Author - boothby

Cloudhead Games Blink Locomotion Technology Claims VR Nausea Obsolete

2015/08/11

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

August 11, 2015 – The advent of virtual reality is set to bring a host of new possibilities, and yet, it also brings its own sets of challenges.

Vancouver Island-based developer Cloudhead Games, with their AAA pedigree (Bioware, Relic) and an industry leading three years of VR experience, are bringing new ideas to the table, not only in the form of innovative gameplay, but also changing how players interact with the world of VR.

Through the introduction of the studio’s Blink VR locomotion mechanic, an elastic VR playspace, Cloudhead Games are delivering a 100% nausea-free play experience.

Combining three primary systems – Cinematic Blink, Precision Blink and Volume Blink – the locomotion mechanic ensures player safety, deep traversal and complete spacial awareness in both the virtual and real world.

Through non-intrusive in-game visual positioning cues, and the ability to “blink” across distances, Blink allows players a safe, scalable play environment, allowing you to physically walk around a space or stand still at your desk.

Play in the office, or in an airplane hangar – your adventure, your choice.

Blink will debut in Cloudhead Games’ debut title, The Gallery: Call of the Starseed, Episode 1 of 4, the first commercially announced “made for VR” title, and will launch alongside the HTC Vive in Holiday 2015.

Official Website: www.cloudheadgames.com
Game Site: www.thegallerygame.com

Six Flags Great Adventure Unveils National Coaster Day Events

2015/08/10

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Geek News, News

JACKSON, N.J. — August 10, 2015 — Thirteen thrill rides that loop, launch, roar and soar will take center stage when Six Flags Great Adventure celebrates National Coaster Day August 16, presented by Outback Steakhouse.

“Our coasters rank among the best in the world, so what better place to celebrate roller coasters than at the world’s largest theme park,” said Park President John Fitzgerald.

From extreme, record-breaking heights and speeds to high tech and hybrid, Great Adventure’s coaster collection is also one of the most diverse on the planet, Fitzgerald said. The park’s roller coasters are continually recognized by reputable travel, news and amusement industry publications. Several of the most recent accolades include:

El Toro

o No. 1 wooden coaster in the world by Theme Park Insider 2015

o Top 10 Best Roller Coasters by USA Today and 10Best 2015

o No. 1 Best Wooden Coaster by Mitch Hawker’s Internet Poll 2012 – 2014

o No. 2 Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Award for Best Wooden Coaster in the World 2014

El Diablo named Best Roller Coaster 2015 by Philadelphia Magazine

Kingda Ka

o No. 2 Best Thrill Ride by NJ.com 2015

o Top 7 Theme Park Wonders of the World by Orbitz 2015

o Tallest Roller Coaster in the World 2005-2015

Nitro

o No. 1 Best Thrill Ride by NJ.com 2015

o No. 5 Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Award for Best Steel Coaster in the World 2014

BIZARRO, GREEN LANTERN and Runaway Train named Top 10 Best Thrill Rides by NJ.com 2015

In celebration of National Coaster Day, Six Flags Great Adventure will host a fiesta in Plaza del Carnaval, a Mexican-themed section that features the intense, hybrid wooden coaster El Toro and the looping thrills of the new El Diablo. Special activities also include coaster trivia and prizes, a live DJ and Latin dance lessons outside the new Macho Nacho cantina which will offer special deals for its grand opening.

Great Adventure, which was recently named one of the Best Amusement Parks for Families in 2015 by Family Vacation Critic, TripAdvisor’s family travel site, will provide special admission and exclusive ride time benefits to Outback Steakhouse restaurant customers and Six Flags Season Pass holders and Members – a half-hour of early ride time between 10 and 10:30 am on both El Toro and El Diablo.

