Author - Jerry Paxton

D&D Inspires Legions of Fans at Gen Con 2024

More than 64 million D&D fans love THE WORLD’S GREATEST ROLEPLAYING GAME and a huge number of them were in Indianapolis this past weekend. At Gen Con 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana, more than 3,000 lucky DUNGEONS & DRAGONS fans got their hands on early copies of the 2024 Player’s Handbook before it releases widely on Sept 17th. More than 10,000 fans played D&D at Gen Con, including the amazing cast of the immersive live D&D game which featured Neil Newbon (Astarion) and Samantha Béart (Karlach), reprising their roles from the smash hit Baldur’s Gate 3, alongside Brennan Lee Mulligan, Anjali Bhimani, and Aabria Iyengar as DM.

“It was so cool being in the audience when Aabria revealed Brennan and Anjali were both playing secret dragons in the D&D Live game,” said Jess Lanzillo, VP of D&D Franchise and Product at Wizards of the Coast. “Gen Con 2024 was such a celebration of the five decades of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS and a testament to the countless imaginations that have been inspired by this special community.”

The climactic encounter in the adventure titled “An Astarion and Karlach Adventure: Love is a Legendary Action” played out in Project Sigil, an upcoming immersive 3D sandbox that empowers fans to build their own D&D experience using Unreal Engine 5. Anyone can sign up for the Project Sigil closed beta at DnDBeyond.com/project-sigil. All you need is a free D&D Beyond account!

Everyone is talking about the D&D Live game from Gen Con 2024! Head to youtube.com/@DNDWizards to check it out today at this link: https://youtu.be/Cn7XLBykzEU. The YouTube Premiere of “An Astarion and Karlach Adventure: Love is a Legendary Action” will be live at 3pm PT!

Warner Bros. Pictures Brings Beetlejuice Beetlejuice to Roblox

It’s showtime! Fans can now travel to the Afterlife in a new immersive Beetlejuice Beetlejuice experience on Roblox (NYSE: RBLX) from Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, created by Sawhorse. [Beetlejuice] Escape the Afterlife launches today and includes an integrated virtual Fandango box office, where eligible users can purchase movie tickets—a first for the Roblox platform as Roblox tests and invests in commerce.

[Beetlejuice] Escape the Afterlife was created to bring together dedicated fans and introduce new audiences to the world of Beetlejuice. Developed by Sawhorse, the experience brings the movie to life, enabling fans to experience its scenes and characters, and providing Warner Bros. the opportunity to expand its reach with new audiences and ways to increase content viewership, as well as drive ticket sales.

“We are always looking to engage audiences and amplify our reach in new and exciting ways; this first-of-its-kind collaboration with Roblox and Fandango for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice allows for just that,” said Cameron Curtis, Executive VP of Marketing, Warner Bros. “By leveraging the vast Roblox creator community, we are not only able to connect with existing Beetlejuice fans, but also have the opportunity to reach new audiences who are being introduced to him for the first time. And we are thrilled to be the first studio to test ticketing on the platform.”

“We are excited to collaborate with Warner Bros. and Roblox on this unique in-world experience and test the first-ever virtual Fandango box office for the much anticipated ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ movie,” said Will McIntosh, Fandango President. “At Fandango, we are champions of the big screen and remain committed to reaching new fans through innovative, one-of-a-kind experiences that drive increased theater attendance.”

Welcome To The Afterlife (Experience Details)

As visitors enter [Beetlejuice] Escape the Afterlife on Roblox, they are immediately transported to The Afterlife Lobby—a spooky world that brings together familiar places from the original Beetlejuice movie with new scenes and experiences from the highly-anticipated sequel. From the lobby, fans can enter one of three immersive worlds, where they need to escape ghouls and rescue beloved characters like Delia and Lydia, and new characters like Astrid. They will visit The Waiting Room, see the Shrinkers (aka Shrunken Head Guy) and his friends, and even explore Adam’s model of Winter River, Connecticut during their rescue journeys.

