Author - Jerry Paxton

Titan Quest II’s Crafting System Explained

11 hours ago

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

Last week, alongside the THQ Nordic Digital Showcase, Titan Quest II received a major new update introducing its crafting system. Today, we’re taking a closer look at how aspiring heroes can put their hard-earned loot to work and shape their equipment to better suit their builds.

Crafting offers several ways to alter and improve the items players find, but keep in mind: items cannot be created from scratch. Repeated crafting attempts will also increase material and gold costs, eventually making it more worthwhile to find a new base item to work with.

Epic Game Store Early Access: https://thqn.net/tq2-egs
Steam Early Access: https://thqn.net/tq2-steam

Additionally, crafting offers several ways to fine-tune an item’s affixes. Reforging an affix allows players to select one affix per item and reroll its values, with the possible range clearly displayed. Players can also replace an affix, exchanging an unwanted property for something more useful. The available replacements depend on the prefixes or suffixes the item could naturally have rolled, so players won’t simply be able to choose any property they want! Another option is adding an affix, which lets players add another property to items that haven’t yet reached their maximum number of affixes.

Sometimes you find the perfect item while leveling, only to eventually outgrow it. The crafting system lets players upgrade an item’s level and postpone that painful goodbye. This one-time crafting option increases an item’s base properties as well as the tier of its affixes. There is a limit, however: an early-game item can’t simply be transformed into a perfect level 55 piece of equipment, as its affixes will eventually hit a ceiling.

Read the full crafting system notes here: https://thqn.net/4i91FSz

Titan Quest II is being developed by Grimlore Games and published by THQ Nordic.

Fast Travel Games Reveals PAYDAY: Aces High Gameplay

12 hours ago

Jerry Paxton

News, Geek News, Trailers / Videos

Today at the VR Games Showcase, Fast Travel Games debuted the first gameplay trailer from PAYDAY®: Aces High, the officially licensed VR co-op heist game set in Starbreeze Entertainment’s iconic PAYDAY® universe. Fast Travel Games also announced a closed community playtest beginning August 20 through August 24. Playtest slots are limited; interested players can learn how to register on the game’s official website for their chance to pull off a PAYDAY heist on Meta Quest 3 ahead of its release later this year.

After being framed by business titan Warren Jupiter, players team up to take revenge through the signature chaos of a PAYDAY heist. The gameplay reveal shows exactly what that looks like in VR: designing a unique loadout mixing weapons, gadgets, and skills, surveying the scene, and choosing the perfect moment to go loud and secure that payday.

“The reception since we first revealed PAYDAY: Aces High has been incredibly warm, from both longtime heisters and the VR community, and that means everything to our team,” said Erik Odeldahl, Chief Creative Officer and Co-Founder at Fast Travel Games. “Now it’s time to hand over the keys. With the community playtest, players will experience PAYDAY: Aces High for the very first time – and we can’t think of a better crew to help us shape the ultimate VR heist.”

“PAYDAY has always put you inside the heist, first person, and right in the middle of the chaos. VR takes that further, and Fast Travel Games are delivering with Aces High. We’re proud to have them shaping this corner of the universe, and we can’t wait to see how the community reacts once the playtest goes live,” Adolf Kristjansson, CEO at Starbreeze Entertainment, said.

PAYDAY: Aces High Key Features:

The Rush Of The Score: Roll out with up to three partners in crime. Plan the job, stack your tools, and execute with precision. Every alarm you dodge, every bag you haul, every trigger you pull pushes you closer to that flawless payday… or the kind of heat that burns cities to the ground.
Guns, Gadgets, Getting Even: Gear up and hit the score with an arsenal that keeps growing – ARs, SMGs, shotguns, pistols, plus gadgets like grapple and sentry guns. Spend your hard-earned cash and rep to unlock the skills, gear, and toys that crank your heisting game to the next level.
Four Aces To Choose From:
- Ace of Hearts: The Mastermind – The brain behind the chaos. Lines up every angle, every fallback, every escape.
- Ace of Clubs: The Ghost – Silent, surgical, gone before anyone knows they’ve been fooled.
- Ace of Diamonds: The Technician – Gadget freak. Orchestrating the theater of destruction.
- Ace of Spades: The Enforcer – The hammer that keeps hitting when things get loud.

