Author - Jerry Paxton

Ubisoft Unveils Gamescom 2024 Line-Up

Ubisoft revealed its lineup for Gamescom today – and when the show opens in Cologne, Germany, on August 21, visitors will have a chance to go hands-on with Star Wars Outlaws™ and get an in-depth look at the gameplay of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, as well as watch the European R6 Combine Finale live, test their skills in XDefiant, and compete for prizes in the #AssassinsCreedCosplayContest.

Star Wars Outlaws, which launches on August 30, will be playable at 100 stations at Ubisoft’s stand in Hall 6.1 in Koelnmesse. Wheelchair-accessible play stations will also be available, with the option for Xbox Adaptive Controllers. Up to 400 visitors at a time can also see developer-led presentations of Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ gameplay, and get a live demonstration of Yasuke and Naoe’s distinct play styles.

On August 23, Rainbow Six Siege fans can attend the European R6 Combine Finale at Xperion, a gaming event space across the Rhine from Koelnmesse. During the event, Europe’s best two Rainbow Six Siege teams will compete live for a €20,000 prize. XDefiant players can also compete to prove their skills in an on-site arena dedicated to the arcade shooter.

At the Ubisoft stand, cosplayers can also take advantage of free photo shoots by cosplay photographer eosAndy, and Assassin’s Creed cosplayers can enter their photos in the #AssassinsCreedCosplayContest for a chance to win prizes. To find out more, visit assassinscreed.com/cosplaycontest.

Gamescom will run from August 21-25 in Cologne, Germany, and visitors can find the Ubisoft stand in Hall 06.1 | B020 – C021 and C011 – B010. To find out more, visit the official site.

Celebrates Donald Duck’s 90th Anniversary with Donald Duck: Happy Camper

In celebration of Donald Duck’s 90th Anniversary, Maestro Media announces Donald Duck: Happy Camper,  its first collaboration with Disney to bring fans a board game featuring one of Mickey and Friends’ most beloved characters.  Designed by Wolfgang Kramer (five-time winner of the Spiel des Jahres and designer of El Grande) and Daryl Andrews (2022 Game Innovator of the Year and designer of Sagrada) Donald Duck: Happy Camper is set to immerse players in an adventurous camping journey filled with exploration, fun, and the lovable antics of Donald Duck, honoring nine decades of laughter and adventure with this iconic character.

“We are honored to join the fun of Donald Ducks’ 90th anniversary and to launch our first game in collaboration with Disney,” says Javon Frazier, Founder, and CEO of Maestro Media. “Happy Camper is crafted to encapsulate the joy of camping adventures, and we are anticipating the moment when fans get to immerse themselves in this experience.”

Game Details:

  • Explore the Wilderness: Players will reveal part of the board at the start of their turn, then use actions to explore, gather resources, and set up camp.

  • Strategic Gameplay: Balance is key! The more you carry in your bag, the slower you go. Will you race to the best photo spot, set up tents in different terrains, or craft gadgets to make camping life easier?

  • Earn Badges and Bonuses: Complete tasks to earn badges and gain bonuses. There are bigger rewards for being the first to complete a task, so plan carefully.

  • Race Against Time: The game ends as soon as Donald Duck, the troop leader, completes his trip. Race to become the best Junior Woodchuck out there!

CORSAIR Rolls Out the Next Generation of MM500 Hybrid Cloth Mouse Pads

CORSAIR® (Nasdaq: CRSR) is excited to unveil a new addition to its lineup of high-performance gaming mouse pads: the MM500 v2 Series. Featuring a precision-enabling hybrid cloth material, MM500 v2 mouse pads offer advanced tracking consistency across a full 360° range of direction. For those looking to compete at the highest level, MM500 v2 is the superior playing surface.

The MM500 v2 mouse pads are available in large 450mm x 400mm (17.7″ x 15.7″) and extended 900mm x 300mm (35.4″ x 11.8″) sizes, ensuring an ideal surface area for a wide range of desktop setups.

