Author - boothby

Sound Blaster X H5 Professional PC Gaming Headset Review

2015/11/24

Geek News, News, Peripheral Review, Peripherals News, Reviews

Creative Labs continues its war to dominate the gaming audio market with the new Sound BlasterX line of gaming headsets. Ranging from the lower-end H3 headset going all the way to the high-end H7 7.1 channel surround sound headset, there is something for everyone in the Sound BlasterX line-up. We got the chance to take a look at the almost-top tier level headset, the Sound BlasterX H5. The Sound BlasterX H5 gaming headset features a stainless steel and black style that exudes classy aggression. The headset is capable of taking a lot of wear and coming back for more every time, thanks to its steel headband. I was actually shocked at just how flexible the steel headband is. You can twist it almost all the way around and the steel just bounces right back to shape. It also features faux leather ear cups that, while making my ears sweat slightly after long periods of use, provide ample comfort and a quiet gameplay session.

Its boom microphone did a terrific job of carrying my voice to my comrades while we played Arma 3 and Romero’s Aftermath, and I was told from my cohorts that the mic seemed successful in filtering out a lot of the background noise floating around my office space. In fact, it sounded better to them than the dedicated desktop microphone I usually use for Skype calls, etc. It should be noted that the boom microphone is removable in case you do not require it.

Setting up the Sound BlasterX H5 for use is very simple – it comes with a 3.5mm splitter and also uses a 4 port 3.5mm plug. This allows you to plug the headset into your smartphone, PC, and even a PS4 game console! You also have the option of downloading and installing the Creative Labs Sound BlasterX Acoustic Engine Lite software that allows you to tweak your sound to your specifications. For the purposes of my review, I did not do this as I already have a Creative Labs software suite running thanks to my sound card.

The sound quality coming out of the Sound BlasterX H5 was excellent, and I could just as easily listen to my favorite songs while wearing this headset as I could taking on OPFOR in Arma 3. I heard no issues with high or low-end sounds while listening to my tunes and was happy it seemed to marry so well with my Creative Labs sound card. I could take advantage of most of my sound card’s options, such as the Crystalizer and Scout modes with no issue whatsoever. Its 50mm “FullSpectrum” neodymium drivers are up to the task and the ear cups are closed just enough to block out a decent amount of outside noise while still allowing you to hear some of whats going on around you.

Finally, I love that the Sound BlasterX H5 features a nylon, braided cable. This was all the rage a few years ago but has since petered out among peripheral makers. I loved this feature on headsets and am glad Creative Labs is bringing it back for the H5.

Overall, the Creative Labs Sound BlasterX H5 pro gaming headset is exactly what you would hope to get out of an analog, pro gaming headset. They have great sound quality, great construction, and a reliable microphone that actually filters out some background noise. It’s only real drawback is the $129.99 price point but headsets are getting more expensive these days. At least with the Sound BlasterX H5, you know your $129.99 is going towards a high quality product.

Sound BlasterX H5 on Amazon

[easyreview title=”Sound BlasterX H5 Professional PC Gaming Headset Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”5″ ]

Rainbow Six Siege Siege The Day TV Spot with Idris Elba

2015/11/19

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

SAN FRANCISCO – November 18, 2015 – With just weeks to go until the highly anticipated return of Rainbow Six, Ubisoft® is kicking off the launch of Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six® Siege with the release of a new live-action trailer starring Golden Globe Award–winning actor Idris Elba. Elba takes the lead role in the explosive trailer entitled “Siege the Day” that brings to life an actual in-game multiplayer match with counter-terrorist operators facing off in a setting inspired by the House map from the game. He also enlightens viewers on the exciting and destructible foundations of Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege in the complementary featurette series, “The Laws of Siege.”

Ubisoft also announced that an open beta will take place November 25–29 on Xbox One, PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Windows PC. The open beta will be an invitation for all players to try Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege for free, ahead of the worldwide launch on December 1.

The trailer and the featurettes were shot over four days in Prague, directed by Park Pictures founder Seb Edwards along with Angus Wall, two-time Academy Award–winning film editor (The Social Network and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) and founder of Rock Paper Scissors and its sister company, VFX. Ubisoft worked with Los Angeles–based agency Omelet on development of the concept and overall creative direction and execution of the “Siege the Day” campaign.

“Getting to work on a set with explosions and big destruction always adds an element of excitement. The Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege shoot was unique in that my character is at the eye of the storm during the chaos around him,” said Idris Elba. “In the game, walls can be shattered; ceilings and floors can be breached to change how players experience the game. My character walks the viewer through the destruction, while coming out unscathed on the other end.”

