Author - Jerry Paxton

LucidSound Announces PAX East Presence

2017/03/07
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Nintendo Switch, PAX, Tech News

San Diego, CA, March 7 2017, – LucidSound®, innovators of premium gaming audio hardware, announced today a full roster of events planned for PAX East, a three-day gaming celebration taking place in Boston, MA from March 10 through March 12 2017.

One of the largest and most celebrated gaming events in North America, PAX East is a favourite destination for gamers worldwide, complete with the latest games from AAA publishers and indies alike, exhibit halls, concerts, panels, cosplay and so much more. Unmissable, unmistakable and usually unbelievable, PAX East is a totally unique event on the gaming calendar.

Located on the show floor in booth 12102, LucidSound will be bringing the noise to PAX East 2017, making games sound better and bringing their unique brand of gaming audio to the masses! All three headsets in the LucidSound range will be available to test and buy, including the white-hot flagship of the range, the all-new LS40 Wireless Surround Universal Gaming Headset. Strictly for show customers only, the LucidSound team will be offering incredible show specials on the range (while stocks last), making the event the ideal destination to buy the latest technology for an unbeatable price.

Designed for portable power, the LucidSound LS20 Powered Universal Gaming Headset is the ideal headset for Nintendo® Switch™. To celebrate the launch of the new home console, LucidSound will be inviting show visitors to take part in daily Switch tournaments, offering a chance to win a brand new LucidSound headset each and every day! With exclusive game T-Shirts and copies of Switch software to give away, the Switch tournament is destined to be a highlight of the LucidSound stand.

Even more headsets are available to win via the daily 4pm raffle (must be on site to win!) and as a prize for the ‘Look-for-Lucid’ game taking place live on the show floor! Every day, LucidSound will be giving away free temporary tattoos. If you’re wearing a tattoo and caught by the Lucid team on Instagram wearing a tattoo, you might just be awarded a headset for being awesome!

Those interested in entering the raffle, obtaining a free tattoo or entering the daily Switch tournament are encouraged to subscribe to the LucidSound social channels and visit the LucidSound stand as soon as doors open to participate.

For more information, visit lucidsound.com and follow LucidSound on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Philips Announces Brilliance 40 Inch Curved 4K Ultra HD LCD Display

2017/03/07
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Tech News

Fremont, California – March 7, 2017 – Today EPI announces the new BDM4037UW, a 40-inch Philips Brilliance Curved 4K Ultra HD LCD display with MultiView. This screen is the largest 4K curved computer monitor currently on the market and includes Ultra Wide-Color Technology, which delivers a wider spectrum of colors for a true-to-life picture. The sleek display features an ultra-narrow bezel to complement any modern space. Whether you are demanding a professional requiring extremely detailed images for CAD solutions, using 3D graphics applications, or working on huge spreadsheets; this monitor will make your images and graphics come alive. The Philips Brilliance BDM4037UW 40” Ultra HD Monitor is now available on Amazon for $999.99.

The BDM4037UW has a high-performance panel that delivers UltraClear, 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) resolution images. The display also uses an advanced multi-domain vertical alignment technology, which results in super-high static contrast ratios for extra vivid and bright images, with extra wide viewing angles of 178/178 degree.

The display supports 85% of the NTSC gamut to expand the range of colors that are perceived by users to produce true-to-life images. Unlike enhancements that work by modifying software settings to adjust the color balance, Ultra Wide-Color is a hardware enhancement.

MultiView enables users to have up to four inputs shown on one screen – each in Full HD. The pictures can be arranged in two different ways: 1) The Picture-by-Picture mode, which is useful in control rooms or for using multiple devices like notebooks side-by-side to make collaboration more productive, or 2) The Picture-in-Picture mode, e.g. for watching a news feed in a small window while working on the entire rest of the screen. Finally, the monitor is equipped with Philips Flicker-free Technology to prevent eye fatigue, which may be experienced by some users on LED-backlit screens.

