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May the Fourth Be With You 2015 #StarWarsDay

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It is a very special Star Wars Day this year, what with the upcoming release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. In this year’s May the Fourth posting, I have included a great behind-the-scenes photo from the filming of The Empire Strikes Back – specifically, the Hoth sequence, featuring Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill.

May the Fourth Be With You!

Here is the explanation of how Star Wars Day became “a thing” straight from the official Star Wars Website:

Say “May the 4th Be With You” out loud and you’ll hear the pun that Star Wars fans worldwide have turned into a rallying cry to proclaim their love of the saga. It’s the worldwide day to say “May the Force be with you” to all, and celebrate the beloved Star Wars story that binds our galaxy together.

One of the earliest known records of “May the 4th” used in popular culture is in 1979, as described here by author Alan Arnold while he was chronicling the making of The Empire Strikes Back for Lucasfilm:

Friday, May 4

“Margaret Thatcher has won the election and become Britain’s first woman prime minister. To celebrate their victory her party took a half page of advertising space in the London Evening News. This message, referring to the day of victory, was ‘May the Fourth Be With You, Maggie. Congratulations,’ further proof of the extent to which Star Wars has influenced us all.”

Once the Internet allowed Star Wars fans around the world to connect with one another, May the 4th soon became a grassroots tradition each year, with fans online and offline proclaiming it “Star Wars Day.”

While the idea of May the 4th did not start with Lucasfilm, the film company that created Star Wars has fully embraced the spirit of fandom that makes the day so special. StarWars.com as well as the official Star Wars social media channels (hashtag #StarWarsDay) help spread the word and showcase fan activity. More and more official partners have offered sales, giveaways and exclusives, and have hosted parties and other activities to mark the day.

May the 4th kicks off a season of celebration, particularly since the month of May has always been important to Star Warsfans. The six live-action movies of the Star Wars saga debuted in May (starting with the original Star Wars on May 25, 1977). The month of May includes George Lucas’ birthday (May 14, 1944), and has been the traditional start date of the popular Star Wars Weekends at Walt Disney World Resort.

With the exciting launch of a new trilogy of movies beginning with Star Wars: The Force Awakens coming in the near future, this day to celebrate the saga and its amazing fans is certain to become even bigger each year.

Mortal Kombat X: Official Jason Trailer and Bundle

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May 4, 2015 — Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today announced that the Mortal Kombat X Jason Voorhees Bundle will be available for early download to Kombat Pack owners starting tomorrow. The Jason Voorhees Bundle includes playable character and Friday the 13th icon, Jason Voorhees and the Horror Pack, comprising of three horror-themed skins including Vampiress Mileena, Kraken Reptile and Pharaoh Ermac. Those who do not own the Kombat Pack can purchase the Jason Voorhees Bundle beginning Tuesday, May 12 at the PlayStation Store, Xbox Marketplace and Steam for $7.99. Jason Voorhees and the Horror Pack will also be sold separately for $4.99 and $3.99 respectively.

HorrorPack

Fans can get a glimpse of Jason Voorhees stalking and slashing his opponents in the new Mortal Kombat X: Jason Official Trailer, revealed this morning.

Trailer

WizKids Launches DC Comics Dice Masters: Justice League

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Hillside, NJ — May 1, 2015 WizKids is pleased to announce the release of DC Comics Dice Masters: Justice League, the dice-building game featuring iconic DC characters, available now in stores across North America. At a suggested retail price of $14.99 USD, the DC Comics Dice Masters: Justice League Starter Pack includes 44 custom dice, 38 cards, two dice bags and a rulebook – everything you need to get started with head-to-head dice battling in the DC universe.

To expand your collection, WizKids also offers DC Comics Dice Masters: Justice League Foil Packs, which contain two cards and two dice with additional heroes and villains. Available for $0.99 MSRP each, these make a great purchase for new and established Dice Masters players alike! The foil packs can be found in gravity feed retail displays, and there are over 30 fan favorites from a variety of Justice League heroes and villains to collect, including Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman, Zatanna, Deathstroke, The Joker, Darkseid and more!

With gameplay that supports two players in epic dice battles, DC Comics Dice Masters: Justice League will let you build your own version of the Justice League – or the Legion of Doom!

