Author - Jerry Paxton

Betrayal at Baldur’s Gate Announced

2017/06/07

June 7, 2017 – The shadow of Bhaal has come over Baldur’s Gate, summoning with it a brand new board game from Dungeons & Dragons and Avalon Hill. Based on the award-winning Betrayal at House on the Hill, Betrayal at Baldur’s Gate, gives fans the chance to build, explore, and hopefully survive in the iconic city.

With design led by Mike Mearls and the Wizards of the Coast team, players must work with their fellow adventurers to survive the deadly terrors and hideous threats that lurk in the shadows of this fearsome city. That is, until some horrific evil turns one—or more—of them against each other making it a race for survival.

Betrayal at Baldur’s Gate includes:

50 brand new scenarios set in the world of the Forgotten Realms
47 new location tiles, including buildings, streets, and catacombs
86 new cards, including 22 items, 45 events, and 13 omens
18 new monsters to encounter including minotaurs, beholders, and dragons
12 D&D adventurers including a dwarf barbarian, half-orc paladin, and human sorcerer
6 plastic adventurer figures

The 50 scenarios act like “mini-campaigns” and bring adventurers together to battle plenty of foes familiar to D&D fans and gamers. Some fun examples include contending against a Sphere of Annihilation hell-bent on destruction, a hungry slaad devouring you from the inside, and a suddenly-sprouted second head that wants to be in charge.

“When we sat down to talk through the design for this game, Baldur’s Gate made perfect sense,” says Mike Mearls, Senior Manager of Design & Development for Dungeons & Dragons. “Not only is it one of D&D’s most infamous cities, but the thieves, assassins, and other scoundrels that lurk in its shadowy alleys provided a perfect fit for Betrayal’s game play.”

Beloved for its re-playability, Betrayal at House on the Hill has been touted as one of the “Best Horror Board Games” of all time. Like Dungeons & Dragons, the story you tell in one game is unique and original to your party’s experience.

“The core of both D&D and Betrayal is story, exploration, and (mostly) working together so this was a pretty seamless mash-up,” said Shelly Mazzanoble, Brand Manager for Avalon Hill. “Because this is a D&D experience, you’ll see more cooperative haunts than in the original game. But it’s also Baldur’s Gate so there is definitely some double-dealing treachery going down.”

Fans attending Origins Game Fair next week will get a chance to be among the first to preview the game. A limited number of seats are available on a first come first serve basis in the D&D gaming area on the 3^rd floor of the Hyatt.

For more information, visit the Avalon Hill website. To keep up with news about Avalon Hill games, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Minecraft: Story Mode – Season 2 Announced for July Release

2017/06/07

Jerry Paxton

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., and STOCKHOLM, Sweden, June 7th, 2017 — Award-winning developer and publisher of digital entertainment Telltale Games and world-renowned game developer Mojang today announced that Minecraft: Story Mode – Season 2 is in development and set to premiere with Episode 1: Hero in Residence for download starting July 11, 2017 on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC, Mac, iOS, and Android-based devices.

Minecraft: Story Mode – Season 2 continues Jesse’s saga in a five-part, narrative-driven, episodic game series developed by Telltale in collaboration with Mojang and members of the Minecraft community. Though players’ choices from the first season will carry over into season two, this new season will be accessible to both returning fans and newcomers alike. This second season will also include Telltale’s unique multiplayer ‘Crowd Play’ feature, which allows friends and family to engage with the adventure together by helping to decide the direction of the story from any mobile device with an online connection.

Now that Jesse and the gang have vanquished the Wither Storm, saved the world, and become totally super famous heroes, life has gotten a bit more…complicated. With more responsibilities and less time for adventure, old friendships have started to fade — at least until Jesse’s hand gets stuck in a creepy gauntlet that belongs to an ancient underwater temple. Together with old pals and new comrades alike, Jesse embarks on a brand new journey filled with tough choices, good times, and at least one temperamental llama.

