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MSI and SteelSeries Unveil Curved Optix MPG Gaming Monitor

City of Industry, CA – March 8, 2018 – MSI, a world leader in gaming hardware, and SteelSeries are proud to announce that as a result of their long-standing collaboration, the new Optix MPG series of curved gaming monitors are now supported by SteelSeries Engine. Using the five RGB zones on the front of the monitor, gamers can easily program lighting effects in SteelSeries Engine to notify them of in-game timers, stats, cooldowns or Discord notifications. The Optix MPG series is now available at Amazon, Newegg, Fry’s and Best Buy.

“The integration of SteelSeries Engine with the Optix MPG series of curved gaming monitors brings PrismSync Illumination and real-time game alerts which offer an even greater level of immersive gameplay,” said Charles Chiang, General Manger of Desktop Platform Solutions at MSI.

“MSI and SteelSeries are delivering a truly immersive experience to gamers,” said SteelSeries CEO, Ehtisham Rabbani. “SteelSeries is proud of the strong partnership that we continue to build with MSI and we are excited to bring the gaming community new types of immersive technology like this.”

The new Optix MPG series will consist of two 27-inch monitors, the Optix MPG27C and Optix MPG27CQ. These mark the next level in MSI gaming monitors with a curved VA panel with an 1800R curve. Both models feature a 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, and the MPG27CQ is equipped with a 1440p WQHD screen, while the MPG27C has a 1080p screen. The MPG27CQ was named a CES 2018 Innovation Award Honoree.

The curved panel’s curvature rate of 1800R is the most comfortable and suitable for a wide range of applications from general computing to gaming. Curved panels also improve gameplay immersion, making you feel more connected to what’s happening on screen. Combine multiple monitors together for an amazing panoramic experience.

Together with a wide viewing angle of 178 degrees, less blue light and anti-flicker technology, this gaming monitor is tailored for perfect gaming day or night. The monitors can be swiveled, adjusted in height and tilted. Moreover, if you need a little help when playing games, the monitors even have a built-in FPS sight toggle on screen, so gamers can perfectly hit all of their targets.

The MSI Optix MPG series is available now. A special worldwide launch edition will be bundled with SteelSeries QcK Prism mousepad. This mousepad has two different play sides, 12-zone Prism RGB illumination and features GameSense to help gamers complete their gaming setup. The bundle will be available from March 8 to April 8, or until supplies last.

To redeem the promotion for the free SteelSeries QcK Prism mousepad, customers will need to register their new MPG monitor at https://us.msi.com/Landing/MSI_Curved_Gaming_Monitor. Full instructions on the promotion can be found here.

Northgard Official Launch Trailer

Bordeaux, France – 7th of March, 2018 – The independent French developer Shiro Games is pleased to  announce that its hit Viking strategy game Northgard has today officially launched out of Steam Early Access for PC, Mac and Linux. The standard edition is now available on Steam for €27.99 / $29.99 / £23.79.

The studio has released a launch trailer, which can be viewed here:

The official release comes with a major update, Rig’s Saga, including a brand new campaign spanning 11 chapters, seven new selectable environments for solo and multiplayer modes, a redesigned combat system, new achievements, and a host of other improvements. Further information can be found in the latest patch notes.

Northgard mixes exploration, village building, resource management, clan diplomacy and tactical combat set in a mythical world infused with Norse mythology and filled with giants, wyverns and undead warriors. Since launching into Steam Early Access on February 22nd, 2017, Northgard has proved very popular with strategy fans, selling over 600,000 copies. Development on the game has continued non-stop with numerous updates bringing three new clans, new units and mythological beasts to encounter, a multiplayer mode with dedicated servers, and a host of smaller features and refinements.

The full release of Northgard allows players to:

  • Build your settlement on the newly discovered continent of Northgard

  • Grow the village by assigning Vikings to various jobs (Farmer, Warrior, Sailor, Loremaster)

  • Choose between six different Viking clans, each with unique benefits, buildings and units

  • Manage your resources carefully to survive the harsh winters and vicious foes

  • Expand and discover new territory with unique strategic opportunities

  • Achieve different victory conditions such as Conquest, Fame, Lore and Trading

  • Play against your friends or against an AI with different difficulty levels in single player or multiplayer modes.

