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A Merry Hyrule Christmas Out Now

Materia Collective is pleased to present A Merry Hyrule Christmas, a festive collection of music paying tribute to The Legend of Zelda and several beloved Christmas carols. Produced by Eric Buchholz (Hero of Time) with a merry band of arrangers, these clever arrangements will bring cheer to both Christmas music and The Legend of Zelda fans. With grandiose orchestra and choir combined with epic rock stylings, A Merry Hyrule Christmas has something for everyone. A Merry Hyrule Christmas is now available on all storefronts and streaming platforms:

A Merry Hyrule Christmas on All Storefronts

The full tracklist for A Merry Hyrule Christmas is as follows:

01. Kakariko Village
02. O Sacred Light
03. Clock Town Sleigh Ride
04. Silent Knight
05. Carol of the Goddess
06. Dragon Roost Hymn
07. Din Rest Ye Merry Deku Scrubs
08. The Twelve Days of Christmas

“A Merry Hyrule Christmas is the first album to combine music from The Legend of Zelda franchise with classic holiday tunes of various genres,” comments arranger and producer Eric Buchholz. “We have Zelda music with a Christmas twist, as well as Christmas music with a Zelda twist!. My goal was to create an album of videogame music that could blend in seamlessly with classic holiday tunes. I love the idea of folks being able to ‘trick’ their parents, grandparents, and family into listening to videogame music—without them realizing it!”

Mortal Kombat 11 Pro Kompetition: Season 2 Announced

Warner Bros. Games and NetherRealm Studios today announced the Mortal Kombat 11 Pro Kompetition: Season 2, marking the return of the global esports program featuring the hit videogame Mortal Kombat 11, the fastest selling title in franchise history with more than 8 million units sold globally to date. Scheduled to begin on Dec. 5, the upcoming season will introduce an online only format with all matches available to play exclusively on PlayStation®4 consoles via its PS4™ Tournaments feature. Online registration is now open for all players and can be accessed by visiting: https://playst.cc/mk11-pro-kompetition.

The Mortal Kombat 11 Pro Kompetition: Season 2 will offer Kombatants of all ranks a chance to compete online in three different regional divisions representing North America, Latin America, Europe, Oceania and the Middle East for a share of the $60,000 USD prize pool. Each division will be broken out by territory and host eight separate regular season online events for players to earn Pro Kompetition points used to qualify for each respective regional final, which will produce one winner per division. Players will also be able to utilize fighters from the recently released Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate, including Mileena, Rain and Rambo.

PlayStation’s Competition Center will serve as the central hub for all registration, matches, live bracket updates and general information related to the Mortal Kombat 11 Pro Kompetition: Season 2, accessible by visiting https://playst.cc/mk11-pro-kompetition.

The Mortal Kombat 11 Pro Kompetition: Season 2 global divisions include:

Please note the following requirements to participate in online matches:

  • Must own or have access to Mortal Kombat 11 on PS4™
  • Must own or have access to an active PlayStation®Plus* subscription
  • Must have a valid PlayStation Network account with an associated PSN ID
  • Must be at least 18 years old to be eligible

Developed by NetherRealm Studios, Mortal Kombat 11 is the latest installment in the critically-acclaimed Mortal Kombat franchise, named Fighting Game of the Year at the 23rd D.I.C.E. Awards by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences and Best Fighting Game of 2019 by IGN.

Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate is available now on all platforms and provides the definitive Mortal Kombat 11 experience with the addition of Kombat Pack 2 featuring new playable fighters – Mileena, Rain and Rambo – along with the previously released Mortal Kombat 11 main game, Kombat Pack 1 and Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath Expansion.

Varjo Unveils Human-Eye Resolution VR Headsets

Varjo™, the leader in high-performance XR/VR hardware and software, today announced the launch of its next generation human-eye resolution XR/VR headsets – the XR-3 and VR-3. These two new professional-grade headsets continue Varjo’s ‘Resolution Revolution’ as the latest devices in a product line committed to delivering unsurpassed visual fidelity across industries where absolute precision is necessary, including training and simulation, design, engineering, medical and research. 