Monitor Specifications:

  • LCD Panel Type: VA LCD
  • Aspect Ratio:  16:9
  • Curvature:  3000R
  • Optimum Resolution:  3840 x 2160 @ 60 Hz
  • Viewing Angle:  178° (H) / 178° (V) @ C/R > 10
  • Response Time: 4ms
  • Contrast Ratio (SmartContrast): 20M:1
  • Display Colors: 1.07B
  • Connectivity:  VGA, DP x 2, HDMI 1.4 (MHL), HDMI 2.0 (MHL), USB 3.0 x 4 (1 fast charging)
  • Flicker-Free, MultiView, Picture-in-Picture

Dovetail Games Announces Release of Train Sim World: CSX Heavy Haul

2017/03/07
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

CHATHAM, Kent – March 6,  2017 – Dovetail Games, the multi award-winning developer and publisher of a range of simulation games is pleased to confirm the release date for its brand new train simulation, Train Sim World®: CSX Heavy Haul, which will launch on Windows PC on March 16, 2017.

Train Sim World is built upon the foundation of Unreal Engine 4® technology, and also includes Dovetail Games’ proprietary SimuGraph® vehicle dynamics engine.  It is thereby set to deliver the most technologically advanced first-person train simulation experience on the market.  The first release in the new series, Train Sim World: CSX Heavy Haul, will feature the stunning Sand Patch Grade route, stretching 60 miles across the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania and Maryland in the USA.  The game features seven guided tutorials, which cover everything from getting started with the software to operating the locomotives.

Newcomers will be introduced to the game via an accessible user interface, which will display prompts and highlight key controls such as power, reverse, automatic brakes and horn to get players up and running quickly and easily.  Advanced users will have the choice of using fully functioning in-cab controls with no prompts, UI or highlights. These include digital displays, all braking systems and slow speed controls for coal loading.

Featuring fully customizable weather systems, and built using real-world data to accurately replicate the performance, sounds and feel of real trains, Train Sim World will offer more immersion and authenticity than has ever been seen before in a train simulation.  Players will truly feel the detail as they walk around exploring the world and interacting with the trains in first person mode. With six challenging scenarios, players will be able to take part in operations from the real world such as coal loading, switching, refueling and turning locos on a turntable.  There will also be the introduction of a brand new ‘service mode’, which features the recreation of an entire 24-hour timetable, and allows players to take control of any one of the trains in this timetable – manifest, local and short hop freight services – and activities include giving them the opportunity to experience a day in the life of a real engineer.

Featuring three distinct types of locomotive, Train Sim World: CSX Heavy Haul allows complete interactivity in the cab, so you can gain a thorough understanding of how the train works and how it feels to be sitting in the driver’s seat with the controls in your hands, bringing some of the world’s biggest and most powerful locos roaring to life.

Rob O’Farrell, SVP Development at Dovetail Games said, “We have ten years of experience and expertise in building and growing living, breathing train simulations. Our aim in the development of Train Sim World is to build on this great foundation and take Train Simulator to the next level. Starting with CSX Heavy Haul, Train Sim World will deliver an unprecedented level of quality and realism in every aspect of the game.  We will also continue to develop and grow this experience over time, adding new features and content that enables us to go on this incredible journey together with our community.”

Doug McConkey, Business Director at Dovetail Games added, “At Dovetail Games we strive to create something more than one off experiences; we create immersive digital hobbies that provide years of challenge and entertainment to our highly invested community of players.  Our existing Train Simulator series has sold over 1 million units on Steam and was one of Steam’s top 100 grossing titles in 2016 so we know that we’ve made good headway when it comes to train simulation. Train Sim World: CSX Heavy Haul is just the start of a new era of train simulation and we have so much more planned with our experienced and knowledgeable community.  If you’ve never experienced train simulation before, now is the perfect time to come aboard.”

Train Sim World: CSX Heavy Haul will be available to buy on Steam from March 16, 2017 at a price of $39.99. Train Sim World: CSX Heavy Haul is available to pre-order from today and customers who do so will receive 10% off the retail price and a further 10% off if they already own any version of Train Simulator*.

