Author - Jerry Paxton

Bandai Namco Announces Project CARS 2

2017/02/08

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

SANTA CLARA, Calif., (February 8, 2017) – Leading interactive entertainment company BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc., and Slightly Mad Studios, today announced their publishing partnership to bring Project CARS™ 2 to the Americas for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One, and PC via STEAM® in late 2017. Project CARS 2 features an expanded roster of over 170 cars and 60+ tracks, brand-new fan-requested Online Championships game mode, and additional racing disciplines – including ice, dirt, snow, and mud racing – over its critically acclaimed, ground-breaking predecessor (Project CARS™). All of this racing action can be presented at up to 12K* resolution graphics (PC) with VR support, making Project CARS 2 the most immersive and technically advanced racing simulation experience.

Created by gamers and fine-tuned by professional racing drivers, Project CARS 2 delivers an unparalleled racing experience to players of all skill levels. To achieve this goal, Project CARS 2 utilizes leading-edge visuals, precise car physics, and realistic A.I. designed to mimic a competitive driver’s heart and mind that is sure to challenge players. The use of Slightly Mad Studios’ proprietary LIVETRACK 3.0 technology enables the development team to create dynamic real-time weather & seasonal effects, track surface conditions & time-of-day changes, and implement advanced tire grip/wear physics into the Project CARS 2 gameplay. By combining these features with the highest performance driving machines in the world, Project CARS 2 will enable players to live-out their dreams of being a racecar driver.

“Project CARS 2’s authentic presentation of motorsports racing isn’t just cutting edge, it surpasses the cutting edge,” says Eric Hartness, Vice President of Marketing at BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. “No other driving game or racing title can approach Project CARS 2’s level of visual fidelity, real-world physics, and intelligent driver A.I. These features combined with dynamic weather and track effects, refined controls, and an authentic love of competitive eSports guarantees players will be able to live-out their racing aspirations on multiple gaming platforms.”

“We’re thrilled to pull off the covers on our publishing partnership with BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment and finally share more details on our latest build with Project CARS 2.” said Stephen Viljoen, Game Director for Project CARS 2. “Our collective goal at Slightly Mad Studios is to create a simulation racing experience that rivals that of real-life. Realism and authenticity are central to our development mantra for Project CARS 2, hence we’re making sure we employ the best professional drivers, game developers, artists, and sound engineers to realize our vision for a game that takes players on the ultimate driver journey.”

Project CARS 2 is currently rated “RP” for Rating Pending by the ESRB. Project CARS 2 will be available in the Americas for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One, and PC via STEAM® in late 2017. To find out more about Project CARS 2 please visit: https://www.bandainamcoent.com/games/project-cars-2. To learn more about BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc.’s other products go to: http://www.bandainamcoent.com/home.html or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BandaiNamcoUS or join the conversation at https://twitter.com/BandaiNamcoUS.

*12K resolution is achieved through linking three 4K PC monitors together to present a panoramic driver’s view.

E3 2017 Consumer Passes Go On Sale Feb 13

2017/02/08

Jerry Paxton

E3, Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos

The ESA has announced that 15,000 consumer passes will be available for the official E3 Expo in Los Angeles. The passes will be priced at $250 or $150 as part of an early buyer discount available on February 13. tickets provide access to the show floor, panel discussions, and other events from Tuesday through Thursday of E3 week.

ScareLA Moving to LA Convention Center for 2017

2017/02/08

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Halloween, News

LOS ANGELES, CA – February 8, 2017 — Following a record-setting attendance in 2016,ScareLA, the Los Angeles Halloween convention, announced today its plans to expand to a new venue in downtown Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Convention Center, is set to become the show’s new home; West Hall will open doors to hundreds of Halloween vendors and thousands of fans under the theme “Monsters Come Together” on August 5-6, 2017.

Since debuting in 2013, ScareLA has captivated audiences by kicking off Halloween early. The show’s unique premise is combining a favorite U.S. tradition, Halloween, with the peak season for fun and travel, the summer. Set in the entertainment capital of the world, the convention is a mecca for horror fans of all ages. Attracting a record 12,000 attendees in 2016, ScareLA has become one of the fastest-growing independent conventions in the U.S. today.

“2017 marks a milestone for ScareLA and our fifth year anniversary,” said Lora Ivanova, ScareLA Executive Producer and Founder. “To celebrate this occasion, we are brewing up an incredible mix of entertainment, and preparing for what is sure to be our biggest and best year yet. We are thrilled to welcome fans to our new home at the Los Angeles Convention Center, our city’s premier event venue. We believe our community deserves the very best and we are proud to take our place among the best shows in the country.”

