Author - Jerry Paxton

Shout! Factory Reveals Comic-Con Lineup

2022/07/08
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Movie News, News, SDCC

Shout! Factory is thrilled to announce its in-person return to the convention center this summer for San Diego Comic-Con 2022! Showcasing the very best in pop culture, this year’s highlights include a celebration of the 10th anniversary of LAIKA Studios acclaimed film, the Academy Award©-nominated ParaNorman. Stop by the Shout! Factory booth (#4118) for an exclusive 10th anniversary ParaNorman button, and the chance to see a variety of original production puppets from the film all week, courtesy of LAIKA Studios. Shout! Factory is also proud to join with GKIDS in celebrations for the groundbreaking animated classic Princess Mononoke with exclusive 25th anniversary buttons, available only at the Shout! Factory booth.

Pop culture enthusiasts also won’t want to miss the SDCC exclusive Shout! Factory TV button pack. Featuring the fan-favorite family of channels Mystery Science Theater 3000, Scream Factory TV, Shout! Cult, ALF, and TokuSHOUTsu, these stylish buttons are available only at the Shout! Factory booth (#4118), while supplies last.

Shout! Factory will be selling a variety of its Blu-ray, Steelbook® and box set releases at this year’s convention, from the hottest new releases to cult favorites you may have missed- many with an exclusive gift with purchase! For continuing updates on Shout! Factory’s Comic-Con activities and news, please visit ShoutFactory.com, and follow us on Twitter @ShoutFactory, on Instagram @shoutfactory, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/shoutfactoryofficial.

Shout! Factory Booth (#4118) Comic-Con Exclusives

Princess Mononoke 25th Anniversary Button              ParaNorman 10th Anniversary Button

Shout! Factory TV Buttons

Shout! Factory, Shout Kids and Scream Factory Home Entertainment

Highlights for SDCC 2022

  •  **Indicates gift with purchase or premium sets, available while supplies last.
  •  BELLE: Limited Edition SteelBook®
  •  BELLE: Blu-ray/DVD
  •  Cartoon Saloon’s IRISH FOLKLORE TRILOGY
  •  Coraline: LAIKA Studios Edition
  •  The Craft Collector’s Edition 4K UHD
  •  Escape From New York: Collector’s Edition 4K UHD
  •  Explorers: Collector’s Edition
  •  Fire In The Sky
  •  Halloween 1-5 4K UHD Bundle + Pin Set*
  •  Kamen Rider Zero-One: The Complete Series + Movie
  •  Kubo & The Two Strings: LAIKA Studios Edition
  •  Lifeforce: Collector’s Edition UHD *
  •  Millennium Actress SteelBook®
  •  My Neighbor Totoro Limited Edition SteelBook®
  •  NEON GENESIS EVANGELION: The Complete Series: Limited Collector’s Edition
  •  ParaNorman: LAIKA Studios Edition
  •  Pompo The Cinephile
  •  Poupelle of Chimney Town*
  •  Princess Mononoke: Limited Edition SteelBook®
  •  Species: Collector’s Edition 4K UHD*
  •  Spirited Away: Limited Edition SteelBook®
  •  The Transformers: The Movie: 35th Anniversary Edition 4K UHD

AMC Unveils Comic-Con 2022 Lineup of Panels and More

2022/07/07
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Movie News, News, SDCC

AMC Networks announced today its lineup of panels and events at this year’s Comic-Con International, which runs from July 21 to July 24 in San Diego, CA, including the final series panel for the cultural phenomenon The Walking Dead ahead of its must-see last eight episodes this fall; the Comic-Con debut panel for Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire, along with panels for Tales of the Walking Dead, the new episodic anthology within The Walking Dead Universe debuting August 14, and Shudder’s new docu-series Queer for Fear, premiering this fall.

In addition to its panels, AMC Networks is returning to the Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Hotel this month to transform the Skylight Terrace and Gaslamp ballroom into The Walking Dead Fan Celebration, the ultimate fan destination for The Walking Dead. 

