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Star Trek Online: Legacy to Include Discovery and Picard

2020/01/28

Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – January 28, 2020 – Today, Perfect World Entertainment Inc., a leading publisher of live service games, and Cryptic Studios announced Star Trek Online: Legacy is now live on PC and launches on PlayStation®4 and Xbox One on March 3. Next week, the free-to-play space MMORPG celebrates ten years of exploring and expanding the iconic Star Trek universe. To celebrate this milestone, the development team at Cryptic Studios is releasing brand new content under license of ViacomCBS Consumer Products that pays homage to various Star Trek series spanning the franchise’s incredible 50+ year history. This kicks off with two new featured episodes, starring Seven of Nine (voiced by Jeri Ryan) from the Star Trek: Voyager and brand new Star Trek: Picard series on CBS All Access, plus Starfleet’s very own Michael Burnham (voiced by Sonequa Martin-Green) from Star Trek: Discovery. Star Trek Online: Legacy also introduces a brand new space TFO and special anniversary events that allow players to earn the all new Khitomer Alliance Battlecruiser.

“These last ten years have been an incredible journey for Star Trek Online,” said Andre Emerson, the game’s executive producer. “And it feels like we’re only getting started. Over the last decade, we’ve had the honor and privilege of exploring all of the different series that really defined the Star Trek franchise. Looking forward, we are excited about diving further into new shows like Picard and Discovery and want to thank our wonderful community of players for being the reason why opportunities like this even exist.”

“We could not be more proud of the team at Cryptic Studios for helping Star Trek Online become the game it is today,” said Yoon Im, CEO of Perfect World Entertainment. “Ten years in development is a major accomplishment. The game has remained a success during its tenure due to the support of our players and the dev team’s dedication to bringing the Star Trek universe to life.”

Originally released in February 2010, Star Trek Online is officially one of the longest running Star Trek series in the history of the franchise and offers 183 episodes, over 50 queues (now known as Task Force Operations), four major expansions and 18 full seasons of playable content. Over the last ten years, the game has explored some of Star Trek’s most beloved series, including The Original Series, Voyager, Enterprise, Deep Space Nine and The Next Generation. Star Trek Online has also welcomed dozens of original cast members to the game, including Leonard Nimoy (Spock), LeVar Burton (Geordi LaForge), Michael Dorn (Worf), Denise Crosby (Tasha Yar), Armin Shimerman (Quark), René Auberjonois (Odo), Mary Wiseman (Tilly), Anthony Rapp (Stamets) and many more.

Star Trek Online: Legacy pays loving tribute to all the different Star Trek series featured in the game over the last decade. In honor of the episode “The Savage Curtain” from the third season of The Original Series, the game’s newest missions test the morality of the galaxy’s finest. In the original episode, Captain Kirk and Spock came across the omnipotent Excalbians, who forced them into an experiment to understand the difference between good and evil by resurrecting history’s greatest heroes and villains. Legacy’s two new featured episodes bring players back to the planet of Excalbia to face a similar test. Captains will face off against iconic enemies from some of the game’s most popular content updates, while teaming up with some of Starfleet’s finest, who represent the epitome of good. This includes former Borg drone and U.S.S. Voyager crew member, Seven (voiced by Jeri Ryan), from the brand new Star Trek: Picard series, which made its highly anticipated debut on January 23 on CBS All Access in the United States and internationally on Amazon Prime Video in more than 200 countries and in Canada on Bell Media’s CTV Sci-Fi Channel and OTT service Crave. Players will also rely on help from Starfleet’s brilliant commander, Michael Burnham (voiced by Sonequa Martin-Green), from the popular Star Trek: Discovery series.

