Author - Jerry Paxton

Hasbro Showcases Retro-Inspired Products and Experiences for Transformers ’80s Week

2024/05/15

Hasbro, a leading toy and game company, today announced TRANSFORMERS ‘80s Week to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the beloved franchise. The week-long celebration features new product reveals, pre-orders and retro content allowing new generations to discover the decade where it all began. Check out TRANSFORMERS’ social channels for a series of ‘80s-themed stop motion videos dropping each day this week.

All this week and during the Hasbro Pulse Fanstream today at 11 AM ET on YouTube, the TRANSFORMERS team is unveiling new products that fans can add to their collections, including the following:

The TRANSFORMERS Studios Series product line brings the epic action of the TRANSFORMERS movies from the big screen into fan collections around the world. The latest additions include action figures based on BUMBLEBEE, SKYWARP, STEELJAW, SPRINGER and DECEPTICON SOLDIER. Additionally, the newly revealed TRANSFORMERS GENERATIONS COMIC EDITION DECEPTICON STRAXUS action figure celebrates the brand’s 40^th anniversary since TRANSFORMERS robots made their comic debut in 1984.

Rooted in action and adventure, the Hot Wheels® TRANSFORMERS line unites the fan bases of Hot Wheels and TRANSFORMERS with stunning launches for car, Autobot and Decepticon lovers to enjoy. The legendary brands are kicking off by launching a never-before-seen collector item: Hot Wheels® TRANSFORMERS™ Optimus Prime. The brand-new vehicle authentically recreates a 1:64 scale version of the Autobot leader in metal-on-metal material. This converting collector piece comes with full graphics on top of the red and blue Spectraflame™ paint and Real Riders® custom wheels. Hot Wheels® TRANSFORMERS™ Optimus Prime will be available on May 21 at 9AM PT exclusively at Mattel Creations.

Later this summer, the line will evolve to include fan-favorite TRANSFORMERS characters across multiple Hot Wheels lines, including Bumblebee in the Hot Wheels Basic Singles Assortment, a Hot Wheels Silver Series collection of Autobots and Decepticons, and more characters like Megatron and Starscream in Hot Wheels Skate.

Hasbro Presents Transformers: Music from the Original Animated Series – Fans can jam out to music from 1984’s The Transformers classic animated series (seasons 1-3). Originally released in 2019 with over 45 minutes of music, this reissue album includes bonus tracks and a mixture of remastered orchestral and ‘80s inspired synth tracks from the original tapes by composer Rob Walsh. The vinyl album is available for preorder now, and a first-ever digital release of the album will be offered later this year. The album will launch in July with pre-orders coming soon to Hasbro Pulse.
Funko’s TRANSFORMERS 40th Anniversary Pop! figures are here! Inspired by the beloved “Generation 1” era of the franchise, fans can add iconic TRANSFORMERS characters to their collection such as Optimus Prime, Megatron, Blaster, Astrotrain and Laserbeak.

By purchasing Laserbeak, there is a 1-in-6 chance to obtain the Pop! Buzzsaw chase figure. Chase variants are shipped at random and not guaranteed with purchase. TRANSFORMERS 40th Anniversary Pop! figures will be available for pre-order on Funko.com and participating retailers beginning May 15^th. Figures to launch in July 2024.

TRANSFORMERS teams up with BEYBLADE for their first-ever collab tops, featuring Optimus Prime, Optimus Primal, Starscream and Megatron in multi-pack sets for the all-new, fourth generation BEYBLADE X series. The BEYBLADE X TRANSFORMERS tops will be available for a limited pre-order exclusively on Amazon Tuesday, May 14 @1pm EST.

Starting May 15, fans are heading to theaters to experience the TILL ALL ARE ONE: TRANSFORMERS 40^th ANNIVERSARY EVENT. This special cinema experience will showcase episodes from the classic 1984 animated series “THE TRANSFORMERS” and an exclusive behind-the-scenes table read featuring some of the TRANSFORMERS original voice-over talent, including Peter Cullen (original voice of Optimus Prime) and Frank Welker (original voice of Megatron). A sneak peek of the new season of the original animated kids’ series TRANSFORMERS: EARTHSPARK will be shown as well. Tickets and participating theater locations are available at: Transformers40thCinemaEvent.com.