MM500 v2 makes in-game tracking and aiming a dream. Crafted from high-density hybrid woven cloth, its surface ensures ultra-smooth, consistent tracking on both the x- and y-axis. When you need to flick the mouse or quickly lock onto an enemy, MM500 v2 helps you deploy hyper-fast, accurate actions.

Beneath the hybrid cloth surface lies a robust natural rubber base that stays sturdy and secure during your most heated matches. Plush cushioning and generous 3mm thickness offer comfort for sessions that go long into the night. With these layers supporting your mouse and arm, you’ll play with unwavering confidence, free from worrying about your gaming surface.

The resilient build quality of MM500 v2 makes it a worthy addition to your desktop. Its spill-proof coating repels liquid, shielding your space from accidents and guarding against humidity. The mouse pad’s perimeter is also designed with durable anti-fray stitched edges to protect from wear and tear over time.

With the all-new MM500 v2 mouse pads, take complete control of your gaming space with a surface you can rely on.

Availability, Warranty, and Pricing

CORSAIR MM500 v2 gaming mouse pads are available immediately from the CORSAIR Webstore and the CORSAIR worldwide network of authorized online retailers and distributors.

Each mouse pad is backed by a two-year warranty, alongside the CORSAIR worldwide customer service and technical support network.

For up-to-date pricing, please refer to the CORSAIR website or contact your local CORSAIR sales or PR representative.

Team17 Group Announces Line-up for Gamescom 2024

Team17 Group plc subsidiaries, astragon Entertainment and Team17 Digital, are thrilled to announce their game line-up for gamescom 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for interactive entertainment, taking place in Cologne.

Entertainment Area
Visitors to the shared booth at Hall 6/B-060 will discover an array of simulation highlights from astragon Entertainment and a selection of popular indie games from Team17 Digital. Additionally, three brand-new games from partner Microids will be showcased, with astragon handling their physical distribution in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

The following games will be showcased and can be experienced at the consumer booth in Hall 6:

astragon Entertainment:

  • Police Simulator: Patrol Officers (Highway Patrol Expansion & Nintendo Switch™ Edition)
  • Construction Simulator® / Construction Simulator® 4
  • Railroads Online

Microids:

  • Empire of the Ants
  • The Smurfs: Dreams
  • Flint: Treasure of Oblivion

Team17 Digital:

  • Golf With Your Friends
  • Overcooked: All You Can Eat!
  • Worms Armageddon
  • The Escapists
  • Alienbreed

Business Area
At the business stand at Hall 4.2/A-011/B-010, press representatives and industry partners will have exclusive access to presentations and insights into the latest projects from Team17 Group plc subsidiaries astragon Entertainment, Team17 Digital and StoryToys.

The line-up of the business booth at Hall 4.2 features the following:

astragon Entertainment:
Police Simulator: Patrol Officers: Pick up the badge and be on patrol anywhere, anytime with the upcoming Nintendo Switch™ Edition of the hit franchise. (hands-on)

Construction Simulator®: Exclusive outlook of the upcoming content of the Year 2 Season Pass with developer weltenbauer. (hands-off) as well as a hands-on demo of Construction Simulator® 4 for Nintendo Switch™. (hands-on)

Railroads Online: Developer Stefan Kelnberger gives first insights into the recently announced console version and the full version for PC. (hands-on)

We invite you to join us at gamescom 2024 from August 21 to 25 for an unforgettable experience of gaming excitement.

ARROW Video Unveils August 2024 Lineup

Arrow Video is excited to announce the August 2024 lineup of their subscription-based ARROW platform, available to subscribers in the US, Canada, the UK and Ireland. Enjoy a selection of new titles, from carefully cultivated curations to shorts by new talent to deep dives into the tastes of filmmakers that changed the way we see the genre.

The August 2024 lineup leads with the exclusive ARROW release of Andrew van den Houten’s feature adaptation of Jack Ketchum’s Offspring, available August 27 in the US, Canada, UK and Ireland.

Showing in 4K via ARROW, Ketchum’s uncompromisingly twisted vision of the dark side of the American family features Pollyanna McIntosh, who would reprise her role in Lucky McKee’s The Woman. “It’s been fun producing and directing horror films all these years,” says van den Houten, “and I cannot wait for people to see my latest version of Offspring in 4K HDR.”

