Haarlem, The Netherlands – August 11, 2016 – Iceberg Interactive, the publisher well-known for its love of sci-fi games and 4x strategy titles, today announces that their brand new PC space strategy game, Stars in Shadow (PC) will be launching on September 15, 2016 via Steam Early Access and other digital platforms. The game marks the first title for the Canadian development studio, Ashdar Games, and long-time fans of the popular 4x genre will not be disappointed.
Stars in Shadow is a turn-based 4x strategy game set deep in space featuring seven playable factions, comprised of six different alien races. Offered in a highly distinctive comic-book art style, Stars in Shadowdraws players into its galactic universe with an immersive backstory. By competing with alien factions, exploring nearby star systems, developing colonies and empires, and much more, the galaxy can be unified through either diplomacy or by force – the choice will be left entirely up to the player.
Features
Unique hand-drawn comic book art style
Turn based 4X space strategy featuring turn based fleet combat. The tactical system allows starships to do battle using a wide range of different weapons and abilities
Seven playable factions comprising six alien races. Choice of faction will determine tech and research opportunities initially available. Forming alliances, conquering neighboring species, or discovering ancient artifacts may open up additional avenues of research
A vast range of different planet types, each with their own lore. The most prized worlds are those that hold artifacts from civilizations that vanished long ago. Map sizes up to 85 star systems. Each star can have up to 10 planets
Manage a growing empire. Balance the competing priorities of research, growth, and ship building and decide the fate of those alien species that come under your control
Galactic Politics: Of the playable alien species, three are “young races”, reaching out into the galaxy for the first time. The remaining three are “old races”, survivors of a terrible war fought in the distant past, they still hold to their ancient grudges. Races will impact which world will be most suitable as well as alliances and trades offerings
Advanced settings such as Random events and NPC factions, including pirates and marauders
Iceberg Interactive will be conducting hands-on demo appointments for Stars in Shadow during Gamescom in Cologne, Germany next week. Key members of both the Iceberg team and the development team, Ashdar Games, are available for interviews throughout the week as well.
BURBANK, Calif. (August 10, 2016) — This fall, Star Wars fans around the world, will experience a galaxy far, far away—up close and in eye-popping 3D—through the highly anticipated “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” 3D Collector’s Edition, rolling out beginning Oct. 31 and arriving in the United States and Canada on Nov 15.
For the first time—and just in time for the holidays—viewers can bring home Lucasfilm’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in 3D, encased in stunning, collectible packaging. The exclusive four-disc 3D Collector’s Edition contains the original theatrical release on Blu-ray 3D™, Blu-ray™,Digital HD and DVD, along with originally released bonus features and brand-new bonus material, including additional deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes conversations with cast and crew and revealing, never-before released audio commentary by director J.J. Abrams*.
*Collector’s Edition configuration may vary by territory
Upon its debut last December, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” received rave reviews from both critics and audiences, and shattered box office records with over $936 million domestic and $2 billion worldwide. The film has since been nominated for five Academy Awards® and took home the BAFTA Award for Special Visual Effects. “The Force Awakens” re-ignited the Star Wars franchise and fans eagerly await the next installment, arriving in theaters Dec. 2017, as well as the first in a series of standalone films, “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” premiering on Dec. 16, 2016.
Bonus features include*:
3D COLLECTOR’S EDITION BONUS FEATURES:
Audio Commentary with J.J. Abrams – Enter the mind of visionary director J.J. Abrams as he reveals the creative and complex choices made while developing the first film in the new Star Wars trilogy.
Foley: A Sonic Tale – Foley artists, consisting of old pros and new talent, unite to bring the world of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” alive through the matching of sound to action.
Sounds of the Resistance – Hear how the epic sound design of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” moves the Star Wars legacy forward.
Deleted Scenes – View never-before-shared scenes that didn’t make the film’s final cut.
Dressing the Galaxy – Costume Designer Michael Kaplan reveals how the costumes of the original Star Wars movies were re-envisioned for a new generation.
