Author - Jerry Paxton

Ghost Recon Wildlands Nvidia PC Trailer

March 3, 2017 – Take a look at some of the PC features coming to Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands on March 7. All content in this trailer was captured by Geforce GTX from Nvidia.

Fans looking to get a closer look at Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands and the Santa Blanca Cartel can watch Ubisoft’s live-action promotional content, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon® Wildlands: War Within the Cartel, available now on demand via Amazon Prime Video. War Within the Cartel takes viewers inside the inner workings of the Santa Blanca drug cartel, controlled by the revered yet ruthless leader, El Sueño. In the aftermath of an attack on their compound, the organization’s senior leadership (Head of Security – El Muro, Head of Production – El Yayo, Head of Trafficking – Nidia Flores and Head of Influence – El Cardenal) seeks out a traitor within their midst to exact deadly retribution. The action-packed story culminates in the events leading up to the beginning of the game as an elite Special Forces unit, the Ghosts, is called in to dismantle the cartel.

Set in the largest action-adventure open world ever created by Ubisoft, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands takes place in Bolivia a few years from now, as the country has been turned by the vicious Santa Blanca drug cartel into a narco-state. Players are tasked with eliminating the cartel by any means necessary. The massive and responsive open world encourages a variety of playstyles, allowing players the freedom to choose how they execute any and all missions. Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands will be available on March 7 for PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One and PC.

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

To learn more about other Ubisoft games, please visit ubiblog.com.

Styx: Shards of Darkness – Coop Announcement Trailer

March 3, 2017 – Styx: Shards of Darkness, Cyanide Studio’s new stealth game, arrives March 14 to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. Today’s new trailer showcases how you and a friend can sneak your way through the game together, jumping, climbing, hiding, joking, and killing together thanks to the game’s drop-in/drop-out co-op mode.

At any time during your adventure, you are able to invite a friend to join your current session to sneak around with you for an alternative stealth experience. Co-op mode opens up many more opportunities for clearing a level and reaching the objectives, but also doubles the risk of being spotted. Assassination partners must coordinate carefully in order to succeed!

Work together to create elaborate distractions, unleash dastardly synchronized assassinations, and run circles around larger enemies―every level and mission is playable in co-op and will open a new array of gameplay possibilities.

Styx: Shards of Darkness arrives March 14, 2017 to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. Preorder the game now at participating retailers and receive bonus DLC.

Official Battlefield 1 They Shall Not Pass Trailer

March 2, 2017 – Today, DICE released the Official Battlefield 1 They Shall Not Pass Trailer, where the fearless French army joins the fight in a brutal defense of their homeland. They Shall Not Pass will be available to Premium Pass members starting on March 14th, for two-weeks early access to four new maps on the western front, two new operations, an all-new game mode Frontlines, new weapons, an epic new steel behemoth and more. Battlefield 1 They Shall Not Pass is the first of Battlefield 1’s expansion packs included in Premium Pass, followed by Battlefield 1 In the Name of the Tsar, Battlefield 1 Turning Tides and Battlefield 1 Apocalypse.

Check out the Battlefield 1 They Shall Not Pass Trailer and learn more about the expansion here. For more information about Premium Pass and future Battlefield 1 expansions click here.

Milestone Announces GRAVEL Off-Road Racing Game

March 1, 2017, Milan – Milestone, one of the leading and longest established racing game developer in the world, is proud to announce its new IP dedicated to the 4-wheeled off-road world: GRAVEL. The game will be available on PlayStation®4, PlayStation®4 Pro, the Xbox One all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, and Windows PC next summer.