In 2016 more than 171 million Americans celebrated Halloween. Total spending in the U.S. reached a whopping $8.4 billion, an all-time high in the history of NRF’s annual survey conducted by Prosper Insights. The survey found that 7 in 10 consumers hand out candy on Halloween, and nearly half decorate their home or dress in costume.

ScareLA’s 2017 theme, “Monsters Come Together,” celebrates diversity, unity and tolerance. Created to bring people together in a celebration of the scary and unusual, the convention aims to build and strengthen community ties across diverse groups, backgrounds and interests, all united around the love for Halloween and creative expression.

ScareLA’s trademark combination of original immersive entertainment, on-site haunted house attractions, and diverse scare-themed programming have set a new standard for convention experiences nationwide. The show has solidified itself as the premier destination for a fast-growing audience which loves, lives and works in the scare entertainment industry. It spotlights the rich Southern California scare community, from its iconic seasonal theme park events, to haunted attractions, theater, film, escape rooms, interactive experiences, the who’s who of horror and more.

For more information, visit www.scarela.com.

EVE: Valkyrie – Wormholes Update Trailer

2017/02/08

Jerry Paxton

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

February 8, 2017 – From the edges of known space, Valkyrie scouts have brought back intel on a mysterious phenomenon! Wormholes – the fourth major free update for EVE: Valkyrie – will be coming to CCP Games’ stunning virtual reality space combat shooter on Wednesday 15 February across Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR and HTC Vive.

Introducing a whole new way to play EVE: Valkyrie, the Wormholes update brings mysterious and exotic game modes, as well as the new Leagues alpha feature.

Each weekend, a new wormhole will open and inside, players will find unique gameplay opportunities that challenge everything they know about being a Valkyrie pilot. From mined control points to Supermissiles and beyond, the combinations are endless. The mysteries of Wormhole space are still largely unknown, with plenty yet for players to discover.

The Wormholes update also brings with it the new Leagues alpha feature, which showcases the competitive spirit of the Valkyrie. All pirates are after treasure, but to a Valkyrie the ultimate reward is status. In this first iteration of Leagues, players will earn points toward League status by playing competitive multiplayer matches. All players will begin at Emerald and the best will progress to Sapphire, Ruby, and ultimately Diamond, where the brightest stars sit in a league of their own.

Also included in the Wormholes update is HOTAS (hands-on-throttle-and-stick) support for PlayStation 4, improvements to Com Alerts based on feedback from the community, plus various enhancements to performance and stability.

Further substantial updates are also in development for all Valkyrie pilots. For more information about EVE: Valkyrie, visit https://www.evevalkyrie.com/.

X-Doria Announces Defense Lux Series iPhone 7 Series Cases

2017/02/08

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News

SANTA MONICA, Calif. – (Feb 8, 2017) – X-Doria announces the expansion of its Defense Lux series with the new Defense Lux Wood cases for the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. Built to exceed Military Grade Drop Testing, MIL-STD-810G, Defense Lux Wood is the fashionable upgrade to the popular X-Doria Defense Shield and Gear protective cases. The entire Defense line of products are made from anodized machined aluminum and combine premium protection and style worthy of putting on the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.

Featuring a soft inner rubber layer, reinforced by a stylish and impact resistant real wood backing, Defense Lux Wood blends tough drop protection and refined luxury to create the ultimate in durable cases. For maximum protection, the case has an integrated machined aluminum outer frame with metallic button that adds an impact and scratch resistant barrier to the iPhone’s perimeter. To add a touch of style and complement the hard metal exterior, the Defense Lux Wood has a luxurious rear panel available in Walnut or Bamboo.

X-Doria’s signature use of machined metal on the outside, instead of plastic, provides military-level drop protection in a slim, pocketable and premium offering. Drop tested to survive 6’6” (2M) drops on concrete, X-Doria’s Defense Lux Wood is the ultimate way to protect, but not cover up, the iPhone. For added protection, the case also boasts an oversized raised lip to protect the screen from drops and surface scratches.

The Defense Lux Wood for the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus is available now for MSRP $39.99 at XDorialife.com.

The Golf Club 2 First-Look Trailer

2017/02/07

Jerry Paxton

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

February 7, 2017 – Walnut Creek, CA – Foooore! Video game publisher Maximum Games, in partnership with developer HB Studios, has today released a brand-new first look trailer for their highly anticipated sports game, The Golf Club 2. Further expanding upon the popular first installment, The Golf Club 2 aims to hit a hole in one with its huge community of players, as well as newcomers to the franchise, when it releases this Spring on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, and Windows PC via Steam®.

