Author - Jerry Paxton

Ubisoft Announces E3 2016 Presence and Return of Ubisoft Lounge

2016/06/02
Jerry Paxton
E3, Geek News, News

SAN FRANCISCO — June 2, 2016 — Today, Ubisoft reveals its plans for E3 2016, where its creative teams will proudly present highly anticipated titles such as Watch Dogs 2, For Honor™ or Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon® Wildlands. They’ll also detail new content coming for live games and – as usual – unveil some surprises.

The week will kick off with Ubisoft’s E3 2016 Conference, taking place on Monday, June 13 starting at 1 p.m. PDT and preceded by a 30-minute pre-show. E3 attendees can experience Ubisoft games at its booth (booth #1023, South Hall, Los Angeles Convention Center) from June 14 – 16. More than 1,700 fans also have the opportunity to play Ubisoft games and meet the development teams at the fourth-annual Ubisoft Lounge.

“E3 is always a very special moment when everyone in the entertainment business does their best to amaze and engage gamers. For Ubisoft’s teams, it’s a period of pride and of anxious anticipation because they are finally showing off the games they’ve poured so much passion into, and receiving feedback from players and peers. Our industry has evolved so much in the past 30 years, but what hasn’t changed is my love and respect for the limitless passion and talent of developers and players alike,” said Yves Guillemot, co-founder and CEO, Ubisoft. “The video game industry continues to enjoy strong momentum, with powerful new platforms that enable more creativity, expression and imagination. More than ever, video games are showing how they will shape the future of entertainment. I can’t wait to be at E3 and see what the future has in store.”

Ubisoft E3 2016 Conference

Actress and comedian Aisha Tyler hosts her fifth Ubisoft E3 Conference, which will include all new trailers and gameplay demos for upcoming Ubisoft games. The conference will be broadcast live and on demand on Ubisoft.com, Ubisoft’s YouTube channel as well as on its Twitch channel.

Ubisoft Booth — #1023, South Hall, LACC

E3 attendees can visit the Ubisoft booth to further explore the lineup, which includes:

  • For Honor™: Developed by Ubisoft Montreal, For Honor drops gamers into the chaos of a raging battlefield during an ongoing war between three Great Factions: the bold Knights, the brutal Vikings and the enigmatic Samurai. For every battle, players can choose which warrior they want to embody amongst the unique Heroes from this pantheon, using their distinct skills and weapons to fight for land, people and honor, decimating all soldiers, archers and opposing Heroes who stand in their way.
  • Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon® Wildlands: Set a few years from now, Ghost Recon Wildlands lets players lead a team of Ghosts, a four-player U.S. Elite Special Operations unit, on a covert mission to eliminate the Santa Blanca drug cartel, an underworld power and growing global threat within Ubisoft’s imagining of an incredibly beautiful, yet dangerous Bolivia.
  • South Park™ The Fractured But Whole™: Delve into the crime-ridden underbelly of South Park as the newest member of Coon & Friends. As the New Kid, players must harness their super powers to fight crime and become part of the most beloved superhero franchise of all time.
  • Eagle Flight™: Developed exclusively for virtual reality, players will soar over the skies of Paris as an eagle and experience the freedom of flight. Players take on enemies in fast-paced multiplayer battles for up to 3v3 or level-up flying skills in single player to navigate their eagle gracefully through the city’s most iconic landmarks.

Special guests will be in attendance and a jam-packed program of performances is scheduled throughout the week.

Ubisoft Lounge

For the fourth year in a row, Ubisoft is welcoming some of its biggest fans to E3 by inviting them to the Ubisoft Lounge. More than 1,700 fans will visit this pop-up event being held nearby the Los Angeles Convention Center. At the Ubisoft Lounge, fans will have hands-on time with games from Ubisoft’s E3 lineup, as well as time to discuss their favorite titles with Ubisoft’s teams, attend master classes, compete against other fans and win prizes. Fifty fan ambassadors, the “Star Players” from around the world, also will join Ubisoft for full access to this year’s E3. These Star Players are chosen from among the most dedicated of Ubisoft’s fans. The Ubisoft Lounge will open its doors Tuesday, June 14 at 2 p.m. PDT and close Wednesday, June 15 at 6 p.m. PDT. On Tuesday, starting at 8:30 p.m. PDT, a Special Ops Night will gather development teams from Tom Clancy’s The Division, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six® Siege and Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon®Wildlands for a 90 minute livestream with on-site fans (Visit ubisoftlounge.com for more information).

