Author - Jerry Paxton

Console Release Date Announced For Banner Saga 2

2016/05/12
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Xbox One News

BALTIMORE, MD – May 12, 2016 – Stoic, an independent game development company, and Versus Evil, one of the leading independent video game publishers, today announced that Banner Saga 2 will launch on Tuesday 26th July, 2016 on PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and to the Xbox One via the ID@Xbox self-publishing program.  Banner Saga 2 recently released on PC and Mac where it received excellent reviews across the board. Check out the accolades trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN1lPeZWr5M

Banner Saga 2 is the exciting sequel to the award winning, BAFTA nominated, indie hit The Banner Saga, an epic Viking role-playing strategy game where a player’s choice directly affects their personal journey.

“We are happy that we were able to create a development schedule where the console version of Banner Saga 2 could come out shortly after the PC version,” said John Watson, Technical Director at Stoic. “Although our team size dictated what we could do with the first release, we knew that a two year wait for the sequel was just not acceptable, so we worked extremely hard to ensure that console gamers could continue their journey in a timely fashion. Our goal for Banner Saga 3 is to simultaneously ship on all platforms!” he added.

“This sequel continues to build on the legacy Stoic has created with the Banner Saga.  New players can jump right in and play without any concern of not playing the original game.   We didn’t want anyone penalized if they were jumping into this story for the first time.“ commented Steve Escalante, General Manager at Versus Evil.  “However, the diehard fans who completed the first game will be able to continue their own saga based on all the choices they made in Banner Saga 1. The Stoic team has done an amazing job of ensuring this sequel is better than the first and addressed many comments their community had including improvements to combat, a wider variety of characters to play and interact with and the addition of more animations and cinematics,” he concluded.

To celebrate the launch of the sequel, the team recently released an “In Memoriam” trailer, an entertaining homage to the first game which is renowned for making gamers make some difficult choices which result in the loss of several beloved characters. The trailer, which was created by Penny Arcade contributor Kris Straub, can be viewed here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSxrkcmDCpk.

The Banner Saga, which launched to much critical acclaim has received several awards and nominations, including winner of the 2014 Geekie Awards for “Best Video Game”, winner of 2014 Game Developers Choice: “Best Debut” award, finalist placement for “Excellence in Visual Arts” category at the Independent Game Festival, 3 BAFTA Award Nominations, and winner of Pocket Gamer’s 2015 Best Adventure/RPG Game and Best Android Game of the Year. The sequel, Banner Saga 2 for PC is available now through most digital retailers including Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/281640/

To learn more about The Banner Saga and Banner Saga 2 visit:http://bannersaga.com

To learn more about Versus Evil visit: http://www.vsevil.net

DOOM Coming to Indy 500

2016/05/12
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos

May 12, 2016 (Rockville, MD) – Schmidt Peterson Motorsports (SPM) and Bethesda Softworks®, a ZeniMax® Media company, today revealed the DOOM car set to premiere at the Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis on May 14 – one day after the videogame’s eagerly awaited release on May 13. The No. 7 car, driven by SMP Racing driver Mikhail Aleshin, will go on to compete in the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 29.

DOOM, under development at id Software®, the studio that pioneered the first-person shooter genre, returns as a brutally fun and challenging modern-day shooter experience for the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC.

Aleshin is the first driver from Russia to race in the Verizon IndyCar Series. The 28-year-old native of Moscow spent the formative years in his racing career in Europe racing and winning on some of the most storied racetracks. Aleshin competed with SPM for a full season in 2014, earning one podium and seven top-ten finishes. He piloted a third SPM car at the 2015 season finale and is making his full-season return for 2016.

“We couldn’t imagine a more perfect sponsorship fit,” said Pete Hines, Vice President of PR & Marketing for Bethesda Softworks. “DOOM is all about pushing forward with incredible speed. We’ll all be cheering on Mikhail and the Schmidt Peterson Motorsports team as we celebrate the game’s launch.”