*Excluding DLC and standalone products.

For further information please visit www.trainsimworld.com

LawBreakers Studio Update #4: PAX East 2017 and Closed Beta

2017/03/07
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PAX, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

BOSTON – MARCH 6, 2017 – This weekend, attendees of PAX East will get a sneak peek of new and updated content in hands-on sessions of LawBreakers, an exhilarating new first-person shooter from legendary game designer Cliff Bleszinski and Boss Key Productions, in booth #13055 at the Boston Convention Center. The following weekend, the long-awaited Beta phase begins, featuring new content changes based on player feedback from the 2016 alpha, including the debut of multiple highly anticipated roles that offer a greater variety of play-styles, improved game balance, additional maps and much more. Players can sign up now for the chance to be invited to the first closed beta test, running on Steam next week from Thursday, March 16 – Sunday, March 19. Find out more about LawBreakers’ upcoming beta phase and beyond, in a new video from Cliff and studio communications manager Rohan Rivas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjaJpDtT2g4

This week during PAX East, anyone who plays LawBreakers will receive an official Pinny (PAX’s series of trading pins for attendees and fans to collect) featuring a new character, as well as a limited edition t-shirt with one of three PAX-exclusive designs*. In addition, Cliff and a panel of developers from Boss Key will share behind-the-scenes insights on the topic of “Action After Alpha: LawBreakers’ Road to Beta” at 9 p.m. EST, Friday, March 10 in the Bumblebee Theatre.

Players should prepare to deliver death from every angle as they compete in unprecedented gravity-defying combat in a nearly unrecognizable futuristic world. FPS fans will choose their play-style from a cast of unique “verti-killers”, each equipped with distinct movement skills, battle abilities and weapons combos, to join the fight in dynamic gravity-ravaged arenas that offer players a breathtaking vertical team-based battle royal.

Sign up now for a chance to team up and jump into the fierce, fast-paced symmetrical conflict between the Law and the Breakers during the beta, at www.lawbreakers.com.

Ghost Recon Wildlands Launch Trailer

2017/03/06
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

March 6, 2017 – In Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands, players will discover a fictional Bolivia, a few years from now, in which players must take down the Santa Blanca drug cartel by any means necessary. Behind enemy lines, they will hunt down targets and discover intel, using any of the more than 60 vehicles available including cars, motorcycles and even helicopters that they can commandeer. To topple the cartel, players will have to fight their way to El Sueño, Santa Blanca’s ruthless leader, by breaking down the Santa Blanca Cartel’s operation piece by piece as they sever alliances between the drug lords and the corrupted government. Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands will be available on current-gen consoles and PC on March 7.

For more information about Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands, please visit www.ghostrecon.com, follow us on www.twitter.com/ghostrecon or www.facebook.com/ghostrecon, and join the conversation by using #GhostRecon.

Dawn of War III Release Date and Special Edition Information

2017/03/06
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

London, March 6, 2017 – Relic Entertainment and SEGA Europe Ltd. today announced the official release date for Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III. The long-awaited third instalment of the critically acclaimed real-time strategy franchise will be released on April 27th, 2017, and is available to pre-order now at www.dawnofwar.com and selected retailers worldwide.

Dawn of War III is available in three formats: Collector’s Edition, Limited Edition, and Standard Edition. The Collector’s Edition will include a premium disc book, a lenticular art card, the official soundtrack, a replica of the Godsplitter Daemon Hammer, three mounted cloth faction banners and the Masters of War Skin Pack. The Limited Edition will include the premium disc book, the lenticular art card and the official soundtrack.

All editions pre-ordered before the game’s release will include the Masters of War Skin Pack, a collection of three cosmetic skins for Dawn of War III’s Super Walker Elites – the Dark Queen skin for Lady Solaria (Imperial Knight), the Ghost Seer skin for Farseer Taldeer (Wraithknight) and the Big Kustom skin for Beauty (Morkanaut). Players who do not pre-order will still be able to deploy the three Super Walkers in their original forms.