The “Siege the Day” television ad will air nationally to promote the launch of Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege and can be seen during key television moments such as Thanksgiving Day football and the mid-season finale of The Walking Dead.

For more information about Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, please visit rainbow6.com.

Zoolander 2 First Trailer

2015/11/18

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Geek News, Movie News, News, Trailers / Videos

Paramount Pictures has released the first official trailer for their upcoming Zoolander 2. Starring Ben Stiller is back as Derek Zoolander. The film is coming to theaters February 12, 2016.

Trailer

Star Wars Battlefront Launch Trailer

2015/11/17

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

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. November 17, 2015 – From DICE, an Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) studio, and Lucasfilm Ltd. comes the highly anticipated video game, Star Wars™ Battlefront™. Winner of more than 50 awards worldwide including the Best of Show recognition* at E3, gamescom, Eurogamer Expo and Tokyo Game Show, Star Wars Battlefront delivers the epic Star Wars battle fantasies fans have always dreamed of, while allowing them to create all new memories of their own. The game is available today in North America and Asia, and in Europe this Thursday, November 19 on PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, and Origin™ for PC.

“Star Wars Battlefront is a game made by Star Wars™ fans for Star Wars fans of all generations,” said Sigurlina Ingvarsdottir, Senior Producer. “Our vision is to give fans a game that is truly authentic to this amazing universe, to allow them to immerse themselves in these worlds with stunning visuals and remarkable sound, and most importantly, to make sure the gameplay is exciting and fun.”

In Star Wars Battlefront, players will live out the battles between the Rebellion and the Empire in the time period of the original Star Wars trilogy. From large-scale multiplayer matches for up to 40 players to exciting Missions that can be played alone offline or with a friend, the game delivers a wide variety of the Star Wars experiences fans have been clamoring for. Drive speeder bikes at breakneck speeds through Endor, crush Rebel scum in an AT-ST or AT-AT, take to the skies in the Millennium Falcon or even become the ultimate boss of a multiplayer match as one of theStar Wars universe’s most iconic Heroes or Villains – Boba Fett, Leia Organa, Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader and more.

“We have given DICE unprecedented access to the original source materials and our creative teams and in turn, they have done an incredible job of capturing the essence and spirit of the original trilogy,” added Ada Duan, Vice President of Digital Business and Franchise Management, Lucasfilm. “With Star Wars Battlefront releasing this November, and Star Wars™: The Force Awakens coming to theaters in just one month, there’s never been a better time to be a Star Wars fan.”

Starting on December 1, 2015, fans that pre-ordered Star Wars Battlefront will be among the first players to experience the Battle of Jakku, the pivotal moment when the New Republic confronted key Imperial holdouts on a remote desert planet. Taking place in the aftermath of the Rebel victory in the Battle of Endor, players will experience the events that created the massive, battle-scarred landscape of Jakku in Star Wars™: The Force Awakens™. All other players will get access to this content, for free**, on December 8, 2015.

Fans looking to enhance their Star Wars Battlefront experience can do so with the Star Wars Battlefront Companion. Available on web and in theApp Store^SM and Google Play™ store, the Star Wars Battlefront Companion features the tactical, card-based game Base Command which allows players to earn in-game credits that can be used in Star Wars Battlefront. The Companion also lets you connect with friends, track your career, and more. The Star Wars Battlefront Companion is available now on web at www.StarWarsBattlefront.com/Career, as well as in the App Store and Google Play store.

Players looking to expand their experience can with the Star Wars Battlefront Season Pass***, which includes 4 epic digital expansion packs coming post-launch, including new weapons, vehicles, Star Cards, iconic heroes and villains, new maps and new modes. Season Pass also gives players two-week early access to each expansion pack and an exclusive “Shoot First” emote. Learn more about the Star Wars Battlefront Season Pass, including release dates and additional info, at www.StarWarsBattlefront.com/SeasonPass.

Star Wars Battlefront is available now in North America and Asia at retail and digitally for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, and on Origin for PC. EA Access**** members can save 10% when they buy the digital version of Star Wars Battlefront on Xbox One. For more information on the game, visit www.StarWarsBattlefront.com and see the Star Wars Battlefront Launch Gameplay trailer here. Join the Star Wars Battlefront conversation on Facebook®, Twitter®, and Instagram®.

Aliens 30th Anniversary Comic Series Announced

2015/11/16

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Comics News, Geek News, News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MILWAUKIE, OR – In 1988, Dark Horse’s Aliens comic debuted, with stunning art by Mark A. Nelson and a script by Mark Verheiden, taking the comics market by storm. For the thirtieth anniversary of the Aliens film, Dark Horse and Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products are releasing an oversized hardcover edition of the unabridged and unadulterated series!