More info – http://wizkids.com/dicemasters/justice-league/

War Thunder Unleashes Victory Day Update #WarThunder

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(MOSCOW, RUSSIAN FEDERATION) – April 30, 2015 Gaijin Entertainment today announced that the “Weapons of Victory” Update for the award-winning MMO WWII online game, War Thunder, is now live. The update, with the telltale number 1.70.1945, provides War Thunder’s 9 million players worldwide with access to over 40 new vehicles and three new maps thematically tied to the final stages of WWII.

The “Normandy” map provides a deadly mix of ambush points and terrain and is a true ‘battle for the hedgerows’ homage to the Allied push to retake northern France in June 1944. The “Hürtgen Forest” map features the challenging terrain of Western Germany faced by the US Army. Finally, the “Reichstag” map takes armored combat to the hard fought streets of Berlin.

In addition, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe, the development team has prepared an exclusive series of vehicles called “Weapons of Victory”. These are planes and tanks that each have incredible, real histories. Players will be able to get them as part of upcoming May festivities by participating in in-game events and promotional activities.

Included in the line-up of six legendary fighters is the RAF Spitfire Mk IXc that belonged to decorated pilot and the Siege of Malta’s ace, John Plagis. For the USAF we added Ray S Westmore’s (21 confirmed kills) P51-D Mustang ‘Daddy’s Girl’. The US M-18 from the 805th Tank Destroyer Battalion, nicknamed “Black Cat”, as well as 4 other famous vehicles are now available for Ground Forces.

The non-premium version of the M-18 tank destroyer is actually part of the highly anticipated new line of American self-propelled guns. The U.S. also gets the T34 Sherman ‘Calliope’ – a fearsome multi-rocket firing tank capable of delivering devastating offensive fire support. However, that is not all, of course: the United Kingdom gets a new line-up of Fleet Air Arm from the trusty Sea Gladiator biplane to the fearsome Attacker FB.1 jet, with USSR, Germany and Japan also getting new tools of destruction. In total, 1.70.1945 Update offer 40 new planes and tanks.

Aircraft damage model received a substantial update. The new system, you will see significant changes in the behavior of aircraft in collisions, as well as during emergency landings. For example, it will be more difficult to harm a heavy bomber by ramming it while flying a light aircraft and the correct execution of the “belly landing” will damage the aircraft slightly with the possibility to fully repair it and return to battle.

To learn more about the changes in the damage model check the developer’s blog: http://warthunder.com/en/devblog/current/771

Lastly, Gaijin Entertainment will be adding weekly War Thunder Tournament events in which skilled pilots and tankers can earn prizes and vehicle decals for notching up successful victories.

Read more in Gaijin Entertainment’s devblog: https://warthunder.com/en/devblog/current/742

Razer Unveils Seiren Pro Digital Microphone

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CARLSBAD, Calif. – Razer™, a world leader in connected devices and software for gamers, today announced the Razer Seirēn Pro, a digital microphone designed for streamers and YouTubers.

The Razer Seirēn Pro includes a high-pass filter to remove low-end ambient noises, such as hums, rumbles, traffic and wind, which streamers may face when creating content. This makes the Razer Seirēn Pro digital microphone ideal for the needs of live video broadcasters, YouTubers and even aspiring musicians that value clarity.

Additionally, the Razer Seirēn Pro gives streamers the option of recording via an analog XLR or digital USB connection. The XLR cable allows the Razer Seirēn Pro to be plugged directly into mixing boards and cameras. Users can chain together multiple microphones and instruments to the board with the XLR option, with increased flexibility for adjustments on the fly during live sessions.

“With the success of YouTube, Twitch and the likes, there is a greater demand for high-fidelity recording equipment than ever before,” says Min-Liang Tan, Razer co-founder and CEO. “Our second condenser microphone, the Razer Seirēn Pro, delivers what video game streamers are looking for and provides great value to YouTubers, musicians and anyone looking to capture sound clearly.”

Accessories such as a shock mount and pop filter are also available to pair with the Razer Seirēn Pro digital microphone for a complete recording setup. These accessories along with the Razer Seirēn Pro professional bundle can be found exclusively on RazerStore. For more information, visit http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-audio/razer-seiren-pro.

The Razer Seirēn Pro is the latest addition to Razer’s collection of products designed for content streamers. The original Razer Seirēn, released late last year, also features a versatile multi-pattern USB digital connection capable of four different recording configurations with three custom-tuned, 14 mm condenser capsules.