“We’re thrilled to tell fans know that they don’t have to wait much longer to return to battle,” said Philippe Boulle, Game Director of Dawn of War III. “The whole team can’t wait to bring back Dawn of War, bigger and better than ever. April can’t come soon enough!”

Check out the new pre-order announcement trailer highlighting the Masters of War in Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III here.

Dawn of War III immerses players in the escalating brutality of galactic warfare, where they will lead elite hero units and colossal armies to victory, or oblivion. Powerful super walkers will tower over the front lines as screen-shaking assaults blister the battlefield in an all-out, over-the-top spectacle worthy of the iconic Games Workshop® Warhammer 40,000 universe.

For future updates on Dawn of War III, visit www.dawnofwar.com and follow us on Twitter.

SteelSeries Details PAX East 2017 Presence

2017/03/06
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PAX

CHICAGO – March 6, 2017 – SteelSeries, a leader and innovator in gaming peripherals and fastest growing major PC gaming headset brand in the US*, announces its upcoming activation at PAX East.At the SteelSeries booth, attendees will have the opportunity to try SteelSeries’ products, meet various streamers, and enter The Culling tournament for a chance to win exclusive merchandise.

Arctis and Rival Demos
At Booth 11010, gamers and visitors can demo a variety of the best products SteelSeries has to offer. For the first time at PAX, attendees can experience the revolutionary comfort and performance of the Arctis headsets. Visitors will also get to test out the unmatched durability and precision of the Rival mouse line.

Additionally, attendees who purchase an Arctis 3 or Arctis 5 at the show will receive a free headband of their choice and those who purchase a Rival 700 will receive an exclusive back plate for the mouse.

Play to Win
SteelSeries has partnered with developer Xavient to offer PAX attendees hands-on time with the adrenaline-filled battle royale game, The Culling. Attendees can enter daily free-play and quick-draw tournaments for a chance to win exclusive merchandise from SteelSeries and partners, Filthy Casual and Design by Humans.

Streamer Meet n’ Greets and PAX Generated Content Campaign
The SteelSeries booth will be home base for members of the SteelSeries stream team, such as Deejay Knight, LittleSiha and more. Throughout the show, streamers will be hosting community meetups, streaming The Culling with their friends and fans.  Attendees at the booth are encouraged to share their personal gaming journey and will be immortalized on the “I Play Because” story wall and seen on the booths massive LED display, one of the largest displays at the show. More news about SteelSeries booth activities during PAX will be coming over the next week; be sure to follow @SteelSeries and @TheCullingGame on Twitter to find out more.

Square Enix Posts PAX East 2017 Lineup

2017/03/06
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PAX, PlayStation 4 News, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

LOS ANGELES (Mar. 6, 2017) – Hands-on demos, previews and panels are just a few of the exciting activities offered from SQUARE ENIX® during this year’s PAX East, taking place from March 10-12. Fans who visit the SQUARE ENIX booth #11017 will be able to get the first-ever hands-on with FINAL FANTASY® XV’s Episode Gladiolus DLC. Other demo opportunities include: FINAL FANTASY XIV,FINAL FANTASY XII THE ZODIAC AGE™, DRAGON QUEST HEROES™ II, I AM SETSUNA on Nintendo Switch™, KINGDOM HEARTS HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX, NieR: Automata™, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided® – A Criminal Past and Ride 2.

Players can also stop by the booth to take on the Warring Triad challenge for a chance to win a FINAL FANTASY XIV: Stormblood™ T-shirt. Attendees can also take part in a social media contest to win special prizes for DRAGON QUEST HEROES II, NieR: Automata and FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS® by taking photos and sharing the posts on social media.

Posters will also be given out for the following titles:

  • DRAGON QUEST HEROES II
  • FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS
  • FINAL FANTASY XII THE ZODIAC AGE
  • FINAL FANTASY 30th Anniversary commemorative artwork by legendary artist Yoshitaka Amano
  • FLAME x BLAZE™
  • GUARDIAN CODEX™
  • KINGDOM HEARTS (double-sided poster featuring KINGDOM HEARTS HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIXand KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue)
  • MOBIUS FINAL FANTASY®
  • NieR: Automata

The Square Enix Members team will be on site to host our text message sweepstakes for exclusive Members Reward items. Sweepstakes are held every day so be sure to stop by daily for your chance to win. Attendees signing up will also walk away with free giveaways throughout the entire show.