This season will feature voice work from Patton Oswalt, Catherine Taber, Ashley Johnson, and Scott Porter, as well as cameos from Stampy Cat, stacyplays, and other personalities from the Minecraft community on YouTube. Additional casting details for the season are yet to be announced.

Season one of Minecraft: Story Mode was met with widespread critical acclaim. Polygon declared the series “a grand adventure in the universe of Minecraft,” while Wired UK said it “brilliantly channels its source material.” Kotaku UK called it “a triumph.” The Guardian said the series “will delight Minecraft veterans young and old alike,” while GameSpot called it “a charming, winning adventure for both fans and newbies to the world of Minecraft.”

Minecraft: Story Mode – Season 2 will be a standalone product separate from both the core Minecraft game and season one of Minecraft: Story Mode. Season two will be available for download on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC, Mac, iOS, and Android-based devices. A retail version on disc will become available this fall. The series is currently in development and has not yet been rated by the ESRB.

For more information on Telltale Games, visit the official website, follow @TelltaleGames on Twitter, and like Telltale on Facebook.

For more information on Mojang, visit the official website, follow @Mojang and @Minecraft on Twitter, and like Minecraft on Facebook.

E3 Coliseum Lineup Revealed

2017/06/07

Jerry Paxton

E3, Geek News, News

LOS ANGELES, June 7, 2017 — The full lineup of panels and guests for the first E3 Coliseum was announced today by the Entertainment Software Association. A spectacular main stage event that will connect video game fans with the biggest names in entertainment, E3 Coliseum will be June 13 and 14 at The Nova at L.A. Live as part of E3, the world’s premiere event for digital entertainment for PC, consoles, mobile platforms, and virtual reality.

Produced by Geoff Keighley, creator and producer of The Game Awards, E3 Coliseum will feature two full days of programming, including live demonstrations of upcoming games, insightful panels, and special one-time-only conversations. Open to all E3 badge holders, fans can begin lining up to attend E3 Coliseum starting at 7 a.m. June 13. The Nova is only a short walk from where E3 is being held at the Los Angeles Convention Center. For more information on E3 Coliseum access and programming, please visit www.e3coliseum.com.

E3 Coliseum also is teaming up with Facebook to give the global video game community the chance to watch and ask panelists questions. In addition to Q&As with in-person attendees, fans around the world can visit Facebook.com/E3Expo during E3 Coliseum to watch select panels on Facebook Live and submit questions to be answered by participating panelists. E3 Coliseum panels will also be streamed on Twitch—the official E3 streaming partner, Mixer, and YouTube.

The full schedule for E3 Coliseum is as follows:

Tuesday, June 13

11:00 AM – Noon:
God of War: Behind the Curtain
It’s been one year since game director Cory Barlog and his team at Santa Monica Studio introduced fans around the world to a bold new vision for God of War. Join us as Cory and other members of the development team share new insights and recount challenges overcome, delving further into writing, world building, combat design, and the powerful father/son relationship at the heart of Kratos’ new beginning. Moderated by Michele Morrow.

Noon – 12:30 PM:
Inside Bungie
For over 25 years, Bungie has pushed the video game industry in bold new directions. Join Bungie CEO Pete Parsons for a wide-ranging discussion about his career, the industry, and Bungie’s next release, Destiny 2. Moderated by WWE superstar (and devoted Destiny fan) Big Show.

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM:
World Builders
Join host Chris Hardwick for a keynote discussion about building worlds across entertainment mediums, with a focus on video games. Hardwick will be joined by astrophysicist Neil Degrasse Tyson, director James Gunn, Gearbox’s Randy Pitchford, and 343 Industries’ Kiki Wolfkill.

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM:
Assassin’s Creed
Ubisoft presents a look at what’s next from Assassin’s Creed.

