Author - Jerry Paxton

Zen Studios Announces Pinball FX3

2017/06/28

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

San Francisco, CA – June 28, 2017 – Zen Studios is excited to announce Pinball FX3, the next generation pinball platform that will redefine the console and PC digital pinball experience. Designed to bring the community together like never before, Pinball FX3 is built around multiplayer match-ups and competitive tournament play.

Zen Studios also placed a strong focus on helping players become more competitive, and have designed new single-player modes featuring special challenges that will help players develop their skills as they connect with the Pinball FX3 community.

Pinball FX3 will release on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows 10, and Steam. A teaser trailer can be linked from the Zen Studios YouTube Channel:

For the past decade, Zen Studios has been delighted to share their passions with millions of players, taking them on an exciting, evolutionary pinball journey and is proud to announce that players will be able to bring a majority of their previous Pinball FX2 and Zen Pinball 2 purchases with them to Pinball FX3 on Xbox One, Steam and PlayStation 4 at no extra charge.

“Zen Studios has enjoyed a deep conversational relationship with the pinball community for over a decade. We have learned from each other, worked together, and developed a better game together,” said Mel Kirk, Vice President of Publishing at Zen Studios. “Pinball FX3 is a milestone step forward for players on console and PC, and I am excited that many of our new features are suggestions from the community. We remain 100% committed to providing our players with an exceptional value, allowing them to bring their collection forward with them as we can all enjoy a host of new features and upgrades together from day one.”

While video game pinball has long been a solitary single player experience, Zen Studios has worked to create a new tournament structure that elevates competitive play in an exciting and engaging way. Players will have the ability to create their own pinball tournaments, compete in player vs. player match-ups and leagues, and compete in a variety of score based objectives that refresh constantly so there is always a new challenge awaiting.

As always, the pinball wizards at Zen Studios are working on new and exciting content. Pinball FX3 will launch with three brand new tables from a brand-new IP partner. These tables will be announced at a later date.

Stay tuned to Zen’s social media channels and www.pinballfx.com for more news and information about Pinball FX3.

About Zen Studios

Zen Studios is a leading global producer and publisher of interactive entertainment software for all major digital game platforms, and is recognized as one of the premiere independent gaming studios in the world. Zen is an internationally renowned publisher headquartered in Budapest, Hungary with offices in the United States. Zen Studios has worked with some of the largest brands in the world of entertainment, including Marvel Entertainment, South Park, FOX, Bethesda, and Lucasfilm, as well as revered gaming properties like Valve’s Portal and TellTale Games’ The Walking Dead. Zen Studios’ CastleStorm franchise has also won the developer critical acclaim and commercial success, including the coveted Editor’s Choice awards from both the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: 20 Years of Slaying SDCC Fan Event and Merchandise

2017/06/28

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, SDCC

Los Angeles, CA (June 27, 2017) – Iconic cult classic Buffy the Vampire Slayer continues its 20^th anniversary celebration during San Diego Comic-Con with a special fan event hosted by Legion M in conjunction with 20^th Century Fox Consumer Products.

Coinciding with San Diego Comic-Con, the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer: 20 Years of Slaying” fan event will be held Saturday, July 22 from 6-9 pm at Side Bar in the Gaslamp Quarter (exact address is 536 Market Street). Fans interested in attending the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer: 20 Years of Slaying” event can register on the official Buffy Facebook page here. A portion of this event will also be livestreamed to this Facebook page.