Finally, Square Enix will host a number of panels at the show giving fans an opportunity to get the latest development updates and converse with the creative minds behind the games.

FINAL FANTASY XII THE ZODIAC AGE Panel
Friday, March 10, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Albatross Room, Boston Convention Center
Join FINAL FANTASY XII THE ZODIAC AGE Director Takashi Katano and Producer Hiroaki Kato, attending from SQUARE ENIX’s Tokyo studios, as they discuss all-new details of the upcoming title before its release on July 11, 2017.

FINAL FANTASY XIV Community Q&A Panel
Saturday, March 11, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Albatross Room, Boston Convention Center
An opportunity for dedicated FINAL FANTASY XIV Online players to ask and learn about the latest topics impacting the community with Producer/Director Naoki Yoshida.

NieR: AUTOMATA x FINAL FANTASY XV Panel
Sunday, March 12, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Albatross Room, Boston Convention Center
In this joint panel, fans can join Director YOKO TARO of NieR: Automata for a discussion on the launch of the Square Enix and PlatinumGames Inc.’s action-RPG. For the second half of the panel, fans can join Producer Haruyoshi Sawatari and Global Brand Manager Raio Mitsuno for a first look at Episode Gladiolus, the game’s first character-driven episode of DLC.

The full lineup of titles from Square Enix include:

DEUS EX: MANKIND DIVIDED – A Criminal Past
Platform: PlayStation®4 system, Xbox One®, Windows PC
Developer: Eidos-Montréal (a Square Enix studio)
ESRB: M
Available: Now
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided – A Criminal Past will provide players with more insight into the lore of the Deus Ex Universe®. They will get to Experience Adam Jensen’s first mission for TF29, set before the events of Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, where he poses as a convicted criminal. In Deus Ex: Mankind Divided – A Criminal Past, Jensen is transferred deep into a hostile, high-security prison for augmented felons. His mission: track down and retrieve sensitive information from a fellow undercover agent who has gone dark. Success will help the fight against terror around the world, but Jensen will need to confront a darker side to his role before the day is done.

DRAGON QUEST HEROES II
Platform: PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and STEAM®
Developer: Omega Force from Koei Tecmo Games
ESRB: T for Teen
Available: April 25, 2017
DRAGON QUEST HEROES II is a fast-paced, field-roaming action RPG that sends players on a new adventure to restore order in a once peaceful world filled with hordes of monsters and battles of epic proportions. With the addition of multiplayer mode, up to four players can partner up online to conquer swarms of enemies and defeat gigantic monsters. Join two brand-new heroes, Lazarel and Teresa, each with their own unique moves and abilities, as they team up with a host of familiar faces from the DRAGON QUEST® series to defeat an unknown threat looming over the Seven Realms.

FLAME x BLAZE
Platform: iOS, Android
Developer: Square Enix
Available: 2017
FLAME x BLAZE is an original and competitive MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena game) for mobile devices that allows players to engage in fast-paced and exciting single or multiplayer matches on the go. Players take on the role of an “Agent” and can team up with up to two friends in 3-on-3 battles while commanding monsters, leveling up and working with allies to destroy the enemy’s Reactor. The title is produced by Hironori Okayama (KINGDOM HEARTS Unchained χ) and directed by Yuji Abe (FINAL FANTASY XIII series), with character designs by Gen Kobayashi (THE WORLD ENDS WITH YOU®).

FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS
Platform: iOS, Android
Developer: gumi Inc.
Available: Now
FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS is a new turn-based FINAL FANTASY adventure made for mobile devices and aimed at a worldwide audience. The game uses classic battle systems with a simplified mobile interface and a throwback pixel art style fused with rich 3D graphics. Adventurers will begin their quest for a highly-coveted crystal, shortly meeting two knights from Grandshelt, and a young girl. Well-known FINAL FANTASY characters also appear in the game, which has over 20 million downloads globally. Fans will be able to receive a poster on the show floor, and those who download the game or share posts on social media will receive an exclusive T-shirt.

FINAL FANTASY XII THE ZODIAC AGE
Platform: PlayStation®4 system
Developer: Square Enix
ESRB: T for Teen
Available: July 11, 2017
FINAL FANTASY XII THE ZODIAC AGE improves upon the classic FINAL FANTASY XII, now more beautiful and easier to play than ever. The game introduces several modern advancements, including reconstructed battle design and a revamped job system. For the first time, fans outside of Japan will be able to experience the Zodiac Job System, first introduced in the Japan-only FINAL FANTASY XII: International Zodiac Job System. With stark visual and sound improvements, players both returning and new to the game will experience a grand adventure through the world of Ivalice in an entirely new and improved way.

FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward™
Platform: PlayStation®4 system, Windows PC, MAC
Developer: Square Enix
ESRB: T for Teen
Available: Now
FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward expands the critically acclaimed MMO FINAL FANTASY XIV with a storyline surrounding the city of Ishgard and the Dragonsong War, featuring a new playable race, new jobs and more. Additionally, with the Heavensward patch series heading towards its conclusion, players are preparing for the upcoming Stormblood expansion pack set for release on June 20, 2017. Fans who visit the booth and challenge the Warring Triad roulette can win an exclusive FINAL FANTASY XIV: Stormblood T-shirt.

FINAL FANTASY XV: Episode Gladiolus
Platform: Xbox One®, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®4 system
Developer: Square Enix
ESRB: T for Teen
Available: March 28, 2017
FINAL FANTASY XV: Episode Gladiolus is the first character-driven episode of DLC for FINAL FANTASY XV, the latest installment in the landmark FINAL FANTASY franchise. Players will experience brand-new gameplay, content, environments, enemies and more as they follow Noctis’s comrade, Gladiolus, on a journey away from his brothers in arms. Gilgamesh, one of the franchise’s fan-favorite characters, will also be making an appearance in the episode.

I AM SETSUNA
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Developer: Tokyo RPG Factory™
ESRB: E10+
Available: March 3, 2017
I AM SETSUNA, originally launched for PlayStation®4 and STEAM®, is coming to the Nintendo Switch, allowing players to experience the game on-the-go in handheld mode for the first time. The first in a completely new RPG series developed by Square Enix studio Tokyo RPG Factory, I AM SETSUNAfeatures a battle system inspired by the classic hit CHRONO TRIGGER®, authentic JRPG gameplay, beautiful art design and an unforgettable story. This evocative title tells the sorrowful story of a young woman of incredible inner strength, and the sacrifice she must undertake to save the people of her land.

KINGDOM HEARTS HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX
Platform: PlayStation®4 system
Developer: Square Enix
ESRB: E10+
Available: March 28, 2017
KINGDOM HEARTS HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX is an HD remastered collection of six expansive and belovedKINGDOM HEARTS adventures all on one disc. The compilation features four games and two remastered cinematics, including KINGDOM HEARTS Final Mix, KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Chain of Memories, KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 Days, KINGDOM HEARTS II Final Mix, KINGDOM HEARTS Birth by Sleep Final Mix and KINGDOM HEARTS Re:coded. Fans will be able to remember and relive theKINGDOM HEARTS journey from KINGDOM HEARTS Dark Seeker Saga leading up to the upcoming release of KINGDOM HEARTS III.

KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue
Platform: PlayStation®4 system
Developer: Square Enix
ESRB: E10+
Available: Now
KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue is a compilation that brings the popular KINGDOM HEARTS Dream Drop Distance to the PlayStation®4 system platform, remastered in high definition. This newly improved title features brand new content with KINGDOM HEARTS 0.2 Birth by Sleep – A fragmentary passage –, a playable episode that is played from the perspective of Aqua taking place after the storyline of KINGDOM HEARTS Birth by Sleep and links to the upcoming KINGDOM HEARTS III. The title also includes KINGDOM HEARTS χ [chi] Back Cover, a new HD movie that tells the mysterious story of the Foretellers and connects to the earliest parts of the series’ history.