For the latest information on the TRANSFORMERS , including toys and entertainment, follow @TRANSFORMERSOfficial on Instagram, @TransformersOfficial on Threads, @TRANSFORMERS on Facebook and @TRANSFORMERSOfficial on TikTok.

Dark Envoy Director’s Cut Out Now

2024/05/15

Jerry Paxton

Event Horizon, the Polish developer behind tactical RPGs Tower of Time, are launching the Director’s Cut of their latest release, Dark Envoy, a real-time strategy RPG with and a rich cast of recruitable companions to journey with. Dark Envoy: Director’s Cut reworks narration and cutscenes to reflect the moral depth that players found in the world around them. New narration establishes the weight of the war between the opposed forces of arcanum to complement the high-stakes tactical combat present in the original. Dark Envoy: Director’s Cut is out now on Steam for $27.99 USD, and available for 40% off as part of Steam’s Daily Deal.

After six months on Steam, and following the huge renewal of interest in isometric RPGs, Event Horizon has incorporated detailed community feedback on skills, characters, narrative, and complex moral dichotomies to make Dark Envoy: Director’s Cut the tactical, story-driven RPG players envision from the team behind Tower of Time. With immense gratitude from Event Horizon, the players of Dark Envoy showed up in-force to support the title’s development.

In Dark Envoy, players navigate real-time combat with pause and tactical slow-motion. Utilize strong battlefield placement and diverse skills across four classes and 16 subclasses to turn environmental hazards to your cause, dominate groups of monsters and soldiers, and best bosses in high-stakes battles. Between onslaughts, hunt for relics across sprawling temples and caverns, while you walk a razor-thin line between two sides of a vicious war.

Riven Coming to Meta Quest

2024/05/14

Jerry Paxton

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

Today Cyan Worlds is pleased to reveal that Riven, the classic narrative-driven puzzle game that is being updated for modern platforms, will initially launch on the Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest 3 VR platforms, as well as Windows (VR and flatscreen) and Mac. Already announced to be coming to virtual reality, Cyan Worlds is thrilled to confirm that Riven will be coming to the Meta Quest platform.

Cyan’s from-the-ground-up remake of Myst—launched first on the Meta Quest platform in 2020—enabled players to experience the game’s iconic Ages like never before. In Riven’s first update since 1997, players will explore the game with the same sense of immersion and freedom that comes from actually being in this world—especially on Meta Quest 3, where Riven will take advantage of the headset’s increased power and higher resolution to deliver a truly spectacular experience.

“One of the most astounding experiences for me is being fully immersed in Riven in VR with no strings attached on Meta Quest 3,” stated Cyan Worlds co-founder Rand Miller. “It’s mind-blowing to have jumped from the original static images to wrapping myself in Riven.”

Delving further into the lore that Cyan’s first game Myst only hinted at, Riven tightly integrates its puzzles into a sprawling and decaying world that plunges players into a conflict between the world’s villainous ruler and those rebelling against him. While Myst has been remade several times, the visuals, cinematics, and overall scope have made Riven difficult to adapt. Bringing the remake to Unreal Engine 5 and leveraging the capabilities of the Meta Quest system will allow both old and new fans to experience the iconic 3D world like never before.

SteelSeries Unveils 100+ Game Audio Profiles with Arctis Nova 5 & Companion App

2024/05/14

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Tech News, Trailers / Videos

From the creator of the groundbreaking Arctis Nova line of headsets, SteelSeries, the original esports brand that fuses gaming and culture and worldwide leader in gaming and esports peripherals, today expands the Arctics Nova family with the introduction of the Arctis Nova 5 series headsets and Nova 5 Companion App.

