Author - boothby

Cities: Skylines After Dark Expansion Release Date

2015/08/20
boothby
Geek News, News, Windows PC News

Cities: Skylines After Dark expansion announced

STOCKHOLM – Aug. 20, 2015 — Paradox Interactive, a publisher of games and a civic-minded somnambulist, today announced that “After Dark,” the first expansion for the hit city-building game Cities: Skylines, will release worldwide on September 24, 2015.

The expansion, which will include a broad variety of features, such as a day-and-night cycle, new nighttime city services and options, and much more, will be available to players of Cities: Skylines on PC, Mac, and Linux for $14.99 via digital distributors everywhere.

To give curious city constructors a glimpse of what awaits them in After Dark, Paradox has released the first weekly design diary from Cities: Skylines developer Colossal Order, along with a new batch of in-game screenshots showing several of the substantial sundown surprises that await players.

Read about the changes that go into a city at night in the first After Dark diary:  forum.paradoxplaza.com/cities-skylines-after-dark-dev-diary-1-night-time-what-is-it

In After Dark, the sun will set on mayor-players’ in-game cities – but it will rise once nighttime is over, so nobody needs to worry. Towns will look – and behave – differently at night, with new leisure-focused nightspots, popular beachfront properties that thrive during the daytime and new systems such as taxicabs, prisons, bike lanes and much more.

For more information on Cities: Skylines, visit www.citiesskylines.com

Ninja Gaiden 3 Ryu Statue Variants for PAX Prime

2015/08/20
boothby
Geek News, News, PAX

ninja-gaiden-3-logo

LOS ANGELES, Calif., – Leading toy manufacturer Multiverse Studio Inc. revealed today that two new exclusive variants of the critically acclaimed Ninja Gaiden® 3 Ryu Hayabusa statue will be available exclusively from ThinkGeek. Visit the ThinkGeek booth at PAX Prime 2015 (Booth Sky9) to get your limited edition Ryu Hayabusa Bludgeoning variant and Retro Blue variant.

Each variant statue is limited to 100 pieces.

PAX Prime 2015 is happening August 28th through August 31st, 2015 in Seattle Washington.

NG3Hayabusa_thinkgeek-retroblue_promo_v17AUG2015

The Retro Blue Ryu Hayabusa variant statue features:

  • Dual Katanas
  • Blue Paint Scheme

NG3Hayabusa_thinkgeek-bludgeoning_promo_v17AUG2015

The Bludgeoning Staff Ryu Hayabusa variant statue features:

  • Lunar Staff with Sheathed Katana
  • Extra Blood and Gore

For more information about upcoming Ninja Gaiden products, please visit http://www.multiverse-studio.com/products/ryu-hayabusa.html

Fig Game Funding Platform Launches

2015/08/18
boothby
Geek News, Industry News, News

fig-screenshot-outer-wilds-campaign

SAN FRANCISCO, August 18, 2015 – Today Fig announces the launch of its funding platform, which provides developers a new way for their games to be financed and produced. Fig is the first platform targeted solely at video games that offers reward-based crowdfunding as well as access to investment crowdfunding. Fig’s aim is to provide a curated experience that strikes a balance between titles from well-known independent studios and ones from up-and-coming indie teams. Investment crowdfunding is currently limited to accredited investors only, but pursuant to a recent regulatory development, Fig plans to open up investment opportunities to everyone in the near future.

“Games are one of the leading sectors in rewards-based crowdfunding and continue to evolve the whole medium; Fig’s approach is to customize our platform to what works best for games,” said Justin Bailey, CEO of Fig. “This includes supporting investment crowdfunding where the fans have the opportunity to participate in the financial success of the games they help make possible.”

Fig received seed funding for its launch from Spark Capital, a top-tier venture capital firm that has invested in many leading creative companies including Oculus, Twitter and Slack.

Fig’s advisory board – Urquhart, Fargo, and Schafer – who have created some of the most successful rewards crowdfunding campaigns and game launches, will participate in the pitch process and mentoring of the developers using the platform. They will also be using Fig to fund future titles from their studios Obsidian Entertainment, inXile Entertainment and Double Fine Productions.