Relentless demons, impossibly destructive guns, and fast, fluid movement provide the foundation for intense, first-person combat – whether you’re obliterating demon hordes through the depths of Hell in the single-player campaign, or competing against your friends in numerous multiplayer modes. DOOM garnered numerous E3 2015 awards and in a recent preview, Game Informer aptly described the gameplay as “an absolute blast.”

“We are always pleased to invite a new sponsor into the Schmidt Peterson Motorsports family. However, according to my son, having DOOM on Mikhail’s car for the GP of Indy and the Indianapolis 500 is by far the most exciting sponsor we’ve ever announced,” said Sam Schmidt, SPM Team Owner. “We feel these types of partnerships are absolutely critical to creating the next generation of fans for the Verizon IndyCar Series. This sport is all about speed, innovation and technology, so gaming seems to be a natural fit.”

The team unveiled the livery for Aleshin’s No. 7 Indy car this morning at 8:30 a.m. ET in the SPM garages at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It will be on track at 11 a.m. for the first practice of the Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis.

DOOM has been rated M for Mature by the ESRB. For more information, visit: www.DOOM.com.

Homefront: The Revolution Story Trailer

2016/05/12
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

May 11, 2016 – Today Deep Silver invites you to meet the leaders of the Philadelphia Resistance as we reveal the first details of Homefront: The Revolution’s gripping characters. As raw recruit, Ethan Brady, you are plunged into a desperate struggle for freedom as the Resistance try to save the one man who can inspire the people to rise up – Benjamin Walker, the ‘Voice of Freedom’ himself. What lengths will the Resistance go to in order to achieve their goals… and will the end ever justify the means?

Weaving state-of-the-art performance capture into a 30-hour open world single -player campaign, Homefront’s dark and brutal story will leave you reeling. Homefront: The Revolution will be released on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC on May 17th, 2016.

Scare LA Announces Interactive Haunts for Upcoming Convention

2016/05/11
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Halloween, News

PASADENA, Calif., May 11, 2016 — This August, the most anticipated Halloween haunt creators give attendees a taste of their darkest nightmares at ScareLA on August 6-7, 2016 at the Pasadena Convention Center. Since becoming the first U.S. convention dedicated to Halloween in 2013, ScareLA has been leading the charge in showcasing original interactive horror content unlike anything audiences have ever seen. Today, we are excited to announce three immersive experiences set to join the event’s extensive lineup and kick of Halloween in the summer.

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Only at ScareLA: CREEP LA MINI HAUNT: CREEP LA will preview their latest attractionENTRY, inspired by cinematic styles from directors (David Lynch, Stanley Kubrick & Ti West) and influenced by productions like Sleep No More & Then She Fell. Experience a taste of ENTRY before the haunt season ONLY at ScareLA!

“ONE OF THE CLOSET THINGS TO FEELING LIKE YOU’RE IN A HORROR MOVIE”

– Nerd Reactor

#CREEPITREAL #CREEPLA @Creeplosangeles

Only at ScareLA: Snapshot Productions presents THE ROPE, an immersive horror experience taking you through the darkest moments of waking life utilizing sensory deprivation and physical/emotional tests to challenge your sanity.

Inspired by the From Software’s Dark Souls series, and Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem.

Website: www.screenshot.productions
Instagram: @whatwelearnedhere

HereticHauntedHouse

Only at ScareLA: H E R E T I C Presents: THE DESCENT, a walk through a nightmare fragmented in real time to test your nerves.

Returning for their 3rd year at ScareLA they promise that this exclusive experience will give you a sample of how H E R E T I C cerebrally pushes guests to their limits. 

