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ESL and DreamHack Announce Merger

2020/09/30

ESL, the world’s largest esports company, and DreamHack, the premier gaming lifestyle festival, today announced they have merged organizations to further accelerate their mission to shape the future of esports and gaming. This combines some of esports’ greatest competitions, unique gaming lifestyle festivals and online competitive platforms with an organization that maximizes the value of these properties for gamers, brands and publishers worldwide. Together as ESL Gaming, DreamHack and ESL will push forward new innovations to serve fans and communities across events, platforms, formats and game titles — from casual to professional levels — in every region around the world. This new structure is effective immediately, and the combined company will be led by ESL Gaming Co-CEOs Craig Levine and Ralf Reichert.

Creating the best gaming lifestyle experiences, and the most professional and legendary competitive experiences for players and fans alike, are at the heart of both ESL and DreamHack.

“Through maximum cooperation and collaboration, and the melding of some of the best creative and visionary gaming minds in the industry, we will, together, continue to advance the innovation that drives this space via the most exceptional products and events”, said ESL Gaming Co-CEO Craig Levine.

“For our partners, there will be more opportunities to engage with us through a wider range of activations across all levels of esports, and all aspects of gaming. And for our fans, it means we will offer one of the most expansive esports and gaming lifestyle portfolios available.”

Esports, and the gaming lifestyle in general, is a dynamic space serving more than 500 million esports enthusiasts, a multi-billion dollar industry, and approximately 2.6 billion potential gamers, according to the latest data from Newzoo (source). By combining forces, ESL and DreamHack will have expanded flexibility and skills to continue meeting the ever-changing desires, demands and needs of its fans, community, players and partners while connecting with this broader audience.

“DreamHack has always brought communities together and created the ultimate gaming lifestyle experience for our fans all around the world. This will not change — but by combining our resources with ESL, we can continue to grow these events into something even more spectacular. Whether first-timers or long-term attendees, we have always offered something for everyone by featuring everything gaming under one roof,” said DreamHack Co-CEO Marcus Lindmark. “With ESL, we will be able to offer a more tailored approach for both our community and our partners across all regions through an array of gaming and esports opportunities, all while creating impactful and memorable experiences. The future of gaming is now, and we are excited to create the future together.”

For more information, please visit about.eslgaming.com, or follow ESL Gaming and DreamHack.

Razer BlackShark v2 Pro Wireless Gaming Headset Review

2020/09/29

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Geek News, News, Reviews, seal of excellence, Tech News, Tech Review

The Razer Blackshark was a favorite headset of mine for quite some time thanks to its aviation-inspired design. Hold onto your seats as the new Razer Blackshark V2 Pro is out and, while it no longer boasts the aircraft style, it does offer some serious features and sound quality. The Razer Blackshark V2 Pro is the wireless version of the Blackshark V2. In terms of its outward appearance, the Razer Blackshark V2 Pro is rather simple with a dark gray/black frame and black padding. Unlike the Razer Blackshark V2, there is no Chroma RGB lighting on the V2 Pro model. There is a volume control knob on the left ear cup along with a (removable) flexible boom microphone. The Razer Blackshark V2 Pro version comes with its own USB sound card and this is what enables the THX features. It also comes with a very soft cloth carrying sack so you can transport your headphones without scratching them.

The new Razer Blackshark V2 Pro offers some serious features – thanks, in part, due to its partnership with George Lucas-created THX. The biggest of these is the THX Spatial Audio technology. This virtual 7.1 surround sound solution allows gamers to customize their soundscape and get the best sound possible. The THX Spatial Audio features two different sound modes:

THX Environmental Mode – realistically places sound around you based on each game’s environment to maximize your immersive experience and transport you into the game.
THX Competitive Mode – maximizes spatial awareness allowing you to better locate friend and foe relative to your position. This can give you an unfair advantage in combat scenarios

It’s pretty darn amazing when in use and switching back to regular headphones afterwards is jarring… Razer BlackShark V2 Pro users can also use THX Game Profiles as well, which are pre-made audio profiles for a variety of games, with more to come. Of course, the Blackshark V2 Pro is compatible with Razer’s Synapse control suite and there is where you can tweak and adjust all your sound settings and profiles. The whole GUI used in this process is easy to navigate and attractive to boot, which is never a bad thing.