Additional details on the Fan Celebration and Comic-Con panels are below:

The Walking Dead Fan Celebration

  • Located at the Hilton Gaslamp Hotel (4th Avenue and L Street, across from the Convention Center), The Walking Dead Fan Celebration is an in-world activation hosted by AMC Networks on Friday, July 22 at 7:30pm PT, reuniting Comic-Con and TWD fans to relive some of the most iconic moments and characters from the past eleven seasons.
  • Fans will be treated to a variety of exclusive experiences, designed specifically for San Diego Comic-Con, including an impressive collection of series set pieces, props and artifacts from all seasons, showcasing the series’ artistry and craft, and offering fans the chance to capture photos and videos amongst their favorite elements from the series. Custom video content will also highlight memorable TWD moments, and include special messages from cast and crew, honoring this ground-breaking television series.
  • AMC will distribute custom-designed TWD enamel pins, representing iconic images from the show’s eleven seasons, plus one bonus design pin commemorating the The Walking Dead Fan Celebration.
  • Attendees will have the opportunity to choose from four custom-designed screen-printed t-shirts honoring the series, available exclusively that evening; transform themselves into the undead after visiting a Walking Dead-inspired walker make-up station; enjoy the Commonwealth’s “Taste of Tradition” ice cream flavors, along with themed beverages and food; and participate in a Commonwealth-inspired lottery for additional giveaways.

More information on event tickets to come. The Walking Dead Fan Celebration is hosted by AMC Networks and produced by Campfire.

AMC Networks Comic-Con Panels

  • Tales of the Walking Dead panel on Friday, July 22 at 12:30 PM PT, Hall H

The panel will introduce fans to this new episodic anthology consisting of six original one-hour standalone episodes focused on both new and established characters within the walker apocalypse. The stakes are high in each story, pushing new, indelible characters with relentless, life-threatening choices and situations as we get to see the apocalypse through different eyes, discovering more worlds, mythos, and mysteries of the Walking Dead.

Moderated by Chris Hardwick (Talking Dead), the panel will feature Chief Content Officer of The Walking Dead Universe, Scott M. Gimple, Showrunner and Executive Producer Channing Powell, Director and Executive Producer Michael Satrazemis, and cast members Terry Crews (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), Samantha Morton (The Walking Dead, Harlots), and Danny Ramirez (Top Gun: Maverick) with additional cast pending.

  • The Walking Dead Season 11C panel on Friday, July 22 at 1:30 PM PT, Hall H

Chris Hardwick moderates the final panel for the hit series ahead of its last eight episodes this fall. This must-watch panel will feature Gimple, Showrunner and Executive Producer Angela Kang, Executive Producer, Director and Special Effects Makeup Supervisor Greg Nicotero and cast members Norman Reedus, Melissa McBride, Christian Serratos, Ross Marquand, Khary Payton, Seth Gilliam, Josh McDermitt, Michael James Shaw, Cailey Fleming and Lauren Ridloff as they answer fan questions, share behind-the-scenes stories about filming the final season, and reveal the highly anticipated trailer for season 11.

In the upcoming final episodes of The Walking Dead, threats lurk around every corner, dead and alive, as each group continues to get caught in uncontrollable situations. The looming pressure is cresting towards a day of reckoning for all. Will the sum of their individual journeys cumulate into one, or divide them forever?

  • Queer for Fear panel on Friday, July 22 at 4:45PM PT, Room 6A

Join a discussion for the upcoming Shudder Original four-part documentary series about the history of Queer people in the thriller/horror genre, featuring Executive Producers Bryan Fuller and Steak House, interviewee and filmmaker Kimberly Peirce and interviewee and podcaster Renée “Nay” Bever.

From its literary origins with authors Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, and Oscar Wilde to the pansy craze of the 1920s that inspired Universal Monsters and Hitchcock, through the “lavender scare” alien invasion films of the mid-20th century, and the AIDS-obsessed bloodletting of 80s vampire films, Queer for Fear explores the role the LGBTQ+ community played in front of and behind the camera. Through this rainbow lens, we will re-examine genre stories not as violent, murderous narratives but as tales of survival that resonate thematically with queer audiences everywhere.

  • Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire panel on Saturday, July 23 at 2PM PT, Ballroom 20

The highly anticipated first series in AMC Networks’ Anne Rice collection  makes its Comic-Con panel debut with Executive Producer Mark Johnson, Creator, Writer and Showrunner Rolin Jones, cast members Sam Reid, Jacob Anderson, Bailey Bass and Eric Bogosian and Production Designer Mara LePere Schloop discussing this new iteration of Anne Rice’s revolutionary and bestselling novel, stepping into the role of these iconic characters, bringing the world of early 1900s New Orleans to life and debuting a first official series trailer.

Interview’s first season consists of 7 episodes and is an emotionally charged, character-driven series that follows Louis de Pointe du Lac (Anderson), Lestat de Lioncourt (Reid) and Claudia (Bass)’s epic story of love, blood, and the perils of immortality.

Matchpoint – Tennis Championships Launch Trailer

2022/07/07
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, PlayStation 5 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox One News, Xbox Series X News

Tennis fever is in the air and a brand-new challenger is waiting to make its debut on the court, are you ready to commence your journey to becoming World #1? Matchpoint – Tennis Championships, the just-released tennis simulator published by Kalypso Media and developed by Torus Games, is ready to make its first serve and is available today with Game Pass for console and PC. The tennis title is available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S consoles (supported through Smart Delivery), PlayStation 4|5, and Windows PC right now!

Matchpoint – Tennis Championships offers a dynamic and immersive gaming experience with its extensive career mode, unique rivalry system, authentic ball physics, and advanced multiplayer mode. From choosing the right coach to implementing the best play style, strategy and decision-making will be central to success as players experience what it truly takes to climb the ranks and become a tennis champion. Unprecedented player control and true-to-life ball physics are combined to make Matchpoint – Tennis Championships an authentic tennis gaming experience in which every swing and hit counts across the clay, hard, and grass courts.

On the virtual courts, players can face up against their friends in the game’s fully cross-platform multiplayer or go racket-to-racket with any of the game’s 16 tennis superstars from around the globe: Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Garbiñe Muguruza, Andrey Rublev, Casper Ruud, Hubert Hurkaczs, Nick Kyrgios, Benoît Paire, Heather Watson, Hugo Gaston, Madison Keys, Victoria Azarenka, Taylor Fritz, and Pablo Carreño Busta. Additionally, in the aptly named retail Legends Edition, players can also take on the legendary Tim Henman and Tommy Haas.

Matchpoint – Tennis Championships is available today with Game Pass for console and PC and is out now on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S consoles (supported through Smart Delivery), PlayStation 4|5, and Windows PC from today. The title will be available on Nintendo Switch™ on October 20, 2022.

Key Features

  • Enter the world of professional Tennis. Matchpoint – Tennis Championships offers a deep career mode featuring a unique merit-based ranking system.
  • Create your own 3D tennis star. Choose your look, fashion, and play style with an array of customization options, including true-to-life techniques such as left-or right-handed, one-handed, or two-handed backhand.
  • Dominate the court as a tennis professional. Matchpoint – Tennis Championships features 16 real-life international tennis stars from the professional circuit, including Nick Kyrgios, Kei Nishikori, and Amanda Anisimova.
  • Fully customize your athlete and wearables. From rackets to clothing, the game features gear from all of tennis’ name brands including Babolat, YONEX, HEAD, and many more. Unlock special equipment by winning competitive matches.
  • Master all strokes and shots in grand style. Determine the outcome of a rally by choosing the best technique for the time: top spin, flat, lob, or slice shot.
  • Take on opponents in local or online matches. Play against a cunning AI or face your friends and rivals on the court via local sessions and online cross-play.
  • Study your rival’s moves and tactics. Watch your opponents and get to know their strengths and weaknesses to gain a tactical advantage before you even hit the court.
  • Practice makes perfect: hire a personal coach to hone your skills. Buff your strengths and diminish your weaknesses with an in-game coaching system of individual training modules.
  • Fine-tune your tactics in Practice and Mini-Game modes: Jump into a variety of mini-games to hone your perfect game and become a force to be reckoned with on the court.
  • Compete in exhibition matches at spectacular venues around the globe. Each court has its own characteristics; study your arenas of play and adapt your game to grass, clay, and hard courts.
  • Replay mode. Breakpoint or deciding match point, capture your fiercest rallies on film and study the outcomes to improve your game.

Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch 8 Brings in Bards and Gnomes

2022/07/07
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

The eighth major update for Baldur’s Gate 3 was revealed today during the Panel From Hell, featuring a live performance by Hunter – a Belgian metal band led by Larian’s own Head of Production, David Walgrave, an appearance by Neil Newbon*, and commentary by Volothamp Geddarm himself (played by Stephen Hogan).

Larian’s Eurovision-themed live show revealed the addition of the Bard class, playable Gnome race, a major upgrade to the pace of combat, and more. Read the highlights below – the full patch notes will be available on Steam when the patch goes live.

Patch 8: Of Valour and Lore will be available to Baldur’s Gate 3 players later today, July 7. Catch the Panel From Hell VOD on YouTube and Twitch after the livestream.

*No Bards were harmed in the production of this show.

  • New Class: Bard
    • Masters of song and speech, dealing out both inspiration and devastation in battle, the long-awaited Bard class is the latest to join the party in Baldur’s Gate 3. Hurl pithy one-liners at your enemies or play songs with your companions by the campfire.
    • Two Subclasses:
      • College of Valour: A combat-focused subclass, Bards of the College of Valour gain proficiencies and skills that make them hardy enough to join the frontlines of battle while still allowing them the ability to buff and inspire allies.
        • Signature Feature: Combat Inspiration
          • Inspire an ally with your valour.
          • They can add a +1d6 bonus to their next Attack Roll, Ability Check, or Saving Throw.
          • They can also choose to add a +1d6 bonus to the damage their next weapon attack deals, or a +4 bonus to their Armour Class for one attack.
      • College of Lore: A subclass focused on spellcasting, Bards of the College of Lore seek to collect knowledge anywhere it lives, using their deft wordplay and magical abilities to confuse and debuff foes while buffing and inspiring allies.
        • Signature Feature: Cutting Words
          • Use your wit to distract a creature and sap its confidence.
          • It receives a 1d6 penalty to Attack Rolls, Ability Checks, and damage dealt until the start of your next turn.
        • We’ve recorded 97 bespoke insults fit for any occasion.
    • ‘Perform’ Ability: Musical instruments can be used by any class with the Performer feat at Level 4. Perform songs anywhere you like, but be prepared for certain NPCs reacting to your performances or even deciding to join in. If they really appreciate your musical abilities, they may reward you for it.
  • New Playable Race: Gnomes
    • Play as a Gnome! Adventurous and vibrant, curious and small of stature, Gnomes are the first new playable race to come to Baldur’s Gate 3 since its launch into Early Access.
  • Swarm AI
    • Minor enemies (e.g., animals, goblins) are now grouped together in combat. These groups move and attack together, making for a much faster and smoother combat experience during larger battles.
  • Killcams
    • Ranged critical hits now utilize combat cameras! Watching arrows and Magic Missiles pierce your enemies has never been cooler.
  • Hair Upgrades
    • It’s as if everyone in Faerûn’s using a great new shampoo – all hairstyles have received an upgrade in the form of a new hair-shading model and other general improvements.
    • Highlights and graying have been added to character creation.
  • Brazilian Portuguese Localization
    • Baldur’s Gate 3 is now playable with Brazilian Portuguese subtitles – vamo nessa!
  • Improved Multiplayer Stability
    • Implemented network compression, meaning that players with slower and less reliable internet connections should hopefully start to see a noticeable improvement in stability and reduction of lag when playing multiplayer with their friends.

Jupiter’s Claim Set from NOPE to be Featured in Universal Studios Studio Tour

2022/07/07
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Movie News, News

The original Jupiter’s Claim set from Jordan Peele’s expansive new horror epic, Nope, will be featured exclusively at Universal Studios Hollywood as a new attraction on the world-famous Studio Tour, beginning Friday, July 22, in tandem with the theatrical release of the new summer event film from Universal Pictures and Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions.

The impressive and elaborate Jupiter’s Claim set was created by Production Designer Ruth DeJong, then carefully disassembled post-production and transported to Universal Studios Hollywood where it was meticulously reconstructed on site, complete with original props and details from the film.

