We interrupt whatever it is you’re doing for a Bikini Bottom special news report! Recent reports from our fish on the ground have described the scene as wild, claiming that the news “SpongeBob SquarePants – The Cosmic Shake is now available” has thrown Bikini Bottom into disarray: Innocent citizens and beloved landmarks have disappeared into strange, magical portals!
Officials are asking the population to stay calm and have come out with an official statement: “Notorious Bikini Bottom residents SpongeBob
and Patrick are on the case!” Of course, this leads us to a number of questions.
Will our heroes brave the many dangers of the fantastical WishWorlds? Will they rescue their friends and bring them home safely? Will fancy moves and even fancier costumes prevail?! And will the Chum Bucket serve something edible for a change? Bikini Bottom is counting on you! If you want to learn more, check our footage directly from the scene.
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake launches today on PC, PlayStation®4, Xbox One™, and Nintendo Switch™. The game is available at an SRP of € 39.99 / $ 39.99 / £ 34.99.
Creative Technology today launched Sound Blaster X5, its latest USB DAC and amplifier sound card that ticks all the boxes on a discerning audiophile’s gear wish list. Decked with class-leading components, breakthrough audio technologies, a comprehensive connectivity profile and sporting a premium look and feel in a sleek build, the X5 simply pulls out all the stops as a compelling audio solution like no other.
This is It for Pristine Audio
Sound Blaster X5 personifies the best of Creative’s audio engineering and design expertise, equipped with audiophile-grade components to achieve exceptional audio quality. It is the first Sound Blaster to feature a dual-DAC design – 2 Cirrus Logic CS43198 DACs deliver high-resolution lossless playback in 32-bit / 384 kHz over PCM with ultra-high dynamic range of up to 130 dB DNR. These DACs can also decode audio formats in DoP128 and DSD256 for high-fidelity audio streaming. Audio distortion is practically non-existent with an oversampled multi-bit modulator for an incredibly low Total Harmonic Distortion rating of 0.00018%.
From studio-grade headphones with impedance of up to 600 ohms, including the most demanding planar-magnetic headphones, to sensitive in-ear monitors with 1 ohm output impedance, Sound Blaster X5 drives them all effortlessly. The award-winning Xamp discrete headphone bi-amplification technology, which is found in the high-end Sound Blaster AE series and Sound BlasterX G6, receives a design upgrade that, coupled with a dual-DAC and dual-Xamp configuration, delivers a fully-balanced headphone output and experience on the X5. A next-level design for audio fidelity makes its debut, using 2 dedicated Xamp circuits that amplifies the left and right channels separately in isolation throughout the entire chain of amplification, effectively eliminating in-circuit interference, noise and cross-talk. What makes the X5 stand out even more is the fact that this type of audio design is a rare find in its price category (sub-US$300).
Audiophiles with a lean to customize their own audio signatures can do just that with the Sound Blaster X5. When connected to the Creative app, they can make adjustments with a 10-band equalization frequency graph, add on Acoustic Engine effects like Surround, Crystalizer, Bass or Dialog+, or use CrystalVoice to improve communication quality. When in the mood for gaming, Scout Mode enhances in-game audio cues to highlight details for a competitive edge.
Sound Blaster X5 also supports ASIO 2.2 for low-latency playback and recording, as well as easy access to multiple audio inputs and outputs.
Full Marks for Connectivity
Sound Blaster X5 is a competent audio hub in its own right; its versatility means it is also compatible with various devices, including gaming consoles, DVD players and other living room entertainment systems. There are two-way RCA and TOSLINK Optical connectors, a convenient USB-C audio and power port, as well as a 3.5 mm microphone-in port with an easy-to-access mic gain knob. There is also a 4.4 mm port for studio-grade balanced headphones, and a 3.5 mm port for regular headphones. All 3 ports use premium gold-plated connectors for better performance. It features a Bluetooth 5.0 receiver and a dedicated USB-A host audio port for connection to wireless audio transmitters, as well as external USB speakers, headsets and microphones.
With a set of controls designed for an intuitive user experience, Sound Blaster X5’s front-mounted buttons and switches are easy to access and right at the fingertips for the audiophile’s convenience.
Pricing and Availability
Sound Blaster X5 is priced at US$279.99 and is available at the Creative online store.
Italian development studio Storm in a Teacup is excited to share a first glimpse at STEEL SEED, its next project following on from 2019’s historic horror adventure, Close to the Sun.
Thousands of years have passed since the human race took the planet to the brink of destruction, causing the AI machines to take all means necessary to save a number of them. Hiding deep below earth’s surface, the last survivors are kept safe, but a new threat has presented itself.
Is it human? Or Machine? And what does it mean for the remnants of the Human Race and their machine guardians?