2:15 PM – 2:45 PM:
What Game From E3 Will Make You the Next Online Gaming Superstar?
In a world where online content creators can make or break the success of a new game, discover which games from this year’s E3 are going to make the biggest splash with the world’s largest online creators. Join MatPat, creator of The Game Theorists YouTube channel (more than 8 million subscribers, 2016 winner of the Streamy Award for Best Gaming Channel), to find out which games are making a mark at E3 in the eyes of top Twitch and YouTube streamers. Learn what makes some games great to play and others great to watch for millions of fans on YouTube and Twitch.

2:45 PM – 3:15 PM
Bethesda Softworks
Join Bethesda Softworks for a look at a newly announced title that will be seen for the first time at their E3 2017 Showcase.

3:15 PM– 4:00 PM
Square Enix
Don’t miss when Square Enix presents a live demonstration of a newly announced title being showcased at E3 2017.

4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Epic Games
For over two decades, the team at Epic Games has built some of the video game industry’s most talked about titles. Join members of Epic at E3 Coliseum for a behind-the-scenes look at the developer’s next release.

4:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Swing Behind the Scenes With the New Spider-Man for PS4
Join key members of both Insomniac Games and Marvel for a peek into the upcoming Spider-Man collaboration for the PS4.

5:00 PM – 5:45 PM:
Project Scorpio: The Most Powerful Place to Create and Play
Discover how Xbox built a powerful development platform in Project Scorpio with game creators in mind. Featuring key members of the Xbox team, including Turn 10 Studios and The Coalition. Moderated by Xbox Live’s Larry Hryb (Major Nelson).

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM:
Jack Black in Conversation with Tim Schafer
Over the past 30 years Tim Schafer has created some of the gaming industry’s most hilariously memorable worlds and characters. The multi-talented Jack Black (star of Brutal Legend) leads a wide-ranging conversation with Tim about his career, creative process, and yes, Psychonauts 2.

Wednesday, June 14

10:00 AM – 10:45 AM:
New Realities: VR, AR, and Gaming
Video games are ushering in a whole new era of interactivity across a host of new devices that deliver virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) experiences. Join Will Smith (The Foo Show) for a discussion about the state of immersive reality and the future of gameplay and storytelling in VR and AR. Joining Smith will be film director Ivan Reitman (Ghostbusters), Curtis Hickman (Co-Founder/CCO, The Void), Tanja Watson (Co-Founder, Squanchtendo Games) David Ellison (CEO, Skydance Media), and Brandon J. Laatsch (Stress Level Zero Games).

10:45 AM – 11:30 AM:
Sea of Thieves: Community Spirit
The Sea of Thieves team discusses the opportunities and challenges of transforming Rare, one of the industry’s most secretive developers, into an open studio that celebrates its community and has brought its most passionate fans right into the heart of the development process – an essential step in creating a AAA shared-world pirate adventure.

11:30 – Noon:
Gaming Evolved: New Voices, New Visions
As the video game industry continues to evolve, there are opportunities for new voices and perspectives to push the medium in exciting new directions. Join us for a discussion about the many ways creators can express themselves and reach new audiences through video games.

Noon – 12:45 PM
Crash Bandicoot Reunion
Twenty-one years after he first arrived on the scene, Crash Bandicoot is back! Join members of the original creative team behind the game – Connie Booth, Mark Cerny, Naughty Dog co-founders Andy Gavin and Jason Rubin, and Bob Rafei – for a once-in-a-lifetime reunion to discuss the making of the original Crash Bandicoot and its impact on the video game industry.

12:45 PM – 1:30 PM:
Mortal Kombat: Celebrating 25 Years
For over 25 years, Mortal Kombat has evolved and pushed the fighting game genre in new directions, including its most recent release, MKX. Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon joins the E3 Coliseum to reflect on the series and its impact on popular culture, esports, and the video game industry.

1:30 PM – 2:00 PM:
Far Cry 5: A Trip to Hope County
Welcome to Hope County, Montana, a rural community taken over by a fanatical cult. Led by Joseph Seed, “The Father,” players will build a resistance with the help of citizens of Hope County. Join Dan Hay, executive producer and creative director, and Drew Holmes, lead writer, to learn more about the citizens of Hope County, including The Father, Pastor Jerome, Mary May, and Nick Rye.