“Feargus, Tim and I have all experienced the many challenges of bringing our games to market and nurturing great talent along the way,” said Brian Fargo, CEO of inXile. “We’re proud to be creating an ecosystem that better supports developers and their fans in the quest to bring their passion projects to life—and we believe Fig will become the best option to get games funded in the future.”

For Fig, funding is just the start – plans are in place to support developers through the entire life cycle of their games. The company has already started filling its pipeline with prospective titles for 2015.

Fig’s first campaign, Outer Wilds, won the 2015 Independent Games Festival (IGF) Awards Grand Prize and Excellence in Design. Created by Alex Beachum, the title will be developed by Masi Oka’s (of Heroes’ and Hawaii-Five-O fame) Mobius Digital studio. Outer Wilds’ funding goal of $125,000 will give the team the tools to upgrade the artwork, polish the game systems, and bring much more content to the experience. For more information on Outer Wilds or to contribute, click here.

“We’re excited about this opportunity because, as indie developers, creative control and IP ownership are critical,” said Masi Oka. “Having a crowdfunding platform specifically targeted to games also allows us to reach and focus our marketing to the gaming community.”

About Fig 

As the only funding platform created by gamers for gamers that offers reward, equity, and debt-based funding, Fig empowers developers and passionate fans alike to bring well-known franchises and undiscovered indie titles to market. Fig was founded by Justin Bailey, Freeman White, and Bob Ippolito and was established from a coalition of independent game developers including Tim Schafer, Feargus Urquhart and Brian Fargo. For more information, visit www.Fig.co and follow us on www.twitter.com/playfig and www.facebook.com/playfig. Interested in funding on Fig? Send your pitch to pitches@fig.co.

About Mobius Digital 

Mobius Digital is an independent game studio located in downtown Los Angeles dedicated to making unique and creative games that challenge a wide audience. Founded by Masi Oka of Heroes’ fame, Mobius Digital released its first game, the cooperative storytelling game Our Superhero, for iOS in 2014. They subsequently released puzzle RPG Terra Chroma for iOS and Android, and space adventure game Beacon 38 is due out on both platforms in late August. The studio is excited to move from mobile platforms to PC & Mac by completing Outer Wilds, the 2015 Independent Games Festival Award recipient for both the Grand Prize and Excellence in Design.

Disclosures:  

1.                   Fig’s investment crowdfunding model provides an opportunity for eligible investors to participate in the potential success of a particular game title by investing in a production company created exclusively for that title. Fig’s production company holds exclusive distribution rights to the title, while the developer retains the title’s IP rights. 

2.                   Rewards campaigns are available to all, but investments are only available to accredited investors who understand and can afford the risks of investing in private securities.

Descent: Underground Pre-Alpha Released To Backers

2015/08/14
boothby
Geek News, News, Windows PC News
Descent: Underground Pre-Alpha

Descent: Underground Pre-Alpha

Austin, TX – August 14, 2015 – Descendent Studios, the Austin, Texas-based game developer, today announced the first public release of its reboot of the classic 1990s FPS, Descent. The pre-alpha version of Descent: Underground is now available to some backers of the successful Kickstarter project. The release comes one week after the game had a successful public debut at the Rooster Teeth Expo (RTX) in Austin.

An officially-licensed prequel to the enormously successful Descent series of games,Descent: Underground combines first-person shooter action with six degrees of freedom vehicular movement. Players take on the role of pilots commanding space-combat drones in high-stakes battles for control of warren-like asteroid mines.

Descent: Underground successfully completed a Kickstarter crowd funding campaign on April 10, 2015. In less than four months, Descendent Studios was able to deliver its first playable version at RTX. With its AAA graphics and unique gameplay, Descent: Underground attracted long lines at the expo as backers and fans waited anxiously to play the game on screens and in virtual reality using Oculus Rift headsets.

“Many people kept coming back, bringing their friends and in many cases, their parents,” said Descendent Studios CEO Eric ’Wingman’ Peterson. “We had about a thousand play-throughs last weekend and not one person gave the game a thumbs-down.”

Today, Descendent Studios is releasing a playable version of the game to a group of especially-dedicated backers known as the “Advisory Board.” Members of the Board have already assisted the developers with a number of important tasks, among them, verifying the flight model for the game’s spacecraft matched that of the original Descentgame.