Razer works with an array of top professional gaming YouTubers and streamers. Additionally, the company is committed to developing new talent in these ranks. As part of this focus, the Razer Sponsored Streamer Program was initiated to help aspiring content creators and streamers take their recordings to a professional level. Members of the Program will be divided into three experience levels, each entitled to different level of endorsement, ranging from a Razer Seirēn promo to a full Razer peripheral suite sponsorship. For more information on the Razer Sponsored Streamer Program, visit www.razerzone.com/sponsored-streamer.

Price:

Razer Seirēn Pro digital microphone U.S. $249.99 / EU €299.99

Shock mount accessory for the Razer Seirēn Pro U.S. $49.99 / EU €49.99 (RazerStore exclusive)

Pop filter accessory for the Razer Seirēn Pro U.S. $49.99 / EU €49.99 (RazerStore exclusive)

Razer Seirēn Pro bundle (including accessories) U.S. $299.99 / EU €349.99 (RazerStore exclusive)

Availability:

Razerzone.com – Pre-Order

Worldwide – May 2015

Product features:

  • HD recording with outstanding clarity
  • 4 adjustable recording patterns (Cardioid, Stereo, Omni, Bi–directional)
  • Quick controls for pattern switching, headphone volume and mic gain
  • Built in headphone amplifier with zero latency output
  • Recording via XLR or USB connection
  • High-pass filter – filters frequencies below 100 Hz

Microphone specifications

  • Power required / consumption: 5V 300 mA (USB) / 48V DC (analog)
  • Sample rate: 192 kHz
  • Bit rate: 24 bit
  • Capsules: Three 14 mm condenser capsules
  • Polar patterns: Stereo, cardioid, omnidirectional, bidirectional
  • Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
  • Sensitivity: 12.5 mV/Pa (1 kHz)
  • Max SPL: 120 dB (THD: 0.5% 1 kHz)

Headphone amplifier

  • Impedance: > 16 ohms
  • Power output (RMS): 130 mW (@16 ohms)
  • THD: 0.009%
  • Frequency response: 15 Hz – 22 kHz

Signal-to-noise ratio: 114 dB

For more information about the Razer Seirēn Pro, please visit http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-audio/razer-seiren-pro

Aion: Upheaval Free Expansion this Spring

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ALISO VIEJO, Calif. (April 29, 2015) – The North American Aion® development team is excited to announce Aion: Upheaval, the latest Truly Free™ expansion in Aion’s five-year history. Players will enjoy a lush, vibrant game environment, intense PVP combat, and the ongoing story of a world locked in combat.

As Aion: Upheaval unfolds, the Dragon Lord Beritra has continued to amass great power, and his assaults on Atreia have become more relentless and violent. No longer content to operate in the shadows, Beritra has enacted large-scale invasions into the rest of Atreia from his hidden stronghold in Balaurea. But there is more to his strategy than just widespread destruction, as he searches for the ancient seals to unleash a power so great it threatens the lives of every being in Atreia. And as his armies continue their advance, the landscape of Atreia will be forever changed!

As the dramatic storyline of Aion continues to unfold, the expansion will also bring with it new zones, new questlines, and new gear. Players will once again find themselves challenged to improve their characters and their playstyles as they strive to locate the Dragon Lord and bring the battle to him on their terms.

Aion: Upheaval will be released later this Spring. For more information about Aion and the upcoming expansion visit www.aiononline.com.

Capcom Pro Tour Returning to EGX in September #capcomprotour

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Brighton, UK – 29th Apr, 2015: Gamer Network, the world’s leading network of independent video games websites and producer of the UK’s premiere video games events, prominent fighting video games publisher Capcom and veteran fighting tournament organisers Unequalled Media, today announced the Capcom Pro Tour (CPT) will return to EGX this September with the EGX Fight Zone Pro Tour Ranking Event.

The Capcom Pro Tour is the world’s largest competitive fighting game championship, featuring the most popular fighting game on the planet: Ultra Street Fighter™ IV. Players from across the globe battle through a yearlong tournament circuit in order to claim one of the 32 qualification spots for the year-end Capcom Cup. Fifteen contestants will qualify from the ranking point leaderboards, with EGX being a crucial event in the calendar.