Fans can vote for Kingda Ka as “Boldest Coaster” and enter to win a VIP trip at www.sixflags.com/BoldestSweeps

For more information, visit www.sixflags.com

Knott’s Berry Farm Hosts First-Ever Coaster Campout

2015/08/07

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Geek News, News

Buena Park, Calif. (August 2015) Knott’s Berry Farm is excited to announce its first-ever Coaster Campout night in support of the Boys and Girls Club of America. The event includes admission to Knott’s Berry Farm on Aug. 13 and Aug. 14, dinner or breakfast and a special overnight stay in the theme park’s Park Pavilion Picnic Center. After a warm summer’s night at Knott’s, event participants will get a wake-up call like none other from Snoopy! Later, guests will enjoy exclusive ride time in Camp Snoopy and Fiesta Village from 7:00am – 9:00am. All event proceeds will benefit Cedar Fair Charities Inc. local philanthropic partner, the Boys and Girls Club.

Cities: Skylines After Dark Expansion Announced

2015/08/07

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

Cities: Skylines After Dark expansion announced

STOCKHOLM – Aug. 7, 2015 – Paradox Interactive, a publisher of games and a fan of twilight, revealed at Gamescom today the first expansion to Cities: Skylines, the best-selling city-builder from Colossal Order. The new expansion, titled “After Dark,” will bring new features to mayor-players everywhere, including new specialized areas, new city services and options, new transportation systems, and lots of new chirps for the world’s favorite game character. In addition, After Dark will add new graphical enhancements and citizen behavior to Cities: Skylines with its central feature – a day-and-night cycle.

Turn down the lights and bask in the neon glow of the new After Dark trailer:

In After Dark, mayor-players’ in-game cities will go from day to night and back again, and their bustling burgs will look – and behave – differently. New leisure-focused commercial areas will become popular nightspots, with citizens flocking to nightclubs, karaoke bars, and other downtown destinations when their day is done. During the day, newly popular beachfront properties will do big business, including beach restaurants, jetski rentals, and more. For citizens who have a little too much fun, the addition of prisons will sort things out – while new taxi mechanics will help nighttime revelers get around efficiently and safely.

After Dark will include:

Leisure and Luxury: Nightclubs, restaurants, bowling alleys, and other new leisure areas will become especially active at night
Service with a Smile: New city services will transport criminals from police stations to prisons, while cargo hubs and international airports will allow industry and tourism to expand and thrive
Surf and Turf: Commercial areas on the shoreline can specialize in new beach properties such as fishing tours, marinas, and beach bars
We Get Around: New taxi services help citizens and tourists travel around the city, while new dedicated bus lanes and bike lanes encourage alternate transportation
New Chirps: Because everyone loves Chirper #youknowit #heisadorable

After Dark will be available for Cities: Skylines on PC, Mac, and Linux in 2015. For more information on Cities: Skylines, visit http://www.citiesskylines.com/

Blood Bowl 2 Star Players Trailer

2015/08/07

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

August 7, 2015 – Blood Bowl 2: the Star Players of Blood Bowl shine on the pitch in Gamescom Trailer! For Gamescom, Blood Bowl 2, the sequel to the video game adaptation of Games Workshop’s famous board game that combines American football with the fantasy world of Warhammer, today releases a new video, with the true stars of Blood Bowl stealing the spotlight!

The Star Players are the Superstars of Blood Bowl: skilled veteran players who became true living legends thanks to their prowess in matches. Their mere presence on the pitch makes the fans and spectators go utterly wild, while casting fear into the heart of their opponents!

Star Players are incredibly talented, owning to decades of intense Blood Bowl matches. They boast exceptional stats, higher than that of regular players, along with extraordinary skills usually not available to normal players. This deadly combination of stats and skills make them a force to be reckoned with on the pitch, whether they focus on tricks (agility, secret weapons, or special skills such has hypnotic gaze or throwing a teammate with the ball), or sheer strength to beat the opponent team.

Matching their skillset, their hiring fee is also exceptionally high, and they will only ever join your team for a single match. However, if you can spare the Gold to afford hiring one (or even two!) of them, they will be worth the hiring cost, as they might very well turn the tide of the match, all by themselves.