As demand for virtual and mixed reality use cases continues to rise, particularly as much of the world continues to work remotely, the latest offerings from Varjo deliver the cutting-edge tools needed to scale XR/VR adoption within every industry. Featuring human-eye resolution, a 115° field of view, integrated eye and hand tracking, XR-3 inside-out tracking and pixel perfect mixed reality depth awareness, professional users can perform at their highest level in a fully immersive environment.

“Our team has been working non-stop throughout 2020 to further push the envelope of what is possible in XR and VR. The new XR-3 and VR-3 are the most advanced, zero-compromise devices on the market and suitable for any professional workflow,” said Urho Konttori, co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Varjo. “We are especially excited by the introduction of depth awareness in the XR-3 through combined LiDAR and RGB video, enabling the most realistic mixed reality experiences ever seen. With our highest-performance XR, Varjo is setting the new standard for professional immersive computing and paving the way for a collaborative, cloud-enabled mixed reality workplace.” 

The XR-3 and VR-3 unlock new professional applications and make photorealistic virtual and mixed reality more accessible than ever. For example, the new headsets provide pilots and flight crews with an unmatched level of realism that replicates the exact feeling and conditions needed for rigorous training and simulation. Designers and creatives can experience perfect 3D visualizations – meaning textures, reflections, colors, text, curvature and angles in shapes can be seen in stunning clarity with the widest color gamut of any headset. Lastly, first responders or surgical teams can train together in an immersive reality, improving ways of working, communication and readiness for any medical scenario.

Key features of both the XR-3 and VR-3 include: 

  •     Industry’s highest resolution in a 115° field of view. This is possible through Varjo’s full frame Bionic Display™ with double the human-eye resolution area (at over 70 pixels per degree) compared to previous generations. The headsets now also support ultra-high resolution across the full frame, as well as color accuracy that mirrors the real world. 
  •     Twice the performance for enhanced levels of realism and visual clarity. With a refresh rate of 90 Hz, the XR-3 and VR-3 also have the world’s fastest and most accurate eye tracking integrated in XR/VR headsets at up to 200 Hz, giving users optimized visual fidelity through foveated rendering. Both devices also feature integrated Ultraleap™ hand tracking for natural interactions. 
  •     Improved comfort and usability with 3-point precision fit headband, 40% lighter weight, active cooling, and ultra-wide optical design removing eye strain and simulator sickness 
  •     Complete software compatibility with Unity™, Unreal Engine™, OpenXR 1.0 (in early 2021) and hundreds of industrial 3D engines and applications, including Autodesk VRED™, Lockheed Martin Prepar3d™, VBS BlueIG™ and FlightSafety Vital™

Key features specific to the XR-3 include: 

  •     The industry’s first depth awareness with LiDAR and stereo RGB video pass-through to deliver seamless merging of real and virtual for perfect occlusions and full 3D world reconstruction 
  •     Inside-out tracking enables users to determine the precise position of the XR-3 within the environment. This vastly improves tracking accuracy and removes the need for SteamVR™ base stations

With the launch of VR-3 and XR-3, Varjo also modernizes its software offering by introducing Varjo Subscriptions to replace the previous software and support services. Professional customers can now more easily and flexibly manage and acquire Varjo software from a dedicated portal. 

The Varjo XR-3 is available for enterprise purchase for $5,495 (USD and Euros) together with Varjo Subscription, which starts at $1,495 (USD and Euros) for a required one-year base subscription. The Varjo VR-3 can be purchased for $3,195 (USD and Euros) along with a one-year subscription starting at $795. With a new price point of the headsets, Varjo is accelerating organizations’ ability to bring immersive technology into the workplace. 