The Scavenger and the Stormtrooper: A Conversation with Daisy Ridley and John Boyega – The two new stars share the thrill of working together on the adventure of a lifetime and becoming part of the Star Wars legacy.
Inside the Armory – Take a fascinating tour through the design and creation of the weaponry in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
Classic Bonus Features– These offerings from the April release of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” include the complete story behind the making of the film, an unforgettable cast table read, insights from legendary composer John Williams and deleted scenes, as well as features that dig deeper into the creation of new characters such as BB-8, the design of the climactic lightsaber battle between Rey and Kylo Ren, the film’s remarkable digital artistry and the Star Wars: Force for Change global aid initiative.
* Digital bonus offerings may vary by retailer. New bonus content is available in the 3D Collector’s Edition package only.
“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” 3D Collector’s Edition global release dates include:
Australia
Nov. 9
Holland
Oct. 31
Sweden
Oct. 31
Brazil
Nov. 16
Italy
Nov. 2
US and Canada
Nov. 15
Germany
Nov. 24
Spain
Nov. 2
“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” saw the eagerly anticipated reteaming of original Star Wars stars Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill, along with Anthony Daniels, the only actor to have been in all seven Star Wars films, and Peter Mayhew. The returning cast was joined by newcomer Daisy Ridley, who beat out fierce competition to take the principal role of Rey; BAFTA Rising Star Award winner John Boyega (“Attack the Block,” “Imperial Dreams”) as reluctant stormtrooper Finn; Emmy® nominee Adam Driver (“Lincoln,” “Girls”) as the villainous Kylo Ren, and Golden Globe® winner Oscar Isaac (“Inside Llewyn Davis,” “The Bourne Legacy”) as Resistance pilot Poe Dameron.
“Star Wars: The Force Awakens”wasdirected by J.J. Abrams and written by Lawrence Kasdan & J.J. Abrams and Michael Arndt. Lucasfilm president and eight-time Academy Award® nominee Kathleen Kennedy and J.J. Abrams, along with his longtime producing partner Bryan Burk, are the film’s producers.
Having established a musical legacy with his iconic scores for the previous six films in the Star Wars saga, acclaimed composer John Williams returned to score “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,”ultimately garnering his 50th Oscar® nomination for it.
DISC SPECIFICATIONS:
FEATURE RUN TIME: Approximately 136 min.
RATING: PG-13 in U.S.; PG in CE; G in CF
ASPECT RATIO: Blu-ray Feature Film = 2.40:1
DVD Feature Film = 2.40:1
AUDIO: Blu-ray = English 7.1 DTS-HDMA, English 2.0 Descriptive Audio,
French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital Language Tracks
DVD = English, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital,
Godalming, United Kingdom (August 10th, 2016) – Independent developer Pixel Hero Games today announced that their action adventure game set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, ‘Eisenhorn: XENOS’, is now available on Steam for PC and the App Store for iOS for iPhone and iPad. ‘Eisenhorn: XENOS’ closely follows the narrative of the first book in Dan Abnett’s beloved Eisenhorn trilogy, “Xenos”, giving players the chance to experience the iconic Warhammer universe through the eyes of Ordo Xenos inquisitor Gregor Eisenhorn.
“There aren’t a lot of Warhammer games that let you experience the action up close,” said Pixel Hero Games Studio Head Nader Alikhani, “so it has been our personal challenge to really bring the universe to life from a unique personal perspective – that of the conflicted inquisitor Eisenhorn. There’s a good reason fans are so enamored by Dan Abnett’s work, and we’ve put a lot of effort towards making our rendition of this character and the world he inhabits into something that fans will really recognize and appreciate.”
‘Eisenhorn: XENOS’ follows the journey of Gregor Eisenhorn (voiced by British actor Mark Strong), an inquisitor of the Ordo Xenos – Alien hunters of the empire, on his quest to hunt down an ancient tome of evil origin. Using agility, psychic powers and a selection of the Imperium’s most iconic weaponry, players will explore a beautifully realized, fully 3D version of Eisenhorn’s universe. It is up to the player whether or not Eisenhorn and his group of comrades complete their mission to save the Imperium from the threat it faces.