Also in the new Razer Blackshark V2 Pro is Razer’s new Triforce Titanium 50mm drivers, which includes a patented design with separated ports to project high, mid, and low-level sound, mimicking a tweeter, speaker, subwoofer all in one unit. Is it perfect? No. But, it is very – VERY good. And how does all this technology stack to create an aural experience? Very well, and the Blackshark V2 Pro provided outstanding audio quality for every game I played with it – from shooters to flight simulations. The THX music mode also provides excellent audio when jamming out to your favorite tunes. Additionally, the Razer Hyperclear Cardioid microphone has some very good audio quality and advanced, passive background noise cancellation. It has a flexible boom so you can orient the microphone wherever you wish. Making it even more flexible is the fact that you can remove it from the headphones if its not needed. Making the Razer Blackshark V2 Pro even better is its padding. I could wear the headset for hours and never get any pain or pressure points. This is a terrific set of headphones for when endurance is needed – whether its at a tournament or just listening to music all night while doing homework.

Its wireless capabilities proved to be bulletproof, and I could walk nearly all the way across my house without experiencing any sort of signal loss. I also got a lot of life out of the internal Blackshark V2 Pro’s battery. The stated spec is up to 24 hours of continuous use and I have no reason not to believe it. I haven’t charged this headset for several days and I am still listening to music and playing games with it.

Making things even better is its $99 dollar price tag which, when considering the inclusion of the USB sound card, is a good value for the money. Simply put, the Razer Blackshark V2 Pro gaming headset is comfortable, affordable, and it sounds great. I meantion in my review of the Blackshark v2 that “The only thing which would drive my 9.3 score to a full 10 out of 10 would be wireless capability”. Well, I stand by my statement and find no reason not to award this headphones our highest possible score. The Razer Blackshark v2 Pro wireless gaming headphones are simply outstanding.

David S. Goyer Bringing Batman Unburied to Spotify

2020/09/29

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Geek News, Movie News, News

Spotify, Warner Bros., and DC today announced that acclaimed film and television writer/producer/director David S. Goyer (Batman Begins) will return to Gotham City with the new audio drama Batman Unburied. Goyer originated the story for the series and will shepherd the project as executive producer. The series is the first project from the companies’ multi-year agreement to produce and distribute an original slate of narrative scripted podcasts. Spotify, the world’s leading audio streaming subscription service, will serve as the exclusive platform for Batman Unburied, which will be developed and produced by Goyer’s Phantom Four production company in association with Warner Bros.’ Blue Ribbon Content. Phantom Four’s Keith Levine will also serve as an executive producer alongside Goyer.

Specific details are being kept under wraps, but the series will explore the darker aspects of Bruce Wayne’s psychology.

“I’ve been a fan of narrative podcasts for some time and was looking for the right story — returning to Batman seems like the perfect opportunity,” said Goyer. “We’ll be using the unique advantages of audio to dig into the more nightmarish members of the Dark Knight’s Rogues Gallery.”

“David Goyer is an exceptional talent, and we can think of no better leader to leverage the infinite possibilities of podcasting to bring the nearly 300 million Spotify users around the world a Batman saga for the ages,” commented Dawn Ostroff, Chief Content and Advertising Business Officer, Spotify.

The series is expected to debut on Spotify in 2021. Fans interested in being the first to experience DC on Spotify should click here and follow.

Batman Unburied continues Goyer’s long and highly successful association with DC television series and feature films. He is currently executive producing the upcoming Netflix/Warner Bros. Television drama series based on Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman. He previously was a writer on The Dark Knight trilogy, co-wrote Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and wrote Man of Steel, all from Warner Bros. Pictures. He also developed and executive produced Warner Horizon Scripted Television’s Krypton for SYFY and Warner Bros. Television’s Constantine for NBC, and executive produced Blue Ribbon Content/Warner Bros. Animation’s Constantine: City of Demons for CW Seed.

Blumhouse’s The Craft: Legacy Official Trailer

2020/09/29

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Geek News, Halloween, Movie News, News, Trailers / Videos

In Blumhouse’s continuation of the cult hit The Craft, an eclectic foursome of aspiring teenage witches get more than they bargained for as they lean into their newfound powers.

Written and directed by Zoe Lister-Jones, the film stars Cailee Spaeny, Gideon Adlon, Lovie Simone, Zoey Luna, Nicholas Galitzine, with Michelle Monaghan and David Duchovny. Blumhouse and Red Wagon Entertainment are producing the film for Columbia Pictures.