Website: http://www.heretichorrorhouse.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HERETICHAUNTEDHOUSE/

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

# # #  

About ScareLA

Founded in 2013, ScareLA is the Southern California convention dedicated to all things Halloween. Situated in the entertainment capital of the world, the event celebrates the American scare season traditions and the diverse cultural heritage of the Greater Los Angeles region. Featuring hundreds of specialty vendors, education programming, world-class industry presentations, ScareLA draws over 10,000 professionals, fans and families from the U.S. and abroad to celebrate Halloween early every summer. ScareLA is one of the fastest growing independent fan conventions in the U.S. addressing a $10 billion Halloween industry worldwide.

Time Machine VR Gets Release Date

2016/05/11
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Windows PC News

MONTREAL – May 11, 2016 – Minority Media Inc. has today announced that their VR exploration adventure game, Time Machine VR (TMVR), will be launching simultaneously on Rift and Vive on May 19 for $29.99 USD (with other regional prices adjusted separately). Featuring over 10 hours of single-player gameplay, the title takes players on a captivating journey through time, with a narrative written by Assassin’s Creed III and IV’s Jill Murray. For those who can’t wait for the end of the month to go nose-to-nose with dinosaurs and fight for the survival of the human race in a visually-stunning simulation of the Jurassic era, TMVR is already in Early Access on Steam and the Oculus Store.

“As kids, we all dreamed of encountering a dinosaur,” said Minority CEO Vander Caballero. “So when VR came around three years ago and we started experimenting with it, we immediately remembered this dream. Once we started bringing the megalodon and other creatures back to life in VR, we couldn’t wrap our minds around how huge and real they looked! This is the kind of mind-blowing contact with prehistoric creatures that can only happen in VR.”

Time Machine VR places players in the shoes of an adventurous time-traveling cadet, assigned to investigate the treacherous depths of the Jurassic oceans by harvesting data on the sea-dwelling leviathans of ancient Earth. But when melting ice caps in the present unleash a deadly prehistoric virus, this routine research mission quickly becomes a race to save humanity from extinction. Time travel is not an exact science, so players will need to navigate more than just the jaws of Earth’s mightiest ancient titans when time itself begins to splinter around them.

Built from the ground up as a VR-only experience, Time Machine VR’s breathtaking atmosphere uses the technology’s unmatched immersive power to kick your adrenal glands on overdrive. The Oculus’ Xbox gamepad offers one of the smoothest navigation systems in VR, and in the Vive version only, players can freeze the game and physically move around the space just by standing up.

As players glide through prehistory, they can use their pod’s high-tech powers of observation and time manipulation to engage with some of our planet’s greatest sea monsters, from the livyatan to the megalodon.

For more information please visit:

Civilization VI Announcement Trailer

2016/05/11
Jerry Paxton
E3, Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

New York, NY – May 11, 2016 – 2K and Firaxis Games are excited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Civilization series by announcing that Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI, the next entry in the award-winning turn-based strategy franchise, is currently in development for PC. Sid Meier’s Civilization VI will offer players new ways to interact with their world, expand their empire across the map, advance their culture, and compete against history’s greatest leaders to build a civilization to stand the test of time.

“Sid Meier’s Civilization games hold a reputation for defining the 4X gaming genre for the past 25 years,” said Christoph Hartmann, President of 2K. “We can’t think of a better way to celebrate the silver anniversary of our longest-running franchise than launching the eagerly anticipated Sid Meier’s Civilization VI, which will provide the most detailed, beautiful and complete experience ever featured in aCivilization game.”

Sid Meier’s Civilization VI sets another milestone in the Civilization franchise, which has sold-in over 34 million units worldwide and changed the gaming landscape by bringing the strategy genre to unparalleled heights. In Sid Meier’s Civilization VI, cities will physically expand across the map to create new, deep strategic layers, active research in technology and culture will unlock new potential ways to play; and the large variety of leaders will pursue their own agendas based on their historical character traits as players race to achieve victory however they choose to play.

“Sid Meier’s Civilization VI builds on the firm foundation of the Civilization franchise, and we’ve added many exciting new elements,” said Ed Beach, lead designer at Firaxis Games. “The visual presentation of the game is inspired by the maps and tools of the Age of Exploration, and we’ve made several key gameplay changes such as expansive cities and active research that makes Sid Meier’s Civilization VI an entirely unique experience while remaining true to what makes the Civilization series so special.”