Carlo Ivo Alimo Bianchi, Storm in a Teacup CEO & Creative Director said “STEEL SEED represents the most challenging project till now for Storm in a Teacup, featuring both a varied combat/stealth system and incredibly deep and emotional storytelling. STEEL SEED is an epic journey that will test your humanity.”
STEEL SEED is a Storm in a Teacup’s take on Stealth/Action gaming coming to PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles in 2024.
For further updates, be sure to follow Storm in a Teacup on social media – Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram
I first got some experience with Ziggurat Interactive’s World Championship Boxing Manager 2 (WCBM2) while playing its demo on Steam. I had a lot of fun training up my boxer and putting him up against opponents in various bouts. But, I didn’t get the whole game experience. I recently got the chance to play the full game, which is now out on Steam, and have enough time under my belt to bring this review to bear. World Championship Boxing Manager 2 is the sequel to the 1991 game, World Championship Boxing Manager. In the game, you act as the manager and do everything from hire boxers to send them to training, give them advice during matches, and keep the money flowing in from (hopefully) how victorious they are in the ring.
A Critical Punch
World Championship Boxing Manager 2 has a fun story mode with a full plot in which you manage a young boxer named Axel to glory. It’s meant as the game’s tutorial and tends to be on the easier side of things in term of opponents. In the career mode, you will manage one or several fighters and their regiments depending on how good you are at managing them. The game mechanics are fairly easy to understand and the fights can provide a good challenge. I was a bit confounded by the lack of weight classes in the game, but I digress. Training your fighters consists of planning their regiment a week at a time. Some days you may opt for rest so they renew their energy reserves while other days you can have them hit the gym, run, swim, and a lot more. During boxing matches, you will be able to instruct your boxer to fighter in various styles and provide them with a health or stamina boost each round.
The Manager
The game’s visual presentation is very reminiscent of those fun SEGA training-based games like Derby Owner’s Club, etc. It’s got a fun 90’s pixel art vibe that serves it well. Boxing matches are interesting to watch and provide enough suspense as to when or if your boxer will take (or give) a good punch. Unfortunately, there is a lot of repetition to be found in the game. Boxers both stand in the center trading punches without moving around a whole lot. It would make the rounds even more interesting if they would perform a few more punch animations and perhaps danced a bit around each other. Not that the game isn’t fun for short bursts of play, but it does suffer from “more of the same” syndrome if you play long enough.
Overall, World Championship Boxing Manager 2 is a fun game to spend some time with. However, there is a lot of repetitiveness to be found here and that could affect just how long you stick with the game. It’s available now on Steam for a very reasonably priced $12.99.
Today, Ubisoft announced that the The Crew franchise will enter a new era with its next installment: The Crew™ Motorfest. The game will be available in 2023 on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, as well as Windows PC through the Ubisoft Store and Epic Games Store. Players will also be able to access the game through a Ubisoft+ subscription on PC and Amazon Luna*.
Welcome to Motorfest! This one-of-a-kind festival will let players enjoy the best experiences car culture has to offer. Motorfest will allow car lovers to fulfill their ultimate action driving bucket list through a series of tailor-made races, themed events and other unique challenges. Whichever way players enjoy cars and driving, there is something in there for them.
The Crew Motorfest has settled down in one of the most breathtaking and vibrant places on Earth: the island of O‘ahu in the Hawaiian archipelago. This is the perfect playground to let players have fun together with their vehicles: racing through the city streets of Honolulu, going down the ashy volcano slopes, adventuring deep in the lush rainforest, drifting along the curvy mountain roads or just chilling down on the sunny beach. On their own or with their crew, they will be able to explore the entire island behind the wheel of hundreds of the most legendary vehicles.
This is just the beginning! Players can expect more details about the full Motorfest program in the coming months.
The development team at Ubisoft Ivory Tower is committed to offering the most exciting and meaningful experience possible for all players. To do so, some of the most engaged players will be able to get behind the wheel early through the Insider Program, starting tomorrow, on February 1. This closed test, split into different phases, will help the development team gather feedback to ensure an optimal player experience at launch and beyond. The first phase of the Insider Program will be limited to PC in order to allow for quick iterations. During the final phases, this closed test will open up to consoles. Register now to get a chance to join the Insider Program – www.thecrewgame.com/insiderprogram.
Warner Bros. Games and Avalanche Software released today the Hogwarts Legacy launch trailer ahead of the open-world, action role-playing-game’s worldwide launch for PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S and PC on February 10, 2023.
In the stunning new trailer, fans are welcomed to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where they will become part of the magic and live out their dreams as a student.