Scoobies, Slayerettes and Whedonites can take part in a night of slayage that will include the following:

Buffy Fandom Feud Trivia Contest – Fans will get the opportunity to win Slayer Swag as they team up to show off their Buffy knowledge!
Buffy Cosplay Contest – Damian Beurer co-host of Super Power Beat Down, and executive at Legion M, will host this Buffy Cosplay showdown. Calling all Buffy Cosplay fans to bring their best Scooby Gang cosplay for the opportunity to win Slayer Swag!
Once More, With Feeling! – At the party, fans can show-off their improv skills when they get to reenact their favorite Buffy show moments.
Fans will be treated to select appetizers and a Buffy 20^thanniversary cake as they sip on signature Slayer drinks, available during the event.
Photo opportunity with a life-size image of The Gentlemen from the popular episode “Hush.” Fans who share on social media will receive an exclusive spell in a small glass vial, a perfect keepsake for Buffy fans, from the forthcoming book Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Official Grimoire(Insight Editions, October 2017).
Various stations including an in-person Buffy table-top board game competition from Jasco Games, and an interactive wall-sized Buffy coloring book pages from Dark Horse. Fans will be able to color and create their own Buffy art for a special digital mosaic in celebration of #BuffySlays20!
Plus, additional giveaways and surprises!

In regards to the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer: 20 Years of Slaying” fan event, Legion M Co-founder Jeff Annison stated: “As a fan-owned company we can think of no better way to spend a Saturday night in San Diego than hanging out with some of the best fans on the planet!”

Also at San Diego Comic-Con, fans will have the opportunity to pre-order the Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Complete Series 20th Anniversary Edition DVD boxed set at the Fox Booth #4229 for $99.98. Available everywhere on September 19, 2017, the DVD collection includes an official “Buffy” Dark Horse Comic Book featuring an exclusive cover available to fans for a limited time.

About the Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Complete Series 20th Anniversary Edition DVD Boxed Set

The teen years can be brutal. Especially when you’re Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) – a Sunnydale High School student destined to slay supernatural, blood-sucking baddies instead of hanging out at the mall. Over the seven seasons of this thrilling, witty show, Buffy struggles to maintain allies in the fight against evil, while also engaging in on-off romances with a moody vampire (David Boreanaz) or two (James Marsters). Now you can own this 39-disc set containing all 144 episodes of one of the smartest, funniest, most action-packed series ever to slay on the small screen – also starring Alyson Hannigan, Anthony Head and Nicholas Brendon.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer 20^th Anniversary Consumer Products:

A wide-range of key licensees and retail partners are celebrating the 20^th Anniversary of Buffy the Vampire Slayer including Hot Topic, BoxLunch, Dark Horse, Simon & Schuster, Insight Editions, Funko, Harper Design, AC/DC Apparel, Jasco, Upper Deck, Ripple Junction, among others. They are sharing with fans a unique collection of Buffy apparel, accessories, board games, new books, comics and more. Among the recent highlights:

Coming this August, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is joining the Funko Rock Candy line! Unable to escape her destiny, this series includes the Vampire Slayer herself, Buffy Summers, and her academically-excelling counterpart Willow Rosenberg…Together they’ll save the world! Add them both to your collection this Summer.
The eagerly awaited Buffy the Vampire Slayer fashion collection is now available online at hottopic.com. Hot Topic, the retail destination for music and pop-culture inspired apparel, accessories, collectibles and more, is celebrating 20 years of slaying with a fashion collection inspired by the style of beloved Buffy characters. The line features six pieces including Willow’s iconic 90s sweater, a long trench coat inspired by Buffy, a black motorcycle jacket inspired by Faith, a white high-low dress inspired by the dress worn by Buffy in Prophecy Girl, as well as tops featuring iconic lines from the series.

Six Flags Great Adventure Announces July Events Calendar

2017/06/27

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Halloween, News

Bad Bunny, Jory Boy and J Alvarez in Concert – July 1

Six Flags welcomes Bad Bunny, Jory Boy and J Alvarez in concert in July 1, presented by Coca Cola®. All hailing from Puerto Rico, this concert will celebrate reggaeton music. Jory Boy began his solo career with his debut album in 2015. J Alvarez’s 2012 album Otro Nivel de Musica Reloaded holds many accolades including a Latin Grammy Awards nomination. Bad Bunny rose to popularity in 2016 with the release of his early singles, “No Te Hagas,” “Soy Peor” and “Tu No Vive Así.” The concert will take place in the Northern Star Arena at 7 p.m. and is included with valid theme park admission, Season Pass and active Membership.