KINGDOM HEARTS Unchained χ
Platform: Android, iOS
Developer: Square Enix
ESRB: E10+
Available: Now
In KINGDOM HEARTS Unchained χ, players are armed with Keyblades and traverse iconic Disney worlds to battle armies of Heartless. Along the way, players can collect, fuse and evolve hundreds of Medals that contain the power of Disney and Square Enix heroes and villains to customize the attack style of their Keyblades, partner with other players in guilds to take down Heartless bosses and more.

NieR®: Automata
Platform: PlayStation®4 system, STEAM®
Developer: PlatinumGames Inc.
ESRB: M
Available: March 7 for PlayStation®4 system, March 17 for STEAM®
NieR: AUTOMATA is a third-person action role-playing game (RPG) and follow-up to the 2010 cult hitNieR®. Offering a fresh blend of action and RPG gameplay styles set in a time when humans have been driven into a war between androids and machines, NieR: AUTOMATA is currently being developed in collaboration with PlatinumGames Inc. The game’s all-star development team consists of producer Yosuke Saito (DRAGON QUEST X/NIER), director YOKO TARO (Drakengard®/NIER), character designer Akihiko Yoshida from CyDesignation, Inc. (FINAL FANTASY XIV / BRAVELY DEFAULT®), game designer Takahisa Taura from PlatinumGames Inc. (Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance), and composer Keiichi Okabe from MONACA, Inc. (TEKKEN/ Drakengard / NIER).

RIDE 2
Platform: PlayStation®4 system, Xbox One®, Windows PC
Developer: Milestone
ESRB: E
Available: Now
The second edition of Milestone’s innovative racing game is focused on the relationship between rider and motorcycle, bringing the connection between man and machine even closer with career mode and other new features. Players can race the motorcycle of their dreams, thanks to unprecedented customization options for both rider and bike – and create the ultimate ride down to the finest detail. RIDE 2 offers more than 220 motorcycles from the most respected manufacturers, and new bike categories with the introduction of the Two Strokes, Supermotards and Café Racers added on top of the current list of bike types available, including the Nakeds, Supersports and many more.

There is no Season Pass on PlayStation®4, as all of the content is included in the initial release.

Roots of Insanity Release Date Trailer

2017/03/03
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Halloween, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

March 3, 2017 — It’s just another late shift at August Valentine for Dr. Riley McClein, that is, until the night takes a turn for the worse when reality begins twisting into horror and chaos. Determine what is real and what isn’t as Dr. McClein, as you try to rescue your patients and uncover what is happening in this new eerie version of your hospital. Reality hasn’t left you entirely behind though; while you attempt to survive the night, Dr. McClein must also deal with the epileptic attacks that have plagued him his whole life. Can you hold onto reality in Roots of Insanity?

Roots of Insanity will be available on Steam for $9.99 USD April 3rd, 2017!

Nintendo Switch Celebrates Official Launch

2017/03/03
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Nintendo Switch

REDMOND, Wash., March 3, 2017 – Today’s launch of the Nintendo Switch video game system means that console-quality gaming is no longer tethered exclusively to the living room TV. Nintendo Switch lets people play their favorite games anytime, anywhere and with anyone. The system launches today at a suggested retail price of $299.99. It comes in two color options: a version with a set of gray Joy-Con controllers, and a version with one neon blue and one neon red Joy-Con controller.

“Nintendo Switch makes it easy for anyone to enjoy their games in the living room and then quickly take them on the go,” said Nintendo of America President and COO Reggie Fils-Aime. “This versatile system allows people to play in unexpected places. It’s the kind of twist in gaming that Nintendo is known for.”