Anyone interested in all the information about Ubisoft at E3 can:

  • Follow the #UbiE3 hashtag on Twitter
  • Tune into our conference and coverage live from the Ubisoft Booth and Ubisoft Lounge on Twitch on Tuesday June 14th at 12 p.m. PDT.
  • Watch all Ubisoft’s videos and trailers from E3 that will be available on YouTube.
  • Go to Ubisoft.com and the UbiBlog which will have the latest info during the show.

Focus Home Interactive E3 2016 Line-Up

2016/06/02
Jerry Paxton
E3, Geek News, News

June 2, 2016 – Today, Focus Home Interactive reveals its exciting new E3 2016 line-up filled with titles and new announcements. Here is the list of the games you will be able to see (behind-closed doors presentations made by the developers) or try at our booth (West Hall 5200), at E3 in Los Angeles from June 14 to 16.

Vampyr (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
This story-driven Action-RPG is developed by Dontnod, the creators of Life is Strange. Investigate the mystery of the Spanish Flu in 1918 London as a doctor and newly awakened vampire, forced to choose which citizens you must feed on to survive and improve your vampiric powers and combat skills. Every single citizen has a unique role in London’s ecosystem and each death will have dire consequences. Bound by your Hippocratic Oath will you choose power or principle?
Visit the official website

The Surge (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
The Surge is an Action-RPG set in a near-future dystopian Earth on the verge of collapse. The Surge features a unique combat system that allows you to precisely aim your weapon strikes to hack off enemy limbs and equipment to attach to your own exoskeleton.
Visit the official website

Farming Simulator 17 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
After seducing millions of players worldwide with its previous versions, Giants Software brings its new iteration of Farming Simulator back to the newest generation of consoles and PC. The game will offer a load of new features to be unveiled at E3 2016!
Visit the official website

Space Hulk: Deathwing (PC)
Bring glory to the Emperor in this new first-person shooter with tactical elements from Streum On Studios. Based on the tabletop game of the same name, the creators of E.Y.E: Divine Cybermancy are bringing xeno-slaying terminator armour and the Warhammer 40,000 weaponry to Unreal Engine 4.
Visit the official website

Styx: Shards of Darkness (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
Styx is back with a thrilling new stealth adventure full of twists and turns in the sequel to Styx: Master of Shadows. Styx creeps back in a new adventure packed with bigger production, plenty of new features and a new engine: Unreal Engine 4.
Visit the official website

The Technomancer (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
The Technomancer is a sci-fi RPG set on Mars to be released on June 28, featuring dynamic combat and an epic story line, where your choices will affect the fate of the Red Planet. You are a Technomancer, a formidable warrior harnessing destructive electrical powers, ready to embark on a perilous journey across a planet torn apart by conflict and infested with mutant creatures.
Visit the official website

Shiness: The Lightning Kingdom (TBA)
The debut Action-RPG from Enigami brings you into the world of Mahera, where the power of Shi flows through each and every individual. Travel with Chado and his friends as you explore and battle your way through the Meonis Plains using fighting game mechanics like parrying, dodging, and super combos. Each character has a unique fighting mechanic and an explorative skill to solve the puzzles in Mahera’s dungeons.
Visit the official website

Mordheim: City of the Damned (Consoles, PC)
The video game adaptation of Games Workshop’s cult-classic tabletop game has a brand new DLC: The Witch Hunter Warband. Rogue Factor is bringing the fanatic and tenacious Holy Order to their turn-based RPG, complete with Zealots, Templar Knights, and Executioners.
Visit the official website

Techland Moves Into Global Publishing

2016/06/02
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Industry News, News

June 2nd , 2016 – Wroclaw, Poland/ Techland, the Poland-based company best known as the developer of many fan-favorite games including Dying Light, Dead Island, and the Call of Juarez series, is proud to announce its move into the international publishing market.
With over twenty years of experience not only as a developer but also video game distributor and publisher in Central and Eastern Europe, Techland has decided to go global as Techland Publishing.