July 4^th Fest Sponsored by Coca-Cola® – July 2, 3 & 4

Guests are invited to celebrate Fourth of July weekend at the park July 2, 3 and 4. By day, thrill seekers can celebrate the American tradition of riding their favorite roller coasters such as Nitro, Kingda Ka and El Toro. At 10 p.m. each night, Coca-Cola® will sponsor elaborate firework displays accompanied with live music, food and entertainment.

Faith, Family & Praise Day: Rock and Rejoice – July 8

Guests are encouraged to bring their loved ones to Faith, Family & Praise Day July 8 for an uplifting rock and rejoice concert celebration in the Northern Star Area. The concert is hosted by Liz Black and features Pastor Charles Jenkins, Latice Crawford, Wess Morgan, Livre, Bryan Andrew Wilson, Angel Taylor, Kasey Edwards and Dave James. This day of praise also includes an all-you-can-eat lunch in the Catered Picnic Grove from 2 to 4 p.m., which requires a separate meal ticket. The concert begins as 7 p.m. and is included with theme park admission, Season Pass and active Membership.

Fright Fest Dance Auditions – July 21 & 22

Great Adventure’s iconic Fright Fest show “Dead Man’s Party” and the new “Unleashed” stage spectacular are looking for extraordinary dancers trained in musical theater, jazz, hip hop, ballet, freestyle and partnering. Open auditions will be held July 21 at 6 p.m. and July 22 at 10:30 a.m. in the park’s Showcase Theater. Dancers should arrive with a variety of dance shoes ready to learn choreography, freestyle and bring out their best inner zombie. New applicants should apply online at www.sixflagsjobs.com before attending the auditions and enter through the employee entrance on Route 537 (1 Six Flags Blvd, Jackson, NJ).

Fright Fest Zombie and Specialty Performer Auditions – July 28 & 29

Six Flags Great Adventure is seeking individuals with a love for scaring as casting for the 2017 Fright Fest begins July 28 at 6 p.m. and Saturday July 29 at 1 p.m. in the Employment Center. The Entertainment Department is looking for street zombies, haunted maze actors and specialty performers with unique skills. New candidates should apply at www.sixflagsjobs.com prior to the open auditions and come prepared to participate in fun group exercises in front of a panel of judges. Specialty performers should come prepared to showcase their talents. No costumes, props or previous scare experience is required. Applicants should enter through the employee entrance on Route 537 (1 Six Flags Blvd, Jackson, NJ).

DC Summer of Super Heroes: Military Appreciation Day – July 29

Six Flags says “thank you” to our brave men and women in the military as part of the DC Super Hero Summer. The event includes discounts on admission, exclusive ride time after hours on BATMAN: The Ride, THE DARK KNIGHT and the all-new JUSTICE LEAGUE: Battle for Metropolis, and a performance by the USO Show Troup. Discounts are available online using the promo code HERO, and at the entrance gate for active and retired military with I.D.

DCS F/A-18C Hornet VR Experience at E3 2017 with Exclusive Screenshots

2017/06/27

Jerry Paxton

E3, Geek News, News, Previews, Windows PC News, Windows PC Preview

Being a huge fan of flight simulation, I couldn’t wait to check out the upcoming DCS: F/A-18C Hornet from The Fighter Collection and Eagle Dynamics while at the E3 Expo. There has been a lot of buzz about it, as there also is with Thrustmaster’s creation of a new HOTAS flight stick to play along with it. We previously reviewed the HOTAS Warthog from Thrustmaster, and how it played with DCS: A-10C Warthog, so anticipation was high. I walked up to Thrustmaster’s E3 booth in the South Hall and waited in line to try out the sim. I sat down in the gaming chair they had setup and got my Oculus Rift headset donned without trouble. Then Eagle Dynamics SA senior producer, Matt Wagner gave me a quick briefing on where my aircraft was flying over and what I was supposed to do.

