Author - Jerry Paxton

Razer Announces Kraken 7.1 Surround Sound USB Gaming Headset

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Koelnmesse, Cologne (GamesCom)  August 21, 2013 – Razer™, the world leader in high-performance gaming hardware, software and systems, today announced at GamesCom its latest audio product, the Razer Kraken 7.1 Surround Sound USB gaming headset.

Built off the same platform as the analog Razer Kraken Pro headset, dubbed the most comfortable headset in the world, the Razer Kraken 7.1 USB gaming headset builds on the success of the familiar platform with immersive, customizable 7.1 virtual surround sound and an enhanced digital microphone.

The Razer Kraken 7.1 comes equipped with an advanced virtual surround sound engine capable of ultra-low latency audio processing that simulates a 360-degree surround sound experience that is usually achievable only by incorporating more than one positional speaker driver in each ear cup. Driven through Razer’s powerful Synapse 2.0 unified configuration software, the engine is capable of a high degree of customization, allowing gamers to tweak and specifically position each surround sound channel, boost bass levels and even balance incoming voice audio for astounding aural precision.

The omnidirectional digital microphone on the Razer Kraken 7.1 comes equipped with an optimized algorithm, promising crystal-clear voice chat that offers better frequency response, sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio than a standard analog microphone. It also has a mic mute button and an LED indicator on the tip to clearly indicate when the mic is active.

“As we continue to develop and build on our software front, we’re able to add more and more capabilities to our products. What we put into the Razer Kraken 7.1 is a great example of just that, from the customizable, personalized surround sound engine, to the optimized digital microphone algorithms that gives this headset its incredible performance,” says Min-Liang Tan, Razer co-founder, CEO and creative director. “With its superior software capabilities, unrivaled sound quality and comfort, the Razer Kraken 7.1 is the definitive USB surround sound headset for PC gaming.”

For more information about the Razer Kraken 7.1 Surround Sound USB Gaming Headset, and to hear samples of the 7.1 surround sound engine and digital microphone please visitwww.razerzone.com/kraken71.

About the Razer Kraken 7.1 Surround Sound USB Gaming Headset

Get the complete 7.1 surround sound gaming experience with the Razer Kraken 7.1 USB gaming headset. This headset adopts the comfortable form factor of the Razer Kraken Pro, tested by numerous professional gamers to determine the optimal ergonomics for extended gaming sessions.

The full potential of the Razer Kraken 7.1 is unleashed by its advanced 7.1 virtual surround sound engine. Driven by Razer’s powerful Synapse 2.0 unified configuration software, this highly customizable engine modulates sound to simulate a 360-degree surround sound experience, allowing you to precisely pinpoint directional audio to know exactly where your enemies are. The headset’s 40mm neodymium magnet drivers power a sound signature that features deep bass, warm mids and crystal-clear highs, for total gaming immersion.

Featuring a retractable microphone hidden in the left ear cup when not in use, the Razer Kraken 7.1 maintains a sleek form factor, all while protecting the microphone during transportation and storage. This flexible, omnidirectional digital microphone comes equipped with an optimized algorithm, promising a pristine voice quality unachievable through traditional analog microphones. Boasting an impressive signal-to-noise ratio and an extended wideband frequency response, the digital microphone ensures a clear, natural sounding voice reproduction with minimal noise.

Price:

U.S. $99.99 / EU €99.99

Availability:

Razerzone.com – Order Now

Worldwide – Available Now

Product features:

Headphones

  • Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20,000Hz
  • Impedance: 32 Ω at 1 kHz
  • Sensitivity (@1 kHz, 1 V/Pa): 112dB
  • Output Power: 30 mW
  • Drivers: 40 mm, with Neodymium Magnets
  • Inner Ear Cup Diameter: 50 mm / 1.97”
  • Cable Length: 2m / 6.56 ft braided USB cable
  • Approximate Weight: 340 g / 0.75 lbs.
  • Connector: Gold plated USB

Microphone

  • Frequency Response: 100Hz – 12,000Hz
  • Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 63 dB
  • Sensitivity (@1 kHz, 1 V/Pa): -40 ± 4dB
  • Pick-up Pattern: Omnidirectional

For more information about the Razer Kraken 7.1 Surround Sound USB Gaming Headset, please visit www.razerzone.com/kraken71.