In this first in-depth look at the game, Maximum Games and HB Studios shed light on the process behind the game’s development, focusing on all-new features that take the game to a whole new level. Now with a progression-based Career Mode, the addition of Societies, and improved Course Creator, The Golf Club 2 replicates a compelling and authentic experience of being on the green. Alongside these giant improvements to the game, The Golf Club 2 scores big with a host of new environments, cutting-edge swing mechanics, limitless customization options and dynamic online tournaments.

Responding to the request of The Golf Club community, the developers have now built out a series of tournaments players must advance through in Career Mode to move up in status. As you progress through your season, your competition grows with you, pushing you to improve your game. Career earnings from each event and season give you the freedom to purchase clothing and accessories for your golfer, along with membership dues to Societies.

Players will now be able to create their own online Society or join a pre-existing one. While you can be part of more than one Society, one of them will be your Primary Membership. You’ll represent your Society in all events you play, climbing your way to the top of Team Leaderboards and upgrading your clubhouse as you progress.

The Course Creator, a signature feature that HB Studios is committed to perfecting in each of its titles, also sees vast improvement in this upcoming sequel, with more creative freedom to build the ideal course to suit any player’s style. Fans of the first installment can either start fresh or upgrade a previous masterpiece from The Golf Club. Included in the new additions to the Course Creator are: tournament dressings with media stands, crowd placement, multi-level water features, and more.

Players can get a head start on their career and pre-order The Golf Club 2 now for $49.99. They will receive the “Day 1” edition which includes the following bonus 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 for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, and digitally on PC this Spring.

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

VOODOO Trailer

2017/02/07

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Halloween, Movie News, News, Trailers / Videos

Los Angeles, CA – February 6, 2017 – VOODOO, in theaters and available on VOD February 24, has seen it’s trailer blocked from Facebook, who have labelled the preview for the black magic-centric spooker “offensive”.

Said writer/director Tom Costabile, “No matter how many times it goes up, it goes just as quickly down. Facebook consider the trailer for Voodoo so shocking and offensive that they won’t allow it on this server. Funnily enough, the whole thing has spurred even more interest in Voodoo – people wondering which theaters it’ll be playing at, and what platforms it’ll be available from – so all is not lost!”

HyperCube Films releases VOODOO in theaters February 24 across the U.S, the VOD hits day-and-date via Freestyle Digital Media.

VOODOO tells the story of an innocent southern girl, Dani, vacationing in Los Angeles to evade her increasingly complicated life. Once Dani arrives in Los Angeles, she learns that trying to escape her past is not as easy as she had hoped.

VOODOO is written and directed by Tom Costabile, and stars Samantha Stewart, Dominic Matteucci, Ruth Reynolds, Daniel Kozul, Ron Jeremy, and Lavelle Roby.
INTERVIEWS WITH COSTABILE and/or leading ladies STEWART, REYNOLDS and ROBY available on request.

VOODOO official website: http://voodoothemovie.com/

For Honor 360° Trailer: In the Heart of Battle

2017/02/06

Jerry Paxton

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

SAN FRANCISCO — February 6, 2017 — Today, Ubisoft released ‘In the Battle’, a CGI video that transports viewers directly to the ground floor of a clash on the battlefield. This motion-captured, 360-degree video experience introduces viewers to the world of For Honor as Knights, Samurais and Vikings embark in perpetual conflict.

In the midst of a foggy plain, an everlasting war continues as the three great Factions are locked in battle. Each of them strives to rebuild their nations as they take to the frontlines in fierce close-range combat to bring glory back to their people. The 360-degree “In the Battle” experience is viewable here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DY7VjKELsQ

Players looking to experience the thrill of ruthless melee-combat firsthand can now pre-load the For Honor open beta on current-gen consoles and PC. Pre-load for open beta is available here: http://forhonorgame.com/war Available from February 9 to February 12, 2017, this beta will include the new Elimination mode, a best of five rounds four-versus-four match with no respawns. Elimination joins three additional modes playable in the open beta including Dominion, Brawl and Duel, and nine playable Heroes. At launch, For Honor will feature twelve playable characters, five different multiplayer modes and a Story mode.

On February 7, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. PST, Ubisoft and Twitch, the world’s leading social video platform and community for gamers, will call forth the fiercest warriors to participate in War of the Factions Live – a livestreamed event that will showcase the new Elimination Mode and help decide which Faction reigns supreme. Players looking to get a head start in the battlefield can sign up for Twitch Prime to receive 10-day Champion Status, available at launch on February 14, 2017, which comes with XP boosts that can be shared among friends along with more XP from crafting, more loot at the end of each match, and a special emblem they can use to customize their warrior. For more information and to sign up for Twitch Prime, visit: https://twitch.amazon.com/prime

For more information about For Honor, please follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/ForHonorGame and on Twitter at twitter.com/ForHonorGame. To learn more about other Ubisoft games, please visit ubiblog.com.