ARROW’s signature curation begins August 2 with a new Season from one of the most popular authors in modern horror: Grady Hendrix Selects.

Novelist Grady Hendrix is the writer of My Best Friend’s Exorcism, The Southern Book Club’s Guide To Slaying Vampires and How To Sell A Haunted House, the screenwriter of Satanic Panic, and also one of the founders of Subway Cinema and the New York Asian Film Festival.

Titles Include: The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, The Leg Fighters, The Boxer’s Omen.

August 2 also includes a trio of titles featuring ARROW’s signature blend of action, murder, and seduction.

Bruce’s Deadly Fingers (UK/IRE/US/CA): After malicious gangsters capture Bruce Lee’s ex-girlfriend, a young martial artist attempts to rescue her – and the late master’s book containing lethal techniques for killing with one’s fingers.

Jailhouse Wardress (US/CA): While behind bars for murdering her abusive father, Maria (Lina Romay, Female Vampire) encounters a sadistic female warden and hatches an escape plan involving the seduction of a male nurse.

Crazy Fat Ethel (US/CA): After years in a mental institution, Ethel Janowski is released and taken in by her aunt to live a quiet existence. But for many people, including the institution’s staff and a local detective, discharging Ethel was a huge mistake and they will soon discover that her appetite for murder is stronger than it ever was for food.

For subscribers with only a few minutes to indulge, ARROW has a selection of mind-blowing, eclectic short films launching August 9, available in all subscriber territories.

The shorts include Flamingo, where an alienated dancer descends into the world of self-amputation; Eject, about a woman discovering a USB port in her wrist, that uncovers a world where she has the ability to change herself for the better.

The quartet is rounded out by Red Gloves, set in 1980s NYC, where a young dancer at the top of her class is stalked by a shadowy figure wearing red gloves; and Fck’n Nuts, with a melancholy teenager meeting the boy of her dreams, but desperately attempting to prevent him meeting her parents, who have scared all of her previous boyfriends away.

On August 9, get Snatched on ARROW!

Hunted, abducted, caught and captured, Snatched is a collection of films featuring protagonists that have been kidnapped and kept against their will. Will they escape? Will they make their abductors pay? And how much carnage can they cause on their way out? Find out in Snatched.

Titles Include: The Offspring 4K, The Woman, Stray Cat Rock: Wild Jumbo.

On August 16, wake up and turn on the TV for ARROW’s Hangover From Hell (UK/IRE/US/CA).

Fueled by booze, these tipsy cult films will go down easy and ensure a heck of a night, but, in the morning, you’re bound to have a Hangover From Hell!

Titles Include: This Stuff’ll Kill Ya!, Hotel Poseidon, A Taste of Blood.

On August 16, check out Vital (UK/IRE/US/CA), an award-winning medical thriller from Japanese auteur Shinya Tsukamoto.

After a tragic car accident where his girlfriend Ryôko Ooyama (Nami Tsukamoto) died, Hiroshi Takagi (Tadanobu Asano) suffers amnesia with his memories completely blanked. When he sees a book about dissection, he decides to join the medical school with the support of his parents. In the dissection class, his group participates in the autopsy of a young woman, and while cutting apart the tissue, he partially recalls his accident. Later, when he sees a tattoo in the arm of the corpse, he discloses that she was his girlfriend and becomes obsessed to go further in the examination of the body.

On August 23, ARROW has three new films, curated exclusively for subscribers in North America.

The Dead Mother (US/CA): Ismael (Karra Elejalde, Timecrimes) breaks into the house of a fine art restorer and shoots the homeowner dead, leaving her daughter orphaned and traumatized for life. Years later Ismael is working in a bar where he sees the daughter again. Paranoid that she has recognised him and will report him, he kidnaps her and holds her hostage, demanding that her hospital pay a ransom for her release.