Jordan Peele, alongside producing partner Ian Cooper and Monkeypaw Productions, is thrilled to bring the film’s fictional theme park to Universal Studios Hollywood as a permanent Studio Tour attraction.  Concepting the integration of the set to the Studio Tour began early in production in partnership with the filmmakers, working collaboratively with Universal Creative at Universal Studios Hollywood to ensure authenticity and accuracy.

The Jupiter’s Claim set – which can only be seen on the Studio Tour – marks the first time that a Studio Tour attraction has opened day and date with a movie release.  It will be staged within Universal Studios’ backlot alongside a host of other iconic movie sets that include Steven Spielberg’s War of the Worlds, the infamous Psycho house from Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho and Courthouse Square from Robert Zemeckis’ Back to the Future.

“I remember visiting Universal Studios when I was 12 years old and being mesmerized. That experience reinforced my passion and drive to someday join in on the meta-magic of ‘backlot life.’ Since then, I’ve been fortunate enough to direct three movies for Universal,” said Jordan Peele. “It is a privilege to honor these collaborations with my studio partners, crew members and cast, and to be able to share Jupiter’s Claim with fans.”

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Jordan Peele and bring a piece of his innovative film to Universal Studios Hollywood for our guests to experience,” said Scott Strobl, EVP and General Manager, Universal Studios Hollywood. “Jordan’s creativity and ingenuity have produced unique, thought-provoking movies, and we couldn’t be more excited to showcase his original Jupiter’s Claim set as a permanent centerpiece attraction on the Studio Tour, giving our guests a front row seat to authentic movie-making magic.”

Jordan Peele disrupted and redefined modern horror with the Universal blockbusters Get Out and then Us. Now, he reimagines the summer movie with a new pop nightmare. Written, directed and produced by Peele, Nope reunites the filmmaker with Oscar® winner Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out, Judas and the Black Messiah), who is joined by Keke Palmer (Hustlers, Alice) and Oscar® nominee Steven Yeun (Minari, Okja) as residents in a lonely gulch of inland California who bear witness to an uncanny and chilling discovery.

Jupiter’s Claim, set in Southern California’s Santa Clarita Valley, is a family-fun theme park and predicated on the white-washed history and aesthetics of the California Gold Rush. Owned and operated with evangelical pride by former child star Ricky “Jupe” Park, Jupiter’s Claim becomes a pivotal location as the characters seek to investigate mysterious, unexplained phenomena, leading them toward increasing danger and terrifying consequences.

The Studio Tour is renowned for taking guests behind-the-scenes of an authentic movie and television production studio. With the exciting addition of the Jupiter’s Claim set from Nope, coupled with the progressive roll out of electric Studio Tour trams, a summer of fun is just beginning at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Following the success of Get Out and Us, Jordan Peele signed an exclusive deal with Universal Pictures and Universal Studio Group for film and television projects.  NBCUniversal has created a vibrant, interconnected brand ecosystem that allows its filmmaking partners to leverage their creative visions through expressions across its broad portfolio, including content throughout the company’s numerous platforms and Symphony campaigns.

The company’s commitment to leveraging its resources to evolve its film and television programming from cultural moments to 365-day evergreen franchises that allow fans to engage through content extensions, branded experiences, irresistible products and games and truly immersive theme park attractions or integrations, resulted in this groundbreaking partnership at Universal Studios Hollywood tied to Nope.

On July 22, fans can experience Nope on its opening weekend at Universal CityWalk’s state-of-the-art Universal Cinema, an AMC® Theater, before heading to Universal Studios Hollywood to see the original set from the film. After all, this is the place to see movies, where movies are made.

More information is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.

Arrow Video Unveils New Titles for August 2022

2022/07/07
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Movie News, News

This summer, Arrow unleashes two more stunning titles that film fanatics will want to add to their collection. Released on August 2, Joel Schumacher’s early ’90s classic, Flatliners, packs a punch with its powerful, all-star cast and themes of life and death.