A full list of game features released today with Star Trek Online: Legacy includes:

Two New Featured Episodes – Captains hailing from all of the game’s factions can experience two brand new episodes, “Measure of Morality” Parts 1 and 2. A strange anomaly calls players to Excalbia where they are tasked with proving once and for all that good is better than evil. Players will team up with heroes like Seven of Nine (Star Trek: Picard) and Michael Burnham (Star Trek: Discovery) to navigate a series of trials that pit them against some of Star Trek’s most dangerous enemies.
New Task Force Operation: “To Hell With Honor” is a brand new 5-player space TFO that takes place on the surface of the moon, where J’Ula and her Klingon forces are building a new shipyard for her fleet. Players will need to work together to destroy this base before enemy forces take them down with Mycelial weaponry.
Anniversary Celebration – Over the next month, Star Trek Online players can earn credits toward the brand new cross-faction T6 Khitomer Alliance Battlecruiser by playing new episodes, TFOs and the Omega Anniversary Event. This special event is a STO favorite, which sends players on a mission to stabilize particles that Q has scattered across the galaxy.
Mycelium Task Force Operation – The popular TFO introduced with Star Trek Online’s last update, Awakening, has been added to the game’s standard rotation of Task Force Operations. This special ground mission lets up to five players battle the Elachi, as they shut down probes that threaten to destroy the Mycelial Network.

Watch the very first episode of Star Trek: Picard on CBS All Access: https://www.cbs.com/shows/star-trek-picard/.

Catch up on the first two seasons of Star Trek: Discovery: https://www.cbs.com/shows/star-trek-discovery/

Joaquin Phoenix Joker Costume Now on Display at WB Studio Tour Hollywood

2020/01/28

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Geek News, Movie News, News

January 28, 2020 – The original Joker costume worn by Golden Globe winner and Academy-Award nominee Joaquin Phoenix in the 2019 drama/thriller “The Joker” is now on display at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood (WBSTH). Fans of DC’s Gotham City villain can see the iconic red suit Phoenix wore during his stellar performance as Arthur Fleck at the conclusion of WBSTH in Stage 48: Script to Screen.

Alongside the costume in Stage 48, visitors can interact with original sets, costumes and props from films and TV shows including The Big Bang Theory and Friends as well as utilize green screen technology for films including Batman and Harry Potter. Tickets can be purchased at wbstudiotour.com. SoCal residents from Bakersfield to San Diego in zip codes 90000 through 93599 can purchase general admission Tours online at an exclusive discounted rate of $57 until June 13, 2020.

TEKKEN 7 and SOULCALIBUR VI Trailers Released from EVO Japan

2020/01/28

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Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

January 28, 2020 – The excitement of EVO Japan was palpable all weekend as the best of the best fighting game competitors came together at EVO Japan for knock-down drag-out bouts of high-level fighting game action. This made for the perfect time to share updates pertaining to two of BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment’s premiere fighting game franchises, starting off with…

TEKKEN 7 dropped details about a new Developer Diary featuring a behind the scenes look at the development of two of the game’s most electrifying new characters, Leroy Smith (Wing Chun style) and Fahkumram (Muay Thai style).

Head over to the following YouTube link (ready for embedding) to get an insider’s look at the development of Leroy Smith and Fahkumram:

SOULCALIBUR VI will welcome a new swordsman to the stage of history with the addition of “Haohmaru” from SNK’s Samurai Showdown franchise. The SOULCALIBUR franchise is known for having awesome crossover appearances and the addition of Haohmaru and his stage-of-battle will surely fire up SOULCALIBUR VI players. Check out the first look at Haohmaru and his stage in a brand new gameplay trailer:

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire – Ultimate Edition Out Now

2020/01/28

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Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Xbox One News

Baltimore, MD – January 28th, 2020 – Independent games publisher Versus Evil and developer Obsidian Entertainment today announced that Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire – Ultimate Edition is now available on Xbox One and PlayStation 4, with a Nintendo Switch version following later in the year. Originally released for PC and Mac, Deadfire received universal critical acclaim and picked up numerous awards.

Priced at $59.99, Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire – Ultimate Edition features all the major updates and expansions available for the PC version made up of Beast of Winter, Seeker, Slayer, Survivor and Forgotten Sanctum.

With an enormous open world to explore and comprehensive cast of characters, Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire – Ultimate Edition builds on the foundation of classic tabletop gameplay more than ever before, providing players with a deeper single player RPG game experience with either Turn-Based Mode or Classic Real-Time with Pause.

Players on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One can now experience and craft their very own sprawling RPG adventure and explore the infinite possibilities that await them from detailed character customization to the individual meaningful choices they make in-game.

“Console gamers can fully immerse themselves in an RPG adventure of exploration and discovery in what will be one of the definitive tabletop role-playing experiences available in 2020,” said Steve Escalante, General Manager of Versus Evil.