  • Follow the brave Viking Rig in his quest for vengeance in a brand-new single player campaign that spans 11 chapters.

More details can be found on the official websiteFacebook and Twitter pages.

WizKids Announces Star Trek: Galactic Enterprises

Hillside, NJ – March 7, 2018 – WizKids today announced a new creation from the mind of veteran game designer Christophe Boelinger, Star Trek: Galactic Enterprises. On the Deep Space 9 station, Ferengi wheel and deal legal and illegal items to gain the most profit. In this game, players jump into the role of a Ferengi merchant and work their way through the market in order to achieve the rank of First Clerk.

In Star Trek: Galactic Enterprises, 3 to 8 players will buy and sell their wares, trying to monopolize one particular product in order to gain greater profit. However, once other Ferengi get those same items for sale, it becomes a matter of who’s the better negotiator. Do you work together to gain the same profit, or do you agree to cooperate, then sell at a lower price to steal all the profit for yourself? Be wary of special action cards that can mess with your business and remember the Ferengi Rules of Acquisition in order to gain the most return for your investments.

Star Trek: Galactic Enterprises is scheduled to release in June 2018, but it will be on display with a playable demo at the GAMA Trade Show in Reno, Nevada! Stop by WizKids Booth #315 March 13th or 14th during showroom hours to try out this upcoming game and see if you have what it takes to turn a profit like a Ferengi.

For more information on WizKids, visit: www.wizkids.com.

Dolmen to Debut at GDC

NATAL-RN, BRAZIL (MARCH 7, 2018– Brazil-based independent developer Massive Work Studio is thrilled to announce today that its premier Sci-Fi Third-Person Action-RPG DOLMEN will make its North American debut at GDC 2018 in San Francisco this month! Steeped in Cosmic Horror and set in the mold of the RPG “SoulsBorne” subgenre, DOLMEN will engross players in an otherworldly mystery where they must adapt to survive against harsh elements and nightmarish creatures.

DOLMEN casts players onto a hostile alien world known as Revion Prime, the location of the greatest recorded massacre in galactic history. Little more can be said about the far-off planet since its coordinates were lost to war. As neighbors, it has four gas giants and a nearby star called Nynfield. The corpses of those who lived there long ago orbit the planet — like a mass grave suspended in time. As the sole survivor of a crew of human astronauts, pulled from charted space and abducted into a distant future, you awake below the planet’s surface with no supplies. Being alone on Revion Prime is like having been forgotten by life itself. With no answers as to how you got there, or what happened to your crew, your journey begins in the dark.

The key to survival in DOLMEN is adaptation and exploration. All gear must be harvested from the finite resources available on the planet. Craft armor, weapon upgrades and consumables as you try to survive, and power your space suit with Reactors to gain new attributes. The many kinds of eldritch horrors and abominable beings that populate the planet react dynamically and differently when attacked. By gaining experience, level up your character to fit your playstyle and improve your chances of survival. But don’t forget to stock your base or risk losing it all. Revion Prime is unforgiving; you’ll learn that the hard way.

“Since the beginning, our motto has been ‘work, work and work,” said Pedro Bastos, Producer at Massive Work Studio. “We have dedicated over a year of our lives to pour every bit of passion we have into developing DOLMEN to the point where we feel our efforts have been successful. We very much look forward to sharing it with fans of Sci-Fi horror and intense Action-RPGs at GDC!”

DOLMEN’s Key Features:

Explore a Devastated, Darkly Beautiful Planet: Revion Prime is an alien world, with environments inspired by the work of macabre artists like H.R. Giger and H.P. Lovecraft, that challenges you to unearth its dark history by connecting fragments of the past.

Engage in Fast-Paced Dynamic Combat: Combat is intense and heavily based on timing, mixing melee-based attacks, Over-the-Shoulder (OTS) perspective long-range shooting and the use of defensive maneuvers such as dodging and blocking.

Adapt or Perish; Craft to Survive: Mankind, so we believe, has become a prevalent species due to its ability to endure and adapt to inhospitable environments. Build up your skills and scavenge what little resources are available to create items and customize your equipment. You’re going to need anything you can find to live to see another day.