Five young and ambitious students (Kiefer Sutherland, Julia Roberts, Kevin Bacon, William Baldwin, and Oliver Platt) dream of changing the world by answering the question everyone has thought about at least once – what awaits us when we die? The students develop an experiment that allows them to enter into a “near-death” experience. Unfortunately, this brings dark consequences as past tragedies begin to jeopardize their lives.

Flatliners has been lauded for its striking visuals and stellar cast. Famed critic Roger Ebert praised the film as “an original, intelligent thriller” while applauding the cast for having the “right mixture of intensity, fear, and cockiness.” Rita Kempley of The Washington Post adored the film, calling it “a heart-stopping, breathtakingly sumptuous haunted house of a movie.”

Arrow will be releasing Flatliners on 4K UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray. Each release features a brand-new 4K restoration from the original negative, approved by the director of photography Jan de Bont. Each release will include enough new bonus content to fill a body bag. First pressings will include an illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Amanda Reyes and Peter Tonguette.

Next, on August 30, Arrow will release the Running Out of Time Collection. This 2-disc set includes two stunning Hong Kong action thrillers from director Johnnie To.

In 1999’s Running Out of Time, Andy Lau stars as a cancer-ridden criminal who challenges a police negotiator (Lau Ching-wan) to a 72-hour battle of wits and courage. The film was a smash hit, earning six nominations at the 19th Hong Kong Film Awards including Best Film and Best Director. For his performance as the complicated criminal, Lau took home the award for Best Actor. Running Out of Time delivers “invigorating suspense and inventive twists (Hong Kong Digital).”

Two years later, Ching-wan returned to the role of Inspector Ho Sheung Sang in the “constantly entertaining” (Far East Films) 2001 sequel, Running Out of Time 2. In this go-around, Ching-wan battles wits with a clever criminal (Ekin Cheng) that has plans to extort money from a wealthy businesswoman (Kelly Lin). Much like its predecessor, Running Out of Time 2 was well-received, earning five Golden Horse Awards nominations, including wins for Best Action Choreography and Best Film Editing.

This 2-disc set includes an abundance of bonus content, new and archived. Special features include brand-new audio commentary tracks for each film with Hong Kong film expert Frank Djeng and the 2003 documentary Hong Kong Stories. This breathtaking box set serves as the perfect entry point into the works of Johnnie To and modern Hong Kong action cinema.

beyerdynamic Unveils FREE BYRD Ever Wireless Earbuds

2022/07/07
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Tech News

beyerdynamic – the audio brand of choice for music lovers around the world – is finally entering the true wireless earbud category with the release of Free BYRD. The all-new TWS earbuds marry beyerdynamic’s beloved premium sound quality with a design language reminiscent of the classic guitar pick. By combining the experience of beyerdynamic’s audio specialists and world-class manufacturing, Free BYRD provides consumers with meaningful beyerdynamic sound experiences anywhere, anytime. Free BYRD stays true to beyerdynamic’s legendary audio quality and offers smart features like easy Bluetooth® pairing, active noise canceling (ANC), and up to 11 hours of battery life. The new beyerdynamic Free BYRD earbuds are available beginning today for $249 in the beyerdynamic online store and on Amazon.

Premium Sound. No Wires or Exceptions.
Free BYRD’s release marks the first time the company has brought its genuine premium sound – designed and developed in Heilbronn, Germany – to compact true wireless earbuds. beyerdynamic’s obsessive attention to sound quality and detail is paramount in every product brought to market, and no exception was made for its first-ever true wireless earbuds.

“We are not the first company to release true wireless earbuds,” said Edgar van Velzen, CEO of beyerdynamic. “However, we are the first to release true SOUND wireless earbuds with the MOSAYC – Attention to Detail with Mimi Sound Personalization. We’re proud to have prioritized sound quality over market pressures, and with this time taken, have successfully achieved a new level of development in sound performance, offering audio enthusiasts the perfect pair of in-ear TWS earbuds that look and feel as great as they sound.”

The unique acoustic design, powerful 10mm driver, and the latest aptX™ adaptive and AAC codecs create detailed sound with brilliant highs and powerful bass. Whether listening to music, watching the latest series, or gaming during a commute, Free BYRD’s engine is up to the task.