The cockpit of the F/A-18C is beautifully rendered and I wanted to press every button I could see. Of course, being that this was a VR demo, physically pushing the buttons is a bit difficult. Apparently, they came up with some great workarounds for this based on where you are looking to act as a pointer, but I didn’t get a chance to try that. This was just about flying around, launching short-range Sidewinder missiles, and making strafing runs against ground targets. It was a nice sandbox to play around in and I couldn’t help but get the chills as I leaned over to my right to see the ground below my aircraft. The sense of immersion brought about by the VR, coupled with the realistic cockpit, was really cool. I would LOVE to see this attached to some kind of home game room motion platform for even more immersion, but my wife would probably be pretty upset by the $15,000 dollar motion platform purchase and large footprint – I digress… You can get a sense of the gameplay demo, minus VR immersion, in this video:

E3 2017 Gameplay Demo Overview

Also, I’d like to thank Matt Wagner for sending us these exclusive screenshots from the upcoming Hornet add-on. The aircraft is beautifully-detailed and its quality cannot be denied.

Exclusive DCS F/A-18C Screenshots

After flying around for about five minutes or so, our play session ended and I doffed the VR headset, returning to actual reality. I was shocked to find out that everything I had experienced was from the pre-alpha build of the Hornet and can’t wait to see how the new aircraft shapes up.

In a glass case next to the play area, there it was: Thrustmaster’s upcoming F/A-18C HOTAS grip. This unit, once purchased, can be swapped out on the Warthog HOTAS flight stick and will be the ultimate peripheral to play the DCS flight simulation with. This hot-swappable grip system was a feature heavily-alluded to when Thrustmaster initially announced the Warthog many years ago. It is nice to see that functionality finally being used and I hope it opens up more options in the future – perhaps when the F-14 Tomcat add-on is released! Talk to me, Goose!

As a final topping on this flight simulator sundae, we were allowed to look at a very early build of the AV-8B add-on for DCS world, which will fully-realize the aircraft’s fabled thrust-vectoring system. The cockpit looks absolutely stunning and we can’t wait to see it in action. As an added bonus to this, here are some exclusive shots from DCS AV-8B for your viewing enjoyment:

Exclusive AV-8B Harrier Screenshots

Neill Blomkamp and Oats Studios Announce FIREBASE

2017/06/27

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Movie News, News, Trailers / Videos

LOS ANGELES, CA (June 23, 2017) From Oats Studios and filmmaker Neill Blomkamp (District 9,Elysium, and Chappie), comes the science fiction short FIREBASE, available for free June 28, 2017 on the Oats Studios YouTube, Steam, and Facebook channels.

FIREBASE will be the second independently made sci-fi short released by Oats Studios following the success of the Sigourney Weaver helmed “Rakka”.

Synopsis

Set during the Vietnam war, FIREBASE follows American soldier “Hines” through an ever deepening web of science fiction madness. The fabric of space-time literally beginning to bend around him.

About OATS Studios

Oats Studios is a new experimental filmmaking “lab”. The Studio is an independent incubator of ideas that has the capacity to handle all aspects of production from start to end. Oats Studios works in an open source format with the audience by allowing the fans to interact with the filmmakers and the studio directly and allowing the fans access to the actual film’s assets to then merge with their own creativity.

Our goal is to make more original and interesting short film content and eventually full-scale feature films & series from the titles that we create.

Police Simulator: Law Enforcement becomes Police Simulator 18

2017/06/27

Jerry Paxton

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

Moenchengladbach/Germany, June 27, 2017 – Dazzling blue lights, high-speed emergency drives and exciting investigative work: Last August publisher astragon Entertainment and Portuguese developer Big Moon Interactive first announced a new police simulation game, which will let players experience the exciting day-to-day policework of a real US police officer, under the working title Police Simulator – Law Enforcement. Today, astragon is very happy to show some first screenshots of the game which will be released as Police Simulator 18 in retail and as digital download at the end of 2017.