Massive Work Studio will showcase DOLMEN for the first time in North America during GDC 2018 from March 21 – March 23, 2018, in the GDC Play area at Booth PL4146 (North Hall) in the Moscone Convention Center. Show attendees will get a first glimpse at the tragic history of Revion Prime and experience DOLMEN’s unique gameplay mechanics first-hand. DOLMEN is currently targeting an early 2019 release on Steam, with console versions planned for a later date.

The Council Rethinking Narrative Trailer

March 7, 2018 — Narrative Adventure game THE COUNCIL is set for the release of its first episode, THE MAD ONES, on March 13on PlayStation4, Xbox One and PC. Today, developers Big Bad Wolf give us insight into their reimagining of the narrative-adventure. In this video “Rethinking Narrative Adventure”, they explain how they innovated on the genre, twisting the classic formula with original mechanics, and their ambition of giving true weight to each and every one of the players’ decisions throughout the game.


 
Begin your journey with Louis de Richet on Lord Mortimer’s private island and try to discover your mother’s fate – before it’s too late. Joining you are a number of high profile guests, including Napoleon Bonaparte and President of the newly-formed United States of America, George Washington. The strange nature of this private reception goes beyond just the prestigious guests –Richet’s own mother has recently gone missing on the island, while each and every one of the colorful cast seems to have their own hidden agendas.

In a new twist for the genre, the core of THE COUNCIL’ gameplay comes from manipulating and maneuvering through character encounters using the unique Social Influence system. During confrontations, skills and limited resources can be used to gain the upper hand and achieve the desired outcome. Players will be rewarded for their knowledge of each character’s psychological vulnerabilities and immunities, as well as their preparations made during prior exploration and investigation. Failing an encounter does not mean ‘game over’, and no action can be taken back. The consequences are permanent and may result in persistent physical disfigurements or mental traits that help or hinder the rest of the player’s adventure.

Richet’s numerous skills can be developed to align with your chosen approach to the adventure. Solve issues with diplomacy, delve into occultism to expand your historical and scientific knowledge, or play detective and see what others do not perceive. Your skillswill have uses that extend far beyond your conversations with fellow guests. With 15 diverse skills to use and invest in, players are free to uncover THE COUNCIL’s mysteries how they see fit, with wildly varying consequences depending on their methods. The results will forever alter the life of Louis de Richet, of those around him, and shape history as we know it.

THE COUNCIL’s first episode, THE MAD ONES, arrives on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC March 13. The complete season will include a total of five episodes, with new episodes releasing regularly in 2018.

Necromunda: Underhive Wars Gameplay Trailer

March 6, 2018 – Necromunda: Underhive Wars is the first video game adaptation of the Games Workshop tabletop game, with a unique setting and perspective on the Warhammer 40,000 universe, which saw a new version launch to critical success late 2017. Created by Rogue Factor, developers of Mordheim: City of the Damned, Necromunda: Underhive Wars blends fast-paced tactical combat with RPG elements and deep unit customization, coming to PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. Step into the twisted tunnels and rusted corridors of the Underhive in a new teaser trailer, seeing life from the view of a hardened Escher gang member.

The turn-based tactical gameplay pits you against rival gangs in brutal gunfights, taking place in huge, vertical environments. Necromunda is a planet covered in poisonous ash wastes, forcing its population to live in Hive Cities, massive man-made structures built up over thousands of years to serve just one purpose: provide to the Imperium. In Hive Primus, the rich and noble live above the clouds in the Spire while the poorest and worst-off live in a massive and forgotten subterranean metropolis, the Underhive, where criminals fight in a perpetual gang war for control.

Command one of Necromunda’s iconic gangs, embracing anarchy, violence and death in an endless war for control to dominate this hellish place. Pick between theEschers, an all-female gang who have made their name through selling drugs and chemicals throughout the Underhive, or the Goliaths, hulking warriors worshipping physicality and using strength-enhancing drugs to dominate in battle. Other gangs will be unveiled in the coming months.