JDM: Japanese Drift Manager Physical Edition OUT NOW on PS5

13 hours ago

Jerry Paxton

News, Geek News, PlayStation 5 News, Trailers / Videos

Start your engines as JDM: Japanese Drift Master speeds onto PlayStation 5 with a new Physical Edition that includes the entire base game as well as a DLC code for the ‘Made in the USA’ pack containing 6 new all American classics as well as 30 unique tuning parts made especially for them. The cars included in the pack are:

Ironvale Thunderbolt T40
Ironvale Stallion ’69
Taipan
Delray Vanquisher TR
Delray Venom
Falcon HellFeather

“A hugely ambitious and earnest racer” – IGN

Curveball Games and Poland based company, Gaming Factory, are excited for drifting fans to finally get their hands on a physical copy of the game. JDM: Japanese Drift Master is packed full of content as you drift across the fictional Guntama, filled with more than 250km of main roads, racing tracks and instanced events, you’ll perform takeovers against winding mountain passes and contend against dynamic weather conditions and a full day/night cycle system.

The game features a host of original cars and brands but also includes officially licensed cars from iconic Japanese brands such as Honda, Mazda, Nissan, and Subaru!

Purchases are now available through Curveball’s retailer, The Game Collection as well as all major retailers across EMEA and North America for £34.99/$39.99/€39.99.

8BitDo FlipPad Launches Across Europe Today

14 hours ago

Jerry Paxton

News, Geek News, Tech News

Game Outlet Europe®, an independent distributor of video games and gaming accessories, announced today that the 8BitDo FlipPad, a unique flip-style gamepad designed to level-up mobile gaming, has begun shipping across Europe starting today.

An ingenious solution to imprecise touchscreen gaming, the FlipPad finally brings console level control to gamers’ favourite mobile titles, replicating the classic handheld experience. Compatible with iPhone® and Android® mobile devices*, the FlipPad carries the signature attention to detail and thoughtful feature set indicative of the 8BitDo brand.

Connecting via USB-C, the FlipPad offers a direct, wired connection, with no risk of lag or drop out, common with wireless mobile controllers. Rated to an astonishing 10,000 insertions, the FlipPad is built with quality in mind, ideal for gaming on the go. Compatible with the majority of phone cases, gamers can access their FlipPad in seconds for a fuss-free setup.

Designed for controller compatible mobile games, the FlipPad provides precision portrait play, ideal for retro and arcade titles, and the refined D-pad and ABXY action buttons bring tactile, responsive control to your phone. With the FlipPad, games feel like they were supposed to: clicky, light, and precise with every press.

With a compact footprint and no need for a separate power supply, the FlipPad is designed to go where you go, ready at a flip for play. A call coming in during a blast of your favourite shooter? No problem, simply flip the FlipPad up to take the call with no need to disconnect! Tested to 6,000 open/close cycles, the FlipPad may be designed for games but means business when it comes to robust durability!

Here’s what the FlipPad has to offer:

Flip Into Play – Flip down, ready to play. Take a call or reply to a message mid-game—just flip it open without unplugging. The hinge is rated for over 6,000 open/close cycles, built to last.
Vertical Mobile Gaming – Designed around portrait play, FlipPad brings a classic handheld feel to your phone. Perfect for retro games and controller-supported mobile titles.
USB-C Plug and Play – Built-in USB-C connection makes setup simple and direct. Plug in and start playing instantly. The USB-C port is rated for over 10,000 insertions.
Pocket-Ready and Case-Friendly – Compact enough to carry every day, ready whenever you find a moment to play. Designed to work with most phone cases, so you can start playing without the extra step.
A refined D-pad and ABXY Action Buttons – bring tactile, responsive control to your phone. Clicky, light, and precise with every press. *Compatible with Apple® iOS 26.2 or later and Android 13.0 or later.

The 8BitDo FlipPad is available across Europe starting today at Amazon and other leading retailers and retails for an MSRP of: €29.99 / £24.99.

For more information on the 8BitDo FlipPad please visit: https://www.8bitdo.com/flippad/

Avengers: Doomsday Tickets Now on Sale Nationwide

15 hours ago

Jerry Paxton

News, Comics News, Geek News, Movie News

Tickets for “Avengers: Doomsday,” Marvel Studios’ highly anticipated December 18 theatrical release, are now on sale everywhere – expanding beyond INFINITY VISION-certified Premium Large Format theaters to cinemas nationwide. Tickets are available at Fandango (www.Fandango.com/AvengersDoomsday) or wherever tickets are sold. A new poster also debuts today.

Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Doomsday” is directed by Anthony and Joe Russo; produced by Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito and Jonathan Schwartz; and stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Pedro Pascal, Paul Rudd, Anthony Mackie, Florence Pugh, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Wyatt Russell, Channing Tatum, Simu Liu, Ian McKellen, Hayley Atwell, Tom Hiddleston, James Marsden, Patrick Stewart, Joseph Quinn, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, Letitia Wright, Lewis Pullman, Kelsey Grammer, Kathryn Newton, Danny Ramirez, Winston Duke, Alan Cumming, Hannah John-Kamen, Rebecca Romijn, Mabel Cadena, with Tenoch Huerta Mejia.

In “Avengers: Doomsday,” beloved heroes from three distinct universes will be set on a deadly collision course and face an existential threat unlike anything they’ve ever encountered.

“Avengers: Doomsday” releases exclusively in theaters December 18, 2026.

Scott Pilgrim EX Physical Edition Available Now at Global Retailers and iam8bit

16 hours ago

Jerry Paxton

News, Geek News, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5 News

Scott Pilgrim and the gang just made it to the next level, as the global retail release of Scott Pilgrim EX ($39.99) launches today for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, available at participating retailers and online at scottpilgrimex.iam8bit.com. From the team at Tribute Games, in collaboration with Universal Products & Experiences and iam8bit, the physical edition comes with a collectible fold-out, double-sided poster, while fans who order directly from iam8bit will also receive an exclusive o-sleeve featuring original artwork by Matías Bergaras.

Also shipping now is the Scott Pilgrim EX Original Soundtrack 2xLP (iam8bit Exclusive Edition) ($42.99). Featuring a vivid tri-color design, a deluxe Gatefold Jacket and an original album design by Jacob Ferguson, fans can jam out to the legendary 71-song soundtrack by purchasing at iam8bit.com.

Scott Pilgrim EX is a beat-’em-up brawler from Tribute Games, serving as a follow-up to 2010’s beloved Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game. With a fresh story from series creator Bryan Lee O’Malley, stunning pixel art and seven fan-favorite fighters including Scott Pilgrim, Ramona Flowers, Matthew Patel, Gideon Graves and more, Scott Pilgrim EX drops players into a fully explorable and joyfully chaotic world full of epic quests and intriguing secrets to uncover. Paired with an electrifying soundtrack from Anamanaguchi, the game is yet another stand-out installment in the Scott Pilgrim series.

Scott Pilgrim EX Retail and iam8bit Exclusive editions are available to purchase now at scottpilgrimex.iam8bit.com for $39.99. The Scott Pilgrim EX Original Soundtrack 2xLP (iam8bit Exclusive Edition) is also available now for $42.99, only at iam8bit.com.

Aloft Discovery & Ancestry Arrives on August 26

17 hours ago

Jerry Paxton

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

Publisher Funcom® and developer Astrolabe® Interactive Inc. are excited to announce that Discovery & Ancestry, the final Early Access content update for the cozy co-op sandbox survival game in the sky, arrives on August 26.

The update introduces the Wind Spirit companion, inviting players to befriend a mysterious entity that accompanies them on their adventures, control the winds, and more.

Discovery & Ancestry also marks a major step forward for Aloft, with a game engine upgrade from Unity 2021 to Unity 6 opening new ways to improve performance and visuals. It also opens the skies up with a revamped world, reworked user interface, and adjustments to progression and navigation designed to give players more freedom to explore.

The update also brings new building pieces and stockpiles, as well as Ancestral Memories, a new feature that lets players learn skills from their ancestors to unlock powerful character upgrades.

Since its Early Access launch, Aloft has received four major updates that deepen both creativity and exploration. Together, they’ve introduced collectible wildlife like bees, bats, and frogs, new Wonder Islands, and improved ecosystem restoration. They also debuted a flexible system for designing custom puzzles and contraptions, a reworked progression with three distinct tech trees, new fungal corruption strains and high-tier weapons, along with expanded traversal options that enhance aerial freedom across the floating islands.