Techland’s CEO Paweł Marchewka:
“As a developer, we have worked with many renowned publishers in the past so we know first-hand what makes these kinds of collaborations efficient and satisfying for both parties. After the successful promotional campaigns for Dying Light and Dying Light: The Following, led by our own dedicated team, we believe this is the perfect time to use everything we’ve learned and help other developers.

We believe in a flexible and open publishing philosophy, based on respect for the players. We will encourage and financially support developers through investing in bold, unconventional games with great entertainment value.

Our goal is to release 2 major multiplatform titles, and 4 in digital distribution each year. We’re already scanning the market for opportunities and we’ll announce the first game to be released under Techland Publishing soon.”

Star Wars Announces Ultimate Studio Edition Line of Prop Replicas

2016/06/01
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Movie News, News

San Francisco – June 1, 2016 – Disney and Lucasfilm today launched Star Wars Collectibles: Ultimate Studio Edition bringing an unprecedented level of authenticity to prop replica products for fans. Made to order by propmakers at Propshop in Pinewood Studios using digital data collected during filming of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the production process marries cutting edge 3D printing technology with master craftsmanship to produce replicas virtually identical to those seen on screen. Available initially in the U.S., starwarsultimatestudioedition.com is the exclusive location to purchase these products.

“We’re delighted to be able to produce such a groundbreaking line of merchandise,” said James Enright, Assets Director and CEO of Propshop. “Designed, made and finished by the hands of specialist motion picture prop makers and artists, we’ve worked extremely hard to create something that we know would make fans and filmmakers proud.”

TT_Helmet_FinnTrooper_032316_propshop-X3

The initial offering from the Star Wars Collectibles line features eight prop replicas from Star Wars: The Force Awakens including Darth Vader’s melted helmet, Rey’s lightsaber hilt, FN-2187 Stormtrooper helmet and more. Each replica item is a limited production piece due to the high level of craftsmanship required to create them.

These made-to-order replicas will come with custom display pedestals, packed in branded wooden crates that are inspired by the real crates used to ship the film props. Each one is custom built to accommodate the shape of the replica inside.

“We are continually looking for new ways to extend the storytelling from movies in innovative ways,” said Josh Silverman, executive vice president of global licensing at Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media. “We’ve worked hand in hand with the film makers and talented team at Propshop to create a unique product experience for fans and we’re excited to see their reactions to these incredible prop replicas.”

TT_Helmet_Poe_032316_propshop_0387-X3

Visit Disney’s YouTube channel to view the latest installment of their “Boxed” series to get a behind-the-scenes look at Darth Vader’s melted helmet being created; then tune in each month to see reveals of new items added to the Star Wars Collectibles: Ultimate Studio Edition line. For more information, visit starwarsultimatestudioedition.com.

Winchester Mystery House Presentation Announced for Midsummer Scream

2016/05/31
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Halloween, News

LOS ANGELES, May 28, 2016 – Midsummer Scream, Southern California’s premier Halloween, haunt and horror festival to be held July 30 – 31 at the Long Beach Convention Center, has unleashed a steady stream of announcements, from world-class theme park presentations to professional makeup demonstrations, and a massive show floor filled with artisans and vendors of the macabre. The most famous haunted house in California has now been added to the festival’s lineup; a storied mansion so legendary that its name is revered by fans and ghost hunters around the world… Winchester.

