre of the mysterious and wonderful SpellForce universe. Demons Of The Past adds five new maps, offering eight in total to explore.

Continuing the story from previous add-on Faith In Destiny, players can now conclude their journey with Demons Of The Past where the fate of Eo rests in the players’ hands. Along the way players will meet old and new faces – will they be of help or hindrance?

SpellForce 2: Demons of the Past is out on January 16th for PC, priced USD/EUR 19.99, GBP 17.99.

Rob Zombie’s Great American Nightmare Preview Video

2013/10/09

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Halloween, News

Here is a brief, behind-the-scenes look at Rob Zombie’s Great American Nightmare haunted attraction at the LA Fairgrounds in Pomona, CA.

Video

Montague’s Mount Launch Trailer

2013/10/09

Jerry Paxton

News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

London, 9^th October – Independent developer Polypusher Studios is delighted to announce the release of its debut indie horror adventure game, Montague’s Mount. The Irish studio has been working closely with UK publisher Mastertronic to complete the title which launches digitally today. Developed for PC, Mac & Linux, Montague’s Mount will be available on GOG.com, Get Games and GamersGate. Fans of Steam can vote for the game on Steam Greenlight.

Montague’s Mount, first presented to the world at Rezzed! PC and Gaming Show, was more recently showcased at Eurogamer Expo with the Oculus Rift and the response was phenomenal. Oculus Rift support will be available to all versions of the game within the next few months.

Montague’s Mount is a first-person rollercoaster ride through isolation, desolation and one man’s tortured mind, set against the haunting bleakness of an isolated Irish island. The player regains consciousness on a windswept beach, with no memory of the past. Exploration and puzzle solving lead to some disturbing finds and is the key to finding out what happened – and to escaping the island.

Polypusher is a one-man studio based in Ireland and the game blends personal experience with realistic landscapes and makes extensive use of the Gaelic language throughout. Polypusher Studios’ Matt Clifton says: “Montague’s Mount has been my life for the past two years and a lot of blood, sweat and tears have gone into making the game. If you scrape below the surface of the story, the underlying character is basically me, albeit taken to an extreme. We are both foreigners relocated to a remote area of Ireland, isolated from family, friends and the community as a whole. I set out to make a very personal game about how isolation can affect a person, much as it once affected me. Montague’s Mount is not your normal adventure/horror title; it is a more subtle and mature thriller. You can pigeon-hole games like this into the ‘horror’ genre, butMontague’s Mount is a more thought-provoking experience than that. I’m humbled by the response I’ve had from developers and gamers so far and hope they enjoy the complete Montague’s Mount experience.”

Mastertronic’s Neil McKenna explains: “We all loved Montague’s Mount from the moment we first saw it. We were drawn by the way that Matt has told a very adult horror story. Montague’s Mount is driven by its atmosphere – intensified by the gritty depiction of Irish rural life, so far removed from the popular image of that country. More than anything, we love the passion that Matt has invested in the game. We are proud to launch Montague’s Mount today on Get Games and GOG and we hope that Steam fans will be moved to vote on Greenlight.”

The Montague’s Mount Launch trailer, a link to the Steam Greenlight page and more information on the game can be found at www.montaguesmount.com

Trailer: bit.ly/mmlaunchtrailer

Twitter: @montaguesmount

Steam Greenlight: bit.ly/mmgreenlight