Nintendo Switch comes with the main console, Joy-Con (L) and Joy-Con (R) controllers, a Joy-Con grip (to which two Joy-Con are attached and used as one controller), a set of Joy-Con straps, a Nintendo Switch dock (which holds the main console and connects it to a TV), an HDMI cable and an AC adapter.

Nintendo Switch connects to a TV at home and can instantly transform into an on-the-go handheld using its 6.2-inch high-definition screen. The screen includes capacitive multi-touch capabilities for compatible games. The left Joy-Con has a Capture Button that players can press to take instant screen shots of gameplay to share with friends on their social media pages. The right Joy-Con includes an NFC touchpoint for interaction with amiibo figures, as well as an IR Motion Camera that can approximate the distance, shape and motion of nearby objects in specially designed games. Both Joy-Con include motion controls and an advanced HD Rumble feature. The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, sold separately at a suggested retail price of $69.99, includes all the same features (minus the IR Motion Camera) and comes in a more traditional form factor.

Today also marks the launch of the first epic Nintendo Switch game, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which breaks new boundaries while honoring the origins of the acclaimed series. The game is available for both Nintendo Switch and Wii U* at a suggested retail price of $59.99. New compatible amiibo launching today for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild include Link (Rider), Link (Archer), Zelda and a Bokoblin amiibo at a suggested retail price of $15.99 each. A massive new Guardian amiibo is also available at a suggested retail price of $19.99.

Also launching today is the face-to-face party game 1-2-Switch. From Wild West gunslinging to safecracking to competitive cow milking, the 28 games in 1-2-Switch make creative use of a broad variety of Nintendo Switch features, such as motion controls and HD Rumble. In a video game twist, the game asks players to stare at one another instead of at the TV, creating a fun atmosphere that will liven up any party. Third-party games such as Skylanders Imaginators from Activision Publishing Inc., Just Dance 2017 from Ubisoft and Super Bomberman R from Konami Digital Entertainment round out a launch-day lineup that has something for everyone.

But today is just the start. A steady supply of games will arrive for Nintendo Switch throughout the rest of the year. Other first-party Nintendo Switch games on the horizon include Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (April 28), ARMS (spring), Splatoon 2 (summer), Fire Emblem Warriors (fall), Super Mario Odyssey (the 2017 holiday season) and Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (2017).

Nintendo eShop, Nintendo’s online storefront for downloadable games, is ready to go on Nintendo Switch. The shop is the destination for people who prefer the ease of downloading their games. Both The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and 1-2-Switch are available for purchase and download today. Additionally, for $19.99, people can purchase the Snipperclips – Cut it out, together! game, which is exclusive to Nintendo eShop. In this game, two players cut paper characters into new shapes to solve dynamic puzzles in a wonderfully creative and imaginative world. It is even possible for four players to solve puzzles as a team or compete against each other in various activities. Snipperclips – Cut it out, together! exemplifies the fun and ease of playing anywhere with anyone on Nintendo Switch.

Nintendo eShop also provides access to a constantly updated library of great games from independent developers and publishers. Some of the digital games available for purchase today from third-party partners include FAST RMX from Shin’en Multimedia, which is console-exclusive to Nintendo Switch, I Am Setsuna from SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD., and both Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove and Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment from Yacht Club Games, which are timed exclusives. More than 60 quality indie games are confirmed for this year, including Blaster Master Zero from INTI CREATES CO., LTD., Pocket Rumble from Chucklefish Games, Yooka-Laylee from Team 17, SteamWorld Dig 2 from Image & Form Games and Runner3 from Choice Provisions.

Nintendo Switch is supported by world-class third-party publishers, including Activision Publishing Inc., Electronic Arts, Take-Two Interactive, Ubisoft, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and major Japanese publishers. Some publishers, such as Bethesda Softworks, are joining Nintendo for the first time. Players can look forward to major franchises on Nintendo Switch such as EA SPORTS FIFA, The Elder Scrolls, NBA 2K, Minecraft, Street Fighter and Sonic the Hedgehog.

Nintendo Switch features parental controls that let adults manage content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/switch.