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands Live Action Trailer

2017/02/06

Jerry Paxton

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

February 7, 2016 – See how it all begins. Watch Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands: War Within the Cartel, the promotional live action prequel to Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands. War Within The Cartel will be streamed on Ubisoft’s Twitch channel (www.twitch.tv/Ubisoft) on February 16 and will be immediately available on demand via Amazon Prime Video following the premiere.

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 Operations – 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 March 7, 2017 for Xbox One, PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Windows PC.

For the latest on Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands and all of Ubisoft’s games, please visit www.ubiblog.com.

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.

Rock Band VR Available for Pre-Order

2017/02/06

Jerry Paxton

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

Boston – February 6, 2017 – Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. announced today that Rock Band™ VR, the highly anticipated VR entry into the Rock Band franchise for Oculus Rift, will be released on March 23, 2017. Pre-orders for the Rock Band VR Guitar Controller Bundle open today. Available in limited quantities on Amazon, this pre-order bundle features a digital code for Rock Band VR and a wireless Rock Band Fender® Stratocaster® guitar controller for $69.99. This pre-order bundle is perfect for Oculus Rift owners without a Rock Band guitar who want to be among the first to experience Rock Band VR.

Gameplay
If Rock Band VR’s classic mode is about the pursuit of a note-perfect studio recording, Rock Band VR’s performance mode, illustrated in the above gameplay video, represents the creative freedom of a live concert where no two performances sound exactly the same. In this mode, players experiment with different chords, notes and strum speeds to develop their signature sound and make each performance their own. It’s a completely new kind of music gameplay, it’s perfectly suited to VR, and it’s unlike anything else Harmonix has ever created.Underpinning the gameplay is an amazing sense of presence you can only get in VR. From the moment the player takes the stage, they’ll experience what it’s like to perform in front of sold out crowds – sweaty palms and all. To deliver this fantasy, Rock Band VR focused on the details – from working effects pedals to interacting with your bandmates to the ability to use your guitar to bang on the drummer’s hi-hat cymbal. It’s an incredibly immersive experience.While the gameplay may have changed, scoring and leaderboards remain as central to the Rock Band experience as ever. Players will need to develop a mastery of Rock Band VR’s new gameplay mechanics if they want to claim a top spot. Chaining together chords and notes into musical phrases and combos will earn players points, while timely deployment of overdrive and signature rock moves, like head banging in time to the music, will trigger multipliers to boost scores even further, earning more stars. It’s a deep, complex system that rewards both technical proficiency and creativity.Traditional Rock Band gameplay will have its own dedicated leaderboard at launch in Classic Mode.

Soundtrack
Rock Band has a history of amazing soundtracks and Rock Band VR is no exception. The Rock Band VR mixed reality gameplay video features the first songs confirmed to appear on the Rock Band VR soundtrack. They are:

Aerosmith – “Walk This Way”
The Killers – “When You Were Young”
Paramore – “Ain’t It Fun”

And that’s just the beginning. With 60 songs from legendary artists and upcoming acts on the verge of breaking out, there’s something for everyone.

Stay tuned to Rock Band’s Twitter and Facebook pages and the Rock Band blog for additional Rock Band VR news, gameplay and soundtrack reveals throughout the month.

Hardware requirements and compatibility
Required Controllers: Oculus Touch, Rock Band 4 Guitar Controller
Recommended Processor: Intel i5-4590 equivalent or greater
Recommended Graphics Card: NVIDIA GTX 970 / AMD R9 290 equivalent or greater
Recommended Memory: 8 GB
Comfort: Comfortable
Compatible Guitar Controllers:
PlayStation®4 guitar controller: Bluetooth
Xbox One guitar controller: Windows 10, Xbox One Wireless Adapter for Windows

About Rock Band VR
The first VR entry into one of the best-selling and most beloved game franchises of all time, Rock Band VR will pioneer an entirely new type of musical gameplay on the Oculus Rift. Freed from the limitations of beatmatching, Rock Band VR encourages players to experiment and develop a signature sound, delivering unique renditions of their favorite songs. Complete with leaderboards, a narrative campaign and classic mode, Rock Band VR will have something for everyone when it launches on March 23, 2017.
For more information on Rock Band and to stay up to date with the latest news and announcements, head over to the Rock Band blog or follow @RockBand on Twitter for updates.

About Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., based in Boston, MA, and established in 1995, is the leading developer of groundbreaking music-oriented video games. Harmonix was founded to invent new ways for non-musicians to experience the unique joy that comes from making music and has pioneered music and rhythm gaming in the US. For more information, please visit www.harmonixmusic.com.