Key features of Sid Meier’s Civilization VI include:

  • EXPANSIVE EMPIRES: See the marvels of your empire spread across the map like never before. Each city spans multiple tiles so you can custom build your cities to take full advantage of the local terrain;
  • ACTIVE RESEARCH: Unlock boosts that speed your civilization’s progress through history. To advance more quickly, use your units to actively explore, develop your environment, and discover new cultures;
  • DYNAMIC DIPLOMACY: Interactions with other civilizations change over the course of the game, from primitive first interactions where conflict is a fact of life, to late game alliances and negotiations;
  • COMBINED ARMS: Expanding on the “one unit per tile” design, support units can now be embedded with other units, like anti-tank support with infantry, or a warrior with settlers. Similar units can also be combined to form powerful “Corps” units;
  • ENHANCED MULTIPLAYER: In addition to traditional multiplayer modes, cooperate and compete with your friends in a wide variety of situations all designed to be easily completed in a single session;
  • A CIV FOR ALL PLAYERS: Civilization VI provides veteran players new ways to build and tune their civilization for the greatest chance of success. New tutorial systems are designed to introduce new players to the underlying concepts of Civilization so they can easily get started on a path to victory.

Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI is not yet rated by the ESRB, is available for pre-order now on Windows PC, and will be released worldwide on October 21, 2016 for $59.99/£49.99/€59.99. Expand your empire further with the Civilization VI Digital Deluxe Edition, which includes the full base game, the 25th Anniversary Digital Soundtrack, and access to four post-launch DLC packs that will add new maps, scenarios, civilizations and leaders for a bundled discount.

Come see Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI at 2K’s E3 booth, # 1601, South Hall.

For more information on Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI, visit www.civilization.com, become a fan on Facebook, follow Civilization on Twitter and Instagram and subscribe on YouTube.

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

All trademarks and copyrights contained herein are the property of their respective holders.

Bone Yard Effects Announces Alice in Terrorland and More For Midsummer Scream

2016/05/10
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, Halloween, News

LOS ANGELES, May 9, 2016 – Veteran special effects makeup artist Larry Bones and his world-class team of artists from Bone Yard Effects will turn a host of volunteers into savage creatures that will roam the show floor and Hall of Shadows during this summer’s Midsummer Scream Halloween Festival held July 30 – 31 at the Long Beach Convention Center.

Bones, whose film credits include Congo, Outbreak and Shallow Hal, will oversee the transformation of dozens of volunteers throughout the weekend to populate the entire Midsummer Scream venue, from the ominous Hall of Shadows to the vendor/exhibitor show floor and beyond. For the past 10 years, Larry has overseen the makeup needs for Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights.

“We are thrilled to have Larry as a creative partner,” said Claire Dunlap, Associate Producer of Midsummer Scream. “The enthusiasm he’s had for our event since the onset is infectious. At launch Larry committed his full support for which we are ecstatic. Having Bone Yard Effects with FX Faces at the helm of our most anticipated portion of the show floor creates excitement for our organization and the thousands of guest who’ll get to admire – and be terrorized by – his amazing talents. Larry is providing all that his creative genius has to offer and it is a win-win for everyone involved.”

Alice in Terrorland is the theme Larry chose this year for the photo op portion of Bone Yard’s sprawling booth on the show floor. Brave guests will be able to pose to have their photos taken with the dark vixen Alice and Rancid Rabbit, a towering creature straight out of your childhood nightmares. To ensure everyone gets a great photo at the Bone Yard booth, Dstar Photography will be in place the whole weekend taking complimentary professional photos that can be downloaded following the show from their Facebook Page.