Blood Bowl 2 is currently available for pre-order, with, as a bonus, one of two additional races (the Wood Elves or the Lizardmen). Players who pre-order the game on Steam will also receive access to the Multiplayer Beta of the game, which will start a few weeks before release. Click here for more info.

Blood Bowl 2 will release on PS4, Xbox One and PC on September 22.

Trailer

The Technomancer Gamescom Trailer

2015/08/06

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

August 6, 2015 – In this video, supported by music from renowned composer Olivier Derivière (Remember Me, Assassin’s Creed IV – Freedom Cry…) who composes the game’s Soundtrack, we watch our hero Zachariah attempts to communicate with Earth, as he is chased by Mars’ illusive secret police, tasked with hunting down the rogue Technomancer across the post-apocalyptic red planet. A relic of Mars’ ancient human history, your journey with Zachariah starts long after human colonization of Mars, with its artefacts sprawled about the Martian landscape – including hordes of humans physically scarred by cataclysms of the past.

Mars’ world holds many secrets, and The Technomancer’s quests yield many results depending on how you choose to solve them. Learn more about the world by interacting with the companions who join your party, and level them up as you build friendships with them. An RPG, The Technomancer features 3 exciting combat styles and many ways to improve both melee combat and your Technomancer lightning abilities, intertwined with the melee combat in the game.

The Technomancer will be presented at Gamescom in Cologne 2015 until Friday 7. Rendez-vous at Focus Home Interactive booth D23, Hall 3 – 2nd floor.

Trailer

Corsair Unveils New Products at 2015 Gamescom

2015/08/06

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Geek News, News, Peripherals News

GAMESCOM 2015 — Cologne, Germany — August 5, 2015 — Last year, Corsair® captured the imagination of gamers with innovative RGB multicolor lighting that transformed PC gaming keyboards and mice. Today at Gamescom, Corsair raises the bar higher with new RGB gaming p eripherals: the STRAFE RGB mechanical keyboards, Scimitar RGB MMO/MOBA mouse, and flagship VOID gaming headsets. Corsair is also unveiling the ultra-quiet STRAFE RGB Silent, the world’s first keyboard with Cherry MX RGB Silent gaming switches. To complement the launch of these new products, an enhanced version of the Corsair Utility Engine (CUE) software is available, enabling cascading rainbows, dynamic ripples, and other multicolor lighting effects to operate in tandem across all Corsair RGB keyboards, mice, and headsets.

Today Corsair unleashes two new mechanical gaming keyboard models with RGB lighting: STRAFE RGB and STRAFE RGB Silent. The STRAFE RGB Silent gaming keyboard is the world’s first with Cherry MX Silent switches which deliver the speed and precision of linear mechanical switches with significantly quieter actuation. The new switches combined with the noise-suppressing architecture of the keyboard chassis, make the pro-level STRAFE RGB Silent 30% quieter than other mechanical gaming keyboards. The STRAFE RGB keyboard comes in versions with Cherry MX Red or Brown switches.

The STRAFE RGB Silent and STRAFE RGB offer customizable multicolor backlighting of up to 16.8 million colors with a virtually unlimited number of lighting configurations and effects. In addition, each key on the new keyboard can also be programmed with automated macros using CUE (Corsair Utility Engine) software. Via CUE, gamers can choose from six unique lighting effects or create their own custom profiles and share them on: www.corsairgaming.com.

VOID Wireless, USB, and Analog Gaming Headsets

Available in wireless, USB, or analog stereo models, the VOID gaming headset’s earcups are shaped to fit the human ear, providing the utmost comfort while delivering spectacular audio fidelity. The USB and wireless models incorporate innovative features like InfoMic status LEDs and a CUE Control dial, enabling users to control their gaming soundscape without hitting pause. These models also feature customizable RGB lighting, EQ, and Dolby 7.1 surround, allowing for a fully personalized audio experience. For those seeking a universal stereo solution, the VOID Stereo analog headsets feature a mobile-compatible connector and included Y-adaptor cable for compatibility with PlayStation 4, Xbox One, mobile devices, and all PC and Mac computers.