The Standard PC version is priced at $19.99, £14.99, €19.99, and is currently discounted to $14.59, £10.94, €14.59 until August 16th. A ‘Deluxe Edition’, which includes a copy of ‘Eisenhorn: XENOS’ the game, the full game soundtrack, a digital artbook, a special Eisenhorn prequel comic, and a digital copy of the original novel ‘Xenos’ by Dan Abnett will be available for $49.99, £34.99, €49.99, which is currently discounted to $36.49, £25.54, €36.49. The iOS version is priced at $9.99, £7.99, $9.99.
Seoul, South Korea – August 10, 2016 – Bluehole, developer of the popular MMORPG, TERA, today announced it has successfully concluded the first pre-alpha test for PLAYERUNKNOWN’S BATTLEGROUNDS, the open world strategic shooter produced in collaboration with PLAYERUNKNOWN, creator of the fan-favorite “Battle Royale” game modes for ARMA 3 and H1Z1. Over 600 players participated in the test sessions, with overwhelmingly positive feedback on the game’s progress after just four months of development—particularly with regard to the project’s core gameplay, responsiveness and stability. Additional tests will take place every six to eight weeks as the game advances.
In development for PC using Unreal Engine 4, the standalone game will expand the core Battle Royale experience enjoyed by millions of players into a highly competitive player vs. player (PvP) game in a dynamic open world. PLAYERUNKNOWN’S BATTLEGROUNDS will put up to 64 players on a remote island for a winner-takes-all showdown where strategic gameplay is as important as shooting skills. Players will enter a last-man-standing battle where they try to locate weapons, vehicles and supplies in a graphically and tactically rich battleground that eventually forces players into a shrinking safe area as they engage in a tense and spectacular fight to the death.
“The enthusiastic response of the players after experiencing the bare bones of the game tells me we are on the right track for strong gameplay set in a realistic open world,” said Brendan Greene, aka PLAYERUNKNOWN. “Our Bluehole team has made amazing progress and everyone is fired up for the next play test when we’ll have more of the game to show.”
Bluehole and PLAYERUNKNOWN are committed to an Open Development philosophy for the game, sharing regular updates with the passionate community base, providing early assets and information, answering questions and taking in feedback. This spirit of collaboration is integral to the game’s success, as the online game will grow and thrive with the participation of its player community.
“I want to thank all our testers for their participation and feedback as Open Development is at the heart of this project,” said Chang Han Kim, Production Director of Bluehole. “We are producing new game content daily to enrich the experience and the core gameplay of strategic combat driven by player tactics is already coming through loud and clear.”
PLAYERUNKNOWN’S BATTLEGROUNDS, currently under development for PC by Bluehole in creative partnership with PLAYERUNKNOWN, will be published by Bluehole worldwide as a paid title. More information on the game will be released on an ongoing basis. For updates, visit playbattlegrounds.com and follow PLAYERUNKNOWN and the official game account,@pubattlegrounds, on Twitter.
August 10, 2016 – Endemol Shine Beyond announced today that gaming’s biggest names will be joining Legends of Gaming Live, the return of their spectacular live gaming event, back bigger-and-better for the second year running and now extended for two-days, being held at Alexandra Palace, London on the 10th and 11th September 2016.
Hardware plays a big part at Legends of Gaming Live, with Fierce PC® bringing their jaw-dropping specialist PC’s to the show and, GT Omega® inviting boy-racers to sample their incredible range of Racing Seats.
World renowned publisher Frontier® will be sponsoring the second stage at the event, welcoming YouTube’s hottest gaming celebrities throughout the weekend. With Elite Dangerous™, Planet Coaster™ and surprises galore, Frontier will be bringing their trademark awe and excitement to Alexandra Palace with plenty of opportunities for visitors to check out the games in action.
BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment™, arrive at Alexandra Palace, looking for a winner and armed to the teeth with a number of exclusives. Visitors will get to see their favourite YouTube legends go head-to-head, as the company launches their inaugural YouTube TEKKEN™7 tournament! The latest in the legendary fighting series, TEKKEN 7 is the years’ must-have brawler and BANDAI NAMCO will be offering a one-of-a-kind trophy to the winner of their Legends of Gaming Live YouTuber Champion Tournament! It’s not just the YouTube stars who get all the fun, fans attending the show will get their chance to play throughout the event, along with another blockbuster first in the form of Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2™, the latest unmissable title in the Dragon Ball saga and available to play for the first time anywhere in the UK. Ultra-realistic and immersive sim-racerProject CARS will also be playable and attendees can enter daily tournaments for a chance to face one of the YouTubers live on stage.
2K® arrive ready for in-ring action, offering lucky fans the opportunity to play WWE 2K17 for the first time anywhere in the UK. With an exciting roster of WWE Superstars appearing in the game, 2K is likely to be one of the most popular publishers at Legends of Gaming Live and is a must-play for WWE fans everywhere!
As the official gaming headset partner of the show, Turtle Beach® will be at Alexandra Palace to ensure the stars and public alike get the very best audio experience possible. Leaders in gaming audio, Turtle Beach will exclusively be providing their latest Elite Pro Tournament Gaming Headsets for the stage, as well as providing a variety of other gaming headsets on the show floor ‘Tournament Zones’, giving visitors ample opportunity to sample their range of products.
Adventure fans can battle dangerous enemies and beasts in the hit Miniclip® mobile game Beast Quest®.Beast Quest® will be appearing on stage and on the show floor with fantastic giveaways for fans, and attendees will find no shortage of deals at Legends of Gaming Live, thanks to GAME®, the UK’s largest gaming retailer appearing on the show floor, armed with plenty of hot deals.
Twenty of the world’s most popular YouTube gamers will be in attendance with two world-class stages running continuously and multiple meet-and-greet opportunities for visitors, promising heavy audience interaction throughout the event. With console gameplay taking place exclusively on PlayStation®4, and the entire event being streamed live to an estimated 500,000 viewers, gamers can be part of the action instead of simply watching at home
Bringing the action of Legends of Gaming to life, a host of top gamers from the channel including Ali-A, Spencer FC and LDShadowLady, will be battling it out for the title of ‘Legend of Gaming’ as the winner of the latest series is announced live on stage!
With a combined subscriber base of over 30 million and more than 6 billion views between them, YouTube superstars confirmed for the event include:
Tickets are now on sale at www.legendsofgaming.co.uk, with early-bird tickets available at just £15*. For a limited time only, those purchasing tickets will also receive a free download of indie favourite PC game Black & White Bushido™, which will be launching later this year on PS4™ and Xbox One.
Keep up with the latest Legends of Gaming news and exclusive content on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Further announcements on Legends of Gaming Live to follow.
*£15 tickets available via compatible discount code.
Legends of Gaming Live is based on the hugely popular YouTube Channel Legends of Gaming from Endemol Shine Beyond which since launching in the UK in 2014 now has local adaptions in the US, Germany, France, Chile and Brazil, with further expansion in multiple territories later this year. Legends of Gaming Live is produced and promoted by Endemol Shine UK whose recent live event successes include award-winning YouTube star DanTDM’s first ever live tour, DanTDM on Tour, which sold out the first four venues within 24 hours of tickets going on sale prompting an additional nine UK venues added to the tour which started at the end of last month.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Aug. 9, 2016 – Publisher Dusenberry Martin Racing (DMR) has announced that NASCAR® Heat Evolution will feature online multiplayer racing for 40 drivers when it releases in North America on Sept. 13, 2016 on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One and Windows PC.
“The intensity of competing against a full field of human players is really amazing,” said DMR CEO Tom Dusenberry. “The team at Monster Games has set a new bar for racing games, crafting a terrific-looking game that can be enjoyed with tons of friends online.”