Compose your gang carefully, based on the style of warfare you want to wage. Every fighter is highly customisable in loadout and appearance, and has access to a career which unlocks further skills, traits, weapons, and visual elements. Battle in the vertical environments of the Underhive, use raised walkways to push a high ground advantage, set traps for unwitting victims, and ambush your foes to force them into bloody melee engagements. With each battle won, your gang members grow in power, earning more powerful skills and loot, but beware! Even victories will result in casualties – deaths and injuries are permanent, and you’ll need to live with the consequences of every battle.

For an even deeper challenge, Conquest Mode offers an endless campaign featuring 4X mechanics between the turn-based battles. Fight over key territory to take complete control and prove your gang is the most fearsome on Necromunda! Then bring your unique gangs online, challenging other players in competitive multiplayer, and claim the Underhive for yourself!

Necromunda: Underhive Wars will release on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. 

HyperX Releases Cloud Revolver Gunmetal Headset

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. – March 6, 2018 – HyperX®, the gaming division of Kingston® Technology Company, Inc., today announced the addition of HyperX Cloud Revolver™ Gunmetal gaming headset to its Cloud Revolver family. Featuring the same award-winning sound, comfort and durability inherent in Cloud Revolver, the new gunmetal edition offers the immersive audio profiles engineered in the Cloud Revolver family, creating a larger sound stage for FPS and open-environment gameplay, as well as concert hall-like audio experience when listening to music.

HyperX Cloud Revolver Gunmetal uses 50mm drivers that directs sound into the ear for precise audio positioning and a clean, crisp sound with enhanced bass. The headset is versatile with its detachable noise-canceling microphone that is certified by TeamSpeakTM and Discord. The headset is designed to deliver ultimate comfort during long hours of gameplay with HyperX signature memory foam and premium leatherette on the ear cups and head band.

“The Cloud Revolver is known for giving an advantage during FPS gameplay due to its incredible studio-grade sound stage. The drivers are tuned for players to identify footsteps and gunshots quickly and more accurately than the competition,” said Tyler Needles, audio business manager, HyperX. “The Cloud Revolver recently won PC Gamer’s “Headset of the Year” award, and we are thrilled to offer a new gunmetal model option featuring a premium matte finish and comfortable design to gamers all around the world.”

HyperX Cloud Revolver Gunmetal is compatible with PC, PS4, PS4 Pro, Xbox One™1, Xbox One S™1, Mac®, Mobile2, Nintendo Switch, and other virtual reality systems with 3.5mm ports3. The headset is backed by a two-year warranty.

Availability

Cloud Revolver is now available through HyperX’s network of retail and e-tail outlets for $119.99 MSRP. For more information on Cloud Revolver Gunmetal and global availability, please visit the Cloud Revolver webpage.

Features

    • Studio-grade sound stage
    • Signature HyperX memory foam with premium leatherette
    • Durable steel frame
    • Detachable noise-cancellation microphone
    • Directional 50mm drivers
  • Multi-platform compatibility

Headphone

  • Driver: Dynamic, 50mm with neodymium magnets
  • Type: Circumaural, Closed back
  • Frequency response: 12Hz–28,000 Hz
  • Impedance: 30 Ω
  • Sound pressure level: 104.5dBSPL/mW at 1kHz
  • T.H.D.: < 2%
  • Input power: Rated 30mW, Maximum 500mW
  • Weight: 360g
  • Weight w/ mic and cable: 376g
  • Cable length and type: Headset (1m) + Audio Control Box (2m)
  • Connection: Headset – 3.5mm plug (4 pole) + Audio Control Box – 3.5mm stereo and mic plugs

Microphone:

  • Element: Electret condenser microphone
  • Polar pattern: Uni-directional, Noise-canceling
  • Frequency response: 50Hz–18,000 Hz
  • Sensitivity: -40dBV (0dB=1V/Pa,1kHz)

Fear Effect Sedna Out Now

London, UK – Tuesday, March 6th: Square Enix Collective® and Sushee are excited to announce that their Fear Effect sequel – Fear Effect® Sedna – has today launched on PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch™ and PC almost twenty years after the original game first rolled out to much acclaim on PlayStation.