CONCEPT:
“Gravel is only racing title on the market to pack a holistic off-road experience into a single game.. It celebrates off-road racing by taking players to exotic locations around the world with some of the most exciting vehicles ever created. Thanks to the Unreal Engine 4, Milestone can finally unleash its creativity by tackling the arcade-genre with the most ambitious off-road racing game ever created. Bearing in mind the concepts of fun, competition, speed and adrenaline, we had the chance to think big by putting the best elements into the same game that we could create: photorealistic graphics, a dynamic time of day and weather system, accessible physics that can be enjoyed by everybody, breath-taking locations where players can race at full speed rushing through forests, snowy mountains, dunes and deserts. We love the way Gravel is shaping up and we believe that the players will be amazed by how funny and fresh this game will be”, says Irvin Zonca, Head of Game Design Milestone.

DISCIPLINES:
There are four disciplines included in the new Milestone IP which promise to take the player into an adrenaline-fueled combination of petrol and dirt:

  • Wild Rush, combative races in wild locations
  • Cross Country, with open maps to explore or to conquer until the last checkpoint
  • Speed Cross, real tracks and races without holding anything back
  • Stadium Circuit, with arenas and spectacular jumps

Many other on and off-line game modes will form an integral part of GRAVEL and will be announced in the coming weeks.

THE TV SHOW:
The game will revolve around the GRAVEL CHANNEL, which presents the OFFROAD MASTERS format, an annual television program that will accompany the player on their way to fame and glory. Through challenges and events that are dedicated to every one of the in-game disciplines, the skilled driver must reach the FINAL LEAGUE and challenge the champion from the previous edition, attempting to be crowned as the new OFFROAD MASTER. The route will be strewn with increasingly difficult challenges, but also with discipline specialists, real MASTERS, who will put even the most experienced players to the test.

UNREAL ENGINE:
GRAVEL is the first Milestone game created with Unreal® Engine 4 by Epic Games, Inc.. This engine ensures incredible visual quality, with realistic, impressive lighting and particle effects. Furthermore, thanks to its technical features, we can approach new game modes, including, for example, the management of open spaces and completely redesigned physics.

Official links:
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/GravelVideogame
Youtube: www.Youtube.com/GravelVideogame
Instagram: www.Instagram.com/GravelVideogame
Website: Gravelvideogame.com

Climax Studios Announces Lola the Giant for Google Daydream

PORTSMOUTH, UK – 1st March 2017 – Today, Climax Studios announces its new adventure title, Lola and the Giant currently in development for Daydream, Google’s platform for high quality, mobile VR. Lola and the Giant is a third and first person VR adventure game where you experience the game’s epic journey as both a little girl with a mysterious power and as a powerful and massive stoney giant.

Lola and the Giant is the story of a little girl who awakens in a strange and mysterious world. There she meets a lonely Giant and together they travel across a variety of creative and fun worlds all in a search for the way home. Switching between their unique perspectives and using their individual abilities, you will solve puzzles, encounter strange and unique creatures, and experience a light hearted, fun filled romp through a visually stunning world, all in incredibly immersive VR.

Lola and the Giant is inspired by lead designer, Matt Duff, recently becoming a father. ‘Lola and the Giant came to me a few months into me becoming a parent for the first time. I began to wonder how differently my daughter Eleanor saw the world compared to me. How we both occupied the same place but because of our vast differences in size, our perspectives of that world were completely different. One of the most immersive aspects of VR is a sense of place and so it became the perfect fit to tell this fairytale story of a little girl and her huge Giant, working together, trying to find a way back home.

The game also includes a companion app allowing another player to assist the VR player on their magical journey. ‘We wanted to create a VR game that could be experienced by everyone not just the user in the headset. We feel this is an important step to ensure the growth of the market,’ added Matt.

Lola and the Giant is Climax Studios 4th title for Daydream and 10th VR title in total – other titles include Balloon Chair Death Match, Gun Sight, Hunters Gate and Bandit Six.

Lola and the Giant will release later this year exclusively for Daydream. Date and price point will be announced soon.