Developed by Monster Games, creators of NASCAR Heat and NASCAR: Dirt to Daytona,NASCAR Heat Evolution’s robust multiplayer modes are built around three lobbies: No Rules, Normal and Hosted. Everything goes in No Rules, making it a great space for newcomers to practice behind the wheel or for veterans to just play around. Normal racing is for more serious players who want to test their skills in clean, friendly matches. Hosted is designed for the most competitive players, allowing race hosts to set the minimum level players must be to join an event and boot players from their game if necessary. Players can also invite friends to private races, ideal for leagues that want to host their own events.
In each lobby, players have the choice to join existing sessions or create their own, allowing for control over track selection, laps, fuel/tire wear, and number of drivers. All tracks and drivers will be eligible to race. By completing online races, players will be awarded points towards their skill level, helping to ensure that drivers of similar abilities are matched against each other.
NASCAR Heat Evolution is available for pre-order now at NASCARHeat.com, GameStop, Amazon.com, Best Buy, Target.com and Walmart.com. Fans can also follow NASCAR Heat Evolution on Twitter via @DMRNASCARHeat and @DMRacingGames, as well as on Snapchat @DMRNASCARHeat.
Tuesday 09 August, 2016: Developer Osmotic Studios and indie label Surprise Attack Games today revealed Orwell, a narrative exploration game in which you must pry into the lives of citizens to find those responsible for a series of ideologically motivated terrorist attacks. Orwell will release in late 2016 for PC via Steam.
In the style of games such as “Papers, Please”, “Her Story” and “Cibele”, Orwell raises serious questions about contemporary society in a way that only a game can. It’s themes include the balance between security and freedom, what it means when we trade privacy for connection, and the impact of the internet on the way we perceive our world and are perceived by others.
The player is cast as themselves, recruited by The Nation to be a part of a secret new security program – Orwell. Through Orwell, the player gains access to information from the internet, and the personal communications and private files of anyone suspected of connection to the terror attacks. Acting as an impartial outside, the player must choose what information to provide to security services, and what to hold back. These choices will have consequences for those involved and affect the outcome of the story as it unfolds towards its dramatic conclusion.
Highlights:
Orwell is a narrative-driven privacy invasion thriller
Pry into the lives of citizens to prevent a series of terror attacks.
Choose which information is sent to security services and which is not.
Choices have consequences – you have the power to alter perception.
Raises questions about modern society in a way only games can.
CHICAGO – August 8, 2016 – SteelSeries, leader and innovator in gaming peripherals, announces the availability of the Siberia 840, SteelSeries’ newest wireless headset now with Bluetooth. The Siberia 840, part of the award-winning Siberia 800 family of gaming headsets, recognized among gamers as the best wireless gaming headset for its comfort, wireless technology and sound quality.
The Siberia 840 combines the same heralded features of the Siberia 800, including two swappable batteries that ensures non-stop performance, cross-platform compatibility for universal use, and Dolby 7.1 surround sound technology for total immersion; but elevates it with a set of new elements, including Bluetooth connectivity and software customization.
“The Siberia 840 not only delivers the same detailed sound quality as its predecessor, but also incorporates Bluetooth connectivity for true universal mobile compatibility,” said Brian Fallon, SteelSeries Category Manager, Audio. “It is no longer just a gaming headset, but a flawless audio system that gamers can use to listen to music and even answer calls.”
Wireless Immersion SteelSeries’ Siberia 840 guarantees a lag-free wireless gaming experience through a unique technology that continuously hops between frequencies, avoiding interference and delays. Similar to its awarded predecessor, the Siberia 840 delivers exceptionally immersive and crisp 7.1 surround sound through three different Dolby technologies to maximize performance: Dolby Headphone, Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro Logic IIx.
Universal Mobility and Visibility The Siberia 840 works with all major gaming consoles and computer operating systems and integrates Bluetooth technology, transforming it into the perfect headset for gaming, music streaming and voice calls and chat. Designed to give users control, accessibility and visibility from anywhere in the room, Siberia 840 comes with an OLED Transmitter to visually monitor all audio, wireless, configuration and system settings, including audio sources, profiles, battery life and more.