For the newest member of the award-winning Arctis Nova line of headsets, the design and engineering teams set out to craft something new with three innovative goals in mind; create better audio for the games people play on Xbox and PlayStation; develop a wireless gaming headset that’s both premium and accessible; and allow gamers to play longer and harder. The result is the Arctis Nova 5, and the Nova 5 Companion App, the first of its kind app to give players access to over 100 audio presets at their fingertips, Quick Switch Wireless freedom with high-speed 2.4GHz or Bluetooth 5.3 at the tap of a button, an extraordinary 60+ Hour Battery Life, and a $129.99 price point. That’s “affordable luxury” at its best.

“Innovation is key, and we use it to unlock the power of imagination and push boundaries to provide gamers with premium audio experiences,” said Ehtisham Rabbani, SteelSeries CEO. “The introduction of the Arctis Nova 5 and Companion App, with over 100 audio presets, is literally ‘game-changing’ and provides users with an epic audio advantage for console gaming.”

Sound matters. When it comes to providing gamers with a competitive edge, SteelSeries has been at the forefront of creating industry-defining gaming gear and a driving force behind esports for over two decades.

As gaming continues to grow in popularity, SteelSeries has been laser-focused on the gamer experience and leading the way in defining a gaming lifestyle. As of January 2024, there are over 3.4B gamers worldwide, which includes 887M PC, 334M PlayStation, 247M Nintendo, 227M Xbox, and 2.8B mobile gamers, and they typically play games across multiple platforms.

The Arctis Nova 5 is perfectly equipped for console gaming on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and other platforms.

The Nova 5 Companion App – Introducing a revolutionary app that features 100+ game-specific audio presets that have been meticulously crafted and custom-tailored to each game by audio engineers, esports Pros, and game developers. Gamers can change their audio presets on the fly in real-time and without leaving the game, providing a distinct competitive advantage. Hear what others don’t with precisely honed audio profiles for top games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, Minecraft, and more.
Neodymium Magnetic Drivers – Gamers can hear everything with an ultra-detailed soundscape of crystal-clear highs, pinpoint mids, and deep bass. The custom-designed Neodymium Magnetic Drivers are crafted from a rare-earth metal to ensure the perfect audio experience, whatever game or track they are playing.
Quick-Switch Wireless – Easily take calls while gaming, switching from high-speed 2.4GHz to Bluetooth 5.3 with a tap of a button. Mobile connections remain on standby when players are back in the action, so they can receive calls. Keep Fortnite EQs on the 2.4GHz bandwidth without affecting specific media profiles for Bluetooth audio.
Cross-Platform Gaming – A compact USB-C dongle allows gamers to easily swap between all systems, supporting Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, PC, Meta Quest, handhelds, as well as phones and tablets that support USB-C.
ClearCast 2.X Mic – 2X the bandwidth, 2X the clarity. SteelSeries’ ClearCast microphone features a new high-bandwidth chipset supporting 32KHz/16Bit audio to keep comms crystal clean and clear. Gamers can supercharge vocals even further with Sonar AI-Powered Noise Cancellation on PC for the ultimate two-way noise reduction on comms. A unique design seamlessly blends the mic into the earcup when fully retracted for on-the-go.
60+ Hours of Wireless Gaming – A 60-hour battery life equates to a full charge lasting 8 hours each day for 7 days in a row. A USB-C fast charging delivers another 6 hours of charge in only 15 minutes.
Sonar Audio Software Suite – the first pro-grade parametric EQ designed for gamers. Specifically designed to turbocharge any headset for gaming and provide a limitless ability to control sound across games, team chat, and the microphone, Sonar allows gamers to adjust every individual frequency and hear the sounds that matter the most.

The Arctis Nova 5 Series is available at SteelSeries.com and select retailers around the world for the following MSRP:

Arctis Nova 5/5X/5P Wireless – NA $129.99 | EMEA €139.99 | APAC $139.99
SteelSeries Sonar Audio Suite – Free Download at: SteelSeries.com/gg/sonar

Tennis Manager 2024 – New Features Announcement

2024/05/14

Jerry Paxton

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

Tennis Manager 2024 will be released on May 23rd on PC & Mac via Steam , Epic Games Store and GOG. Today, the studio unveils new features through the release of their first showcase video.

Building on the breakout success of the series’ debut, Tennis Manager 2024 takes the experience to new heights of immersive realism, both on and off the court.

