Author - Jerry Paxton

Shure Unveils MV7+ Podcast Microphone

Today, Shure announced the evolution of its hybrid XLR/USB dynamic microphone with the launch of the MV7+ Podcast Microphone. This marks a significant step forward from its predecessor, the award-winning MV7 Podcast Microphone, by integrating a sleeker design and software upgrades built to meet and exceed the needs of modern creators, offering even better audio quality with ease of use.

Engineered for discerning streamers, podcasters, and musicians, the MV7+ is the ideal choice for those seeking to capture broadcast-quality audio in even the most challenging of spaces. With Shure’s cutting-edge Voice Isolation Technology, the focus lies on the user’s voice, avoiding annoying background noises and ensuring outstanding audio for every recording and streaming session. It also includes a new, innovative onboard Digital Signal Processing (DSP) engine which powers a suite of advanced features, like an improved Auto Level Mode, a Digital Popper StopperTM for enhanced plosive control, Real-time Denoiser, and Adjustable Reverb. Thanks to its unique full-touch LED live meter display and numerous customisation options, the MV7+ sets a new standard in sound quality and personalisation while diving into a vibrant world of colour.

To elevate the user experience to the next level, the MV7+ podcast microphone integrates with the free, new MOTIV Mix™ Desktop app, Shure’s latest MOTIV software interface. MOTIV Mix provides users with the ability to configure all aspects of the MV7+. The software also offers multi-track recording and routing to support users with a greater control of their live streaming and recordings. With MV7+ and MOTIV Mix, it’s easier than ever to sound authentic, freeing up creators to let their imagination shine brightly.

“Modern content creators and streamers are constantly searching for new ways to customise their set up and sound to set themselves above the pack,” said Sean Sullivan, Associate Director of Global Product Management at Shure. “The MV7+ is our answer to this challenge. It builds off the legacy of the MV7 and delivers broadcast-quality audio in any setting while empowering creators with intuitive customisation and control. Through our latest DSP innovations and the new MOTIV Mix desktop app integration, the MV7+ is set to redefine excellence in audio recording for every session.”

New Features and Benefits:

  • Multi-Colour LED Touch Panel: Elevate the audio experience with a customisable LED touch panel. Choose from over 16.8 million colors to visualise your sound levels or engage an ambient pulse effect. A simple tap anywhere on the LED Panel Live Meter instantly mutes the microphone, ensuring privacy and control.
  • Real-time Denoiser: Leverage the advanced DSP technology of the MV7+ to eliminate background noise. It works in harmony with the microphone’s Voice Isolation to deliver pristine sound, even in less-than-ideal recording environments.
  • Digital Popper Stopper:  Remove harsh plosives sounds to avoid acoustic distractions and a cumbersome physical pop filter on camera.
  • Improved Auto Level Mode: Intelligent audio adjustment adapts the microphones gain based on the distance, volume, and room dynamics, providing perfectly balanced sound automatically.
  • Onboard Reverb: Choose from three types of onboard reverb settings – Plate, Hall, Studio—and set intensity levels to add desired depth and richness to recordings.
  • Hybrid XLR and USB-C outputs: The MV7+ integrates into any setup as it provides hybrid USB-C and XLR output and connects seamlessly with your laptop or phone (iOS and Android), offering unparalleled flexibility and ease of use.

MOTIV Mix™ Desktop App: 

Unlock the full potential of the MV7+ microphone through the MOTIV Mix software interface. This platform allows users to customise the LED panel, access up to five multi-track recording and routing channels, and fine-tune settings like sound signature, gain, and more. A Beta version of the new software will be available to experience with the MV7+, helping users reduce the number of apps needed to streamline their workflows. Key features of MOTIV Mix include:

  • Multi-channel Mixer: Control multiple channels of audio to record, monitor or use your mixed audio for your livestream.
  • Soundcheck: Check your mic’s gain setting and optimise it with the help of Soundcheck.
  • A redefined Monitor Mix Slider: Mix mic output and system audio playback levels individually.
  • Full access: to advanced DSP features of your MV7+ Podcast Microphone.

MOTIV Mix will soon be compatible with other legacy MOTIV products such as the MV7 and the MVX2U, serving as a building block for forthcoming software innovations and premium features.