ROCCAT Unveils Kave XTD 5.1 Digital Gaming Headset

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Hamburg – August, 21 2013 – ROCCAT Studios, German manufacturer of high-quality gaming peripherals, today reveals the ROCCAT Kave XTD 5.1 Digital at gamescom in Cologne (hall 8.1, booth A010). The new device is the successor to the best selling true 5.1 gaming headset in the world: the original ROCCAT Kave 5.1. Based on community and customer feedback, the Kave XTD 5.1 Digital builds on the foundations laid by the original headset by improving existing features and introducing completely new and innovative ones of its own.

The Kave XTD 5.1 Digital includes a fully-equipped desktop remote with a built-in premium 5.1 sound card. Also included in the feature-packed remote is ROCCAT Smart Link, a patented technology which lets users pair their smartphone to the remote via Bluetooth, allowing them to make and receive calls through the headset while gaming. The rear side of the remote boasts 5.1 speaker ports, letting users hook-up their existing speaker system to remote and easily toggle between headset and speaker output. The remote is completed by comprehensive headset and system audio controls.

Like the original Kave, the Kave XTD 5.1 Digital provides true, rich 5.1 surround sound, but with enhanced componentry. With three driver units per earcup aligned at a 12° angle, the headset delivers an immersive and crisp sound. The headset comes with a completely reworked head band and, compared to the original Kave 5.1, weighs 25% less. At the same time new materials and engineering solutions make the headset very robust and comfortable to wear – suitable for hours of gaming. The detachable microphone has been redesigned, keeping smart details like the mute LED while improving on reliability as well as sound quality.

The new ROCCAT headset has already convinced this year’s gamescom award jury, and has been nominated for the “Best Hardware” award.

The ROCCAT Kave XTD 5.1 Digital gaming headset will be available in November 2013 for $169.99.

New Mad Max Screenshots from Gamescom

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Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today released new screenshots in correlation with this week’s demo being shown at GamesCom in Cologne, Germany. Mad Max is scheduled for a 2014 release on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and PC

Screenshots

XCOM: Enemy Within Gets Release Date

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New York, NY – August 21, 2013 – 2K and Firaxis Games announced today that XCOM®: Enemy Within, the expanded experience of the Game of the Year* award-winning strategy title XCOM: Enemy Unknown, will be available in North America on November 12, 2013 and internationally on November 15, 2013 for Windows PC, Xbox 360 games and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Mac® (distributed by Feral Interactive).

XCOM: Enemy Within takes the incredible experience from XCOM: Enemy Unknown and adds an array of new abilities, upgrades, and weapons to combat new enemy threats. The expansion also provides players with all-new maps, tactical and strategic gameplay, and multiplayer content. There is no better way to experience XCOM than with the massive amount of new content added in XCOM: Enemy Within. Fans will experience an additional three to four playthroughs on average before encountering all of the new material included in XCOM: Enemy Within, providing nearly limitless replayability.

“The incredible critical and consumer response to XCOM: Enemy Unknown inspired us to offer new content that would deepen the strong bond that has been created for our XCOM brand,” said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. “Firaxis Games is renowned for delivering massive, highly immersive PC expansions in the Civilization series, and XCOM: Enemy Within builds on that lineage and expands the experience for console gamers as well.”

“We promised gamers that we would deliver the same Enemy Unknown experience on both PC and console last fall, and we’re doing it again with Enemy Within,” said Ananda Gupta, lead designer at Firaxis Games. “The Commander Edition of XCOM: Enemy Within expands the already amazing XCOM experience for our console fans who are looking forward to even more of the game they love. It’s also a great point of entry for new fans just joining the XCOM fight.”