Both the XR-3 and VR-3 headsets are available for order immediately on varjo.com or through one of the more than 35 authorized resellers in the company’s global reseller network, while shipments start in early 2021.

Planet Zoo: Aquatic Pack Announcement Trailer

Frontier Developments plc (AIM: FDEV) today announced a Planet Zoo expansion that’s certain to make waves. The Aquatic Pack is an all-new, water-based DLC featuring everything players need to turn their zoos into magical marine menageries. Introducing never-before-seen additions to Frontier’s ultimate zoo simulation, Planet Zoo: Aquatic Pack will be available on Steam from December 8 for $9.99.

With Planet Zoo: Aquatic Pack players can plunge to new depths of zoo keeping with five iconic water-dwelling animals, as well as a wealth of aqua-inspired foliage, scenery and zoo construction pieces. Whether odes to the ocean or tributes to the tides, players can adorn their zoos with eye-catching murals depicting wild jungles and icy tundra, pick reflective materials embracing water’s mirror-like qualities, display graceful new animal sculptures, and even create their own cascading waterfalls.

Adding to the abundance of existing animals in Planet Zoo, the Aquatic Pack turns the tide, offering a completely new dimension for budding zookeepers to explore and enjoy. Welcoming the wonderful Diamondback Terrapin, charming Giant Otter, beautiful Cuvier’s Dwarf Caiman, brilliant Grey Seal and adventurous King Penguin, players and guests alike will delight as they watch these new additions interact with their watery environments in a whole new way.

With over 170 new scenery pieces included in the Aquatic Pack, zookeepers have everything they could need to enrich and expand their zoos. This new range of construction items and blueprints contains both valuable building pieces and aquatic-themed content enabling players to add fresh and functional fauna or flora to their existing zoos, or build entirely new water-based areas.

Also included is a brand new timed scenario. Players will head to Oregon, USA and get busy managing a unique zoo set around a drained riverbed. This water-centric location will test players’ skills with its tight space restrictions. Featuring lots of elevation to play with, there’s more than enough room for visionaries, by completing habitats, introducing animals, and training staff, it’ll be profitable in no time.

In addition to the Aquatic Pack, existing players can discover a wealth of new content as part of the latest free content update. This update will include new foliage and enrichment items, the ability to educate guests through the addition of educational animal talks, quality of life updates, as well as a brand new timed scenario, letting players journey to the jaw-dropping environment of the Philippines as they transform disused rice terraces into a fledgling zootopia, while pushing conservational awareness.

For full details of the free content update check out https://www.planetzoogame.com/news/planet-zoo-1-4-update

Please note the Planet Zoo: Aquatic Pack requires the Planet Zoo base game in order to download and play. Planet Zoo is available now on Steam with an RRP of $44.99, Planet Zoo Deluxe Edition RRP for $54.99 or the Planet Zoo Deluxe Upgrade Pack for $11.99.

G.I. Sportz Inc Restructures and Sells to Kore Outdoor Inc

G.I. Sportz Inc., a global leader in the manufacturing of high-quality paintball products, today announced the completion of a restructuring process that has culminated in its sale to Kore Outdoor Inc. (“Kore”). Kore is a newly established entity owned by existing G.I. Sportz majority shareholder Fulcrum Capital Partners (“Fulcrum”), and shareholders that include members of the management team and Richmond Italia.

The restructuring under the Kore name is designed to strengthen the company and ensure uninterrupted service to its customers worldwide. Kore will continue to operate a portfolio of brands which includes G.I. Sportz, Empire, Tippman, Spyder, JT and VForce. Collectively, these brands comprise the world’s best-selling and most comprehensive suite of paintball products.

“We are very excited to complete this important process and turn our full attention to meeting the needs of the paintball community,” said Billy Ceranski, CEO of Kore. “We take our leadership position seriously and look forward to continuing to serve our customers with innovative and reliable products.”