Pricing and Availability:

The MV7+ Podcast Microphone comes in two colours (black and white). The black MV7+ is available now at Shure.com and select retailers, starting at $279 / £279/ 329€. This summer, the white version will be available starting at $279 / £279 / 329€, along with a special bundle, the MV7+ Podcast kit, that includes the microphone in black and a Gator mic stand, starting at $299/ 349€ / £299.

Each purchase comes with a 3m USB-C to USB-C cable, a printed quick start guide, and a MOTIV MIX Art Card with download instructions. Other accessories such as a 15-inch USB-C to lightning cable and a replacement foam windscreen are available for purchase individually.

Ultra Mega Cats Gameplay Trailer

Fallen Leaf Studio and Unseen Silence are proud to reveal their newest project, Ultra Mega Cats, a roguelike third person shooter with four player online co-op, available for wishlisting on Steam and planned for release on Playstation 5, Xbox series X and Nintendo Switch after PC launch.

Ready for the ultimate showdown? Get thrown right into the action solo or with up to four feline friends and do battle with your enemy overlords. Select one of five unique Mega Cats, elite warriors armed to the whiskers with an arsenal of diverse weapons and abilities ready to take down the new rulers of your world: rodents and birds!

Do you have what it takes to embody the spirit of the Mega Cats, to sharpen your claws and become a mighty warrior? Take down hordes of colorfully evil enemies, master your skills, select from over 50 different M.O.D.S for each playable cat and take down mighty bosses! No two gameplay sessions will be the same, so get stuck in and discover your favorite way to play.

Star Wars Outlaws Launches August 30

Today, Ubisoft, in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games, announced that Star Wars Outlaws, the first open-world Star Wars game, will launch on August 30 on Xbox Series X|S consoles, PlayStation 5, Amazon Luna and PC through Ubisoft Connect. Fans who subscribe to Ubisoft+ or purchase the Gold Edition or Ultimate Edition of the game can enjoy up to three days early access*, and those who preorder before August 30 will receive the “Kessel Runner Bonus Pack” which includes cosmetics for Kay’s speeder and for her ship, the Trailblazer.

Ubisoft revealed more details about cunning scoundrel Kay Vess and her companion Nix’s search for an opportunity of a lifetime. During this era, the Empire’s rule is distracted by the rebellion that won’t quit, leading to a golden age for the underworld. As a skilled thief, Kay’s antics catch the attention of Sliro, the leader of a new, foreboding criminal syndicate Zerek Besh. After Sliro places a bounty on Kay’s head, Kay and Nix are offered their one shot at freedom – pull off one of the greatest heists of all time. Kay and Nix will need to navigate the underworld across the galaxy, building their reputation with legendary criminal organizations including the Pyke Syndicate, the Hutt Cartel, the Ashiga Clan** and Crimson Dawn to earn the support they need to finish the job.

“In search of true freedom, the resourceful Kay and Nix will journey through the underworld and across the Outer Rim, taking on jobs from syndicates, facing off against intimidating foes, avoiding oppressive Imperial rule and recruiting a skilled outlaw crew in order to pull off one of the greatest heists the galaxy has ever seen,” shared Julian Gerighty, Creative Director.

“Star Wars Outlaws invites fans to experience a side of the galaxy that has a treasure trove yet to be explored, the exploits of the scoundrels taking advantage of the golden age of the underworld. We’ve been inspired by Massive Entertainment’s dedication to bringing this aspect of Star Wars to life, including both iconic and new things for fans to explore in an open world,” said Douglas Reilly, vice president, Lucasfilm Games.

Kay and Nix will travel across the galaxy to gain the right resources and crew for the ultimate heist. In their journey, they’ll travel across distinct locations, both iconic and new: Canto Bight, Kijimi, Tatooine, Akiva, and the windswept savannah of Toshara**. Along the way, Kay will explore bustling cities and cantinas, race across sprawling outdoor landscapes on her speeder, and pilot her ship the Trailblazer through the wilds of space. When things go awry, the Trailblazer will also help them chase, evade and attack to gain the upper hand in thrilling dogfights with the Empire and other foes.

Star Wars Outlaws will be available through the Ubisoft Store and at retail at a suggested price of $69.99 for the base game. By subscribing to Ubisoft+ or purchasing the Gold or Ultimate Edition, players can also access the game up to three days early*.