On demand everywhere this witching season October 28, 2020

ROCCAT Unveils Burst Pro PC Gaming Mouse

2020/09/29

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Geek News, News, Peripherals News

ROCCAT, Turtle Beach’s (Nasdaq: HEAR) Hamburg, Germany-based PC gaming accessories brand, today unveiled its all-new Burst™ Pro PC gaming mouse. The Burst Pro is ROCCAT’s first mouse to debut its Titan Optical Switch, which – like the recently announced Vulcan Pro and TKL Pro keyboards – offers PC gamers a competitive advantage by delivering precise, lightning-fast performance. ROCCAT’s Burst Pro PC gaming mouse registers clicks up to 100 times faster than standard mechanical gaming mice, and the light-based switches also have a longer lifespan. The Burst Pro is designed with a new symmetrical and ergonomic shape, and its unique translucent honeycomb shell keeps the weight down to an extremely lightweight 68g while showcasing ROCCAT’s AIMO intelligent lighting like never before. ROCCAT’s Burst Pro PC gaming mouse is also the first to feature 100% pure PTFE heat-treated glides and a PhantomFlex™ cable for high-performing, unrestricted gameplay on any type of mousepad. The Burst Pro will be available at participating retailers worldwide on October 30, 2020 for the MSRP of $59.99/ 59.99€.

“The Burst Pro delivers our latest, most responsive Titan Optical Switch technology in a symmetrical and extremely lightweight mouse that will give any PC gamer a speed advantage over the competition,” said René Korte, ROCCAT founder and General Manager of PC Products at Turtle Beach. “Beyond being one of the fastest and best-looking mice, the Burst Pro’s unique covered honeycomb shell makes it one of our lightest mice ever while the translucent covering provides an enticing showcase of our AIMO lighting and keeps the dust and grime out. You won’t find anything else like it.”

The Burst Pro was born out of ROCCAT’s desire to create an all-new symmetrical mouse that utilizes the PC brand’s latest technology, while unleashing the full potential of its AIMO intelligent lighting engine. When it comes to PC gaming, speed is an extremely important factor, and the Titan Optical Switch delivers a quicker response rate up to 100 times faster than standard mechanical mice due to the ultra-precise light-based actuation, as well as a much longer overall lifespan of 100 million clicks. Further, the Titan Optical Switch also resolves the all-too-common “double-click” issue that traditional mechanical switches experience leading up to the end of their lifespan. To deliver the best possible performance, the Burst Pro also features ROCCAT’s Owl-Eye Optical Sensor with DPI adjustable up 16,000.

The Burst Pro is also the first mouse to feature a lightweight honeycomb design that’s been covered with a solid, translucent shell, and includes UV-coated buttons for added durability and protection against the elements. ROCCAT also focused on the side grips of the mouse by adding a glossy hexagonal texture, which makes for a perfect grip when combined with the UV coated buttons. The Burst Pro will be available in Ash Black and Arctic White, and the new design brilliantly showcases ROCCAT’s alluring AIMO intelligent lighting while also keeping the weight of the mouse to 68 grams.

To complement the exceptional speed and lightweight feeling of the mouse, and to offer gamers the feeling of total freedom of movement, the Burst Pro features heat-treated, 100% pure PTFE skates that will glide smoothly across any mousepad surface. To avoid using a mouse bungee and to offer a near-wireless experience, the Burst Pro also features the PhantomFlex cable, which is pliable and light, and virtually disappears during use with no tangling or bunching up.

In addition to the Burst Pro, ROCCAT has developed the Burst Core as another option that offers ROCCAT’s signature pro-grade technology at an attractive price. The Burst Core PC gaming mouse features an 8,500 DPI PAW3331 PixArt sensor and a solid honeycomb shell. The Burst Core will be available beginning November 16, 2020 for a MSRP of $29.99.

For more information on the latest ROCCAT PC gaming products and accessories, visit ROCCAT.org

DRIFT21 Gets New Challenges and Track

2020/09/29

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Geek News, News, Windows PC News

Global publisher 505 Games and developer ECC Games S.A. today reveal a new update for the hugely popular drift racing simulation game DRIFT21. Currently available on Steam Early Access, DRIFT21 puts you behind the wheel of your very own drift racing car as you take on Japan’s legendary EBISU circuits. Choose from a range of fully licensed cars and fine tune your dream drifting machine right down to the smallest engine parts to gain every advantage when on the track.

As part of the ongoing development roadmap, today’s new update will test your drifting skills on the longest course of the entire EBISU complex. The EBISU West course, also known as Nishi, is over 2100 meters in length with long straights and demanding, fast corners. Take the time to explore the track as you may well find a KuruKuru Land right next to it!