XCOM: Enemy Within vastly improves upon the experience of XCOM: Enemy Unknown with an incredible amount of new content. On PC** and Mac**, XCOM: Enemy Within features additional content that can be enjoyed with previously purchased copies of XCOM: Enemy Unknown. XCOM: Enemy Within will also be available on Xbox 360 and PS3™ system as the XCOM: Enemy Within – Commander Edition** – a standalone pack that expands the XCOM: Enemy Unknown experience featuring the new XCOM: Enemy Within content and the add-on content that was previously released for XCOM: Enemy Unknown, including the Elite Soldier Pack and Slingshot Content Pack.

Key features for XCOM: Enemy Within will include:

  • New Soldier Abilities: Research a new alien technology to advance the capabilities of operatives:
  • Gene Mods: Construct the Genetics Lab to physically enhance operatives’ abilities, including augmentations to the chest, brain, eyes, skin and legs.
  • MECs: Build the Cybernetics Lab to enable the construction of the new Mechanized Exoskeletal Cybersuit, or MEC. The new MEC Trooper class has specialized abilities and each suit can be upgraded with new weapons including the flamethrower, grenade launcher and more.
  • New Weapons and Equipment: Give operatives an extra tactical edge with new projects from the engineering team in the Foundry;
  • New Enemy Threats: Adopt new tactics to counter the threats from a host of new enemies, including the Mechtoid;
  • New Strategic Resource: A valuable new alien resource, known as Meld, has been discovered. Secure it on the battlefield and use it carefully back at base to unlock new research and upgrades;
  • New Tactical Challenges and Maps: Face new tactical challenges, on nearly 50% more maps;
  • New Multiplayer Maps, Units and Abilities: Create custom squad from a wider array of options and dominate opponents in intense, one-on-one, turn-based matches.

XCOM: Enemy Within is rated M for Mature by the ESRB and will be available in North America on November 12, 2013 and internationally on November 15, 2013. XCOM: Enemy Within will be available for Windows PC and Mac for $29.99, and will be available for Xbox 360 and PS3™ system for $39.99 as the XCOM: Enemy Within – Commander Edition. For more information on XCOM: Enemy Within, become a fan on Facebook, follow 2K on Twitter and visit the official web site at http://www.xcom.com.

*XCOM: Enemy Unknown was named Game of the Year 2012 by the following outlets: GameTrailers, GiantBomb, Kotaku, and MTV Multiplayer.

**XCOM: Enemy Within for PC and Mac requires XCOM: Enemy Unknown to play. XCOM: Enemy Within – Commander Edition is a standalone expanded experience that includes all XCOM: Enemy Unknown content and two add-on content packs: the Elite Soldier Pack the Slingshot Content Pack. XCOM: Enemy Within – Commander Edition does not require XCOM: Enemy Unknown to play.

Firaxis Games is a 2K studio. 2K is a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).

Diablo III: Reaper of Souls Announced with Video

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COLOGNE, Germany—August 21, 2013—The defeat of Diablo, Lord of Terror, should have given rise to an age of hope. Instead, it has drawn out a shadowy being of immense power, whose malevolent purpose is yet to be revealed. Announced today at gamescom, Diablo® III: Reaper of Souls™, the upcoming expansion to Diablo III, opens a dark and terrifying new chapter in the ongoing conflict over the mortal realm of Sanctuary.

Malthael, the fallen Archangel of Wisdom, vanished after the events depicted at the end of Diablo II: Lord of Destruction®. In Reaper of Souls, he returns as the Angel of Death and seizes the Black Soulstone, which contains the essence of the Prime Evil. It now falls to the players to track down Malthael and stop him before he unleashes irreversible havoc on the world.