For more information on Lola and the Giant, visit www.climaxstudios.com

SteelSeries Announces Compatibility Between Arctis 3 Headset and Nintendo Switch

CHICAGO – March 1, 2017 – SteelSeries, the fastest growing major PC gaming headset brand in the US*, announces compatibility between the Arctis 3 gaming headset and the highly-anticipated gaming console, the Nintendo SwitchTM. Using the Switch’s headphone jack, the Arctis 3 headset brings the same high-quality audio performance gamers have come to expect from the Arctis line with a style anyone would be comfortable wearing while playing on-the-go.

“Arctis 3 is the best headset for everywhere you game, which makes it perfectly suited for the Nintendo Switch” said Ehtisham Rabbani, SteelSeries CEO. “We designed Arctis 3 with the industry’s best audio drivers, our exclusive athletics-inspired ski goggle suspension headband and AirWeave ear cushions, for performance and comfort at an accessible price for gaming on all-platforms.”

With the Arctis 3, SteelSeries shattered preconceived notions of what a gaming headset should sound, feel and look like. Arctis represents design-forward thinking and the best audio choice for all-platform gaming.  In addition to compatibility with the Nintendo Switch, the analog wired headset is fully compatible with PC, Mac, Xbox, PlayStation, VR and mobile devices.

The Arctis 3 gaming headset is now available at Best Buy, Amazon and SteelSeries.com for $79.99. For more details about the Arctis or SteelSeries’ entire selection of gaming peripherals, visit http://steelseri.es/arctis.

Celebrate Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s 20th with New Merchandise from FOX Consumer Products

Los Angeles, CA (March 1, 2017) – The genre-busting cult classic from Joss Whedon, Buffy the Vampire Slayer turns 20 years old on March 10, 2017!  To celebrate Buffy Summers, the Scoobies and all the monsters that go bump in the night, 20th Century Fox Consumer Products announces exciting product launches – from board games to new books to fashion accessories to apparel — and multiple fan-focused activities including a “Sunnydale High Yearbook Contest” offering a trip to 2017 San Diego Comic Con.

Plus, on the anniversary, fans can tune-in to relive the two-part premiere episode on Pop (to find your channel go to Poptv.com) on March 10th at 9 AM ET/PT.

New Buffy Merchandise

Fox Consumer Products announces a wide-range of key licensing partners including Dark Horse, Simon & Schuster, Insight Editions, Hot Topic, Harper Design, AC/DC Apparel, Jasco, Upper Deck, Ripple Junction, and more to showcase everything from unique Buffy apparel and accessories to board games to brand new books and comics.

In addition, BoxLunch, a pop culture gift and novelty gift store with a cause, has partnered with 20th Century Fox Consumer Products to mark next week’s 20th Anniversary of Buffy the Vampire Slayer with an exclusive promotion across all their U.S. retail locations and online website. While simultaneously helping to provide meals to those in need, BoxLunch celebrates the beloved series with an assortment of products that include never-before-seen themed apparel, accessories, jewelry, and books. The merchandise will hit shelves and BoxLunch.com on March 10, 2017 and to fulfill their charitable mission, for every $10 spent in-store or online, BoxLunch helps to provide a meal to a person in need via their philanthropic partner Feeding America.

Online Initiatives to Celebrate Anniversary

On March 10th the Sunnydale High Yearbook Contest launches across the United States. With a prize of a trip to San Diego Comic Con fans will be rewarded for uploading their high school class photos — and providing their best Buffy caption in the form of a “senior quote”. Participants will be able to share their submissions across their Facebook and Twitter feeds. Contest details and rules will be found on BoxLunch.com

Additionally, the best-selling recent release, Buffy the Vampire Slayer Adult Coloring Book, is the inspiration for “drawing in” fans eager to wish ‘Team Buffy’ a Happy Anniversary. On Friday, a selection of complimentary designs from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Adult Coloring Book will be unveiled on the BoxLunch & official Buffy Facebook pages, allowing Buffy enthusiasts to color and submit personal anniversary messages. Using the hashtag #BuffySlays20 fans are encouraged to share their designs and messages across social media, sending it to those responsible for the beloved series:

 

“Decades after its television debut, Buffy the Vampire Slayer continues to stake its ground in pop culture,” said Jim Fielding, President of Consumer Products and Innovation at 20th Century Fox Consumer Products. “As one of the studio’s most memorable programs, we are thrilled to celebrate the show’s 20th anniversary alongside the devoted Buffy fan community.”