In short, this new opus introduces revamped training to better simulate professional-level training sessions, with a new system of form and a new injury management system, combined with new ergonomics.

While Tennis Manager 2024 offers even more control for managers to develop their players’ unique personalities (new game plan balance, new player attributes), the tennis franchise continues to set the bar in terms of animation quality in tennis games. Managers will feel closer to the court than ever before, enabling them to make the right decisions.

A final major area of improvement is the addition of a new immediately playable mode called “Fantasy Court” that will onboard more fans and further engage the Tennis Manager community of active fans and streamers. In just two clicks, managers can either create a fictional tournament or replay a legendary tournament draw, such as Rafael Nadal’s first win at Roland Garros. This way, managers can challenge their friends and tell new, engaging tennis stories.

To connect even further with our fans, the team at Rebound will proudly present, in detail, all of Tennis Manager 2024’s main new features on May 15, during an interactive live broadcast on Twitch and Youtube, which fans will be able to attend.

Dirge Available on Steam

2024/05/14

Jerry Paxton

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

Indie game development studio NonNobis Games announces that Dirge, a chilling multiplayer horror game has been available on Steam since February 2024.

Dirge is an online co-op game set in the post-World War II period, where players join the Paranormal Investigator Task Force to uncover the mysteries behind supernatural occurrences, facing terrifying monsters and malevolent forces while working together to survive and complete tasks.

In Dirge, players team up to explore haunted locations, gathering items and facing challenges against paranormal adversaries. In contrast, in PvP mode, one player becomes the monster hunting the rest, with fallen players aiding their team as spirit orbs, ensuring a strategic experience even in death.

Players can choose from various investigators with unique abilities to combat paranormal threats, strategize for survival, or take control of monstrous entities like the Wraith, utilizing stealth and power to eliminate investigators and dominate the night.

Delve into meticulously designed maps such as Hillview Manor, Quetico Forest, and City of Wakefield in Dirge, where each harbors secrets and challenges, fostering intense gameplay in cooperative or PvP modes. Explore these locations to uncover their mysteries and shed light on the supernatural threats menacing the world.

Dirge, a passion project for our team, has evolved during Early Access with community feedback, incorporating player ideas to enhance the gaming experience. As we transition to Full Release, we’re excited to embark on this journey with you, creating a unique gaming experience. Explore Dirge’s eerie world and face your fears today!

Dead by Daylight Celebrates 8th Anniversary

2024/05/14

Jerry Paxton

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

Huge surprises and big twists were on display during Dead by Daylight’s Eighth Anniversary broadcast showing that another year of awesome content is coming. Two of six upcoming Chapters were revealed, including the upcoming Dungeons & Dragons Chapter and a Castlevania Chapter later in the year. The long-awaited 2v8 Mode was also detailed. The good news didn’t end, as fans were also treated to updates on The Casting of Frank Stone and the enigmatic Project T as well as the surprise release of a brand-new game, What the Fog.

Dead by Daylight x Dungeons & Dragons

A new tale is about to begin! Dead by Daylight: Dungeons & Dragons was announced as the game’s next major Chapter. Iconic D&D villain Vecna, known in Dead by Daylight as The Lich will impose his deadly will as the new Killer, while a Bard, Aestri Yazar is the new Survivor. The thrilling new Map, Forgotten Ruins takes players to a mysterious dungeon chock-full of easter eggs for fans.

D&D staples such as getting loot, magical items, and rolling dice will also be woven into the gameplay letting players channel their inner adventurer.

Players can try out the new Killer, Survivors, and gameplay features in the Public Test-Build, available now.

2V8 Mode

In a news drop that’s sure to please long-time fans, the 2V8 Game Mode was announced for Dead by Daylight offering a brand-new gameplay experience that promises to shake up The Entity’s Realm. The widely requested mode will see 2 Killers face off against 8 Survivors on a much larger Map.

To ramp up the action, several gameplay adjustments have been made including the replacement of Perks for what essentially amounts to a class system and the addition of Cages instead of Hooks. More information on the 2V8 Game Mode will be revealed in a future livestream this July.