Consumers can digitally purchase the Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire Ultimate Edition through the Microsoft Store and PlayStation Store fronts today. Deadfire is also available as a physical release from today in the form of a Standard Edition and the Ultimate Collector’s Edition courtesy of THQ Nordic for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 at an SRP of €59.99 | $59.99 | £49.99 and €129.99 | $129.99 | £119.99, respectively. The Ultimate Collector’s Edition will contain the following items.

Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire [including the 5.0 PC patch], and all DLCs: Beast of Winter, The Forgotten Sanctum, Seeker, Slayer, Survivor
10″/25cm Od Nua Statue
Spacepig Keychain
Metal-optic 3D Sticker
Premium Box

Knott’s Peanuts Celebration Now Underway

2020/01/27

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Geek News, News

January 27, 2020 – The Knott’s PEANUTS Celebration began on Saturday, January 25 and will be offered on weekends through March 1, plus selects dates. The limited time event welcomes fans of all ages to join in on the excitement with family-friendly options for guests to play and interact with the PEANUTS Gang throughout the park. The celebration includes interactive character experiences, new festive PEANUTS inspired décor, vibrant comic strip photo opportunities including a never-before-seen photo backdrop in Camp Snoopy, a new PEANUTS Character – Spike, live shows, festive merchandise, and all-new themed seasonal food offerings.

On Tuesday, January 28, the new Build-A-Bear Workshop will be opening in the California Market Place located behind Virginia’s Gift Shop and Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant. Build-A-Bear is a global brand that kids love and parents trust, it’s a location where guests can create customizable furry friends. In honor of the park’s Old Western theme, the new location will feature an exclusive line of customizable cowboy, cowgirl and train conductor themed bears. Custom products and limited edition accessories will also be available for the furry friends starting off with a special t-shirt on opening day. Season Pass holders will receive a discount and gift cards will also be available for purchase. A special Build-A-Bear and Knott’s Berry Farm photo-opportunity will be displayed in front of the store location for families to capture and share those memorable bear selfies and pictures on opening day.

WHEN: Weekends Now through March 1st, plus select dates and Tuesday, January 28, 2020

WHERE: Knott’s Berry Farm – 8039 Beach Boulevard, Buena Park, CA 90620

For more information on Knott’s PEANUTS Celebration please visit knotts.com; or join the conversation by using #KnottsPeanutsCelebration

Sam’s Story Comes to Metro Exodus on February 11

2020/01/27

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Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

Larkspur, Calif. | Jan. 27, 2020 | Deep Silver and 4A Games today revealed more details for Sam’s Story, the second major story DLC for Metro Exodus, and confirmed that it will release on Feb. 11, 2020.

Sam’s Story follows former U.S. Marine Sam, a Spartan Ranger who has worked under Colonel Miller since the nuclear war devastated Moscow, and followed Artyom in search of a world outside of the Metro. Sam had long dreamed of returning to his homeland, and perhaps even finding his father alive. The prospect seemed impossible in the darkened tunnels of the Metro, but when the Spartans discovered that Moscow was not the only city left alive after the war, holding out hope didn’t feel so foolish anymore.

Sam, determined to find a way back to the U.S., departed from the Aurora to make his way through Vladivostok’s tsunami-ravaged harbours, ruined industrial buildings, and crumbling residential districts. However, to complete his journey, Sam will discover that he needs every tactic he has learned so far to survive, as his surroundings prove to be far trickier than expected.

In this expansive ‘sandbox survival’ level, players will experience another gripping storyline featuring new characters, weapons, and mutant variants in a huge, non-linear environment that offers hours of gameplay.

Sam’s Story will be available to purchase on Feb 11, 2020 on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC and Stadia – links will be available from launch at https://www.metrothegame.com/buynow. It is included in the Metro Exodus Expansion Pass, which also entitles holders to the acclaimed DLC, The Two Colonels, which was released in August 2019.