In the next few weeks, the Descent: Underground pre-alpha will be made available to backers who pledged for “Proving Grounds” pre-alpha access and members of “The Underground,” a club that gets insider access to learn more about the studio’s game development process. More information is available on the company’s website at www.descendentstudios.com.

Descent: Underground is scheduled for release in March of 2016 on PC, Mac, and Linux.

Descendent Studios, Inc. is an independent game development studio based in Austin, TX. The studio’s team includes several industry veterans who worked on titles such as Wing Commander, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Starlancer, Star Citizen, and Ultima Online.

Lucasfilm Partners With Seven Global Brands Promoting The Force Awakens

2015/08/13
boothby
Geek News, Movie News, News

star-wars-the-force-awakens-title-card

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. (August 13, 2015)—Lucasfilm announced today that they are collaborating with seven of the world’s most well-known brands— COVERGIRL® & Max Factor, Duracell, FCA US, General Mills, HP, Subway® and Verizon—for the launch of an expansive, historic promotional campaign in support of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” opening on December 18.

For the highly anticipated next episode in the “Star Wars” franchise, each company has developed break-through, custom creative campaigns, and innovative programs and activations for their target audiences.

“We are thrilled to be working with such a stellar roster of promotional partners.  The ‘Star Wars’ brand has endured over the years, across generational audiences because it connects with people in a very special way,” said Lynwen Brennan, General Manager of Lucasfilm. “Our partners have all delivered original, stand-out campaigns that capture the familiar fun and excitement of our galaxy far, far away that we hope will delight fans as they get ready to experience ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens.’”

The seven best-in-class global partners were chosen for their creative excellence within their fields as well as their collective diverse global reach. All of the partnerships strategically complement the tempo and tone of the film’s overall marketing campaign.

COVERGIRL & MAX FACTOR

Easy, breezy, beautiful from the start, COVERGIRL now holds an iconic position in the world of beauty and pop culture: the brand that has been empowering women to rock their beautiful for more than 50 years. Throughout its history – and still today – COVERGIRL has been known as a cosmetics category leader and innovator, with first-to-market technologies, famous faces, and on-trend marketing campaigns. Whether how to get the look, or how to get behind-the-scenes access to the hottest celebrity event, COVERGIRL has got it covered. Recently, the brand committed $5MM over five years to enable women and girls to break boundaries at school, at work, and in entrepreneurial endeavors via its #GirlsCan initiative. Visit www.covergirl.com or find @COVERGIRL in social media for more information.

Max Factor is the make-up of make-up artists.  The story begins from the founding days of Mr. Max Factor, a true make-up artistry icon and pioneer, who created a world full of glamour. The make-up products and techniques he created for the movie industry and his Hollywood clients, Marilyn Monroe being just one of his many famous clients, earned him an Academy Award, but his guiding philosophy was that any woman could be glamourous given the right tools and make-up artistry skills. From mascara to foundation, eye shadow to lip gloss – Max Factor put the transformative tools for make-up artistry into the hands of every woman, enabling her to create her own personal glamour statement every day. Today, the Max Factor brand continues to empower women to look and feel glamorous via its talented Network of Make-up Artists, headed by the make-up visionary Pat McGrath (Max Factor and COVERGIRL Global Creative Design Director), sophisticated diagnostic tools and artistry, and an ever expanding range of tools and tips. Visit www.maxfactor.com or find @MaxFactor in social media for more information.

DURACELL

Duracell is the world’s leading manufacturer and marketer of high performance alkaline batteries.  As the leader in the personal power category, Duracell has a rich history of innovation continuously introducing batteries that are more compact, more powerful and longer lasting than competitor brands.  Since 1973, the Duracell Bunny has been at the heart of the brand demonstrating Duracell’s longer lasting power.  Today Bunny is one of the most recognised brand icons in the world.  Duracell batteries power many devices across the globe, including toys such as the Hasbro Lightsaber. In addition to its alkaline batteries, the company sells primary lithium, zinc air, and rechargeable nickel-metal hydride batteries as well as a line of flashlights.