This must-have collector’s edition delivers 184 pages of original black-and-white art, each panel more horrifying than the last.

In deep space, a salvage crew is attacked by seemingly unstoppable monsters. The marines are called in, but they need someone with experience. Soon Hicks (the horribly scarred survivor from Aliens) and Newt (now almost eighteen) find themselves on a mission to locate and destroy the aliens’ homeworld!

This collection also marks the first major comics work by Mark Verheiden, who went on to write The Mask, Timecop, Battlestar Galactica, Daredevil, and many other films and television shows.

Aliens 30th Anniversary: The Original Comics Series (978-1-50670-078-6) is in stores April 26, 2016. Preorder your copy today at your local comic shop or through these fine retailers:

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
IndieBound

Also available:

Aliens Omnibus Volume 1
978-1-59307-727-3 | $24.99 | OCT098120

Aliens Omnibus Volume 2
978-1-59307-828-7 | $24.99 | MAY118370

Aliens Omnibus Volume 3
978-1-59307-872-0 | $24.99 | NOV138169

Aliens Omnibus Volume 4
978-1-59307-926-0 | $24.95 | MAR080070

Aliens Omnibus Volume 5
978-1-59307-991-8 | $24.95 | JUL080034

Aliens Omnibus Volume 6
978-1-59582-214-7 | $24.99 | JAN148183

Aliens: Fire and Stone
978-1-61655-655-6 | $14.99 | JAN150169

Six Flags Great Adventure Announces Holiday in the Park

2015/11/16

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Geek News, News

Jackson, NJ — November 16, 2015 — Six Flags Entertainment’s annual holiday extravaganza — Holiday in the Park^® — debuts at the world’s largest theme park November 21and runs weekends and select days through January 3, 2016. More than a million glittering lights, dazzling holiday entertainment, delicious seasonal treats, Santa’s village and many popular rides will magically transform the summer thrill destination into a winter wonderland, and is included with all Season Passes and active Memberships.

Holiday in the Park provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of the shopping rush, and a way for guests to create their own magical, memorable holiday moments. A visual feast awaits just inside the gates throughout 10 newly-themed areas of the park.

“Holiday in the Park will be a winter spectacular on every family’s must-do list,” said Six Flags Great Adventure President John Fitzgerald. “We have invested years of research into making this the most incredible and immersive seasonal experience it can be, combining holiday traditions with thrills that are uniquely Six Flags.”

Signature Holiday in the Park attractions include:

Holiday Magic: A Celebration of the Season ─ Spectacular light show on a 52-foot-tall tree in the heart of the park that dazzles nightly every 30 minutes through eye-popping effects and classic holiday music
Jack Frost’s Magical Christmas ─ Jack Frost’s evil plot to steal Christmas is reversed by the warmth and magic of the holiday season in this live stage show filled with acrobatics, illusions and surprise guests
Gingerbread Junction ─ Features peppermint swirl-wrapped trees, dancing lights around the carousel pavilion, the Gumdrop Hop dance party and a giant gingerbread man towering above
Joy to the World ─ Tranquil pathway of lit trees, luminaries and stained glass showcasing religious holidays from around the world
North Pole ─ Guests are welcomed into the warmth of Santa’s home for a meet-and-greet and holiday photos by Kodak, plus kids can write letters to Santa, meet a reindeer and build a stuffed toy
Poinsettia Peak ─ Skull Mountain roller coaster has been transformed into a mountain of dazzling red lights with a crimson beauty, the Poinsettia Princess, greeting guests nearby
Treetop Summit ─ Parachute Tower transforms into one of the world’s tallest light trees
Polar Point ─ Stunning, ice-blue trees twinkle with the illusion of falling snow up above, while the towering, larger-than-life Snow Queen meets guests below
Storytime with Mrs. Claus ─ Kids can hear one of Santa’s favorite stories in Whimsical Wonderland
Holiday Memories ─ Green, red and gold brighten this section filled with special photo opportunities like Mistletoe Moments, Wishing Tree and With Love giant greeting card, while nearby the Jingle Jammers sing holiday tunes by the fire pits as guests toast s’mores
Stewie the Snowman ─ Guests can pass through a jolly, three-story inflatable in Snowman City

The sweet and savory tastes of the holiday season can be found throughout the park. Spiked egg nog, holiday-flavored coffee and hot chocolate, peppermint and mocha fudge, holiday beers, festive funnel cakes with peppermint eggnog and caramel pecan bacon toppings, specialty holiday platters of sliced turkey, smoked turkey leg and chicken platters with cranberry sauce, chili bowls, harvest salads and flatbreads and hot soups will be available in various restaurants.