2:00 PM – 2:30 PM:
Call of Duty: WWII – Sledgehammer Games’ Journey Back to the Franchise’s Roots
Call of Duty: WWII returns to its franchise roots. Join Michael Condrey, Glen Schofield, and Greg Reisdorf for an inside look at the game that is taking the series back to boots on the ground. The panel will share behind-the-scenes development of the E3 content as we look at multiplayer and campaign gameplay and perhaps a hint at things to come in the months ahead. Moderated by Afrojack (Nick van de Wall).

2:30 PM – 3:15 PM:
Stories Across Screens
How does today’s greatest game writing influence the world of TV and film, and vice versa? Join Better Call Saul Executive Producer Gennifer Hutchison for a conversation with leading storytellers about the opportunities and challenges of interactive and linear storytelling. Hutchison will be joined by Emil Pagliarulo (Designer Director, Bethesda Game Studios), Josh Scherr (Writer, Naughty Dog), and Dan Tractenberg (Director, 10 Cloverfield Lane, Black Mirror).

3:15 PM – 4:15 PM:
A Conversation with Hideo Kojima and Jordan Vogt-Roberts
A one-on-one session looking back at the career of Hideo Kojima, led by Jordan Vogt-Roberts, director of Kong: Skull Island. These two creative forces will share the stage to discuss the fusion of gaming and cinema. Mr. Kojima will discuss his cinematic influences and how they have allowed him to make masterworks of his own.

4:15 PM – 5:00 PM:
The Indie Revolution
Some of today’s most creative and inspiring games come from independent developers working outside the system. Join us to hear their stories. Robin Hunicke (Funomena) leads a discussion about the independent game scene across console, mobile, and PC, featuring guests including Brendan Greene (creator, Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds) and Eli Cymet (Alto’s Odyssey).

5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Middle-earth: Shadow of War – A Behind-the-Scenes Look
Join Monolith Productions, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, and Troy Baker (the voice of Talion) for an inside look and live demonstration of Middle-earth: Shadow of War.

5:30 – 6 PM:
Square Enix
Join the team at Square Enix for a developer showcase, revealing new details about a game that will be announced for the first time at E3 2017.

6:00 PM:
An exclusive surprise discussion with renowned figures.

E3 is the world’s premier event for computer, video, and mobile games and related products. At E3, the video game industry’s top talent convenes at the Los Angeles Convention Center, connecting tens of thousands of the best, brightest, and most innovative in the interactive entertainment industry. For three exciting days, leading-edge companies, groundbreaking new technologies, and never-before-seen products will be showcased. E3 connects both new and existing partners, industry executives, and the biggest fans of video games, providing unprecedented exposure to emerging markets. E3: It all starts here. See more at www.E3Expo.com.

Geoff Keighley has spent more than two decades covering the video game industry as a prolific journalist, host, and producer. He is the creator/producer of The Game Awards, as well as host/producer of YouTube’s annual Live at E3 coverage, as well as YouTube’s first-ever live series, Live with YouTube Gaming. He has also attended every E3 since 1995.

SOURCE Entertainment Software Association (ESA)

Natsume Unveils E3 2017 Lineup

2017/06/06

Jerry Paxton

E3, Geek News, News

Burlingame, CA. – June 6, 2017 – Natsume Inc., a worldwide developer and publisher of family-oriented video games, today announced its full Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2017 lineup.

In celebration of Harvest Moon’s 20th anniversary, the recently announced Harvest Moon: Light of Hope leads the lineup, and will be shown for the first time on Switch and PC! Also on display at the show will be Wild Guns Reloadedfor PC, River City: Knights of Justice, and River City: Rival Showdown (both for 3DS). All the games will be on display in booth 2047 in the South Hall at the Los Angeles Convention Center, June 13-15.