Changelog

New content

– Added new track – Ebisu West (also known as Nishi) and KuruKuru Land
– New Time Attack challenges – designed specifically for Ebisu West and KuruKuru Land
– New Solo Run challenges – designed specifically for Ebisu West and KuruKuru Land

There will also be various fixes and updates to the game that have been reported by the community to enhance the player’s driving experience. As part of the ongoing Early Access development roadmap, ECC Games S.A is working with the community to gather feedback on all aspects of the gameplay and content to ensure that DRIFT21 continues to lead the way in the drift racing simulation genre.

DRIFT21 is available to purchase on the Steam Early Access program now for $24.99/£22.49/€24.99.

Store link: https://store.steampowered.com/app/520950/DRIFT21/

Monster Squad Film Doc Gets Release Date

2020/09/28

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Geek News, Halloween, Movie News, News, Trailers / Videos

Gravitas Ventures, a Red Arrow Studios company, has acquired North American rights to distribute Wolfman’s Got Nards, directed by Andre Gower and produced by Lionsgate’s Pilgrim Media Group and Fitterpiper Entertainment. The documentary features Fred Dekker, Shane Black, Seth Green, Andre Gower, Ryan Lambert, Ashley Bank, Adam F. Goldberg, Heather Langenkamp, Chuck Russell, Adam Green, Joe Lynch and many more. Wolfman’s Got Nards will be released on demand on October 27, 2020.

When it was released in 1987, The Monster Squad was deemed a film no one cared much about but over the last three decades, word of mouth has turned this sleeper hit into a cultural phenomenon. Wolfman’s Got Nards explores the relationship a dedicated audience (including celebrities and filmmakers) has with The Monster Squad. This documentary takes an in-depth look into the film’s conception, response, cult status and revival. Through interviews with the cast, crew, screenwriters, directors, academics and original reviewers as well as through never-before-seen footage, it turns the lens on an audience of self-proclaimed misfits who have kept The Monster Squad alive for more than 30 years.

“This documentary was a special project to work on and I can’t wait to finally share it through this release,” said Andre Gower. “Working with Gravitas Ventures creates a unique opportunity for the film to reach not only our awesome Monster Squad fans, but also find new audiences that will enjoy this passionate in-depth look at how people connect with film and how it can shape their lives.”

“Andre’s film is a hilarious and heartfelt tribute that will scratch the nostalgia itch for longtime fans, and expose a new generation to this cult classic,” said Tony Piantedosi, Vice President of Acquisitions at Gravitas Ventures.

Gravitas Ventures’ Vice President of Acquisitions, Tony Piantedosi negotiated the deal with Endeavor Content.

The Walking Dead Coming to Magic: The Gathering

2020/09/28

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Geek News, News

Wizards of the Coast has today announced their latest Magic: The Gathering Secret Lair drop, a one-of-a-kind crossover with the universe of AMC’s The Walking Dead, which will be launching October 4th. This super-limited drop will include an all-premium-foil set of cards, with all but one of them being revealed in the coming weeks and the last one being kept a secret for players to discover.

AMC’s The Walking Dead Secret Lair drop will be open for pre-order for a very limited time between October 4th and October 12th. The Sun., Oct. 4th, launch will coincide with AMC’s “We Are The Walking Dead Weekend,” beginning with The Walking Dead Special Event: The Whisperer War Final Showdown at 9/8c, followed by the premiere of The Walking Dead: World Beyond at 10/9c, and ending with a special episode of Talking Dead at 11/10c, where fans can anticipate an unboxing and preview of the cards. With this, the set will be available for preorder at 11:30pm ET.

“Wizards of the Coast is thrilled to collaborate with AMC to bring these iconic characters to the greatest strategy card game,” said Bill Rose, SVP of Magic: The Gathering design and development, Wizards of the Coast. “We can’t wait for fans of both Magic: The Gathering and AMC’s The Walking Dead to discover fun new ways to play when they add this Secret Lair drop to their collection.”

“Magic: The Gathering is one of the most seminal works in the history of gaming,” said Clayton Neuman, VP of Games for AMC. “So, we were beyond thrilled to work with Wizards to pair it with one of the most beloved series in the history of television. These cards are a perfect blend of the two universes, and we can’t wait for fans to get their hands on them and discover all the tricks we’ve hidden up our sleeves.”