Comfort Within Reach The Siberia 840 equips the user with the sleek and stylish design of a racecar interior and a variety of technologies placed at the user’s fingertips. Highlighted by memory foam padding on the headband and ear-cups to deliver enduring comfort, the Siberia 840 also features a retractable microphone with an LED on/off indicator, and on-earcup controls to make sudden volume, navigation and setting adjustments quick and intuitive.
Customizable Features The Siberia 840 can be customized through the OLED receiver without the need of installing drivers, including changing settings, volume and more. Gamers wishing to unlock the headset’s full power can utilize SteelSeries Engine 3 to manage profiles, modify equalizer settings and more.
SteelSeries Siberia 840 comes with two swappable lithium-ion batteries with an estimated 20hrs of charge time each, allowing users to enjoy outstanding sound continuously without the fear or running out of power or having to plug in.
The Siberia 840 is now available for $329.99 / €349,00. For more information about the Siberia 840 or SteelSeries’ entire selection of gaming accessories, visit www.SteelSeries.com
August 4, 2016 – Feral Interactive today announced it is bringing the hotly anticipated Total War™: WARHAMMER® to Mac and Linux this autumn. Developed by Creative Assembly, in partnership with Games Workshop, and published by SEGA for Windows PC, Total War: WARHAMMER unites two of the greatest names in gaming under one mighty banner.
A fantasy strategy game of titanic proportions, Total War: WARHAMMER combines an addictive turn-based campaign of skilful empire building with colossal real-time battles as players strive to conquer all at the head of one of four mythic Races.
The deep and rich universe of Warhammer opens a new era for Total War by taking the series into a magical realm of grand high fantasy. Gigantic monsters, flying dragons, legendary heroes and regiments of nightmarish warriors all take their place on the bloody battlefields of Warhammer’s Old World.
The first in an epic trilogy of titles, Total War: WARHAMMER delivers hundreds of hours of absorbing gameplay and will combine with two further standalone instalments and additional content packs to create the single largest Total War experience ever.
“This is the stuff of dreams,” said David Stephen, Managing Director of Feral Interactive, “The extraordinary gameplay of Total War matched with the fantastical universe of Warhammer is a match made in gaming heaven. We’re incredibly excited to bring Total War: WARHAMMER to Mac and Linux.”
Pricing and system requirements will be announced closer to release.
August 4, 2016 – The PTS Mega Arms MKM CQB GBBR replicates the unique design of the Mega Arms MKM AR-15 platform. The Mega Arms MKM platform mates the rail with the billet receiver in a proprietary manner that makes it as rigid and sturdy as a monolithic (1 piece) upper yet remains extremely lightweight. This design combined with PTS’s precision engineering and faithfulness to realism makes this a very high quality and durable airsoft replica. This CQB model with its ultra-lightweight 9 inch Keymod compatible rail and 10.5 inch barrel is the perfect airsoft gun for handling in any confined space and close proximity combat environments. The PTS Mega Arms MKM CQB standard equipment also includes our proprietary design PTS Enhanced Polymer Grip, Enhanced Polymer Magazine, and Enhanced Polymer Stock.
Features:
• Authentic licensed trademark Mega Arms engravings
• KSC/KWA derived proprietary GBB system.
• Aluminum Upper & Lower Receivers for greater balance and portability without sacrificing its durability.
• Ultra lightweight 9” Keymod Mount Rail compatible with all standard Keymod accessories.
• 10.5” CQB Length Barrel,
• EP Grip (EPG) – ergonomically designed for excellent comfort and a firm angled grip for maximum recoil control.
• EP Stock (EPS) – a simple yet highly functional collapsible polymer stock. Features unique cheek welds that are both comfortable and practical with storage compartments for tools and utilities.
• Mega Arms skeletonized trigger.
• Semi and Full Auto Fire Modes.