  • Standard Edition
    • Base game
  • Gold Edition
    • Base game
    • Season Pass (Includes 2 DLCs, the “Jabba’s Gambit” exclusive mission at launch and the “Kessel Runner Character Pack” cosmetic pack)
    • Up to 3 days early access*
  • Ultimate Edition:
    • Base game
    • Season Pass (Includes 2 DLCs, the “Jabba’s Gambit” exclusive mission at launch and the “Kessel Runner Character Pack” cosmetic pack)
    • Sabacc Shark Bundle: includes cosmetics for Kay, her blaster, Nix, Kay’s Speeder and the “Trailblazer” spaceship
    • Rogue Infiltrator Bundle: includes cosmetics for Kay, Nix, Kay’s speeder and the “Trailblazer
    • Digital art book: A selection of the game’s concept art and visuals, including unique cinematic storyboards
    • Up to 3 days early access*

Abigail New Trailer Released

After a group of would-be criminals kidnap the 12-year-old ballerina daughter of a powerful underworld figure, all they have to do to collect a $50 million ransom is watch the girl overnight. In an isolated mansion, the captors start to dwindle, one by one, and they discover, to their mounting horror, that they’re locked inside with no normal little girl.

From Radio Silence—the directing team of Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett behind the terrifying modern horror hits Ready or Not, 2022’s Scream and last year’s Scream VI—comes a brash, blood-thirsty new vision of the vampire flick, written by Stephen Shields (The Hole in the Ground, Zombie Bashers) and Guy Busick (Scream franchise, Ready or Not).

Abigail stars Melissa Barrera (Scream franchise, In the Heights), Dan Stevens (Gaslit, Legion), Kathryn Newton (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Freaky), William Catlett (Black Lightning, True Story), Kevin Durand (Resident Evil: Retribution, X-Men Origins: Wolverine) and Angus Cloud (Euphoria, North Hollywood) as the kidnappers and Alisha Weir (Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical, Darklands) as Abigail.

The film produced by William Sherak (Scream franchise, Ready or Not), Paul Neinstein (Scream franchise; executive producer, The Night Agent) and James Vanderbilt (Zodiac, Scream franchise) for Project X Entertainment, by Tripp Vinson (Ready or Not, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island) and by Radio Silence’s Chad Vilella (executive producer Ready or Not and Scream franchise). The executive producers are Ron Lynch and Macdara Kelleher.

Star Wars: Tales of the Empire Official Trailer

Today, Disney+ released the trailer, key art and trailer stills for Lucasfilm’s upcoming, original animated series “Star Wars: Tales of the Empire.” The new series, which is the second installment of the “Tales” series, stylistically follows 2022’s critically acclaimed “Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi.”

“Tales of the Empire” launches exclusively on Disney+ on Star Wars Day, May 4, with all six episodes.

“Star Wars: Tales of the Empire” is a six-episode journey into the fearsome Galactic Empire through the eyes of two warriors on divergent paths, set during different eras. After losing everything, young Morgan Elsbeth navigates the expanding Imperial world toward a path of vengeance, while former Jedi Barriss Offee does what she must to survive a rapidly changing galaxy. The choices they make will define their destinies.

The talented voice cast includes Diana Lee Inosanto (Morgan Elsbeth), Meredith Salenger (Barriss Offee), Rya Kihlstedt (Lyn aka Fourth Sister), Wing T. Chao (Wing), Lars Mikkelsen (Thrawn), Jason Isaacs (Grand Inquisitor) and Matthew Wood (General Grievous).

Dave Filoni created the series and is the supervising director. He is also an executive producer along with Athena Yvette Portillo and Carrie Beck. Josh Rimes serves as co-executive producer and Alex Spotswood is the senior producer.

Decadent Announcement Teaser

Decadent, a brand new story-driven first person shooter from Fulqrum Publishing and Incantation Games, sees players step into the shoes of an arctic explorer and World War 1 veteran turned decadent occultist embarking on a terrifying journey into the unknown. With atmospheric exploration, horror, and visceral combat, players will test the limits of their sanity as they face ever-shifting horrors on the search for their estranged son.