The Winchester Mystery House will be hosting an unprecedented 60-minute presentation and panel discussion on Sunday July 31 featuring rare photographs, never-before-seen footage and ghost stories from the sprawling 160-room Victorian mansion in the San Francisco Bay Area. WINCHESTER: California’s Original Haunted House will feature Walter Magnuson, General Manager Winchester Mystery House; Tim O’Day, Director of Communications for Winchester Mystery House; and Peter Overstreet, event producer of Winchester Mystery House’s all-new Halloween Candlelight Tours.

During the spirited presentation, Winchester Mystery House representatives will discuss the history of the property, its reputation for being a paranormal activity hotspot, an upcoming episode of Ghost Adventures, their recent James Van Praagh séance, brand-new Halloween Candlelight Tours, plans for winter events, and feature film Winchester, by Michael and Peter Spierig, starring Oscar-winning actress Helen Mirren.

“We’re so excited to be bringing the incredible story and legend of the Winchester Mystery House to Midsummer Scream attendees,” said Walter Magnuson, General Manager of Winchester Mystery House. “Our estate is considered one of America’s foremost and most legendary haunted homes, so it’s fitting that we are a part of this inaugural event and we’re eager to share never-before-seen imagery and never-before-heard paranormal tales.”

Winchester Mystery House’s presence will be felt throughout the Midsummer Scream weekend as well at their booth in the Museum of Paranormal History, a curated section of the show floor featuring all things paranormal.

“Midsummer Scream is already the ultimate convention for fans of haunted attractions. The addition of the Winchester Mystery House as a partner only broadens our appeal to the supernatural and ghost-hunting community, drawing in those enthusiasts as well,” said David Markland, Executive Director of Midsummer Scream.

Tickets are now on sale, with new information regarding Midsummer Scream being updated frequently at MidsummerScream.org.

Fans may sign up on the site for email notifications and announcements, including discounts and other special offers.  Be sure to follow Midsummer Scream on social media as well – Twitter/Periscope: @MidsummerScream, Instagram: @MidsummerScream, and Facebook: facebook.com/midsummerscream.

ROCCAT Announces Suora Frameless Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

2016/05/31
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Peripherals News

Hamburg/Taipei, 31 May 2016 – German peripheral manufacturer ROCCAT today announces a brand new mechanical keyboard design aimed at gaming purists. The Suora’s frameless design channels its philosophy as a pure and efficient mechanical keyboard for no-frills gamers. Its robust, compact build with aluminum alloy housing provides a consistent, distraction-free platform. It features a unique build with an entirely frameless structure. No palm rest, no thick border, no thumb keys, and no unnecessary media keys – just high-quality, mechanical keys mounted on a durable plate. The key back-lighting in exclusive ROCCAT blue comes with a breathing effect and 11 brightness levels, with top notch lighting guaranteed.

Tt eSports Announces New Ventus Z Gaming Mouse

2016/05/31
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Peripherals News

Taipei, Taiwan – May, 31, 2016 – Tt eSPORTS, the energetic and powerful challenger reveals the new member for its VENTUS family,VENTUS Z Gaming Mouse. The VENTUS Z Gaming Mouse features an AVAGO ADNS 9500 laser sensor with up to 11000 DPI via gaming software, a new coating with a feel that is somewhere in between the feel of plastic and rubber coating; a balance between rigid surfaces and a soft to touch finish. Tt eSPORTS Aerodynamically Engineered from its flagship Level 10 M series of mice is inherited into this iteration of the VENTUS Z Gaming Mouse; keeping gamers’ hands cool even when gaming for long durations! The VENTUS Z Gaming Mouse is on display at the COMPUTEX Taipei 2016, during May 31st (Tue) – June 4th (Sat) 2016 in TWTC Nangang Exhibition Hall (4th floor, booth number M110); we look forward to your visit!