Fans will be excited to learn that for the first time, beloved Natsume retail items will be available for purchase at the booth. Natsume’s popular and adorable 6″ and 12″ plush, including alpacas, horses, dogs, pigs, chicks, bluebirds, pandas, sheep, and more will be available, along with other exciting items!

Natsume’s E3 Show Floor Lineup Includes:

Harvest Moon: Light of Hope (Switch, Steam/PC and PlayStation 4)

In Harvest Moon: Light of Hope, players begin the game as they set out looking for a fresh start and new surroundings. During their voyage, their ship is hit by a monsoon and goes down. As they drift into a small harbor town, now in a shambles from the storm, it will be up to the player to help rebuild the town and save the lighthouse…but it won’t be easy! Nevertheless, with some hard work growing crops, tending livestock, and gathering materials for repairs, players will be able to make new friends, start a family, revive the lighthouse, and save the town!

Wild Guns Reloaded (Steam/PC)

In Wild Guns Reloaded, Annie has tracked down the famed bounty hunter Clint to get revenge on the Kid Gang. With eight stages, each with three zones, there’s plenty of bad robots to blast away. With a true arcade game feel, Wild Guns was the first sci-fi western to arrive on home consoles, and to this day, there really isn’t any other game like Wild Guns!

River City: Knights of Justice (3DS)

River City: Knights of Justice, known in Japan as Nekketsu Mahou Monogatari, is scheduled to launch as a 3DS eShop exclusive this summer. Kunio and his friends go medieval in this unique entry to the River City series, as they are transformed into heroes and villains that would be home in any RPG! Players will use swords, staves, and even magic to bring peace back to Riverandia!

River City: Rival Showdown (3DS)

River City: Rival Showdown, known in Japan as Downtown Nekketsu Monogatari SP, will launch this fall for the Nintendo 3DS. One night, Kunio is attacked by two mysterious individuals. On top of that, Riki’s girlfriend has disappeared, and it’s up to Kunio to find out the truth! Kunio has just 3 days to unravel the mystery, and he’ll need your help to take down all who stand in his way! Take on some familiar faces from the River City games and meet new ones in this fast-paced beat-’em-up RPG.

Harvest Moon: Lil’ Farmers (iOS, Android, Kindle)

Natsume’s European publishing partner, Rising Star Games, will be showing titles in the booth as well, including Harvest Moon: Light of Hope, Harvest Moon Lil’ Farmers (iOS, Android, Kindle), and the European version of Harvest Moon: Skytree Village.

As part of the year-long 20th anniversary celebration, Natsume has also unveiled the re-release of Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life Special Edition, Harvest Moon: Save the Homeland for the PlayStation 4, both of which will be available to play at the show.

Players can follow the latest news for all of the beloved Natsume franchises at www.natsume.com and by scooping all of the latest Natsume updates, contests, screen shots and more at www.natsume.com/facebook and www.twitter.com/natsume_inc .

Victor Vran: Overkill Edition Launch Trailer

2017/06/06

Jerry Paxton

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

Watford, U.K. — June 6, 2017 — In partnership with developer Haemimont Games, independent games publisher Wired Productions is delighted to announce the digital and retail release of Victor Vran: Overkill Edition, the definitive, content-loaded console debut of the award-winning, demon-hunting action RPG Victor Vran. Making a valiant return to Windows PC and hunting its way for the very first time onto the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, Victor Vran: Overkill Edition includes the now improved, much-beloved original game alongside the eagerly awaited Motörhead: Through the Ages andFractured Worlds content additions all wrapped into one definitive package. Distribution of the physical edition is delivered in partnership with THQ Nordic.

A brand new launch trailer highlighting the game’s new content accompanies today’s victorious announcement, which can be viewed here:

Available later in June, Motörheadbangers and avid collectors alike can also grab the game’s Motörhead Collector’s Edition – full to the brim with exclusive Motörhead goodies and enshrined in a stunning Snaggletooth embossed collector’s tin – from the official Wired Productions Store.