The EGX Fight Zone ranking event – operated by Unequalled Media – will be one of the most exciting CPT tournament events on the circuit. Seventy-two players from all over the country face-off in Ultra Street Fighter™ IV on the main EGX stage, Sunday 27th September. Not only do the top 16 winners receive Capcom Pro Tour ranking points, for the first time this year there will be a £2000 prize pot for the top 3.

All 72 finalists are selected during the EGX Qualification Series, taking place in numerous offline and online qualifiers between now and Sunday 27th September. Unequalled Media have teamed up with tournament organisers in London, Essex, Leicester, Southampton, Manchester, Leeds, Scotland, Brighton and Birmingham to cater to players throughout the UK.

For more information about the EGX Fight Zone ranking event, including how to enter and the full qualification schedule, please visit fz.egx.net.

To find more info about the Capcom Pro Tour please visit www.capcomprotour.com.

Just Cause 3 Gameplay Trailer

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April 28, 2015 — Square Enix and Avalanche Studios are delighted to debut the world-first gameplay reveal trailer for Just Cause 3. Captured straight from actual gameplay, the trailer shows Rico Rodriguez unleashing his unique brand of chaos and destruction across the Mediterranean island paradise of Medici as he seeks to destroy General Di Ravello’s hold on power by any means necessary.

Pre-order Just Cause 3 now and secure the Weaponised Vehicle Pack, shown at the end of the trailer. The Weaponised Vehicle Pack includes 3x exclusive luxury vehicles primed for action and fully loaded with the firepower to kick start a revolution.

Just Cause 3 is coming to PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Windows PC in Holiday 2015.

Trailer

Related Links
Official Homepage: justcause.com
Official Facebook® Page: facebook.com/JustCause
Official YouTube Channel: youtube.com/c/JustCauseGame
Follow @JustCause on Twitter®: twitter.com/JustCause

EA SPORTS Rory McIlroy PGA TOUR Gameplay Features Trailer

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REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – April 23, 2015 – Today marks the first reveal of gameplay features for EA SPORTS Rory McIlroy PGA TOUR. A new video breaks down the various gameplay styles, as well as enhanced ball physics and how different styles of courses can affect your shots. For those looking for even more info, EA SPORTS has posted a blog with additional information. Today’s announcement marks part two of the six-part Ways to Play series, with more info coming soon regarding career mode, online play, fantasy courses, challenges and more.

Gameplay offers multiple ways to play, including arcade controls where the left stick is used to control power and accuracy, with the ability to add spin to the shot while the ball is in the air. In addition to the arcade controls, the return of 3-Click swings will appeal to nostalgic gamers who prefer to set power and accuracy by tapping a button rather than moving a thumbstick. Those looking for an extra challenge can turn on Tour settings. When playing with Tour controls, the length of your backswing and speed of your follow through determine power, while the club path through the ball will be the most important factor in accounting for accuracy. Fans can also mix and match all three settings to create their own custom gameplay style. Courses themselves also affect how your shots are played, as firmer, links-style courses like St. Andrews will provide more bounce and roll, while softer courses such as TPC Sawgrass will have less bounce and be more receptive to spin.

Fans who purchase EA SPORTS Rory McIlroy PGA TOUR early are also eligible to take advantage of a special limited offer to save up to $60 on golf booked at TeeOff.com at a number of their favorite courses in the United States.* TeeOff.com offers online tee times on incredible courses and exclusive DEALS on golf at more than 1,200 locales.

EA SPORTS Rory McIlroy PGA TOUR truly delivers Golf Without Limits, opening up the experience like never before. Gorgeous real-world courses and epic fantasy links provide players with the most realistic representations of their favorite locales along with the opportunity to explore brand-new locations. Full course loading offers limitless options when attacking the green and zero wait times when moving from hole-to-hole. Experience the next generation of golf and play where you want, what you want, how you want.

EA SPORTS Rory McIlroy PGA TOUR is developed in Orlando, Florida by EA Tiburon and will be available for Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system July 14, 2015.

EA SPORTS is one of the leading sports entertainment brands in the world, with top-selling videogame franchises, award-winning interactive technology, fan programs and cross-platform digital experiences. EA SPORTS creates connected experiences that ignite the emotion of sports through industry-leading sports videogames, including Madden NFL football, EA SPORTS™ FIFA, NHL® hockey, NBA LIVEbasketball, PGA TOUR® golf, SSX™ and EA SPORTS UFC®.