Releasing throughout the anniversary year, Fox Consumer Products reveals a wide-range of licensing partners. Highlights below and selection of downloadable images here.

  • From Jasco, the Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Board Game where players must help Buffy The Vampire Slayer protect Sunnydale from the forces of evil in this fully cooperative board game. (Available Now)
  • Hot Topic, the retail destination for music and pop culture-inspired clothes and accessories, plus fashion apparel for girls and guys, is celebrating 20 years of slaying with AC/DC Apparel.  Together they are unveiling a unique fashion collection available exclusively on Hottopic.com this summer.  The collection will celebrate the style of beloved Buffy characters, including Willow’s iconic 90s sweater, and a long trench coat inspired by Buffy Summers herself, as well as tops featuring iconic lines from the series.
  • The team of imaginative pop culture fanatics at Ripple Junction have locked themselves in the library and studied up on the last 20 years of fandom celebrating Buffy.  Ripple Junction has developed a full line of tees for young men and women available at major retail outlets, as well as ripplejunction.com and Amazon.com (Available Now).
  • Longtime publishing partners, Dark Horse and Simon & Schuster plan new books and comics that will release during the anniversary year, with highlights that include:

o   Buffy the Vampire Slayer Adult Coloring Book (Dark Horse/Available Now) – your favorite characters and moments from the Buffy television series are all represented in this engrossing adult coloring book.

o   Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 11  & Angel Season 11 Comic Series (Dark Horse /Available Now)

o   Buffy: The High School Years – Parental Parasites (Dark Horse/June 2017)

o   Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Omnibus Season 8 Vol 1 (Dark Horse/September 2017)

o   Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Big Bads & Monsters Adult Coloring Book (Available for Pre-Order/Releasing Fall 2017)

o   Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Watcher’s Guide 20th Anniversary Edition (S&S/October 2017) Just in time for the show’s twentieth anniversary, the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Watcher’s Guides have been compiled into one hardcover collector’s edition for the first time! Inside, you’ll find all the best content from Volumes 1–3 of the original Watcher’s Guides, as well as exclusive new content, including never-before-seen interviews with the cast and crew.

  • Insight Editionsand Harper Design will release several books and novelty items in celebration of the anniversary, including:

o   Buffy the Vampire Slayer Encyclopedia: The Ultimate Guide to the Buffyverse (Harper Design/September 2017) is a lavishly produced and written book by Buffy experts and is the authoritative source for fans, allowing them to indulge in the intricacies and nuances of the series as never before.  This authorized companion is a must-have for all Buffy enthusiasts as this full-color A-to-Z encyclopedia catalogs, explains, and cross-reference every detail of the Buffyverse, from characters, locations, and weapons to episodes, demons, and recurring gags.

o   Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Official Grimoire (Insight Editions/October 2017) is the first and only truly comprehensive collection of every magical moment from all seven seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, humorously narrated by beloved resident witch Willow Rosenberg. Completely illustrated and annotated by the rest of the gang, this book of spells is a unique keepsake for fans of the Buffy-verse and an incredible celebration of the show’s 20-year legacy.

o   Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Definitive Visual Handbook (Insight Editions/October 2017) is a one-of-a-kind infographic guide to all things Buffy, blending striking illustrations with a bounty of facts and stats that shed light on just about every aspect of the show. Full of fun insights and surprising details about the lore, characters, quips, and most legendary episodes, battles, and villains, this refreshing take on the Buffy-verse will delight fans old and new.

o   Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Vampyr Stationery Set (Insight Editions/August 2017) includes a 192-page blank pocket journal, 20 blank notecards featuring iconic Buffy quotes, envelopes, and 20 Hellmouth sticker seals. Enclosed in a keepsake box designed to look like it came from Giles’ library, this special stationery set allows fans to share the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer with their fellow Scoobies.