While watching the new movie trailer for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice in The Afterlife Lobby and interacting with other fans, users can now also make plans to see the movie in theaters. The virtual Fandango box office is open today, so eligible fans can walk up and make a ticket purchase right within the experience to see the movie once it’s live in U.S. theaters on September 6. Eligible users who complete the ticket purchase through the virtual box office will also receive a Beetlejuice Beetlejuice exclusive avatar item available for use on Roblox with in-game effects.

Leading up to the premiere, [Beetlejuice] Escape the Afterlife will get connected with four of the top Roblox community-created experiences: Barry’s Prison Run, Carry a Friend!, Escape a Running Head, and The Floor is Lava. When a user’s journey ends in one of these experiences, they will have the option to portal to the Afterlife and the opportunity to interact with Beetlejuice and obtain unique virtual items.

“We are thrilled to bring the cultural phenomenon of Beetlejuice to Roblox through this collaboration, including our creator community involvement helping drive the excitement around the film,” said Stephanie Latham, VP of Global Partnerships, Roblox. “As we continue to test commerce, offering an opportunity to purchase tickets within the movie-inspired immersive environment is a way to explore a new consumer category and further engage users who are looking to purchase different things. This is just the beginning as our vision is to enable brands and creators to turn their brand affinity and consumer engagement on Roblox into a seamless shopping experience for their new and existing audiences.”

“The Beetlejuice franchise carries so much sentiment and appeal across generations, especially for superfans like me,” said Nic Hill, Co-Founder and Head of Interactive, Sawhorse. “But we knew we had to create a Beetlejuice experience on Roblox that introduces new generations to the story and adapts to their way of interaction inside the Beetlejuice Universe. With [Beetlejuice] Escape the Afterlife, Warner Bros. and Sawhorse brought to life a true adventure that appeals to all ages with elements like the escape theme and exclusive content.”

The Juice is loose (Release Dates)

Roblox users on mobile and desktop aged 13 and older and US-based will be able to enjoy the full in-game experience, including purchasing movie tickets via the virtual Fandango box office, which goes live on August 5, 2024. Users under 13 years old and those of all ages outside of the U.S. will still be able to enjoy [Beetlejuice] Escape the Afterlife today without a ticket purchase option today. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is in theaters in the US on September 6, 2024.

Atlas Fallen Reign of Sand – Launch Trailer

Get ready to rediscover Atlas Fallen with Reign of Sand, a massive, free overhaul update that refines your experience in this action-packed RPG where you control the power of the sand. Packed with new content and features, Reign of Sand is the ultimate version of Atlas Fallen and promises to elevate your solo or co-op adventure with a wealth of improvements, perfect for both returning players and newcomers alike. Available now on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, Focus Entertainment and Deck13 are pleased to present what’s waiting for you with the all-new launch trailer for Atlas Fallen: Reign of Sand.

Rise Again with a Reign of Fresh New Content

What’s new in Reign of Sand? Here are the most significant additions and improvements introduced by this free update:

  • New Area: Source – Explore mysterious portals leading to the Source, a twisted divine realm filled with new challenges where you’ll unleash powerful new Wraith abilities.
  • New Enemies – Encounter formidable new Wraiths like the bulky Transmuter and the agile Morpher.
  • New Game+ – Restart with all your progression, gear, and abilities, and discover new enemies, mechanics, and progression systems.
  • New Difficulty Mode: “Nyaal’s Nightmare” – Exclusive to New Game+, this new difficulty mode offers the ultimate challenge!
  • New Essence Stones – Customize your playstyle with 25 new perks and abilities.
  • New Open World Challenges – Engage in dynamic Corruption Breaches for intense combat and special rewards.
  • Reworked Introduction & Voice Acting – Enjoy a smoother, more engaging experience with a revamped intro and new voice actors, including Ben Starr (Final Fantasy XVIWarframe) as the male playable character.

This update also includes new armors, customization options, improved VFX, UI, sounds, and many other fixes and enhancements. While you can carry over progress from your old character, starting a new playthrough is highly recommended for the optimal experience. Returning players can download the update for free on PC and consoles, while newcomers will have it included with the base game.