SCIMITAR RGB – World’s Most Advanced MOBA/MMO Gaming Mouse

Rounding out the lineup, the SCIMITAR RGB gaming mouse improves the MMO/MOBA experience with its exclusive patent pending Key Slider™ control system. The innovative system provides 8mm of adjustment, putting every button within reach of most gamers’ thumbs regardless of hand size for improved comfort and accuracy. The 12 mechanical side buttons were designed with pro player specification in mind, delivering ultra-consistent, tactile feedback and actuation. The pro-proven 12,000 DPI high performance optical sensor provides pixel-precise gaming performance. The SCIMITAR RGB also utilizes Corsair’s one-of-a-kind CUE software, enabling gamers to customize mouse sensitivity, buttons functions, and lighting, as well as program advanced capabilities such as custom timer countdowns, double macros, and much more.

Powered by CUE, United by CUE Link

Corsair’s fans spoke, and we listened: Corsair’s CUE editing software is more powerful and easier-to-use than ever before. The latest CUE version, unleashes new presets that make customizing lighting effects quick and simple, and allows users to synchronize static and animated lighting across all Corsair RGB keyboards, mice, and headsets.

In addition, CUE enables the creation of key macros and timers, mouse sensitivity and button functions, headset EQ and surround settings, and many more features exclusive to the Corsair gaming experience. With CUE, all settings can be saved to profiles that load automatically when a game or other software is used. Beyond customizing lighting profiles, CUE improves the overall gaming experience by providing critical visual feedback, reducing response time, and enhancing audio for a more immersive experience, and a competitive edge.

Product Features

STRAFE RGB Silent Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

100% Cherry MX Silent mechanical gaming keys for ultra-quiet gaming with exclusive patented noise reduction technology
Multi-color dynamic backlighting for unmatched game customization
Fully programmable – assign macros to any key
USB pass-through port for easy connections
Detachable soft-touch wrist rest for long lasting comfort
CUE Link connects your Corsair RGB keyboard, mouse, and headset for the ultimate lighting experience
Textured and contoured FPS/MOBA keycap sets
100% anti-ghosting with 104 key rollover on USB
Enhanced easy-access multimedia controls
Available in October with pre-orders in August
STRAFE RGB Silent: $159.99 MSRP

STRAFE RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

100% Cherry MX mechanical gaming key switches with unique gold-crosspoint contacts for reliable, durable precision (available in Cherry MX “Red” or “Brown”)
Multi-color dynamic backlighting for unmatched game customization
Fully programmable – assign macros to any key
USB pass-through port for easy connections
Detachable soft-touch wrist rest for long lasting comfort
Textured and contoured FPS/MOBA keycap sets
100% anti-ghosting with 104 key rollover on USB
Enhanced easy-access multimedia controls
CUE Link for harnessing the power of CUE to connect your Corsair RGB keyboard, mouse, and headset to deliver the ultimate lighting experience
Available in October with pre-orders in August
$149.99 MSRP

VOID Wireless SE and VOID Wireless Dolby 7.1 Gaming Headsets

VOID Wireless delivers 2.4 GHz of cordless freedom, and up to 40 ft. and 16 hours of uninterrupted gaming
Dolby 7.1 multi-channel surround delivers lethally accurate positional audio
RGB lighting for individual customization or synchronization with other Corsair RGB devices
CUE Control enables rapid on-the-fly audio adjustments
InfoMic LEDs relay instant visual status of audio and mic settings
Efficient 50mm neodymium drivers deliver staggering bass, scintillating highs, and powerful lows
Microfiber-wrapped memory foam ear pads for extended play
Unidirectional noise-cancelling microphone makes gamers’ voices loud and clear
Wireless USB extension dock (VOID Wireless SE only)
Available late August 2015
Models and MSRPs:
- VOID Wireless SE (Yellowjacket) – 149.99 MSRP, Best Buy exclusive
- VOID Wireless (Carbon) – $129.99 MSRP