Holiday in the Park also features nearly 30 thrilling rides such as SkyScreamer, Carousel, Big Wheel and Tea Cups. Children can enjoy 11 pint-sized thrills in Whimsical Wonderland. Coaster fans can challenge world-class rides like Nitro, BATMAN™: The Ride, THE GREEN LANTERN and SUPERMAN – Ultimate Flight, THE DARK KNIGHT Coaster and Poinsettia Peak. All rides and entertainment are weather permitting. Frontier Adventures including Safari Off Road Adventure, Bugs Bunny National Park and Plaza del Carnaval will not operate during the festival.

The festival kicks off with two special events Sunday, Nov. 22. The morning begins with the park’s first Santa Run 5K race at 11 a.m., and an Elf Run 1K for kids that includes a meet-and-greet with Santa at noon. Tickets and registration are available online. The Holiday Express band will perform from 5 to 7 p.m. free with park admission. Holiday Express is comprised of 1,700 volunteers including more than 100 professional musicians and delivers music, food, gifts, financial support and friendship to those in need during the holiday season.

More information about Holiday in the Park is available at www.sixflags.com/greatadventure.

Fallout 4 Sells 12 Million Units at Launch

2015/11/13

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Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

November 13, 2015 (Rockville, MD) – Bethesda Softworks®, a ZeniMax® Media company, today announced that its award-winning game, Fallout® 4, is generating record sales at retail outlets and via digital download for Xbox One, PlayStation® 4 computer entertainment system and PC. Bethesda launched with approximately 12 million units worldwide to meet day one demand, representing sales in excess of $750 million. The collector’s edition, the Fallout 4 Pip-Boy™ Edition, sold out within hours of its announced availability.

Major retailers have informed Bethesda of the tremendous consumer interest in Fallout 4, with some noting it was the most pre-ordered game this year. In addition, the Fallout 4 Pip-Boy Edition was the fastest-selling collector’s edition of any game in history at leading retailers. Following the release, Bethesda was advised that launch day sales at some of the leading retail chains were the largest of any game released this year. Bethesda is now shipping more Fallout 4 units to retailers to meet ongoing market demand.

Digital sales of Fallout 4 are also breaking records. On Steam, Fallout 4 became the number one game played, surpassing the previous record for concurrent play with over 470,000 Fallout players. The companion app, Fallout Pip-Boy, became the number one game on the iTunes App Store. Fallout 4 also set the record as the most viewed game launch of all 2015 games, according to Twitch.

“We’re extremely proud of Todd Howard, Game Director at Bethesda Game Studios, and his experienced team of developers for their talent and dedication in creating this extraordinary game,” said Vlatko Andonov, President of Bethesda Softworks. “Fallout 4 is a masterpiece in game development and storytelling, providing fans hundreds of hours of fun as they explore and are challenged by this fascinating, beautifully crafted world.”

Fallout 4 has earned critical acclaim since its announcement in June 2015, winning over 160 awards at the 2015 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) including the coveted Game Critics Award for ‘Best of Show’, a selection voted on by an independent group of journalists from 39 leading media outlets that cover the videogame industry.

Following its release across the globe, this eagerly-awaited title has garnered additional raves from some of the industry’s most influential and respected critics. Reviewers have noted for particular praise the game’s storytelling, its vast, detailed world, crafting systems, exploration, meaningful player choices, shooting mechanics, hours of gameplay, and most importantly, total freedom of action.

“A huge thanks to our fans that’ve made this all possible,” said Todd Howard, Game Director on Fallout 4. “After four years of development, it’s not complete until our fans get to play it and make it their own. We can’t wait to hear about their adventures.”

Fallout 4 reaffirms the elite status of Bethesda Game Studios as among the finest development teams in the industry. Each of the last three games developed by Bethesda Games Studios were consensus ‘Game of the Year’ winners and rank with the highest-scoring titles in the industry. Fallout 4 is the follow up to the 2008 ‘Game of the Year’, Fallout® 3, and the first title from Bethesda Game Studios since the release of their global phenomenon and 2011 ‘Game of the Year’, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim®.

In Fallout 4 you play the sole survivor of Vault 111 and enter a world destroyed by nuclear war. Every second is a fight for survival, and every choice is yours. Only you can rebuild and determine the fate of the New England Wasteland. Welcome home.