Frostpunk 2 City Unbound Ep. 4 – The Perils of Human Nature

This week’s episode of Frostpunk 2: CIty Unbound is out now and it focuses on the ominous-sounding Perils of Human Nature. ❄️

In Frostpunk 2, keeping an eye on your city’s ideological landscape is crucial for success. As the communities and factions gain influence you will have to build a council hall that serves as a place for their delegates to collide. As a steward, you can propose laws and put them up for the delegates to vote on and Frostpunk 2 is a constant dance between conflicting interests.

You must be mindful of factions taking too much power and influence. A power imbalance often leads to discontent among others and may even escalate into a violent civil war. To avoid such unpleasantries, you must think through every law and negotiate patiently, especially as the rising tension ball makes your job as a steward more difficult.

Creatures of Ava Launch Trailer

Publisher, 11 bit studios, and Spanish developers, Inverge Studios and Chibig, invite players to embark on a breathtaking mission in Creatures of Ava. Taking on the life-and-death task of cleansing an all-consuming infection—The Withering—ravaging the planet of Ava is the top priority, but is what’s in the planet’s best interest also aligned with your own best interests? Find out when Creatures of Ava, coming to PC, Xbox Series X|S, and Game Pass, launches on Aug. 7th.

Set against a canvas of wholesome and colourful visuals, Creatures of Ava hides a deep narrative—co-written by Rhianna Pratchett—that explores dueling themes of acting with empathy while learning when you may need to let something go. Players take on the role of Vic, a young explorer who finds herself crash-landed on a distant planet alongside her companion, Tabitha. During Vic’s adventure, players will embrace exploration that focuses on taming and saving the many creatures threatened by The Withering while also ensuring the protection of the natural world. The world of Ava is wide open to wandering, helping a myriad of creatures, taking on side quests, and appreciating the beauty of Ava.

Players will journey through four distinct biomes tackling environmental puzzles, unlocking new areas, and capturing the fading beauty of Ava via research photography. By upgrading Vic’s gear and skills, it’s possible to enhance her ability to aid Ava and its inhabitants, while magical flute melodies, learned from the grumpy local inhabitants known as the Naam, let her tame the many living species wandering its terrain.

MAXXXINE Now Available to Watch at Home

The wildly entertaining final chapter of Ti West’s X Trilogy MAXXXINE is Now Available to Watch at Home.

Starring Mia Goth, Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, Lily Collins, with Giancarlo Esposito and Kevin Bacon.

Synopsis: In 1980s Hollywood, adult film star and aspiring actress Maxine Minx finally gets her big break. But as a mysterious killer stalks the starlets of Hollywood, a trail of blood threatens to reveal her sinister past.

STARRING
Mia Goth, Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, Lily Collins, with Giancarlo Esposito, and Kevin Bacon

Final Fantasy VII and Max Caulfield Announce Exclusive Outfits for Life is Strange: Double Exposure

Today, SQUARE ENIX® revealed the full set of designs featured in the Life is Strange: Double Exposure FINAL FANTASY VII Outfit Pack, available in the Ultimate Edition version of the game. LIFE IS STRANGE: DOUBLE EXPOSURE will launch on Xbox Series X|S consoles, PlayStation 5®, and PC via Steam and Windows Store on Oct. 29, 2024. It is also coming to Nintendo Switch at a later date.

Even during a supernatural murder mystery, there’s always time for fashion, especially when it takes inspiration from the unforgettable FINAL FANTASY VII saga! The FINAL FANTASY VII Outfit Pack contains the Moogle coat with sculpted beanie and four indoor outfits themed around monstrous allies and fearsome foes: Chocobo, Cactuar, Bomb, and Tonberry.

Each Outfit Pack lets you change up Max’s look with one new outfit available for Max to wear in each chapter of the story.

Players can pre-order the LIFE IS STRANGE: DOUBLE EXPOSURE Ultimate Edition now to gain Advanced Access to Chapters 1 and 2 starting on Oct. 15, 2024, two weeks ahead of the release of the full game.

Max Caulfield, photographer-in-residence at the prestigious Caledon University, discovers her closest new friend Safi dead in the snow. Murdered. To save her, Max tries to Rewind time – a power she’s not used in years… but instead Max opens the way to a parallel timeline where Safi is still alive, and still in danger! Max realizes the killer will soon strike again – in both versions of reality. Only Max can Shift between the two parallel timelines to solve and prevent the same murder.