VOID USB Dolby 7.1 Gaming Headsets

Dolby 7.1 multi-channel surround delivers lethally accurate positional audio
RGB lighting for individual customization or synchronization with other Corsair RGB devices
CUE Control enables rapid on-the-fly audio adjustments
InfoMic LEDs relay instant visual status of audio and mic settings
Efficient 50mm neodymium drivers deliver staggering bass, scintillating highs, and powerful lows
Microfiber-wrapped memory foam ear pads for extended play
Unidirectional noise-cancelling microphone makes gamers’ voices loud and clear
Wireless USB extension dock (VOID Wireless SE only)
Available late August 2015
$99.99 MSRP

VOID Stereo Analog Gaming Headset

Efficient 50mm neodymium drivers deliver staggering bass, scintillating highs, and powerful lows
Microfiber-wrapped memory foam ear pads for extended play
Unidirectional noise-cancelling microphone makes gamer’s voices loud and clear
Mobile-compatible connector and included Y-Adaptor cable guarantees compatibility with PlayStation 4, Xbox One, mobile devices, PC and Macs
Available late August 2015
$79.99 MSRP

SCIMITAR RGB Gaming Mouse

Exclusive patent-pending Key Slider macro button control system provides 8mm of adjustment to ensure every button is within reach
12 optimized mechanical buttons offer consistent tactile feedback and precise actuation
12000 DPI pro-proven sensor delivers a pixel-precise gaming experience
Customizable multicolor backlighting ensures vast lighting adjustability
Complete CUE control allows gamers to full program their mouse Ultra-fast 1ms response makes for a lag-free gaming experience
Body crafted to fit the contours of palms of any hand size or grip style for maximum comfort
CUE Link connects Corsair RGB keyboard, mouse, and headset to deliver a full spectrum of synchronized colors and effects.
2-year warranty
Available September 2015
$79.99 MSRP

BenQ Releases Curved XR3501 Gaming Monitor

2015/08/06

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Geek News, News, Tech News

COSTA MESA, Calif. – Aug. 5, 2015 – BenQ America Corp., an internationally renowned digital lifestyle solutions provider and professional gaming monitor pioneer, today introduced the company’s all-new XR3501 curved gaming display. Designed to provide a more immersive gaming experience, the 35-inch panel brings gamers a dramatic 2,000R curvature — the highest of any LCD monitor — as well as a lightning-fast 144-Hz refresh rate, ultra-wide 21:9 aspect ratio, and BenQ’s RevolutionEyes™ technology — allowing gamers to experience enhanced visual comfort, a larger viewing area, and seamless peripheral views for a more authentic sense of engagement with today’s dynamic content.

“BenQ’s new XR3501 monitor is set to transform gaming into a faster, wider, and more engaging all-around experience,” said J.Y. Hu, Vice President, Business Line Management at BenQ America Corp. “Featuring a 2-meter curvature, a fast-action refresh rate, and a 2560×1080 resolution, the panel provides breathtaking visuals that surround users with edge-to-edge excitement. Players will experience their favorite games in an entirely new way while features such as Black eQualizer, RevolutionEyes technology, and PIP will definitely put them ahead of the pack.”

BenQ’s XR3501 monitor has been designed for casual gamers looking for a more enveloping gaming experience. With over 20 options for color vibrance, the VA panel provides higher color reproduction with better viewing angles, which proves vital when using such a large curved screen by adding an extra layer of color optimization. Users can also adjust color levels directly via OSD or DisplayPilot for complete color control. Using Black eQualizer, the panel brightens darker scenes within games without over-exposing white levels — giving gamers the advantage of seeing details more clearly than their competitors, while picture in picture allows multiple sources to be connected and viewed on the monitor.

With a focus on “Eye-Care” and visual comfort, the XR3501 is equipped with BenQ’s RevolutionEyes technology. Featuring ZeroFlicker™, the monitor eliminates flickering at all brightness levels, reducing visual strain to provide a more comfortable viewing experience. When combined with the device’s built-in Low Blue Light modes, the monitor also successfully filters the exposure of emitted blue spectrum light — effectively reducing eye fatigue and elevating gaming performance to provide exceptional visual comfort, even during long hours of gaming or dynamic content viewing.