The new chapter, which originally began life thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign back in 2016, has been co-written by the series’ original writer and focuses on Hana, Rain, Glas and Deke’s first steps into the world of Inuit mythology.

Fear Effect Sedna also introduces a brand new character Axel, as well as an isometric view point that cements the combination of action, stealth, and puzzle solving with animated cutscenes into one potent package. On top of these new additions, fans of the series will also be pleased to hear this new chapter retains the classic death cutscenes from the original games.

“It feels great to breathe new life in an IP that gamers still had a lot of love for, even almost two decades on from its debut,” comments Benjamin Anseaume, founder of Sushee. “Fear Effect Sedna managed to garner that community during its Kickstarter campaign and, now with the invaluable backing of Square Enix Collective and co-producer Forever Entertainment, it’s time to tell a new tale with characters those fans will find so familiar.”

With Fear Effect Sedna making its debut today, French studio Sushee can now turn its attention to the recently announced Fear Effect Reinvented – a remastered take on the original PlayStation game that started it all – also in development for PlayStation®4 system, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC. The idea is that the two Sushee games will bring the Fear Effect IP to an audience of existing fans looking to recapture the spirit of the original games and new players who missed them the first time around.

“When we first discussed the concept of Collective, one of the things we had in mind was opening up older franchises to enable indies to pitch us ideas for them,” says Phil Elliott, Director of Indie Publishing at Square Enix West. “It’s great to see what Sushee has been able to do at this level with Fear Effect Sedna in bringing something new to Fear Effect universe – plus, it’s also led to Fear Effect Reinvented, so it’s exciting to see it all develop.”

Fear Effect Sedna features:

  • The return of the original Fear Effect’s much loved cast of characters
  • Isometric viewpoint to enable players to interact with multiple characters at the same time
  • Gameplay that mixes real-time action, tactical play, stealth, and puzzles
  • The adrenaline-based “Fear Effect” gameplay mechanic that impacts on both attack and defence
  • Animated stylistic cutscenes, stunning environments, and classic death cutscenes
  • A mature and exciting story that follows mercenaries uncovering the mysteries of Inuit mythology

Fear Effect Sedna is now available on PS4™ system, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch™ and PC for $19.99/€19.99/£15.99.

For all the latest information and assets for Fear Effect Sedna, please visit:

As a testament to Square Enix Collective’s commitment to indie developers, it recently joined forces with AMD to support AMD4U, an innovative new program that provides AMD consumers with a range of games from a new generation of cutting edge independent development teams from around the world.

Way of the Passive Fist Launch Trailer

Toronto, CANADA – March 6, 2018 – Independent developer Household Games has launched their highly-anticipated debut title,  Way of the Passive Fist, on PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system via the PlayStation®Store and Windows PC/Mac/Linux via Steam for $14.99 USD (€11.99). Xbox One enthusiasts can purchase Way of the Passive Fist through the Xbox Games Store as part of the ID@Xbox program at midnight, March 7th. Way of the Passive Fist’s release is celebrated by a new gameplay launch trailer:

The praised single player side-scrolling action arcade brawler game is the debut project from developer Household Games. Way of the Passive Fist is among one of five indie games to be included in GameSpot’s “Hidden Gems: 5 Games To Be Excited About In 2018” list, and the title sparked Rock, Paper, Shotgun to coin the term “Parrylicious.” In 2017, Way of the Passive Fist was selected to participate in curated indie game showcases with Indie MEGABOOTH at PAX West in Seattle, as well as 5th Annual Day of the Devs in San Francisco, produced by Double Fine and iam8bit.

The core of Way of the Passive Fist’s gameplay is its unique defensive fighting style to outlast and exhaust the enemies where players must master the timing of their parries, deflections, dashes, and dodges. Playing as the Wanderer, players should rack up their combo meter by timing their parries and dodges to deliver damaging offensive blows when facing off the different bosses at the end of each chapter.