Metro Exodus Expansion Pass Store Links
PlayStation Store: https://store.playstation.com/en-us/product/UP2047-CUSA11408_00-METROEXODUSEASON
Microsoft Store: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/metro-exodus-expansion-pass/bt97gwv28b9z
Epic Games Store: https://www.epicgames.com/store/en-US/product/metro-exodus/expansion-pass

ATARI Announces Game-Themed Hotels

2020/01/27

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Geek News, News

New York, NY (January 27, 2020) – Atari® — one of the world’s most iconic consumer brands and entertainment producers — today announced a deal with GSD Group — a leading innovation and strategy agency, led by founder Shelly Murphy and partner Napoleon Smith III — to acquire the rights to build video game-themed Atari Hotels in the United States, with the first location breaking ground in Phoenix, AZ later this year.

Atari, a trailblazer in the gaming industry, is pioneering an exciting new concept: a unique lodging experience combining the iconic brand with a one-of-a-kind video game-themed destination. Atari Hotels level up hotel entertainment with fully immersive experiences for every age and gaming ability, including the latest in VR and AR (Virtual and Augmented Reality). Select hotels will also feature state-of-the-art venues and studios to accommodate esports events.

Hotel development and design is being led by Shelly Murphy’s GSD Group and Napoleon Smith III, producer of the wildly successful Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film franchise reboot. True North Studio, a leading Phoenix, AZ-based real estate developer — currently working alongside GSD Group with Steve Wozniak’s Woz Innovation Foundation — will develop the first Atari- branded hotel.

“We are thrilled to partner with GSD Group and True North Studio to build the first-ever Atari branded hotels across the United States. Together we’ll build a space that will be much more than just a place to stay,” said Fred Chesnais, CEO of Atari. “Atari is an iconic global brand that resonates with people of all ages, countries, cultures and ethnic backgrounds and we cannot wait for our fans and their families to enjoy this new hotel concept.”

More than 2.5 billion gamers across the world spent more than $152.1 billion (US) on games in 2019 alone; an increase of +9.6% year on year. One of the most distinctive trends in gaming is gamers gravitating toward recognizable intellectual property. Atari Hotels will offer consumers exactly that, marrying the origins of gaming and the future of the booming industry into a fun and unique travel destination.

“When creating this brand-new hotel concept, we knew that Atari would be the perfect way to give guests the ‘nostalgic and retro meets modern’ look and feel we were going for. Let’s face it, how cool will it be to stay inside an Atari?!” said Napoleon Smith III.

“Atari Hotels will be the first of their kind in the U.S., offering gamers of all ages the ultimate in immersive entertainment and in every aspect of gaming. We’re excited to be working on this project with such great partners and to bring a big win to Arizona,” added Shelly Murphy.

The first of the Atari Hotels is planned to break ground in 2020 in Phoenix, AZ with initial additional hotels planned in Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago, Austin, Seattle, San Francisco, and San Jose. For more information about Atari Hotels, please visit www.atarihotels.com.

Rugby 20 Launch Trailer

2020/01/23

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Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

Lesquin, France, January 23, 2020 – Bigben and Eko Software are delighted to announce the release of Rugby 20, now available on PlayStation®4, Xbox One and PC via Steam.

Watch the launch trailer here:

Experience all aspects of modern rugby in Rugby 20! With a wide range of tactics options, attacking pods and set plays, rugby fans will find all the fine points of the sport in this new simulation-focused game. Designed to offer the deepest tactical gameplay ever for this sport, Rugby 20 introduces an innovative set-play system and the option to adapt the game strategy during the match. Dictate play and control the game by defining the position and behaviour of your players, as well as the sequences you want to use.

Whether attacking or defending, your choices will make all the difference. Long passes, side-steps, grubber kicks and tackling with two players will all help you gain the upper hand during the match. Timing and accuracy will be your greatest strengths as you demonstrate your skills and try to turn the game in your favor.

In Rugby 20, you can play with over 60 official teams from the Top 14, Pro D2, Premiership and Pro 14, as well as many national teams. Create your own team in Solo mode and add new recruits from over 2,000 players recreated in the game. In Multiplayer mode, compete against your friends in local or online matches, or challenge the player community via the matchmaking system.

With many technical upgrades (motion capture, redesigned AI) and a wide range of new gameplay features, Rugby 20 sets the new standard for the sport.

Rugby 20 is now available on PlayStation®4, Xbox One and PC.