o   Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Vampyr Hardcover Ruled Journal (Insight Editions/August 2017) includes a section of text adapted from the original Slayer Handbook before giving way to blank ruled pages. Atmospheric, engrossing, and designed with a dynamic in-universe aesthetic, this blank ruled journal invites readers to add their own story to the legacy of the Slayer.

o   Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Sunnydale High Hardcover Ruled Journal (Insight Editions/August 2017) is a finely crafted writing journal that includes a ribbon bookmark, elastic closure, inside back pocket for storage, and beautiful leatherette cover featuring the iconic emblem of Sunnydale High.

  • From Upper Deck, Legendary: A Buffy the Vampire Slayer Deck Building Game for 1-5 players.  Slayers must work together to recruit powerful heroes, build their decks and take down the Big Bad once and for all.  (Available August 2017)
  • At the core of SG@NYC there’s isn’t a Hellmouth. There is a dedicated team of people who truly believe fashion is about design; but not just design you have to add the team, the suppliers, the designers and of course the fans!  SG@NYC is creating a jewelry and accessory line for the celebration of the 20 years Buffy Summers has been slaying! (Available Soon)
  • Surreal Entertainment has answered the Calling to provide only the most iconic and unique Buffy must haves, essential for any true Slayer. With a full line of drinkware, desktop accessories, fleece blankets, and much more, any nearby force of darkness would be a fool to cross your path…except to compliment you on your cool gear! Check out your local retailers and get prepared…for battle orcomplete Buffy fandom! (May 2017)

NieR: Automata 27 Minutes of Gameplay

LOS ANGELES (Mar. 1, 2017) – To help players get ready for the upcoming release of NieR: Automata, SQUARE ENIX® released a new video that showcases various role playing game (RPG) elements. Titled “Exploring Earth’s Distant Future – 30 Minutes of Uninterrupted Gameplay,” the video highlights several gameplay systems, skills and features that provide depth to the game’s fast-paced action.

Showcased elements include:

  • “Reliquary” System – Players can return to where their characters were defeated to gain additional buffs, or even gain an ally to assist in their battle against the fearsome machines.
  • 17 Different Pod Skills – Using “Pods,” your mini-robot companions, players can not only temporarily hover or be thrown distances to access additional areas, but each Pod can be programmed with a variety of offensive and defense skills, including lasers, hammers, and more. By using up to three Pods at the same time, players can also charge their skills to make them up to three times stronger.
  • “Plug-in-Chip” System – By installing chips into your android body, players can increase damage and add skills to help survive against enemies.
  • Riding System – Players can ride boars and other wildlife for quicker travel, while also using them to attack.
  • Quest Hub – As players immerse themselves in the desolate world, they can take on a variety of sub-quests from multiple Quest Hubs scattered throughout.
  • Fishing Minigame Players can catch a variety of fish through this mini-game to sell or gain temporary beneficial status effect.

The new extended video is available on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/nsvI8ND4D98.*

NieR: Automata, developed by SQUARE ENIX and PlatinumGames Inc., will release in North America on March 7 for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and for Steam® in 2017. Players can download a free demo for the PlayStation®4 system from the PlayStation®Store at: http://bit.ly/NieRDemo.

Paradox and Eugen Team Up for Steel Division: Normandy 44

STOCKHOLM – March 1st, 2017 — Paradox Interactive, a publisher on the front line of gaming, today announced that it has partnered with Eugen Systems, a renowned developer of games such as the Wargame-series and R.U.S.E., to release Steel Division: Normandy 44, a new tactical real-time strategy game for Windows PCs.

Steel Division: Normandy 44 is a game that puts players in command of historically accurate tanks, troops, and vehicles at the height of World War II, and will feature a single-player campaign alongside online multiplayer modes, up to and including 10-versus-10 battles. The game will be available later this year.