FCA US

FCA US LLC is a North American automaker with a new name and a long history. Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, FCA US is a member of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA) family of companies. FCA US designs, engineers, manufactures and sells vehicles under the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and FIAT brands as well as the SRT performance vehicle designation. The company also distributes the Alfa Romeo 4C model and Mopar products. FCA US is building upon the historic foundations of Chrysler, the innovative American automaker first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925; and Fiat, founded in Italy in 1899 by pioneering entrepreneurs, including Giovanni Agnelli.

FCA, the seventh-largest automaker in the world based on total annual vehicle sales, is an international automotive group. FCA is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FCAU” and on the Mercato Telematico Azionario under the symbol “FCA.”

GENERAL MILLS
General Mills is one of the world’s leading food companies, operating in more than 100 countries around the world. Its brands include Cheerios, Fiber One, Häagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Yoplait, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Old El Paso, Wanchai Ferry, Yoki and more. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., USA, General Mills had fiscal 2015 worldwide sales of US $18.8 billion

HP

HP creates new possibilities for technology to have a meaningful impact on people, businesses, governments and society. With the broadest technology portfolio spanning printing, personal systems, software, services and IT infrastructure, HP delivers solutions for customers’ most complex challenges in every region of the world. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com.

SUBWAY®

Customers in 110 countries have easy access to a fresh line-up of vegetables for their made-to-order sandwiches and salads at any of the more than 44,000 franchised locations. The company, founded 50-years-ago by then-17-year-old Fred DeLuca and family-friend Dr. Peter Buck, is still a family-owned business with thousands of dedicated franchisees/entrepreneurs in neighborhoods around the world, providing easy access to vegetables, detailed nutrition, dietary, and healthy lifestyle information. This has been a priority for the SUBWAY® chain for many years. To learn more information about us, visit www.subway.com, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/subway and follow us on https://twitter.com/subway. SUBWAY® is a registered trademark of Doctor’s Associates Inc

VERIZON

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is one of the largest communication technology companies in the world. Verizon operates America’s largest, most reliable 4G LTE wireless network with 109.5 million retail connections nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America’s most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers worldwide. A Fortune 15 company with more than $127 billion in 2014 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of 178,500. For more information, visit www.verizon.com/news/.

About Lucasfilm Ltd.

Lucasfilm Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is a global leader in film, television and digital entertainment production. In addition to its motion-picture and television production, the company’s activities include visual effects and audio post-production, cutting-edge digital animation, interactive entertainment software, and the management of the global merchandising activities for its entertainment properties including the legendary STAR WARS and INDIANA JONES franchises. Lucasfilm Ltd. is headquartered in northern California.

Lucasfilm, the Lucasfilm logo, STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. ©2015 & TM Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

About “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”

Lucasfilm and visionary director J.J. Abrams join forces to take you back again to a galaxy far, far away as “Star Wars” returns to the big screen with “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”

The film stars Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew and Max Von Sydow. Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams and Bryan Burk are producing with Tommy Harper and Jason McGatlin serving as executive producers. The screenplay is by J.J. Abrams & Lawrence Kasdan.  “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” releases in U.S. theaters on December 18, 2015.

Stilo Fine-tip Stylus with Sensitivity Control Released

2015/08/13
boothby
News, Peripherals News
Stilo tablet stylus images

Stilo tablet stylus images

August 13, 2015, Fremont, CA – Stilo Co. is introducing its first ever product to the US market: Stilo. An adjustable fine-tip capacitive styluscompatible with virtually all apps and tablets. It is launched alongside an optional screen protector designed together with Stilo’s tip to emulate the friction of pen on paper. Stilo offers professionals, students, and artists a more complete and organic digital writing experience.

A Durable, Adjustable Fine-Tip Stylus

Stilo’s tip measures at a lithe 1.9mm, placing it among the thinnest. Made from durable plastics, the tip doesn’t require replacing and will never scratch the surface. Stilo’s tip can be rotated to fine-tune sensitivity for different tablets or screen protectors – clockwise, or inward, is less sensitive; counter-clockwise, or outward, is more sensitive. Stilo’s active stylus technology is designed to offset latency from tip to stroke, yielding minimal lag, and providing a responsive, satisfying writing and drawing experience.