Fallout 4 is rated M for Mature by the ESRB. For more information, visit: www.Fallout4.com.

Life is Strange Limited Edition Announced

2015/11/12

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Geek News, News, PlayStation 3 News, PlayStation 4 News, Windows PC News, Xbox 360 News, Xbox One News

November 12, 2015 – Following the release of the final episode of LIFE IS STRANGE, we’re excited to announce that DONTNOD’s award-winning episodic series will be getting a boxed Limited Edition release on January 19^th 2016 in the US and January 22^nd 2016 in PAL territories.

“The response to Life is Strange really has blown us away,” explained Luc Baghadoust, producer at DONTNOD Entertainment, “to be able to share that experience with our fans in a traditional boxed format is something we’re really excited about and the decision to include the extra items for the Limited Edition is a direct response to fan requests.”

The Limited Edition includes a directors’ commentary, a physical 32-page art book, and 14 licensed tracks from the game’s official soundtrack as well as 8 tracks from the game’s composer Jonathan Morali. A full list of included tracks can be found below:

1. Syd Matters – ‘To All Of You’
2. José González – ‘Crosses’
3. Angus & Julia Stone – ‘Santa Monica Dream’
4. Sparklehorse – ‘Piano Fire’
5. alt-J – ‘Something Good’
6. Local Natives – ‘Mt. Washington’
7. Bright Eyes ‘Lua’
8. Mogwai – ‘Kids Will Be Skeletons’
9. Amanda Palmer – ‘In My Mind’ (feat. Brian Viglione)
10. Message To Bears ‘Mountains’
11. Breton – ‘Got Well Soon’
12. Mud Flow – ‘The Sense of Me’
13. Foals – ‘Spanish Sahara’
14. Syd Matters – ‘Obstacles’Original Score by Jonathan Morali
15. Jonathan Morali – ‘Golden Hour’
16. Jonathan Morali – ‘The Storm’
17. Jonathan Morali – ‘Blackwell Academy’
18. Jonathan Morali – ‘Kate’
19. Jonathan Morali – ‘Timeless’
20. Jonathan Morali – ‘Timelines’
21. Jonathan Morali – ‘Night Walk’
22. Jonathan Morali – ‘Max & Chloe’

LIFE IS STRANGE follows the story of Max Caulfield, a photography senior who discovers she can rewind time while saving her best friend Chloe Price. The pair soon finds themselves investigating the mysterious disappearance of fellow student Rachel Amber, uncovering a dark side to life in Arcadia Bay. Meanwhile, Max must quickly learn that changing the past can sometimes lead to a devastating future.

Mordheim: City of the Damned Campaign Trailer

2015/11/12

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

November 12, 2015 – Rogue Factor’s tactical-RPG Mordheim: City of the Damned showcases its four independent campaigns in the new Campaign Trailer. With a campaign for each Warband, the Human Mercenaries, the Skaven from Clan Eshin, the Sisters of Sigmar and the Cult of the Possessed, explore a unique story and meet the Dramatis Personae!

These battle-hardened heroes of Mordheim will chaperone you through each of the campaigns. They are powerful and unique warriors who can completely turn the tide of battles with unique abilities and skills.

Introduce yourself to Luther Wolfenbaum, Bertha Bestraufrung, Fylch Sharptail and Merga Ottweiler in the trailer below, sampling a taste of their aptitude for combat with new debuff skills, powerful single-target heals, area-of-effect dodge buffs, and a powerful mage spell, Forsake, able to shutdown enemy magic users by increasing the chances of spells backfiring.

Mordheim is a hostile place, so make sure you’re ready when traveling across all the different districts. From the Temple of Sigmar, to the Market District or the Count Steinhardt’s palace, Mordheim is not only filled with enemy warbands but also with other evil creatures lurking in the shadows, such as the great Chaos Ogre, the lethal Alluress, the Curator, and many more.

With four fully fledged stories and a slew of procedural missions, Mordheim offers almost endless single player campaign content, as well as its popular online modes.

Fight for glory and Wyrdstone in Mordheim: City of the Damned, available in a few days on PC.

Samsung Gear VR Available for Pre-Order

2015/11/10

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Geek News, News, Tech News

Samsung’s Gear VR is now available for pre-order at a retail price of $99.99 dollars. Gear VR is available on Amazon.com, BestBuy.com, and Samsung.com and will ship on November 20th.

The new Gear VR is 19% lighter than the previous Innovator Edition and features improved ergonomics plus a completely redesigned touchpad for easier navigation. Gear VR is also compatible with even more Samsung smartphones, including the Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 edge+, S6, and S6 edge.