“We’re delighted to finally bring Victor Vran to consoles, answering the call of many Victor fans,” said Gabriel Dobrev, CEO at Haemimont Games. “We are incredibly proud to have collaborated closely with Motörhead during the development of Motörhead: Through the Ages. We hope that we have created an experience which lives up to Lemmy’s legacy.”

“Victor Vran is an incredible ARPG and we’re delighted to play our part in bringing the game to the wider audience it always deserved,” said Leo Zullo, Managing Director at Wired Productions. “A truly unique experience for the players, Victor Vran highlights the importance of strong independent studios pioneering the next generation of interactive entertainment.”

DiRT 4 Launch Trailer

2017/06/06

Jerry Paxton

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

Larkspur, Calif. – June 6, 2017 – Codemasters & Deep Silver released the launch trailer for DiRT® 4™ which releases today on PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One, the all-in-one entertainment system from Microsoft, and Windows PC via Steam. You can view the new gameplay trailer on the official DiRT YouTube channel:

DiRT 4 is bigger, better and bolder than any game in the series to date. It challenges you to ‘Be Fearless’ as you take the wheel of the world’s most iconic and powerful off-road vehicles. Featuring two different handling models, Gamer and Simulation, DiRT 4 offers both depth and accessibility for players old and new to the franchise. The game’s innovative Your Stage system allows you to produce a near infinite number of unique rally stages at the touch of a button.

In addition to a wealth of rally content with millions of stages across five locations, DiRT 4 also features rallycross as the official game of the FIA World Rallycross Championship and short-course style truck and buggy racing in Landrush. You can also visit the DiRT Academy to learn the skills you are going to need to succeed before making the area your personal playground. This makes DiRT 4 the most in-depth yet accessible game in the franchise’s history.

Keep up with all the news and follow updates from the studio on Facebook www.facebook.com/codemasters and Twitter @codemasters.

Bigben and Maximum Games Announce E3 2017 Lineup

2017/06/06

Jerry Paxton

E3, Geek News, News

Walnut Creek, Calif. – June 6, 2017 – BIGBEN, along with Maximum Games, is pleased to announce its participation in E3 2017, which will take place June 13 to 15 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The trade show, a major event in the video games industry, will showcase upcoming products and releases from Bigben and its NACON^TM brand of PC and PS4^TMperipherals.

– Join BIGBEN and NACON in the West Hall #4112 –

VIDEO GAMES

Attendees will be able to discover and play 5 titles as well as meet with representatives from the different studios that are working with Bigben to develop the games:

WRC 7 (Kylotonn Racing Games): the new rally game, more powerful than ever
TT Isle Of Man (Kylotonn Racing Games): the first simulation of the legendary motorcycle race
Outcast – Second Contact (Appeal Studio): the remake of the classic 1999 action-adventure game
Rugby 18 (Eko Software): the great return of rugby simulation to consoles and PC
Hunting Simulator (Neopica): a hunting simulation more realistic than nature

ACCESSORIES

Bigben will be presenting its latest console and Nintendo SWITCH™ accessories and upcoming peripherals from its NACON brand. After the success of the Revolution Pro Controller, available since December 2016, the NACON team has surprises in store for all gamers!

Stern Pinball Announces Star Wars 40th Anniversary Pinball Machines

2017/06/06

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL – June 6, 2017 – Stern Pinball, Inc., the world’s oldest and largest producer of arcade-quality pinball machines, proudly announced today the availability of a new line of pinball machines celebrating the Star Wars 40th Anniversary. Star Wars pinball machines will be available in Pro, Premium and Limited Edition models. The game will immerse players in the dynamic and challenging Star Wars pinball environment as they battle to restore justice to the Galaxy.