What the Fog, a brand-new game out now

In yet another surprise for fans, a brand-new 2-person co-op roguelite game from the world of Dead by Daylight called What the Fog was announced and released during the livestream. Players take on the role of Dwight, Claudette, or Feng Min and work together to survive a hostile world as they run, jump, and shoot their way through an army of deadly monsters and bosses.

The game is available now and the first 2 million copies can be obtained for FREE by signing in to or creating a Behaviour Account and following the steps shown on the site. What the Fog can also be purchased on Steam for $4.99 USD.

Dead by Daylight Expansion

Eager fans were also treated to updates on the previously announced games from the world of Dead by Daylight.

Still in its early stages of development, the unnamed session-based PvE action-horror shooter now codenamed Project T, is opening its doors to the community to involve them in its creation. Players will be able to join the Insider Program to receive exclusive news, and the chance to participate in playtests and share their ideas and feedback on the game.

A new gameplay trailer for The Casting of Frank Stone was also shared, hinting at the dark, branching narrative that lies before players as the creation of an independent movie unlocks horrors beyond comprehension.

To see all the exciting announcements, players can view the livestream in its entirety on YouTube and Twitch or read the full recap blog on the Dead by Daylight website.

Castlevania’s Gothic Horror Comes to The Fog

The final surprise of the show featured a trailer for the upcoming Castlevania Chapter. Players were treated to a small glimpse of what they can expect when the long-running gaming franchise swoops in to sink its teeth into Dead by Daylight later this year.

Inon Zur to Perform at Heroes: A Video Game Symphony

2024/05/14

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News

The highly acclaimed video game music concert “Heroes: A Video Game Symphony” is coming to the iconic Hollywood Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles on July 6, 2024, and the unprecedented show will feature a special performance by legendary and award-winning composer Inon Zur.

In the video game and musical score genres, few composers have garnered as much recognition as Zur. Renowned for his emotionally dynamic original music scores for blockbuster video game franchises such as “Starfield”, “Fallout”, “Dragon Age”, “Prince of Persia”, and “The Elder Scrolls”, Emmy award-winner and three-time British Academy nominated composer Zur has created sonic landscapes that have captured the minds of gamers across the planet. At the July 6 Pantages show, Zur will perform music on piano from “Fallout 4”. The show also will feature the first ever public performance of Zur’s music from “Rise of the Rōnin”, the epic open-world action role playing game set in late 19th century Japan during the final years of the Edo period.

Jason Michael Paul – the producer and creator of the first stateside FINAL FANTASY concerts, The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary concerts, The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses concerts, and Founder of JMP Entertainment – envisioned the “Heroes” experience to take audience members on a hero’s journey, as set forth by Joseph Campbell’s monomyth – a narrative framework that can be seen in many of the games, film, and books throughout history. Everyone’s story is the story of a hero, told through the amazing worlds of other heroes, in an unforgettable experience that is not to be missed.

“It is unbelievable to have Inon performing with us at the iconic Pantages,” notes Paul. “This show will be epic!”

The music featured in the “Heroes” concert will pay homage to some of the gaming industry’s most iconic titles, including “World of Warcraft”, “Diablo”, “FINAL FANTASY”, “Portal 2”, “BioShock”, “Guild Wars 2”, “The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion”, “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim”, “Fallout 4”, “Starfield”, “Castlevania”, “Metal Gear Solid”, “Halo”, “Mass Effect”, “Dear Esther”, “God of War”, “Dragon Age”, “Shadow of the Colossus”, and more. Audiences also can enjoy watching their favorite video game heroes on a giant screen behind the orchestra, all synced to the extraordinary music.

Zur notes, “It’s always a joy to conduct my music in concert and I am thrilled to be a part of this extraordinary concert series created by Jason Michael Paul.”

For more information, please visit www.heroes-symphony.com. Other upcoming performances include July 13 in Chicago at Auditorium Theater. To purchase tickets, see an updated schedule or for more information, please visit www.heroes-symphony.com.