Prague Nights (US/CA): In the vein of horror anthologies like Mario Bava’s Black Sabbath, the long-unseen Prague Nights is a gorgeous and supernatural vision of ancient and modern Prague: caught between Mod Sixties fashions and nightmarish Medieval catacombs, and filled with Qabbalistic magic, giant golems, occult rituals, clockwork automatons and satanic visitors.

The Terror (US/CA): The ghostly apparition of a woman is seen by an 18th Century French Lieutenant. After two failed attempts to keep up with her, he heads to the castle of the Baron, where he notices a painting of the Baron’s late wife, who looks like the ghostly woman.

Launching exclusively on ARROW August 27 is Offspring, director Andrew van den Houten’s brutal adaptation of cult horror novelist Jack Ketchum’s book, about a deadly clan of feral cannibals on the prowl.

Against the backdrop of grisly murders and child abductions, a clan of cannibalistic savages which plague the North-east Coast since 1858, is after an unsuspecting family and their innocent baby girl. Do they have what it takes to survive?

On August 30, go deeper into the making of Offspring with Andrew van den Houten Selects.

Andrew van den Houten, the director of August’s ARROW exclusive Offspring, and producer of The Ranger, says, “Horror is such a great world to explore all the dark and twisted ideas buried in our minds. I hope you enjoy my selections from the Arrow Player and can’t wait to direct another horror film for the fans soon! It’s been an honour being part of this community.”

Titles Include: Children of the Corn, Ringu 4K, Two Witches.

The lineup wraps on August 30 with three more titles, chilling North American subscribers as fall approaches.

In Night of the Scorpion (US/CA), a man brings his new wife to his sinister Spanish mansion, much to the displeasure of his family who also live there. It is then that the Sinister happenings start, and it appears a killer might be on the loose trying to cover up the tragic death of wife #1…or recommit murder again. Spanish Giallo at its best!

Terror at Tenkiller (US/CA): Leslie and Jana are a couple of attractive young ladies, who take off on a vacation and strange things start to happen at their remote cabin in the woods.

Castle of Blood (US/CA): It was begun by Sergio Corbucci (Django), completed by Antonio Margheriti (The Long Hair of Death) and remains one of the true masterpieces of Gothic Horror: When a journalist accepts a wager that he won’t survive the night in a haunted castle, it will unlock an odyssey of sexual torment, undead vengeance and a dark seductress (the legendary Barbara Steele) who surrenders the gravest of pleasures.

FANTASTIC FEST to Host Fantastic Games: Presented by Day of the Devs

Fantastic Fest, the largest genre film festival in the U.S., specializing in horror, fantasy, sci-fi and action today announced their partnership with Day of the Devs, a non-profit with the mission to celebrate the creativity, diversity and magic of video games, to host the inaugural Fantastic Games: Presented by Day of the Devs, from September 20 – 22.

“Day of the Dev’s efforts to celebrate the best in games, championing some of the most unique and innovative experiences, embodies exactly what we do at Fantastic Fest with films, so partnering with them feels like a perfect fit,” said Lisa Dreyer, Festival Director. “We’re excited to connect our Fantastic Fest attendees with incredible video games that will leave them shocked, horrified, and excited for more to come.”

Fantastic Games: Presented by Day of the Devs is a video game showcase taking place during the 19th edition of Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas. The showcase is set to feature 12 incredible horror games that all festival attendees can play – some of which will be playable for the first time ever. Fans can purchase a variety of badges now to get access to the festival and therefore the video game showcase – more information on badges and how to purchase can be found here.

“As huge fans of Alamo Drafthouse and Fantastic Fest, we’re thrilled to team up and help bring games back to the festival,” said Greg Rice, co-founder of Day of the Devs. “We’re always looking at how Day of the Devs can help spotlight the best of independent games, and are excited to bring some spooky, terrifying, and downright fantastic games. We’re so looking forward to September and celebrating with the community in Austin!”

Game developers interested in submitting their games for consideration to be part of the Day of the Devs selection can apply through the form here from today until August 5th. Developers from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply, however only games/projects in the horror, fantasy, sci-fi and action genres will be considered. Games fitting this year’s Carnival theme are especially encouraged to apply.