In Police Simulator 18 the player will slip into the role of a real US police officer – either male or female – and discover the interesting challenges and varied tasks that lie waiting for him in the streets of the sprawling US city of Loston Bay. The player can choose to go on patrol through three different city districts either alone in the game’s single player mode or together with a friend in the cooperative two-person multiplayer mode. The extremely expansive – and thanks to the use of the Unreal® Engine 4 very lifelike – metropolis can be freely explored by the player either on foot or in one of three distinct patrol cars.

In addition to these police cars with their fully functional cockpits the virtual cop will of course also be able to use a broad range of authentic police equipment such as safety vests, handcuffs, flashlights, firearms and more.

Police Simulator 18 will be released for PC at the end of 2017. More information about the game will be coming soon.

Further information about the development of Police Simulator 18 will also be available on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PoliceSimulator18/

GORN Gets VR Early Access Date

2017/06/26

Jerry Paxton

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

SOUTH AFRICA – Prolific independent developer Free Lives (Broforce, Genital Jousting) and game label Devolver Digital have announced a blood oath partnership on GORN, the highly anticipated VR gladiator simulator, with plans to release the game on Vive via Steam Early Access on July 10 [http://www.gornvr.com].

GORN is a ludicrously violent VR gladiator simulator, made by Free Lives, the developers of Broforce and Genital Jousting. Featuring a unique, fully physics driven combat engine, GORN combatants will be able to creatively execute their most violent gladiatorial fantasies in virtual reality. Savagely strike down an infinite supply of poorly-animated opponents with all manner of weapons – from swords, maces, and bows to nunchuks, throwing knives, massive two-handed warhammers or even your blood-soaked bare hands. The only limits to the carnage are your imagination and decency, in the most brutal and savage VR face-smashing game ever produced by man.

“The Devolver Digital VR Division spent over a half million dollars to research what consumers wanted in a next generation virtual reality experience and the results were unanimous – they want to rip off someone’s arm and then beat that someone to death with said arm,” said Devolver Digital CFO Fork Parker.

For more information on GORN visit gornvr.com and follow @Free_Lives on Twitter.

E3 2017 Photo Gallery

2017/06/26

Jerry Paxton

E3, Geek News, News, Screenshots / Photos

Another E3 Expo has come and gone and, with it, all those great geeky moments! This year’s E3 Expo was slightly more chaotic, with the addition of 15,000 public passes sold for the event. The idea is interesting, but did not help me at all in covering it as it just crowded up the exhibit halls. I hope that, if they sell public passes next year, they make them one day only and for Thursday (or add Friday) as a public-specific day. But, I digress… Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo all had their wares on display while, once again, Electronic Arts hosted their own event some distance away from the convention center. I hope they just come back to the show next year – it makes things so much easier having it all in one place. Ubisoft wowed us once again with their upcoming South Park: The Fractured But Whole and we were blown away by Multiverse’s Seeking Dawn and THQ Nordic’s ELEX. I got my taste of a VR flight simulation with DCS F/A-18C and also enjoyed checking out some playtime with Activision’s Call of Duty: WWII. Overall, it was a great show!

Photo Gallery

F1 2017 to Feature Classic Williams Cars

2017/06/23

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Tech News, Trailers / Videos, Xbox One News

Larkspur, Calif. – June 23, 2017 – Williams has become the latest team to have iconic cars recreated in F1™ 2017, the official videogame of the 2017 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™. Codemasters® and Deep Silver have today released a brand new trailer showcasing the two classic Williams cars, including one that was previously unannounced. The video can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaD4PEdXHmI. Further classic cars will be unveiled in the coming weeks.