Homeworld 3 is Now Available on Steam and Epic Game Store

2024/05/14

Jerry Paxton

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

Today players can experience the epic saga of Homeworld 3, the newest chapter in the iconic sci-fi strategy series, on their PCs via Steam® and the Epic Games Store. Homeworld 3, developed by Blackbird Interactive and published by Gearbox Publishing, brings players a generational game that bridges deep strategy with tactical precision in dazzling, fully 3D environments where players will head into battles that shape the future of the galaxy.

The gripping launch trailer commemorating this moment is here:

“It’s difficult to put into words what it means to Blackbird, the individual team members and me personally, to deliver this next chapter in the Homeworld story,” said Blackbird Interactive CEO Rob Cunningham. “Players are about to embark on the next leg of the journey we began together more than 20 years ago. To all the players that put their faith in us, we are eternally grateful.”

“It’s a rare experience to be able to publish a generation-spanning franchise like Homeworld alongside a world-class developer in Blackbird Interactive,” said Steve Gibson, president of Gearbox Publishing. “The work they’ve done with Homeworld 3 has blown us away and stands as an example of the level of artistry and storytelling that is possible in this medium. It’s truly something we’ll always cherish.”

Key Features of Homeworld 3:

A Brand New Story – Homeworld 3 expands the Homeworld universe and is set 100 years after the events of Homeworld 2. It introduces a brand new protagonist, scientist Imogen S’Jet – the protégé of Karan S’Jet – who must become Fleet Command to solve the mystery behind Karan’s disappearance and determine the meaning of “the anomaly”, a threat that endangers the galaxy’s future.
Stunning 3D Space Combat – Homeworld 3 takes the signature, intense combat and simulated ballistics of the Homeworld series to the next level. New innovative features are introduced for players that open new dimensions of strategic gameplay including cover-based tactics and maps containing complex, varied terrain. These are all rendered in stunning, state-of-the-art graphics that simulate real-time ship damage, dynamic ship destruction, and situationally responsive audio to create a deep sense of immersion and realism.
War Games Mode – War Games is a new co-op mode that fuses Homeworld’s iconic RTS gameplay with roguelike elements. It enables players to take on a randomized series of combat missions and with unique challenges. Up to three commanders (players) must manage their fleet strength across each battle and then claim powerful rewards with each victory. Players will unlock incredible powers based on the results of those battles that ultimately carry over into their next run.
Skirmish Mode – In addition to the brand new narrative campaign Homeworld 3 also includes the classic Skirmish mode for players to test their tactical skills. Players can battle with human and AI opponents in 1 vs. 1 duals, team-based slugfests, or free-for-all combat with up to six total players. Modding will be supported in this mode through a partnership with Mod.io offering players integrated tools to create, share and play new Skirmish maps.

Players can choose from a variety of purchasing options:

Blackbird Interactive and Gearbox Publishing will continue to support Homeworld 3 following launch with additional updates to the War Games mode:

SQUARE ENIX CELEBRATES FINAL FANTASY XI ONLINE 22ND ANNIVERSARY

2024/05/14

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, News, Windows PC News

SQUARE ENIX® released the May version update for FINAL FANTASY™ XI Online, which includes new enemies in the Master Trials and Ambuscades, a limited-time login campaign and more. Fans can also look forward to the return of the Vana’Bout event, a thrilling co-op campaign allowing players worldwide to team up and earn rewards by completing special Record of Eminence objectives.

Details on the new content featured in the May version update can be found below:

New Foes in Master Trials – Take down Chaos and Bahamut to earn special rewards.
Return of Vana’Bout – Combine forces with players from all of the game’s Worlds to earn points by completing special Records of Eminence objectives. Once the total number of points earned by players around the world reaches the goal, everyone will receive a reward!
New Foes in Ambuscade – Tonberries and Pteraketos return to Ambuscade.
Login Campaign – The May 2024 Login Campaign runs now through June 9 at 7:00 a.m. Pacific. Receive points and exchange them for various in-game items. More details on the May Login Campaign can be found at: https://sqex.to/hQFD6

Full details on the May version update can be found at: https://sqex.to/3iMu4