Sponsors of Fantastic Games: Presented by Day of the Devs include: Blumhouse Games, Devolver, Double Fine, iam8bit, and Raw Fury.

More details on Fantastic Games: Presented by Day of the Devs to come in the next few weeks.

Stay up to date on the latest Day of the Devs news by keeping an eye out on the site: www.dayofthedevs.com and following along on Instagram and X.

For the latest developments on Fantastic Fest, visit the Fantastic Fest official site www.fantasticfest.com and follow the festival on Instagram, Facebook & X.

PLUTO TV TO LAUNCH AN EXCLUSIVE WOW – WOMEN OF WRESTLING CHANNEL

Today at San Diego Comic-Con, WOW – WOMEN OF WRESTLING’s co-founder and co-owner David McLane announced that Pluto TV, the leading free ad-supported streaming television service, will be launching an exclusive WOW channel dedicated to the premier all-female sports entertainment property. Just in time for season three, which is scheduled to launch in syndication the weekend of Sept. 14, fans can head to a dedicated WOW channel to watch their favorite WOW Superheroes hit the ring and catch up on all the drama, including intense rivalries, strong alliances and epic high-energy matches. Starting in time for season three, Pluto TV will have all episodes of WOW – WOMEN OF WRESTLING seasons one and two as well as season three once it launches in September, in addition to the documentaries THE ORIGIN OF WOW – WOMEN OF WRESTLING and MY ROAD TO WOW – THE SECRETS OF THE SUPERHEROES.

Pacific Rim: Final Breach Graphic Novel Trilogy is coming to Kickstarter

Legendary Comics announced today a 3-book graphic novel sequel to Pacific Rim and Pacific Rim Uprising that will pick up on the franchise storyline and take it in bold new directions. With a new cover featuring the likenesses of Charlie Hunnam (Raleigh), John Boyega (Jake Pentecost), and Charlie Day (Newt), Pacific Rim: Final Breach is written by Joshua Fialkov (Netflix’s live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender) with art by E.J. Su (Transformers). Partnering with Rocketship Entertainment, the book trilogy is being pre-sold on Kickstarter paired with exclusive merchandise available only through the campaign. The Kickstarter campaign for Pacific Rim: Final Breach launches on Wednesday, July 31. Click here for more details.

Humanity faces its ultimate threat as the Precursors unleash a new wave of devastating Kaiju assaults on Earth in Pacific Rim: Final Breach! After years of failed attempts to enter the Anteverse, the trans-dimensional realm from which all Kaiju emerge, Jake Pentecost and Hermann Gottlieb conceive a daring last-ditch plan whose success hinges on finding legendary Jaeger pilot Raleigh Becket—the only human being to ever survive behind enemy lines. Living in exile off the grid, Raleigh must choose assured annihilation or confront his past and team up with a new generation to pilot the brand-new Gipsy Destroyer, the last Jaeger standing. Tensions escalate and old wounds reopen as the PPDC finally crosses the breach to confront what lies on the other side… It’s time for humanity to meet its true enemy and cancel the apocalypse once and for all.

“When it was declared at the end of the last Pacific Rim movie that we were going to take the war to the invaders, that was a set-up we couldn’t resist bringing to the world of graphic novels. We are delighted to pick up on the canonical threads and tell a new exciting story for fans of the franchise in this 3-book series,” said Robert Napton, SVP, Comics & Publishing at Legendary Entertainment.

Funko Fusion Reveals Story Trailer at San Diego Comic-Con

10:10 Games, in collaboration with Funko, Inc. and Universal Products & Experiences, revealed a ton of exciting Funko Fusion videos, images, casting announcements, and more during their San Diego Comic-Con panel this weekend, headlined by the debut of the action-adventure game’s story trailer.

Menacingly voiced by the incomparable Clancy Brown (The Shawshank Redemption, Highlander, Invincible, Detroit: Become Human), fans were finally introduced to Funko Fusion’s devious villain Eddy, the deeply twisted and immensely powerful shapeshifting counterpart to Freddy Funko.