LIFE IS STRANGE: DOUBLE EXPOSURE will be available in three editions: Standard, Deluxe and Ultimate. Full details about each edition can be found at https://lifeisstrange.square-enix-games.com.

THQ Nordic Showcase 2024

The stage lights have dimmed, and the 2024 THQ Nordic Digital Showcase has officially taken its final bow! We’ve had a blast unveiling a treasure trove of game updates, reveals, and surprises. Missed the live show? No worries! You can catch all the action on demand across our official channels:

 

Razer Viper V3 Pro Gaming Mouse Review

The Razer Viper V3 Pro is a testament to the evolution of wireless gaming mice, meticulously crafted to redefine the competitive gaming landscape. As the latest iteration in the acclaimed Viper series, it effortlessly blends an ultra-lightweight form factor with cutting-edge technologies, delivering an unparalleled gaming experience that is sure to elevate your gameplay to new heights.

The first thing you’ll notice about the Viper V3 Pro is its astonishingly light weight. At a mere 54 grams, it practically disappears in your hand, allowing for lightning-fast reflexes and effortless movements. Whether you’re executing precise flick shots or smoothly tracking your opponents, the Viper V3 Pro’s weightlessness ensures that your hand won’t tire, even during marathon gaming sessions. The symmetrical design caters to both right and left-handed gamers, providing a comfortable and ergonomic grip for all. The smooth, matte finish not only feels great to the touch but also provides a secure grip, even with sweaty hands.

Beneath the hood, the Viper V3 Pro houses Razer’s Focus Pro 30K Optical Sensor, a true marvel of engineering. This state-of-the-art sensor boasts up to 30,000 DPI sensitivity, enabling unparalleled precision and accuracy. Coupled with an astonishing 750 inches per second (IPS) tracking speed and 70G acceleration, the Viper V3 Pro ensures that every movement you make is faithfully translated on screen, giving you a competitive edge in the heat of battle.

Clicking on the Viper V3 Pro is an absolute joy, thanks to Razer’s Optical Mouse Switches Gen-3. These cutting-edge switches offer a satisfyingly crisp and tactile feel with minimal pre-travel, ensuring lightning-fast actuation and eliminating the risk of accidental double-clicks. Whether you’re unleashing a barrage of bullets in a first-person shooter or executing complex combos in a fighting game, the Viper V3 Pro’s switches keep up with your every command, providing a seamless and responsive experience. This extends to the well-placed and responsive side buttons, offering additional inputs for customized actions or macros, further enhancing your in-game control and adaptability.

The wireless performance of the Viper V3 Pro is simply stellar. Thanks to Razer’s HyperSpeed Wireless technology, you’ll experience lag-free gaming that rivals, if not surpasses, that of a wired mouse. The included HyperPolling Wireless Dongle further enhances the mouse’s performance, enabling a polling rate of up to 4000Hz for near-instantaneous input response. The Viper V3 Pro also boasts an impressive battery life of up to 90 hours, allowing you to game for days on end without worrying about running out of juice.

Razer Synapse 3 software is the perfect companion to the Viper V3 Pro, offering a wealth of customization options to personalize your gaming experience. From adjusting DPI settings and button assignments to fine-tuning the RGB lighting, Synapse 3 puts you in complete control. You can even create custom profiles for different games or tasks, ensuring that your Viper V3 Pro is always perfectly tailored to your needs.

Overall, the Razer Viper V3 Pro is a masterpiece of engineering and design, a true testament to Razer’s commitment to innovation and performance. Its ultra-lightweight design, cutting-edge sensor and switches, stellar wireless performance, inclusion of convenient side buttons, and extensive customization options make it the ultimate weapon for competitive gamers. Whether you’re a seasoned esports professional or a passionate enthusiast, the Viper V3 Pro is sure to elevate your gameplay and give you the edge you need to dominate the competition. If you’re looking for a gaming mouse that can keep up with your every move and help you unleash your full potential, the Razer Viper V3 Pro is the perfect choice.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5