Stern’s Star Wars Pro, Premium and Limited Edition machines are packed with features that provide an irresistible game experience. The game includes select speech and footage from the original Star Wars trilogy; color-changing LED-lighted inserts; a sculpted LED-lit Millennium Falcon; and a sculpted TIE Fighter. The Limited Edition and Premium models also feature two LCD screens, an exploding Death Star interactive display, and a hyperspace ramp.

“We are excited to bring these pinball machines celebrating the Star Wars galaxy and adventures to our fans,” said Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball. “Our Star Wars Pinball machines give fans a fun, new way to enjoy the nonstop action and new game sounds, features and effects.”

In addition to the immersive theme and exciting game experience, Stern Pinball’s SPIKE-2 electronic platform enables high-definition graphics and innovative animations. The state-of-art electronic system also powers a high-fidelity 3-channel audio system that is three times more powerful than audio systems of previous generations. Star Wars Pinball entertains with an amazing array of modern and classic features, making it suitable for all skill levels.

Pricing and Availability:
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price:
MSRP for sales to USA end-users, before any VAT, GST, Sales Tax, Duties, or other taxes

Pro Model:$US 6,199
Premium Model: $US 7,899
Limited Edition Model: $US 8,999

Star Wars Pinball is available through authorized Stern Pinball distributors and dealers around the world.

Tomb of Annihilation Storyline Announced for Dungeons & Dragons

2017/06/06

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News

RENTON, Wash. – June 5, 2017 – This past weekend at the Stream of Annihilation broadcast on Twitch, Wizards of the Coast brought the D&D community together to announce Tomb of Annihilation, the new storyline for Dungeons & Dragons coming Fall 2017. Get a preview of just how deadly the adventure will be this summer on the D&D Twitch channel (www.twitch.tv/dnd). Eclectic and entertaining groups like Dice, Camera, Action; Misscliks; Maze Arcana; Girls, Guts, Glory; Yogcast’s HighRollers; and Dragon Friends, a party of Australian improv comedians, will showcase story elements from Tomb of Annihilation on weekly shows starting in July!

Tomb of Annihilation kicks off with the discovery of a curse that’s afflicting people who have been raised from the dead. Their bodies are slowly deteriorating – skin, hair, and flesh falling off their bones. Strong divinations point to the source of this curse in the jungle peninsula of Chult, a rich land filled with evil snake people, flying aarakocra and pterafolk, and the remains of a vast army of the undead. Adventurers tasked with stopping the curse must travel to settlements such as Port Nyanzaru to secure guides to lead them into the dense jungle. At the end of the journey, a horrifying villain awaits with a familiar visage. Will you survive?

Below is a list of all the Tomb of Annihilation products announced during the event. You can get more details on all of them by checking out www.twitch.tv/dnd and watching the video-on-demand interviews with the people who made them, as well as check out some of the story elements in action.

The Tomb of Annihilation tabletop RPG adventure provides tons of information on exploring the peninsula of Chult. Available for a wide release on September 19, 2017, and in game stores on September 8!
Perfect World Entertainment and Cryptic Studios are bringing Tomb of Annihilation to Neverwinter, the free-to-play MMO based on Dungeons & Dragons. Look for Neverwinter: Tomb of Annihilation to debut on PC July 25, and on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 soon after. Find out more at PlayNeverwinter.com.
Tomb of Annihilation will be available on the digital tabletops Roll20 and Fantasy Grounds in September 2017.
Fans will be able to play D&D Adventurer’s League modules created for Tomb of Annihilation at Origins Game Fair in June and at Hascon in September 8. Find out more at https://hascon.hasbro.com/.
In September 2017, Wizards of the Coast will release a Tomb of Annihilation Dice set in a specially designed metal container embossed with the classic green devil face.
Coming on July 26, 2017 from WizKids is a new Icons of the Realms set of miniatures for Tomb of Annihilation, including a stone juggernaut, pterafolk and an incentive pack featuring the green devil face.
WizKids is making a brand-new Adventure System board game for Tomb of Annihilation that’s compatible with all previous Adventure System board games, available September 2017.
WizKids will release a set for Dice Masters based on the storyline in September 2017.
This Fall, Gale Force Nine will be releasing three new unpainted figures for D&D Collector’s Series, including a stack of three Batiri goblins and a dinosaur rider.
A new Dungeon Masters Screen created especially by Gale Force Nine for Tomb of Annihilation will be available this September.
Tomb of Annihilation will be the first adventure for fifth edition D&D officially translated into multiple languages by Gale Force Nine, available later this year.