The Discovery & Ancestry update is scheduled to arrive on August 26. After this update, the team will fully focus on the upcoming full 1.0 launch of the game – stay tuned for news on the full launch details at a later date.

Aloft is a co-op sandbox survival game set in a world filled with floating islands and is available right now for 24.99€/$, on Steam Early Access: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1660080/Aloft/

Dagger Directive 1.0 Launch Trailer

18 hours ago

Jerry Paxton

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

Publisher MicroProse and developer Arcane Alpacas are proud to announce that Dagger Directive has officially launched into Version 1.0 and is available now on Steam for PC, marking the culmination of its Early Access development and a major new chapter for the retro-inspired tactical FPS.

Watch the New 1.0 Launch Trailer

To celebrate today’s release, MicroProse and Arcane Alpacas have released a brand-new Version 1.0 Launch Trailer, showcasing the expanded content, arsenal, environments, and tactical action awaiting players in the full release.

From suppressed night operations and long-range engagements to explosive assaults and coordinated squad action, the new trailer offers a look at Dagger Directive at its biggest and most complete.

Built for players who remember the golden age of tactical military shooters, Dagger Directive combines the deliberate, open-ended gameplay of the genre’s classics with modern mechanics and quality-of-life features. Players become members of Task Force Dagger, an elite international special forces unit deployed across frozen coastlines, dense jungles, and war-torn cities.

There is no single correct way to complete an operation. Select your equipment, choose the time of day, study the environment, and execute your plan. Move silently through the shadows, engage enemies from extreme range, coordinate with friends in co-op, or hit the objective with overwhelming force.

Every mission is yours to shape.

Ranger’s Path National Park Simulator EA Update 2 Out Now

19 hours ago

Jerry Paxton

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

The second early-access content update for Ranger’s Path: National Park Simulator is sure to delight all animal lovers: the game now offers not only three additional animal species but also new and interesting ways to interact with the diverse wildlife of Faremont National Park. In addition, virtual rangers can look forward to extra callouts and the corresponding equipment, adding even more variety to their daily work routine.

Find out more with our Content Update 2 trailer:

New animals & Animal Interaction System plus new tools!

Content Update 2 introduces new ways to interact with the wildlife of Faremont National Park in ways that go far beyond mere observation: the Animal Interaction System allows players to free animals trapped by poachers, and to sedate and treat injured wildlife. For both tasks, the new tranquilizer gun becomes essential: It allows the players to sedate trapped or injured animals so that the ranger can intervene without putting themselves in danger. A VHF receiver also enables rangers to track down animals that have been fitted with a GPS device.

Content Update 2 also brings three new animal species to Faremont National Park – including a true American icon: the mighty bison not only leaves visitors in awe but also offers park rangers fascinating new opportunities for observation. Smaller, yet no less impressive, are the other two species now entering the game: feral hogs roam the forests, while hikers traversing Faremont’s hills and mountain slopes should keep a sharp eye out for the elusive bobcat.

The Blood of Dawnwalker Everything You Need to Know Trailer

20 hours ago

Jerry Paxton

News, Geek News, PlayStation 5 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox Series X News

With less than a month to go before players step into the open world dark fantasy of The Blood of Dawnwalker, Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. and developer Rebel Wolves have unveiled a new trailer showcasing the game’s main features. Set in the treacherous land of Vale Sangora, the game follows Coen who lives as a human by day and a vampire by night, blending action RPG gameplay with a unique dual nature at the heart of the story.

From characters to game mechanics, the trailer provides all players need to know. It begins by introducing the Vrakhiris, the vampire ruling over the region, giving players a closer look at their enemy before turning its focus to Coen, the game’s protagonist. Players will get acquainted with using time as a resource as they have 30 days and 30 nights to save Coen’s family. While time doesn’t pass on its own from just exploring Vale Sangora, players will still have to keep an eye on the time segments spent when starting or advancing certain quests, reminding them that Coen’s family is still at the mercy of the vampires and they won’t have time to do everything. Finally, the trailer goes over the combat mechanic, a central point of this adventure featuring sharp blades and claws. Combat in The Blood of Dawnwalker can be tailored to different playstyles.

The Blood of Dawnwalker will launch on September 3 for PlayStation®5, XBOX Series X|S, and PC. For more information on the game, visit: dawnwalkergame.com.