Hogwarts Legacy invites players to embark on an epic journey as a fifth-year student at Hogwarts, gifted with a rare ability to tap into ancient, powerful magic. Guided by the Wizard’s Field Guide and unique instruction from professors and other characters, fans will uncover a compelling storyline filled with thrilling challenges and mysteries.
Faced with perilous dangers, players will defend Hogwarts against deadly enemies and uncover the secrets of the wizarding world’s forgotten past.
Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed,a 4v1 hunt or haunt action-packed video game from the asymmetrical multiplayer experts at IllFonic, is releasing the first DLC on January 31, 2023. This packed DLC is FREE with the purchase of the original game available on PC/Epic Games Store, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One for $39.99.
DLC Highlights:
The Facility, New Map – The Facility closed for good in the late 1980s and has been recently purchased by a private investor group, who have plans to renovate and reopen the facility. Unfortunately for them, it’s being plagued by ghostly activity, and construction crews refuse to enter this haunted health center. Design Director, Jordan Mathewson shares what makes playing this map unique, “This job location [map] is clearly worn by time which gives players a unique feeling compared to our previous job locations [maps]. Construction workers are civilians and have begun a restoration of this facility that has uncovered why it was abandoned in the first place. Varied corridors combined with medium-sized rooms are built stacked up to provide a unique, more intimate gameplay experience with a creepier aesthetic. There will be some interesting ways to utilize these new areas in this map to each player’s, Ghostbuster or Ghost, advantage.”
New Ghost Type – Glutton which includes Muncher plus two additional variants – Immediately recognizable, Muncher, is a fan-favorite and the most requested Ghost IllFonic has received. If you are a haunting enthusiast, then you will not be disappointed to get your hands on this mischievous Ghost Type in game.
Firehouse Additions – Players will see new character customization options, gear like the Belt Gizmo and Disruptor Pylon, along with improvements to gear attachments, and more.
Game Play – The team has been hard at work making improvements to game matchmaking. All bots in the game have also been improved, those haunting you and those helping you bust ghosts.
Remember, IllFonic plans to release similar DLC Drops each quarter of 2023 for free, in addition to the continued Quality of Life patches supporting Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed.
Following the celebratory stream that just aired on Techland’s official Twitch channel, they have shared the official 1st anniversary trailer for their zombie epic, Dying Light 2 Stay Human.
Let’s celebrate Dying Light 2 Stay Human 1st Anniversary together!
• Listening to the community is a number one priority. With the second community update, come some of the most-requested quality-of-life improvements and fixes.
• What better way to celebrate Dying Light than by recognizing its most iconic attack? Kick it up a notch because this weekend will be all about the dropkick with amped-up ragdolls and damage.
• Complete all three skins of the characters from the original game. For the first time, play in the shoes of Rais or Brecken and make a comeback as the legendary hero of Harran, Kyle Crane.
• 2023 will bring regular in-game events and updates packed with content and improvements that are set to take your gaming experience to another level.
RØDE has released a headset edition of the award-winning NTH-100 headphones, the NTH-100M. Released earlier this year to widespread acclaim, the NTH-100s marked RØDE’s highly anticipated debut into the headphone market and have since been cemented as a modern classic with their exceptional sound quality, innovative features for superior comfort, sleek looks and rugged build quality.
The NTH-100M offers the same premium features, with the addition of a broadcast-grade headset microphone, making it ideal for media and broadcast, podcasting, streaming and gaming, conference calls and other business applications. The microphone is also available as a standalone accessory, the NTH-Mic, allowing existing NTH-100 users to transform their headphones into a professional headset.
The NTH-100M is a professional over-ear headset that combines the award-winning NTH-100 headphones with a broadcast-quality grade microphone.
NTH-100M Headset
KEY FEATURES OF THE NTH-100M:
Custom-matched drivers that deliver an incredibly accurate frequency response and low distortion – ideal for both critical and everyday listening
Precision-engineered acoustic construction optimised for exceptional detail and clarity
Broadcast-grade condenser microphone for highly detailed voice reproduction
Alcantara® earcup and headband cushions for superior comfort
Unique ergonomic earcups with memory foam cushions for excellent noise isolation and revolutionary CoolTech™ gel for reducing fatigue
Fully adjustable headband with FitLok™ locking system for a tailored feel
Rugged, hard-wearing construction and modular design for unmatched durability
Designed and made using high-grade components in RØDE’s state-of-the-art facilities in Sydney, Australia
Covered by a lifetime warranty
“The NTH-100 headphones have been hugely successful since their release back in March,” said RØDE CEO Damien Wilson. “We spent years meticulously designing these headphones to deliver the best listening experience possible, and they were an instant hit with everyone from audio professionals to home musicians and content creators, particularly for their highly accurate sound signature and ultra-comfortable design. It was incredibly gratifying to see our hard work pay off and now it is with great pleasure that we can deliver everything the NTH-100s have to offer in a professional headset.”