Fortunately, a new hero is ready to join the cause and bring Malthael to justice—the Crusader. Driven by a centuries-long quest to cleanse the corruption blighting their beloved Zakarum faith, Crusaders are warriors of righteousness who have been hardened through relentless, brutal combat with the foul evils plaguing eastern Sanctuary. In addition to wearing immensely heavy armor and wielding a wide range of cruel and punishing weapons, this new playable class in Reaper of Souls uses battle magic to strengthen allies and weaken foes. A natural walking tank, the Crusader adds power and versatility to any party of adventurers.

“From the beginning, Diablo has always been about the struggle between good and evil, and Reaper of Souls explores the darker notes of that conflict,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “This expansion also represents a big milestone in the ongoing evolution of Diablo III, with key enhancements to the core gameplay, along with a new act to experience, a powerful new character class, tons of new loot, and even more end-game options. We think players will love playing Reaper of Souls, and we can’t wait to get it into their hands.”

In addition to taking the story of Diablo III from the legendary city of Westmarch to the unhallowed halls of the Pandemonium Fortress in Act V and introducing the incorruptible Crusader class, Diablo III: Reaper of Souls increases the game’s level cap to 70. Players continuing on with their existing Barbarian, Witch Doctor, Demon Hunter, Wizard, and Monk characters will benefit from an array of fearsome new spells and abilities as they advance in level.

The expansion also accentuates the key features of the Diablo franchise, with a greater emphasis on randomized environments to explore; epic new quests; horrific new monsters to defeat; and substantial updates to the loot experience, enabling players to further customize their characters with new and improved multilevel Legendary items, new Blacksmith and Jeweler item-crafting options, and more.

Diablo III’s Paragon progression system is also being majorly upgraded for the expansion, adding even more end-game character advancement and replayability. Two new game modes—Loot Runs and Nephalem Trials—are being added as well, providing fun and rewarding challenges for players to tackle when they’re not busy saving the world.

Diablo III: Reaper of Souls is playable on the show floor at gamescom, and Blizzard will be revealing further details about the expansion at BlizzCon and beyond as development progresses. For further information related to today’s announcement and all the latest news about Diablo III: Reaper of Souls, visit http://www.diablo3.com/reaperofsouls.

With multiple games in development, Blizzard Entertainment has numerous positions currently available—visit http://jobs.blizzard.com for more information and to learn how to apply.

Diablo III: Reaper of Souls Opening Cinematic

Diablo III: Reaper of Souls Gameplay Teaser

Max: Curse of the Brotherhood to Released on Both Xbox One and Xbox 360

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AUGUST 20, 2013 — “We are really proud of Max: The Curse of Brotherhood and it’s a dream scenario for us to release the game on Xbox One and Xbox 360,” said Game Director Mikkel Thorsted. “The game is the result of lots of love and hard work and we believe it will bring something special to both platforms.”

Max: The Curse of Brotherhood will be showcased at Gamescom 2013, in Cologne, Germany, from Wednesday, August 21 through Sunday, August 25 where it will be playable on Xbox 360 at the Microsoft consumer show booth (Hall 6.1, A40). The Xbox One version is currently in development.

Developed by Press Play, Max: The Curse of Brotherhood, is a cinematic puzzle adventure game for players of all ages.

EVE-VR Becomes EVE: Valkyrie, Official Announcement

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CCP Games teased the crap out of me with their space dog-fighting game, EVE-VR, at E3 this year. Between the fast-paced action and smooth integration with the Oculus VR, I was hooked. It looks like the company has just blown the doors off the barn as EVE-VR has been officially announced as EVE: Valkyrie with an announcement date of sometime next year (I am presuming with some co-relation to the Oculus VR launch, but that is speculation on my part).

Trailer

The Walking Dead to Infest Halloween Horror Nights Backlot

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Looks like The Walking Dead will be infesting more than the War of the Worlds set at this year’s Halloween Horror Night at Universal Studios, Hollywood. Now, guests will have to contend with undead throughout the backlot’s famous “New York Street”! The site of a vast amount of movie shoots, this backlot area will serve as the home of their Black Sabbath : 13 3D and The Walking Dead: No Safe Haven walk-through mazes!

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