Like Pen on Paper

Active styli always feel unnatural on a slippery glass screen. For the best experience, users can opt to use Stilo’s Precision Film. While fingerprint and scratch resistant, it’s no ordinary screen protector. The Precision Film features a soft upper layer designed in tandem with Stilo’s tip to evoke the feel and friction of a pen. “The Precision Film is Stilo’s magic sauce,” states Jordi Sarabia, Stilo Co. co-founder, “We set out to achieve an experience akin to pen and paper on tablets; we’re proud to say that Stilo is the closest ever.”

Unrivaled Compatibility

Stilo is the first truly  universal fine-tip stylus . It doesn’t require a Bluetooth connection to be accurate in apps, and works great with most. Stilo also has no specific tablet requirements – go ahead, try to use it on anything you own with a capacitive display

No Charging Required

Stilo uses a single AAA battery for up to ten hours of continuous use and features an automatic shut-off feature after idling for five minutes to conserve power. There’s no frustration of waiting to charge – just twist the bottom, replace the battery, and keep writing.

Price and Availability

Stilo is available on Amazon for $69.99 in  white  and  black  colors. The optional Precision Film is available on Stilo’s official website in different sizes – iPad 4th Generation, iPad Air 1 & 2, any iPad Mini, Samsung Galaxy 8.4 & 10.5, Nexus 6 & 9 – for $19.99 each.

About Stilo Co.

Stilo Co. is the US subsidiary and sales office for the Stilo brand. Stilo is the brainchild of a duo of tech entrepreneurs with a vision to bring a pen and paper experience to every touchscreen. Together with over twenty years of experience in consumer electronics, and exhaustive commitment to R&D, they’ve pushed tirelessly to realize their vision. With state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Taiwan and China, the Stilo brand is poised to become the authority on styli. For more information, visit the official website at http://stilopen.com/.

Fallout Shelter Now on Google Play

2015/08/13
boothby
Geek News, Mobile News, News

Bethesda Softworks Fallout Shelter Game Screenshot

August 13, 2015 (Rockville, MD) – Bethesda Softworks®, a ZeniMax® Media company, today announced that Fallout Shelter™, the first-ever mobile game set in the celebrated Fallout® universe from Bethesda Game Studios®, is now available worldwide for FREE on Google Play for Android devices.

Praised for its fun, addicting gameplay, and for its player-friendly approach to in-app purchases, Fallout Shelter has received accolades from some of the industry’s leading outlets, earning ‘Game of the Week’ from Touch Arcade and nominations for ‘Biggest Surprise’ from IGN and ‘Best Handled/Mobile Game’ from the official Game Critics Awards.

Today’s launch includes all-new game updates, including the introduction of Mr. Handy – the ultimate robotic companion – as a premium reward. Use him to collect resources inside your Vault, send him into the wasteland to collect caps, or defend your Vault from creatures and disasters, including new Deathclaw invasions and Molerat infestations.

Fallout Shelter is a post-nuclear strategy and simulation experience that puts you in control of a state-of-the-art underground Vault. Build the perfect Vault from a variety of rooms, oversee your very own thriving community of Vault Dwellers, and protect them from the dangers of the Wasteland.

To download Fallout Shelter for Android devices, visit: Google Play.

To learn more about Fallout Shelter, visit the game’s official website: www.FalloutShelter.com.

Android and Google Play are trademarks of Google Inc

Master of Orion Developer Diary #1

2015/08/11
boothby
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

E3 2015 Wargaming Master of Orion Screenshot

August 11, 2015 — WG Labs today released the first in a series of Developer Diary videos focusing on their upcoming game Master of Orion, a modern re-boot of one of the most influential and critically acclaimed strategy games ever made.

In this first video, inspiration takes center stage as developers from the original version of Master of Orion discuss their experiences working on such a revered title.  Come along as developers past and present discuss the unique ideas that went into making Master of Orion a memorable gaming experience and one of the most enduring and in-depth strategy games ever released.

Bringing a classic title to a new generation of gamers takes careful thought and planning. The WG Labs team walks viewers through the process of updating the game, from its core gameplay mechanics, visual style and presentation, in-game lore, orchestral score and more.

For more information on Master of Orion, please visit:

Video