HEAR AND BE HEARD WITH INCREDIBLE AUDIO
The headphone components of the NTH-100M are identical to the NTH-100. This includes custom-matched 40mm dynamic drivers that were painstakingly crafted using high-grade components to deliver an extremely accurate frequency response and very low distortion.
The construction of the earcups further enhances the listening experience, with their unique contoured design delivering optimal acoustic performance for outstanding clarity and detail. Each earcup also features a layer of high-density memory foam for excellent isolation from external noise. The NTH-100s have a very open, natural sound signature, making them ideal for a wide range of applications, from critical to everyday listening.
With the addition of a broadcast-grade microphone, the NTH-100M becomes even more versatile, offering both studio-quality audio monitoring and broadcast-quality voice capture in a sleek, stylish package. The NTH-Mic features a miniature condenser capsule that delivers highly detailed voice reproduction and is positioned for optimal plosive rejection with any head shape.
It is fully detachable and can be easily removed when not in use. For existing NTH-100 users, it can also be purchased as a standalone accessory, making these one of the most flexible pairs of headphones available.
MADE FOR MAXIMUM COMFORT
The NTH-100M is made for maximum comfort, boasting a precision-engineered ergonomic design and innovative features that make it ideal for extended wear. This includes luxurious Alcantara® earcup and headband cushions that are supremely soft and highly breathable. Each earcup also features a layer of revolutionary CoolTech™ gel, which absorbs and dissipates heat, actively cooling the head and ears to significantly reduce wearing fatigue – invaluable when being used for long periods.
The memory foam padding in each earcup not only provides excellent passive attenuation of external noise, but also ensures a custom-fit feel for any head size or shape, even for those who wear glasses. The headband is fully adjustable and features the FitLok™ locking system, which secures the earcups firmly in place, giving them a tailored feel and ensuring they fit perfectly every time they are worn.
RUGGED AND DURABLE
The NTH-100M is incredibly rugged, built using high-grade components in RØDE’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Sydney, Australia. From the high-strength spring steel headband and durable Alcantara finishes, to the FitLok system, which ensures minimal mechanical wear and tear, every component is crafted to endure years of daily use.
The detachable NTH-Mic features a locking bayonet connector for a rock-solid connection, and the ability to remove it ensures it can be kept safe when in storage or transit. The pads and cable are also user-replaceable, ensuring maximum longevity, and the NTH-100 is also covered by a lifetime warranty – a world-first for professional headphones – while the NTH-Mic is covered by a 2-year warranty.
The NTH-100M and NTH-Mic are shipping worldwide now. The NTH-100M is available for US$189 and the NTH-Mic is available for US$59. To find out more, head to rode.com/nth-100m.
Godlike publisher Raw Fury, and cosmic developer Stitch Heads, are excited to announce that Superfuse, their all-action Superhero RPG, has released today on Steam Early Access priced at $24.99/€24.99/£20.99.
Superfuse is a comic-book infused Action RPG set on the mining asteroid Eros, a far flung outpost in the galaxy after the Earth has been abandoned by mankind, where you take on the role of an Enforcer – humanity’s super-powered protectors. Play as one of three classes – the Berserker, Elementalist, or the Technomancer – in either the single-player campaign or in co-op mode for up to four players, as you attempt to hold back a tide of terrifying, mysterious creatures dubbed “The Corruption”.
Featuring a unique set of skills and talent trees, Superfuse has an in-depth hyper-tailored skill system – known as Fuses – enabling players to create and refine their character’s skillsets to a high level of individuality. Every character will play differently in Superfuse.
Key Features
Hyper customizable skill trees – Pick your class then apply ‘fuses’ to your powers to create an array of unique skills. Strategically reallocate and redesign your powers to counter powerful enemies based on their set-up for maximum effectiveness.
Loot – Optimize your unique, perfect superhero with powerful weapons, hi-tech armour, and boosters. Collect a huge amount of different types of loot with randomized stats to make your hero more powerful.
Online multiplayer – Build a superhero for online four-player PvE drop in/out co-op campaign. Mix and match your classes to create the perfect superteam.
Play Solo – play the campaign solo offline or online.
Procedurally generated as well as handcrafted levels – Never fight down the same path twice with levels that reshape themselves every time you play.
Fully voiced, story-driven campaign – Player characters and NPC’s are brought to vivid life by the voice talents of award-winning actors including Eli Harris.
Award Winning Composer – Music by award-winning composer Michael McCann (Deux Ex, Borderlands 3)
End Game – Head to the solar map and take on various procedurally generated contracts for greater challenges. High-level enemies carry the shiniest loot of all.