Steel Division: Normandy 44 features thorough attention to historical detail, from the carefully rendered tanks to the in-game maps – based on actual aerial reconnaissance photos of Normandy in 1944. The game runs on the latest version Eugen’s IRISZOOM engine, allowing players to zoom from an aerial, battle-wide perspective all the way down to a single unit, and keep track of the dynamic front line as they plan and execute maneuvers, ambushes, and more. From creating a battlegroup of historically accurate infantry, tanks, and vehicles, to troop positioning and real-time engagement with the enemy, players will need to be clever and cunning in order to win; raw firepower alone will not be enough.

“Few developers appreciate strategy and history as much as Eugen Systems, and that’s what makes this partnership so ideal,” said Fredrik Wester, CEO of Paradox Interactive. “The level of detail they’ve included in Steel Division is impressive, and I know it will meet the high standards that Paradox fans have when it comes to their historical games.”

Steel Division: Normandy 44 will feature: 

  • Command Over 400 Historically Accurate Units: Whether fighting for control in intense multiplayer battles with up to 10-vs-10 players going head-to-head, playing alone or working with friends in ranked matches, players will need to coordinate their selection of historically accurate infantry, tanks, aircraft, and support vehicles to counter enemy units in this Tactical RTS game.
  • Real-world Tactics: Battles rage over three distinct phases, where different units unlock over time, mimicking the movements of real-world armies and adding variety to the ever-changing theatre of war. A dynamic front line illustrates the ebb and flow of the conflict.  Pin down your opponent’s infantry to gain the advantage and force a retreat, or push through with a perfectly executed plan.
  • Real-world Setting: Using the latest version of Eugen’s IRISZOOM engine, players can smoothly zoom from a tactical aerial view all the way down to a single unit, and see 400 different real-world vehicles and units designed with careful historical detail and accuracy. Maps are designed based on actual aerial reconnaissance photos of Normandy in 1944, requiring real-world tactics and strategies to cover and control.
  • Outplan, Outsmart, Outgun: From battlegroup customization to troop positioning and maneuvering, winning battles requires cunning and strategy, not just raw firepower. Each unit lost presents a growing tactical disadvantage, and players will need to fight to gain — and keep — the upper hand.

For more information on Steel Division: Normandy 44, visit steeldivisiongame.com.

Warhammer 40k: Dawn of War III Environment Showcase Trailer

March 1, 2017 – As we gear up towards the release of Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III, SEGA Europe Ltd. and Relic Entertainment invite you to experience a few of the mysterious locations that players will visit in the highly anticipated third installment of the RTS franchise.

Over the course of development, the Dawn of War team has focused on creating massive landscapes – not just to accommodate the huge scale of battle, but to elevate gameplay with destructible features, strategic depth, and nods to the rich 40K universe.

In this Environment Showcase trailer, Art Director Matt Kuzminski and Lead Environment Artist Tristan Brett speak to the inspiration and design process behind these spectacular, deadly worlds that will form the foundation of Dawn of War III, and act as a canvas for a new era of endless war.

These environments include:

  • Cyprus Ultima: Filled with details and history, Cyprus Ultima has a medieval style that expresses the war-ravaged way of life for people in the 41st millennium
  • Cage World: A true alien environment, Cage World’s ever-evolving landscape means the ground can literally shift beneath your feet, so you can never be sure where the battle will take you
  • Starfort: With massive structures towering over each battlefield, the scale of the weaponry on display in this gothic battle station is the ultimate in Imperium technology
  • Acheron: From first glance, where waves of lava clash against mountains of snow and ice, it’s clear that the elements aren’t all that’s at war on Acheron. Home to nothing but violence, the beautiful glaciers serve as frozen tombs for the battles of the past, and as the stage for some of the largest battles you’ll face in Dawn of War III

To learn more about the worlds and characters in Dawn of War III, and to keep up with future updates, be sure to heard to DawnOfWar.com, and follow Dawn of War on social media.