You can also look for this sourcebook coming later this year from Dungeons & Dragons:

Available everywhere November 21, 2017, Xanathar’s Guide to Everything is a tabletop RPG book expanding options for players and Dungeon Masters, including more than 20 new subclasses, dozens of spells, and more.
A limited number of a special alternate-cover edition of Xanathar’s Guide to Everything will be available in game stores on November 10, 2017, featuring a design by illustrator Hydro74 of the beholder crimelord.

To find out more information on Dungeons & Dragons, Tomb of Annihilation and all these products, head to https://www.dungeonsanddragons.com/ and explore!

The Golf Club 2 Gets E3 Preview Trailer and Career Mode Update

2017/06/06

Jerry Paxton

E3, Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

June 6, 2017 – Walnut Creek, CA – Video game publisher Maximum Games, in partnership with developer HB Studios, has today released a brand-new E3 Preview Trailer for their highly-anticipated sports game, The Golf Club 2. The next installment following the series’ highly successful first entry, The Golf Club, will swing onto shelves for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One, and Windows PC on June 27, 2017.

Today’s trailer for The Golf Club 2 spotlights two features being introduced as a direct result of fan feedback The Golf Club – a single player Career Mode as well as online Societies. Continuing their drive for a more realistic and authentic golf experience, players will now be able to climb the ranks to the upper echelons of elite golf clubs in Career Mode. Players begin their journey at small, local links and must hone their skills in these small competitions to earn their way into finer, more prestigious clubs and challenging tournaments.

Societies will form the backbone of both Career Mode and general competition in The Golf Club 2. Players can create and run their own multiplayer societies with their friends, or join existing Societies that fit their skill level and playstyle. Once created, the owner of a Society can customize their clubhouse, Society logo, and more in order to create and display their own unique identities online. While players may join up to five different Societies at once, they may only have one ‘primary’ Society that they will represent and compete for at a time. Individual players can represent their Society by hosting online tournaments, where Societies will buy in to compete for prize pools. Winning these tournaments rewards players with in-game currency that can be used to improve clubhouses and host larger, more challenging tournaments to see which Society has the skills to rise to the top.

Expanding upon the popular Course Editor feature from The Golf Club, over 150,000 user-generated courses from the inaugural title can all be imported by their original creators into The Golf Club 2. These courses can then be played immediately online, or creators can use the enhanced features and tools of the improved Course Editor to create more authentic tournament experiences by including additional details to courses, dynamic crowds of spectators and more.

Right now, players can get a head start on their career and pre-order The Golf Club 2 for $39.99. They will receive the “Day One” edition, which includes the following “Aristocrat” bonus in-game content:

Moneybags – Save time and get rich quick with an instant payout that will boost your career and give you serious purchasing power
Elite Club – Make your competitors jealous and stand out among the crowd with an exclusive 24K solid gold driver
Premier Clubhouse – Gain access to an exclusive high society clubhouse for you and your friends
Heirloom Apparel – Play in style with a throwback outfit from the golden age of golf
Elite Emblem – Add class to your Society logo with a signature badge

For additional pre-order and product information, please visit: www.thegolfclub2.com

The Golf Club 2 is currently in development from HB Studios and will be published by Maximum Games. The game will be available on PS4, Xbox One, and digitally on PC June 27, 2017. This title has been rated “E for Everyone” by the ESRB.

For more information on Maximum Games, please visit: http://www.maximumgames.com.