Way of the Passive Fist also has a vast array of accessibility features, to give players a customizable experience and tailor the settings to their liking. Players will be able to fully remap the control scheme to play one-handed, modify the game settings if they’re visually impaired or sensitive to sudden flashing lights, as well as customize gameplay difficulty settings to fit their play-style. VICE’s gaming culture website, Waypoint, has praised the developer’s approach in creating and offering these distinct accessibility features, saying that Way of the Passive Fist’saccessibility is one of the coolest features and that “more games should steal these options from (the) Way of the Passive Fist.”

“This is such an exciting moment for Household Games. I’m extremely proud of the work that our team did to create Way of the Passive Fist and make a game that can be enjoyed by a wide range of players no matter their ability-level,” said Jason Canam, Founder of Household Games. “We genuinely aimed to give players a different arcade brawler experience and the team has delivered on that promise. Players will quickly learn that timing is everything in Way of the Passive Fist and how satisfying the perfectly timed defensive fighting gameplay can be. It’s been a long time coming, it’s well worth the wait.”

To learn more about Way of the Passive Fist, visit: www.wayofthepassivefist.com. Fans can follow the game and studio via social media: Twitter @HHGamesInc, Instagram @householdgames and Facebook www.facebook.com/householdgames.

Made Possible with the support of the Ontario Media Development Corporation.
www.omdc.on.ca

Inside XBOX Announced

Director of programming at Xbox, Tina Summerford, announced a new, monthly show called Inside Xbox. You can check out the full announcement below and at the Xbox Wire.

I’m thrilled to announce that Inside Xbox will debut on March 10th at 12:00PM PST, marking the dawn of a brand-new way for the team to celebrate our news, our games, and our fans.

Inside Xbox is many things. A premier live news broadcast that will highlight breaking announcements and a peek behind the curtain of Team Xbox. A glimpse at the mysteries of game design and a celebration of some of the month’s most exciting games and features. Most of all, it’s an opportunity for us to celebrate and listen to you, the community. All of this will be available streaming in 4K/UHD on supported services and platforms.

You can watch Inside Xbox in all the places you would expect, including Mixer.com/Xbox, YouTube.com/Xbox, Twitch.TV/Xbox, and Facebook.com/Xbox.

For us, Inside Xbox is the next step on a path Team Xbox has been traveling for many years. From programs like feedback.xbox.com to the Xbox Insider Program, and the great work the team has done with Gaming For Everyone, we believe strongly in transparency, inclusion, and having an authentic two-way conversation with our fans. We want to hear from you as much as we want you to hear from us.

Whether you want us to celebrate your clutch 1v4 Chicken Dinner in PUBG, show off your epic treasure haul in Sea of Thieves, ask questions of our interviewees, provide feedback, or just want to sass (politely of course) our friendly hosts, drop us a line using #insidexbox on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. We may highlight your content or commentary from our dedicated community desk on the show, overseen by our good friends Rukari Austin and Alex Hebert.

Of course, we’ll also be unlocking the “free stuff chest” with prizes and giveaways for those that participate in the conversation, including some great MixPot giveaways, so make sure you’ve got your Mixer account all squared away and connected to your Microsoft Account.

Hosting the show will be Xbox luminaries Larry Hryb, Graeme Boyd, Jeff Rubenstein, Alex Hebert, Lydia Ellery, and more.

For our inaugural episode, these fine folks will be crewing a ship bursting at the seams with content. We’ll be sitting down with Rare to discuss the incredible energy from fans surrounding Sea of Thieves, including an illuminating conversation on the core design principle that drives the game, how they’ve acted on feedback from the Closed Beta, and what fans can expect from the game at launch (as well as a tantalizing hint of new adventures to come post-launch).

We’ll be breaking Xbox Game Pass news, debuting upcoming new console features, forging gold (true story), and saying hello to two wonderful old friends (one human, one plastic). You’ll also be able to enjoy a sit-down with Microsoft Studios Executive Producer Nico Bihary to discuss Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds, explore what it’s like to bring Far Cry 5’s most polarizing character to life, and much more.

We hope Inside Xbox will become a monthly communal event for us and for you. We hope you’ll be energized by what’s coming, better educated about what’s new, and empowered to better enjoy our favorite pastime with great new features and content.

Welcome back to Inside Xbox, and we’ll see you online on March 10th at 12:00PM PST.