F1 2017 features a deep career mode, numerous multiplayer enhancements, and a brand new ‘Championships’ game mode as well as the return of classic cars. Both the 1992 Williams FW14B and the 1996 Williams FW18 will be playable in F1 2017 when it releases on PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One, the all-in-one entertainment system by Microsoft, and Windows PC via Steam worldwide this summer on August 25.

1992 Williams FW14B – Driven by Nigel Mansell and Riccardo Patrese during the 1992 Formula 1™ season, the FW14B was the dominant car in which Mansell won the Drivers’ Championship, with a then record breaking nine wins in the season.

1996 Williams FW18 – The most successful car of the 1996 season, winning 12 of the 16 races, with Damon Hill triumphing eight times to Jacques Villeneuve’s four, winning Hill the Drivers’ Championship title, and Williams the Constructors’ Championship.

Claire Williams, deputy team principal, Williams Racing said, “The FW14B is one of our most iconic cars and one of my personal favorites. With Nigel Mansell behind the wheel, it was a force to be reckoned with and provided one of our greatest eras as a team in Formula One. The FW18 of 1996 is statistically our most successful ever car, winning 12 out of 16 races, six of which were one-two finishes, on our way to securing the Constructors’ title. We are delighted that these cars are being included in this year’s new F1 game for 2017. It is a special year for us as we celebrate our 40th anniversary, so a perfect moment to celebrate two cars that we are so proud of at Williams. We hope that gamers will love driving them as they remember some great moments from the history of our sport.”

Follow Codemasters F1 games blog (http://blog.codemasters.com/f1/) and social channels on Twitter (@codemasters) and Facebook ( www.facebook.com/codemasters) for future news, YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/user/formula1game) for video content, and visit the product website for additional information (www.codemasters.com.) Further details will be released on the upcoming game soon.

The eight Classic F1 cars revealed to date are listed below, with four still be announced in the coming weeks:

1988 McLaren MP4/4
1992 Williams FW14B
1995 Ferrari 412 T2
1996 Williams FW18
2002 Ferrari F2002
2004 Ferrari F2004
2007 Ferrari F2007
2010 Red Bull Racing RB6

Farming Simulator 17 Platinum Edition Announced

2017/06/23

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Screenshots / Photos, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

Farming Simulator 17 Platinum Edition will release on November 14 and promises to be the most complete experience for Farming Simulator players. In addition to the huge content brought by Farming Simulator 17, the Platinum Expansion will offer a load of new features enriching the gaming experience on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC/Mac.

With the Platinum Expansion, discover a new South American playground, and its authentic landscapes, unique vegetation, railway network, local cows and sugar cane fields offering a total change of scenery and more gameplay possibilities! Enjoy even more choice in how you want to develop your farming enterprise, assugar cane is added to the existing variety of crop types waiting to be harvested by the CASE IH A8800 MR sugar cane harvester. In addition to this machine from CASE IH Austoft®, world leader in cane-harvesting technology, famous brands from South America, Poland and Australia have also been added, including Stara, Doble TT, Bizon and Gessner Industries for the first time in the series, bringing the number of vehicles and tools present in the game to over 275 authentic farming vehicles and equipment from more than 80 manufacturers!

To enjoy this new content on PC and consoles, you have multiple solutions:

For PC/Mac players of Farming Simulator 17, the Platinum Expansion will be available on November 14 in retail stores (PC) and for download (PC/Mac), adding this new content to your game. If you’re a new PC/Mac player, it will also be available as a full Farming Simulator 17 Platinum Edition game, available in a boxed version (PC) and for download (PC/Mac).
PS4 and Xbox One players of Farming Simulator 17 will be able to download the Platinum Expansion from their consoles from November 14. Seasons Pass owners will be able to download the Platinum Expansion from their consoles, as part of the Seasons Pass content. If you’re a new PS4 and Xbox One player, it will also be available as a full Farming Simulator 17 Platinum Edition game.

Farming Simulator 17 Platinum Edition, and the Platinum Expansion will be available November 14^th2017 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC/Mac.