With dreams of total domination, Eddy wields the dark ability to possess the inhabitants of Funko Fusion’s pop culture-inspired worlds, building an army of corrupted characters inspired by franchises including Jurassic World, Back to the Future, The Thing, Chucky, and many more. As players strive to fight back, they’ll build their own team of playable heroes, each with unique tools for use in both combat and puzzles.

Speaking of heroes, comics legend Robert Kirkman joined the panel as a surprise guest to share more about the inclusion of Skybound Entertainment’s Invincible and The Walking Dead. Kirkman then treated the audience to first looks at Funko Fusion’s Invincible level as well as playable characters Invincible and Omni-Man in action, along with a sneak peek at The Walking Dead’s Rick Grimes and Michonne.

Panelists also included 10:10 Games’ CEO and founder Jon Burton and co-founder and Head of Publishing Arthur Parsons; Funko’s VP of Licensing & Business Development Jason Bischoff; Monkeypaw Productions’ Creative Director and Jordan Peele’s producing partner Ian Cooper, who shared exciting details about NOPE being brought to life in video game form for the first time; and fan-favorite voice actor Kellen Goff, who was announced to be reprising his role as Freddy Fazbear from Five Nights at Freddy’s in Funko Fusion.

A special line of Funko Fusion Funko Pop! figures based on select in-game characters will be available for fans later this summer at Funko.com and select global retailers. During the panel, Funko revealed exclusive in-game bonus characters and outfits that collectors can unlock by redeeming codes included with Funko Fusion Pop! figures, including Mecha Freddy and so-called “Variant” outfits for Funko fans, such as the Slime Pit variant for He-Man. This content is in addition to the over 60 characters and their range of Variant outfits already included in Funko Fusion.

Funko Fusion launches for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam on September 13, 2024, and for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 on November 15, 2024.

Funko Fusion is available for digital pre-order on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam, with physical console editions for all platforms also available to pre-order via select global retailers. Digital pre-orders for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 will start soon.

Players who purchase the PlayStation 4 digital edition will be able to upgrade their copy to PlayStation 5 at a minimal cost, while PlayStation 5 digital edition purchases will also include access to the PlayStation 4 version, upon its release.

IDW and Paramount Renew STAR TREK Comic Partnership

STAR TREK will continue to boldly go forth into all-new adventures! The STAR TREK line of comic books has received universal praise, earning prestigious Eisner Award nominations in both 2023 and 2024, as well ComicBook.com stating “it’s hard to imagine what more any fan could want from a STAR TREK comic.” Now, IDW Publishing and Paramount Global are immensely proud to announce an extension of the partnership between the two companies to continue their mission of exploring the vast and imaginative STAR TREK universe in the comic book medium.

“STAR TREK is not just an iconic franchise, but a universe that celebrates diversity and creativity,” remarked Davidi Jonas, CEO of IDW Media Holdings. “The STAR TREK community is one that we’re proud to serve and be part of. The team at Paramount share our love of storytelling, universe expansion, and delighting fans. We are humbled and excited to renew our commitment, and plan on years of going boldly forward with our partners and fans.”

IDW Publisher Mark Doyle is honored to have the legacy of STAR TREK continue to expand under IDW. “I have always loved STAR TREK for its positive vision of the future. It’s been such a joy to watch and support the editorial and creative teams as they tell bold new stories in this universe that have really resonated with audiences old and new.” The Publisher continued, “From Eisner nominations to glowing fan praise, the STAR TREK community has really embraced the stories we’re telling and I cannot wait for them to see where we go next!”

STAR TREK #500, the massive milestone issue which includes a prelude for the next big event, as well as a short story co-written by Patton Oswalt and featuring much more, goes on sale September 4, 2024. The innovative and interactive original graphic novel STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS – WARP YOUR OWN WAY beams into shops on October 22, 2024. Meanwhile, the acclaimed titles STAR TREK, STAR TREK: DEFIANT, and SONS OF STAR TREK are currently available in comic book shops. For updates on everything regarding STAR TREK comics, be sure to follow IDW and the official STAR TREK accounts on social media.

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