BenQ’s curved XR3501 monitor is now shipping across North America at an MSRP of $999. Details on BenQ’s full line of gaming monitors can be found athttp://gaming.benq.com.

Pillars of Eternity First Expansion Release Date and Trailer

2015/08/05

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

IRVINE, Calif. – Aug. 5, 2015 – Obsidian Entertainment and Paradox Interactive announced today that “The White March – Part I,” the first expansion to Pillars of Eternity, will be released on August 25, 2015. “The White March – Part I,” revealed during E3 2015, adds a tremendous amount of new content to the Pillars of Eternity universe, and can be played alongside the original game whether players have completed the core game or not. The expansion offers a higher level cap, artifacts, new companions, new abilities, and a new realm to explore along with an expertly crafted story from Carrie Patel, author of the Recoletta series and writer on the original Pillars of Eternity, and Eric Fenstermaker, lead writer on Pillars of Eternity and one of the co-writers of South Park: The Stick of Truth alongside show creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone.

Take a peek at what waits in The White March – Part I with the reveal trailer:

Pillars of Eternity is a role-playing game (RPG) inspired by classic titles such asBaldur’s Gate, Icewind Dale, and Planescape: Torment, backed by over 70,000 fans and released to critical acclaim in March, 2015. Featuring an original world and game system that evokes and improves upon the traditional computer RPG experience,Pillars of Eternity now ventures into new parts of Eora in its first expansion, “The White March – Part I,” including a selection of snow themed environments inspired by Icewind Dale. The White March – Part I offers new features for first-time players and veterans alike, including new rogue and monk companions, a party-based AI system, multi-class abilities, and many new challenges to conquer.

For more information on Pillars of Eternity, visit http://pillarsofeternity.com/.

Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2 Moon Base Z Gameplay

2015/08/05

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

Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2 screenshot

Vancouver, B.C. – August 5, 2015 – PopCap Games, creator of some of the world’s most beloved video game franchises and a division of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA), today announced Backyard Battleground, an all new dynamic hub in Plants vs. ZombiesTM Garden Warfare 2. This interactive environment connects players to every map and mode, and brings to life all new ways to experience the Plants vs. Zombies universe through solo and social play. As soon as the game starts, players will be immersed in a wild playground with dynamic events and tons to discover and do. They can invite up to three friends into their Backyard Battleground to do almost anything they want – take on daily quests, complete missions for Crazy Dave and Dr. Zomboss, interact with some of their favorite Plants vs. Zombies characters, ignite an all-out war by crossing over enemy lines and much more. The Backyard Battleground is an immersive hub unlike anything that has been in a Plants vs. Zombies game before.

Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2 is partnering with BioWare™ on an intergalactic pre-order*. Fans who pre-order the game will get access to a new Grass Effect Z7-Mech when they start Garden Warfare 2. Crafted by Dr. Zomboss, and inspired by one of the development team’s most favorite videogame franchises, this mech will help ensure Zomburbia’s galactic future. Gamers will have a blast playing with what was built to be the best-looking bane of plants everywhere. The Z7-Mech comes strapped with tools like the melee Zomni-tool, as well as interlocking ceramic plate armor with kinetic padding. This character is designed to augment tech, biotic, and weapons damage.

The battle for Suburbia reaches crazy new heights in Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2. For the first time in franchise history, zombies have taken over Suburbia and plants are on the attack. Each faction has enlisted new characters to join the fight, including Rose, an all-powerful sorceress from the past that can turn zombies into playable goats and Captain Deadbeard, a crusty pirate that has been adrift for hundreds of years. All the over-the-top fun takes place across 12 new immersive maps that are bursting with personality and humor, spanning everything from a Time Travel Theme Park to Moon Base Z. Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2 taps into the heart of what fans loved about the original and goes above and beyond to deliver the funniest, craziest, most over-the-top shooter.

Get ready to enter Moon Base Z.