Find all the information on https://rugby-thegame.com/ and on the official Facebook page

The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners Launch Trailers

2020/01/23

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Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

January 23, 2020 – Skydance Interactive, a division of Skydance Media, and Skybound Entertainment today launched The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners, the highly-anticipated survival horror VR game set in The Walking Dead universe on Oculus Rift, Rift S, Quest (via Link cable only) and HTC Vive.

Featuring an original storyline, freedom of choice and visceral combat, The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners offers a deep-rooted VR gaming experience in which players must fight to survive the flooded ruins of New Orleans, surrounded by unending herds of walkers and torn apart by warfare between the remaining survivors. Players will explore this expansive world as they fight their way through humans and walkers, scavenge weapons and supplies, make brutal moral choices and uncover a mystery that will determine the future for everyone left alive in NOLA.

“With The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners, we set out to create an experience that players and fans could fully immerse themselves in, which you can’t get from playing a console or mobile title,” said Adam Grantham, Creative Director at Skydance Interactive. “We wanted to give players an original story that truly belonged within The Walking Dead universe, from the environments, the narrative and the combat to make them feel as if they were truly living in this gruesome world.”

Skydance Interactive’s innovative approach to VR offers players a new way to live survival horror in The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners, by taking physicality and motion into account with players’ actions, allowing for a deeper interaction between the player and their environment. Scale buildings to ambush enemies from above, hold down a walker’s head to rip a knife out of its skull or attack from a distance with throwing weapons, bows and long-range firearms. Players can also choose from an arsenal of weapons or craft their own to fit their play style and survive their way. Physics-based combat turns every swing of an axe or jab of a knife into not just one of clever planning, but of physical effort to overcome enemies.

The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is now available digitally for the Oculus Rift, Rift S, Quest (via Link cable only) HTC Vive, Cosmos, Valve Index and various WindowsMR headsets on Oculus Store, Steam or The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners official website. The game is slated to arrive on PlayStation VR in Spring 2020, followed by Oculus Quest standalone later in the year.

Players can purchase the Standard Edition for $39.99 and the Tourist Edition for $49.99, or the Tower Edition is available for $149.99. More information on each edition and special bonuses can be found on The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners official website.

Dishonored Tabletop RPG Announced

2020/01/23

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Geek News, News

January 23, 2020 – Modiphius Entertainment is proud to announce the launch of a new tabletop roleplaying game set in Arkane Studios’ Dishonored® video game franchise.

The game has been developed using a streamlined version of the company’s proprietary 2d20 System, popularized by its award-winning Star Trek Adventures and Conan Adventures in an Age Undreamed Of roleplaying games, and is slated for release in Q2 2020.

In close collaboration with Dishonored’s co-creative director Harvey Smith, Modiphius has worked with a diverse selection of writers and artists, some of which have already worked alongside Arkane Studios on the video game series, ensuring that the final product will live up to the fans’ expectations — while at the same time allowing them to explore the Empire of the Isles through a new lens.

Award-winning rules developer Nathan Dowdell (Conan: Adventures in an Age Undreamed Of, Star Trek Adventures) has adapted the 2d20 System for Dishonored, focusing on fast-paced storytelling and showcasing the strange powers of the Void and the ever-present Chaos mechanics — all under the banner of the new Momentum System. Modiphius assembled a team of talented creatives, led by Federico Sohns (Nibiru RPG), to bring the essence of Dishonored’s universe to the tabletop.

The Dishonored roleplaying game will be released in a deluxe table-friendly hardcover digest book containing everything players will need to jump straight into the streets of Dunwall, with a comprehensive guide to storytelling in the Isles and a series of adventures that will take them on a journey of drama, intrigue, deception and occultism. Along with the book’s release, there will be custom dice and other accessories to add to the experience.

Fans can sign up to be the first to hear news at https://www.modiphius.com/dishonored , with further details to be announced.

The 300 page book features:
An introduction to the Empire of the Isles, and an in-depth look at its history, its people and the struggles they face.
A step-by-step guide to play the role of the Protagonists: from grim assassins and rugged criminals, to intrepid explorers and stoic crown loyalists.
A host of antagonists and a myriad different story hooks to inspire you, from the harsh, cold lands of Tyvia to sunny Karnaca.
Insight on the strange nature of the Void, as well as rules to harness the its reality-bending powers.
“The Oil Trail”, a mini-campaign in four acts that serves as a perfect introduction to the City of Dunwall.