“The establishment of Kore Outdoor sets the stage for long-term success as the world’s premier manufacturer and supplier of paintball products,” said Greg Collings, Chairman of Kore and a partner of Fulcrum. “We have helped optimize the operations and ensured that the team has the resources necessary to compete successfully and grow the business.”

Kore will continue to be run by the existing management team. In conjunction with the sale, G.I. Sportz President Billy Ceranski has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Kore, G.I. Sportz Chief Financial Officer Paul Antoniadis has been appointed Senior Vice President and CFO of Kore, and Dave “Opie” Thomas will continue to serve as Chief Operating Officer.

Eddie Vedder to Perform at The Game Awards 2020

Today, The Game Awards announced that Eddie Vedder, the lead singer of Pearl Jam, will be performing during the free digital livestreamed event on December 10, which will be available across more than 45 global video platforms.

Produced by Geoff Keighley, and taking a virtual format this year, The Game Awards will air live in 4K UHD from Hollywood, California, with special segments from other locations around the world. The host cities for The Game Awards will be digitally connected for an innovative celebration with live award presentations, musical performances, and spectacular world premiere game announcements. Lorne Balfe is returning as the Music Director and conductor of The Game Awards for its 2020 multi-city broadcast, and will be conducting the world-renowned London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) from London’s famous Abbey Road Studios.

For more information and to stay up to date on the latest The Game Awards announcements, please visit: www.thegameawards.com

The Skylia Prophecy Out Now

Independent developer Ezekiel Rage and indie games publisher Plug In Digital release their beautiful pixel-art retro-like metroidvania The Skylia Prophecy on Steam today.

The Skylia Prophecy is a story-driven, side scrolling action RPG set in a medieval fantasy world with more than a dozen locations. Lead Mirenia in a quest to vanquish the evil she unleashed when she was a teenager and upgrade her with a level and magic system.

In The Skylia Prophecy you will have to journey throughout lands and towns, explore ancient dungeons, and battle hordes of monsters as you fight against powerful bosses and solve exploration-based riddles. Meet different people, sell you powerful items and reveal secrets that will aid you on your quest.

Poker Club is Out Now

Ripstone Games’ brand new IP Poker Club, is out now for PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and PlayStation 4 priced at £19.99/€24.99/$24.99. On Xbox platforms Poker Club includes Smart Delivery meaning players only have to buy Poker Club once to get the game on all Xbox One and Xbox Series platforms. On PlayStation platforms Poker Club will also support free cross-gen purchases for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 versions. A Nintendo Switch version of Poker Club is planned for 2021.

On PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X Poker Club has been engineered to make the most of next-generation hardware and technologies. Poker Club boasts 4K visuals at 60fps, with the latest graphical features across PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. With its incredible visuals, bespoke Club mechanic and plethora of game modes, all available with a full online multiplayer suite, Poker Club offers gamers the ultimate next-generation poker experience on all platforms. In an update coming shortly after launch Poker Club will add support for advanced haptic feedback and adaptive triggers to leverage the full power of PlayStation 5 and truly immerse players in the game like never before.

“We’re delighted to share that Poker Club is now available on PC, Xbox and PlayStation platforms! It’s been a dream for us to develop the ultimate poker experience and with the latest technologies from our hardware and software partners, we’ve managed to make it happen,” said Jamie Brayshaw of Ripstone Games. “Poker Club will offer players more ways to play with friends, fellow card-game fans and serious poker enthusiasts around the world. During this time where people are forced to be further apart than ever, we’re hopeful that Poker Club offers a way to bring back the classic human experience of sitting around a table and playing cards.”

“We knew Poker Club would be coming to next-generation platforms when we began development and were confident that such powerful consoles would allow us to level up on everything from immersion to visual fidelity,” said Phil Gaskell, Game Director at Ripstone Games. “However, we were blown away by Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. As soon as we started working on both platforms it became clear that our vision of creating the poker simulation we’ve always dreamed of, was about to become a reality.”