The cards included in this very special Secret Lair drop will be completely new to Magic: The Gathering, depicting the iconic characters of the long-running and critically acclaimed TV Series. The included cards have never been seen before in Magic: The Gathering and bring unique gameplay and text different from any other printed cards, which will only be legal in Legacy, Vintage, and Commander.

Magic: The Gathering’s Secret Lair is a collection of lovingly curated, limited-edition releases featuring some of the most exciting artists working today. The most recent drop celebrated a fan-favorite Magic character with Yargle Day on September 3rd, having previously launched other drops with varied themes, such as supporting International Women’s day, collaborating with Wizard of Barge for an oozing, all-slime crossover, or getting involved with International Dog day. You can learn more about Secret Lair on the official site.

AMC’s The Walking Dead Secret Lair drop preorders will go on sale October 4th for $49.99.

Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires Announced at TGS

2020/09/28

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Geek News, News, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 News, PlayStation 5 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox One News, Xbox Series X News

During Sunday’s Tokyo Game Show livestream, KOEI TECMO and developer Omega Force revealed their exciting new project and the latest addition to the highly-revered DYNASTY WARRIORS franchise: DYNASTY WARRIORS 9 Empires. The strategic battle experience is currently in development and will release across a plethora of systems in Early 2021, including the PlayStation®5 and PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles, Nintendo Switch™, and digitally on Windows PC via Steam®.

“This is the 20th anniversary of DYNASTY WARRIORS,” says producer Akihiro Suzuki, “and we couldn’t be more excited than to celebrate with our faithful fans by delivering the first new WARRIORS series game on next-gen consoles, and the first new DYNASTY WARRIORS series game on Switch.”

Combining the 1 vs. 1,000 action of DYNASTY WARRIORS with the addition of strategic elements, including unit command, DYNASTY WARRIORS 9 Empires sets players on a quest to conquer ancient China by both sword and strategy. Powerful Siege Battles enable commanders to deploy units to capture strategic points on the map like castles. Experiencing high-stakes fights at every turn, players can now take control of these central points on the battlefield through the use of fire attacks or other stratagem, siege weapons, and, at times, simply by force as commanders execute their strategies and attack enemy troops by issuing vital commands to units throughout the skirmish.

Also added is an enriched edit function that enables gamers the ability to create the officers of their dreams and interact with the heroes of ancient China through an expanded domestic system. Players will be able to live the life of an independent officer, govern as a kind ruler, or act wickedly as a villain, helping create a more lifelike and fulfilling Three Kingdoms world with ever-changing human relations and dramatic events where the relationships between characters will have a greater influence on gameplay than ever before.

Adds Suzuki: “This is the first new Empires game in five years, and I can’t wait to deliver the ultimate Empires experience our fans have been waiting for.”

For all of the latest information on DYNASTY WARRIORS 9: Empires, visit the official site, Like us on Facebook @KoeiTecmoUS, Follow us on Twitter @KoeiTecmoUS, and Follow us on Instagram @KoeiTecmoUS.

The Jackbox Party Pack 7 Release Date Trailer

2020/09/28

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

Jackbox Games has announced that The Jackbox Party Pack 7, the latest fun-filled pack in the hit series, will come to PlayStation®4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Steam, and other major digital platforms on October 15.

The Jackbox Party Pack 7 features five incredible new party games:

Quiplash 3, a head-to-head battle of wits as you write hilarious responses to quirky prompts while everyone else votes for their favorite! (3-8 players)
The Devils and the Details, the collaborative chaos game where you’re a family of devils working together to survive in suburbia. Can you handle the daily torture of human life? (3-8 players)
Champ’d Up, the drawing fighting game where you get to create absurd characters that battle each other over unusual titles. Can you take down the heavy favorite? (3-8 players)
Talking Points, the make-it-up-as-you-go public-speaking game. Give a speech responding to picture slides you’ve never seen before, or be the Assistant and approve pictures as fast as you can. Just keep talking whether it makes sense or not! (3-8 players)
Blather ‘Round, the pop culture guessing game. Describe your secret prompt with a very limited vocabulary and hope that someone can figure it out in time. (2-6 players)

Games in The Jackbox Party Pack series support phones, tablets, and computers as controllers. Just go to Jackbox.tv on your device and enter the room code to play. Up to 10,000 additional audience members can join specific games to affect their final outcome.

You can now preorder The Jackbox Party Pack 7 on Steam or in the official Jackbox Games shop for 10% off. For more information, visit www.jackboxgames.com, and follow @jackboxgames on Twitter and @playjackboxgames on Instagram.