Onboard digital ANC with hybrid technology gives music fans a sound experience with consistent quality and no distracting ambient noise. Want to hear the world around you? Ambient noise can be easily mixed in via Transparency Mode, so you can go from an immersive soundscape to a meaningful conversation with just a tap of the earbuds.

Key to the classic beyerdynamic audio performance is a comfortable and secure fit. Consumers can choose between five different silicone earpieces designed by beyerdynamic’s acoustics specialists to ensure the best possible fit with a focus on in-ear ergonomics. Three additional memory-foam earpieces are included for use during sporting activities, while Free BYRD is splash-resistant with IPX4 certification to protect against sweat during extreme workouts or rain while on the go.

Listen Smarter. Not Harder.
Free BYRD’s speech intelligibility during phone calls or meetings remains at the highest quality, even in a noisy environment, thanks to the inclusion of Qualcomm® dual 2-mic cVc™ technology. A total of four microphones, two each on the left and right earpieces of the Free BYRD, deliver natural phone calls. With Google Fast Pair, the earbuds connect to Android devices within seconds, while Bluetooth® connection options are available on iOS, Mac OS, and PC devices. Certifications from both Amazon and Apple also add ‘Hey Alexa’ and ‘Siri’ voice assistants to Free BYRD.

Gamers and series fans will love Free BYRD’s Low Latency Mode which ensures perfect synchronization between image and sound. The Light Guide System helps facilitate different user operations such as the Bluetooth® pairing mode by using different color LEDs.

Free BYRD can also be connected to beyerdynamic’s innovative and updated MIY app. The “MOSAYC – Attention to Detail with Mimi Sound Personalization” elevates the sound of the Free BYRD to the next level. After a listening test of just two minutes, the sound and settings of the headphones can be personalized within the app and completely adapted to the individual user’s hearing profile. Thanks to the transparency feature, the user can hear their own voice during phone calls, and the equalizer offers customization of audio content to one’s preference with presets. In addition, the app can be used to keep the earbuds up to date with the latest technology via over-the-air firmware updates.

The beyerdynamic Free BYRD earbuds have an extra-long battery life of up to 11 hours after a single charge. For charging, the earbuds can be stored in the compact charging cradle/case at any time, powered via USB-C or Qi® wireless pads. If users are in a hurry, a quick 10-minute charge provides up to 70 minutes of listening pleasure.

Availability and Costs
The beyerdynamic Free BYRD true wireless earbuds come in either Black or Gray and are available starting today for $249.00 from the beyerdynamic store or Amazon.com.

In-Person E3 to Return in Second Week of June 2023

2022/07/07
Jerry Paxton
E3, Geek News, Industry News, News

E3, the world’s premier celebration of interactive entertainment, will make its long-awaited return to the Los Angeles Convention Center in the second week of June, 2023. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) will partner with ReedPop, the veteran event production company behind PAX, New York Comic Con, Star Wars Celebration, and other acclaimed celebrations of pop culture, to reunite the global video game industry for a week of titanic AAA reveals, earth-shaking world premieres, and exclusive access to the future of video games.

E3 2023 will welcome back publishers, developers, journalists, content creators, manufacturers, buyers, and licensors. The event will also highlight digital showcases and feature in-person consumer components.

“It is a tremendous honor and privilege for ReedPop to take on the responsibility of bringing E3 back in 2023,” said Lance Fensterman, President of ReedPop. “With the support and endorsement of the ESA, we’re going to build a world class event to serve the global gaming industry in new and broader ways than we already do at ReedPop through our portfolio of world leading events and web sites.”

Kyle Marsden-Kish, ReedPop Global VP of Gaming who will lead the newly formed E3 team along with his global gaming live event responsibilities added, “For years, we’ve listened, heard, and studied the global gaming community’s feedback. E3 2023 will be recognizably epic—a return to form that honors what’s always worked—while reshaping what didn’t and setting a new benchmark for video game expos in 2023 and beyond.”

“We are thrilled to bring back E3 as an in-person event with ReedPop, a global leader in producing pop culture events.” continued Stanley Pierre-Louis, President and CEO of the ESA. “The past three years have confirmed that E3 convenes our industry like no other event. ReedPop brings world-class talent and a keen understanding of the video game industry, which will serve to enhance the E3 experience for years to come.”