Further information about Thermaltake at COMPUTEX Taipei 2016 is available online: http://computex2016.thermaltake.com

 

The New VENTUS Z Gaming Mice with a suggested price of USD 59.99

 

For more information on the new VENTUS Z Gaming Mice, please visit:

http://www.ttesports.com/productPage.aspx?p=219

VENTUS Z Gaming Mice product video:

https://youtu.be/Hpig3qtp6P4

Starbreeze Acquires PAYDAY Franchise for $30 Million

2016/05/31
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Industry News, News

STOCKHOLM (May 30, 2016) – Starbreeze AB, an independent creator, publisher and distributor of high quality entertainment products, today announced its agreement with 505 Games to acquire the full rights to the PAYDAY-franchise. The consideration for the acquisition amounts to 10.9 million B-shares in Starbreeze, equivalent to 30 MUSD (approx. 249 MSEK).

After the transaction Starbreeze will own the full rights to the PAYDAY-franchise for any future developments or commercialization, including PAYDAY 2 and PAYDAY for mobile platforms. Starbreeze will retain full net revenue from PAYDAY 2 on the Steam platform starting retroactively from May 1st, 2016. Revenue generated by the console game PAYDAY 2: Crimewave Edition will continue to be split between the companies as before, and 505 Games will continue to publish the title.

Furthermore, 505 Games will retain a 33% revenue share of Starbreeze’s net revenues from future sales of PAYDAY 3 capped at 40 MUSD, and after Starbreeze has fully recouped its development and marketing costs.

It’s Starbreeze assessment that the price of 30 MUSD will be matched by corresponding revenues on the Payday franchise until such time Payday 3 is released in the future. Given the strategic value for Starbreeze to control its hit franchise it is both in the short and long term a sound investment.

“PAYDAY is very close to my heart, and has laid the foundation for Starbreeze success in recent years. We’re very excited to bring our heisters home to the safe house,” said Bo Andersson Klint, Starbreeze CEO. “To start with, we believe in the continued success of PAYDAY 2 and will support it for at least another 18 months continuing expanding the game.”

The 10 934 211 million new B shares will, post transaction, represent 4.3% of shares and 1.4% of votes and will be issued under authority from the AGM. After the issue, the total number of B-shares in Starbreeze is 196 832 410 and the total number of shares in Starbreeze 254 298 338.

First launched in 2011, PAYDAY is a cooperative first-person shooter computer and video game franchise with more than 14 million players on PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, XboxOne and SteamOS platforms.

Todd Robbins Joins ScareLA 2016 Lineup

2016/05/27
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Halloween, News

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (May 27, 2016) — ScareLA, the summer Halloween convention set to open doors August 6-7, 2016 at the Pasadena Convention Center for its fourth year, is thrilled to announce the addition of Todd Robbins to the event’s growing line-up of celebrity scare entertainment masterminds. Attendees will be the first to experience Robbins’ immersive one hour show specially designed for ScareLA audiences.

Todd Robbins presents Dark Illusions & Even Darker Reality – an unforgettable live experience with chillingly true stories and sinister illusions that will make audiences laugh, scream and lose their mind all at the same time. “This is truly an amazing talent,” stated celebrity radio host Howard Stern, reflecting on Robbins’ scintillating performance.

Todd Robbins is famed for being the host of Investigation Discovery’s True Nightmares and star of the haunting off-Broadway hit “Play Dead” (directed by Teller of Pen & Teller). This summer, he will bring an hour of his infamous trickery exclusively to ScareLA 2016.

“We are absolutely thrilled to add Todd Robbins to our 2016 ScareLA lineup,” stated Lora Ivanova, Founder and Executive Producer of ScareLA. “His original approach to creating chillingly immersive theatrical performances is a perfect fit for the spirit of creativity and interactivity of our convention. This year we are truly pushing the boundaries of what is possible as we work to create the most unforgettable experience for guests of all ages and challenge their imaginations. What better way to kick off the scare season this summer than with a touch of dark magic? We can’t wait to celebrate Halloween early with Todd and our fans.”

For more information and to purchase tickets for ScareLA 2016 : Season of the Witch event, visit www.scarela.com.