BloodRayne 1 and 2 Terminal Editions Released on PC

Today, publisher of retro-and-modern games Ziggurat Interactive is releasing enhanced versions of the classic third-person action-RPGs, BloodRayne and BloodRayne 2. These “Terminal Cut” editions feature enhancements such as 4k gameplay, upscaled cinematics, better lighting, 4x anti-aliasing, and more. BloodRayne: Terminal Cut and BloodRayne 2: Terminal Cut are available for $14.99 USD, at a substantial discount during launch week, and are free for current owners of the original games on Steam and GOG.com.

“We were blown away by the fan response to the new Terminal Editions. Even after all these years, the BloodRayne community is still an incredibly vibrant group of fans, and we’re going to do everything we can to make them proud. Thank you,” said Wade Rosen, President of Ziggurat Interactive.

Both Terminal Cut editions feature:

  • Goodbye Jaggies: Thanks to improved rendering, these versions of BloodRayne run with up to 4x anti-aliasing
  • Modern Resolution: The enhanced editions of BloodRayne support display resolutions up to 4K / 3840×2160
  • Improved Environmental Effects: Enjoy more immersive environments thanks to improved effects like reflections, water, fog, and shadows
  • Use Your Elite Controller: Modern controllers are now supported, thanks to the addition of XInput controller support

New Language Support: Accessibility is important, and actually understanding the dialogue in a game does wonders for immersion. New localizations include:

  • BloodRayne: Terminal Cut: Fully voiced with localized interfaces in English, French, Italian, Spanish, and Russian
  • BloodRayne 2: Terminal Cut: Fully voiced in English and Russian, plus localized interface and subtitles for French, German, Italian, and Spanish… and Much More: Upscaled cinematic videos, lighting improvements, support for uncompressed original textures, and Windows 10 optimization ensure that these are the absolute best versions of both titles

Originally released in 2002, BloodRayne follows the red-headed half-vampire, Rayne, as she travels around the world hunting Nazis. Players wield a variety of vampiric powers — and the infamous Twin Arm Blades — in thrilling, third-person combat. The sequel, BloodRayne 2, found the hungry heroine hunting down a vampiric cult set on world domination, using an expanded arsenal of weapons and abilities. The games spawned a theatrical film and a comic book series detailing Rayne’s life and exploits.

Monster Truck Championship Out on Nintendo Switch

NACON and the development studio TEYON are pleased to announce the release of Monster Truck Championship on Nintendo SwitchT in Europe and in North America on November 24.

On October 25, the press and public were able to get their hands on Monster Truck Championship for PC, Xbox One and PlayStation®4. They were able to hail the game’s stand-out qualities: the realistic vehicle physics, deep customization of the monster trucks and almost instant fun!

Now, owners of Nintendo Switch™ can experience the thrill of driving these powerful monsters. Take advantage of the portability of Nintendo SwitchTM to play Monster Truck Championship anywhere, alone or in online multiplayer, and start a race or freestyle session wherever you feel like it.

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In Monster Truck Championship, you take the wheel of one of 16 vehicles and enter five types of event. In these championships, you will compete in 25 stadiums and circuits in various cities across the United States. Taking a realistic approach to driving rather than an arcade-game style, Monster Truck Championship gives players the chance to take part in frenzied races and pull off believable aerial and ground moves by learning the unique physics of these vehicles.

Monster Truck Championship boasts many features:

  • 25 circuits in different cities across the United States
  • 5 types of event: Race, Time-Trial, Drag Races, Freestyle and Destruction
  • 16 customisable vehicles with over 50 options
  • Realistic driving and physics, including independent front- and rear-wheel control, and adjustment of different mechanical elements, such as suspensions, gearbox and engine
  • An online mode for up to 8 players in monster-sized races
  • A Career mode where you manage the vehicle, sponsors and technicians to improve your performances and earnings

Monster Truck Championship is available now on PlayStation®4, Xbox One, Steam, and for the Nintendo Switch™ on November 24, 2020 in North America.