A streamlined and secure media registration for E3 2023 will begin in late 2022. Confirmed exhibitors, hotel and travel guides, event schedules, and more will be shared in the months to come via media releases and the official E3 website. Media, creators, industry professionals, and fans are encouraged to visit this website often for updates, and to follow E3 on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

The Valiant – Companions Trailer

2022/07/06
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

A knight needs his sword to fight with, his armor to protect him, his horse to ride on – and loyal companions to rely on. The latest trailer is a showcase for the playable characters of The Valiant and their unique skills. From Konrad, the skilled archer, and loyal huntsman, to Grimhild, captain of the Raven Company to Theoderich von Akenburg, the protagonist of our story, each hero’s special abilities and his or her strengths are shown off.

About The Valiant

Embark on a journey of brotherhood and redemption in The Valiant, a squad-based RTS set in 13th Century Europe and the Middle East. Command and level up your medieval knights as you fight through an epic single-player campaign, then take your skills online in both cooperative and competitive MP modes.

Features:

  • Squad-based RTS with a range of units, from tanky swordsmen to quick cavalry
  • Select hero-squads and auxiliary squads across 15 exciting, hand-crafted Single Player missions, each with custom cinematics, narrated journals, difficulty levels, and more
  • Six Hero Squads each with 3 different skill trees provide players with unique passive and active skills to choose from while leveling up their heroes
  • Large array of weapons and armors to loot and equip throughout the campaign, each with their own stats and special skill options
  • Combine hero skills and weapons/equipment for a huge selection of hero builds
  • Play cooperative with friends in the 3-player “Last Man Standing” mode, where you face hordes of enemies and earn experience to level up your knights and unlock new skills and cosmetics
  • Play competitively in multiple PVP game modes that support 1v1 and 2v2, with cosmetic meta-progression and special rewards for ranked play

Biomutant Coming to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X

2022/07/06
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PlayStation 5 News, Trailers / Videos, Xbox Series X News

Wasn’t that smart? THQ Nordic just waited until many of those PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X™ were available for the players! And now, it’s almost time to say “Welcome to Biomutant!”

Launching September 6th, 2022, you can experience Biomutant’s incredible story and its expansive world on PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X/S™ – smoother and more beautiful than ever! Enjoy ultra-fast loading times, native 4k resolution, HDR support, and up to 60 FPS.

Biomutant will launch for PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X/S on September 6th, 2022, and will be available at an SRP of $ 39.99 / € 39.99 / £ 34.99. Owners of the Xbox One / PlayStation 4 versions can get a free upgrade (Xbox to Xbox, PlayStation to PlayStation only!) to the enhanced version and even make use of their save games.

Watch PS5&XBoxSeries Announcement Trailer on YouTube:

PlayStation®5 technical details:
Choose between three different graphic modes
• Quality: 30 fps @ 4k resolution
• Quality Unleashed: 40+ fps, averaging 50-60 fps, up to 4k resolution
• Performance: 60 fps locked @ 1440p

Biomutant on the PS5™ unleashes not only framerates but also the power of the DualSense™. Feel even more immersed with haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, motion control, and speaker sound. On top of that, the PlayStation-exclusive Activity Cards will also offer a variety of different ways to jump straight back into Biomutant. If you already own the PlayStation®4 version, you will be able to upgrade to this enhanced version for free and you can even bring those delicious PS4 save files with you!

Xbox Series S/X technical details:
On Xbox Series X, Biomutant offers native 4k resolution with up to 60 FPS, the Xbox Series S offers a 1440p resolution and up to 60 FPS as well.
These are the three different graphic modes:
• Quality: 30 fps @ 4k resolution (1440p on Series S)
• Quality Unleashed: 40+ fps, avg. 50-60 fps, up to 4k resolution (1440p on Series S)
• Performance: 60 fps locked @ 1440p (1080p on Series S)

If you already own the Xbox One version you will be able to upgrade to this visually enhanced version for free and you can even bring those juicy Xbox One save files with you!