Another portion of the Bone Yard space will be dedicated to FX Faces, the company’s prosthetics and makeup supply division. July will be just the right time to purchase the perfect demon, troll or vampire face for Halloween. Bone Yard will have everything you need to become the most frightening ghoul on your block or most hideous creature at your office party this fall.

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Bone Yard Effects will also have a special guest at their booth – David Naughton, beloved for his starring role in An American Werewolf in London as David Kessler. Mr. Naughton will be available for autographs throughout the entire weekend.

“We don’t go out of our way to bring celebrities to the show floor,” said Johanna Atilano, Producer of Midsummer Scream. “However, anyone who’s had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Naughton will tell you, he truly enjoys meeting fans and interacts with people sincerely, which is something the team felt would be a fantastic addition to the Bone Yard space on the show floor. In 2014, Larry did many makeups for An American Werewolf in London at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights event, so this is a perfect pairing in our opinion; we’re sure fans will agree!”

Individuals interesting in becoming Midsummer Scream monsters at the hands of Larry and his team should contact him directly at Larry@BoneYardFX.com immediately. Please note that only those with haunt experience will be eligible for this opportunity and will be screened by Bone Yard Effects. Volunteers selected will be admitted free of charge to Midsummer Scream, and will need to be able to work in character for the duration of the day they wish to participate.

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Midsummer Scream is California’s premier Halloween, haunt and horror festival featuring more than 100,000 square feet of artisan vendors, live entertainment, specialty workshops, makeup demonstrations, a screening room, haunted attraction previews and experiences, a darkened scare zone and more.

Additional information on Bone Yard Effects and FX Faces can be found at BoneYardFX.com.

Tickets are now on sale, and new information regarding Midsummer Scream is 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.

Mass Effect: Andromeda Shipping Window and EA Play 2016

2016/05/10
Jerry Paxton
E3, Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

May 10, 2016 – With Mass Effect™: Andromeda, our team at BioWare™ is exploring how far they can take this beloved franchise. Yes, we’re building the best of what we all love about Mass Effect – amazing stories, characters and fun third-person shooter combat – and bringing them along with us on the expedition to Andromeda. But we’re also excited to be introducing new features and ways you can enjoy a Mass Effect game.

• More Freedom: One of our biggest ambitions is to give players an unprecedented level of freedom for a Mass Effect experience –where you’ll go, how you’ll get there, and how you’ll play.

• New Uncharted Worlds: We’re leaving the Milky Way behind and headed to Andromeda, where we’ll meet new allies, confront new enemies, and explore fascinating new worlds.

• The Next Great Mass Effect Experience: Mass Effect: Andromeda will be the first Mass Effect game for today’s consoles and the first built on the Frostbite engine. We’re pushing the technology to deliver visuals, story, and gameplay that have never been done in franchise history.

As we’ve been playing the game at the studio recently, it’s showing us that we’re taking the game in the right direction. But we also know we need the right amount of time to make sure we deliver everything the game can be and should be – that’s our commitment from all of us to all of you. Because of that, Mass Effect: Andromeda will now ship in early 2017. We can’t wait to show you how far we’re all going to go. We’ll see you at the EA PLAY press conference on June 12, with an update.

Thank you for your patience and support.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Blood and Wine Release Date Revealed

2016/05/10
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox One News

CD PROJEKT RED, creators of The Witcher series of games, announce that the final expansion to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Blood and Wine, will premiere on May 31st (yeah, some of you were close). Pre-orders are available now at buy.thewitcher.com!

“Blood and Wine makes The Witcher 3 complete — it’s Geralt’s final mission. Containing more than 90 new quests, and over thirty hours of brand new adventures, it’s something that I think gamers will remember for a long time,” said Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, Game Director, CD PROJEKT RED. “There’s also a massive amount of features we’re giving gamers with this expansion like a dynamic Point of Interest system, a new Gwent deck, new endgame mutation mechanics, and even a place Geralt can call home…. And it’s all happening in a new region as big as No Man’s Land in the base game,” Tomaszkiewicz adds.