BlackMilk Clothing to Release DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Collection

Under license by leading toy and game company Hasbro and its Wizards of the Coast division, customers will be able to dress for an adventure in iconic DUNGEONS & DRAGONS motifs, such as the famous dragon ampersand, dungeon maps and, of course, dice. Those who like to dabble in danger will love designs featuring displacer beasts, red dragons, mimics, mind flayer parasites and more – including an exclusive-to-BlackMilk print featuring 40 different monsters in a D20 pattern. The ever-important role of the Dungeon Master is recognised in a stand-out design on an embroidered, oversized bomber jacket, while those who are looking for a more subtle way to show their love for the game will enjoy prints inspired by the Harpers and a specially created flocked fabric featuring D&D iconography.

Since its inception 50 years ago, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS has cemented its legacy as a leader of imaginative play. With DUNGEONS & DRAGONS being one of the most highly requested collaborations by BlackMilk’s customer community, the limited-edition collection is expected to be a critical success!

The DUNGEONS & DRAGONS collection will be available for purchase 7am (AEST) April 9 exclusively at https://blackmilkclothing.com.

Through their unique products and a commitment to customer relationships, BlackMilk has built their reputation as a leading fashion brand with a significant customer following.

Buckshot Roulette Launch Trailer

CRITICAL REFLEX and developer Mike Klubnika are excited to announce that Buckshot Roulette is now available on Steam for $2.99|£2.49|€2.99. The viral “Russian Roulette with shotguns” comes to Steam with new features including gamepad support, Steam achievements, additional languages, the original soundtrack and new items for the endless “Double or Nothing” mode.

Key Features

  • Shotgun Showdown: Experience the thrill of Russian roulette reimagined with the raw power of a 12-gauge shotgun. Challenge your opponent across three intense rounds and claim your victory or face the ultimate consequence.
  • Meet Your Match: Go head-to-head with The Dealer, playing the odds same as you. No tricks. Can you beat him at his own game?
  • Underground Vibes: Step into a shadowy underground nightclub, where the ambiance is charged with the vibrations of drum machines against cold metal railings.
  • Risk It All: Test your nerves in Double or Nothing mode. How long can you last when the rules are randomized and nothing is guaranteed?
  • New Items: Discover unique items introduced with the Steam version, a special treat to those already familiar with the game.

Buckshot Roulette’s Steam release today also includes language support for French, Italian, German, Spanish, Estonian, Ukrainian, Russian, Korean, Japanese, Turkish, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese and both Simplified and Traditional Chinese.

In the coming months, the team also plans to release Buckshot Roulette on consoles and introduce additional content and features, including the highly anticipated multiplayer game mode.

Universal Pinball: TV Classics Pinball FX Trailer

All-new digital pinball tables inspired by nostalgic hit NBCUniversal TV shows are coming directly to the tips of your flipper fingers with Universal Pinball: TV Classics. Zen Studios, in collaboration with Universal Products & Experiences, today announced three new tables inspired by iconic series, including Knight Rider, Xena: Warrior Princess and Battlestar Galactica, coming on May 16, 2024, to Pinball FX on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

Knight Rider Pinball: Sit behind the wheel and use K.I.T.T.’s superior technology to face off against the greatest threats on the road like K.A.R.R. Punch the Turbo Boost, activate Super Pursuit Mode, and engage Auto Cruise to let the table play automatically!

Xena: Warrior Princess Pinball: In a time of ancient gods, warlords and kings, a land in turmoil cried out for a hero. Join Xena, the mighty princess, as she fights epic villains Callisto, Ares, and Caesar with the help of her friends Gabrielle and Joxer.

Battlestar Galactica Pinball: Take control of the Battlestar Galactica and keep humanity one step ahead of the Cylon threat. Keep them at bay by fighting space battles and resisting subterfuge. You must keep everyone alive and reach the final goal: Earth. So say we all.

Universal Pinball: TV Classics joins over a hundred unique pinball tables in Pinball FX, including others inspired by timeless NBCUniversal franchises and properties, like Jurassic World, Back to The Future, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, and JAWS.

“Many of us grew up watching these legendary series through the past decades. Our team, avid fans of these NBCUniversal TV classics, gleefully jumped into creating these experiences,” said Mel Kirk, COO of Zen Studios. “Bringing these popular characters and stories into Pinball FX and collaborating with Universal Products & Experiences again is a dream come true.”

Universal Pinball: TV Classics will be available on May 16 for Windows PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, as well as PlayStation 5|4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

For more information and updates, visit zenstudios.com.